Methylxanthine and non-xanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Their effects on adenosine uptake and the low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in intact rat adipocyte

Xanthine scaffold: scope and potential in drug development

Medicinal plants have been the basis for discovery of various important marketed drugs. Xanthine is one such lead molecule. Xanthines in various forms (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, etc) are abode in tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate etc. giving them popular recognition. These compounds are best known for their diverse pharmaceutical applications as cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibition, antagonization of adenosine receptor, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities. These properties incentivize to use xanthine as scaffold to develop new derivatives. Chemical synthesis contributes greater diversity in xanthine based derivatisation. With highlighting the existing challenges in chemical synthesis, the present review focuses the probable solution to fill existing lacuna. The review summarizes the available knowledge of xanthine based drugs development along with exploring new xanthine led chemical synthesis path for bringing diversification in xanthine based research. The main objective of this review is to explore the immense potential of xanthine as scaffold in drug development.

Relation between plasma adenosine and serum TSH levels in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the relation between adenosine and thyroid function associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.

METHODS

We examined 84 Japanese singleton pregnant women with an average age of 33.0+/-5.8 years at 9-12 weeks gestation being managed at our hospital. The patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of emesis: (1) those with hyperemesis gravidarum (nausea and vomiting with weight loss >5%, n=13), (2) those with emesis (nausea and vomiting with weight loss <5%, n=31), and (3) those with no symptoms as a control (n=40).

RESULTS

The average serum TSH levels in the emesis and hyperemesis groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The average plasma adenosine level in the hyperemesis group was significantly higher than those in the control pregnant and emesis groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma adenosine levels between the control pregnant and emesis groups. The serum TSH level showed significant correlations with weight loss (%) and plasma adenosine levels (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the possible role of adenosine in counteracting the further progression of hyperemesis gravidarum associated with gestational thyrotoxicosis.

Potentiation of beta-adrenoceptor agonist-mediated lipolysis by quercetin and fisetin in isolated rat adipocytes

Quercetin and fisetin, two naturally occurring bioflavonoids mobilized lipids and enzymes in the absence or presence of epinephrine in intact rat adipocytes. Dose-(0-250 microM) and time-(0-2 hr) course studies, showed that they stimulated phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and simultaneously exert cyclic AMP accumulation. These bioflavonoids when present either singly or together with epinephrine stimulated the membrane-bound PDE but not the cytosolic PDE. The stimulation may act as a feedback mechanism to terminate the cyclic AMP effects. The action of theophylline, a known lipolytic agent (exerting its effects through antagonism of adenosine A1 receptor as well as PDE inhibition) was not potentiated by either fisetin or quercetin. However, the flavonoids potentiated epinephrine or isoproterenol- (a specific beta-adrenoreceptor agonist) induced lipolysis. Their effects were inhibited by propranolol (a beta-receptor antagonist). These results suggest that the flavonoids act synergistically with epinephrine on beta-adrenergic receptor and not through phosphodiesterase inhibition to stimulate adipocyte lipolysis. Increase in membrane phospholipid methylation occurred as a consequence of the epinephrine and/or quercetin/fisetin actions, and it correlated with the cellular accumulation of cyclic AMP.

Stimulation of bile acid active transport related to increased mucosal cyclic AMP content in rat ileum in vitro

The regulation of bile acid transport in rat ileum was studied in vitro using the adenylate cyclase stimulator forskolin, or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Forskolin 20 microM as well as 100 microM IBMX enhanced mucosal cyclic AMP to 3-fold the control levels. As a physiological response, net fluid absorption in everted ileal sacs was reduced. Taurocholate (10-500 microM) transfer in everted perfused segments of rat ileum was measured using a three compartment dual label method suitable for measuring active transport. Transport asymmetry with absorption exceeding its counterflux by 26-fold, was measured at 500 microM taurocholate. Forskolin increased absorption of taurocholate still further, by 68%, and reduced the serosal to mucosal flux. Enhanced intracellular accumulation of taurocholate indicated a stimulatory action of forskolin on active transport at the mucosal brush-border membrane. In uptake studies, accumulation of taurocholate was enhanced by 100 microM IBMX also. Forskolin-induced uptake stimulation could also be shown for chenodeoxycholate and cholate. In the presence of the neuronal blocker tetrodotoxin, uptake stimulation was still effective. Results indicate that the ileal bile acid transporter is included within the group of sodium-dependent cotransporters of the rat small intestine which are subject to a cyclic AMP-related stimulation at the mucosal cellular level.