Synthesis of novel 15-membered 8a-azahomoerythromycin A acylides: Consequences of structural modification at the C-3 and C-6 position on antibacterial activity.

A novel series of 6-O-substituted 8a-aza-8a-homoerythromycin A 3-O-acylides has been discovered with potent activity against key respiratory pathogens, including those inducibly and constitutively resistant to erythromycin. The best compounds in this series 15na and 15nd showed activity comparable to telithromycin, especially against Haemophilus influenzae and constitutively MLS-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. Furthermore, 15na exhibited a number of drug-like attributes including favorable pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo efficacy.

Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of novel 4″-glycyl linked quinolyl-azithromycins with potent activity against macrolide-resistant pathogens.

A new azithromycin-based series of antibacterial macrolones is reported, which features the use of a 4″-ester linked glycin for tethering the quinolone side chain to the macrolide scaffold. Among the analogs prepared, compounds 9e and 22f with a quinolon-6-yl moiety were found to have potent and well-balanced activity against clinically important respiratory tract pathogens, including erythromycin-susceptible and MLSB resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Haemophilus influenzae. In addition, potential lead compounds 9e and 22f demonstrated outstanding levels of activity against Moraxella catarrhalis and inducibly MLSB resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of α-Amino-γ-lactone Ketolides: A Novel Class of Macrolide Antibiotics.

An efficient synthesis of α-amino-γ-lactone ketolide (3) was developed, which provided a versatile intermediate for the incorporation of a variety of aryl and heteroaryl groups onto the C-21 position of clarithromycin via HBTU-mediated amidation. The biological data for this important new class of macrolides revealed significantly potent activity against erythromycin-susceptible strains as well as efflux-resistant and erythromycin MLSB-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae and S.

Discovery of 4''-ether linked azithromycin-quinolone hybrid series: influence of the central linker on the antibacterial activity.

A series of novel C-4''-substituted azithromycins was synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against a panel of representative erythromycin-susceptible and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS) resistant pathogens. In summary, azithromycin and quinolone substructures merged in a mutually SAR-compatible design gave rise to a new class of antimicrobials with an improved spectrum and potency over azithromycin. Prototypical analogues 7f and 8f display an improved potency versus azithromycin against Gram-positive and fastidious Gram-negative pathogens.

Novel hybrids of 15-membered 8a- and 9a-azahomoerythromycin A ketolides and quinolones as potent antibacterials.

A series of novel 6-O-substituted and 6,12-di-O-substituted 8a-aza-8a-homoerythromycin A and 9a-aza-9a-homoerythromycin A ketolides were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against a panel of representative erythromycin-susceptible and erythromycin-resistant test strains. Another series of ketolides based on 14-membered erythromycin oxime scaffold was also synthesized and their antibacterial activity compared to those of 15-membered azahomoerythromycin analogues. In general, structure-activity studies have shown that 14-membered ketolides displayed favorable antibacterial activity in comparison to their corresponding 15-membered analogues within 9a-azahomoerythromycin series.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel 8a-aza-8a-homoerythromycin A ketolides.

A series of novel 6-O-substituted 8a-aza-8a-homoerythromycin A ketolides was synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity. Key strategic elements of the synthesis include the base-induced E-Z isomerization of 3-O-descladinosyl-6-O-allylerythromycin A 9(E)-oxime followed by ring-expanding reaction of the resulting 9(Z)-oxime via Beckmann rearrangement. The ketolides showed potent activity against a variety of erythromycin-susceptible and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS(B)) resistant Gram-positive and fastidious Gram-negative pathogens.

Enhancement by PL 14736 of granulation and collagen organization in healing wounds and the potential role of egr-1 expression.

Apart from becaplermin (recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor homodimer of B chains, PDGF-BB), for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic ulcers, few agents are available for pharmacological stimulation of wound healing. We have compared the mechanism of action of the potential wound healing agent, PL 14736 (G E P P P G K P A D D A G L V), with that of PDGF-BB on granulation tissue formation following sponge implantation in the normoglycemic rat and in healing full-thickness excisional wounds in db/db genetically diabetic mice. Expression of the immediate response gene, early growth response gene-1 (egr-1) was studied in Caco-2 cells in vitro.

Azalides from azithromycin to new azalide derivatives.

Azalides are semi-synthetic macrolides, in which a nitrogen atom is introduced into a macrolactone ring via a Beckmann rearrangement. Starting from erythromycin, oximes, depending on the reaction conditions lactams, or bicyclic-imino-ethers were formed, which were further reduced to aminolactones. The cyclic amine 9a- became the precursor for novel, significantly more active derivatives, especially for 9-dihydro-9-deoxo-9a-methyl-9a-aza-9a-homoerythromycin A with the generic name azithromycin.

Non-clinical safety studies on biosimilar recombinant human erythropoietin.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is widely used for the treatment of patients with anaemia and its loss of patent protection has stimulated the development of cheaper biosimilar products. However, the quality and comparability of rhEPO products recently marketed in several developing countries is questionable. Paying attention to quality in its isolation, purification and analytical characterization, it has been possible to produce a biosimilar rhEPO that is comparable with the originator product.

Applicability of an ultrasonic nebulization system for the airways delivery of beclomethasone dipropionate in a murine model of asthma.

Purpose: We have assessed the use of an ultrasonic nebulization system (UNS), composed of ultrasonic nebulizer and diffusion dryer filled with charcoal, for the effective delivery of beclomethasone to the airways in a murine asthma model.

Methods: Solution of beclomethasone in ethanol was aerosolized using an ultrasonic nebulizer. Passage of the aerosol through a drying column containing charcoal and deionizer produced dry beclomethasone particles.

Accelerated healing of excisional skin wounds by PL 14736 in alloxan-hyperglycemic rats.

PL 14736 is a synthetic peptide, originally isolated from human gastric juice, that has anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective actions in experimental models of gastrointestinal inflammation. To investigate its possible benefit in poorly healing skin wounds, the effects of the topical application of PL 14736 in a gel formulation have been studied on full-thickness excisional wounds in rats, either healthy or made hyperglycemic by alloxan (175 mg/kg s.c.

Anti-inflammatory activity of azithromycin attenuates the effects of lipopolysaccharide administration in mice.

Macrolide antibacterials inhibit the production of various cytokines and the migration of inflammatory cells. These anti-inflammatory actions of macrolides may be beneficial in attenuating inflammatory processes involved in bacterial sepsis. Therefore, we investigated the ability of azithromycin to attenuate the deleterious effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in three different LPS-induced inflammatory models.

Inflammation 2005 - Seventh World Congress. Rheumatoid arthritis and cell signaling.

Novel targets for antirheumatic therapy were discussed including synoviocyte CD97 and the T-cell co-receptor CTLA-4: an immunoglobulin fusion protein of CTLA-4 (abatacept (Bristol-Myers Squibb Co)) has recently been revealed to be a well-tolerated and effective therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, cell-signaling molecules were a major topic, and cytoplasmic adaptors of toll-like receptor responses, the kinases JNK and Lyn and the macrophage surface molecule CD200 were considered as potential targets for novel therapies.

Inflammation 2005 - Seventh World Congress. Respiratory inflammation.

In this conference, unlike previous conferences in this series, relatively little time was given to new drug therapy approaches for the treatment of inflammation. Instead, the emphasis was on basic mechanisms with a strong bias toward Australian research. The etiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma was discussed in detail with an intensive consideration of mechanisms involved in the development of corticosteroid resistance, particularly the role of histone deacetylase.

Identification of impurities in acarbose by using an integrated liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach.

The usefulness of applying an integrated LC-NMR and LC-MS approach to acarbose bulk drug impurity profiling is demonstrated. LC-MS and LC-NMR methodologies were employed for the online separation and structural elucidation of a final drug product. Combining data provided by the stop-flow LC-NMR and LC-MS experiments made it possible to identify the main components present in the acarbose sample.

Modulation of neutrophil and inflammation markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by short-term azithromycin treatment.

The anti-inflammatory potential of azithromycin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients was explored following a standard oral dosing regimen. Patients with moderate and severe COPD were treated with azithromycin (500 mg, n=16) or placebo (n=8) once daily for 3 days in a randomized, double blind design, to compare effects on inflammation markers with those seen in a previous study in healthy volunteers. A battery of tests was made on serum, blood neutrophils and sputum on days 1 (baseline), 3, 4, 11, 18 and 32.

Cellular uptake and efflux of azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, and cethromycin.

Macrolide antibiotics have an outstanding ability to concentrate within host cells, particularly phagocytes. In the study described in this paper five different macrolide antibiotics were compared regarding the uptake and release kinetics in human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and three different cell lines, two phagocytic cell lines (RAW 264.7 and THP-1) and an epithelial cell line (MDCK).

Immunomodulatory effects of antimicrobials in the therapy of respiratory tract infections.

Purpose Of Review: Several classes of antibiotics, particularly macrolides and to some extent quinolones, exert modulatory effects on inflammatory cells. With a growing number of experimental and clinical studies being performed, the relevance of the immunomodulatory actions of antibiotics to the therapy of respiratory infections is discussed in the light of recent reports.

Recent Findings: Antibiotics, particularly macrolides, exert both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on leukocytes.

Synthesis and characterization of thiomers of polyaspartamide type.

Synthesis of poly[alpha,beta-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-DL-aspartamide)]-thioglycolic acid (PHEA-TGA) conjugate as a new polyaspartamide thiomer is described. The parent polymer PHEA is chemically modified by introducing sulphydryl-bearing compound thioglycolic acid. By varying the reaction conditions several batches of PHEA-TGA conjugates were prepared and analyzed.

Stability study of losartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

The purpose of stability testing is to investigate how the quality of a drug product changes with time under the influence of environmental factors, to establish a shelf life for the product and to recommend storage conditions. Stability study of losartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets is presented in this paper. Losartan (angiotensin II receptor antagonist) and hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) are successfully used in association in the treatment of hypertension.

Conformational analysis of oleandomycin and its 8-methylene-9-oxime derivative by NMR and molecular modelling.

Conformations of the 14-membered macrolide antibiotic oleandomycin and its 8-methylene-9-oxime derivative were determined in various solvents. The experimental NMR data--coupling constants and NOE contacts--were compared with the results of molecular modelling--molecular mechanics calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The conformational changes, on the right-hand side of the 14-membered ring, affected mostly the 3JH2,H3 values and NOE crosspeaks H3 or H4 to H11.

The novel antifungal agent PLD-118 is neither metabolized by liver microsomes nor inhibits cytochrome P450 in vitro.

PLD-118 is a novel, oral antifungal drug, under development for the treatment of Candida infections. Possible metabolism of PLD-118 by rat, dog and human S9 liver homogenates and inhibition of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes were investigated. PLD-118 (10 and 100 microM) incubated for 0-60 min with S9 fractions and NADPH was determined by HPLC, using the Waters AccQ.

Classification of loratadine based on the biopharmaceutics drug classification concept and possible in vitro-in vivo correlation.

Loratadine was studied both in vitro and in vivo (in healthy humans) to classify it according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) in order to gain more understanding of the reasons for its highly variable nature with respect to plasma time profiles, and to determine the most appropriate dissolution test conditions for in vitro assessment of the release profile of the drug from solid dose forms. Based on the solubility of loratadine determined under various pH conditions and its permeability through Caco-2 monolayers, loratadine was classified as a Class II drug. Plasma profiles were predicted by convolution analysis using dissolution profiles obtained under various pH and hydrodynamic conditions as the input function and plasma time data obtained from a syrup formulation as the weighting function.

Combined use of liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the characterization of an acarbose degradation product.

Directly coupled LC-MS and LC-NMR were applied to identify and structurally characterize an acarbose degradation product A in acidic media. A comparative analysis of the stop-flow LC-NMR (1H and TOCSY) and LC-MS data provided evidence that A is structurally related to acarbose, differing from the parent compound in a number of subunits present in the molecule. Spectral analysis revealed that A was the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor amylostatin XG.