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Biomedical subjects

B P Hart

Publications and source records attributed to B P Hart.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Certain norditerpenoid alkaloids and their cardiovascular action.

Thirteen new derivatives of norditerpenoid alkaloids, namely, 8-deacetyl-8-p-aminobenzoyldelphinine (1), 8-deacetyl-8-anthranoyldelphinine (2), 8-deacetyl-8-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamoyl)delphinine (3), 16-demethoxy-15,16-didehydro-8-p-anisoyl-14-benzoyldelpho nine (4), 6-acetylheteratisine N-oxide (6), 3,8-diacetylfalconerine (7), 8-stearoylfalconerine (8), 8-linolenylfalconerine (9), 13-acetylpyrodelphinine (11), 13-acetyldelphinine N-oxide (13), N-deacetyl-8,9-diacetyllappaconitine (14), 8, 9-(methylenedioxy)lappaconine (15), and 16-epipyroaconitine N-oxide (17), were prepared, and their structures were established by analysis of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, HRFABMS). The preliminary in vivo cardiovascular action (hypotensive, bradycardic, and ventricular arrhythmias) of these new compounds was tested in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The results are reported herein.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1996

Biological properties of fluoroglutamate-containing analogs of folates and methotrexate with altered capacities to form poly (gamma-glutamate) metabolites.

Fluoroglutamate-containing analogs of folates and methotrexate (MTX) with altered capacities for poly (gamma-glutamate) metabolism were synthesized to probe the biological roles of polyglutamates. Compared to folic acid, DL-e,t-gamma-fluorofolic acid, a compound that is a poor substrate for polyglutamylation, was approximately 25-fold less potent in promoting growth of folate-depleted H35 rat hepatoma cells. DL-beta,beta-Difluorofolic acid, a compound that forms diglutamates more readily than does folic acid, was at least equivalent to folic acid in potency. Leucovorin (LV), a reduced folate, was 30-fold more potent than folic acid in promoting growth, whereas the analogous form of DL-e,t-gamma-fluorofolate, DL-e,t-gamma-fluoroleucovorin (DL-e,t-gamma-FLV) was only 4-fold more potent than folic acid. Both LV and DL-e,t-gamma-FLV protected or "rescued" cells from the growth inhibitory effects of MTX; however a 37- to 46-fold higher concentration of the fluoro analog was required. Folic acid, DL-e,t-gamma-fluorofolic acid, LV, and DL-e,t-gamma-FLV each potentiated the growth inhibitory effect of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine on CCRF-CEM human leukemia cells; higher concentrations of fluorinated analogs again were required. Stereochemically pure L-t-gamma-fluoromethotrexate (L-t-gamma-FMTX), a poor substrate for polyglutamylation, was evaluated as a cell growth inhibitor. In continuous exposure, L-t-gamma-FMTX), was 7-fold less potent than MTX as an inhibitor of CCRF-CEM growth. Results with these fluorinated folate and MTX analogs offer insight into the importance of polyglutamate metabolism to these biological and pharmacological effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis and biological activity of folic acid and methotrexate analogues containing L-threo-(2S,4S)-4-fluoroglutamic acid and DL-3,3-difluoroglutamic acid.

The stereospecific syntheses of L-threo-gamma-fluoromethotrexate (1t) and L-threo-gamma-fluorofolic acid (3t) are reported. Compounds 1t and 3t have no substrate activity with folylpoly-gamma-glutamate synthetase isolated from CCRF-CEM human leukemia cells, and compound 1t inhibits human dihydrofolate reductase at similar levels as methotrexate. The synthesis of DL-3,3-difluoroglutamic acid (6) and its incorporation into DL-beta,beta-difluorofolic acid (4) are also reported. Compound 4 acts as a better substrate for human CCRF-CEM folylpoly-gamma-glutamate synthetase than folic acid (V/K = ca. 7-fold greater). Thus, replacement of the glutamate moiety of methotrexate and folic acid with 4-fluoroglutamic acid and 3,3-difluoroglutamic acid results in folates and antifolates with altered polyglutamylation activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Exploitation of folate and antifolate polyglutamylation to achieve selective anticancer chemotherapy.

Synthesis of poly(gamma-glutamate) metabolites of natural folates and antifolates is a critical process. Folypolyglutamates are essential for cell proliferation. Polyglutamates of glutamate (Glu)-containing antifolates are often critical for their cytotoxic action and are relevant to antifolate resistance. However, the role of polyglutamate synthesis in selectivity is less clear. We have undertaken a research program to further define the significance of polyglutamate metabolism and to devise ways to exploit this metabolism to achieve greater therapeutic selectivity in cancer chemotherapy. This article briefly reviews several approaches tested thus far. Inhibition of folypolyglutamate synthesis should lead to cell death. Current ornithine (Orn)-containing folate-based inhibitors of the enzyme responsible for their synthesis, folypolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS), are poorly transported, apparently because of interference by the protonated delta-amine. Replacement of Orn with 4, 4-difluoroOrn, the delta-amine of which has a much lower pKa and is thus less protonated at physiological pH, was explored. Since it is unclear how polyglutamylation contributes to selectivity, we explored generic means either to eliminate or to enhance polyglutamylation. The data indicate that substitution for Glu in an antifolate by some Glu analogs in which the gamma-COOH is either altered or replaced (e.g., gamma-tetrazole-Glu) leads to loss of both FPGS substrate activity and binding; antifolate target specificity is unchanged, while uptake is actually enhanced. Substitution of 3,3-difluoroGlu for Glu leads to enhanced polyglutamylation (although probably only to the diglutamate), retention of target specificity, and at least equal uptake. Comparative studies of the same antifolate containing different replacements for Glu, such as gamma-tetrazole-Glu (no polyglutamylation) or 3,3-difluoroGlu (enhanced polyglutamylation), will be useful in exploring the role and significance of polyglutamylation.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1996

Diterpenoid alkaloids from Delphinium davisii.

Three new hetisane-type diterpenoid alkaloids, davisinol (6), 18-benzoyldavisinol (7), and Davisin (9) have been isolated from Delphinium davisii Munz. and their structures established by detailed spectroscopic studies. Accurate 1H- and 13C-NMR assignments have been made for kobusine (8), a related hetisane-type alkaloid, and karakoline (5), a norditerpenoid alkaloid. The known norditerpenoid alkaloids 14-acetylperegrine (4), 6-deacetylperegrine (3), and karakoline (5) and the diterpenoid alkaloids hetisine and hetisinone were also isolated.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1996

Diterpenoid alkaloids from Consolida oliveriana.

From the aerial parts of Consolida oliveriana (DC) Schröd. a new norditerpenoid alkaloid consolidine (2) has been isolated, in addition to the known alkaloids pubescenine (1), gigactonine, and delsoline and the diterpenoid alkaloid ajaconine (4). The structure of alkaloid 2 was established on the basis of its physical and spectroscopic data including detailed NMR studies. A detailed NMR study on ajaconine (4) resulted in the revision of 11 13C chemical shift assignments.

Diterpenes↗
PubMed1995

DL-beta,beta-difluoroglutamic acid mediates position-dependent enhancement or termination of pteroylpoly(gamma-glutamate) synthesis catalyzed by folylpolyglutamate synthetase.

Poly(gamma-glutamylation) of glutamate (L-Glu)-containing antifolates and natural folates is important in pharmacological mechanisms and in physiological processes. Based on previous work from our laboratories, we hypothesized that replacement of the L-Glu moiety in parent molecules with DL-beta,beta-difluoroglutamic acid (DL-beta,beta-F2Glu) might be a generic means of increasing polyglutamylation by both increasing the synthesis rate and decreasing the degradation rate (J. J. McGuire et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265, 14073-14079 (1990)); thus biological potency might be increased without other biochemical properties being altered. DL-beta,beta-F2Glu, synthesized by an improved route (B. P. Hart and J. K. Coward, Tetrahedron Lett. 34, 4917-4920 (1993)), has been incorporated into a methotrexate (MTX) homolog, beta,beta-difluoromethotrexate (beta,beta-F2MTX), and a folic acid (PteGlu) homolog, beta,beta-difluorofolic acid (beta,beta-PteF2Glu). Biochemical properties of beta,beta-F2MTX (e.g., inhibition of isolated dihydrofolate reductase, transport in whole cells) are similar to those of MTX except that, in accord with our hypothesis, apparent substrate efficiency for rat and human folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) is 4- to 7.5-fold higher, respectively, for beta,beta-F2MTX than for MTX. Analysis of the products synthesized by purified FPGS, however, suggests that while addition of the first gamma-Glu to beta,beta-F2MTX is highly efficient, subsequent additions occur at a negligible rate; this premise was confirmed by directly comparing the in vitro FPGS substrate activity of MTX-gamma-Glu and beta,beta-F2MTX-gamma-Glu. Furthermore, the dramatically diminished in vitro growth inhibitory potency of beta,beta-F2MTX as compared to MTX when exposure time to drug is decreased (despite otherwise similar biochemical properties) suggests that polyglutamylation is also impaired in intact cells. Similar results with FPGS have been obtained with oxidized and reduced forms of beta,beta-PteF2Glu. These data suggest that the effect of beta,beta-F2Glu on polyglutamylation by FPGS is dependent on its position relative to the point of L-Glu ligation. When beta,beta-F2Glu is the acceptor amino acid (i.e., point of attachment), ligation of Glu is enhanced; however, if beta,beta-F2Glu is one residue distal to the acceptor amino acid, further elongation is blocked.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Vascular consequences of smoking and benefits of smoking cessation.

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 active compounds. The most common of these are nicotine and carbon monoxide. The inhalation of these compounds causes an immediate and active response in the human body. Atherosclerosis is thought to be related to smoking in some direct or indirect manner. Although no direct link has been proved, the risk for experiencing atherosclerotic changes in vessel walls seems to increase with smoking, especially in the presence of other risk factors. These include a high-fat diet, heredity, and diabetes. The relationship between smoking and coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease has been suggested by clinical studies with animals and human subjects. Although the smoking population in the United States has diminished in size, the number of teen and women smokers has continued to increase. Resources for those who desire to quit smoking are available in most health care settings. Success depends on many factors, including support networks, patient knowledge, and the method selected for cessation. The vascular nurse can support the patient in choosing a healthier life-style that is free of smoking.

Arteriosclerosis↗