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Biomedical subjects

L A Sternson

Publications and source records attributed to L A Sternson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fluorogenic derivatization of peptides with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde/cyanide: optimization of yield and application in the determination of leucine-enkephalin spiked human plasma samples.

Initial attempts to derivatize the alpha-amino site of several tripeptides with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde/cyanide (NDA/CN) resulted in poor yields of the expected N-substituted 1-cyanobenz[f]isoindole (CBI) products. Examination of the CBI-formation mechanism, in conjunction with knowledge of the general structure-reactivity properties of the tripeptides, led to the recognition of a competing non-productive reaction pathway. Through the use of model reactions and the isolation and structural elucidation of a predicted side-product the viability of the competing pathway was confirmed. From an understanding of the key features of both the productive and non-productive reaction pathways, a rational approach for the optimization of CBI-derivative yield was proposed and confirmed experimentally. This information led, in turn, to the development of HPLC methodology suitable for the determination of leu-enkephalin spiked into human plasma; fluorescence detection was used in conjunction with leu-enkephalin amide as the internal standard. The method enabled leu-enkephalin to be determined at a concentration of 0.31 nmol ml-1 with an error of less than 4% for 25 pmol injected.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Liquid chromatographic determination of cyclophosphamide enantiomers in plasma by precolumn chiral derivatization.

On the basis of reactions described in the synthetic literature, a two-step chiral derivatization sequence was developed for the anticancer agent cyclophosphamide (CP). The sequence involves amidoalkylation of CP with anhydrous chloral containing 1% dimethylformamide followed by acylation of the resulting secondary alcohol with a chiral carboxylic acid chloride, (+)-6-methoxy-alpha-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetyl chloride, to form a diastereomeric pair. Derivatized (-)-CP and (+)-CP exhibited retention times of 17.2 and 20.7 min, respectively, when chromatographed on Hypersil ODS with acetonitrile/phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) as the mobile phase. Preparation of the individual diastereomers from enantiomerically pure CP enabled correlation of the chromatographically observed peaks with a particular enantiomer. Various aspects of the overall assay methodology have been systematically investigated (derivatization solvents, temperatures, reaction time, and work-up procedure) and optimized on the scale required for trace analysis in biological fluids. Calibration curves were established for each enantiomer in spiked human plasma over the therapeutically relevant concentration range of 0.99-49.94 micrograms/mL.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Suitability of DTAF as a fluorescent labelling reagent for direct analysis of primary and secondary amines--spectral and chemical reactivity considerations.

DTAF has been used successfully to prepare fluorescent labelled reagents for fluorescence polarization immunoassays. Its applicability as a derivation reagent for direct fluorescence analysis of primary and secondary amines was evaluated. DTAF was shown to have spectral properties that closely resemble those of fluorescein and that are apparently insensitive to the presence of the triazine nucleus. Spectrally determined pKa values also closely resemble those of fluorescein and other amino aryl-s-triazines. DTAF is prone to hydrolytic degradation with the rate of reaction increasing with increasing pH, until a pH value is reached at which ionization of the amine bridging the two aromatic nuclei occurs; at this pH the rate reaches a plateau value. Both primary and secondary amines react efficiently with DTAF, and the reactivity increases with the increasing basicity of the amine reactants. The reaction is pH-dependent, proceeding most efficiently at pH values at which both the "bridging amine" of DTAF and the amine substrate are unionized. Methyl substituted secondary amines were consistently more reactive than the corresponding primary amine, but further imposition of steric bulk about the amine nitrogen significantly reduced the reactivity of amines toward DTAF. In cases where such steric bulk is minimal. DTAF appears to be a suitable fluorescent labelling reagent for direct analytical applications.

Amines↗

The application of chemical derivatization to clinical drug analysis.

The sensitivity and selectivity achievable in the analysis of drug substances from biological matrices is often limited by the physical and chemical properties of the analyte. These limitations are further exacerbated by the inherent reactivity of most drugs in biological systems (i.e., their propensity for undergoing biotransformation). One very powerful approach that has been taken to improve the quality of the analytical methodology is to alter the physico-chemical properties of the drug through chemical modification (derivatization) during some stage of the analytical sequence. This approach has been successfully applied to situations and has resulted in improved chemical stability, analytical selectivity and sensitivity. In most cases, drug analysis from biological fluids involves a chromatographic step; the derivatization reaction can be carried out either prior or subsequent to chromatography. In this paper, examples of the advantages (and limitations) offered by the introduction of a chemical derivatization step in clinical drug analysis will be presented. Specifically, focus will be placed on analysis of chemically-reactive antineoplastic agents and peptides/proteins. The latter represent an emerging class of drugs which present significant analytical challenges. The use of o-phthalaldehyde analogues offering improved derivative stability and increased sensitivity will be described.

Body Fluids↗

Rational design and evaluation of improved o-phthalaldehyde-like fluorogenic reagents.

Evidence was presented suggesting that the fluorescent isoindole produced by reaction of o-phthalaldehyde (OPA), ethanethiol, and primary amine was formed by initial imine formation followed by conversion to an alpha-alkylaminobenzylsulfide and subsequent ring closure to form the isoindole nucleus. This mechanism suggested that the minimum structural requirement for condensation to an isoindole was an o-diacyl benzene in which one of the carbonyl groups was aldehydic. A major drawback of OPA as an analytical reagent is the limited stability of the fluorescent 1,2-disubstituted isoindole. Since isoindole instability is related to autoxidation at C-3, the use of o-(formyl) arylketones as alternatives to OPA is attractive in increasing the lifetime of the fluorescent species in that such reagents would form 1,2,3-trisubstituted isoindoles. Two compounds, o-acetylbenzaldehyde (OAB) and o-benzoylbenzaldehyde (OBB), were synthesized and evaluated as potential fluorogenic reagents. Both formed fluorescent products. The rate of formation of isoindole from the latter was too slow to make it of practical analytical value; however, OAB formed isoindoles with t1/2 less than 10 s and offered markedly improved stability over that observed with OPA.

Aldehydes↗

Phase I evaluation and pharmacokinetics of tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide, NSC 286193).

Tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide, TCAR, Riboxamide, NSC 286193) is a novel C-nucleoside with antitumor activity against several murine tumor models, including Lewis lung carcinoma. The mechanism whereby this compound exerts its antineoplastic effects is most likely related to a state of guanine nucleotide depletion whereby the anabolite, thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide, potently inhibits inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase. This Phase I study was designed to determine the maximally tolerated dose of Tiazofurin administered on a 5-day, every-28-day schedule. Tiazofurin levels were measured using a high-pressure liquid chromatography assay, and pharmacokinetic studies were performed in patients treated at each dose level. Nineteen patients received a total of 24 courses of the drug in doses ranging from 550 to 2200 mg/sq m. The dose-limiting toxicities were pleuropericarditis and a general illness best described as a "viral-like" syndrome (manifested by severe malaise, headaches, myalgias, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). Other toxicity included myelosuppression, hyperuricemia, elevated serum creatine phosphokinase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, conjunctivitis, mucositis, and desquamation of the palms of the hands. Plasma clearance of Tiazofurin followed a biexponential pattern with a harmonic mean terminal half-life of 7.6 h. The mean volume of distribution at steady state was 30 liters/sq m, and the mean plasma clearance was 3 liters/h/sq m. The total cumulative urinary excretion ranged from 15 to 49%. The maximally tolerated dose of Tiazofurin on a 5-day schedule was 1650 mg/sq m. The recommended dose for Phase II evaluations is 1100 mg/sq m for 5 days. However, exploration of other schedules which might allow administration of more Tiazofurin combined with biochemical studies including thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide measurements would be desirable.

Adult↗

Influence of tamoxifen and its N-desmethyl and 4-hydroxy metabolites on rat liver microsomal enzymes.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex; TAM) and its major metabolites, N-desmethyl- (DMT) and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (HT), were shown to be potent inhibitors of hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed function oxidations. From in vitro experiments, all three were found to be potent inhibitors of oxidation of Type-I substrates (ethylmorphine and aminopyrine) and less potent, non-competitive inhibitors of Type-II substrates (aniline and dimethylnitrosamine). TAM, DMT and HT were of essentially equal potency and had a much more pronounced effect on Type-I substrates than on Type-II compounds studied. Their action appears to parallel SKF-525A in type and potency of inhibition produced. Spectral binding studies suggest that TAM and its metabolites exert their effects by occupying the Type-I binding site of cytochrome P-450 and thus limiting the accessibility of other substrates to the active site of the enzyme. TAM (and its metabolites) also inhibits its own metabolism, altering the distribution and elimination half-lives of tamoxifen-derived species. In addition, tamoxifen metabolism was found to be sensitive to the presence of other drugs. These results raise concern regarding the role that continued administration of tamoxifen plays in changing its own disposition as well as in the detoxification of drugs administered with it.

Aminopyrine N-Demethylase↗

Effect of impaired renal function on tamoxifen.

There is no information available in the literature on the blood levels of tamoxifen in patients with decreased renal function. As serious side effects of tamoxifen administered at high doses have been reported, a patient with decreased renal function and metastatic breast cancer was studied to determine the blood levels of tamoxifen while under therapy. Since no abnormally elevated levels of tamoxifen were found in this patient during the month of therapy, results of this study indicate that tamoxifen can be administered to patients with some degree of renal impairment without the risk of giving rise to abnormally elevated blood levels.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Analysis of riboxamide in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography using automated column switching.

A sensitive and highly specific assay for riboxamide (TCAR) in human and canine plasma is described. The specificity of the procedure is derived from the method of sample preparation and a high-performance liquid chromatographic separation which utilizes the different selectivities of two columns. Partial separation of TCAR from plasma is achieved on a solvent-generated anion exchanger with silica gel as the solid support. The separation is completed by switching the eluent fraction containing TCAR from the first column to a second solvent-generated anion exchanger which has ODS-silica as its support. The relationship between the amount of drug injected and its peak height was linear over wide ranges of concentrations (0-10 micrograms/ml) and injection volumes (20-200 microliter). The limit of detection for TCAR in plasma was 40 ng/ml which can be detected by injecting 200 microliter of processed plasma. The recoveries from plasma were 100.2 +/- 0.9% and 101.3 +/- 2.3% when spiked at the 10 and 1 microgram/ml levels, respectively. The applicability of the method to pharmacokinetic studies was demonstrated by following the plasma levels of TCAR after intravenous administration in the dog.

Animals↗

Evaluation of reductive amperometric detection in the liquid chromatographic determination of antineoplastic platinum complexes.

The usefulness of reductive electrochemical detection at mercury drop electrodes has been determined for platinum complexes separated by solvent-generated anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography. Both current-sampled dropping mercury and hanging mercury drop electrodes (DME and HMDE) provide significant advantages over UV absorbance and off-line non-flame atomic absorption detection. The effects of chromatographic and polarographic parameters on analytical system performance have been investigated. By raising the detector cell temperature, the detector response to cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (DDP) can be shifted anodically to 0.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl, thereby increasing detector selectivity for this compound. The noise-limited minimum detectable quantities of DDP with DME and HMDE are 1.8 ng and 70 pg injected, respectively. DDP can be determined in untreated urine at levels below 100 ng/ml.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Monitoring the reactions of cisplatin with nucleotides and methionine by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using cationic and anionic pairing ions.

Methodology, based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, is described for monitoring the reactions of cisplatin with DNA, nucleotides, and methionine. Cisplatin was determined in DNA ultrafiltrates on solvent-generated anion exchangers which were prepared by coating the surface of a reversed-phase column with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. These systems were also applicable to studies on the reactions of cisplatin with nucleotides. The retention of the nucleotides studied (5'-AMP, 5'-GMP, 5'-CMP, and 5'-TMP) was described by means of an ion-exchange model and was manipulated by controlling the phosphate concentration in the mobile phase and its pH. The results indicate that cisplatin interacts predominantly with adenosine and guanosine groups on the DNA molecule and that binding is limited by the rate of conversion to an aquated intermediate. Whereas reversed-phase HPLC systems employing cationic pairing ions were applicable to the analysis of mixtures containing cisplatin and anionic solutes, systems employing alkyl sulfonates were required to monitor the reaction of cisplatin with methionine which produces cationic products. Retention, in this latter system, was optimized by the addition of acetonitrile to the mobile phase and by controlling the concentration and chain length of alkylsulfonate in the mobile phase. Although an octadecylsilylsilica, reversed-phase column was preferred for the analytical separation of the methionine-platinum complexes, a polystyrene-divinylbenzene colume was preferred for preparative work.

Anions↗

High-performance liquid chromatography of cisplatin.

The retention behavior of cisplatin on a variety of stationary phases has been investigated using aqueous mobile phases modified by the addition of various electrolytes and methanol. Cisplatin is poorly retained on reverse-phase or silica columns but satisfactorily retained on chemically bonded or solvent-generated anion exchangers. The retention of the neutral complex on positively charged stationary phases is explained in terms of ion-dipole interactions and rationalized by the application of solvophobic theory. The use of solvent-generated anion exchangers for the analysis of cisplatin offers significant advantages over the chemically bonded system in terms of peak shape, column efficiency, and stability. By the use of column switching and off-line atomic absorption, solvent-generated anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is applicable to the determination of cisplatin in urine.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗