A novel diclofenac-hydrogel conjugate system for intraarticular sustained release: Development of 2-pyridylamino-substituted 1-phenylethanol (PAPE) and its derivatives as tunable traceless linkers.

A local sustained-release drug delivery system, or depot, for intra-articular injection offers the opportunity to release a therapeutic agent directly to the joint with limited need for reinjection. A successful system would provide more consistent efficacy and minimize systemic side effects. In this paper, we explore the potential use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, for use in a polymer-conjugate depot system.

Abnormal Behavior of Zebrafish Mutant in Dopamine Transporter Is Rescued by Clozapine.

Dopamine transporter (SLC6A3) deficiency causes infantile Parkinson disease, for which there is no effective therapy. We have explored the effects of genetically deleting SLC6A3 in zebrafish. Unlike the wild-type, slc6a3-/- fish hover near the tank bottom, with a repetitive digging-like behavior.

Identification and Characterization of Novel Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Inhibitors for Analgesia.

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 plays a critical role in eliciting inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, which block PGE2 production, have been used as key agents in treating inflammation and pain associated with arthritis and other conditions. However, these agents have significant side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding and myocardial infarction, since they also block the production of prostanoids that are critical for other normal physiologic functions.

Discovery and Characterization of 2-Acylaminoimidazole Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Inhibitors.

As part of a program aimed at the discovery of antinociceptive therapy for inflammatory conditions, a screening hit was found to inhibit microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) with an IC50 of 17.4 μM. Structural information was used to improve enzyme potency by over 1000-fold.

Dual Exosite-binding Inhibitors of Insulin-degrading Enzyme Challenge Its Role as the Primary Mediator of Insulin Clearance in Vivo.

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE, insulysin) is the best characterized catabolic enzyme implicated in proteolysis of insulin. Recently, a peptide inhibitor of IDE has been shown to affect levels of insulin, amylin, and glucagon in vivo. However, IDE(-/-) mice display variable phenotypes relating to fasting plasma insulin levels, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity depending on the cohort and age of animals.

AGPAT6 is a novel microsomal glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase.

AGPAT6 is a member of the 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase (AGPAT) family that appears to be important in triglyceride biosynthesis in several tissues, but the precise biochemical function of the enzyme is unknown. In the current study, we show that AGPAT6 is a microsomal glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT). Membranes from HEK293 cells overexpressing human AGPAT6 had higher levels of GPAT activity.

Enantiomeric separations using polymeric L-glutamate surfactant derivatives: effect of increasing steric factors.

This study examines the role of steric hindrance near the stereogenic centers of four glutamic acid based polymeric surfactants. The single amino acid surfactants of glutamic acid, glutamic acid methyl ester, glutamic ethyl ester, and glutamic acid tert-butyl ester were investigated. The micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) separation of three binaphthyl derivatives and three benzodiazepines were used to study these steric factors.

Enantiomeric separations using poly(L-valine) and poly(L-leucine) surfactants. Investigation of steric factors near the chiral center.

This study examined the effect of steric factors near the stereogenic center on polymerized surfactants, sodium N-undecyl-L-leucine, sodium N-undecyl-L-norleucine, sodium N-undecyl-L-tert.-butyl leucine, sodium N-undecyl-L-isoleucine. sodium N-undecyl-L-valine, sodium N-undecyl-L-norvaline.