Simultaneous transport and metabolism of nicotinic acid derivatives in hairless mouse skin

In vitro simultaneous transport and metabolism of three ester prodrugs of nicotinic acid (NA), methyl nicotinate (MN), ethyl nicotinate (EN) and butyl nicotinate (BN) were studied using excised skin from hairless mouse. Hydrolysis studies of these esters with and without skin homogenate were also done at 37 degrees C. Both the ester and NA were detected in all receiver solutions in permeation studies, and no chemical hydrolysis of the esters was found, indicating that the esters were hydrolyzed during the skin permeation process. The total (ester+NA) flux from a saturated solution of ester prodrugs was higher than that of NA and was highest for MN, followed by EN and BN, whereas the total permeability coefficient of ester prodrugs increased from MN to BN. A difference in the NA/total flux ratio was found among these prodrugs; thus, esterase activity was also dependent on the alkyl chain length of the esters. The total flux from each ester solution increased linearly with the donor concentration. NA flux from MN and EN solutions increased with an increase in the donor concentration and reached a plateau at the high concentration range, suggesting that metabolic saturation occurred. NA fluxes at the plateau were similar among ester prodrugs and corresponded to the Vmax estimated from the hydrolysis experiment. The order of donor concentration at which NA reached a plateau also corresponded to the order of Km. It was confirmed that a difference in alkyl chain length of the ester prodrugs affected not only permeability but also metabolism in the skin permeation process.     

Complexation of steroid hormones with cyclodextrin derivatives: substituent effects of the guest molecule on solubility and stability in aqueous solution.

The inclusion complexation of homologous derivatives of steroid hormones with cyclodextrins and 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (2-HP-beta-CD) was investigated with regard to underlying structure-interaction relationship. The interaction was studied by phase solubility analysis and stabilization effects of complex formation with 2-HP-beta-CD. The solubilizing and stabilizing abilities of 2-HP-beta-CD were generally more effective for testosterone derivatives than for estradiol esters. Within a homologous series of steroid hormones, the steepest linear solubility isotherms were found for 17-methyl and 3-methyl derivatives. The solubilization of steroid esters by 2-HP-beta-CD depended on the structure and length of the ester side chain. The interaction of 2-HP-beta-CD with the steroids was hindered by long-chain fatty acid ester groups. With increasing length of the side chain, a decline of the isotherms occurred and the phase solubility behavior changed from linear to exponential. Contrary to expectations, benzoylation of steroids considerably decreased the guest-host interaction. The observed rates of degradation of the steroid esters were significantly reduced by 2-HP-beta-CD, depending on the chain length, and correlated well with the order found in phase solubility analysis. The degradation showed no deviations from pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the degradation mechanism was not changed because of complexation. The results suggest that interaction of 2-HP-beta-CD with steroid esters involves the ester functions of the prodrugs and is more suitable for unsubstituted guest molecules.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-acetylprolinate esters - novel skin penetration enhancers

A series of N-acetylproline esters (alkyl side chain length, 5-18) were synthesized and tested for potential skin penetration enhancement activity using modified Franz diffusion cells and hairless mouse skin as the penetration barrier. Benazepril and hydrocortisone were used as model drugs and were applied as saturated solutions in propylene glycol. The enhancers were added at a concentration of 5% (w/v). Drug flux, permeability coefficient and enhancement ratios for permeability coefficient were determined. Azone was used as the positive control. While all the compounds tested increased the skin penetration of hydrocortisone, the 5- and 8- carbon esters had no significant effect on the skin penetration of benazepril. The highest fluxes were obtained with 11, 12, and 18-carbon esters and they were comparable to Azone. There was no significant difference between the fluxes obtained with 2 and 5% (w/v) concentrations of the 12-carbon ester on hydrocortisone permeation. The 16-carbon ester, where ethanol was used as a cosolvent, significantly increased the fluxes of both the drugs compared to the control. Differential scanning calorimetric studies suggested that the enhancers may be acting on the lipids of the stratum corneum and their effect was similar to that of Azone. The membrane/vehicle partition coefficient studies indicated an increase in benazepril partition coefficient with enhancer treatment compared to the control. Maximum flux increase was obtained with the 11 and 12 carbon (alkyl chain length) esters for both benazepril and hydrocortisone. The 18- carbon ester which has a cis-double bond in the alkyl side chain, also increased the flux significantly.     

Selection of a Derivative of the Antiviral Agent 9-[(1,3-Dihydroxy-2-propoxy)-methyl]Guanine (DHPG) with Improved Oral Absorption

Various diesters of 9-[(l,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)-methyl]guanine (DHPG) were screened in order to identify a derivative with improved oral absorption. The solubilities and dissolution rates decreased with increasing chain length and branching of the ester group. However, the dipropionate ester showed an anomalously faster dissolution rate. The rates of hydrolysis to DHPG in the presence of intestinal homogenates were found to increase with increasing carbon number for the straight-chain alkyl esters and decreased with branching. The shorter-chain alkyl esters were relatively more stable in intestinal homogenates than in liver homogenates. Therefore they may have a better membrane permeability than DHPG due to their intact ester group. The hydrolysis rates in human blood increased with increasing carbon number for the straight-chain alkyl esters. The dipropionate ester appeared to be the most promising derivative because of its rapid dissolution rate, slower hydrolysis in the intestine, and rapid conversion to DHPG in liver and blood.     

Synthesis and calcium channel antagonist activity of new 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives containing dichloroimidazolyl substituents

A group of dialkyl, dicycloalkyl and diaryl ester analogues of nifedipine (CAS 21829-25-4), in which the ortho-nitrophenyl group at position 4 is replaced by a 4,5-dichloroimidazolyl substituent, were synthesized and evaluated as calcium channel antagonists using the high K+ contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. The results for the symmetrical esters in alkyl esters series showed that increasing the length of the methylene chain in C3 and C5 ester substituents (from n = 0 to n = 2) increased the activity. When increasing of the length was accompanied by increase of the hindrance, the activity decreased. In the unsymmetrical diester series, the results showed when R1 is a small substituent (R1 = Me), increasing of the lipophilic property in R2 substituent increases the activity if this high lipophilicity is not accompanied by steric hindrance. The results demonstrate that in the unsymmetrical series, several compounds (benzyl methyl, benzyl isopropyl and cyclohexyl ethyl) had activity similar to that of the reference drug nifedipine. In symmetrical diesters compounds, the most active compound was the diphenethyl ester derivative being more active than nifedipine. These structure-activity data indicate that the 4-(4,5-dichloroimidazolyl) moiety is the bioisoester of 3-nitrophenyl and 2,3-dichlorophenyl moieties.     

A comparison of the chemical stability and the enzymatic hydrolysis of a series of aliphatic and aromatic ester derivatives of metronidazole

The hydrolytic degradation rates of various aliphatic and aromatic esters of metronidazole in aqueous buffer solution and in human plasma were investigated at 37°C. Complete reversion to metronidazole was observed as determined by HPLC and in all cases the hydrolysis followed strict first-order kinetics. The susceptibility of the various ester derivatives to undergo enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis was strongly influenced by the structure of the acyl moiety, but no unambiguous relationship between the degradation rate in aqueous buffer solution and in human plasma has been found. In aqueous solution the degradation of the aromatic esters was facilitated by low electron density at the reaction site as described by the Hammett equation. Concerning the decomposition of the aromatic esters in 2.5% human plasma a negative deviation from the Hammett plot was observed for the nitrobenzoic acid ester derivatives. A change in rate-determining step together with the polar nature of the nitro group is suggested to contribute to this deviation. It has been found that the length of the linear carbon chain in the aliphatic esters influences the enzyme catalyzed degradation rate. The ratio between the degradation rates in 2.5% human plasma and in aqueous buffer solution, pH 7.4, was greatest for the valerate ester, the value being 3800.     

Presystemic metabolism and intestinal absorption of antipsoriatic fumaric acid esters

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Its treatment is based on the inhibition of proliferation of epidermal cells and interference in the inflammatory process. A new systemic antipsoriasis drug, which consists of dimethylfumarate and ethylhydrogenfumarate in the form of their calcium, magnesium and zinc salts has been introduced in Europe with successful results. In the present study, a homologous series of mono- and diesters of fumaric acid has been studied with respect to the sites and kinetics of presystemic ester degradation using pancreas extract, intestinal perfusate, intestinal homogenate and liver S9 fraction. In addition, intestinal permeability has been determined using isolated intestinal mucosa as well as Caco-2 cell monolayers, in order to obtain estimates of the fraction of the dose absorbed for these compounds. Relationships between the physicochemical properties of the fumaric acid esters and their biological responses were investigated. The uncharged diester dimethylfumarate displayed a high presystemic metabolic lability in all metabolism models. It also showed the highest permeability in the Caco-2 cell model. However, in permeation experiments with intestinal mucosa in Ussing-type chambers, no undegraded DMF was found on the receiver side, indicating complete metabolism in the intestinal tissue. The intestinal permeability of the monoesters methyl hydrogen fumarate, ethyl hydrogen fumarate, n-propylhydrogen fumarate and n-pentyl hydrogen fumarate increased with an increase in their lipophilicity, however, their presystemic metabolism rates likewise increased with increasing ester chain length. It is concluded that for fumarates, an increase in intestinal permeability of the more lipophilic derivatives is counterbalanced by an increase in first-pass extraction.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Metabolism of 5-ALA Esters Derivatives in Hairless Mice Skin Homogenate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in Vivo</Emphasis> PpIX Accumulation Studies

No HeadingPurpose. In topical photodynamic therapy, 5-ALA and its esters are enzymatically converted in the endogenous photosensitizing compounds such as, for example, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). In order to elucidate in more detail their enzymatic fate, we have determined in vitro the enzymatic degradation of methyl, butyl, hexyl, and octyl-5-ALA ester derivatives in skin homogenate. Furthermore, in vivo porphyrin accumulation was measured in healthy hairless mice skins.Methods. Hairless mouse skins were homogenized in isotonic phosphate buffer pH 7.4. 5-ALA esters were added, and aliquots were colleted for HPLC-fluorimetric determinations of remaining content of 5-ALA esters. Furthermore, oil-in-water emulsions containing esters were topically applied to mice skin for 6 h, and the amount of accumulated PpIX in the treated areas was determined by quantitative extraction and confocal fluorescence microscopy.Results. The enzymatic degradation of esters follows pseudo first-order kinetics. The octyl ester had the largest rate constant for enzymatic degradation, followed by hexyl-, butyl-, and methyl-ALA. The long-chained 5-ALA esters, butyl-, hexyl-, and octyl ester, induced significantly more porphyrins than 5-ALA and 5-ALA methyl ester as shown by confocal microscopy and quantitative extraction studies.Conclusions. 5-ALA derivatives differ widely with respect to their enzymatic degradation. The presence of alkyl chains in 5-ALA esters significantly influences the in vitro enzymatic metabolism and the in vivo PpIX formation in healthy hairless mice skins.     

Design, synthesis, and calcium channel antagonist activity of new 1,4-dihydropyridines containing 4-(5)-chloro-2-ethyl-5-(4)-imidazolyl substituent

A series of dialkyl, dicycloalkyl, and diaryl ester analogues of nifedipine, in which the ortho-nitro phenyl group at position 4 is replaced by the 4-(5)-chloro-2-ethyl-5-(4)-imidazolyl substituent, were synthesized and evaluated as calcium channel antagonists using the high K+ contraction of guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. The results for the symmetrical ester series showed that increasing the length of the chain in C3- and C5-ester substituents increased the activity and the most active compound was the diphenylethyl ester derivative, so it was more active than the reference drug nifedipine. In unsymmetrical diester series, when R1 is methyl or ethyl, increasing lipophilic properties in the R substituent, increased the activity. The most active compounds were methyl/phenethyl and ethyl/phenethyl ester derivatives, being slightly more active than nifedipine.     

New inhibitors of renin that contain novel phosphostatine Leu-Val replacements

A novel series of renin inhibitors based on the Phe8-His9-Leu10-Val11 substructure of renin's natural substrate, angiotensinogen, is reported. These inhibitors retain the Phe8-His9 portion of the native substructure and employ novel phosphostatine Leu10-Val11 replacements (LVRs). The phosphostatine LVRs were prepared by condensing a dialkyl phosphonate ester stabilized anion with either N-t-Boc-amino aldehydes or N-tritylamino aldehydes (derived from the corresponding amino acid). Structure-activity relationships at the Leu10 side chain revealed that the LVR derived from L-cyclohexylalanine provided a 130-fold boost in potency over the LVR derived from L-leucine. The dialkyl ester moiety was varied and a loss in potency was incurred when the alkyl ester was chain extended or alpha-branched; dimethyl esters provided optimum potency. The phosphonate moiety was replaced by a half-acid half-ester phosphonate and dimethylphosphinate; both replacements lead to a loss in potency. The more potent inhibitors (IC50 = 20-50 nM) were found to be selective inhibitors for renin over porcine pepsin and bovine cathepsin D (little or no inhibition was observed at 10(-5) M).     

Synthesis and calcium antagonist activity of 1,4-dihydropyridines containing phenylaminoimidazolyl substituents

Alkyl ester analogues of nifedipine, in which the ortho-nitrophenyl group at position 4 is replaced by 2-methylthio-1-phenylamino-5-imidazolyl substituent, were synthesized and evaluated as calcium-channel antagonists using the high K(+) contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. The results for the symmetrical esters showed that in the series of alkyl esters increasing the length of methylene chain in C-3 and C-5 ester substituents for more than two methylene units decreases activity. In the phenylalkyl ester series increasing the length of methylene chain also decreases activity. The results demonstrate that most of the compounds had similar activity to the reference drug nifedipine. In addition, two compounds, 5b and 5f were more active than the nifedipine.     

The adsorption of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid by magnesium trisilicate

The adsorption of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid to magnesium trisilicate and kaolin was examined. Adsorption isotherms at pH 8.0 for 4 esters were linear at low concentration. Adsorption increased with increasing ester chain length. Adsorption was strongly influenced by pH, since the amount of ester adsorbed decreased with increasing pH. Further studies showed that only the non-ionized compound was adsorbed, and this process was Langmuirian. In fact a Langmuirian plot of combined data from the four esters investigated showed that adsorption was independent of the molecular weight and hence the hydrophobicity of the compound. These results suggest that adsorption of the non-ionized compound is a function of the hydroxybenzoate rather than the ester side-chain. In contrast, esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid were not adsorbed by kaolin.     

Lipophilic 4-imidazoly-1,4-dihydropyridines: synthesis, calcium channel antagonist activity and protection against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure

A group of alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl ester analogs of nifedipine, in which the o-nitrophenyl group at position 4 is replaced by a 2-phenyl-4(5)-imidazolyl substituent, were synthesized and evaluated as calcium channel antagonist using the high K+ contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle, and the activity of 5a-d, 8b and 8f against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure was assessed. The results for symmetrical esters showed that lengthening of the methylene chain in C3 and C5 ester substituents increased activity. When increasing of the length is accompanied by increasing the hindrance, the activity decreased. In contrast to symmetrical derivatives, comparison of the activities of asymmetrical esters showed that increasing the length of the methylene chain was accompanied by a decrease in their activity. The results demonstrate that 8a was more active, and 5c and 8f were similar in effect to that of the reference drug nifedipine. The time-course of anticonvulsant effect on PTZ-induced seizure threshold of said compounds was assessed and showed that increasing the lipophilicity decreases the time needed for maximum effect. Mice treated with intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg of these derivatives all exhibited increase seizure threshold as compared with control.     

Alkyl glucopyranoside-based niosomes containing methotrexate for pharmaceutical applications: Evaluation of physico-chemical and biological properties

We designed novel niosomes based on alkyl glucopyranoside surfactants and containing methotrexate as anticancer drug, to be used in the pharmaceutical field. The effects of surfactants with chains of different length on niosome size and their distribution, drug entrapment efficiencies and in vitro drug release were determined. Systems made of alkyl glucopyranosides and cholesterol form vesicles whose average size scales with the alkyl chains length of such surfactants. Vesicles size ranges between 300 and 500 nm, with low polydispersity index. In addition, the hemolytic activity of alkyl glucopyranosides as surfactant solutions or vesicular formulations was studied and compared, to identify possible structure–activity relationships. High methotrexate entrapment efficiency was obtained, confirming significant interactions between the drug and the niosomal matrices. After 24 h the amount of methotrexate released from niosomal formulations is effectively delayed, compared to the free drug in solution. Hemolytic tests show that sugar-based surfactants are more hemolytic the longer is their alkyl chain. When the surfactants are in vesicular form, the reverse behavior holds. It was also inferred that vesicle formation reduces the surfactant toxicity. These niosomal formulations can be used as methotrexate delivery systems in anticancer therapy.     

Hydration in hyaluronic acid and its esters using differential scanning calorimetry

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to distinguish three types of water of hydration in sodium hyaluronate and ethyl, benzyl, and partial benzyl esters of hyaluronic acid. These three types were defined as follows: type I: free, freezing water (freezing temperature ≈ 0 ° C); type II: weakly bound, freezing water (freezing temperature < 0 ° C); and type III: strongly bound, non-freezing water. Samples were scanned from (−) 50 to 20 ° C at a rate of 2.5 ° C/min. In the case of sodium hyaluronate, the onset temperature of melting deviated from that of pure water; such deviation was not observed for the esters of hyaluronic acid. 9–21 mol type III water were associated with each polymer repeat unit, with the value depending on the type of ester and degree of esterification. Hydrated sodium hyaluronate powder samples stored at (−) 50 ° C for up to 29 h did not show any changes in onset temperature and heat of fusion values, suggesting that the kinetics of freezing did not greatly influence the results. In hydrated benzyl ester and partial benzyl ester membranes, a good correlation was found between the percent of freezable water and permeability coefficients for various model compounds, suggesting that these solutes may be transported primarily in freezable water.     

Synthesis and calcium channel antagonist activity of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives containing 4-nitroimidazolyl substituents

Alkyl, cycloalkyl and arylakyl ester analogues of nifedipine (CAS 21829-25-4), in which the ortho-nitro phenyl group at position 4 is replaced by 1-methyl-4-nitro-5-imidazolyl substituent, were synthesized and evaluated as calcium channel antagonists using the high K+ contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. The results for the symmetrical esters showed that increasing the length of methylene chain in C-3 and C-5 ester substituents for more than two methylene units (n > 1) decreases activity. In the phenylalkyl ester series increasing the length of methylene chain increases activity. In the series of unsymmetrical phenylalkyl esters (R2 = Me or Et) increasing the length of the methylene chain decreases activity. The results demonstrate that most of the compounds had similar activity to the reference drug nifedipine. Among symmetrical diesters (methyl, ethyl and phenylpropyl derivatives) and among unsymmetrical series (benzyl methyl, benzyl ethyl and phenethyl ethyl derivatives) were more active than the reference drug nifedipine. The unsymmetrical phenethyl ethyl derivative was the most potent antagonist tested. The structure-activity data indicate that the 4-(1-methyl-4-nitro-5-imidazolyl) moiety, bioisoester of 2-nitro-phenyl moiety, is as good as other nitro-imidazolyl moieties.     

Kinetics of degradation and oil solubility of ester prodrugs of a model dipeptide (Gly-Phe)

Oil-based depot formulations may constitute a future delivery method for small peptides. Thus, a requirement is attainment of sufficient oil solubility for such active compounds. A model dipeptide (Gly-Phe) has been converted into lipophilic prodrugs by esterification at the C-terminal carboxylic acid group. The decomposition kinetics of octyl ester of Gly-Phe (IV) has been investigated at pH 7.4 (37 degrees C) and IV was shown to degrade by first-order kinetics via two parallel pathways (1) intramolecular aminolysis resulting in formation of a 2,5-diketopiperazine and (2) hydrolysis of the ester bond producing the dipeptide. The cyclisation reaction was dominating in the decomposition of methyl (II) butyl (III) octyl (IV) decyl (V) and dodecyl (VI) esters of Gly-Phe at pH 7.4. However, this degradation pathway was almost negligible for pH below 6. During degradation of the dipeptide esters in 80% human plasma pH 7.4 (37 degrees C) a minimal amount of cyclo(-Gly-Phe) was formed. A faster degradation of the esters in 80% human plasma pH 7.4 compared to those in aqueous solution pH 7.4 was suggested to be due to fast cleavage of the peptide bond. Low oil solubilities for Gly-Phe and the hydrochlorides of the dipeptide esters III and VI were observed. Although the solubility of Gly-Phe in oil solutions was enhanced by hydrophobic ion pairing with sodium decyl sulfonate the oil solubility was still less than 1 mg Gly-Phe/ml. By addition of a solubiliser, 10% N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), to Viscoleo the solubility of the HIP complexes increased significantly. The present study indicates that sufficient oil solubility might only be obtained for relatively small peptides by using the prodrug approach in combination with solubility enhancing organic solvents like DMA.     

Influence of premicellar and micellar association on the reactivity of methylprednisolone 21-hemiesters in aqueous solution

Self-association of drug molecules at formulation concentrations can have a major impact on formulation properties. In this study a homologous series of methylprednisolone 21-hemiesters were found to undergo self-association in aqueous solution. The effect of aggregate formation on the solution degradation of these compounds was examined. To determine the nature and extent of association of these steroidal esters, partition coefficients between butyronitrile and aqueous buffer (pH 8.5) were measured as a function of ester concentration. The partitioning data were found to be consistent with dimer formation at low concentration followed by true micelle formation at higher concentration. Chain length increases favored micelle formation, but appeared to have little effect on dimerization. The first-order rate constants for ester hydrolysis and 21 leads to 17 acyl migration in aqueous buffer (pH 8.5) were also found to be dependent on ester concentration. The kinetic data are consistent with a model which assumes stabilization by both dimer and micelle formation, the limiting factor at high concentration being the reactivity of the ester in the micelles. The degree of stabilization due to self-association was found to increase with chain length.     

Permeability of a novel β‐lactamase inhibitor LK‐157 and its ester prodrugs across rat jejunum in vitro

Objectives LK‐157 is a novel 10‐ethylidene tricyclic carbapenem that resembles the structure of the broad‐spectrum antibiotic sanfetrinem and acts as a potent inactivator of β‐lactamases of classes A, C and D. LK‐157 is a highly soluble but poorly permeable drug. Since most of the β‐lactams are poorly absorbed, ester prodrugs LK‐159, LK‐157E1 and LK‐157E2 were designed to enhance membrane permeability. This study investigated the permeability of LK‐157 and the three ester prodrugs across rat intestine in vitro. The morpholinoethyl ester of sanfetrinem was also investigated. Method Permeability across rat jejunum was determined using EasyMount side‐by‐side diffusion chambers. Key findings The solubility and permeability of morpholinoethyl ester LK‐157E2 were superior to those of LK‐159 and LK‐157E1. The morpholinoethyl ester of sanfetrinem LK‐176E1 had the highest observed permeability coefficient and consequently the highest predicted absorption in humans. Conclusions These results suggest that the morpholinoethyl esters of LK‐157 and sanfetrinem could be further investigated to assess bioavailability in vivo.     

Chemical Stability of Esters of Nicotinic Acid Intended for Pulmonary Administration by Liquid Ventilation

Purpose. It has been suggested that fluorocarbon liquid may be a unique vehicle for the delivery of drugs directly to the acutely injured lung. A prodrug approach was used as a means of enhancing the solubility of a model drug (nicotinic acid) in the fluorocarbon. The solubility, the chemical stability of the putative prodrugs, and the sensitivity to enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated. Methods. The solubility of each nicotinic acid ester was determined in buffer as a function of pH and in perflubron. The octanol/buffer partition coefficient was determined at pH 7.4. The chemical stability of the putative prodrugs was determined as a function of pH, temperature, buffer content, and ionic strength. In addition, sensitivity of the esters to enzymatic degradation was evaluated. Results. Compared with nicotinic acid, the solubility in perflubron of the esters was significantly enhanced. In aqueous buffers, the esters exhibited pseudo-first order degradation kinetics, with both acid and base catalyzed loss. Studies of the fluorobutyl ester indicate quantitative loss of the putative prodrug and release of the parent nicotinic acid. Porcine esterase accelerated the loss of fluorobutyl ester by a factor of over 200 compared with chemical hydrolysis at pH 7.4. Conclusions. The properties of the fluorinated esters suggest that they may be suitable candidates for further testing as possible prodrugs of nicotinic acid based upon higher solubility in perflubron, rapid release of the parent drug after simple hydrolysis, and sensitivity to the presence of a model esterase enzyme.