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R V Smith

Publications and source records attributed to R V Smith.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Microbial models of mammalian metabolism: stereospecificity of ketone reduction with pentoxifylline.

The absolute configuration of pentoxifylline alcohol produced by the microbial reduction of pentoxifylline using Rhodotorula rubra (ATCC 20129) was determined by O.R.D. spectroscopy and p.m.r. studies on the R-(+)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-(trifluoromethyl) phenylacetate (MTPA) ester. The development of a reverse-phase h.p.l.c. method for resolving the diastereomeric R-(+)-MTPA esters of racemic pentoxifylline alcohol and assignment of the elution order, allowed for the determination of the stereochemical purity of pentoxifylline alcohol produced by 13 microbial cultures shown previously to reduce pentoxifylline. A marked preference for S-alcohol production was observed with five organisms exhibiting complete stereoselectivity towards S-alcohol generation, and two producing the racemic alcohol.

Cryptococcus↗

Gas chromatographic determination of pentoxifylline and its major metabolites in human breast milk.

A method has been developed for determination of the xanthine drug, pentoxifylline, and three of its metabolites (a secondary alcohol and two carboxylic acids) in human milk. The method requires pre-extraction with hexane to remove lipids followed by extraction with dichloromethane or dichloromethane-isopropanol (4:1). Absolute extraction recoveries were between 76-90%. Pentoxifylline and its alcohol metabolite (as the trifluoroacetate) and the carboxylic acid metabolites (as ethyl esters) were measured in separate gas chromatographic steps using a nitrogen detector. Determinations of pentoxifylline and its three metabolites were 96-99% accurate and standard deviations of 5-10% were observed for samples at or above the lower practical sensitivity limit (10 ng/ml) for the assay. Pentoxifylline and its metabolites were stable in breast milk for three weeks when stored at -15 degrees C.

Biotransformation↗

Inhibition of dihydropteridine reductase from human liver and rat striatal synaptosomes by apomorphine and its analogs.

Dihydropteridine reductase from human liver and rat striatal synaptosomes is noncompetitively inhibited by apomorphine and its analogs. The Ki or I50 values are in the range of 0.6 to 2.9 microM for R-(-)-apomorphine, R-(-)-and S-(+)-2, 10, 11-trihydroxyaporphine, R-(-)-norapomorphine, R-(-)-N-hydroxyethylnorapomorphine, R-(-)-2,10,11-trihydroxy-N-n-propylnoraporphine, R-(-)- and S-(+)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine, and R-(-)-N-chloroethylnorapomorphine; and 13 to 151 microM for R-(-)-2,11-dihydroxy- 10-methoxyaporphine, R-(-)-apocodeine, and S-(+)-bulbocapnine. Structure-activity studies reveal that 10,11-dihydroxy substitution of the D ring of apomorphine is required for the inhibitory effectiveness of these aporphines. Methylation of the 10-hydroxy group reduces, whereas the 2-hydroxyl substitution of the A ring enhances, their inhibitory potency. N-Alkylation variably affects the inhibitory potency of aporphines. In addition, S-(+)-enantiomers of aporphines and dopaminergic antagonists are equally potent as inhibitors of this enzyme, as compared to the corresponding R-(-)-enantiomers and other aporphine agonists. Haloperidol (0.1 to 10 microM) failed to reverse the enzyme inhibitory effectiveness of apomorphine when it was incubated with intact rat striatal synaptosomes prior to or after the addition of apomorphine (0.5 to 1 microM). These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of apomorphine and its analogs against this enzyme are not mediated by their stimulation of dopamine autoreceptors. Since dihydropteridine reductase is required in vivo for the hydroxylation of tyrosine, the inhibition of this enzyme by apomorphine may represent one of several mechanisms by which apomorphine inhibits catecholamine synthesis.

Animals↗

Microbial models of mammalian metabolism: microbial reduction and oxidation of pentoxifylline.

Fourteen microorganisms, including fungi, yeasts, and bacteria, were screened for their ability to metabolize the xanthine drug pentoxifylline. Thirteen cultures either reduced the drug to the alcohol metabolite or oxidatively cleaved the ketonic side chain to homologous carboxylic acid metabolites. The alcohol metabolite was the predominant or sole metabolite in all organisms, with conversions ranging from 6 to 91%. Preparative-scale production of the alcohol metabolite with Rhodotorula rubra (ATCC 20129) allowed for the isolation of this product with a 40% yield. Two organisms also produced the carboxylic acid metabolites at low levels (2 to 10%). The routes of metabolism in microbial cultures are the same as those reported in mammalian systems.

Animals↗

Determination of pentoxifylline and its major metabolites in microbial extracts by thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods have been developed for the determination of the xanthine drug, pentoxifylline, and three of its metabolites (a secondary alcohol and two carboxylic acids) in microbial extracts. The methods require initial extraction of acidified media with dichloromethane 2-propanol (4:1). Extracts are submitted to TLC development on silica gel G layers using three solvents and HPLC development on an C18 column using methanol-phosphoric acid (0.02 M, pH 5) (3:7) as mobile phase. All systems provide good separations of the drug and its metabolites. Quantitative analyses of pentoxifylline and its metabolites by HPLC were accurate and precise. The HPLC method was applied to studies of the metabolism of pentoxifylline by two microorganisms.

Biotransformation↗

Stereoisomers of apomorphine differ in affinity and intrinsic activity at presynaptic dopamine receptors modulating [3H]dopamine and [3H]acetylcholine release in slices of cat caudate.

We investigated the effects of R(-)-apomorphine and S(+)-apomorphine on dopamine receptors modulating electrically evoked [3H]dopamine and [3H]acetylcholine release from slices of cat caudate nucleus. R(-)-Apomorphine inhibited the release of both [3H]dopamine and [3H]acetylcholine with an IC50 of 20 nM, while S(+)-apomorphine was without inhibitory action on the electrically evoked release of either neurotransmitter at concentrations up to 1 microM. At a concentration of 1 microM, however, S(+)-apomorphine antagonized the inhibition by R(-)-apomorphine, producing a parallel five-fold shift to the right in the concentration-response curve to R(-)-apomorphine. These results indicate that S(+)-apomorphine is devoid of intrinsic activity to stimulate presynaptic dopamine receptors modulating the electrically evoked release of dopamine and acetylcholine. In addition, S(+)-apomorphine has an approximately ten-fold lower affinity for presynaptic dopamine receptors compared to R(-)-apomorphine.

Acetylcholine↗

Microbial transformations of pergolide to pergolide sulfoxide and pergolide sulfone.

Fifty-eight microorganisms were investigated for their ability to effect the biotransformation of the ergoline alkaloid pergolide. A majority of these organisms formed pergolide sulfoxide, and a Helminthosporium species was investigated in greater detail since it yielded significant amounts of pergolide sulfoxide. A preparative-scale transformation afforded material which was identified as the sulfoxide based on melting point, spectral, and chromatographic comparison with authentic material as well as its conversion to pergolide by reduction with triphenylphosphine. An analytical high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the enzymatic versus spontaneous air-oxidation of pergolide in growing cultures and controls showed negligible air-oxidation and an approximately 40% enzymatic conversion of pergolide to the sulfoxide. Several organisms, including Aspergillus alliaceus formed a second metabolite, pergolide sulfone, which was identified on the basis of co-chromatographic data.

Aspergillus↗

Microbial models of mammalian metabolism.

A solid basis for the M4-approach has been developed over the past 10 years. Recent examples of the production of difficult-to-synthesize mammalian metabolites through microbial transformations attest to the utility of the methodology. There is, however, much more to be done. Model studies should be conducted to test parallels between microbial and mammalian S- and N-oxidations, O-glucuronidations, and ester and amide hydrolyses. Subsequently, even greater applications of M4- work can be envisioned. We have been pleased to see our colleagues in industry and academia adopt the M4- approach to solve difficult pharmacological and toxicological problems. In large measure, this has been our greatest reward for efforts initially presented before the membership of the American Society of Pharmacognosy in 1973.

Acronine↗

Dopamine-derived tetrahydroisoquinolines. Novel inhibitors of dihydropteridine reductase.

Dopamine-derived tetrahydroisoquinolines, such as 3',4'-deoxynorlaudanosolinecarboxylic acid, higenamine-1-carboxylic acid, higenamine, and salsolinol, inhibit human liver dihydropteridine reductase noncompetitively with Ki values ranging from 1.5 to 90 microM. The enzyme is also inhibited noncompetitively by dopamine (Ki = 6 microM) and aminopterin (Ki = 100 microM) but uncompetitively by phenylpyruvic acid (Ki = 6.5 mM). These alkaloids may alter monoamine metabolism in mammals by inhibiting dihydropteridine reductase.

Alkaloids↗

Disposition and absolute bioavailability of furosemide in healthy males.

Furosemide (40 mg) was administered to 18 healthy adult males as an intravenous dose, an oral solution, and in tablet form. The pharmacokinetics of intravenous furosemide were studied, determining a total body clearance rate of 117.6 +/- 41.3 ml/min and a harmonic mean half-life of 78 min. The mean absolute bioavailability determined by ratio of areas under the plasma-time curves was 64 and 71% for the solution and tablet, respectively. The mean absolute bioavailability determined by the ratio of urinary cumulative excretion data was 61 and 66% for the solution and tablet, respectively. The absolute bioavailability of furosemide determined with plasma and urine data were not significantly different. Thus, urine data alone may be used to establish bioavailability of furosemide. Inspection of plasma-time curves revealed secondary maxima in several subjects, suggesting enterohepatic cycling.

Administration, Oral↗

Dopamine receptor sensitivity after chronic dopamine agonists. Striatal 3H-spiroperidol binding in mice after chronic administration of high doses of apomorphine, N-n-propylnorapomorphine and dextroamphetamine.

Several previous reports have demonstrated that chronic administration of both directly and indirectly acting dopamine agonists produces a supersensitive behavioral response to challenge doses of dopamine agonists when compared to the responses induced by acute administration of these drugs. That is, a given dose of a dopamine agonist will produce a greater response after chronic dopamine agonist treatment than is observed upon acute administration of that dose. A similar behavioral phenomenon resulting from chronic administration of dopamine antagonists has been suggested to be due to an increase in the number of dopamine receptors present in relevant brain areas. The same hypothesis has been put forward for the hypersensitivity induced by chronic dopamine agonist administration. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of chronic administration of high doses of both direct and indirect dopamine agonists on the dopamine receptors labeled by 3H-spiroperidol. Groups of animals (CD-1 mice) were sacrificed 1, 3 and 5 days following the last chronic injection. Striatal tissue from these mice was incubated with 3H-spiroperidol and dopamine receptor binding evaluated. Affinity of the receptors for the ligand was unaltered by treatments. The receptors labeled by 3H-spiroperidol showed no significant differences in number following the chronic administration of high doses of apomorphine (30 mg/kg). The Bmax was significantly decreased at only one time period following chronic administration of dextroamphetamine (4 mg/kg); however, there was a dramatic 30% reduction in the Bmax in striatal tissue from those mice treated with N-n-propylnorapomorphine. These results suggest that the hypersensitive behavioral response in mice following chronic administration of direct and indirect acting dopamine agonists is not due to an increase in the number of dopamine receptors in the striatum which are labeled by 3H-spiroperidol.

Animals↗

Microbial models of mammalian metabolism: O-dealkylation of para-alkoxybiphenyls.

The potential of selected microorganisms to O-dealkylate alkyl aryl ethers in a manner analogous to mammalian systems has been studied. A total of 45 fungi and actinomycetes were screened for their ability to O-demethylate 4-methoxybiphenyl. Of the 20 organisms found to actively metabolize this substrate, 5 were chosen for additional study. Incubation with a series of five homologous 4-alkoxybiphenyls, 4-methoxy-, 4-ethoxy, 4-(1-propoxy)-, 4-(2-propoxy)-, and 4-(1-butoxy)biphenyl, revealed that all were O-dealkylated by Aspergillus flavus ATCC 24741. With Triton X-100 as a solubilizing agent, the relative rates and extent of O-dealkylation of the 4-alkoxybiphenyls, were studied with A. flavus. The methoxy and ethoxy dervatives were dealkylated in more than 90% yield after 72 h of incubation, while the higher homologs were cleaved to the extent of only about 10%. An analogous pattern of O-dealkylation has been reported in mammalian systems.

Aspergillus flavus↗

Mechanism of hydroxylation of biphenyl by Cunninghamella echinulata.

The hydroxylation of [U-2H]biphenyl and [2,2',3,3',5,5',6,6'-2H]biphenyl by Cunninghamella echinulata A.T.C.C. 9244 has been studied. G.l.c.-mass-spectrometry analyses indicate the lack of an isotope effect during the hydroxylation of the perdeuterated substrate. Both g.l.c.-mass spectrometry and 1H n.m.r. were used to definitively demonstrate the presence of a 1,2-hydride-shift during the microbiological hydroxylation of [2,2',3,3',5,5',6,6'-2H]biphenyl.

Biphenyl Compounds↗

Apomorphine: bioavailability and effect on stereotyped cage climbing in mice.

Plasma levels fo apomorphine and its conjugates were studied following intravenous, intraperitoneal, and oral administrations to mice. Following hydrolysis, apomorphine and its conjugates were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The absolute bioavailability of apomorphine was 4%. A significant first-pass effect due to extensive conjugation in the liver was postulated based on calculated bioavailabilities and comparison of plasma levels of apomorphine and its conjugates following oral, intraperitoneal, and intravenous administrations. Apomorphine-induced stereotypical cage climbing in mice was investigated following administration of apomorphine by the three routes. Analysis of time-course data obtained from the cage-climbing experiments indicated an absolute bioavailability of 16% for apomorphine.

Administration, Oral↗

Effects of apomorphine and piribedil on pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice.

Based on previous work examining the effects of dextroamphetamine on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced clonic seizure threshold, the objective of the present study was to determine the effects of two other dopamine agonists, apomorphine (AP) and piribedil, on PTZ seizures. TD50 and LD50 values for CD-1 mice were determined initially for the two drugs. Subsequently, dose- and time-response analyses established that AP decreased PTZ seizure threshold 15 min after administraton, but increased the threshold at 60 min. Piribedil elevated the seizure threshold, but like AP, did not exhibit a clear dose-response relationship. Subsequent blocker studies with phentolamine, (-)sotalol, pimozide, and atropine suggested the possible neurotransmitter systems involved in the modulation of the PTZ-induced seizures by AP and piribedil. Pimozide blocked the changes in seizure threshold induced by both drugs. Atropine also decreased the AP-induced increase in threshold at 60 min. The pattern of inhibition of seizure threshold changes induced by the neurotransmitter blockers suggested that piribedil blocked seizures by means of indirect actions on several neurotransmitters.

Animals↗