Publications by authors named "W Howard Roark"

Article Synopsis
  • MMP13 is a zinc-dependent protease responsible for breaking down type II collagen in cartilage, making it a key target in treating osteoarthritis.
  • Previous MMP inhibitors caused painful musculoskeletal side effects due to their non-selectivity, but new inhibitors developed by researchers are designed to selectively target MMP13 without affecting other proteins.
  • These new MMP13 inhibitors have shown promise in reducing cartilage damage in animal models without causing negative side effects, potentially leading to safer and more effective osteoarthritis treatments.
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Sulfoacetic acid, phosphoramidate, and phosphoramide analogs of the ACAT inhibitors, CI-999 and CI-1011 were synthesized. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds as ACAT inhibitors are described.

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We prepared a series of alpha-substituted malonester amides that were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyl transferase activity in vitro and to lower plasma total cholesterol levels in a variety of cholesterol-fed animal models. Compounds of this series were also useful in examining the relationship between adrenal toxicity and ACAT inhibition. One compound from this series, 9f, was a potent inhibitor of ACAT in both the microsomal and cellular assays.

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To examine the effects of bioisosteric replacement on the biological activity of our previously disclosed disubstituted urea inhibitors of the enzyme acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), we prepared a series of N'-substituted and N',N'-disubstituted glycine anilides. These compounds were tested for the ability to inhibit ACAT in vitro and lower plasma total cholesterol in cholesterol-fed rats given a single high-fat, high-cholesterol meal. ACAT inhibitory potency was greatest in compounds containing 2,6-diisopropyl substituents in the anilide portion with the glycine nitrogen substituted by a 1,1-diphenylmethyl moiety.

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We have synthesized a series of N-phenyl-N'-aralkyl and N-phenyl-N'-(1-phenylcycloalkyl)ureas as inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). This intracellular enzyme is thought to be responsible for the esterification of dietary cholesterol; hence inhibition of this enzyme could reduce diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. For this series of compounds, the in vitro ACAT inhibitory activity was improved by increasing the bulk of the 2,6-substituents on the phenyl ring.

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