The glycine/NMDA receptor antagonist, R-(+)-HA-966, blocks activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system induced by phencyclidine and dizocilpine (MK-801) in rodents.

1. The effects of the glycine/N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, R-(+)-HA-966 on the neurochemical and behavioural responses to phencyclidine (PCP) and dizocilpine (MK-801) have been determined in rodents. 2. In rats, pretreatment with PCP (5 and 10 mg kg-1) or MK-801 (0.25 and 0.5 mg kg-1) dose-dependently stimulated dopamine turnover in nucleus accumbens, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, but had no effect in striatum. In contrast, pretreatment with (+)-HA-966 (10 and 30 mg kg-1) did not affect dopamine turnover in any brain region investigated. 3. Pretreatment with (+)-HA-966 (10 and 30 mg kg-1) significantly antagonized the stimulation of dopamine turnover induced by both PCP (10 mg kg-1) and MK-801 (0.5 mg kg-1) in rat nucleus accumbens, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. 4. Intracerebral dialysis studies in conscious rats demonstrated that systemic injection of PCP (10 mg kg-1) markedly stimulated dopamine release from the nucleus accumbens, an effect that was abolished by pretreatment with (+)-HA-966 (30 mg kg-1). 5. Pretreatment with PCP (3-30 mg kg-1) or MK-801 (0.1-1.6 mg kg-1) significantly increased locomotor activity in mice. In contrast, subcutaneous injection of (+)-HA-966 (10-100 mg kg-1) failed to stimulate activity. 6. Pretreatment with (+)-HA-966 (10 and 30 mg kg-1) dose-dependently antagonized both PCP (10 mg kg-1) and MK-801 (0.4 mg kg-1) induced hyperactivity in mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The discriminative stimulus properties of (+)-HA-966, an antagonist at the glycine/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor

Using a two-lever operant drug discrimination paradigm, rats have been trained to discriminate between the administration of saline and R-(+)-HA-966 (R-(+)-3-amino-1-hydroxypyrrolid-2-one, 30 mg/kg i.p.) an antagonist at the glycine modulatory site on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor/ion channel complex. Drug-appropriate responding was not induced in stimulus generalisation experiments when the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, phencyclidine (PCP, 1-8 mg/kg i.p.) was substituted for (+)-HA-966. Similarly, (+)-HA-966 (6-50 mg/kg i.p.) did not induce drug-appropriate responding in animals trained to discriminate PCP (3 mg/kg i.p.) from saline. The results suggest that the behavioural profile of compounds attenuating the actions of NMDA via blockade of the glycine modulatory site may be substantially different from those acting at the ion channel of the NMDA receptor complex.     

Effects on cocaine and food self-administration of (+)-HA-966, a partial agonist at the glycine/NMDA modulatory site, in rats

Rationale (+)-HA-966, a partial agonist at the glycine/NMDA modulatory site, significantly reduced IV cocaine self-administration in a fixed-ratio (FR) schedule. Since this effect was observed studying only one dose of cocaine and considering the characteristic bell-shaped curve generated by cocaine in self-administration studies under FR schedules, the precise nature of the effect is not clear.Objective To identify the nature of the effect of (+)-HA-966 on cocaine self-administration under fixed ratio (FR) and progressive ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement.Methods Rats were prepared with IV catheters and trained to self-administer cocaine. In the first experiment three doses of (+)-HA-966 (10, 30 and 100 µg/5 µl ICV) were evaluated for their effects on 0.25 mg/0.1 ml per infusion cocaine self-administration on FR1 with 20-s time-out (TO). Next, 30 µg/5 µl ICV (+)-HA-966 was evaluated as pretreatment on a complete dose-response for cocaine self-administration. In a third experiment the effect of the same dose was evaluated on cocaine or food self-administered on the PR schedule.Results (+)-HA-966 at doses of 10 or 30 µg reduced cocaine self-administration in an FR1 schedule during the first hour interval of the 2-h session. This partial agonist at the glycine/NMDA modulatory site also reduced the number of injections of cocaine earned during the first hour of the session but not the final ratio reached under a PR schedule. However, under this schedule (+)-HA-966 also reduced operant responding for food reinforcement.Conclusions (+)-HA-966 reduced responding maintained by cocaine or food. Whether (+)-HA-966 induces a general motivational rather than a performance deficit, leading to reduced responding for either cocaine and food, is unclear.     

R-(+)-HA-966, a glycine/NMDA receptor antagonist, selectively blocks the activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system by amphetamine.

1. The effects of the glycine/NMDA receptor antagonist, (+)-HA-966 on the neurochemical and behavioural responses to amphetamine have been determined in the mouse and rat. 2. In vehicle-treated control mice, (+)-HA-966 (30-100 mg kg-1) did not affect dopamine synthesis in either the nucleus accumbens or striatum and was without marked effect on spontaneous locomotor activity. 3. In the mouse, (+)-HA-966 (30 and 100 mg kg-1) dose-dependently blocked the enhancement of dopamine synthesis induced in the nucleus accumbens by amphetamine, but was without effect on the increase in dopamine synthesis in the striatum. 4. Intracerebroventricular administration of the glycine/NMDA receptor antagonist, 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid, in the mouse (10 micrograms) also significantly attenuated amphetamine-enhanced DOPA accumulation in the nucleus accumbens, but not in the striatum. 5. The decrease of dopamine synthesis in striatum and nucleus accumbens induced by the dopamine receptor agonist, apomorphine, was unaffected by (+)-HA-966 (100 mg kg-1). 6. (+)-HA-966 (30 mg kg-1) failed to attenuate the hyperactivity induced by the systemic administration of amphetamine in the mouse, but totally prevented the hyperlocomotion following infusion of amphetamine into the rat nucleus accumbens. In contrast, stereotyped behaviour induced by infusion of amphetamine into the rat striatum was not altered following pretreatment with (+)-HA-966 (30 mg kg-1). 7. The results are consistent with a selective facilitatory role of glycine/NMDA receptors on mesolimbic dopaminergic neurones.     

Anticonvulsant effects of the glycine/NMDA receptor ligands D-cycloserine and D-serine but not R-(+)-HA-966 in amygdala-kindled rats.

1. The effects of the glycine/NMDA receptor partial agonists, D-cycloserine and (+)-HA-966 and the full agonist, D-serine, on focal seizure threshold and behaviour have been determined in amygdala-kindled rats, i.e. a model of focal (partial) epilepsy. The uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, was used for comparison. 2. The high efficacy glycine partial agonist, D-cycloserine, did not alter the threshold for induction of amygdaloid afterdischarges (ADT) at doses of 20-80 mg kg-1 i.p., but significant ADT increases were determined after application of higher doses (160 and 320 mg kg-1). The ADT increases after these high doses were long-lasting; significant elevations were still observed 2 days after drug injection. Determination of D-cycloserine in plasma and brain tissue showed that it was rapidly eliminated from plasma. Compared to peak levels in plasma, only relatively low concentrations of D-cycloserine were measured in brain tissue. 3. The low efficacy glycine partial agonist, (+)-HA-966, 10-40 mg kg-1 i.p., did not alter the ADT or seizure recordings (seizure severity, seizure duration, afterdischarge duration) at ADT currents. However, the drug dose-dependently increased the duration of postictal behavioural and electroencephalographic depression in kindled rats. At the higher dose tested, postictal immobilization was dramatically increased from 3 min to about 120 min. This might indicate that glutamatergic activity is decreased postictally, which is potentiated or prolonged by (+)-HA-966. 4. Like D-cycloserine, the glycine receptor full agonist, D-serine, injected bilaterally into the lateral ventricles at a dose of 5 mumol, significantly increased the ADT, while no effect was seen at a lower dose (2.5 mumol). 5. The anticonvulsant effects observed with D-cycloserine were completely antagonized by combined treatment with (+)-HA-966, indicating that the effects of D-cycloserine were mediated by the glycine/NMDA receptor complex. 6. MK-801, 0.1 mg kg-1, did not alter the focal seizure threshold or seizure recordings at ADT current, but induced marked phencyclidine(PCP)-like behavioural alterations, such as hyperlocomotion, stereotypies and motor impairment. No PCP-like behaviours were observed after D-cycloserine, D-serine or (+)-HA-966. High doses of (+)-HA-966 induced moderate motor impairment in kindled rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Effects of (+)-HA-966 and 7-chlorokynurenic acid on the kinetics of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist responses in rat cultured cortical neurons.

It has been suggested that one of the effects of glycine at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex is to reduce the amount of apparent receptor desensitization. Thus, blockade with a glycine site antagonist results in NMDA responses that show an increased amount of fade. In agreement with this, we found that antagonism of NMDA-evoked whole-cell currents by 7-chlorokynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYNA) indeed resulted in NMDA responses that displayed an increased amount of fade. However, those responses that were antagonized by (+)-HA-966 showed the opposite, i.e., less tendency to fade. On examination of these responses, it appeared that those produced in the presence of (+)-HA-966 were slower in onset and faster in offset than control responses recorded in the presence of glycine alone. Kinetic analysis of the on- and off-rates of NMDA- and glutamate-evoked NMDA receptor-mediated responses revealed that these were markedly affected by (+)-HA-966 but only slightly by 7-Cl-KYNA. The decrease of the glutamate response decay time constant and the increase of the response rise time constant produced by (+)-HA-966 indicated that it reduced the affinity of glutamate for its recognition site on the NMDA receptor by 5-fold. These results suggest that binding of (+)-HA-966 to the glycine site on the NMDA receptor complex produces an allosteric reduction in the affinity of agonists for the glutamate recognition site, whereas 7-Cl-KYNA has relatively little effect and, thus, acts more as a pure antagonist at the glycine site.     

Effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on acute mu-opioid analgesia in the rat

Mixed research findings have led to a debate regarding the effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists on opiate analgesia. NMDA antagonists have been found in various studies to enhance, to inhibit, or to have no effect on opiate analgesia. The present research used a single protocol to explore the effects of six NMDA receptor antagonists on acute morphine (3.0 mg/kg s.c.) and fentanyl (0.05 mg/kg s.c.) analgesia in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. NMDA receptor antagonists were selected based on their abilities to block various sites on the NMDA receptor complex, including the noncompetitive antagonists MK-801 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg i.p.), dextromethorphan (10.0 and 30.0 mg/kg i.p.), and memantine (3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg i.p.), a glycine site antagonist, (+)-HA-966 (10.0 and 30.0 mg/kg i.p.), a competitive antagonist, LY235959 (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg i.p.), and a polyamine site antagonist, ifenprodil (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg i.p.). Analgesia was assessed using the tail-flick test. A single dose of each opiate was used. The low doses of the antagonists, which are known to produce significant neural and behavioral actions at NMDA receptors, had no effect on morphine or fentanyl analgesia. At the higher doses, morphine analgesia was significantly enhanced by LY235959 (3.0 mg/kg), and fentanyl analgesia was significantly enhanced by LY235959 (3.0 mg/kg), dextromethorphan (30.0 mg/kg), and (+)-HA-966 (30.0 mg/kg). Enhancement of analgesia occurred without any apparent adverse side effects. None of the NMDA antagonists affected tail-flick responses on their own, except the higher dose of LY235959 (3.0 mg/kg), which produced a mild analgesic effect. Because no consistent effects were observed, the data suggest that NMDA receptors are not involved in acute mu-opioid analgesia. The mechanisms underlying the enhancement of opiate analgesia by selected NMDA antagonists, such as LY235959, dextromethorphan, and (+)-HA-966, remain to be determined.     

Stereoselective enhancement by (R)-HA-966 of the binding of [3H]CPP to the NMDA receptor complex

The enantiomers of the strychnine-insensitive glycine antagonist, HA-966 (1-hydroxy-3-amino-pyrrolidone-2), stereoselectively enhance binding of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) competitive antagonist, [3H]CPP (3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid) to rat brain synaptosomal membranes. The enhancement by the more potent (R)-HA-966 is competitively inhibited by the glycine antagonist 7-chlorokynurenic acid and noncompetitively by the polyamine spermine. Thus, (R)-HA-966, apparently at the glycine site, enhances the binding of antagonist to the NMDA receptor, possibly through a mechanism partially in common with that of spermine.     

Antinociceptive effect of R-(+)-hyoscyamine on the conjunctival reflex test in rabbits

R-(+)-Hyoscyamine (1-10 microg/kg, s.c.) dose-dependently increased the local anesthetic effect of procaine (50 microg/ml) and lidocaine (50 microg/ml) in the conjunctival reflex test in the rabbit. This potentiating effect is completely prevented by the M1 antagonist dicyclomine (10 mg/kg, s.c.). The intensity of R-(+)-hyoscyamine antinociception was comparable to that induced by morphine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) and minaprine (15 mg/kg, s.c.), used as analgesic reference drugs. In the same experimental conditions, the S-(-)-enantiomer of atropine (0.1-10 microg/kg, s.c.), was completely ineffective. The present results confirm the ability of R-(+)-hyoscyamine to produce a paradoxical antinociceptive effect mediated by a cholinergic mechanism not only in rodents but also in the rabbit.     

Comparative anterograde amnestic and anticonvulsant effects of two types of NMDA receptor antagonists: MK-801 and HA-966

The anterograde amnestic effects of non-competitive NMDA antagonists MK-801 and HA-966 on classic fear conditioning in goldfish (Carassius auratus) were examined in a series of experiments. Experiments 1 and 2 contrasted the anterograde amnestic effects of MK-801, (+)HA-966, and (–)HA-966. Experiment 3 examined the effects of MK-801 and (+)HA-966 on the expression of conditioned responses. Experiments 4 and 5 investigated whether the potency of MK-801, (+)HA-966 or (–)HA-966 in blocking NMDA-induced convulsions paralleled their potency in producing amnesia. The results showed that MK-801 was more potent than (+)HA-966 in producing anterograde amnesia and impairing expression, while (–)HA-966 did not produce anterograde amnesia. The anticonvulsant potency of MK-801, (+)HA-966, and (–)HA-966 paralleled their amnestic potency. These findings suggested that MK-801 and (+)HA-966 produced anterograde amnesia by their specific antagonism of the NMDA receptor complex.     

Neurochemical and behavioural investigations of the NMDA receptor-associated glycine site in the rat striatum: Functional implications for treatment of parkinsonian symptoms

The glutamatergic cortico-striatal and subthalamo-entopeduncular pathways are both overactive in parkinsonism. Previous behavioural investigations have shown that intra-entopeduncular injection of either NMDA-site or glycine-site antagonists results in alleviation of parkinsonian symptoms, although injection of the former is associated with the appearance of anaesthetic-like side effects. These behavioural differences may be mediated by action on different NMDA receptor subtypes. Recent neurochemical and molecular pharmacological studies have indicated the existence of NMDA receptor subtypes which display differential modulation by glycine. In the present study, three potential modes of NMDA antagonism were differentiated in vitro by effects on [³H]-glycine binding to striatal sections. Specific [³H]-glycine binding was totally displaced by the glycine partial agonist (R)-HA-966; the NMDA-site antagonistd-CPP had no effect; and the NMDA-site antagonistd-AP5 displaced [³H]-glycine binding in a subpopulation of glycine sites. The anti-parkinsonian effects of (R)-HA-966,d-CPP andd-AP5 were assessed by intra-striatal injection in reserpine-treated rats and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Injection of (R)-HA-966 andd-CPP resulted in alleviation of parkinsonian akinesia, although the latter elicited anaesthetic-like side effects;d-AP5 was ineffective as an anti-parkinsonian agent. (R)-HA-966 was also effective as an anti-parkinsonian agent when administered systemically in the reserpine-treated rat. These data suggest that different classes of NMDA antagonist mediate different behavioural responses within the parkinsonian striatum. The behavioural response produced may depend on the exact nature of the conformational change induced by the antagonist and the location of the subtype most sensitive to that class of compound. Selection of a specific mode of NMDA receptor antagonism or targeting of striatal NMDA receptor subtypes may form the basis of a novel therapeutic approach to Parkinson's disease.     

Responses of rat substantia nigra dopamine-containing neurones to (–)-HA-966 in vitro

1. Extracellular single unit recording techniques were used to compare the effects of (-)-3-amino-1-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one ((–)-HA-966) and (±)-baclofen on the activity of dopamine-containing neurones in 300 μm slices of rat substantia nigra. Electrophysiological data were compared with the outcome of in vitro binding experiments designed to assess the affinity of (–)-HA-966 for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA_B) receptors.
2. Bath application of (–)-HA-966 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of dopaminergic neuronal firing (EC₅₀=444.0 μM; 95% confidence interval: 277.6 μM–710.1 μM, n=27) which was fully reversible upon washout from the recording chamber. Although similar effects were observed in response to (±)-baclofen, the direct-acting GABA_B receptor agonist proved to be considerably more potent than (–)-HA-966 (EC₅₀=0.54 μM; 95% confidence interval: 0.44 μM–0.66 μM, n=29) in vitro.
3. Low concentrations of chloral hydrate (10 μM) were without effect on the basal firing rate of nigral dopaminergic neurones but significantly increased the inhibitory effects produced by concomitant application of (–)-HA-966.
4. The inhibitory effects of (–)-HA-966 were completely reversed in the presence of the GABA_B receptor antagonists, CGP-35348 (100 μM) and 2-hydroxysaclofen (500 μM). Bath application of CGP-35348 alone increased basal firing rate. However, the magnitude of the excitation (9.2±0.3%) was not sufficient to account for the ability of the antagonist to reverse fully the inhibitory effects of (–)-HA-966.
5. (–)-HA-966 (0.1–1.0 mM) produced a concentration-dependent displacement of [^†H]-GABA from synaptic membranes in the presence of isoguvacine (40 μM). However, the affinity of the drug for GABA_B binding sites was significantly less than that of GABA (0.0005 potency ratio) and showed no apparent stereoselectivity.
6. These results indicate that while (–)-HA-966 appears to act as a direct GABA_B receptor agonist in vitro, its affinity for this receptor site is substantially less than that of GABA or baclofen and unlikely to account for the depressant actions of this drug which occur at levels approximately ten fold lower in vivo.

     

Amphetamine and conditioned `anxiety'

1. Rats pressed a bar for milk reward at a steady rate, but this baseline responding was suppressed in the presence of an auditory stimulus associated with electric shock (conditioned suppression). The effects of (+)-amphetamine sulphate on this conditioned suppression were studied in two experiments.2. (+)-Amphetamine sulphate (0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg) reduced the baseline rate of responding and also reduced the conditioned suppression, i.e. responding in the presence of the auditory stimulus was partially restored. Both these effects were dose related.3. In a further experiment the effects of 1.0 mg/kg on two levels of conditioned suppression were studied. Regardless of its degree, (+)-amphetamine attenuated suppression.4. The results were compared to previous research which found that amphetamine increased baseline responding and exaggerated conditioned suppression. It was concluded that the conditioned suppression procedure should be used with caution as an animal model of anxiety in psychopharmacological investigations.     

Studies on metabolism and toxicity of styrene--VI. Regioselectivity in glutathione S-conjugation and hydrolysis of racemic, R- and S-phenyloxiranes in rat liver

Rat liver cytosol converted phenyloxirane enantiomers regioselectively to glutathione S-conjugates. R-(+)-Phenyloxirane was converted to S-(1-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)glutathione (conjugate 1) and S-(2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)glutathione (conjugate 2) (ratio 6.1:1), and S-(-)-phenyloxirane to conjugates 1 and 2 (ratio 1:32). Racemic phenyloxirane was converted to conjugates 1 and 2 (ratio 1.8:1). The conjugates were separated by HPLC on an octadecylsilicone column and identified with synthetic specimens whose structures were assigned by 13C NMR spectrometry. R-(+)-, S-(-)- and racemic phenyloxiranes were hydrolyzed to R-(-)-, S-(+)- and racemic phenylethanediols by microsomal epoxide hydrolase without inversion of absolute configurations of their benzylic carbons. R-(+)-Phenyloxirane had much smaller Km and Vmax than the S-(-)-oxirane did. The R-(+)-oxirane potentially inhibited the microsomal hydrolysis of the S-(-)-oxirane and was preferentially hydrolyzed when the racemic oxirane was used as the substrate. Microsomal monooxygenase oxidized styrene to R-(+)- and S-(-)-phenyloxiranes (ratio 1.3:1), and the ratio was little changed by the pretreatment of the animal with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and polychlorinated biphenyls.     

Conditioned place preference induced by Ro 16-6028, a benzodiazepine receptor partial agonist.

A place conditioning situation was used to assess the putative affective properties of benzodiazepine receptor ligands in the rat. The benzodiazepine receptor partial agonist Ro 16-6028 induced a conditioned place preference, suggesting that this compound has rewarding properties. The benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788 induced neither place preference nor aversion, but prevented the place preference induced by Ro 16-6028, suggesting that the rewarding effects of Ro 16-6028 are due to its action on the benzodiazepine receptor. The benzodiazepine receptor full agonist diazepam did not induce a conditioned place preference in our hands, in contrast with previous studies. The sensitivity of place conditioning with benzodiazepine ligands to situational factors, such as the existence of a preconditioning preference, is discussed.     

Species-dependent stereopharmacokinetics of MK-927, a potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

MK-927 [5,6-dihydro-4H-4(isobutylamino)thieno(2,3-B)thiopyran-2-sul fonamide -7,7 dioxide], a potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, contains a chiral center and is a mixture of two forms, R-(-)- and S-(+)-enantiomer. The latter has recently been designated as MK-417. Following iv administration of each enantiomer (0.05 mg/kg), dogs, rabbits, and rats cleared the R-(-)-enantiomer more rapidly than the S-(+)-enantiomer. The elimination clearance of the R-(-)-enantiomer was 2.01 +/- 0.34, 30.0 +/- 2.1, and 53.6 +/- 6.4 ml/hr/kg for dogs, rabbits, and rats, respectively. The corresponding values for the S-(+)-isomer were 0.0380 +/- 0.008, 1.15 +/- 0.20, and 1.29 +/- 0.09 ml/hr/kg. The ratio of the clearance of the R-(-)-enantiomer to that of the S-(+)-isomer was approximately 53 for the dog, 42 for the rat, and 26 for the rabbit, indicating that the degree of stereoselectivity in elimination kinetics of MK-927 enantiomers was species-dependent. Binding of the enantiomers to erythrocytes, presumably carbonic anhydrase, was also stereoselective and species-dependent; the S-(+)-enantiomer was bound more strongly than the R-(-)-isomer in all species. For both enantiomers, binding to carbonic anhydrase was found to be more extensive in dogs than in other species studied. The elimination clearance of the enantiomers in all species was roughly related to their binding affinity, greater Kd1 values being associated with more rapid clearance. However, binding data alone cannot quantitatively explain the degree of the species-dependent stereoselectivity in the elimination kinetics; other factors may also contribute.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Preparative method ofR-(−)-ibuprofen by diastereomer crystallization

The economic and effective method for preparation of R-(-)-ibuprofen by diastereomer crystallization was developed. R-(-)-ibuprofen was resolved from racemic ibuprofen by forming R-(-)-ibuprofen-R-(+)-alpha-methylbenzylamine diastereomeric salt with R-(+)-alpha(-methylbenzylamine and crystallization. The purity of R-(-)-ibuprofen-R-(+)-alpha-methylbenzylamine diastereomeric salt was tested and confirmed using HPLC and 1H-NMR method. The pure diastereomeric salt collected from repeated recrystallization was further fractionated by liquid-liquid extraction to the pure enantiomer without racemization. R-(-)-ibuprofen was recovered producing overall yield of 2.4% with the purity more than 99.97%.     

Stereoselective metabolic disposition of enantiomers of ofloxacin in rats

1. Stereoselective metabolic disposition of ofloxacin (OFLX) was studied in rats after oral administration of S-(-)-14C-OFLX and R-(+)-14C-OFLX at a dose of 20 mg/kg. 2. Radioactivity of the S-(-)-isomer was eliminated from blood much faster than that of the R-(+)-isomer. Marked differences in pharmacokinetic parameters exist between the enantiomers; the half life and AUC values of R-(+)-OFLX were greater than those of S-(-)-OFLX. Enantiomeric differences were also seen in the excretion of radioactivity, especially in biliary excretion. 3. 31.3 and 7.4% dose were excreted in the 8 h bile as ester glucuronides after oral administration of S-(-)- and R-(+)-OFLX, respectively. The enantiomeric difference in biliary excretion may be caused by stereoselective glucuronidation of S-(-)-OFLX to the ester glucuronide. 4. The metabolite pattern in serum and urine showed that the ester glucuronide of S-(-)-OFLX was more predominant than that of R-(+)-OFLX. 5. The stereoselective ester glucuronidation of the S-(-)-isomer in rats may induce significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of S-(-)- and R-(+)-OFLX.     

The ability of amine N-methyltransferases from rabbit liver to N-methylate azaheterocycles

The substrate specificity of two homogeneous amine N-methyltransferases from rabbit liver has been demonstrated to extend to the azaheterocycles pyridine, R-(+)-nicotine and S-(-)-nicotine. Both enzymes methylate R-(+)-nicotine at the pyridyl nitrogen to afford the N-methylnicotinium salt, whereas S-(-)-nicotine does not act as a substrate for either enzyme. Surprisingly, R-(+)-nicotine is methylated at either the pyridyl nitrogen, or the pyrrolidine nitrogen, to afford the two isomeric monomethylate nicotinium ions when an enzymic preparation containing both methyl transferase activities was used. Under similar conditions S-(-)-nicotine was methylated only at the pyridyl nitrogen. The production of charged metabolites in-vivo, from the large number of pyridino-compounds that are used as drugs, or are present in the environment, may be of toxicological significance, in view of the reported toxicities of several such quaternary ammonium compounds.     

Pharmacokinetics of thiopentone enantiomers following intravenous injection or prolonged infusion of rac-thiopentone

Aims Thiopentone is administered as a racemate ( rac -thiopentone) for induction of anaesthesia as well as for neurological and neurosurgical emergencies. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rac -thiopentone have been extensively studied but the component R-(+)- and S-(−)- enantiomers, until very recently, have been largely ignored.
Methods The present study analyses the pharmacokinetics of R-(+)- and S-(−)-thiopentone in 12 patients given rac -thiopentone intravenously for induction of anaesthesia and five patients given a prolonged infusion of rac -thiopentone used for treatment of intracranial hypertension.
Results The mean total body clearance (CL_T ) and apparent volume of distribution at steady-state ( V  _ss ) showed trends towards higher values for R-(+)- than for S-(−)-thiopentone in both patient groups; CL_T and V _ss of unbound fractions of R-(+)- and S-(−)-thiopentone, however, did not show these trends. The time courses of R-(+)- and S-(−)- thiopentone serum concentrations were so similar that EEG effect could not be attributed to one or other enantiomer. Serum protein binding for S-(−)-thiopentone was greater than for R-(+)-thiopentone ( P =0.02) and 24  h urinary excretion of R-(+)-thiopentone was greater than for S-(−)thiopentone ( P =0.03). In one patient, concomitant measurement of CSF and serum thiopentone concentrations found that serum: CSF equilibration of unbound fractions of both enantiomers was essentially complete.
Conclusions The study was unable to determine any pharmacokinetic difference of clinical significance between the R-(+)- and S-(−)-thiopentone enantiomers and concludes that minor differences in CL_T and V _ss could be explained by enantioselective difference found in serum protein binding.