Structure and conformational analysis of spiroketals from 6-O-methyl-9(E)-hydroxyiminoerythronolide A.

Three novel spiroketals were prepared by a one-pot transformation of 6-O-methyl-9(E)-hydroxyiminoerythronolide A. We present the formation of a [4.5]spiroketal moiety within the macrolide lactone ring, but also the unexpected formation of a 10-C=11-C double bond and spontaneous change of stereochemistry at position 8-C. As a result, a thermodynamically stable structure was obtained. The structures of two new diastereomeric, unsaturated spiroketals, their configurations and conformations, were determined by means of NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The reaction kinetics and mechanistic aspects of this transformation are discussed. These rearrangements provide a facile synthesis of novel macrolide scaffolds.

A comparison of in vitro ADME properties and pharmacokinetics of azithromycin and selected 15-membered ring macrolides in rodents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of structural modifications on the 15-membered macrolactone ring and/or substituents on the in vitro ADME properties and in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) profile for selected derivatives in rodents in comparison to azithromycin. Azithromycin and seven selected 15-membered macrolide derivatives, modified either by removal of the sugar moieties, replacement of the amine with a lactam, or addition of lipophilic substituents, were screened in several in vitro ADME assays and in vivo PK studies in rodents. In vitro ADME profiling included assessment of passive permeability and P-gp substrate, metabolic stability in liver microsomes and hepatocytes, as well as CYP direct inhibition measurements. In vivo PK studies were performed in rats (Sprague-Dawley), mice (Balb/c), and P-gp wild-type and deficient mice (CF-1™). Different structural modifications on the azithromycin scaffold resulted in substantial changes in disposition kinetics and oral bioavailability in both rodent species. However, these differences in vivo cannot be predicted based on in vitro results since most of these molecules are classified in the same category. Therefore, in the case of 15-membered ring macrolides, the in vitro ADME screens presented here seem to have low predictive value for in vivo prediction, making their use as routine in vitro screens prior to PK assessments questionable.

Around the macrolide - Impact of 3D structure of macrocycles on lipophilicity and cellular accumulation.

The aim of this study was to investigate lipophilicity and cellular accumulation of rationally designed azithromycin and clarithromycin derivatives at the molecular level. The effect of substitution site and substituent properties on a global physico-chemical profile and cellular accumulation of investigated compounds was studied using calculated structural parameters as well as experimentally determined lipophilicity. In silico models based on the 3D structure of molecules were generated to investigate conformational effect on studied properties and to enable prediction of lipophilicity and cellular accumulation for this class of molecules based on non-empirical parameters. The applicability of developed models was explored on a validation and test sets and compared with previously developed empirical models.

Study of lipophilicity and membrane partition of 4-hydroxycoumarins by HPLC and PCA.

Physicochemical properties provide reliable guidance in optimization of pharmacological efficiency and ADME profile of small chemical compounds. Their high-throughput determination is regularly based on application of HPLC techniques. In this study CHI and CHI IAM of 32 4-hydroxycoumarin analogs were measured by HPLC with methanol gradient at pHs 2.8 and 7.0. Results were analyzed by PCA in terms of computed descriptors in order to identify space for optimization of their phospholipids affinity and lipophilicity for which predictive software failed to produce reliable estimations. The chromatographic behavior of studied 4-hydroxycoumarins was typical of acidic compounds. The CHI(2.8), CHI(7.0), CHI IAM(2.8) and CHI IAM(7.0) values were all considerably cross-correlated in accordance with their prevailing lipophilic character. Structure-retention relationship (SRR) analysis furthermore revealed that H-bond accepting capacity and dipolar interactions with methanol generally shorten their retention times. However, deviations from the linear trends were noticed for R3/R5-substituted derivatives able to form intramolecular contacts with the 4-O(H) group and characterized by more uniform electron density at 2-O and 4-O atoms and quite different acidity/H-bond donating capacity than the rest of derivatives. Thus, CHI and CHI IAM determinations and SRR analysis are fast and efficiently pointed to ways of modifying biological activities of 4-hydroxycoumarins.

Valosin containing protein (VCP) interacts with macrolide antibiotics without mediating their anti-inflammatory activities.

In addition to antibacterial activity, some macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin and clarithromycin, also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo, although the targets and mechanism(s) of action remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify protein targets of azithromycin and clarithromycin which could potentially explain their anti-inflammatory effects. Using chemical proteomics approach, based on compound-immobilized affinity chromatography, valosin containing protein (VCP) was identified as a potential target of the macrolides. Validation studies confirmed the interaction of macrolides and VCP and gave some structural characteristics of this interaction. Cell based assays however, including the use of gene silencing and the study of VCP specific cellular functions in J774.A1 (murine macrophage) and IB3-1 (human cystic fibrotic epithelial) cell lines, failed to confirm an association between the binding of the macrolides to VCP and anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest the absence of an abundant high affinity protein target and the potential involvement of other biological molecules in the anti-inflammatory activity of macrolides.

Determination of aqueous stability and degradation products of series of coumarin dimers.

The stability in aqueous solution of five classes of coumarin dimers (I-V, compounds 1-29) was studied by HPLC-MS/MS at various pH values. The relationship between chemical structure and stability is discussed. It was found that dimeric compounds with strong electron withdrawing groups (EWGs) on the α-carbon to the bridging C-atom are stable at all pH values, whereas other derivatives undergo retro-Michael addition at rates which are also affected by the substituents on the aromatic rings. In some cases formation of stable isomers or oxidation products was observed. In order to evaluate their developability and potential for progression to in vivo studies, representative compounds were tested in an in vitro microsomal stability assay.

Modeling cellular pharmacokinetics of 14- and 15-membered macrolides with physicochemical properties.

Macrolides with 14- and 15-membered ring are characterized by high and extensive tissue distribution, as well as good cellular accumulation and retention. Since macrolide structures do not fit the Lipinski rule of five, macrolide pharmacokinetic properties cannot be successfully predicted by common models based on data for small molecules. Here we describe the development of the first models for macrolide cellular pharmacokinetics. By comparison of cellular accumulation and retention in six human primary cell cultures of leukocytic and lung origin, as well as in lung carcinoma cell line NCI-H292, this cell line was found to be an adequate representative cell type for modeling macrolide cellular pharmacokinetics. Accumulation and retention in the NCI-H292 cells, as well as various physicochemical properties, were determined for a set of 48 rationally designed basic macrolide compounds. Classification models for predicting macrolide cellular accumulation and retention were developed using relatively easily determined and conceptually simple descriptors: experimentally determined physicochemical parameters ChromlogD and CHI IAM, as well as a calculated number of positively charged atoms (POS). The models were further tested and improved by addition of 37 structurally diverse macrolide molecules.

Solvolysis of 1,1-dimethyl-4-alkenyl chlorides: evidence for pi-participation.

Tertiary 1,1-dimethyl-4-alkenyl chloride (1) solvolyzes with significantly reduced secondary beta-deuterium kinetic isotope effect (substrate with two trideuteromethyl groups) and has a lower entropy and enthalpy of activation than the referent saturated analogue 4 (k(H)/k(D) = 1.30 +/- 0.03 vs k(H)/k(D) = 1.79 +/- 0.01; Delta Delta H(++) = -9 kJ mol(-1), Delta Delta S(++) = -36 J mol(-1) K(-1), in 80% v/v aqueous ethanol), indicating participation of the double bond in the rate-determining step. Transition structure 1-TS computed at the MP2(fc)/6-31G(d) level of theory revealed that the reaction proceeds through a late transition state with considerably pronounced double bond participation and a substantially cleaved C-Cl bond. The doubly unsaturated compound 3 (1,1-dimethyl-4,8-alkadienyl chloride) solvolyzes with further reduction of the isotope effect, and a drastically lower entropy of activation (k(H)/k(D) = 1.14 +/- 0.01; DeltaS(++) = -152 +/- 12 J mol(-1) K(-1), in 80% v/v aqueous ethanol), suggesting that the solvolysis of 3 proceeds by way of extended pi-participation, i.e., the assistance of both double bonds in the rate-determining step.