Conjugates of Tacrine and Its Cyclic Homologues with p-Toluenesulfonamide as Novel Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors.

Using the acylation reaction with tosyl chloride of N-aminopropyl analogues of tacrine and its cyclic homologues with different size of the aliphatic cycle (5-8), we synthesized a number of new derivatives of p-toluenesulfonamide. It is shown that the synthesized hybrid compounds of tacrine and p-toluenesulfonamide are effective inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with the preferential inhibition of BChE. They also displace propidium from the peripheral anionic site of the electric eel AChE (Electrophorus electricus). The characteristics of the efficiency and selectivity of cholinesterase inhibition by the test compounds were confirmed by the results of molecular docking.

Novel conjugates of tacrine with 1,2,4,-thiadiazole as highly effective cholinesterase inhibitors, blockers of NMDA receptors, and antioxidants.

Conjugates of tacrine with 1,2,4-thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized for the first time. Their esterase profile and effects on the key NMDA receptor-binding sites as well as antioxidant activity were investigated. The obtained compounds effectively inhibited cholinesterases (with a predominant effect on butyrylcholinesterase), simultaneously blocked two NMDA receptor-binding sites (allosteric and intrachannel sites, and exhibited a high radical-scavenging activity. Our study shows that the obtained compounds are promising to design drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other multifactorial neurodegenerative diseases.

N,N'-Substituted Selenoureas as Polyfunctional Antioxidants.

Analysis of antioxidant activity of synthesized selenourea derivatives showed that N,N'-substituted selenoureas inhibited Fe(III)-induced LPO in rat brain homogenate. On the other hand, oxygen- and sulfur-containing analogs exhibited no antioxidant activity or even slight prooxidant activity. Intramolecular alkylation of selenium atom also led to loss of antioxidant activity. Thus, antioxidant activity of the compounds was due to the presence of a nonalkylated selenium atom in N,N'-substituted selenourea analogs.

[GBV-C infection in HIV-infected patients in the Russian Federation].

The spread and genotypical variability of GBV-C virus were determined among the HIV-positive patients in the Russian Federation. More than a fourth (26.2%) of the HIV-infected patients were shown to have GBV-C coinfection; all virus isolates belonged to genotype 2 with a predominance of subtype 2a. Analysis of the impact of GBV-C coinfection on HIV burden and CD4 lymphocyte levels showed no significant impact on these basic characteristics of HIV infection. However, coinfection with GBV-C and HIV was associated with the higher frequency of undetectably low ( < 400 copies/ml) of HIV burden, which enables GBV-C infection to be regarded as a potentially favorable factor in HIV infection.

[Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 strains in the Moscow Region].

The Moscow Region is one of the HIV-1-affected subjects of the Russian Federation; there were 34613 HIV-1-infected subjects as of October 31, 2009. To characterize the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in the Moscow Region, the investigators obtained and studied HIV-1 variants from 61 infected subjects of the region, who were major risk groups: intravenous drug users (IDUs) and hetero- and homosexually infected persons. Genetic analysis of HIV-1 variants was carried out by sequencing the gag genes (729 nucleotides in length, including full-length protein p17 and partial p24) andlor env (270 nucleotides in length, V3 region) with further phylogenetic analysis. The findings demonstrated that HIV-1 subtype A variants are dominant in the Moscow Region and detectable in 93.5% of IDUs and 100% of heterosexually infected persons. Phylogenetically (and accordingly epidemiologically) unrelated HIV-1 subtype B strains were revealed in 4 patients, including 2 IDUs.

[Influence of derivatives of arachidonic and docosohexaenic acids on AMPA receptors in Purkinje neurons and cognitive functions in mice].

The effect of derivatives of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids on AMPA receptors in Purkinje cells from the rat cerebellum was studied using the patch-clamp electrophysiological method. It was shown that derivatives of arachidonic acid-arachidonoyl dopamine and docosahexaenoic acid-docosahexaenoyl dopamine and ester of docosahexaenoic acid with ethylene glycol in nanomolar concentrations effectively potentiated the ionic currents caused by activation of AMPA receptors of kainic acid. Ester of docosahexaenoic acid with nitroethylene glycol blocked AMPA receptors, and anandamide (ethanolamide of arachidonic acid) was not effective. A behavioral test showed that docosahexaenoyl dopamine in doses of 0.1-20 mg/kg had no effect on the learning and memory abilities of the animals tested.

[Prostaglandin fluorides in synthesis of natural prostaglandin derivatives at a carboxyl group].

Methods of synthesis of prostaglandin fluorides were developed and their properties were investigated. These compounds were shown to be convenient synthetic precursors for obtaining esters and amides of natural prostaglandins and their fluorodeoxy analogues.

[Endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol: 1,3-dinitrates of cyclooxygenase metabolites, synthesis and properties].

Glycerol esters 1,3-dinitrates of the cyclooxygenase metabolites of natural prostaglandin 2-arachidonoylglycerol, an endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors, were synthesized for the first time. Four methods of synthesis of these esters were developed via the activation of a carboxyl group and their chemical and pharmacological properties were investigated. The esters exhibit a more selective pharmacological spectrum of activities in comparison with the corresponding natural prostaglandins: some types of myotropic activity were enhanced, while others were loosened. 1,3-dinitroglycerol esters act as vasodilators, whereas the majority of natural prostaglandins act as vasoconstrictors. The observed changes result from the introduction of an NO-releasing fragment into prostaglandin molecule.

[O-Nitration of prostaglandins: synthesis of 15-O-nitrates of 11-deoxyprostaglandin E1 and its methyl ester].

O-Nitration of the allylic hydroxyl group in prostaglandins and the synthesis of 15-O-nitrates of 11-deoxyprostaglandin E1 and its methyl ester are described for the first time.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of new 1, 3-disubstituted cyclohexanes as structurally rigid leukotriene B(4) receptor antagonists.

A series of 1-hydroxy-3-¿3-hydroxy-7-phenyl-1-hepten-1-yl cyclohexane acetic acid derivatives was designed based on postulated active conformation of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and evaluated as human cell surface LTB(4) receptor (BLTR) antagonists. Binding was determined through ¿(3)HLTB(4) displacement from human neutrophils and receptor antagonistic assays by in vitro measurements of inhibition of leukocyte chemotaxis induced by LTB(4). On the basis of these assays, a structure-affinity relationship was investigated. Optimization of the acid chain length and omega-substitution of a phenyl group on the lipophilic tail were shown to be critical for binding activity. These modifications led to the discovery of compounds with submicromolar potency and selective BLTR antagonism. The most potent compound 3balpha (IC(50) = 250 nM) was found to significantly inhibit oedema formation in a topical model of phorbolester-induced inflammation. Substantial improvement of in vitro potency was achieved by modification of the carboxylic acid function leading to the identification of the N,N-dimethylamide series. Compound 5balpha, free of agonist activity, displayed higher potency in receptor binding with an IC(50) of 40 nM. These results support the hypothesis that the spatial relationship between the carboxylic acid and allylic hydroxyl functions is crucial for high binding affinity with BLTR.

[Stereochemistry of substituting the allyl hydroxyl group with fluorine atom in prostaglandins. Synthesis of 15-fluoro-11,15-dideoxyprostaglandins E1]. / Stereokhimiia zameny allil'noi gidroksil'noi gruppy na atom ftora v prostaglandinakh. Sintez 15-ftor-11,15-didezoksiprostaglandinov E1.

(+/-)-15-Fluoro-11,15-dideoxyprostaglandin E1 and its methyl and ethyl esters were synthesized. Dehydroxyfluorination reaction (+/-)-11-deoxyprostaglandin E1 esters with various reagents based on SF4 was studied. Along with the target 15-fluorides (mixtures of alpha- and beta-epimers), products of allylic shift and dehydration in a ratio dependent on the fluorination agent were shown to be formed. With a morpholinotrifluorosulfuran-tris(morpholine)sulfonium trimethyldifluorosilicate mixture, the maximal excess (70%) of one of the 15-fluoro epimers was achieved. Possible mechanisms of dehydroxyfluorination of (+/-)-11-deoxyprostaglandin E1 esters with dialkylaminoflluorosulfurans were proposed. Methyl esters of 15-alpha-fluoro- and 15-beta-fluoro-11,15-dideoxyprostaglandin E1 exhibited moderate antiaggregation activity in rabbit platelet tests.

[Effects of the novel synthetic fatty acid dinitroglycerol esters on aggregation of the human platelets in vitro]. / Deistvie novykh sinteticheskikh dinitroglitserinovykh éfirov zhirnykh kislot na agregatsiiu trombotsitov cheloveka in vitro.

A series of six new synthetic dinitroglycerol esters of fatty acids on the human platelet aggregation was studied in vitro. Inclusion of the dinitroglycerol moiety into the molecule of arachidonic acid deprived this acid from pro-aggregant activity. All six compounds produced moderate (dose-dependent) inhibition of the platelet aggregation process induced by arachidonic acid (1 x 10(-3) M). Platelet aggregation was most significantly affected by dinitroglycerol esters of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. This is probably explained by the influence of these esters on the oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid to eicosanoids playing the role of proaggregants. In the presence of vessel wall (rat aorta fragments), dinitroglycerol esters of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids incubated with platelets (5 min, 37 degrees C) significantly reduced their aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (1 x 10(-3) M) or docosahexaenoic acid (1 x 10(-5) M) under the conditions of endothelial cyclooxygenase suppressed by acetylsalicylic acid (10 mg/ml). The pronounced antiaggregant effect of the synthetic dinitroglycerol esters studied is probably related to their ability to act as NO donors suppressing the activity of thrombocytes (provided that the NO production activity is present in the system).

[The effect of fluorinated prostaglandins on platelet aggregation]. / Vliianie ftorirovannykh prostaglandinov na agregatsiiu trombotsitov.

The effects of fluorodeoxy prostanoids on platelet aggregability were studied. It was shown that introduction of fluorine into positions 9, 11 or 15 of prostaglandin F2 alpha led to enhanced proaggregation activity. The most active compound among fluorodeoxy analogs was 15-fluoro derivative; bisfluoro analog was moderately active, and 11-fluoro compound had the least activity. In the group of fluorodeoxy prostaglandins E2, a contrary effect was registered. Thus, the most active compound was 1-fluoride and the least, 15-fluoride. The incorporation of fluorine into position 15 of prostacyclin led to insignificantly lower antiaggregatory activity just as this modification of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha was accompanied by a dramatic increase in its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation.

[The influence of docosahexaenoic acid moiety on cytotoxic activity of 1,2,4-thiadiazole derivatives].

Among 3-(2-aminopropyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole derivatives contatining substitution-ready secondary amino group and exhibiting cytotoxic towards rat C 6 glioma cells three compounds with LD 50 values ranged from 6 to 48 мM were chosen. For these compounds amides with docosahexaenoic acid were synthetised and their cytotoxic activity was studied. It was shown that, although docosahexaenoic acid itself was not toxic for C 6 glioma cells, its addition to the amino derivatives of 1,2,4-thiadiazole increased or decreased resultant cytotoxicity. The effect depended on the structure of 1,2,4-thiadiazole substituents. The obtained data show that the acylation of cytotoxic compounds with docosahexaenoic acid does not necessarily lead to the increase of their activity, but sometimes can inactivate a compound. This fact should be taken into account, especially in the case of anti-cancer drug development.

Effect of prostaglandins E2 and D2 on presynaptic NMDA receptors in rat cerebral cortex.

We studied the effect of prostaglandins on presynaptic NMDA receptors. Prostaglandin E2 inhibited NMDA-induced (45)Ca2+ uptake by synaptosomes in low concentrations (IC50 approximately 10 microM), but potentiated it in higher concentrations. Prostaglandin D2 increased (45)Ca2+ uptake by synaptosomes during stimulation of NMDA receptors. Our results indicate that prostaglandins D2 and E2 modulate function of presynaptic NMDA receptors.

Influence of dinitroglycerol and nitroethyleneglycol lipid derivatives on spectral parameters of human hemoglobin.

The interaction of organic nitrates (nitroethyleneglycol, dinitroglycerol, and their esters with arachidonic acid) with oxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin has been studied. Addition of nitroethyleneglycol and dinitroglycerol to oxyhemoglobin is accompanied by a modest but significant increase in oxidation rate of the heme protein to the high-spin ferri-form--methemoglobin. Arachidonoylglycerol dinitrate exerts a similar but more pronounced effect on hemoglobin: a molar excess of this dinitrate induces the transformation of a significant portion of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin, whereas arachidonoylnitroethyleneglycol is inactive. Arachidonoylglycerol dinitrate also induces changes in the spectral characteristics of methemoglobin; this may be due to disintegration of the methemoglobin with the loss of heme. The data demonstrate that some organic nitrates can interact with hemoglobin; this should be taken into account when using the oxyhemoglobin technique for measuring nitric oxide generation from these compounds.

[The action of 15-fluorine derivatives of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha on isolated smooth muscles]. / Deistvie 15-ftorproizvodnykh prostaglandinov E2 i F2 al'fa na izolirovannye gladkie myshtsy.

The effect of exchange of 15-hydroxyl for fluor on biological activity of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 on isolated smooth muscles of different organs has been studied. The exchange leads to significant increase in contractile (100-fold) and relaxation (1000-fold) activity of PGF2 alpha on smooth respiratory muscles. At the same time, the effect of 15-fluor-15-deoxyprostaglandin F2 alpha on smooth muscles of intestinal and vascular tracts did not differ from that of PGF2 alpha. Similar modification of PGE2 led to the decrease (10-fold) both in contractile and relaxation activity on all studied types of smooth muscles. The data obtained have been discussed within the boundaries of prostanoid receptor classification (Kennedy, 1982). Fluor derivative of PGF2 alpha may be used for pharmacological differentiation of EP-receptors.

[An 11-fluoroderivative of prostaglandin F2alpha--a stable thromboxano-mimetic]. / 11-Ftorproizvodnoe prostaglandina F2alpha--stabil'nyi tromboksanomimetik.

In a search for stable thromboxanomimetics the action of 11-fluoro-11-deoxyprostaglandin F2 alpha (11-fluoro-PGF2 alpha) on the aggregatory properties of platelets and the tone of the vascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal smooth muscles was studied. It was found that 11-fluoro-PGF2 alpha, in contrast to PGF2 alpha, induces platelet aggregation and exhibits a high activity with respect to smooth muscles sensitive to thromboxane A2 alpha (TXA2) and a low activity for smooth muscles sensitive to PGF2 alpha 9-11-epoxyimino-PGH2 (a specific antagonist of TXA2 receptors) competitively blocked the action of 11-fluoro-PGF2 alpha on vascular smooth muscles. Thus, 11-fluoro-PGF2 exhibits properties of a thromboxanomimetic that makes it possible to propose it for modelling TXA2-induced biological effects.