Reduction and glutathione conjugation reactions of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine and two dimethylated analogues

N-Acetyl-3,5-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone imine, N-acetyl-2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone imine, and N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine were synthesized via the oxidation of 3,5-dimethylacetaminophen, 2,6-dimethylacetaminophen, and acetaminophen, respectively. All three quinone imines were rapidly reduced to their corresponding semiquinone imines by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. All three benzoquinone imines underwent comproportionation with their respective phenols to yield the corresponding semiquinone imines, which in the presence of oxygen gave superoxide. Identification of this latter free radical was based on spin-trapping techniques. Reduced GSH was found to be an excellent nucleophile toward N-acetyl-2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone imine, whereas this thiol behaved as a one-electron reductant toward N-acetyl-3,5-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone imine. Finally, GSH was determined to act as both a nucleophile and a reductant toward N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine.     

Mechanisms of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine cytotoxicity

N-Acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), a reactive metabolite of acetaminophen, rapidly reacts at physiological pH with glutathione (GSH) forming an acetaminophen-glutathione conjugate and stoichiometric amounts of acetaminophen and glutathione disulfide (GSSG). The same reaction products are formed in isolated hepatocytes incubated with NAPQI. In hepatocytes which have been treated with 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) in order to inhibit glutathione reductase, the initial rise in GSSG concentration in the presence of NAPQI is maintained, whereas GSSG is rapidly reduced back to GSH in untreated hepatocytes. Oxidation by NAPQI of GSH to GSSG and the reduction of GSSG back to GSH by the NADPH-dependent glutathione reductase appear to be responsible for the rapid oxidation of NADPH that occurs in hepatocytes incubated with NAPQI in that the effect is blocked by pretreatment of cells with BCNU. When added to hepatocytes, NAPQI not only reacts with GSH but also causes a loss in protein thiol groups. The loss in protein thiols occurs more rapidly in cells pretreated with BCNU or diethylmaleate. Whereas both of these treatments enhance cytotoxicity caused by NAPQI, BCNU pretreatment has no effect on the covalent binding of [14C-ring]NAPQI to cellular proteins. Furthermore, dithiothreitol added to isolated hepatocytes after maximal covalent binding of [14C-ring]NAPQI but preceding cell death protects cells from cytotoxicity and regenerates protein thiols. Thus, the toxicity of NAPQI to isolated hepatocytes may result primarily from its oxidative effects on cellular proteins.     

Hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen and N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine and enhancement by fructose

1. Although oral administration of 400?mg/kg acetaminophen (APAP) or 1.8-3.4g/kg sucrose had no effect on serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), their co-administration resulted in 20-fold increases in ALT/SDH activities. APAP alone (1250?mg/kg, p.o.) caused the elevation hepatotoxicity parameters, but the levels were lower than observed with co-administration of APAP (400?mg/kg) and sucrose (2.6 or 3.4 g/kg). 2. Sucrose-associated increase in serum ALT/SDH activities was selective with APAP and not detected with carbon tetrachloride (160?mg/kg, i.p.), D-galactosamine (400?mg/kg, i.p.) or α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (100?mg/kg, p.o.). 3. To verify the synergistic mechanism of sucrose, a major reactive intermediate of APAP, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), was given via the portal vein to rat pretreated with sucrose. Clear elevation of ALT}SDH activities was detected in the cotreated group. These results, together with an allopurinol-inhibition experiment, suggest the involvement of high-dose sucrose at a step(s) occurring after the metabolic activation of APAP. 4. Co-administration of glucose or fructose as well as sucrose elevated APAP-induced hepatotoxicity parameters in rat. Fructose but not glucose elevated APAP- or NAPQI-induced LDH leakage in a primary hepatocyte system. The results suggest the primary role of fructose is on the sucrose enhancement of APAP toxicity in rat.     

Enzymatic and non-enzymatic reduction of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine and some properties of the N-acetyl-p-benzosemiquinone imine radical

N-Acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) is the postulated hepatotoxic intermediate in acetaminophen overdosage. NAPQI was rapidly metabolized by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, with an apparent Km of 1.8 to 4.0 microM and an apparent Vmax of 29.4 mumoles per min per mg, and exhibited substrate inhibition of metabolism at NAPQI concentrations above 10 microM. NADPH was oxidized by NAPQI at a slower rate in the absence of enzyme. NAPQI did not appear to undergo redox cycling at an appreciable rate to form superoxide, and it did not stimulate oxygen utilization or superoxide release by rat isolated hepatocytes. Electron spin resonance studies failed to show formation of a free radical by chemical or enzymatic reduction of NAPQI under anaerobic conditions in aqueous media.     

Hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen and N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine and enhancement by fructose

1. Although oral administration of 400 mg/kg acetaminophen (APAP) or 1.8-3.4 g/kg sucrose had no effect on serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), their co-administration resulted in 20-fold increases in ALT/SDH activities. APAP alone (1250 mg/kg, p.o.) caused the elevation hepatotoxicity parameters, but the levels were lower than observed with co-administration of APAP (400 mg/kg) and sucrose (2.6 or 3.4 g/kg). 2. Sucrose-associated increase in serum ALT/SDH activities was selective with APAP and not detected with carbon tetrachloride (160 mg/kg, i.p.), D-galactosamine (400 mg/kg, i.p.) or alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (100 mg/kg, p.o.). 3. To verify the synergistic mechanism of sucrose, a major reactive intermediate of APAP, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), was given via the portal vein to rat pretreated with sucrose. Clear elevation of ALT/SDH activities was detected in the co-treated group. These results, together with an allopurinol-inhibition experiment, suggest the involvement of high-dose sucrose at a step(s) occurring after the metabolic activation of APAP. 4. Co-administration of glucose or fructose as well as sucrose elevated APAP-induced hepatotoxicity parameters in rat. Fructose but not glucose elevated APAP- or NAPQI-induced LDH leakage in a primary hepatocyte system. The results suggest the primary role of fructose is on the sucrose enhancement of APAP toxicity in rat.     

Reactions of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine with reduced glutathione, acetaminophen, and NADPH

Synthetic N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine reacted with reduced glutathione (GSH), [14C]acetaminophen, and NADPH. It reacted rapidly with GSH to yield acetaminophen (33%) and 3-(glutathion-S-yl)acetaminophen (67%), and with acetaminophen or NADPH to yield acetaminophen polymers. The data suggested that N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine was reduced by GSH to form acetaminophen but primarily reacted with GSH to form 3-(glutathion-S-yl)acetaminophen. The evidence further suggested that N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine comproportionated with [14C]acetaminophen to yield a mixture of radioactive and nonradioactive N-acetyl-p-benzosemiquinone imine which subsequently formed acetaminophen polymers by a radical coupling reaction. [14C]Acetaminophen was incorporated into the acetaminophen polymers. The amount of 14C incorporation was dependent on the initial concentration of [14C]acetaminophen and N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine. An increase in the ratio of [14C]acetaminophen to N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine resulted in an increase in [14C] acetaminophen incorporation into the acetaminophen polymers. NADPH reduced N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine to acetaminophen and acetaminophen polymers were formed. When [14C]N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine was incubated without acetaminophen, only minor amounts of acetaminophen polymerization were observed.     

The killing of cultured hepatocytes by N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) as a model of the cytotoxicity of acetaminophen

The killing of isolated hepatocytes by N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), the major metabolite of the oxidation of the hepatotoxin acetaminophen, has been studied previously as a model of liver cell injury by the parent compound. Such studies assume that the toxicity of acetaminophen is mediated by NAPQI and that treatment with exogenous NAPQI reproduces the action of the endogenously produced product. The present study tested these assumptions by comparing under identical conditions the toxicity of acetaminophen and NAPQI. The killing of hepatocytes by acetaminophen was mediated by oxidative injury. Thus, it depended on a cellular source of ferric iron; was potentiated by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor of glutathione reductase; and was sensitive to antioxidants. By contrast, the cytotoxicity of NAPQI was not prevented by chelation of ferric iron; was unaffected by BCNU; and was insensitive to antioxidants. Thus, the killing of cultured hepatocytes by NAPQI occurs by a mechanism different from that of acetaminophen. The killing by NAPQI was preceded by a collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and a depletion of ATP. Monensin potentiated the cell killing, and extracellular acidosis prevented it. These manipulations are characteristic of the toxicity of mitochondrial poisons, and are without effect on the depletion of ATP and the loss of mitochondrial energization. Thus, mitochondrial de-energization by a mechanism unrelated to oxidative stress is a likely basis of the cell killing by NAPQI. It is concluded that treatment of cultured hepatocytes with NAPQI does not model the cytotoxicity of acetaminophen in these cells.     

Oxidant-induced changes in the cellular energy homeostasis. A study with 3,5-dimethyl N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine and isolated hepatocytes

Exposure of isolated hepatocytes to 400 microM 3,5-dimethyl N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (3,5-diMe NAPQI), rapidly induced the formation of plasma membrane blebs. More than 50% of the viable cells were affected after 1 min incubation with 3,5-diMe NAPQI. Rapid loss of mitochondrial ATP, and sequential increases in ADP and AMP accompanied hepatocyte blebbing. 3,5-diMe NAPQI also induced a pronounced elevation of mitochondrial NADP level, whereas the NAD concentration was unaffected. Similar alterations in the adenine and pyridine nucleotide pools were found to occur in the cytosol, although at slower rates. During the initial phase of ATP loss and NADP production, there was also a concomitant decrease in the oxygen uptake of the hepatocytes. The decreases in energy substrates occurred in parallel to an increased uptake of trypan blue into the cells. Treatment of the hepatocytes with dithiothreitol, following 4 min exposure of the cells to 3,5-diMe NAPQI, reversed the quinone imine-induced changes in nucleotide levels and reduced the cytotoxicity. It is concluded that alteration of mitochondrial function, which results in changes in the cellular energy homeostasis, is an important event in the development of cytotoxicity caused by 3,5-diMe NAPQI.     

Prevention of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity by leflunomide via inhibition of APAP biotransformation to N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine

Acetaminophen (APAP) is safe at therapeutic levels but causes liver injury via N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI)-induced oxidative stress when overdose. Recent studies indicated that mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) plays a key role in APAP-induced toxicity and leflunomide (LEF) protects against the toxicity through inhibition of c-jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinase (JNK)-mediated pathway of mPT. It is not clearly understood if LEF also exerts its protective effect through inhibition of APAP bioactivation to the toxic NAPQI. The present work was undertaken to study the effect of LEF on the bioactivation of APAP to NAPQI. Mechanism-based inhibition incubations performed in mouse and human liver microsomes (MLM and HLM) indicated that inhibition of APAP bioactivation to NAPQI was observed in MLM but not in HLM. Furthermore, LEF but not its active metabolite, A77-1726, was shown to be the main inhibitor. When APAP and LEF were incubated with human recombinant P450 enzymes, CYP1A2 was found to be the isozyme responsible for the inhibition of APAP bioactivation. Species variation in CYP1A2 enzymes probably accounted for the different observations in our MLM and HLM studies. We concluded that inhibition of NAPQI formation is not a probable pathway that LEF protects APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in human.     

Electroencephalographic effects of two short chain ACTH analogues

The effects of two short chain ACTH analogues, tetracosactide 1-24, eptadecapeptide 1-17, on EEG, behaviour and temperature of the rabbit are studied. The behaviour and temperature effects of two compounds are quite similar. The EEG synchronizing action is more evident when tetracosactide 1-24 is administered. This fact suggests that the aminoacids 18-24 might be important in affecting electric cerebral activity.     

Detection of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine produced during the hydrolysis of the model phenacetin metabolite N-(pivaloyloxy)phenacetin

N-Acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (4) can be detected by UV spectrophotometry and HPLC during the hydrolysis of N-(pivaloyloxy)phenacetin (3c). This material serves as a model for the sulfate and glucuronide conjugates (3a and 3b) of N-hydroxyphenacetin (2). Direct detection of 4 during the hydrolysis of 3a and 3b is precluded by the extreme instability of 3a and the very slow hydrolysis of 3b. Our data show that greater than 90% of the hydrolysis of 3c proceeds through the intermediate 4 at all pH values in the range 1.0-8.0. All our results indicate that 4 is produced through a nitrenium ion mechanism. Many of the differences in the hydrolysis reactions of 3b and 3c can be explained in terms of a mechanism involving tight and solvent-separated nitrenium ion pairs. Other differences may be due to a homolysis pathway, which is more important for the material with the poorer leaving group (3b).     

New cytotoxic analogues of annonaceous acetogenins

A series of new acetogenin analogues incorporating a central catechol moiety instead of the tetrahydrofuran ring(s) have been prepared and tested against L1210 leukemia cells. Although less potent than bullatacinone, which has the same terminal lactone, these compounds display interesting cell cycle effects.     

Effects of ethanol and inhibitors on the binding and metabolism of acetaminophen and N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine by hepatic microsomes from control and ethanol-treated rats

Acetaminophen is metabolized by cytochrome P450 to N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NABQI). This metabolite reacts with critical cellular macromolecules to give toxicity. The administration of 10% ethanol in the drinking water to 100 g male rats for 6 weeks markedly increases the toxicity of acetaminophen. This increase was associated with a 71% increase in microsomal protein binding of acetaminophen [4.8 pmol/min/mg protein in control microsomes versus 8.2 pmol/min/mg protein in ethanol microsomes (P less than 0.01)] and a 131% increase in aniline hydroxylase [0.52 nmol/min/mg protein in control microsomes versus 1.20 nmol/min/mg protein in ethanol microsomes (P less than 0.001)]. On the other hand, cysteine conjugation of acetaminophen showed an increase of only 12% [2.8 nmol/min/mg protein in control microsomes versus 3.1 nmol/min/mg protein in ethanol microsomes (P less than 0.05)]. Ethylmorphine- and benzphetamine N-demethylases did not increase. In microsomes from both control and ethanol animals, imidazole (1 mM) inhibited the two N-demethylases, aniline hydroxylation and acetaminophen binding by 85-95% but inhibited the cysteine conjugation by only 50%. For control and ethanol animals, both 80% CO/20% O2 and SKF-525A (1 mM) totally inhibited cysteine conjugation but only inhibited the other activities by about 36-60%. KCN (1 mM) had no effect on any of the activities except protein binding (60-67% inhibition). Scavengers of reactive oxygen [mannitol (1 mM), dimethyl sulfoxide (1 mM), superoxide dismutase (15 micrograms/mL) and catalase (65 micrograms/mL)] had no effect on any of the reactions. Of all these treatments only CO/O2 decreased the protein binding and cysteine conjugation of NABQI in the presence of either NADP+ or NADPH. The data from the inhibitor studies and the effect of ethanol on acetaminophen and NABQI metabolism would suggest that protein binding and cysteine conjugation are catalyzed by different isozymes of cytochrome P450. Finally, the current results indicate that the increased toxicity of acetaminophen observed with ethanol more closely parallels the increase in protein binding activity rather than cysteine conjugation.     

12-Amino-andrographolide analogues: synthesis and cytotoxic activity

Andrographolide, a diterpenoid lactone of the plant Andrographis paniculata, has been shown to be cytotoxic against various cancer cells in vitro. In the present study, a series of β-amino-γ-butyrolactone analogues has been synthesized from naturally occurring andrographolide via one pot tandem aza-conjugate addition–elimination reaction. By using economic procedure without any base or catalyst at room temperature, the products obtained were in fair to excellent yields with high stereoselectivity. The cytotoxicity of all new amino analogues were evaluated against six cancer cell lines and revealed their potential for being developed as promising anti-cancer agents.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of polyamine analogues of camptothecin

A number of derivatives of camptothecin with a polyamine chain linked to position 7 of camptothecin via an amino, imino, or oxyiminomethyl group were synthesized and tested for their biological activity. All compounds showed marked growth inhibitory activity against the H460 human lung carcinoma cell line. In particular, the iminomethyl derivatives where the amino groups of the chain were protected with Boc groups exhibited a high potency, with IC50 values of approximately 10(-8) M. The pattern of DNA cleavage in vitro and the persistence of the cleavable ternary complex drug-DNA-topoisomerase I observed with polyamine conjugates containing free amino groups support a contribution of specific drug interaction with DNA as a determinant of activity. Modeling of compound 7c in the complex with topoisomerase 1 and DNA is consistent with this hypothesis. The lack of a specific correlation between stabilization of the cleavable complex and growth inhibition likely reflects multiple factors including the cellular pharmacokinetic behavior related to the variable lipophilicity of the conjugate, and the nature and linkage of the polyamine moiety.     

Synthesis and evaluation of curcumin analogues as cytotoxic agents

Seventeen curcumin analogues were prepared and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity against an Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). In vitro results revealed that compounds 10, 7, and 12 were the most potent analogues against EAC respectively. However, in vivo evaluation of compound 10 proved its capability to normalize the blood picture compared with 5-fluorouracil, a well-known anticancer drug.     

Cardiovascular effects of two disulfide analogues of sarafotoxin S6b

Sarafotoxin S6b (STX-b), a peptide toxin isolated from the venom of the Israeli burrowing asp, Atractaspis engaddensis, consists of 21 amino acid residues with four cysteines at positions 1,3,11 and 15. In the present study, we compared the cardiovascular effects of two synthetic STX-b analogues with different disulfide bridge locations, i.e. STX-b type A (1-15, 3-11) and STX-b type B (1-11, 3-15). At doses of 0.3-3 nmoles/kg (i.v.), type A produced a sustained pressor effect with transient increase in pulse pressure. However, at 5 nmoles/kg, it produced a transient increase followed by decrease in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate within 30 sec and 12 out of 13 mice died within 10 min. Various kinds of ECG changes, suggestive of myocardial ischemia and hyperkalemia, were observed. Type A also caused a significant increase in the plasma levels of K+, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, inorganic phosphate and glucose. By contrast, type B did not kill any mouse at doses up to 50 nmoles/kg. In the rat aorta, type A caused a potent vasoconstriction which was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and was partially inhibited by verapamil and H-7, a protein kinase C inhibitor. In the rat Langendorff heart preparation, type A produced coronary vasospasm with potency about 100 times higher than that of type B. A similar potency ratio was observed for the positive inotropic effect in rat atria. These results indicate that the location of disulfide bridges in sarafotoxin S6b markedly influences the pharmacological potency and the natural sarafotoxin S6b should be type A with the disulfide bridge locations at positions 1-15 and 3-11.     

Study on synthesis of thalidomide analogues and their bioactivities; inhibition on iNOS pathway and cytotoxic effects

Synthetic thalidomide analogues (compounds 1–35), including phenylphthalimide, pyridylphthalimide, aminobenzylphthalimide, and diphenylazophthalimide, were tested for their cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines Hep2 (Human Larynx Carcinoma Cells), HL-60 (Human Myeloid Leukemia Cells), NUGC (Human Gastric Carcinoma Cells), and HONE-1 (Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells) because the incidence rate is more prominent in Asian countries than in Western countries. Compounds 17, 27, 28, and 35 were found to have antitumor activity in Hep2 and HL-60 cell lines. Compounds 2, 4, 15, 17, 19, 20, 23, and 27 can inhibit nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity by more than 90%. These thalidomide analogues were found to be potent inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitors, and the iNOS inhibiting potential of compounds 17 and 27 might be an advantage for anticancer therapy. In conclusion, inhibition of NO synthesis is a new development in cancer therapy for now and in the future. We modified the structures of the thalidomide analogues to have a stronger anticancer effect and a good therapeutic effect.     

Comparative cytotoxic and biochemical effects of ligands and metal complexes of alpha-N-heterocyclic carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones

Several alpha-N-heterocyclic carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones and their iron and copper complexes have been tested for their cytotoxicity and inhibiting activity against DNA synthesis under controlled metal conditions. No ligands show cytotoxicity against Ehrlich cells at the concentrations tested, while some iron and copper complexes are active. In contrast, the ligands inhibit DNA synthesis at much lower concentrations than used above. Similarly, the metal complexes are effective inhibitors at concentrations much below those necessary to demonstrate cytotoxicity. In addition, the iron complexes of 1-formylisoquinoline thiosemicarbazone, 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone, and 4-methyl-5-amino-1-formylisoquinoline thiosemicarbazone were shown to be three- to sixfold more active than their free ligands as inhibitors of partially purified ribonucleotide reductase to which no iron has been added. The copper complex of 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone was slightly more active than the free ligand against the reductase.     

Evidence that activation of nuclear factor-kappaB is essential for the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin and its analogues

Several reports within the last 5 years have suggested that nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation suppresses apoptosis through expression of anti-apoptotic genes. In the present report, we provide evidence from four independent lines that NF-kappaB activation is required for the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin. We used doxorubicin and its structural analogues WP631 and WP744, to demonstrate that anthracyclines activate NF-kappaB, and this activation is essential for apoptosis in myeloid (KBM-5) and lymphoid (Jurkat) cells. All three anthracyclines had cytotoxic effects against KBM-5 cells; analogue WP744, was most potent, with an IC(50) of 0.5 microM, and doxorubicin was least active, with an IC(50) of 2 microM. We observed maximum NF-kappaB activation at 1 microM with WP744 and at 50 microM with doxorubicin and WP631, and this activation correlated with the IkappaBalpha degradation. Because the anthracycline analogue (WP744), most active as a cytotoxic agent, was also most active in inducing NF-kappaB activation and the latter preceded the cytotoxic effects, suggests that NF-kappaB activation may mediate cytotoxicity. Second, receptor-interacting protein-deficient cells, which did not respond to doxorubicin-induced NF-kappaB activation, were also protected from the cytotoxic effects of all the three anthracyclines. Third, suppression of NF-kappaB activation by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, also suppressed the cytotoxic effects of anthracyclines. Fourth, suppression of NF-kappaB activation by NEMO-binding domain peptide, also suppressed the cytotoxic effects of the drug. Overall our results clearly demonstrate that NF-kappaB activation and IkappaBalpha degradation are early events activated by doxorubicin and its analogues and that they play a critical pro-apoptotic role.