Effect of cinacalcet hydrochloride, a new calcimimetic agent, on the pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan: in vitro and clinical studies

Cinacalcet hydrochloride (cinacalcet) is a positive allosteric modulator of the calcium-sensing receptor indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients. In vitro study has demonstrated that cinacalcet is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 with a K(i) value of 0.087 micromol/L, which is comparable to the well-known potent CYP2D6 inhibitor, quinidine (0.064 micromol/L). A clinical study was conducted to assess the inhibitory effect of cinacalcet on CYP2D6 substrates in healthy volunteers. Each subject received 50 mg of cinacalcet or a matched placebo orally once daily for 8 days with 30 mg of dextromethorphan coadministered on day 8. The mean AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) of dextromethorphan increased 11- and 7-fold, respectively, in extensive metabolizers when coadministered with cinacalcet versus placebo. Therefore, during concomitant treatment with cinacalcet, it may be necessary to consider making dose adjustments for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index that are mainly metabolized by CYP2D6.

A c-fms tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Ki20227, suppresses osteoclast differentiation and osteolytic bone destruction in a bone metastasis model

In bone metastatic lesions, osteoclasts play a key role in the development of osteolysis. Previous studies have shown that macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is important for the differentiation of osteoclasts. In this study, we investigated whether an inhibitor of M-CSF receptor (c-Fms) suppresses osteoclast-dependent osteolysis in bone metastatic lesions. We developed small molecule inhibitors against ligand-dependent phosphorylation of c-Fms and examined the effects of these compounds on osteolytic bone destruction in a bone metastasis model. We discovered a novel quinoline-urea derivative, Ki20227 (N-{4-[(6,7-dimethoxy-4-quinolyl)oxy]-2-methoxyphenyl}-N'-[1-(1,3-thiazole-2-yl)ethyl]urea), which is a c-Fms tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The IC(50)s of Ki20227 to inhibit c-Fms, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (KDR), stem cell factor receptor (c-Kit), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta were found to be 2, 12, 451, and 217 nmol/L, respectively. Ki20227 did not inhibit other kinases tested, such as fms-like tyrosine kinase-3, epidermal growth factor receptor, or c-Src (c-src proto-oncogene product). Ki20227 was also found to inhibit the M-CSF-dependent growth of M-NFS-60 cells but not the M-CSF-independent growth of A375 human melanoma cells in vitro. Furthermore, in an osteoclast-like cell formation assay using mouse bone marrow cells, Ki20227 inhibited the development of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclast-like cells in a dose-dependent manner. In in vivo studies, oral administration of Ki20227 suppressed osteoclast-like cell accumulation and bone resorption induced by metastatic tumor cells in nude rats following intracardiac injection of A375 cells. Moreover, Ki20227 decreased the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclast-like cells on bone surfaces in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. These findings suggest that Ki20227 inhibits osteolytic bone destruction through the suppression of M-CSF-induced osteoclast accumulation in vivo. Therefore, Ki20227 may be a useful therapeutic agent for osteolytic disease associated with bone metastasis and other bone diseases.

Orally active anti-proliferation agents: novel diphenylamine derivatives as FGF-R2 autophosphorylation inhibitors

(6,7-Disubstituted-quinolin-4-yloxy-phenyl)(4-substituted-phenyl)amine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated by a cellular autophosphorylation assay for FGF-R2 in the human scirrhous gastric carcinoma cell line, OCUM-2MD3. We also performed metabolic stability studies showing that substitutions at the 7-position of quinoline affect its biological stability. In this study, we achieved a remarkable improvement in the solubility and metabolic stability of the diphenylamine derivative. The most promising compound 15e showed a significant decrease in tumor volume when orally administered.

Synthesis and structure–activity relationship for new series of 4-Phenoxyquinoline derivatives as specific inhibitors of platelet-derived growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase

We discovered a new series of 4-phenoxyquinoline derivatives as potent and selective inhibitors of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFr) tyrosine kinase. We researched the highly potent and selective inhibitors on the basis of both PDGFr and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) inhibitory activity. First, we found a compound, Ki6783 (1), which inhibited PDGFr autophosphorylation at 0.13 microM, but it did not inhibit EGFr autophosphorylation at 100 microM. After extensive explorations, we found the two desired compounds, Ki6896 (2) and Ki6945 (3), which are substituted by benzoyl and benzamide at the 4-position of the phenoxy group on 4-phenoxyquinoline, respectively. These inhibitory activities were 0.31 and 0.050 microM, respectively, but neither of them inhibited EGFr autophosphorylation at 100 microM. We further investigated the profile of both compounds toward various tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases. The three compounds specifically inhibited PDGFr rather than the other kinases.

Ki16425, a subtype-selective antagonist for EDG-family lysophosphatidic acid receptors

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) exerts a variety of biological responses through specific receptors: three subtypes of the EDG-family receptors, LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3 (formerly known as EDG-2, EDG-4, and EDG-7, respectively), and LPA4/GPR23, structurally distinct from the EDG-family receptors, have so far been identified. In the present study, we characterized the action mechanisms of 3-(4-[4-([1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethoxy]carbonyl amino)-3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl] benzylsulfanyl) propanoic acid (Ki16425) on the EDG-family LPA receptors. Ki16425 inhibited several responses specific to LPA, depending on the cell types, without any appreciable effect on the responses to other related lipid receptor agonists, including sphingosine 1-phosphate. With the cells overexpressing LPA1, LPA2, or LPA3, we examined the selectivity and mode of inhibition by Ki16425 against the LPA-induced actions and compared them with those of dioctyl glycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP 8:0), a recently identified antagonist for LPA receptors. Ki16425 inhibited the LPA-induced response in the decreasing order of LPA1 >/= LPA3 >> LPA2, whereas DGPP 8:0 preferentially inhibited the LPA3-induced actions. Ki16425 inhibited LPA-induced guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding as well as LPA receptor binding to membrane fractions with a same pharmacological specificity as in intact cells. The difference in the inhibition profile of Ki16425 and DGPP 8:0 was exploited for the evaluation of receptor subtypes involved in responses to LPA in A431 cells. Finally, Ki16425 also inhibited LPA-induced long-term responses, including DNA synthesis and cell migration. In conclusion, Ki16425 selectively inhibits LPA receptor-mediated actions, especially through LPA1 and LPA3; therefore, it may be useful in evaluating the role of LPA and its receptor subtypes involved in biological actions.

Effects of chitosan-coated dialdehyde cellulose, a newly developed oral adsorbent, on glomerulonephritis induced by anti-Thy-1 antibody in rats

The effects of chitosan-coated dialdehyde cellulose (chitosan DAC), a newly developed oral adsorbent for urea and ammonia, were examined in a glomerulonephritis model in rats. Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis accompanied with proteinuria was induced by an intravenous injection of anti-rat Thy-1.1 monoclonal antibody (OX-7). The proliferation of mesangial cells and an accumulation of extracellular matrix components such as type I collagen and fibronectin were observed in the glomeruli 9 days after OX-7 injection; these were improved in rats fed a diet containing chitosan DAC (10% content) for 9 days compared with those in rats fed a normal diet. Chitosan DAC treatment decreased the elevated urinary protein and blood urea nitrogen at days 8-9 to the normal levels; the increased fecal excretion of nitrogen might participate in this phenomenon. In addition, chitosan DAC treatment showed an increase in fecal water content associated with a decrease in urinary volume. These therapeutic effects may be due to the reduction of proteinic factor expression and the compensational function of chitosan DAC for kidney. These results suggest that chitosan DAC treatment may be useful for ameliorating mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

Structural modification of Fas C-terminal tripeptide and its effects on the inhibitory activity of Fas/FAP-1 binding

We report the structural requirements of the C-terminal tripeptide derivative of Fas (Ac-Ser-Leu-Val-OH, 1) for the inhibitory activity of Fas/FAP-1 binding. The presence of a carboxyl group and a L-Val residue at the C-terminus is essential for the inhibitory activity, and the hydroxyl group of Ser plays an important role as the donor of a hydrogen bond. The introduction of hydrophobic groups to the N-terminal region of 1, especially the phenylaminocarbonyl group (41), showed a remarkable increase in potency. Further improvement was observed by the attachment of the Glu residue to the meta-position of the phenyl ring of 41 (51). The ester derivative of 41 (56) had the ability to induce apoptosis which was dependent on the concentration of anti-Fas antibody in the colon cancer cell line, DLD-1, which expresses both Fas and FAP-1 and is resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis. We are now investigating whether FAP-1 is a main target of 56 and whether the inhibition of Fas/FAP-1 binding by 56 retrieves the apoptotic signal.

Beneficial effects of a novel inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor receptor autophosphorylation in the rat with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis

1. Our original compound, Ki6896 ((4-t-butylphenyl)(4-[(6,7-dimethoxy-4-quinolyl) oxy]phenyl) methanone) strongly inhibited the autophosphorylation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor (IC50=0.31 microM) and that of basic fibroblast growth factor receptor (IC50=3.1 microM), whereas it did not inhibit some other kinases. 2. The [3H]thymidine incorporation and the growth of mesangial cells under the stimulation of PDGF were inhibited by Ki6896 in a dose-dependent manner. 3. In the mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis rats induced by anti-Thy-1 monoclonal antibody, glomerulosclerosis was ameliorated and the number of glomerular proliferating cells was decreased by the daily administration of Ki6896. However, the accumulation of type I collagen and fibronectin in the glomeruli was not suppressed by Ki6896.

Selective inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor autophosphorylation and PDGF-mediated cellular events by a quinoline derivative

This report describes the biological effects of our original compound, Ki6783 ((3,4-dimethoxy)-4-phenoxy-6,7-dimethoxyquinoline), a potent and selective inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor autophosphorylation. This compound strongly inhibited autophosphorylation of the PDGF beta-receptor in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells (MC) bearing this receptor (IC50 0.1 microM), although it did not inhibit autophosphorylation of other growth factor receptors even at 100 microM. In a cell-free kinase experiment, it showed selective inhibition of PDGF beta-receptor tyrosine kinase. A kinetic study of the compound to this tyrosine kinase revealed a competitive mode of action to ATP. [3H]Thymidine incorporation and cell proliferation of MC were inhibited by Ki6783 in a dose-dependent manner after Ki6783 and PDGF-BB were added to the culture medium. Furthermore, this compound normalized the fibrotic cell shape of v-sis-transformed NIH3T3 cells, which grow in an autocrine manner via the PDGF receptor. These effects could be explained by the inhibition of intracellular signal transduction triggered by PDGF receptor autophosphorylation, in which activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase occurs. These results suggest that Ki6783 is one of the more potent and selective inhibitors of PDGF receptor autophosphorylation and that it may be useful in ameliorating cell abnormalities due to excess action of PDGF and its receptor systems in several diseases.

The molecular interaction of Fas and FAP-1. A tripeptide blocker of human Fas interaction with FAP-1 promotes Fas-induced apoptosis

Fas (APO-1/CD95), which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is a cell surface receptor that induces apoptosis. A protein tyrosine phosphatase, Fas-associated phosphatase-1 (FAP-1), that was previously identified as a Fas binding protein interacts with the C-terminal 15 amino acids of the regulatory domain of the Fas receptor. To identify the minimal region of the Fas C-terminal necessary for binding to FAP-1, we employed an in vitro inhibition assay of Fas/FAP-1 binding using a series of synthetic peptides as well as a screen of random peptide libraries by the yeast two-hybrid system. The results showed that the C-terminal three amino acids (SLV) of human Fas were necessary and sufficient for its interaction with the third PDZ (GLGF) domain of FAP-1. Furthermore, the direct cytoplasmic microinjection of this tripeptide (Ac-SLV) resulted in the induction of Fas-mediated apoptosis in a colon cancer cell line that expresses both Fas and FAP-1. Since t(S/T)X(V/L/I) motifs in the C termini of several other receptors have been shown to interact with PDZ domain in signal transducing molecules, this may represent a general motif for protein-protein interactions with important biological functions.

[Pharmacological properties of chitosan-coated dialdehyde cellulose (chitosan DAC), a newly developed oral adsorbent (I). Effect of chitosan DAC in normal rats]

The effects of chitosan-coated dialdehyde cellulose (chitosan DAC), a newly developed oral adsorbent of urea and ammonia, were examined in an in vitro adsorption study and in normal rats. Chitosan DAC showed high adsorption capacity for urea and ammonia in an in vitro study using the diluted supernatant of rat gastrointestinal fluid. In contrast, Kremezin, an oral charcoal adsorbent (AST-120), had little influence on these substances. In normal rats fed diets containing chitosan DAC (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10% content) for three weeks, increases in fecal wet weight, fecal dry weight and fecal water content were observed in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, chitosan DAC feeding increased fecal excretion of nitrogen and electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride ions) and decreased the apparent protein ratio in a dose-dependent manner. There were no obvious effects in serum parameters except that increased levels of protein and albumin and decreased levels of blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol and glucose were observed in rats fed a high concentration of chitosan DAC. In conclusion, these findings suggest the possibility that chitosan DAC treatment might be effective for improving chronic renal failure.

[Pharmacological properties of chitosan-coated dialdehyde cellulose (chitosan DAC), a newly developed oral adsorbent (II). Effect of chitosan DAC on rats with chronic renal failure induced by adriamycin]

The effects of chitosan-coated dialdehyde cellulose (Chitosan DAC), a newly developed oral adsorbent of urea and ammonia, were examined in rats with progressive chronic renal failure (CRF) induced by adriamycin. CRF rats induced by repeated injections of adriamycin were fed a diet containing chitosan DAC (5% content) or Kremezin (5% content), an oral charcoal adsorbent (AST-120) under strict paired-feeding for four months. CRF rats that received both a normal diet and Kremezin showed progressive azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperlipidemia, proteinuria, and anemia, and began to die from 9 weeks after feeding started. In contrast, chitosan DAC-treatment showed marked prolongation of the survival period and decreases in blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum phosphate. In addition, chitosan DAC-treatment ameliorated anemia in CRF rats, although hyperlipidemia and proteinuria were not improved. Furthermore, fecal weight, fecal water content, fecal nitrogen and fecal sodium were markedly increased, and the apparent protein ratio was decreased in CRF rats fed a diet containing chitosan DAC for 9 weeks. In contrast, none of these effects were observed in CRF rats receiving Kremezin. These observations suggest the further possibility of using oral adsorbent therapy for CRF patients.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of antioxidants, 4-alkylthio-o-anisidine derivatives

In order to search for anti-inflammatory agents against autoimmune diseases, we synthesized 4-alkylthio-o-anisidine derivatives possessing antioxidant activity, and tested them for anti-inflammatory activity against the Arthus reaction in mice. Experimental inflammations, including the Arthus reaction, concanavalin A, phorbol ester and pyrophosphate-induced edemas in rats were inhibited by 4-propylthio-o-anisidine, which inhibited autoxidation of rat brain homogenate and suppressed the lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in the plasma malondialdehyde level in mice. An antioxidant may be an effective agent in immune complex type inflammation where active oxygen species play an important role.