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Biomedical subjects

R R Tidwell

Publications and source records attributed to R R Tidwell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Structure and DNA binding activity of analogues of 1,5-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)pentane (pentamidine)

The DNA binding properties of a series of 39 bisbenzamidines related to the clinically used antipneumocystis drug pentamidine (1) were studied. Changes in the thermal denaturation temperature of calf thymus DNA (delta Tm) showed that all the compounds have significant affinity for DNA. A comparison of delta Tms for the series with delta Tms of base-pair-specific DNA-binding compounds, using homopolymers poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), indicated that the compounds show moderate specificity for AT base pairs. Lack of DNA helix extension, measured by viscometric titration with sonicated calf thymus DNA, indicated that the compounds do not bind to DNA by intercalation. Analogues of 1 with an odd number of methylenes connecting the benzamidine rings had a higher affinity for DNA and homopolymers than analogues with an even number of methylenes. All of the compounds containing an amidino group meta to the linking chain showed lower polynucleotide affinity. These results suggest that the shape of the molecules was important for DNA binding. Molecular modeling studies showed a correlation between the DNA binding and the radius of curvature of molecular mechanics models of the molecules. Monosubstitution on the benzamidine rings or replacement of the amidino group with the cyclic imidazolino group had no influence on the DNA-binding affinity of the compounds. Substitution of NH for the ether oxygen connecting group of 1 had no effect on the DNA binding or base-pair specificity. Methylation of either of the nitrogen atoms of the imidazolino group to provide an analogue of 1 with N-methylimidazolino groups decreased DNA affinity considerably. GC vs AT base-pair specificity as measured by delta Tm does not correlate with the radius of curvature. The experimental and modeling results are consistent with DNA minor-groove binding.

DNA↗
PubMed1992

Pneumocystis carinii induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by alveolar macrophages: modulation by pentamidine isethionate.

Pneumocystis carinii, and the inflammatory response it provokes, together contribute to irreversible lung damage in immunocompromised patients. P. carinii cysts were found to be capable of inducing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) release from alveolar macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. At physiologically achievable concentrations, pentamidine isethionate (pentamidine) substantially reduces such production. Pretreatment of alveolar macrophages (AM phi) with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) synergizes with P. carinii to produce increased levels of TNF, a condition which pentamidine was also able to antagonize. Pentamidine treatment did not interfere with the phagocytic ability of AM phi. Considering clinical reduction of TNF could lessen P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) induced inflammation, the efficacy of pentamidine in the treatment of PCP may be partially associated with its ability to inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators such as TNF.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Primary and secondary metabolism of pentamidine by rats.

The antiprotozoal drug pentamidine [1,5-bis(4'-amidinophenoxy)pentane] has been previously shown to be metabolized by rat liver microsomes, and five of the seven putative primary metabolites have been identified. With the synthesis and identification of 5-(4'-amidinophenoxy)pentanoic acid and 5-(4'-amidinophenoxy)-1-pentanol as the remaining two metabolites, the primary metabolism of pentamidine in rats appears fully characterized. Use of [14C]pentamidine with rat liver microsomes confirms this conclusion, since no unidentified radioactive peaks were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Isolated, perfused rat livers were used with [14C]pentamidine to identify secondary metabolites. Only two novel radioactive peaks were detected by HPLC analysis of perfused liver samples. The treatment of liver samples with sulfatase or beta-glucuronidase resulted in the reduction or elimination of these peaks and gave rise to peaks identified as para-hydroxybenzamidine and 5-(4'-amidinophenoxy)pentanoic acid. It was concluded from these results that only these two primary metabolites were conjugated with sulfate or glucuronic acid. After 4 h of incubation in the perfused liver system, approximately 15% of the recovered radiolabel was pentamidine. These results suggest that pentamidine metabolism can be rapid and extensive in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

8-Aminoquinolines from Walter Reed Army Institute for Research for treatment and prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in rat models.

Three 8-aminoquinolines from the Walter Reed Army Institute for Research (WRAIR), WR6026, WR238605, and WR242511, strongly inhibited Pneumocystis carinii growth in vitro at 1 microgram/ml. This activity was similar to that of primaquine. In rat therapy models, the WRAIR compounds affected Pneumocystis pneumonia at doses as low as 0.25 mg/kg (WR242511) or 0.5 mg/kg (WR6026 and WR238605). At these doses, primaquine alone was ineffective as therapy. In a rat prophylaxis model, all three WRAIR 8-aminoquinolines were extremely effective at daily doses of 0.57 mg/kg, showing activity greater than that of primaquine at this dosage and comparable to that of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole at 50/250 mg/kg.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed1991

Structure-activity relationships of pentamidine analogs against Giardia lamblia and correlation of antigiardial activity with DNA-binding affinity.

1,5-Di(4-amidinophenoxy)pentane (pentamidine) and 38 analogs of pentamidine were screened for in vitro activity against the enteric protozoan Giardia lamblia WB (ATCC 30957). All compounds were active against G. lamblia as measured by a [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation assay. Antigiardial activity varied widely, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ranging from 0.51 +/- 0.13 microM (mean +/- standard deviation) for the most active compound to over 100.0 microM for the least active compounds. The IC50 of the most potent antigiardial agent, 1,3-di(4-amidino-2-methoxyphenoxy)propane compared favorably with the IC50s of the compounds currently used to treat giardiasis, i.e., furazolidone (1.0 +/- 0.03 microM), metronidazole (2.1 +/- 0.80 microM), quinacrine HCl (0.03 +/- 0.02 microM), and tinidazole (0.78 +/- 0.48 microM). A mode of antigiardial activity for these compounds was suggested by the correlation observed between antigiardial activity and the binding of the compounds to calf thymus DNA and poly(dA).poly(dT).

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of Cryptosporidium parvum in neonatal Hsd:(ICR)BR Swiss miceby polyether ionophores and aromatic amidines.

Cryptosporidicidal effects of two polyether ionophores (maduramicin and alborixin), a fluorinated 4-quinolone (enrofloxacin), and three analogs of pentamidine were evaluated in a suckling mouse bioassay. Treatment with all compounds except enrofloxacin and one of the pentamidine analogs [1,3-di(4-imidazolinophenoxy)propane] resulted in significant (P less than 0.05) reductions in oocyst excretion.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMed1991

Activity of pentamidine and pentamidine analogs against Toxoplasma gondii in cell cultures.

The capabilities of pentamidine and nine pentamidine analogs to inhibit the development of Toxoplasma gondii were examined in vitro. Treatment of infected cultures with pentamidine and five of its analogs caused a significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in the numbers of tachyzoites produced. Analogs of pentamidine may be useful agents in the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Streptococcal cell wall-induced systemic disease. Beneficial effects of trans-bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)ethene, a novel, macrophage-directed anti-inflammatory agent.

Previously bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane (BABIM) was identified as a strong inhibitor of the multisystem inflammatory disease induced in Lewis rats by injection of streptococcus group A cell wall-derived peptidoglycan polysaccharide (PG-APS). A BABIM derivative, trans-bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)ethene (BBE), has attracted attention because of striking qualitative and quantitative differences in its activities when compared with the parent compound. BBE could control destructive tibial osteitis and necrotizing granulomatous splenitis and hepatitis, regardless if given in a preventive or curative mode. The compound had little effect on synovitis, however. BABIM, on the other hand, was active against synovitis and osteitis, but not against splenic granuloma formation. To be effective, it needed to be applied in a preventive mode. BBE caused a characteristic enlargement of PG-APS-laden splenic and hepatic macrophages suggesting that those cells represent targets of the inhibitor. BBE may be a powerful tool for the study of granulomatous lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Hydroxylation of pentamidine by rat liver microsomes.

The antiprotozoal/antifungal drug pentamidine [1,5-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)pentane] has been recently shown to be metabolized by rat liver fractions to at least six putative metabolites as detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. Two minor metabolites have been previously identified as N-hydroxypentamidine and N,N'-dihydroxypentamidine. In this study, the two major microsomal metabolites have been identified as the 2-pentanol and 3-pentanol analogs of pentamidine [1,5-di(4-amidinophenoxy)-2-pentanol; and 1,5-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)-3-pentanol]. As well, a seventh putative metabolite has been discovered and identified as para-hydroxybenzamidine, a fragment of the original drug. Whereas the cytochromes P-450 have been demonstrated as the enzyme system responsible for pentamidine metabolism, hydroxylation of the drug was not inducible by phenobarbital, beta-naphthoflavone, clofibrate, isosafrole, pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile, ethanol or pentamidine pretreatment of rats. The kinetics of the production of the two major microsomal metabolites has been determined as Km = 56 +/- 19 microM and Vmax = 126 +/- 21 pmol/min/mg microsomal protein for the 2-pentanol analog, and Km = 28 +/- 0.28 microM and Vmax = 195 +/- 2.4 pmol/min/mg microsomal protein for the 3-pentanol analog. Therefore, the mixed-function oxidases readily convert pentamidine to hydroxylated metabolites, but exactly which isozyme(s) of cytochrome P-450 is responsible is not clear.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Analogues of 1,5-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)pentane (pentamidine) in the treatment of experimental Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

A series of 33 analogues of the anti-Pneumocystis carinii drug 1,5-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)pentane (pentamidine) was synthesized for screening against a rat model of P. carinii pneumonia (PCP). Twenty-five of the compounds showed efficacy against PCP when compared to a saline-treated control group. Two compounds, 1,4-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)butane (butamidine, 6) and 1,3-bis(4-amidino-2-methoxyphenoxy)propane (DAMP, 16), were statistically more effective than the parent drug in treating PCP in the rat model of infection. In addition to their activity against PCP, the compounds were also evaluated for antitrypsin activity, ability to inhibit thymidylate synthetase, affinity for DNA, and toxicity. No correlation was observed between the tested molecular interactions of the diamidines and their effectiveness against PCP.

Amidines↗
PubMed1990

Novel pentamidine analogs in the treatment of experimental Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

We have recently demonstrated that substitution of imidazoline moieties for the amidine groups of pentamidine produces a molecule that is effective against rat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and that is apparently less toxic than pentamidine. For this reason, 10 novel imidazoline substituted compounds were evaluated for their effect against rat P. carinii pneumonia. While several of the new compounds were observed to have advantages over pentamidine in the treatment of disease in the rat model, only one compound stood out as a potential new clinical agent. Treatment for 2 weeks with intravenous (i.v.) doses of 1,3-di(4-imidazolino-2-methoxyphenoxy)propane (DIMP) at 1 mg/kg per day produced an anti-P. carinii pneumonia effect equivalent to i.v. doses of pentamidine at 10 mg/kg per day. Although pentamidine and one of the test drugs, 1,3-di(4-imidazolinophenoxy)propane, showed no activity against P. carinii pneumonia when administered per os, DIMP exhibited potent anti-P. carinii pneumonia activity when given by daily gavage doses of 40 and 25 mg/kg. DIMP retained significant activity when given every other day by a gavage dose of 25 mg/kg. No toxicity was observed with the drug at any of the dose levels or by either of the routes of administration. However, the low solubility of the drug prevented testing at higher i.v. doses. Our conclusion is that DIMP has the potential of providing a safer and more effective alternative to pentamidine for the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Structure-activity relationships of analogs of pentamidine against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania mexicana amazonensis.

The antiprotozoal compound 1,5-di(4-amidinophenoxy)pentane (pentamidine) and 36 of its analogs were screened for in vitro activity against Leishmania mexicana amazonensis clone 669 C4S (MHOM/BR/73/M2269) and Plasmodium falciparum clones W2 (Indochina III/CDC) and D6 (Sierra Leone I/CDC). Pentamidine and each of the analogs tested exhibited activity in vitro against L. m. amazonensis and P. falciparum. The pentamidine analogs were more effective against the P. falciparum clones than against L. m. amazonensis. P. falciparum was extremely susceptible to these compounds, with 50% inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.03 microM. While none of the analogs exhibited marked improvement in antileishmanial activity compared with pentamidine, 12 of the pentamidine analogs showed activity approximately equal to or greater than that of the parent compound. From the promising activity exhibited by the pentamidine analogs in this in vitro study and their potential for reduced toxicity relative to the parent drug, pentamidine-related compounds hold promise as new agents for the treatment of protozoal infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Metabolic N-hydroxylation of pentamidine in vitro.

By using high-performance liquid chromatography, the in vitro conversion of pentamidine to the corresponding amidoximes (N-hydroxypentamidine and N,N'-dihydroxypentamidine) was studied in supernatants of rat liver homogenate centrifuged at 9,000 x g. The presence of the two amidoxime peaks in chromatograms was confirmed by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry and by unequivocal synthesis of the suspected metabolites. The metabolic reactions were found to be catalyzed by the cytochrome P-450 system (mixed-function oxidases). The formation of the monohydroxylated product was found to have a Km of 0.48 mM and a Vmax of 29.50 pmol/min per mg of protein, while the dihydroxylated metabolite had a Km of 0.73 mM and a Vmax of 4.10 pmol/min per mg of protein. N,N'-Dihydroxypentamidine was found to have highly reduced antiprotozoal activity in vitro relative to that of pentamidine, and neither of the hydroxylated metabolites nor pentamidine was found to be significantly mutagenic by the Ames test. Contrary to previous reports, pentamidine is readily metabolized to at least two hydroxylated products, and this conversion may be relevant to the clinical use of the compound and to future drug design.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Sequential events in the pathogenesis of streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis and their modulation by bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane (BABIM).

This report builds on the authors' earlier discovery of bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane (BABIM) as a strong suppressive agent for streptococcal cell wall fragment-induced arthritis in the Lewis rat. As a synthetic inhibitor of trypsinlike proteases, BABIM opens up a new route to the control of inflammatory joint disease. To gain a deeper insight into the function of the compound, the authors have now studied its influence on the sequential development of the joint changes and the associated lesions in spleen and liver. Bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane is shown to block acute synovitis, to retard and reduce granuloma formation in spleen and liver, to decrease neutrophilic leukocytosis, and to diminish hemopoietic hyperplasia in the bone, and thus also to mitigate the distinctive osteoclastic and chondroclastic events. The compound does not interfere with the splenic immune response, the temporary rise in hepatocytic mitotic activity, or the organ deposition of streptococcal cell walls.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantification of several diamidine compounds with potential chemotherapeutic value.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the detection and quantification of pentamidine and pentamidine analogues of chemotherapeutic value in order to measure their concentration in physiological fluids. The compounds were extracted from urine over octadecyl solid-phase extraction columns, followed by chromatographic separation with an octadecyl reversed-phase column. For the mobile phase, a gradient of 31.5-37.5% acetonitrile in water, with sodium heptanesulfonate and tetramethylammonium chloride as ion modifiers, was used. This method was used to reliably detect levels as low as 341 ng/ml without concentration of the compounds during the solid-phase extraction. The assay was used to determine the effectiveness of several solid-phase extraction columns for isolating the compounds of interest and to quantify the amount of pentamidine and its analogues contained in the urine of dosed rats.

Animals↗