Optimization of liganded polyethylenimine polyethylene glycol vector for nucleic acid delivery.

The delivery of nucleic acids into cells is an attractive approach for cancer therapy. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is among the most efficient nonviral carriers. Recent studies have demonstrated that PEI can be conjugated to targeting ligands, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transferrin (Schaffert et al.

Design and pharmacological activity of glycinamide and N-methoxy amide derivatives of analogs and constitutional isomers of valproic acid.

A series of glycinamide conjugates and N-methoxy amide derivatives of valproic acid (VPA) analogs and constitutional isomers were synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity. Of all compounds synthesized and tested, only N-methoxy-valnoctamide (N-methoxy-VCD) possessed better activity than VPA in the following anticonvulsant tests: maximal electroshock, subcutaneous metrazol, and 6-Hz (32-mA) seizure tests. In mice, the ED(50) values of N-methoxy-VCD were 142 mg/kg (maximal electroshock test), 70 mg/kg (subcutaneous metrazol test), and 35 mg/kg (6-Hz test), and its neurotoxicity TD(50) was 118 mg/kg.

Comparative pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic analysis of two anticonvulsant halo derivatives of 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxamide, an amide of a cyclic analog of valproic acid.

Purpose: α-Fluoro-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (α-F-TMCD) and α-Cl-TMCD, are α-halo derivatives of TMCD, the corresponding amide of a cyclopropane analog of valproic acid (VPA). This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of α-F-TMCD and α-Cl-TMCD in rodent models of epilepsy and for antiepileptic drug (AED)-induced teratogenicity. The potential of α-F-TMCD as an antiallodynic and antinociceptive compound was also evaluated.

Alpha-fluoro-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxamide, a novel potent anticonvulsant derivative of a cyclic analogue of valproic acid.

2,2,3,3-Tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (TMCA, 4) is a cyclic analogue of the antiepileptic drug (AED) valproic acid (VPA) (1). alpha-F, alpha-Cl, alpha-Br, and alpha-methyl derivatives of 4 and their amides were synthesized and tested in rodent models for anticonvulsant potency and AED-induced teratogenicity. In the anticonvulsant rat-maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous metrazol (scMet) tests, alpha-Cl-TMCD (17) had ED(50) values of 97 and 27 mg/kg, respectively.

Anticonvulsant profile and teratogenicity of 3,3-dimethylbutanoylurea: a potential for a second generation drug to valproic acid.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity and teratogenic potential of branched aliphatic acylureas represented by isovaleroylurea (IVU), pivaloylurea (PVU) and 3,3-dimethylbutanoylurea (DBU), as potential second-generation drugs to valproic acid (VPA).

Methods: The anticonvulsant activity of IVU, PVU, and DBU was determined in mice and rats utilizing the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and the pentylenetetrazole (scMet) tests. The ability of DBU to block electrical-, or chemical-induced seizures was further examined in three acute seizure models: the psychomotor 6 Hz model, the bicuculline and picrotoxin models and one model of chronic epilepsy (i.

The effects of central nervous system-active valproic acid constitutional isomers, cyclopropyl analogs, and amide derivatives on neuronal growth cone behavior.

Valproic acid (VPA) is an effective antiepileptic drug with an additional activity for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It has been assumed that both activities arise from a common target. At the molecular level, VPA targets a number of distinct proteins that are involved in signal transduction.

Chemical adaptor systems.

"Chemical adaptor systems" are molecules used to link different functionalities, based on unique reactivity that allows controlled fragmentation. Two different mechanistic reactivities were used to prepare chemical adaptor systems. The first is based on a spontaneous intra-cyclization reaction to form a stable ring molecule.

Bioactivation of carbamate-based 20(S)-camptothecin prodrugs.

Two new prodrugs of CPT were synthesized, based on carbamate linkages between the 20-hydroxy group of CPT and a linker designed to be enzymatically removed by either Penicillin-G-Amidase or catalytic antibody 38C2. Cell growth inhibition assays showed an up-to-2250-fold difference in toxicity between the prodrugs and the active drug. A significant increase in toxicity was observed upon incubation of the enzyme or the catalytic antibody with the corresponding prodrug.

Lack of effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibition on direct measurements of endolymph bicarbonate.

In the past, sodium, potassium, and chloride have been measured in endolymph directly, but bicarbonate has been measured only indirectly. We sampled endolymph directly while monitoring endocochlear potentials in normal and methazolamide-treated guinea pigs. Bicarbonate was determined in samples by use of a method that depends on reduction of NADH to NAD linked to malate formation from oxaloacetate.

Ocular hypotensive activity and disposition of the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor 6-hydroxy-benzo[b]thiophene-2-sulfonamide, L-650,719, in the rabbit.

The carbonic anhydrase (C.A.) inhibitor, L-650,719 (6-hydroxy-benzo[b]thiophene-2-sulfonamide) is an advance over the corresponding 6-OH benzothiazole-2-sulfonamide in increased water solubility (4 mM) and CHCl3/buffer partition (0.

Enhancement of the ocular hypotensive effect of acetazolamide by diflunisal.

We studied the effect of diflunisal on intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma who were receiving maximally tolerated therapy. Diflunisal therapy, 500 mg twice daily, was started in 48 patients for one week. No changes were made in their regular antiglaucoma medications.

The effects of topical and general anesthesia on ocular drug levels and intraocular pressure lowering activity of topically applied carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Treatment with topical anesthetics was reported to increase corneal permeability and improve ocular drug bioavailability. These changes were attributed to the loss of reflex blinking, reduction of tear secretion and appearance of superficial corneal epithelial lesions. A recent report showed that pretreatment with Ophthetic (0.

On the use of ketamine in ocular pharmacological studies.

The effects of ketamine anesthesia in ocular pharmacological studies were investigated in albino rabbits over a period of 6 hr. Ketamine injection (30 or 90 mg/kg, i.m.

Ocular penetration and hypotensive activity of the topically applied carbonic anhydrase inhibitor L-645,151.

The effects of the locally active carbonic anhydrase inhibitor L-645,151 on intraocular pressure (IOP), and aqueous humor flow were studied in normotensive albino rabbits, and correlated with the distribution of its hydrolysis product (L-643,799) in ocular tissues. The L-645,151 was given as a suspension in 1% hydroxyethylcellulose, in single drops (50 microliter) of concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 2%.

The effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors on aqueous humor chemistry and dynamics.

The effects of topical application of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor trifluormethazolamide (TFM) on intraocular pressure (IOP), ascorbate and CO2 concentrations in aqueous humor, and aqueous humor flow were studied in rabbits. These effects were compared with those produced by systemic treatment with methazolamide. The decrease in IOP observed after TFM was accompanied by changes in the composition of the aqueous humor.

Kinetics and inhibition of membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase from canine renal cortex.

The membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase (carbonate hydro-lyase, EC 4.2.1.

Transport of organic ions in renal cortical luminal and antiluminal membrane vesicles.

Based upon saturability, kinetic analysis and specific inhibition, specific transport for the organic anion, p-aminohippurate was found in isolated luminal and antiluminal membrane vesicles from dog kidney cortex. The transport for organic anions in the two membranes differed from one another on the basis of kinetic parameters ((Km, Vmax and Ki for probenecid) and counterflow phenomenon (only the antiluminal membrane displayed the capacity to accelerate the exchange of p-aminohippurate). Also described is specific transport for the organic cation N1 methylnicotinamide in each membrane.

Isolation of luminal and antiluminal membranes from dog kidney cortex.

Luminal (brush border) and antiluminal (basal-lateral) membranes were isolated from canine renal cortex. The enzyme marker for luminal membrane, alkaline phosphatase was enhanced 19-fold and the antiluminal enzyme marker, (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, was enhanced 22-fold in their respective membrane preparation, while the amount of cross contamination was minimal. Contamination of these preparations by enzyme markers for lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria was also low.

Binding of N1-methylnicotinamide and p-aminohippuric acid to a particulate fraction from dog kidney.

The active secretion of organic ions by the kidney may be described by the following models: 1)binding to a carrier protein and 2) a translocation process across the membrane. The feasibility of such a model was tested by measuring binding of either an organic cation, N1-methylnicotinamide (NMN) or an organic anion p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) to particulate material obtained from dog renal cortex tissue. The method employed was one in which the bound and free forms of the ligand were separated by centrifugation through a gel matrix.

Reversible inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with a cardiac glycoside.

The effect of a semisynthetic cardiac glycoside, Actinogen (Ay22241), on Na+ + K+ - ATPase was studied. Ay22241 was found to be as an effective inhibitor of the enzyme as ouabain, Ay22241 inhibition was a time dependent process and was completely reversible. While ouabain inhibition was also time dependent, it was only partially reversible.