The influence of NO-containing ruthenium complexes on mouse hippocampal evoked potentials in vitro

The π-donor/acceptor trans effect on NO release in ruthenium nitrosyl complexes: a computational insight

The NO release using ruthenium tetraamine complexes was finally elucidated from DFT calculations, highlighting the influence of the acidic medium.

New metallophamaceutic reduced renal injury induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of Rut-bpy (Cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF 6), a novel nitric oxide donor, able to modulate the histological changes caused by the NASID (meloxicam).

Methods

Wistar rats were assigned into three groups (n=6 rats/group): Sham group (saline solution), NSAID group (meloxicam - 15 mg/kg) and Rut-bpy group (100 mg/kg of Rut-bpy associated with 15mg/kg of meloxicam). At the end of experiments, kidneys were removed for histological study, fractal dimension and lacunarity in all animals.

Results

At the histological examination, all animals (six animals – 100 %) in the NSAID group had membrane thickening and other changes (necrosis, acute tubular congestion and vascular congestion); on the other hand, only one animal (16.6 %) of the Rut-bpy group had congestion. The fractal dimension and lacunarity were greater in the control and Rut-bpy group than in NSAIDs group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Rut-bpy may prevent renal histological changes in rats caused by meloxicam.

The ruthenium nitric oxide donor, [Ru(HEDTA)NO], inhibits acute nociception in mice by modulating oxidative stress, cytokine production and activating the cGMP/PKG/ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway

Nitric oxide plays an important role in various biological processes including antinociception. The control of its local concentration is crucial for obtaining the desired effect and can be achieved with exogenous nitric oxide-carriers such as ruthenium complexes. Therefore, we evaluated the analgesic effect and mechanism of action of the ruthenium nitric oxide donor [Ru(HEDTA)NO] focusing on the role of cytokines, oxidative stress and activation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G/ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway. It was observed that [Ru(HEDTA)NO] inhibited in a dose-dependent (1-10 mg/kg) manner the acetic acid-induced writhing response. At the dose of 1 mg/kg, [Ru(HEDTA)NO] inhibited the phenyl-p-benzoquinone-induced writhing response, and formalin- and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced licking and flinching responses. Systemic and local treatments with [Ru(HEDTA)NO] also inhibited the carrageenin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and increase of myeloperoxidase activity in paw skin samples. Mechanistically, [Ru(HEDTA)NO] inhibited carrageenin-induced production of the hyperalgesic cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β, and decrease of reduced glutathione levels. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of [Ru(HEDTA)NO] in the carrageenin-induced hyperalgesia and myeloperoxidase activity was prevented by the treatment with ODQ (soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), KT5823 (protein kinase G inhibitor) and glybenclamide (ATP-sensitive potassium channel inhibitor), indicating that [Ru(HEDTA)NO] inhibits inflammatory hyperalgesia by activating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G/ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway, respectively. These results demonstrate that [Ru(HEDTA)NO] exerts its analgesic effect in inflammation by inhibiting pro-nociceptive cytokine production, oxidative imbalance and activation of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G/ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway in mice.

Preconditioning with a novel metallopharmaceutical NO donor in anesthetized rats subjected to brain ischemia/reperfusion

Rut-bpy is a novel nitrosyl-ruthenium complex releasing NO into the vascular system. We evaluated the effect of Rut-bpy (100 mg/kg) on a rat model of brain stroke. Forty rats were assigned to four groups (Saline solution [SS], Rut-bpy, SS+ischemia-reperfusion [SS+I/R] and Rut-bpy+ischemia-reperfusion [Rut-bpy+I/R]) with their mean arterial pressure (MAP) continuously monitored. The groups were submitted (SS+I/R and Rut-bpy+I/R) or not (SS and Rut-bpy) to incomplete global brain ischemia by occlusion of the common bilateral carotid arteries during 30 min followed by reperfusion for further 60 min. Thirty minutes before ischemia, rats were treated pairwise by intraperitoneal injection of saline solution or Rut-bpy. At the end of experiments, brain was removed for triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining in order to quantify the total ischemic area. In a subset of rats, hippocampus was obtained for histopathology scoring, nitrate and nitrite measurements, immunostaining and western blotting of the nuclear factor- κB (NF-κB). Rut-bpy pre-treatment decreased MAP variations during the transition from brain ischemia to reperfusion and decreased the fractional injury area. Rut-bpy pre-treatment reduced NF-κB hippocampal immunostaining and protein expression with improved histopathology scoring as compared to the untreated operated control. In conclusion, Rut-bpy improved the total brain infarction area and hippocampal neuronal viability in part by inhibiting NF-κB signaling and helped to stabilize the blood pressure during the transition from ischemia to reperfusion.

Antileishmanial activity of ruthenium(II)tetraammine nitrosyl complexes

The complexes trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)L](X)(3) (X = BF(4)(-), PF(6)(-) or Cl(-) and L = N-heterocyclic ligands, P(OEt)(3), SO(3)(-2)), and [Ru(NO)Hedta)] were shown to exhibit IC(50pro) in the range of 36 (L = imN) to 5000 microM (L = imC). The inhibitory effects of trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)imN](BF(4))(3) and of the Angeli's salt on the growth of the intramacrophage amastigote form studied were found to be similar while the trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)imN(H(2)O)](2+) complex was found not to exhibit any substantial antiamastigote effect. The trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)imN](BF(4))(3) compound, administered (500 nmol kg(-1) day(-1)) in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major, was found to exhibit a 98% inhibition on the parasite growth. Furthermore, this complex proved to be at least 66 times more efficient than glucantime in in vivo experiments.

Relaxation of rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and aortic vascular endothelium induced by new nitric oxide donor substances of the nitrosyl-ruthenium complex

INTRODUCTION

Endothelial dysfunction characterized by endogenous nitric oxide (NO) deficiency made 56% of patients affected with erectile dysfunction decline treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors. New forms of treatment are currently being developed for this group of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study compared the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and two substances of the nitrosyl-ruthenium complex, cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF-6-9 ("FONO1") and trans-[Ru(NH3)4(caffeine)(NO)]C13 ("LLNO1") on relaxation of rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and aortic vascular endothelium. The samples were immersed in isolated baths and precontracted with 0.1 microM phenylephrine (PE) and the corresponding relaxation concentration/response curves were plotted. In order to investigate the relaxation mechanisms involved, 100 microM ODQ (a soluble guanylate cyclase-specific inhibitor), 3 microM or 10 microM oxyhemoglobin (an extracellular NO scavenger) or 1 mM L-cysteine (a nitrosyl anion-specific scavenger) was added to the samples.

RESULTS

All the NO donors tested produced a significant level of relaxation in the vascular endothelium. In corpus cavernosum samples, FONO1 produced no significant effect, but LLNO1 and SNP induced dose-dependent relaxation with comparable potency (pEC50 = 6.14 +/- 0.08 and 6.4 +/- 0.14, respectively) and maximum effect (Emax = 82% vs. 100%, respectively). All NO donors were found to activate soluble guanylate cyclase, since the addition of the corresponding inhibitor (100 microM ODQ) completely neutralized the relaxation effect observed. The addition of oxyhemoglobin reduced the relaxation effect, but did not inhibit it completely. In aortic vascular endothelium 3 microM oxyhemoglobin decreased the relaxation effect by 26% on the average, while 10 microM oxyhemoglobin reduced it by over 52%. The addition of 100 microM L-cysteine produced no significant inhibiting effect.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that LLNO1 and FONO1 are potent vasodilators. LLNO1 was shown to induce a significant level of relaxation in rabbit corpus cavernosum. The substances tested were shown to activate soluble guanylate cyclase and release intracellular NO.

Complex series [Ru(tpy)(dpk)(X)]n+ (tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine; dpk = 2,2'-dipyridyl ketone; X = Cl-, CH3CN, NO2(-), NO+, NO*, NO-): substitution and electron transfer, structure, and spectroscopy

The complex framework [Ru(tpy)(dpk)]2+ has been used to study the generation and reactivity of the nitrosyl complex [Ru(tpy)(dpk)(NO)]3+ ([4]3+). Stepwise conversion of the chloro complex [Ru(tpy)(dpk)(Cl)]+ ([1]+) via [Ru(tpy)(dpk)(CH3CN)]2+ ([2]2+) and the nitro compound [Ru(tpy)(dpk)(NO2)]+ ([3]+) yielded [4]3+; all four complexes were structurally characterized as perchlorates. Electrochemical oxidation and reduction was investigated as a function of the monodentate ligand as was the IR and UV-vis spectroscopic response (absorption/emission). The kinetics of the conversion [4]3+/[3]+ in aqueous environment were also studied. Two-step reduction of [4]3+ was monitored via EPR, UV-vis, and IR (nu(NO), nu(CO)) spectroelectrochemistry to confirm the {RuNO}7 configuration of [4]2+ and to exhibit a relatively intense band at 505 nm for [4]+, attributed to a ligand-to-ligand transition originating from bound NO-.

A New Approach for Studying Fast Biological Reactions Involving Nitric Oxide: Generation of NO Using Photolabile Ruthenium and Manganese NO Donors

Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as one of the major players in various biochemical processes, including blood pressure, neurotransmission and immune responses. However, experimental studies involving NO are often limited by difficulties associated with the use of NO gas, including its toxicity and precise control over NO concentration. Moreover, the reactions of NO with biological molecules, which frequently occur on time scales of microseconds or faster, are limited by the millisecond time scale of conventional stopped-flow techniques. Here we present a new approach for studying rapid biological reactions involving NO. The method is based on designed ruthenium and manganese nitrosyls, [Ru(PaPy3)(NO)](BF4)2 and [Mn(PaPy3)(NO)](ClO4) (PaPy3H = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide), which upon photolysis produce NO on a fast time scale. The kinetics of the binding of the photogenerated NO to reduced cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) and myoglobin (Mb) was investigated using time-resolved optical absorption spectroscopy. The NO was found to bind to reduced CcO with an apparent lifetime of 77 micros using the [Mn(PaPy3)(NO)]+ complex; the corresponding rate is 10-20 times faster than can be detected by conventional stopped-flow methods. Second-order rate constants of approximately 1 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) and approximately 3 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) were determined for NO binding to reduced CcO and Mb, respectively. The generation of NO by photolysis of these complexes circumvents the rate limitation of stopped-flow techniques and offers a novel alternative to study other fast biological reactions involving NO.

Effect of 2-(2-Pyridyl)azole-Based Ancillary Ligands (L1-4) on the Electrophilicity of the Nitrosyl Function in [RuII(trpy)(L1-4)(NO)]3+ [trpy = 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-Terpyridine]. Synthesis, Structures, and Spectroscopic, Electrochemical, and Kinetic Aspects

Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes [Ru(trpy)(L(1-4))(NO)](3+) (13-16) [trpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine, L(1) = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzoxazole, L(2) = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzthiazole, L(3) = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole, L(4) = 1-methyl-2-(2-pyridyl)-1H-benzimidazole] were obtained in a stepwise manner starting from [Ru(II)(trpy)(L(1-4))(Cl)]ClO(4) (1-4) -->[Ru(II)(trpy)(L(1-4))(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (5-8) --> [Ru(II)(trpy)(L(1-4)) (NO(2))]ClO(4) (9-12) --> [Ru(II)(trpy)(L(1,2,4))(NO)](ClO(4))(3) (13, 14, 16)/[Ru(II)(trpy)(L(3))(NO)](ClO(4))(2)(NO(3)) (15). Crystal structures of 1, 2, 4, 9, 12, 13, 15, and 16 established the stereoretentive nature of the transformation processes. Though the complexes of L(1), L(3), and L(4) were isolated in the isomeric form A (pi-acceptor trpy and azole ring in the equatorial plane and the pyridine and chloride donors in the axial positions), complexes of L(2) preferentially stabilized in form B (trpy and pyridine in the equatorial plane and the azole ring and chloride donors in the axial positions). The nu(NO) stretching frequency varied in the range of 1957-1932 cm(-1), 13 >> 14 approximately 15 > 16, primarily depending on the electronic aspects of L as well as the isomeric structural forms. The coordinated nitrosyl function underwent successive reductions of [Ru(II)-NO(+)](3+) --> [Ru(II)-NO(*)](2+) and [Ru(II)-NO(*)](2+) --> [Ru(II)-NO(-)](+), and the first reduction potential follows the order 14 > 13 >> 15 approximately 16. The nearly axial EPR spectra having nitrogen hyperfine splittings (A approximately 26 G) at 77 K of 13(-)-16(-) with g approximately 2.0 established that the reduction process is largely centered around the nitrosyl function. Despite an appreciably high nu(NO), the complexes were found to be unusually stable even in the aqueous medium. They transformed slowly and only partially into the corresponding nitro derivatives in H(2)O (k approximately 10(-4) s(-1) and K = 0.4-3.8). The chloro (1-4), aqua (5-8), and nitro (9-12) derivatives displayed reasonably strong emissions near 700 nm at 77 K (phi = 10(-1)-10(-2)). The aqua derivative 7 was found to interact with the calf thymus and the circular form of p-Bluescript SK DNA.

Reactivity of radicals generated on irradiation of trans-[Ru(NH3)4(NO2)P(OEt)3](PF6)

The electronic absorption spectrum of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+) in aqueous solution is characterized by a strong absorption band at 334 nm (lambda(max) = 1800 mol(-1) L cm(-1)). On the basis of quantum mechanics calculations, this band has been assigned to a MLCT transition from the metal to the nitro ligand. Molecular orbital calculations also predict an LF transition at 406 nm, which is obscured by the intense MLCT transition. When trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+) in acetonitrile is irradiated with a 355 nm pulsed laser light, the absorption features are gradually shifted to represent those of the solventocomplex trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(solv)(P(OEt)(3)](2+) (lambda(max) = 316 nm, epsilon = 650 mol(-1) L cm(-1)), which was also detected by (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The net photoreaction under these conditions is a photoaquation of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+), although, after photolysis, the presence of the nitric oxide was detected by differential pulse polarography. In phosphate buffer pH 9.0, after 15 min of photolysis, a thermal reaction resulted in the formation of a hydroxyl radical and a small amount of a paramagnetic species as detected by EPR spectroscopy. In the presence of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(solv)P(OEt)(3)](2+), the hydroxyl radical initiated a chain reaction. On the basis of spectroscopic and electrochemical data, the role of the radicals produced is analyzed and a reaction sequence consistent with the experimental results is proposed. The 355 nm laser photolysis of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(NO(2))(P(OEt)(3)](+) in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 also gives nitric oxide, which is readily trapped by ferrihemeproteins (myoglobin, hemoglobin, and cytochrome C), giving rise to the formation of their nitrosylhemeproteins(II), (NO)Fe(II)hem.

Stepwise synthesis of [Ru(trpy)(L)(X)](n+) (trpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; L = 2,2'-dipyridylamine; X = Cl-, H2O, NO2-, NO+, O2-). Crystal structure, spectral, electron-transfer, and photophysical aspects

Ruthenium-terpyridine complexes incorporating a 2,2'-dipyridylamine ancillary ligand [Ru(II)(trpy)(L)(X)](ClO(4))(n) [trpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; L = 2,2'-dipyridylamine; and X = Cl(-), n = 1 (1); X = H(2)O, n = 2 (2); X = NO(2)(-), n = 1 (3); X = NO(+), n = 3 (4)] were synthesized in a stepwise manner starting from Ru(III)(trpy)(Cl)(3). The single-crystal X-ray structures of all of the four members (1-4) were determined. The Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple of 1 and 3 appeared at 0.64 and 0.88 V versus the saturated calomel electrode in acetonitrile. The aqua complex 2 exhibited a metal-based couple at 0.48 V in water, and the potential increased linearly with the decrease in pH. The electron-proton content of the redox process over the pH range of 6.8-1.0 was calculated to be a 2e(-)/1H(+) process. However, the chemical oxidation of 2 by an aq Ce(IV) solution in 1 N H(2)SO(4) led to the direct formation of corresponding oxo species [Ru(IV)(trpy)(L)(O)](2+) via the concerted 2e(-)/2H(+) oxidation process. The two successive reductions of the coordinated nitrosyl function of 4 appeared at +0.34 and -0.34 V corresponding to Ru(II)-NO(+) --> Ru(II)-NO* and Ru(II)-NO* --> Ru(II)-NO(-), respectively. The one-electron-reduced Ru(II)-NO* species exhibited a free-radical electron paramagnetic resonance signal at g = 1.990 with nitrogen hyperfine structures at 77 K. The NO stretching frequency of 4 (1945 cm(-1)) was shifted to 1830 cm(-1) in the case of [Ru(II)(trpy)(L)(NO*)](2+). In aqueous solution, the nitrosyl complex 4 slowly transformed to the nitro derivative 3 with the pseudo-first-order rate constant of k(298)/s(-1) = 1.7 x 10(-4). The chloro complex 1 exhibited a dual luminescence at 650 and 715 nm with excited-state lifetimes of 6 and 1 micros, respectively.

Photochemical nitric oxide precursors: synthesis, photochemistry, and ligand substitution kinetics of ruthenium salen nitrosyl and ruthenium salophen nitrosyl complexes

Described are syntheses, characterizations, and photochemical reactions of the nitrosyl complexes Ru(salen)(ONO)(NO) (I, salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato) dianion), Ru(salen)(Cl)(NO) (II), Ru((t)Bu(4)salen)(Cl)(NO) (III,(t)Bu(4)salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneiminato) dianion), Ru((t)Bu(4)salen)(ONO)(NO) (IV), Ru((t)Bu(2)salophen)(Cl)(NO) (V, (t)Bu(2)salophen = N,N'-1,2-phenylenediaminebis(3-tert-butylsalicylideneiminato) dianion), and Ru((t)Bu(4)salophen)(Cl)(NO) (VI, (t)Bu(4)salophen = N,N'-1,2-phenylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneiminato) dianion). Upon photolysis, these Ru(L)(X)(NO) compounds undergo NO dissociation to give the ruthenium(III) solvento products Ru(L)(X)(Sol). Quantum yields for 365 nm irradiation in acetonitrile solution fall in a fairly narrow range (0.055-0.13) but decreased at longer lambda(irr). The quantum yield (lambda(irr) = 365 nm) for NO release from the water soluble complex [Ru(salen)(H(2)O)(NO)]Cl (VII) was 0.005 in water. Kinetics of thermal back-reactions to re-form the nitrosyl complexes demonstrated strong solvent dependence with second-order rate constants k(NO) varying from 5 x 10(-4) M(-1) s(-1) for the re-formation of II in acetonitrile to 5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) for re-formation of III in cyclohexane. Pressure and temperature effects on the back-reaction rates were also examined. These results are relevant to possible applications of photochemistry for nitric oxide delivery to biological targets, to the mechanisms by which NO reacts with metal centers to form metal-nitrosyl bonds, and to the role of photochemistry in activating similar compounds as catalysts for several organic transformations. Also described are the X-ray crystal structures of I and V.

Hypotensive properties and acute toxicity of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)(NO)](PF(6))(3), a new nitric oxide donor

The hypotensive effect and the acute toxicity of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)(NO)](PF(6))(3) (RuNO) were investigated in conscious animals. The approximate lethal dose of RuNO is 257.5 micromol/kg in mice i.p. and the IC(50) values evaluated for V79 culture cell cytotoxicity were higher than 2.0 mM, suggesting that the ruthenium species are significantly less toxic than Na(2)[Fe(CN)(5)(NO)] (SNP) species. The RuNO hypotensive effect measured through in-bolus intravenous administration in chronically instrumented normotensive and hypotensive adult male Wistar rats is similar to that exhibited by equivalent doses of SNP. The hypotensive effect of the ruthenium complex is fully inhibited by methylene blue and PTIO, suggesting that the RuNO effect is likely to be primarily dependent on the NO-[cGMP] pathway in the smooth muscle cells.

Release of NO by a nitrosyl complex upon activation by the mitochondrial reducing power

The reaction of trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](3+) and mitochondria was investigated through differential pulse polarography and fluorimetry. The nitrosyl complex undergoes one-electron reduction centered on the NO ligand site. The reaction between the mitochondrial reductor and trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](3+) exhibits a second order specific rate constant calculated as k=2 x 10(1) M(-1) s(-1). The reduced species, trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)NO](2+), quickly releases NO, yielding trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)H(2)O](2+). The low toxicities of both trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)(NO)](2+) and trans-[Ru(NH(3))(4)P(OEt)(3)H(2)O](2+) and its ability to release NO after reductive activation in a biological medium make the nitrosyl compound a useful model of a hypotensive drug.