Rapid and efficient syntheses of tryptophans using a continuous-flow quaternization-substitution reaction of gramines with a chiral nucleophilic glycine equivalent.

A continuous-flow quaternization reaction of gramines with MeI (<1 min) followed by a substitution reaction with a chiral nucleophilic glycine-derived Ni-complex (S)-2 (<1 min) has successfully been developed to afford the corresponding alkylated Ni-complexes 3 in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity, based on the results of a one-pot quaternization-substitution reaction of gramines with (S)-2 in a batch process. The continuous-flow process allowed the safe and efficient scale-up synthesis of 3j (84% yield, 99% de, 540 g h-1) to give 7-azatryptophan derivative (S)-4j readily by an acid-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction followed by protection with an Fmoc group. The present method for the rapid and efficient syntheses of enantiopure unnatural tryptophan derivatives from various gramines and (S)-2 will be useful to further promote peptide and protein drug discovery and development research.

[A case of recurrent Campylobacter fetus meningitis, occurring two months after the |initial infection was successfully treated].

A 43-year-old man was admitted to our department due to fever and headache. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed bacterial meningitis. Campylobacter species were isolated from blood cultures on the third day of admission. The patient was treated with meropenem (MEPM) and discharged on the 17th day. However, he experienced a recurrence of meningitis and was readmitted on the 68th day, initiating MEPM therapy. Campylobacter fetus was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid cultures on the 74th day. MEPM was continued until the 81st day, followed by one month of minocycline (MINO) therapy. The patient had an uneventful recovery without further recurrence. This case highlights the potential for recurrence of Campylobacter fetus meningitis approximately two months after the resolution of the initial infection. In addition to carbapenem therapy for at least two weeks, the adjunctive administration of MINO may be beneficial.

Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists: synthesis, structure-activity relationship, docking studies, and biological evaluation of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine derivatives.

Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1) antagonists have been studied as potential agents for the treatment of obesity. Initial structure-activity relationship studies of in-house hit compound 1a and subsequent optimization studies resulted in the identification of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative 23, 1-(2-acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl)-4-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperidin-1-yl]butan-1-one, as a potent hMCHR1 antagonist. A homology model of hMCHR1 suggests that these compounds interact with Asn 294 and Asp 123 in the binding site of hMCHR1 to enhance binding affinity. Oral administration of compound 23 dose-dependently reduced food intake in diet-induced obesity (DIO)-F344 rats.

Discovery, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship of 6-aminomethyl-7,8-dihydronaphthalenes as human melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists.

Human melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (hMCHR1) antagonists are promising targets for obesity treatment. We identified the tetrahydronaphthalene derivative 1a with modest binding affinity for hMCHR1 by screening an in-house G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligand library. We synthesized a series of 6-aminomethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalenes and evaluated their activity as hMCHR1 antagonists. Modification of the biphenylcarbonylamino group revealed that the biphenyl moiety played a crucial role in the interaction of the antagonist with the receptor. The stereoselective effect of the chiral center on binding affinity generated the novel 6-aminomethyl-7,8-dihydronaphthalene scaffold without a chiral center. Optimization of the amino group led to the identification of a potent antagonist 2s (4'-fluoro-N-[6-(1-pyrrolidinylmethyl)-7,8-dihydro-2-naphthalenyl][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide), which significantly inhibited the nocturnal food intake in rats after oral administration. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that 2s had good oral bioavailability and brain penetrance. This antagonist appears to be a viable lead compound that can be used to develop a promising therapy for obesity.

[A case of IgG4-related sclerosing disorders involving the mesentery and the pancreas].

A 78-year-old man presented with upper abdominal pain. He underwent an abdominal computed tomography scan which revealed irregularly shaped mass lesions in the mesentery and in the pancreatic head and body. The mass lesions were suspected to be pancreatic cancer with peritoneal dissemination and a surgical biopsy was performed. Histologic studies revealed lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis with significant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells. His serum IgG4 level was 223 mg/dl. Findings from histologic and serum studies were compatible with IgG4-related sclerosing disorders. The mass lesions responded to steroid therapy and disappeared. The difficulty in making a definitive diagnosis is discussed.

Effects of TAK-802, a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on distension-induced rhythmic bladder contractions in rats and guinea pigs.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of 8-[3-[1-[(3-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-piperidinyl]-1-oxopropyl]-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-one (TAK-802), a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on distension-induced rhythmic bladder contractions in urethane-anesthetized rats and guinea pigs. TAK-802 potently inhibited human-erythrocyte-derived acetylcholinesterase activity with an IC(50) value of 1.5 nM, which represented a potency 30 and 250 times greater than that of the two carbamate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, neostigimine and distigmine, respectively. Unlike the carbamate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, TAK-802 exhibits high selectivity for acetylcholinesterase inhibition over butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. In an assay conducted to measure the muscarinic and nicotinic actions, TAK-802 was found to exhibit higher selectivity for muscarinic actions over nicotinic actions in comparison to distigmine. Both TAK-802 and distigmine increased isovolumetric bladder contractions in rats and guinea pigs in a dose-dependent manner, with a minimum effective dose (MED) of 0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg i.v., respectively, in rats, and 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg i.v., respectively, in guinea pigs. The effects of both the drugs were completely abolished by atropine. These results suggest that TAK-802 and other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can effectively increase reflex bladder contractions by increasing the efficacy of acetylcholine released by nerve impulses. On the other hand, bethanechol, a muscarinic agonist, markedly changed the pattern of distension-induced bladder contractions when administered at the dose of 1 mg/kg i.v., and it did not necessarily augment well-coordinated bladder contractions. Thus, considering that it has some selectivity for muscarinic action, TAK-802 might be expected to be useful in the treatment of voiding dysfunction caused by impaired detrusor contractility.

T-226296: a novel, orally active and selective melanin-concentrating hormone receptor antagonist.

Through the screening of our in-house chemical compound library, we found a novel melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor antagonist, T-226296, a (-) enantiomer of N-[6-(dimethylamino)-methyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl]-4'-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide. T-226296 exhibited high affinity for cloned human and rat MCH receptors (SLC-1) in receptor binding assays (IC50=5.5+/-0.12 nM for human SLC-1; 8.6+/-0.32 nM for rat SLC-1). T-226296 had high selectivity over other receptors, including the second subtype of the MCH receptor, SLT (MCH2), transporters and ion channels. In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human SLC-1, T-226296 reversed the MCH-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, inhibited MCH-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase, and also inhibited MCH-stimulated arachidonic acid release. In rats, oral administration of T-226296 (30 mg/kg) almost completely suppressed the food intake induced by intracerebroventricular injection of MCH. These results clearly indicate that T-226296 is a novel, orally active and selective MCH receptor antagonist that will be promising for further exploring the physiology and pathophysiology of MCH-SLC-1 signaling.

Lewis Acid-Promoted, Stereocontrolled, Gram Scale, Diels-Alder Cycloadditions of Electronically Matched 2-Pyrones and Vinyl Ethers: The Critical Importance of Molecular Sieves and the Temperature of Titanium Coordination with the Pyrone.

(R)-(+)-Binol-titanium coordinates with commercial methyl 2-pyrone-3-carboxylate and promotes mild, highly enantiocontrolled Diels-Alder cycloadditions with electron-rich vinyl ether CH(2)=CHOCH(2)-1-naphthyl and vinyl silyl ether CH(2)=CHOSiMe(2)Bu-t leading to valuable 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) intermediate (-)-2. Unexpectedly, two subtle variables were found to be critical for obtaining reproducibly over 90% enantioselectivities in gram scale cycloadditions: (1) the moisture content (15-17% is best) of the molecular sieves used to prepare the binol-titanium complex according to the Mikami protocol and (2) the temperature (50 degrees C is best) at which the pyrone ester is mixed with the binol-titanium complex. Unsubstituted 2-pyrone undergoes ytterbium-promoted, high-pressure, regioselective, and stereoselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition with benzyl vinyl ether to form versatile bicyclic lactone (+/-)-4 on gram scale.

Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel 3-(aminomethyl)quinolines.

It was found that 3-(aminomethyl)quinoline derivatives showed high binding affinities for melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1) with reduced affinity for serotonin receptor 2c (5-HT2c) when the dihydronaphthalene nucleus of compound 1 (human MCHR1, IC(50) = 1.9 nM; human 5-HT2c receptor, IC(50) = 0.53 nM) was replaced by other bicyclic core scaffolds. Among the synthesized compounds, 8-methylquinoline derivative 5v especially showed high binding affinity (IC(50) = 0.54 nM), potent in vitro antagonistic activity (IC(50) = 2.8 nM) for MCHR1, and negligible affinity for 5-HT2c receptor (IC(50) > 1000 nM). Oral administration of 5v significantly and dose-dependently suppressed nocturnal food intake in diet-induced obese rats and did not affect food intake in MCHR1-deficient mice. These results and rat pharmacokinetic study findings suggested that compound 5v is a highly potent, orally bioavailable, and centrally acting nonpeptide MCHR1 antagonist.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship, and pharmacological studies of novel melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists 3-aminomethylquinolines: reducing human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) associated liabilities.

Recently, we discovered 3-aminomethylquinoline derivative 1, a selective, highly potent, centrally acting, and orally bioavailable human MCH receptor 1 (hMCHR1) antagonist, that inhibited food intake in F344 rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Subsequent investigation of 1 was discontinued because 1 showed potent hERG K(+) channel inhibition in a patch-clamp study. To decrease hERG K(+) channel inhibition, experiments with ligand-based drug designs based on 1 and a docking study were conducted. Replacement of the terminal p-fluorophenyl group with a cyclopropylmethoxy group, methyl group introduction on the benzylic carbon at the 3-position of the quinoline core, and employment of a [2-(acetylamino)ethyl]amino group as the amine portion eliminated hERG K(+) channel inhibitory activity in a patch-clamp study, leading to the discovery of N-{3-[(1R)-1-{[2-(acetylamino)ethyl]amino}ethyl]-8-methylquinolin-7-yl}-4-(cyclopropylmethoxy)benzamide (R)-10h. The compound (R)-10h showed potent inhibitory activity against hMCHR1 and dose-dependently suppressed food intake in a 2-day study on DIO-F344 rats. Furthermore, practical chiral synthesis of (R)-10h was performed to determine the molecule's absolute configuration.

A case of postirradiation angiosarcoma of the greater omentum with hemorrhage.

Angiosarcoma, one of the least common sarcomas, occurs most commonly in the skin and soft tissues, and postirradiation angiosarcoma of the greater omentum is extremely rare. Only one reported case of postirradiation angiosarcoma involved the greater omentum. We describe the case of 74-year-old female with a history of cervical cancer treated with abdominal irradiation 5 years before. On admission, she had nausea, vomiting anorexia, and fatigue. She underwent an abdominal computed tomography scan that revealed an irregularly shaped tumor bounded by transverse colon. The patient died on the 34th hospital day. Autopsy revealed that the tumor was composed of anastomosing irregular vascular channels of variable calibers, involving the adipose tissue of the omentum. Histological studies suggested angiosarcoma. The definitive diagnosis was postirradiation angiosarcoma of the greater omentum, which is an extremely rare condition with an overall dismal prognosis.

Novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor as increasing agent on rhythmic bladder contractions: SAR of 8-{3-[1-(3-fluorobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]propanoyl}-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-one (TAK-802) and related compounds.

As part of an on-going investigation to develop an increasing agent on rhythmic bladder contractions, 1-aryl-3-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)propanones were synthesized and examined as noncarbamate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Among compounds with various aryl groups, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-one derivative 9c was found to possess a potent AChE inhibition activity with an IC(50) value of 1.3nM. The compound 9c increased rhythmic bladder contractions in Guinea pigs and rats without affecting the basal intravesical pressure, which suggests that 9c may be useful for the treatment of voiding dysfunction caused by detrusor underactivity.

CCR5 antagonists as anti-HIV-1 agents. 1. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide derivatives.

A novel lead compound, N-(3-[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl]propyl)-1-methyl-5-oxo-N-phenylpyrrolidine-3-carboxamide (1), was identified as a CCR5 antagonist by high-throughput screening using [(125)I]RANTES and CCR5-expressing CHO cells. The IC(50) value of 1 was 1.9 microM. In an effort to improve the binding affinity of 1, a series of 5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamides was synthesized. Introduction of 3,4-dichloro substituents to the central phenyl ring (10i, IC(50)=0.057 microM; 11b, IC(50)=0.050 microM) or replacing the 1-methyl group of the 5-oxopyrrolidine moiety with a 1-benzyl group (12e, IC(50)=0.038 microM) was found to be effective for improving CCR5 affinity. Compound 10i, 11b, and 12e also inhibited CCR5-using HIV-1 envelope-mediated membrane fusion with IC(50) values of 0.44, 0.19, and 0.49 microM, respectively.