Disposition of flurbiprofen in man: influence of stereochemistry and age

1. The stereoselective metabolism and pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of flurbiprofen were investigated following the oral administration of the racemic drug (100 mg) to four young and four elderly healthy volunteers (two males and two females per group). 2. The stereochemical composition of the drug and the 4'-hydroxy- metabolite in serum and the drug, 4'-hydroxy- and 3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy- metabolites, both free and conjugated, in urine were determined by a direct chromatographic method of enantiomeric analysis. 3. Modest enantioselectivity in clearance (CL S/R: young, 0.86; elderly, 0.88) was largely responsible for the apparent elimination half-life of (S)-flurbiprofen being significantly greater (p<0.01) than that of the R-enantiomer in both age groups (young, S: 5.2 +/- 0.7 versus R: 4.5 +/- 0.6 h; elderly, S: 9.6 +/- 1.2 versus R: 7.1 +/- 1.0 h). The serum concentrations of 4'-hydroxyflurbiprofen were five- to 20-fold lower than those of the corresponding drug enantiomers, stereoselective disposition being evident in the significantly greater (p<0.05) apparent half-lives of the S- compared with the R-enantiomer in both groups (young, S: 10.6 +/- 2.4 versus R: 6.7 +/- 1.1 h; elderly, S: 13.7 +/- 1.7 versus R: 10.2 +/- 1.2 h). 4. Some 60 and 72% of the dose was excreted in 24-h urine in elderly and young volunteers, respectively, a significantly greater (p<0.05) proportion of which was of the R-configuration in both age groups (S/R: young, 0.87; elderly, 0.81). The major urinary excretion products were flurbiprofen and 4'-hydroxyflurbiprofen, and their acyl-conjugates in both groups. 5. Age-associated differences in the pharmacokinetics of flurbiprofen occurred in a non-stereoselective manner and were primarily as a consequence of a significant approximately 40% decrease (p<0.01) in clearance of both enantiomers in the elderly due to reduced metabolic activity. Consequently, the elderly had greater exposure to both enantiomers, as reflected by the AUCs(0-inf) being significantly higher (p<0.05), by 60%, in this age group compared with the young. 6. The findings suggest that age-related alterations in the disposition of flurbiprofen could have significant implications for the use of the drug in the elderly.

[Blockers of beta-adrenergic receptors--a group of chiral agents stereoselective synthesis of beta-blockers]

Besides chromatographic methods and biocatalyzed reactions, another alternative method of obtaining enantiomeric forms of beta-blockers is stereoselective synthesis. This paper links up with two preceding surveys concerning beta-blockers--groups of chiral agents and presents a survey of the hitherto published enantioselective syntheses of (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of beta-blockers. In the group of arylaminoethanols, mainly selective reduction of prochiral ketones in the presence of metallic complexes is used in this type of synthesis. Enantiomerically pure beta-blockers of the aryloxyaminopropanol type are synthesized by means of a reaction of pertinent phenols with different chiral precursors, such as (R) and (S)-chloromethyloxirans, (S)-glycidoltosylate, (S)- or (R)-2,3-O-isopropylideneglyceroltosylate, E-(2S,3S)-3-trimethylsilylglycidol and (S)-3-terc-butyl-5-phenyl-oxazolidine-5-ylmethanol. Many of these chiral semiproducts can be prepared from natural substances, such as D-mannitol and L-ascorbic acid.

[Chiral switch: pure enantiomers of drugs instead of racemic mixtures]

Chirality of drugs, particularly the comparison of efficacy of enantiomers and their racemic mixtures, has become an object of serious interest of pharmaceutical researchers in recent ten or fifteen years. Advances in chemical technologies connected with the synthesis, separation, and analysis of pure enantiomers from racemates, together with administrative regulatory measures, have resulted in an increase in the number of newly registered chiral drugs containing only one of the enantiomers. Besides new chemical entities, many "old" racemates are being re-evaluated as potentially new sources of pure enantiomers which should improve the therapeutic profile of the drug. Due to this replacement of a racemic mixture with a pure enantiomer, the literature lists both drugs containing a racemate and drugs containing only one of the enantiomers. Nevertheless, the required therapeutic effect is not always achieved, and unexpected undesirable effects have also occurred. The paper summarizes therapeutic and economic problems concerning chiral switch drugs.

Stereoselectivity of ibuprofen metabolism and pharmacokinetics following the administration of the racemate to healthy volunteers

1. The stereoselective metabolism and pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of ibuprofen have been investigated following the oral administration of the racemic drug (400 mg) to 12 healthy volunteers.2. The stereochemical composition of the drug in serum, both total and unbound, and drug and metabolites, both free and conjugated, in urine were determined by a combination of the direct and indirect chromatographic procedures to enantiomeric analysis. 3. The oral clearance of (S)-ibuprofen was significantly greater than that of the R-enantiomer (74.5 +/- 18.1 versus 57.1 +/- 11.7 ml min(-1); p < 0.05) and the clearance of (R)-ibuprofen via inversion was ca two fold that via alternative pathways. 4. Some 74.0 +/- 9.6% of the dose was recovered in urine over 24 h as ibuprofen, 2-hydroxyibuprofen and carboxyibuprofen, both free and conjugated with glucuronic acid. Analysis of the stereochemical composition of the urinary excretion products indicated that 68% of the dose of (R)-ibuprofen had undergone chiral inversion. 5. Metabolism via glucuronidation and both routes of oxidation, showed enantio-selectivity for (S)-ibuprofen, the enantiomeric ratios (S/R) in partial metabolic clearance being 7.1, 4.8 and 3.4 for formation of ibuprofen glucuronide, 2-hydroxyibuprofen and carboxyibuprofen respectively.6. Modest stereoselectivity was observed in the formation of (2'R, 2R)- and (2'S, 2S)-carboxyibuprofen in comparison to the alternative diastereoisomers, the ratios in formation clearance being 1.6 and 1.2 respectively.

Action of MDMA (ecstasy) and its metabolites on arginine vasopressin release

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been reported to cause hyponatraemia, which appears to result from inappropriate secretion of the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP). After administration of a low dose of (R,S)-MDMA (40 mg) to eight healthy drug-free male volunteers, concentrations of AVP in plasma increased significantly at 1, 2, and 4 hours. Although no relation between plasma MDMA and AVP was found on an examination of the entire data set over the 24-hour study period, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed at 1 hour. As this occurred at a time when both AVP and MDMA concentrations were rising, it was postulated that a metabolite, or metabolites, could primarily be responsible for the increase in AVP. To test this hypothesis we examined the effect of MDMA and five of its metabolites, in the dose range 0.1-1,000 nM, on AVP release from the isolated rat hypothalamus. All compounds tested were found to increase AVP release (using 10 nM and 1,000 nM concentrations), with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), the major metabolite of MDMA, being the most potent, and 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (DHMA) the least potent. Each compound (1,000 nM), with the exception of DHMA, also enhanced the response to 40-mM potassium stimulation. Our findings confirm that metabolites of MDMA, in addition to the parent drug, contribute to AVP secretion in vitro. Further work will demonstrate whether this is also true in vivo.

Arginine vasopressin release in response to the administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"): is metabolism a contributory factor?

The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release. (R,S)-MDMA (40 mg) was administered to eight normally hydrated healthy male volunteers (22-32 years) and blood samples were collected up to 24 h. Plasma was assayed for AVP and cortisol by radioimmunoassays, and for MDMA and the N-demethylated metabolite, MDA, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sodium concentrations and osmolality were also determined. Plasma AVP increased in all subjects after MDMA administration and a significant negative correlation was observed between concentrations of AVP and both single and total enantiomer MDMA at 1 h (r < -0.91, P < 0.01). This had disappeared by 2 h (P > 0.7). Compared with basal values, no significant change was observed for osmolality or cortisol at 1 h after drug administration. In conclusion, plasma AVP concentrations increase after MDMA administration, but the increase is not part of a generalized stress response since cortisol did not increase concurrently. A significant negative correlation between plasma MDMA and AVP was observed soon after administration. The possibility that a pharmacological effect of MDMA is primarily mediated via one or more metabolites, rather than by the parent drug, should be considered.

Characterization and purification of the vitamin K1 2,3 epoxide reductases system from rat liver

The enzyme vitamin K1 2,3 epoxide reductase is responsible for converting vitamin K1 2,3 epoxide to vitamin K1 quinone thus completing the vitamin K cycle. The enzyme is also the target of inhibition by the oral anticoagulant, R,S-warfarin. Purification of this protein would enable the interaction of the inhibitor with its target to be elucidated. To date a single protein possessing vitamin K1 2,3 epoxide reductase activity and binding R,S-warfarin has yet to be purified to homogeneity, but recent studies have indicated that the enzyme is in fact at least two interacting proteins. We report on the attempted purification of the vitamin K1 2,3 epoxide reductase complex from rat liver microsomes by ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography techniques. The intact system consisted of a warfarin-binding factor, which possessed no vitamin K1 2,3 epoxide reductase activity and a catalytic protein. This catalytic protein was purified 327-fold and was insensitive to R,S-warfarin inhibition at concentrations up to 5 mM. The addition of the S-200 size exclusion chromatography fraction containing the inhibitor-binding factor resulted in the return of R,S-warfarin inhibition. Thus, to function normally, the rat liver endoplasmic reticulum vitamin K1 2,3 epoxide reductase system requires the association of two components, one with catalytic activity for the conversion of the epoxide to the quinone and the second, the inhibitor binding factor. This latter enzyme forms the thiol-disulphide redox centre that in the oxidized form binds R,S-warfarin.

Neutron reflection from a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine monolayer adsorbed on a hydrophobised silicon support

Neutron specular reflection has been used to study the structure of a monolayer of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) deposited using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique onto a silicon oxide substrate. A self-assembled monolayer of octadecyltrichlorosilane with a deuterated alkyl chain (d-OTS) had been previously bonded onto this silicon oxide substrate which rendered it hydrophobic. In the system under study, the alkyl chains of the phospholipid were found to penetrate extensively into the d-OTS layer with the mixed chain region (d-OTS and DMPC) having a total thickness of 30.5 A. This mixed region was divided into two halves for analysis; the 'lower half' (nearest to the substrate surface) was found to comprise anchored d-OTS chains mixed with the lipid chains in the volume ratio approx. 0.60:0.35. The corresponding volume ratio in the 'upper half' of this region was determined to be approx. 0.50:0.40. The thicknesses of these regions were found to be 17.9 A (incorporating approx. 6% solvent) and 12.6 A (incorporating approx. 9% solvent) for the lower and upper halves respectively. The DMPC head groups were found to be confined to the most external layer (furthest away from the silicon substrate). This layer was found to have a thickness of 9.4 A and included a small fraction of the lipid alkyl chains with approx. 47% solvent.

The effects of a synthetic diet on the pharmacokinetics of ethyl methyl sulphide and its sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites in rats

Ethyl methyl sulphide (EMS) is a simple dialkyl sulphide, which occurs naturally and forms part structures of more complex drug molecules. EMS is oxidized to the corresponding sulphoxide (EMSO) and sulphone (EMSO2) derivatives both in vitro and in vivo. Two distinct enzymatic pathways appear to be involved in this sulphoxidation process; the flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) is largely responsible for the S-oxidation of EMS to its sulphoxide while both cytochrome P450 and FMO are involved in the further oxidation of the sulphoxide to the sulphone. The pharmacokinetics of EMS and its sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites were examined in male wistar rats placed on normal rat chow and those placed on a synthetic diet. Blood levels of EMS were analysed by a sensitive headspace gas chromatographic assay. A separate gas chromatographic assay was developed to monitor the blood levels of EMSO and EMSO2. The pharmacokinetics of EMS in control rats were linear from 10 to 40 mg/kg dose range. The blood concentration-time profile of EMS declined monoexponentially. EMS was rapidly eliminated from rat blood with a terminal half-life of 0.14 h and was not dytectable 1 h after administration. Following intravenous administration of EMSO (5 mg/kg), the blood concentration-time profile of EMSO declined with a terminal half-life (t 1/2) of 1.46 h, about ten times longer than that of the parent sulphide. After administration of EMSO2 (15 mg/kg), the sulphone was metabolically stable and was eliminated very slowly from the blood. The in vivo disposition of EMS and EMSO were clearly altered in rats maintained on a synthetic diet following administration of EMS or EMSO. The pharmacokinetic data were consistent with a diminished drug oxidising capacity in rats placed on the synthetic diet and could serve as a useful probe for monitoring the regulation of FMO in animals.

Synthesis, chromatographic resolution and chiroptical properties of carboxyibuprofen stereoisomers: major metabolites of ibuprofen in man

The chromatographic resolution of the four stereoisomers of carboxy-ibuprofen, a major metabolite of ibuprofen in man, was achieved using a Chiralpak AD chiral stationary phase (CSP) (J.T. Baker, Milton, Keynes, UK). The elution order of the stereoisomers was determined to be 2'S,2R;2'R,2R;2'R,2S;2'S,2S by a combination of stereoselective synthesis of diastereoisomeric mixtures and analysis of the two diastereoisomers isolated from human urine following the administration of (S)-ibuprofen. The individual stereoisomers were isolated by semipreparative chiral phase chromatography and characterized by circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Enantiospecific analysis by capillary electrophoresis: applications in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics

Enantiospecific analysis has an important role in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic investigations and its now no longer acceptable to determine total drug, or metabolite, concentrations following the administration of a racemate. Inspite of the fact that capillary electrophoresis (CE) has become an essential technique in pharmaceutical and enantiospecific analysis, the chromatographic methodologies remain the most commonly used approach for the determination of the enantiomeric composition of drugs in biological fluids. The application of CE to bioanalysis has been slow, which is in part associated with the complexity of biological matrices together with the relatively poor concentration limits of detection achievable. However, as a result of its versatility, high separation efficiency, minimal sample requirements, speed of analysis and low consumable expense CE is likely to play an increasingly significant role in the area. This review present an overview of enantiospecific CE in bioanalysis in which the approaches to enantiomeric resolution and the problems associated with biological matrices are briefly discussed. The application of enantiospecific CE to samples of biological origin is illustrated using examples where the methodology has either solved an analytical problem, or provided a useful alternative to the currently available chromatographic methods. Such improvements in methodology are associated with either the high separation efficiency and/or microanalytical capabilities of the technique. Enantiospecific CE will not replace the chromatographic methodologies but does provide the bioanalyst with a useful addition to his armamentarium.

Ibuprofen stereochemistry: double-the-trouble?

Racemic ibuprofen is an important NSAID used in the treatment of pain and inflammation in a variety of musculoskeletal and rheumatic disorders. The metabolism of ibuprofen, and that of a number of the related 2-arylpropionic acid NSAIDs, involves chiral inversion of the relatively inactive R-enantiomers to their active S-antipodes, together with other potentially stereoselective conjugative and oxidative pathways. Enantiospecific analytical methodology suitable for the determination of both the drug and its metabolites is essential in order to evaluate the significance of stereoselectivity both in terms of drug action and disposition. Recent investigations have also indicated that the R-enantiomers of these agents may not be totally devoid of useful biological activity, that the formation of acyl-coenzyme A derivatives results in interactions with lipid biochemistry, and has provided new insights into the disposition of these drugs in man. Ibuprofen represents a classical example of a drug where stereochemical considerations are essential for an understanding of its biological properties.

Chromatographic resolution, chiroptical characterization and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of the enantiomers of butibufen: a comparison with ibuprofen

Enantiomeric resolution of butibufen has been achieved on a cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phase with hexane-isopropanol-trifluoroacetic acid, 100:1.2:0.02 (v/v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1). Semi-preparative isolation of the enantiomers then chiroptical characterization indicated that the order of elution was (-)-R- before (+)-S-butibufen. When tested for their effects on the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of eicosanoid metabolism in calcium ionophore-activated rat peritoneal leukocytes it was found that (+)-S-butibufen inhibited generation of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (cyclooxygenase pathway), with an IC50 of 1.5 microM (approx.), whereas the (-)-R enantiomer was essentially inactive. Neither enantiomer inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. In this regard, (+)-S-butibufen was approximately five times less potent as a cyclooxygenase inhibitor than (+)-S-ibuprofen. These results show the enantiomeric specificity and pathway selectivity of this novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Stereospecific analysis and enantiomeric disposition of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) in humans

BACKGROUND

Little is known concerning the enantioselective disposition of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans. In addition, the potential of utilizing the stereochemical composition of an analyte in biological media for forensic purposes requires investigation.

METHODS

The enantiomers of MDMA and its demethylated metabolite, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), present in plasma and urine extracts were derivatized with (-)-(R)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-trifluoromethylphenylacetyl chloride and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography, respectively. The enantioselective disposition of MDMA and MDA was determined following oral administration of racemic MDMA (40 mg) to eight male volunteers.

RESULTS

The plasma concentrations of (R)-MDMA exceeded those of the S-enantiomer [ratio R:S of the area under the curve (AUC), 2.4 +/- 0.3], and the plasma half-life of (R)-MDMA (5.8 +/- 2.2 h) was significantly longer than that of the S-enantiomer (3.6 +/- 0.9 h). The majority of the recovered material in urine was excreted within 24 h after dosing, with the recovery of (R)-MDMA (21.4% +/- 11.6%) being significantly greater than that of (S)-MDMA (9.3% +/- 4.9%), and with (S)- and (R)-MDA accounting for 1.4% +/- 0.5% and 1.0% +/- 0.3% of the dose, respectively. Mathematical modeling of plasma enantiomeric composition vs sampling time demonstrated the applicability of using stereochemical data for the prediction of time elapsed after drug administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Analytical methods for determining the enantiomeric composition of MDMA and MDA in plasma and urine were developed. The disposition of MDMA in humans is stereoselective, with the more active S-enantiomer having a reduced AUC and shorter half-life than (R)-MDMA. The determination of stereochemical composition may be applicable for forensic purposes.

[Chiral compounds and their pharmacologic effects]

The present contribution to the problems of the stereochemistry of drugs is an attempt at stressing the importance of a stereochemical view of pharmacology and at informing about the advances of "chiral pharmacology" within the framework of the contemporary knowledge of selective effects of drugs. There are no simple solutions in the "racemates versus enantiomers" problems and each substance must be considered and tested individually, i.e. on the case-by-case principle. For many racemates available at present there exist relatively few items of knowledge concerning the pharmacological, toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of their individual enantiomers, or concerning the influence of age, health condition, sex and genetic factors on biological availability and response of the organism to the drug. Additional testing of the enantiomers of the racemates used in practice can lead to the discovery of new indications of the original drug, improve its clinical use and result in increasing its safety and efficacy. If it is so, in this case the "chiral meditations" in pharmacology are double worth the problems they pose.

Enantiomers of flurbiprofen can distinguish key pathophysiological steps of NSAID enteropathy in the rat

BACKGROUND

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause gastrointestinal damage by a non-prostaglandin (PG) dependent "topical" action and by inhibiting cyclooxygenase.

AIMS

To discriminate between these two effects by studying some key pathophysiological steps in NSAID enteropathy following administration of (R)- and (S)-flurbiprofen, the racemic mixture, and an uncoupler, dinitrophenol.

METHODS

The effects of dinitrophenol, racemic, (R)-, and (S)-flurbiprofen on mitochondria were assessed in vitro and on key pathophysiological features of small intestinal damage in vivo (ultrastructure by electron microscopy, mucosal prostanoid concentrations, intestinal permeability, inflammation, and ulcer count) in rats.

RESULTS

All the drugs uncoupled mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in vitro, caused mitochondrial damage in vivo, and increased intestinal permeability. Dinitrophenol and (R)-flurbiprofen caused no significant decreases in mucosal prostanoid concentrations (apart from a decrease in thromboxane (TX) B2 concentrations following (R)-flurbiprofen) while racemic and (S)- flurbiprofen reduced mucosal prostanoids significantly (PGE, TXB2, and 6-keto-PGF1alpha concentrations by 73-95%). Intestinal inflammation was significantly greater following administration of (S)-flurbiprofen and racemate than with dinitrophenol and (R)-flurbiprofen. No small intestinal ulcers were found following dinitrophenol or (R)-flurbiprofen while both racemic and (S)-flurbiprofen caused numerous ulcers.

CONCLUSIONS

Dinitrophenol and (R)-flurbiprofen show similarities in their actions to uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in vitro, alter mitochondrial morphology in vivo, increase intestinal permeability, and cause mild inflammation without ulcers. Concurrent severe decreases in mucosal prostanoids seem to be the driving force for the development of severe inflammation and ulcers.

Estimation of the partitioning characteristics of drugs: a comparison of a large and diverse drug series utilizing chromatographic and electrophoretic methodology

1-Octanol-water log P values for a large number of standards and bioactive molecules have been correlated to the logarithm of the corresponding capacity factors determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, using a novel dynamically coated phase, containing phosphatidylcholine. Similarly a correlation was also obtained for log P and capacity factors determined by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC), involving the use of phosphatidylcholine--bile acid mixed micelles in the separation buffer. Statistical analysis of data obtained via both methods has shown that either method will give reliable log P predictions, although MECC is generally more useful for neutral and basic compounds. It is recommended that, as both methods can easily be set up in an analytical laboratory, their combined use provides rapid methodology for the confident estimation of hydrophobicity, as measured by log P for the widest diversity of chemical structures.

Stereospecific analysis of the major metabolites of ibuprofen in urine by sequential achiral-chiral high-performance liquid chromatography

A sequential achiral-chiral HPLC method has been developed for the stereospecific analysis of the two major urinary metabolites of ibuprofen, namely hydroxyibuprofen and carboxyibuprofen. Achiral analysis was carried out using a Partisil column (250x4.6 mm, 5 microm) and a mobile phase of hexane:ethanol (98.2:1.8, v/v) containing trifluoroacetic acid (TFA; 0.05%, v/v) at a flow-rate of 2.0 ml/min. The HPLC eluate containing the two metabolites was separately collected, evaporated under nitrogen and the residue dissolved in the mobile phase used for chiral chromatography. Chiral-phase analysis was carried out using a Chiralpak AD CSP (250x4.6 mm, 10 microm) with a mobile phase of hexane:ethanol (92:8, v/v) containing TFA (0.05%, v/v) at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. In both assays the analytes were quantified by ultraviolet detection at a wavelength of 220 nm. Modification of the mobile-phase composition allowed the resolution of all six analytes in a single chromatographic run but with an increase in run time and consequent band broadening. The analytical method described allows the direct quantitation of the stereoisomers of both metabolites of ibuprofen in urine following the administration of therapeutic doses of the racemic drug to man.

Stereoselective absorption and hydrolysis of cefuroxime axetil diastereomers using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model

Cefuroxime axetil, the orally active prodrug of cefuroxime is marketed as a 1:1 mixture of two diastereomers designated as R (1'R, 6R, 7R) and S (1'S, 6R, 7R). Prodrug hydrolysis is thought to occur during intestinal absorption, however little is known concerning the relative availability of cefuroxime from each isomeric form. The Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to examine the possible stereoselectivity of absorption by measuring the accumulation and epithelial transport rate in the apical to basolateral direction of cefuroxime and cefuroxime axetil following application of the mixture (1.0 mM) or individual diastereomers (0.5 mM0 of cefuroxime axetil. Cefuroxime appearance in the basolateral chamber was in the order: mixture > R > S following application of the prodrug. The accumulation of unchanged cefuroxime axetil was S > R irrespective of the form applied, i.e. individual diastereomer or the mixture. Such stereoselective differences in both absorption and/or hydrolysis may contribute to the observed oral bioavailability (30-50%) of cefuroxime in vivo.

Metabolism of (-)-(S)-nicotine in the isolated perfused rabbit lung

The metabolism of (-)-(S)-nicotine has been investigated following intratracheal administration to the recirculating perfused rabbit lung model. The metabolic products present in the perfusate were identified by co-chromatography (HPLC and GC) with authentic standards and quantified by HPLC. After the 180 min perfusion period, nicotine was found to be metabolically transformed to cotinine (33.7%), 3-hydroxycotinine (10.4%), cotinine-1-N-oxide (3.4%) and nicotine-1'-N-oxide (14.4%). Norcotinine, nornicotine, 3-pyridyl-4-oxo-N-methylbutyramide and an uncharacterised metabolite were also detected in low amounts. Following the perfusion experiment, part of the lung tissue was homogenised in the presence of [14C]-sodium cyanide. Subsequent analysis of the homogenates indicated the formation of 2'-cyanonicotine, 1'-cyanomethylnornicotine and the diastereoisomeric 5'-cyanonicotines.

Species differences in the stereoselectivity of N-oxygenation of N-ethyl-N-methylaniline in vitro

The prochiral tertiary amine N-ethyl-N-methylaniline (EMA) is known to be stereoselectively N-oxygenated in the presence of hepatic microsomal preparations. This biotransformation is thought to be mediated predominantly by the flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzyme system. In order to characterise this reaction further, the in vitro metabolism of EMA in the presence of hepatic microsomal preparations derived from a number of laboratory species has been examined. EMA N-oxide formation was stereoselective with respect to the (-)-S-enantiomer in the presence of microsomal preparations from all species examined, with the degree of selectivity decreasing in the order of rabbit > rat approximately LACA mouse approximately DBA/2Ha mouse > guinea-pig > dog. The enantiomeric composition of the metabolically derived EMA N-oxide appeared to be determined solely by the differential rate of formation of the two enantiomers as opposed to any differences in affinities for the substrate in its pro-R and pro-S conformations. The use of enzyme inhibitors, activators and inducers indicated that EMA N-oxide formation was predominantly mediated by FMO in the presence of rabbit hepatic microsomes and that these agents did not generally affect the stereochemical outcome of the biotransformation.

Drug chirality: a consideration of the significance of the stereochemistry of antimicrobial agents

Approximately 25% of drugs are marketed as either racemates or mixtures of diastereoisomers. Such stereoisomers frequently differ in terms of their biological activity and pharmacokinetic profiles and the use of such mixtures may contribute to the adverse effects of the drug particularly if they are associated with the inactive or less active isomer. In recent years drug stereochemistry has become a significant issue for both the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory authorities. The significance of stereoisomerism in antimicrobial agents is addressed in this review using examples drawn from the beta-lactams, as being representative of semisynthetic agents, and the quinolones, as examples of synthetic agents. Within these two groups of compounds it is clear that stereochemical considerations are of significance for an understanding of concentration effect relationships, selectivity in both action and inactivation and for an appreciation of the mode of action at a molecular level. In the case of some agents the use of a single isomer is precluded due to their facile epimerization, e.g. carbenicillin, in the case of others there are potential advantages with the use of single isomers, e.g. ofloxacin. However, in the case of latamoxef, a compound which undergoes in-vivo epimerization with a half-life similar to its apparent serum elimination half-life the situation is by-no-means clear cut. These agents emphasise the importance of considering each compound individually, i.e. on a case-by-case basis, before deciding to use a single isomer or stereoisomeric mixture.

Drug chirality and its clinical significance

Approximately 1 in 4 therapeutic agents are marked as racemic mixtures, the individual enantiomers of which frequently differ in both their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles. The use of racemates has become the subject of considerable discussion in recent years, and an area of concern for both the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities. The use of single enantiomers has a number of potential clinical advantages, including an improved therapeutic/pharmacological profile, a reduction in complex drug interactions, and simplified pharmacokinetics. In a number of instances stereochemical considerations have contributed to an understanding of the observed pharmacological effects of a drug administered as a racemate. However, relatively little is known of the influence of patient factors (e.g. disease state, age, gender and genetics) on drug enantiomer disposition and action in man. Examples may also be cited where the use of a single enantiomers, nonracemic mixtures and racemates of currently used agents may offer clinical advantages. The issues associated with drug chirality are complex and depend upon the relative merits of the individual agent. In the future it is likely that a number of existing racemates will be re-marketed as single enantiomer products with potentially improved clinical profiles and possible novel therapeutic indications.

The molecular biology of the flavin-containing monooxygenases of man

cDNA clones encoding five distinct members of the FMO family of man (FMOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) were isolated by a combination of library screening and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques. The deduced amino acid sequences of the human FMOs have 82-87% identity with their known orthologues in other mammal but only 51-57% similarity to each other. The hydropathy profiles of the proteins are very similar. From the calculated rate of evolution of FMOs (a 1% change in sequence per 6 million years) it would appear that individual members of the FMO gene family arose by duplication of a common ancestral gene some 250-300 million years ago. Each of the FMO genes was mapped by the polymerase chain reaction to the long arm of human chromosome 1. The localization of the FMO1 gene was further refined to 1q23-q25 by in situ hybridization of human metaphase chromosomes. RNase protection assays demonstrated that in man each FMO gene displays a distinct developmental and tissue-specific pattern of expression. In the adult, FMO1 is expressed in kidney but not in liver, whereas in the foetus its mRNA is abundant in both organs. FMO3 expression is essentially restricted to the liver in the adult and the mRNA is either absent, or present in low amounts, in foetal tissues. FMO4 is expressed more constitutively. Human FMO1 and FMO3 cDNAs were functionally expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. FMO1 and FMO3, expressed in either system, displayed product stereoselectivity in their catalysis of the N-oxidation of the pro-chiral tertiary amines, N-ethyl-N-methylaniline (EMA) and pargyline. Both enzymes were stereoselective with respect to the production of the (-)-S-enantiomer of EMA N-oxide. But in the case of pargyline, the enzymes displayed opposite stereoselectivity, FMO1 producing solely the (+)-enantiomer and FMO3 predominantly the (-)-enantiomer of the N-oxide.

Enantiospecific analysis: applications in bioanalysis and metabolism

Enantiospecific analysis has a significant role in modern drug development from discovery-chemistry to the clinical evaluation of novel compounds. Chromatographic techniques, involving the use of either chiral derivatizing agents or chiral stationary phases, represent the most commonly used approaches to enantiospecific analysis. The advantages and limitations of these two techniques are examined using the analysis of the enantiomers of the 2-arylpropionic acids (tiaprofenic acid and ibuprofen) and the chiral N-oxides of N-ethyl-N-methylaniline and pargyline, as representative examples for each approach. The potential of biosensors in enantiospecific analysis is addressed and some preliminary results on the development of an enantioselective biosensor for the analysis of (S)-warfarin are presented.

Asymmetric metabolic N-oxidation of N-ethyl-N-methylaniline by purified flavin-containing monooxygenase

The prochiral tertiary amine N-ethyl-N-methylaniline (EMA) is known to be metabolically N-oxygenated in vitro with microsomal preparations. This biotransformation is thought to be mediated predominantly by the flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzyme system. Microsomal N-oxygenation of EMA is known to be stereoselective and varies between species. In order to further characterise this metabolic transformation, we have examined the in vitro metabolism of EMA using purified porcine hepatic FMO. Following incubation of EMA with purified FMO, EMA N-oxide, the only metabolic detected, was found to be produced stereoselectively [ratio (-)-(S):(+)-(R), ca. 4:1]. The enantiomeric ratio of the N-oxide product did not change markedly with respect to time, enzyme or substrate concentration. Determination of the kinetics of formation of the N-oxide indicated a single affinity for the prochiral substrate with differential rates of formation of the enantiomers. The extent of EMA N-oxide formation was shown to be affected by activators and inhibitors of FMO and pH, but its stereoselectively was unaltered.

Species variability in the stereoselective N-oxidation of pargyline

The monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline (N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-propynylamine) is known to undergo extensive in vitro microsomal N-oxidation, thought to be mediated predominantly by the flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzyme system. Formation of the pargyline N-oxide (PNO) metabolite creates a chiral nitrogen centre and thus asymmetric oxidation is possible. This study describes a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the quantitation of PNO and a chiral-phase HPLC method for the determination of the enantiomeric ratio of PNO. In vitro microsomal N-oxidation of pargyline was found to be highly stereoselective in a number of species, with the (+)-enantiomer being formed preferentially. This metabolic transformation was stereospecific when purified porcine hepatic FMO was used as the enzyme source.

Stereoselective microsomal N-oxidation of N-ethyl-N-methylaniline

The stereoselectivity of metabolic N-oxidation of N-ethyl-N-methylaniline (EMA) was investigated in vitro following incubation of the compound (1mM) with fortified hepatic microsomal preparations of both male Wistar rats and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. The major metabolites in both species were found to be N-ethylaniline, N-methylaniline and EMA N-oxide. Chromatographic resolution of the N-oxide enantiomers was achieved using a Chiralcel OD stationary-phase with a mobile-phase of hexane:ethanol (98:2, v/v). Examination of the enantiomeric composition of the N-oxide metabolites indicated a predominance of the (-)-(S)-N-oxide from both species with enantiomeric excesses of 52 +/- 2.5% and 65 +/- 2.1% (n = 3) in rat and rabbit tissue respectively. These preliminary observations indicate that the N-oxidation of EMA shows product stereoselectivity, the extent of which varies between species.

Microbial metabolism of 2-arylpropionic acids: chiral inversion of ibuprofen and 2-phenylpropionic acid

The metabolism of (R,S)-ibuprofen has been investigated in 24 microbial cultures. Of these Cunninghamella elegans, Mucor hiemalis, and Verticillium lecanii catalyzed the oxidation of the drug to 2-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propionic acid, a known mammalian metabolite. The extent of metabolism was greatest with V. lecanii, with some 47% of the substrate being consumed over a 7-day incubation period. Enantiomeric analysis indicated stereoselective metabolism of (R)-ibuprofen, the enantiomeric composition of the residual substrate being R/S = 0.25. Following a preparative scale incubation of (R,S)-ibuprofen with V. lecanii, in which the reaction was allowed to go to completion, the metabolite was found to be predominantly of the S-configuration (S/R = 2.1), suggesting that chiral inversion of either the drug and/or the metabolite had taken place. Analysis of extracts following incubation of (R,S)-, (R)-, and (S)-2-phenylpropionic acid with V. lecanii, for 21 days, indicated that chiral inversion of the (R)-enantiomer to its optical antipode had taken place. The results of these investigations indicate that microorganisms, in addition to mammals, are able to mediate the chiral inversion of 2-arylpropionic acids. This observation may have implications for the preparation of optically pure 2-arylpropionic acids.

Interindividual variability in the enantiomeric disposition of ibuprofen following the oral administration of the racemic drug to healthy volunteers

The plasma disposition of the enantiomers of ibuprofen has been investigated following the oral administration of the racemic drug (400 mg) to 24 healthy male volunteers. The plasma elimination of (R)-ibuprofen was found to be more rapid than that of the S-enantiomer [plasma half-life: (R) 2.03 h; (S) 3.05 h; 2P less than 0.001], resulting in a progressive enrichment in the plasma content of this isomer, some 64% of the total area under the plasma concentration time curves (AUC) being due to the pharmacologically active enantiomer. The influence of dose on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the enantiomers of ibuprofen, over the range 200-800 mg, was investigated in three subjects. Examination of dose-normalized AUC values and oral clearance indicate the dose dependence of (R)-ibuprofen disposition.

Metabolism of chlorpromazine and promazine in vitro: isolation and characterization of N-oxidation products

1. The syntheses of the secondary hydroxylamines of nor1chlorpromazine and nor1promazine via their corresponding primary hydroxylamines and oximes are described. 2. The N-oxidation products are unstable to analysis by g.l.c. without prior derivatization; the decomposition products and the structures of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) and trifluoroacetyl (TFA) derivatives were characterized by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. 3. Chlorpromazine, promazine and their demethylated products were shown to undergo metabolic N- and alpha-C-oxidation, to yield hydroxylamines and carboxylic acids, on incubation with fortified 9000 g liver homogenates of male New Zealand white rabbits. 4. A condensation product, an artifact formed by reaction of the metabolically derived primary hydroxylamines with acetaldehyde, an impurity in the extraction solvent, diethyl ether, was identified. 5. N-hydroxynor1- and N-hydroxynor2chlorpromazine undergo metabolic reduction to the parent amines, and the secondary hydroxylamine undergoes N-demethylation to yield the corresponding primary hydroxylamine.

The metabolic chiral inversion and dispositional enantioselectivity of the 2-arylpropionic acids and their biological consequences

The 2-arylpropionic acids are currently an important group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. They contain a chiral centre, and in vitro studies on inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis show that their activity resides almost exclusively in the S(+)-isomers. However, this stereoselectivity of action is not manifest in vivo, due to the thus-far-unique unidirectional metabolic inversion of the chiral centre from the inactive R(-)-isomers to the S(+)-antipodes. Available evidence strongly suggests that this reaction proceeds via the formation of the acyl CoA thioesters of the 2-arylpropionates, but the participation of enzyme(s) in the inversion process remains uncertain. Although the chiral inversion is seemingly a general feature of the fate of 2-arylpropionates, there do occur important combinations of acid and species where the reaction is not extant. The stereochemistry of the chiral centre of these acids also influences other aspects of their disposition, including the oxidative metabolism of the aryl/arylakyl moiety, glucuronidation of the -COOH group and plasma protein binding, and the importance of certain of these becomes more evident when renal function is impaired. The biological consequences of the metabolic chiral inversion and enantioselective disposition of the 2-arylpropionates have been summarized in terms of their implications for the development and use of safer and more effective drugs of this class.

Metabolism of estragole in rat and mouse and influence of dose size on excretion of the proximate carcinogen 1'-hydroxyestragole

The major metabolic pathways of estragole have been established in rats and mice, and in both species the relative importance of the different pathways has been shown to be dose related. At low doses, estragole mainly undergoes detoxication reactions, notably O-demethylation and side-chain cleavage, but as the dose is increased, the extent of O-demethylation falls and other pathways, notably l'-hydroxylation, come into prominence. The disproportionate relationship between dose size and the elimination of the proximate carcinogenic metabolite l'-hydroxyestragole may influence the relationship between dose size and tumour incidence. These findings may have important implications for the safety assessment of this food flavouring, since the dose levels used in carcinogenicity studies have been very much larger than the estimated human daily intake. Moreover the percentage of an administered dose of estragole eliminated as 1-hydroxyestragole glucuronide in human urine is much lower than that found with even the lowest doses examined in rats in this study.

The metabolic disposition of [methoxy-14C]-labelled trans-anethole, estragole and p-propylanisole in human volunteers

1. The metabolic fates of the naturally occurring food flavours trans-anethole and estragole, and their synthetic congener p-propylanisole, have been investigated in human volunteers using the [methoxy-14C]-labelled compounds. The doses used were close to those encountered in the diet, 1 mg, 100 micrograms and 100 micrograms respectively. 2. In each case, the major routes of elimination of 14C were in the urine and in the expired air as 14CO2. 3. Urinary metabolites were separated by solvent extraction, t.l.c. and h.p.l.c., and characterized by comparison of chromatographic mobilities with standards and by radioisotope dilution. Nine 14C urinary metabolites were found after trans-anethole administration, four after p-propylanisole and five after estragole. All were products of side chain oxidations. 4. The principal metabolites of p-propylanisole were 4-methoxyhippuric acid (12%) and 1-(4'-methoxyphenyl)propan-1-ol (2%) and -2-ol (8%). 5. The major metabolite of trans-anethole was 4-methoxyhippuric acid (56% of dose), accompanied by much smaller amounts of the two isomers of 1-(4'-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,2-diol (together 3%). 6. After estragole administration, the two volunteers eliminated 0.2 and 0.4% of the dose respectively as 1'-hydroxyestragole. 7. The human metabolic data is discussed with reference to the comparative metabolic disposition of these compounds in the mouse and rat, species commonly used in their safety assessment.

Determination of the enantiomeric composition of ibuprofen in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method, using a hexane-ethyl acetate solvent system, for the determination of the enantiomeric composition of ibuprofen in human plasma is described. The method is based on the resolution of the diastereoisomeric amides formed on reaction of the ibuprofen enantiomers with S-1-(naphthen-1-yl)ethylamine using p-chlorophenoxy-acetic acid as internal standard. The application of the method for the determination of the enantiomeric composition of ibuprofen in human plasma following the repeated oral administration of the drug to two volunteers is reported. The plasma concentrations of the S-(+) enantiomer were always greater than that of the R-(-), the ratio of the areas under the enantiomer plasma concentration-time curves (S/R) being 1.8 and 1.6.

Application of a radial compression column to the high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of the enantiomers of some 2-arylpropionic acids as their diastereoisomeric s-(-)-1-(naphthen-1-yl)ethylamines

The enantiomers of 2-phenylpropionic acid and four congeneric anti-inflammatory drugs were separated as their diastereoisomeric amides with S-(-)-1-(naphthen-1-yl)ethylamine by high-performance liquid chromatography using a silica-packed radial compression cartridge. The order of elution of the diastereoisomeric amides was always R, S or -, S before S,S or +,S. The conditions for the derivatization, using 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide as coupling agent, were optimized, and it was found that the addition of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole rendered the reaction quantitative. Good calibration curves were obtained for the quantitation and determination of the enantiomeric composition of 2-phenylpropionic acid in urine, and the application of the method to the study of the metabolism of this acid in vivo is described.

The metabolism of aspirin in man: a population study

The metabolism of a 900 mg oral dose of aspirin has been investigated in 129 healthy volunteers. For this purpose, the 0-12 h urine was collected and analysed for the following excretion products: salicylic acid, its acyl and phenolic glucuronides, salicyluric acid, its phenolic glucuronide and gentisic acid. The total excretion of salicylate and metabolites was normally distributed within the population group studied, showing a 2.5-fold variation: a mean of 68.1% of the dose was recovered in 12 h. The excretion of salicylic acid was found to be highly variable within the study panel (1.3-31% of dose in 12 h), and was related to both urine volume and pH. Salicyluric acid was the major metabolite in the majority of the volunteers and its excretion was normally distributed amongst the study panel. The elimination of this metabolite ranged from 19.8 to 65% of the dose and was related to the total recovery of salicylate. The excretion of the two salicyl glucuronides was highly variable, ranging from 0.8 to 42% of the dose. The elimination of the glucuronides was inversely related to that of salicyluric acid. Gentisic acid and salicyluric acid phenolic glucuronide were minor metabolites of salicylate, accounting for 1 and 3% of the dose, respectively. The recovery of gentisic acid was statistically significantly greater in female subjects than in males, whilst the opposite was found for salicyluric acid and total salicylate. However, these differences were small in magnitude.

The metabolic chiral inversion of 2-arylpropionic acids--a novel route with pharmacological consequences--a correction

In our recent review (Hutt & Caldwell 1983) on the metabolic chiral inversion of the 2−aryl propionic acids, Fig. 1 presented flying wedge diagrams to depict the three-dimensional structures of the enantiomers, assigned according to Shen (1979). Close examination of the Figure, in the light of model building, reveals that the absolute configurational designation of these structures is incorrect and should be reversed, i.e. the enantiomer labelled by us as R(-) is in fact S(+) and vice versa. We apologise for this error, and would also point out that the diagram of Shen (1979) upon which our assignments were based is similarly incorrect.