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Biomedical subjects

J Pichardo

Publications and source records attributed to J Pichardo.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

SCH 503034, a mechanism-based inhibitor of hepatitis C virus NS3 protease, suppresses polyprotein maturation and enhances the antiviral activity of alpha interferon in replicon cells.

Cleavage of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) polyprotein by the viral NS3 protease releases functional viral proteins essential for viral replication. Recent studies by Foy and coworkers strongly suggest that NS3-mediated cleavage of host factors may abrogate cellular response to alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) (E. Foy, K. Li, R. Sumpter, Jr., Y.-M. Loo, C. L. Johnson, C. Wang, P. M. Fish, M. Yoneyama, T. Fujita, S. M. Lemon, and M. Gale, Jr., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102:2986-2991, 2005, and E. Foy, K. Li, C. Wang, R. Sumpter, Jr., M. Ikeda, S. M. Lemon, and M. Gale, Jr., Science 300:1145-1148, 2003). Blockage of NS3 protease activity therefore is expected to inhibit HCV replication by both direct suppression of viral protein production as well as by restoring host responsiveness to IFN. Using structure-assisted design, a ketoamide inhibitor, SCH 503034, was generated which demonstrated potent (overall inhibition constant, 14 nM) time-dependent inhibition of the NS3 protease in cell-free enzyme assays as well as robust in vitro activity in the HCV replicon system, as monitored by immunofluorescence and real-time PCR analysis. Continuous exposure of replicon-bearing cell lines to six times the 90% effective concentration of SCH 503034 for 15 days resulted in a greater than 4-log reduction in replicon RNA. The combination of SCH 503034 with IFN was more effective in suppressing replicon synthesis than either compound alone, supporting the suggestion of Foy and coworkers that combinations of IFN with protease inhibitors would lead to enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1999

Isolation and structure of SCH 351633: a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease inhibitor from the fungus Penicillium griseofulvum.

A new hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor designated as Sch 351633 (1) was isolated from the fungus, Penicillium griseofulvum. Structure elucidation of 1 was accomplished by analysis of spectroscopic data, which determined compound 1 to be a bicyclic hemiketal lactone. Compound 1 exhibited inhibitory activity in the HCV protease assay with an IC50 value of 3.8 microg/mL.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1999

Myocardial oxidative stress changes during compensated right heart failure in rats.

The suggested role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of heart failure is largely based on utilizing left heart failure models. The present study on rats evaluated changes in antioxidants as well as oxidative stress in relation to hemodynamic function subsequent to the right heart failure induced by monocrotaline (50 mg/kg, i.p.). During the post-injection period, monocrotaline (MCT)-treated rats demonstrated a persistent growth depression. Two to three weeks after the injection, MCT-treated rats showed signs of fatigue, peripheral cyanosis and dyspnea. In these rats, right heart hypertrophy was confirmed by a significant increase in right ventricular weight as well as right ventricle to body weight ratio. In MCT-treated rats, there was also a significant increase in right ventricular systolic as well as end diastolic pressures. No change in lung and liver wet/dry weight ratios between MCT-treated and control animals was observed. Based on the hemodynamic data as well as other clinical observations, the functional stage achieved was compensated heart failure. Myocardial antioxidant enzymes, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, in the MCT-treated rats were not different compared to control rats. Vitamin E levels were significantly depressed in the RV and there was no change in retinol levels. There was a significant increase in lipid hydroperoxide concentrations in MCT-treated rats as compared to the control group. These data provide evidence that right heart failure is associated with an increase in oxidative stress.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Enhancement of hepatitis C virus NS3 proteinase activity by association with NS4A-specific synthetic peptides: identification of sequence and critical residues of NS4A for the cofactor activity.

The NS3 proteinase of hepatitis C virus utilizes NS4A as a cofactor for cleavages at four sites (3/4A, 4A/4B, 4B/5A, and 5A/5B) in the nonstructural region of the viral polyprotein. To characterize NS4A for its role in modulating the NS3 proteinase activity at various cleavage sites, synthetic peptides spanning various parts of NS4A were synthesized and tested in a cell-free trans-cleavage reaction using purified NS3 proteinase domain and polyprotein substrates. The NS3 proteinase domain was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, denatured, and refolded to an enzymatically active form. We found that a 12-amino-acid peptide containing amino acid residues 22 to 33 in NS4A (CVVIVGRIVLSG) was sufficient for cofactor activity in NS3-mediated proteolysis. The peptide enhanced the cleavage at the NS5A/5B site and was necessary for NS3-mediated cleavage at NS4A/4B and NS4B/5A. Sequential amino acid substitution within the designated peptide identified residues I29 and I25 as critical for potential cofactor activity. We provide evidence that the NS4A peptide and the NS3 catalytic domain form an enzymatically active complex. These data suggest that the central 12-amino-acid peptide (aa 22-33) of NS4A is primarily important for the cofactor activity through complex formation with NS3, and the interaction may represent a new target for antiviral drug development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

On the protection by ketorolac of reperfusion-induced heart damage.

This study shows that the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, ketorolac, protects against myocardial damage induced by reperfusion. This effect was analyzed after 5 min of coronary occlusion in rat hearts. The results indicate that ketorolac, at a dose of 1 mg/kg, effectively protects the heart against reperfusion arrhythmias. Furthermore, it protects from the release of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase to the plasma. We propose that the protective effect of the drug might be due to its chelating action on calcium ions, thus preventing the overload of such cation in myocardial cells.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Triphenyltin as inductor of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition.

The effect of triphenyltin on mitochondrial Ca2+ content was studied. It was found that this trialkyltin compound induces an increase in membrane permeability that leads to Ca2+ release, drop of the transmembrane potential, and efflux of matrix proteins. Interestingly, cyclosporin A was unable to inhibit triphenyltin-induced Ca2+ release. Based on these results it is proposed that the hyperpermeable state is produced by modification of 2.25 nmol of membrane thiol groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Ionophoretic-like properties of ketorolac for calcium.

Ketorolac is an analgesic drug known to induce its therapeutic effect by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. In this work we introduce the nonsteroidal antialgesic drug as a compound with ionophoretic properties for calcium ions, showing that ketorolac induces mitochondrial Ca++ release. This reaction did not depend on an uncoupler-like action, because the drug does not collapse the internal negative membrane potential nor does it affect oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, it is shown that ketorolac ferries calcium ions into energized liposomes and has a hydrophobic phase with an affinity constant of 4 x 10(-3). The therapeutic action of ketorolac is related to its ionophoretic properties in addition to its well known inhibitory effect on the cyclooxygenase enzyme.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Fluorescamine-induced membrane permeability in mitochondria.

1. Addition of fluorescamine (75 microM) to mitochondria induced an increase in membrane permeability. 2. The leakiness of the inner mitochondrial membrane is characterized by extensive release of accumulated Ca2+, collapse of the transmembrane potential, mitochondrial swelling and efflux of matrix proteins, among them, malate dehydrogenase. 3. These effects were diminished by supplementing the media with 1 mM phosphate, and partially prevented by Mg2+. 4. These results indicate that the primary amino groups of membrane components contribute, partially, to the maintenance of the permeability barrier in mitochondria.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Impairment by cyclosporin A of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.

This study introduces the immunosuppressor, cyclosporin A, as a cardioprotective drug. This effect was analyzed during development of reperfusion/induced arrhythmias after 5-min period of coronary ligation in hearts of rats under anesthesia. The results indicate that cyclosporin, when given before coronary occlusion, at a dose of 20 mg/kg, effectively protects against the high incidence of arrhythmias and the fall in blood pressure induced by reperfusion. In addition, in inhibits the delivery of lactic dehydrogenase and creatine kinase enzymes to the plasma. We propose that the protective effect could be related with its well documented action to restrain Ca(2+)-induced damage of mitochondrial functions.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Captopril protection from the nephrotoxic effects of mercury].

The experiments referred to in this article point to the fact that relatively low concentrations of Hg2+ (5-10 mM) produce damage to the internal mitochondrial membrane. This damage results in the formation of ionic channels that allow the spontaneous effusion of Ca+2 from the matrix. Together with this, the formation of channels produce the balance of the chemo-osmotic gradient, resulting in the overcoming of the transmembrane potential and the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. The experiments carried out in vivo, point to the fact mercury produces acute tubular necrosis of kidney tissue. These toxic effects produced by Hg2+ in vitro with the addition of 15 microM of the inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme, captopril. In vivo experiments show that intraperitoneal infection of captopril (40 mg/kg) completely protects from mitochondrial dysfunction produced by mercurial intoxication.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ketorolac protection in damage due to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion].

This study shows that the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Ketorolac, has an ionophore-like action for calcium, such a drug may transfer calcium through an hydrophobic phase. This property does not affect the respiratory rate of mitochondria. These results indicate that the ionophoretic effect is not due to an uncoupling action of Ketorolac. The effect of this compound was tested in a reperfusion model where it was observed that Ketorolac (1 mg/Kg weight) administered 30 min before an ischemic period was induced, reverts the arrhythmic effect of reperfusion. These results are in agreement with the analysis of the plasmatic concentrations of the enzymes creatine kinase and lactic dehydrogenase. It was found that the levels of such enzymes were lower in Ketorolac treated group, than in the untreated one. The results clearly indicate that Ketorolac prevents from the myocardial damage induced by reperfusion, probably by avoiding calcium overload in myocytes.

Animals↗