Hydrophobicity parameters determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. XV: optimal conditions for prediction of log P(oct) by using RP-HPLC procedures

Protection and Active Decontamination of Dairy Cattle Heifers against Lipophilic Toxins (PCBs) from Diet

We studied the effects of a hydrophobized reversed-phase feed adsorbent in the form of a polyoctylated polysilicate hydrogel (POPSH) on productivity indicators, metabolic adaptation, and on the level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the blood of growing Holsteinized black-and-white heifers during the transition period. Two groups of two-month-old heifers of 20 head each were used. The experimental group received POPSH in addition to the main diet. The use of the adsorbent led to an increase in daily weight gain by 19.9% and to a decrease in the total concentration of PCB congeners found in whole blood by 40%. The greatest decrease in concentration (35-52%) was observed for tetra-, penta- and hexachlorobiphenyls. These results demonstrate the possibilities of effective protection of calves from lipophilic toxins of feed and their active decontamination.

Hydrophobized Reversed-Phase Adsorbent for Protection of Dairy Cattle against Lipophilic Toxins from Diet. Efficiensy in Vitro and in Vivo

The steady growth of inflammatory diseases of the udder in dairy cattle forces us to look for the causes of this phenomenon in the context of growing chemical pollution of the environment and feeds. Within the framework of this concept, an analysis was made of the polarity level of the three toxic impurity groups, which are commonly present in dairy cattle feeds. These impurities are presented by mycotoxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and persistent organic pollutants (POP). It has been determined that 46% of studied mycotoxins (n = 1500) and 100% of studied polyaromatic hydrocarbons (n = 45) and persistent organic pollutants (n = 55) are lipophilic compounds, prone to bioaccumulation. A comparative evaluation of the sorption capacity of four adsorbents of a different nature and polarity with respect to the simplest PAH, naphthalene and lipophilic estrogenic mycotoxin, zearalenone in vitro has been carried out. The highest efficiency in these experiments was demonstrated by the reversed-phase polyoctylated polysilicate hydrogel (POPSH). The use of POPSH in a herd of lactating cows significantly reduced the transfer of aldrin, dieldrin and heptachlor, typical POPs from the “dirty dozen”, to the milk. The relevance of protecting the main functional systems of animals from the damaging effects of lipophilic toxins from feeds using non-polar adsorbents, and the concept of evaluating the effectiveness of various feed adsorbents for dairy cattle by their influence on the somatic cell count in the collected milk are discussed.

A novel tool against multiresistant bacterial pathogens: lipopeptide modification of the natural antimicrobial peptide ranalexin for enhanced antimicrobial activity and improved pharmacokinetics

As evolutionarily optimised defence compounds, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a powerful tool against bacterial infections. Ranalexin, an AMP found in the skin of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), is primarily active against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8-16 mg/L, but shows weaker activity against Gram-negative bacteria (MICs > 64 mg/L). By substitution of six N-terminal amino acids by saturated fatty acids [decanoic acid (C10:0) to myristic acid (C14:0)], lipopeptide derivatives with enhanced antimicrobial activity were developed. The antimicrobial capacity of the peptides was tested against different bacterial strains, including multiresistant clinical isolates. C13C3lexin, the most potent derivative, showed MICs of 2-8 mg/L against Gram-positive bacteria and 2-16 mg/L against Gram-negative bacteria. In time-kill studies, it was clearly shown that ranalexin and the lipopeptide C13C3lexin function as concentration-dependent, fast-acting substances against different bacteria. Cell viability assays revealed that cytotoxicity towards human cells increases with the chain length of the attached fatty acid (IC₅₀, 12.74-108.10 µg/mL). Furthermore, using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, pharmacokinetic studies of ⁶⁸Ga-labelled ranalexin and its derivatives were performed for the first time. Here it was demonstrated that ranalexin is rapidly cleared via the kidneys within 1 h post-injection. In contrast, the lipopeptide showed greatly extended circulation in the bloodstream and a shift from renal to hepatic accumulation characteristics. Therefore, the more favourable pharmacokinetics and enhanced antimicrobial activity clearly demonstrate the potential of the lipopeptide AMPs as novel ammunition against emerging multiresistant bacterial pathogens.

Docosahexaenoic Acid Conjugation Enhances Distribution and Safety of siRNA upon Local Administration in Mouse Brain

The use of siRNA-based therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease requires efficient, nontoxic distribution to the affected brain parenchyma, notably the striatum and cortex. Here, we describe the synthesis and activity of a fully chemically modified siRNA that is directly conjugated to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in the mammalian brain. DHA conjugation enables enhanced siRNA retention throughout both the ipsilateral striatum and cortex following a single, intrastriatal injection (ranging from 6–60 μg). Within these tissues, DHA conjugation promotes internalization by both neurons and astrocytes. We demonstrate efficient and specific silencing of Huntingtin mRNA expression in both the ipsilateral striatum (up to 73%) and cortex (up to 51%) after 1 week. Moreover, following a bilateral intrastriatal injection (60 μg), we achieve up to 80% silencing of a secondary target, Cyclophilin B, at both the mRNA and protein level. Importantly, DHA-hsiRNAs do not induce neural cell death or measurable innate immune activation following administration of concentrations over 20 times above the efficacious dose. Thus, DHA conjugation is a novel strategy for improving siRNA activity in mouse brain, with potential to act as a new therapeutic platform for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Evaluation of the membrane permeability (PAMPA and skin) of benzimidazoles with potential cannabinoid activity and their relation with the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS)

The permeability of five benzimidazole derivates with potential cannabinoid activity was determined in two models of membranes, parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) and skin, in order to study the relationship of the physicochemical properties of the molecules and characteristics of the membranes with the permeability defined by the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. It was established that the PAMPA intestinal absorption method is a good predictor for classifying these molecules as very permeable, independent of their thermodynamic solubility, if and only if these have a Log P(oct) value <3.0. In contrast, transdermal permeability is conditioned on the solubility of the molecule so that it can only serve as a model for classifying the permeability of molecules that possess high solubility (class I: high solubility, high permeability; class III: high solubility, low permeability).

Investigating biological activity spectrum for novel styrylquinazoline analogues

In this study, series of ring-substituted 2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one and 4-chloro-2-styrylquinazoline derivatives were prepared. The syntheses of the discussed compounds are presented. The compounds were analyzed by RP-HPLC to determine lipophilicity. They were tested for their inhibitory activity on photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized compounds was also performed against four mycobacterial strains and against eight fungal strains. Several compounds showed biological activity comparable with or higher than that of the standard isoniazid. It was found that the electronic properties of the R substituent, and not the total lipophilicity of the compound, were decisive for the photosynthesis-inhibiting activity of tested compounds.

RP-HPLC determination of lipophilicity in series of quinoline derivatives

In the present paper we describe results on the synthesis and lipophilicity determination of a series of biologically active compounds based on their heterocyclic structure. For synthesis of styrylquinoline-based compounds we applied microwave irradiation and solid phase techniques. The correlation between RP-HPLC retention parameter log k (the logarithm of retention factor k) and log P data calculated in various ways is discussed, as well as, the relationships between the lipophilicity and the chemical structure of the studied compounds.

New Hydrophobicity Constants of Substituents in Pyrazine Rings Derived from RP-HPLC Study

Pyrazine derivatives show a wide range of biological activities. 1-Pyrazin-2-ylethan-1-ones have served as food flavourants, and together with pyrazine-2-carbonitriles have been widely used as intermediates in the synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds. In our laboratory, substituted pyrazine-2-carbonitriles and 1-pyrazin-2-ylethan-1-ones have been used as intermediates for the preparation of potential antifungal and antimycobacterial drugs. Using established methods, a library of pyrazine derivatives was synthesized. Homolytic alkylation of commercially available pyrazine-2-carbonitrile yielded a series of 5-alkylpyrazine-2-carbonitriles which were converted into the corresponding 1-(5-alkylpyrazin-2-yl)ethan-1-ones (5-alkyl-2-acetylpyrazines) via the Grignard reaction. Homolytic acetylation of pyrazine-2-carbonitrile yielded 5-acetylpyrazine-2-carbonitrile. Using the same procedure, 3-acetyl-5-tert-butylpyrazine-2-carbonitrile was obtained with 5-tert-butylpyrazine-2-carbonitrile as a starting material. The hydrophobicity of the compounds was determined both experimentally (RP-HPLC) and by computation (CS ChemOffice Ultra version 9.0, ACD/LogP version 1.0 and ACD/LogP version 9.04), and both the approaches were compared. New hydrophobicity constants π based on experimental results were derived. These constants are markedly different from tabulated constants π valid for benzene rings, and can be widely used in estimating physicochemical properties of new biologically active pyrazines.

Differences in Endogenous Esterification and Retention in the Rat Trachea between Budesonide and Ciclesonide Active Metabolite

The airway retention of inhaled glucocorticosteroids (GCs) depends largely on their lipophilicity. Inhaled budesonide (BUD) becomes highly lipophilic reversibly by the formation of esters acting as a reservoir of active BUD. Ciclesonide (CIC) was also reported to form esters after hydrolysis to active metabolite (CIC-AM). We have investigated lipophilicity and airway retention of BUD, CIC/CIC-AM, fluticasone propionate (FP), and mometasone furoate (MF), and compared esterification of BUD and CIC-AM and its contribution to GC airway retention. Rat tracheas were preincubated with the esterification inhibitor cyclandelate or vehicle. A (3)H-GC ( approximately 10(-7) M: BUD, CIC, CIC-AM, FP, MF) was added for 20 min. After incubation, one half of the trachea was used for analysis of GC uptake and the other to analyze GC release during 3 h in drug-free medium. GC species in trachea halves were analyzed by radiochromatography. At 20 min, the uptake of BUD was similar to that of CIC/CIC-AM; however, the BUD-ester pool was 9-fold greater (p < 0.01). BUD overall retention in trachea at 3 h was greater than that of other GCs (p < 0.01), and the BUD-ester pool was 3-fold greater than the CIC-AM-ester pool (p < 0.01). Cyclandelate decreased the initial BUD- and CIC-AM-ester pools (p < 0.01), and reduced the overall retention of BUD at 3 h (p < 0.01) but not of CIC-AM. Thus, BUD becomes esterified in the airways more promptly and to a greater extent than CIC-AM, and BUD esterification prolongs BUD airway retention. In contrast, airway retention of CIC-AM and CIC seems to be determined mainly by their lipophilicity, similar to FP and MF, which are not esterified.

Determination of liquid–liquid partition coefficients by separation methods

By essence, all kinds of chromatographic methods use the partitioning of solutes between a stationary and a mobile phase to separate them. Not surprisingly, separation methods are useful to determine accurately the liquid-liquid distribution constants, commonly called partition coefficient. After briefly recalling the thermodynamics of the partitioning of solutes between two liquid phases, the review lists the different methods of measurement in which chromatography is involved. The shake-flask method is described. The ease of the HPLC method is pointed out with its drawback: the correlation is very sensitive to congeneric effect. Microemulsion electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis has become a fast and reliable method commonly used in industry. Counter-current chromatography (CCC) is a liquid chromatography method that uses a liquid stationary phase. Since the CCC solute retention volumes are only depending on their partition coefficients, it is the method of choice for partition coefficient determination with any liquid system. It is shown that Ko/w, the octanol-water partition coefficients, are obtained by CCC within the -1 < log Ko/w < 4 range, without any correlation or standardization using octanol as the stationary phase. Examples of applications of the knowledge of liquid-liquid partition coefficient in the vast world of solvent extraction and hydrophobicity estimation are presented.