PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N R Bachur

Publications and source records attributed to N R Bachur.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Schedule-dependent enhancement of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine incorporation into HL-60 DNA by deoxyguanosine.

We studied the ability of the purine deoxynucleoside deoxyguanosine (dGuo) to enhance 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) incorporation into DNA of HL-60 cultured human leukemia cells. The effects of dGuo on ara-C incorporation into DNA were compared to those of thymidine (dThd), a pyrimidine deoxynucleoside known to augment ara-C effects both in vitro and in vivo. Both deoxynucleosides doubled the cells in the S phase of the cell cycle within the exposure periods (up to 48 hr) and concentrations (10 to 1000 microM) tested. Both deoxynucleosides enhanced ara-C incorporation into DNA equally. However, dThd and dGuo differed in the schedule required to achieve this effect. Simultaneous exposure of cells to ara-C and dThd increased ara-C incorporation into DNA approximately 3.5-fold. Preincubation of cells with dThd for 16 hr prior to the addition of ara-C further enhanced ara-C incorporation into DNA (to approximately 5-fold) in direct proportion to the dThd-induced increase in cells in S phase. Preincubation was essential for dGuo, since 16-hr preincubation of cells with concentrations as low as 30 microM caused augmentation of ara-C incorporation into DNA; but simultaneous exposure of cells to dGuo and ara-C caused no augmentation of ara-C incorporation into DNA. The augmentation of ara-C incorporation into DNA caused by preincubation of the cells with dGuo results from a number of factors, including the cytokinetic effect of increasing the percentage of cells in S phase and the reduction of intracellular dCTP pools. Maximal dGuo enhancement of ara-C incorporation into DNA (approximately 5-fold) required greater than 100 microM dGuo, 16-hr preincubation with dGuo, and final incubation of cells with ara-C after removal of dGuo. We explain this further augmentation of ara-C incorporation into DNA caused by the removal of dGuo prior to adding ara-C by our observed inhibition of ara-C phosphorylation by dGuo concentrations greater than 100 microM.

Cell Line↗

Free radicals in quinone containing antitumor agents. The nature of the diaziquone (3,6,-diaziridinyl-2,5-bis(carboethoxyamino)-1,4-benzoquinone) free radical.

The enzymatically generated free radical of the antitumor agent diaziquone is analyzed with the help of two analogs where either the aziridine rings (RQ14) or the carboethoxyamino groups (RQ2) were substituted by chlorine atoms. The hyperfine couplings observed in the diaziquone free radical are due to the nitrogens in the aziridine group. Unresolved coupling and hindered rotation contribute to line broadening. We find that diaziquone free radicals are more stable than RQ14 but less stable than RQ2 free radicals. The reason for this is that the carboethoxyamino groups make the aromatic ring unstable, while the aziridines contribute to its stability. The free radical observed in diaziquone is in all probability that of the parent compound and not that of an intermediate metabolite.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Prevention of adriamycin toxicity.

Mice treated with lethal doses of adriamycin (A1) (IP) are rescued with a single IP dose of 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinon-3-yl radical dimer (TM3). The in vivo rescue is assumed to be analogous to the in vitro reaction of TM3 with A1 that produces the non-toxic 7-deoxy-adriamycinone (7dAone). TM3 prevents death if given within 60 min following A1 administration. Control A1-treated mice died by 8 days (median survival time) whereas TM3 rescued A1-treated mice had a median survival time of greater than 60 days.

Animals↗

Therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of vindesine and vindesine-cisplatin in previously treated patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Twenty-nine patients with non-small cell lung cancer refractory to prior therapy were treated with either vindesine (VDS) alone (3 mg/m2 every week) or the combination of VDS plus cisplatin (DDP) (100 mg/m2 every 28 days). Serial blood and urine samples were collected to assess the pharmacokinetics of VDS and DDP. All patients were evaluable for toxicity and 27 were evaluable for response. No objective antitumor responses were observed. Peripheral neuropathy manifested by paresthesias, muscle weakness, and constipation were observed in 20 treated patients, and hematologic toxicity consisting of thrombocytopenia and/or leukopenia occurred in 18 patients. The plasma and urinary pharmacokinetics of VDS and DDP measured in this study indicate that VDS and DDP do not interfere with each other and that the pharmacokinetics in previously treated and untreated patients are similar. The antitumor responses and degree of toxicity observed in this trial compare unfavorably with previously reported VDS and VDS-DDP trials in previously untreated patients with this disease and suggest that prior exposure to chemotherapy might both decrease antitumor activity and enhance toxicity of these chemotherapeutic agents.

Aged↗

Kinetics of anthracycline antibiotic free radical formation and reductive glycosidase activity.

Adriamycin free radical anion concentrations have been correlated with production of 7-deoxyadriamycin aglycone in a reaction catalyzed by NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. The free radical species is detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and quantified by double integrations. The 7-deoxyaglycone product is isolated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and quantified by fluorometry. As the concentration of adriamycin increases, a concomitant increase in aglycone and free radical levels occurs. These results as well as those with inhibitors Vitamin K3, Vitamin E, and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) point to an obligatory free radical intermediate in the metabolism of adriamycin. DMPO inhibits the reaction under aerobic conditions only, and shows no effect under anaerobiosis at the concentrations studied here. Vitamin E and aerobic DMPO act as free radical scavangers, while Vitamin K3 competes for the reducing power of NADPH in the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase system.

Biotransformation↗

Detection in human serum by radioimmunoassay of histidyl-proline diketopiperazine, a metabolite of thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Cyclo(His-Pro) is believed to be a metabolite of TRH. A specific antiserum directed against cyclo(His-Pro) was used to detect immunoreactive material in human serum. Gel filtration column chromatography was used to establish that cyclo(His-Pro)-like immunoreactivity was found not only in free form established to be identical to cyclo(His-Pro) by high pressure liquid chromatography analysis on reverse phase and cation exchange columns, but also in a fraction of about 100,000 mol wt. Free cyclo(His-Pro) was released by heating column fractions of 70,000 mol wt that were not immunoreactive before heating. A procedure for estimation of the content of free cyclo(His-Pro) in human serum was developed. Normal levels of cyclo(His-Pro) determined by this procedure were in the range of 11-33 pmol/ml. The level of cyclo(His-Pro) in sera of individuals with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or alcoholic cirrhosis was in the normal range, while patients with renal failure had approximately 3-fold elevated levels of the peptide. Analysis of human sera drawn at 3-h intervals over a 24-h period suggested a circadian rhythm of cyclo(His-Pro) levels.

Animals↗

Murine metabolism and disposition of iron:adriamycin complexes.

Previous studies have reported antitumor activity and reduced cardiotoxicity for a putative 3:1 complex of iron:Adriamycin (ADR). We have studied the tissue distribution and metabolism of a wide variety of freshly prepared and lyophilized iron:ADR preparations after administration to BALB/c mice (ADR, 16 mg/kg i.v.). Tissue concentrations of ADR given without iron were initially highest in kidney and liver, and ADR fluorescence was lost from all tissues except the spleen with a t1/2 of 15 to 18 hr. ADR remained the major fluorescent species in liver and kidney from 0.5 to 72 hr after treatment. Freshly prepared iron:ADR (1:1) behaved similarly to ADR except for a slightly longer tissue t1/2 in heart, liver, and kidney. The tissue distribution of freshly prepared 2:1 and 3:1 iron:ADR was very different from that of ADR without iron; lung containing the highest concentrations of ADR fluorescence. Administration of freshly prepared 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 iron:ADR resulted in some increase in adriamycinol in the liver, but ADR was always the major fluorescent species present. The tissue distribution of 1:1 iron:ADR that had been aged for 48 or 96 hr was similar to that of fresh 2:1 and 3:1 iron:ADR rather than ADR or fresh 1:1 iron:ADR. When lyophilized iron:ADR preparations were reconstituted and administered, the 0.5-hr tissue distribution of 0.1:1, 0.2:1, 0.25:1, and 0.33:1 iron:ADR was the same as ADR alone, but 0.5:1, 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 iron:ADR were all accumulated primarily in the lung. Physicochemical studies confirm the production of microaggregated iron:ADR complexes and light microscopy allows visualization and sizing of these aggregates. We feel that trapping of these iron:ADR aggregates in the pulmonary vascular bed accounts for the observed dramatic alteration in tissue distribution. Light and electron microscopic studies confirm the intravascular sequestration of iron in pulmonary capillaries.

Animals↗

Variation amongst K562 cell cultures.

K562 cell cultures were obtained from three laboratories (A, B and C) outside our institution, and were designated according to source as K562A, K562B or K562C. The cultures obtained were constitutive or "wild type" K562 cell cultures, not cloned sublines. These cell cultures were compared with respect to growth kinetics, cell surface protein markers, surface antigens, cytogenetics and hemoglobin production. Morphology, growth kinetics in liquid suspension culture, cloning efficiency in soft agar culture, binding of anti-K562 monoclonal antibodies, and the majority of cell surface proteins were generally similar. In contrast, several important differences were observed: (1) hemoglobin synthesis induced by hemin was significantly different among K562A, B and C, K562A being most sensitive (P less than 0.05); (2) whereas more than 90% of K562A or C cells appeared to be Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive, less than 15% of K562B cells contained a Ph1; (3) membrane proteins (93 and 85 kilodalton) were identified in K562A, whereas only the 93 kilodalton protein was detected in K562B and neither of the proteins were detected in K562C. Our results indicate that K562 cells maintained in different laboratories can undergo tangible changes which may influence experimental results obtained in studies using these cells.

Autoradiography↗

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of 6-thioguanine applicable to pharmacologic studies in humans.

6-thioguanine (6TG) and its metabolites were analyzed in human plasma with a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. 6TG and related compounds were extracted from plasma with an equal volume of 2 N perchloric acid at a 50-100% recovery efficiency. The neutralized extracts were chromatographed on a muBondapak C18 column by two separate isocratic conditions. 6TG, 6-thiouric acid, 6-thioxanthine, 6-thioguanosine, and 6-methylthiouric acid were analyzed with 0.01 M sodium acetate, pH 3.5-10% methanol as the mobile phase and 340 nm for detection. 6-Methylthioguanine and three unknown metabolites were separated with acetate-25% methanol and 310 nm detection. One of the unknowns was identified as 6-methylthioguanosine. External standard calibration was used for quantitation. The 6TG detection limit was 0.8 nmol/ml in plasma.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Plasma kinetics of aclacinomycin A and its major metabolites in man.

The plasma pharmacokinetics of the antineoplastic anthracycline antibiotic aclacinomycin A (Acm) and its metabolites were studied in 12 patients treated with 60-120 mg/m2 during a phase I clinical trial. Total plasma drug fluorescence initially declined very rapidly, but from 2 to 24 h after injection, fluorescence rose progressively to intensities greater than those measured 1 min after Acm injection. Plasma total drug fluorescence slowly declined from 24 to 72 hours after Acm administration. These events reflected the rapid disappearance of Acm and the subsequent appearance of two highly fluorescent metabolites. One metabolite co-chromatographed with and had a fluorescence spectrum identical to known metabolite F1 (bisanhydroaklavinone). The other metabolite did not co-chromatograph with any previously described Acm metabolite. This metabolite had a fluorescence spectrum unlike any previously described Acm metabolite and was not altered by treatment for 60 min with 0.2 N HCl at 100 degrees C or by treatment for 24 h at 37 degrees C with bacterial beta-glucuronidase or limpet aryl sulfatase.

Aclarubicin↗

Cyclophosphamide plasma and cerebrospinal fluid kinetics with and without dimethyl sulfoxide.

Ten patients with brain tumors and indwelling ventricular reservoirs were pretreated with 5% to 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (intravenous, oral, or both) and were then treated with 1.0 to 1.25 gm/m2 cyclophosphamide (CYC). All patients were also on anticonvulsants and dexamethasone. CYC and alkylating activity (alk act) in plasma and concomitant ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured by gas chromatography and p-nitrobenzyl pyridine assay. CYC entered the CSF without difficulty and was lost from CSF more slowly than from plasma. Alk act did not enter CSF as well as did CYC. DMSO did not alter any measured aspect of CYC or alk act disposition. Specifically, it did not alter the CYC plasma half-life (t1/2), CSF t1/2, peak CSF: peak plasma CYC concentration ratio, or the urinary excretion of CYC. DMSO did not alter the plasma t1/2 or urinary excretion of alk act or the peak CSF:peak plasma concentration ratio of alk act. Our data show reduced plasma t1/2 of CYC and increased plasma and urinary alk act. This may reflect tht effect of long-term therapy with anticonvulsants or steroids.

Adult↗

Diaziquone, 2,5-diaziridinyl-3,6-biscarboethoxyamino-1,4-benzoquinone, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid kinetics.

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) kinetics of diaziquone, 2,5-diaziridinyl-3,6-biscarboethoxyamino-1,4-benzoquinone (AZQ), were evaluated after intravenous injection in patients with implanted Ommaya reservoirs. After a 30-min infusion plasma disappearance was very rapid, with a disposition half-life of 2 to 6 min and on elimination half-life of 25 to 35 min. Area under the concentration-time curve for CSF was 22% to 42% of the corresponding plasma area. Based upon total plasma AZQ concentration, volume of distribution for AZQ was 2.0 to 10.0 l/m2. Plasma binding of AZQ was 79% in one normal subject. When the effect of plasma binding is considered, distribution volumes are more plausible and it appears that free plasma AZQ is completely available to the CSF.

Adult↗

Hepatic stimulator substance: physicochemical characteristics and specificity.

This laboratory has reported previously that a cytoplasmic extract of weanling or regenerating adult rat liver (but not normal rat liver) will produce a 2.5-fold increase in the incorporation of tritiated thymidine ([3H]dThd) into liver DNA of a 34%-hepatectomized test animal. (J. Physiol. London 248: 273-284, 1975). The present study showed that hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) will stimulate DNA synthesis in normal adult rats and CF1 mice as well. The increased incorporation of [3H]dThd into DNA produced in the normal, nonhepatectomized adult rat was comparable with that induced by a 34% hepatectomy. Autoradiographic studies revealed that the [3H]dThd was incorporated into nuclear DNA and that the stimulation occurred almost exclusively in parenchymal cells. HSS was shown to be heat stable (100 degrees C for 15 min) and was precipitated but not inactivated by alcohol. Ultrafiltration and dialysis studies suggested a molecular weight slightly greater than 10,000. HSS proved to be organ specific, stimulating the liver but not the kidney, bone marrow, or spleen. HSS was found to contain no insulin, glucagon, epidermal growth factor, or peptides of the nonsuppressible insulinlike/multiplication-stimulating activity (somatomedin) group.

Animals↗

Biochemical activation of AZQ [3,6-diaziridinyl-2,5-bis(carboethoxyamino)-1,4-benzoquinone] to its free radical species.

The aziridinyl quinone 3,6-diaziridinyl-2,5-bis(carboethoxyamino)-1,4-benzoquinone is an antitumor agent that enhances electron flow from reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) to molecular oxygen in rat liver microsomes, rat liver nuclei, and purified NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. The process is enzymatic and has an optimum pH of 7.5; NADPH is the preferred cofactor. Electron spin resonance studies show the presence of a free radical semiquinone characterized by five hyperfine lines at g = 2.0046.

Animals↗

Nuclear catalyzed antibiotic free radical formation.

Nuclei isolated from rat liver, heart, and kidney catalyze oxygen consumption in the presence of reduced pyridine nucleotide (NADPH) and quinone or quinone-imine antibiotics such as Adriamycin, daunorubicin, actinomycin D, mitomycin C, and streptonigrin. The Km and Vmax values for NADPH were 2.4 x 10(-3) M and 3 x 10(-8) mol O2 per min per mg protein and Km values for the antibiotics ranged from 1.4 x 10(-4) M to 5.9 x 10(-6) M. Metabolism of the anthracycline antibiotics, i.e., reductive glycosidase reaction, occurs in reaction mixtures after all oxygen is consumed. During the reaction, free-radical species of Adriamycin and daunorubicin are detectable by electron paramagnetic reasonance spectrometry. These observations indicate that some cytotoxic antibiotics can be activated to a free-radical state at the site where damage to nuclear DNA may result.

Animals↗