Bernhard Watzer

Determination of seven prostanoids in 1 ml of urine by gas chromatography—negative ion chemical ionization triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometry

In an isotope dilution assay, prostaglandin (PG) E2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, thromboxane (Tx) B2 and their metabolites PGE-M (11 alpha-hydroxy-9,15-dioxo-2,3,4,5,20-pentanor-19-carboxyprostano ic acid), 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 2,3-dinor-TxB2 and 11-dehydro-TxB2 were determined in urine by gas chromatography-triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS). After addition of deuterated internal standards, the prostaglandins were derivatized to their methoximes and extracted with ethyl acetate-hexane. The sample was further derivatized to the pentafluorobenzylesters and purified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Three zones were scraped from the TLC plate. The prostanoid derivatives were converted to their trimethylsilyl ethers and the products were quantified by GC-MS-MS. In each run, two or three prostanoids were determined.

Improved quantification of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α and F2-isoprostanes by gas chromatography/triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometry : Partial cyclooxygenase-dependent formation of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α in humans

F2-isoprostanes are considered to be novel markers of lipid peroxidation. To study the in vivo formation of F2-isoprostanes, an improved method was developed for isotope dilution assays involving gas chromatography/triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) including thin-layer chromatography (TLC) (sum of all F2-isoprostanes) and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) purification (prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and 8-epi-PGF2 alpha). Following the addition of isotopically labeled prostaglandins to urine, the sample was acidified and applied to a C18 cartridge. After elution, prostaglandins were derivatized to pentafluorobenzyl esters and subjected to TLC. A broad zone was scratched off, isoprostanes were eluted and after formation of their trimethylsilyl ether derivatives the sum of F2-isoprostanes was determined by GC/MS/MS. For the determination of PGE2 alpha and 8-epi-PGF2 alpha prior to trimethylsilylation an additional HPLC step was performed and the fractions containing PGF2 alpha and 8-epi-PGF2 alpha were analyzed by GC/MS/MS. Using this technique, 8-epi-PGF2 alpha concentrations in urine samples as low as 5 pg ml-1 could be determined with high accuracy. The excretion rates of isoprostanes were studied in comparison with the classical prostaglandins in three different groups: healthy adults, healthy children and children with hyper-PGE syndrome (HPS), a pathological situation associated with a stimulated PGE2 synthesis. F2-isoprostanes represented the main arachidonic acid metabolites in these groups and 8-epi-PGF2 alpha excretion was comparable in its amount to the classical prostanoids. To delineate the cyclooxygenase-catalyzed contribution, the influence of indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenases, on F2-isoprostane formation in healthy adults and in HPS children was analyzed. Significantly decreased excretion rates were observed 2 days after indomethacin administration for all prostanoids, including F2-isoprostanes and 8-epi-PGF2 alpha. However, the suppression of F2-isoprostanes and 8-epi-PGF2 alpha excretion rates was less pronounced in comparison with the classical prostanoids. An improved and reliable method for the determination of F2-isoprostanes and especially 8-epi-PGF2 alpha has been developed. The data obtained on human urine samples indicates a contribution of the cyclooxygenase pathway to the formation of isoprostanes.

Acyl chain-dependent effect of lysophosphatidylcholine on endothelial prostacyclin production

Previously we identified palmitoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine (16:0 LPC), linoleoyl-LPC (18:2 LPC), arachidonoyl-LPC (20:4 LPC), and oleoyl-LPC (18:1 LPC) as the most prominent LPC species generated by the action of endothelial lipase (EL) on high-density lipoprotein. In the present study, the impact of those LPC on prostacyclin (PGI2) production was examined in vitro in primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and in vivo in mice. Although 18:2 LPC was inactive, 16:0, 18:1, and 20:4 LPC induced PGI2 production in HAEC by 1.4-, 3-, and 8.3-fold, respectively. LPC-elicited 6-keto PGF1α formation depended on both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 and on the activity of cytosolic phospholipase type IVA (cPLA2). The LPC-induced, cPLA2-dependent 14C-arachidonic acid (AA) release was increased 4.5-fold with 16:0, 2-fold with 18:1, and 2.7-fold with 20:4 LPC, respectively, and related to the ability of LPC to increase cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. In vivo, LPC increased 6-keto PGF1α concentration in mouse plasma with a similar order of potency as found in HAEC. Our results indicate that the tested LPC species are capable of eliciting production of PGI2, whereby the efficacy and the relative contribution of underlying mechanisms are strongly related to acyl-chain length and degree of saturation.

Immobilization and controlled release of prostaglandin E2 from poly-L-lactide-co-glycolide microspheres

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is an arachidonic acid metabolite involved in physiological homeostasis and numerous pathophysiological conditions. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that prostaglandins have a stimulating effect not only on angiogenesis in situ and in vitro but also on chondrocyte proliferation in vitro. Thus, PGE(2) represents an interesting signaling molecule for various tissue engineering strategies. However, under physiological conditions, PGE(2) has a half-life time of only 10 min, which limits its use in biomedical applications. In the present study, we investigated if the incorporation of PGE(2) into biodegradable poly-L-lactide-co-glycolide microspheres results in a prolonged release of this molecule in its active form. PGE(2)-modified microspheres were produced by a cosolvent emulsification method using CHCl(3) and HFIP as organic solvents and PVA as emulsifier. Thirteen identical batches were produced; and to each batch 1.0 mL of serum-free medium was added. The medium was removed at defined time points and then analyzed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) to measure the residual PGE(2) content. In this study we demonstrated the prolonged release of PGE(2), showing a linear increase over the first 12 h, followed by a plateau and a slow decrease. The microspheres were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy.

Dopamides, vanillylamides, ethanolamides, and arachidonic acid amides of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug substances as TRPV1 ligands.

Drug substances can be acylated metabolically to give derivatives with specific and strong molecular effects. We generated potentially naturally occurring acid amides of several anti‐inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In the amides, the drug moieties served either as amine or acid components. All compounds were evaluated for activity toward transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1) in a cell‐based Ca2+ influx assay; TRPV1 is a key receptor in the pain pathway and a promising target for analgesic drugs. We found that dopamine amides of fenamic acids have TRPV1 agonist activity in the nanomolar range, and that the arachidonoyl amide of a dipyrone metabolite has TRPV1 antagonist activity. Flufenamic acid dopamide, the most potent TRPV1 agonist reported herein, retains the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition properties of the parent compound flufenamic acid. Thus it acts on two different major players in the pain processing machinery. The compounds could be further keys to understanding the mechanism of action of fenamates and dipyrone at the molecular level. The fenamic acid dopamine amides qualify as new lead structures for drug development.

Prostanoid formation during feeding of a preterm formula with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in healthy preterm infants during the first weeks of life.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of conventional and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP)-enriched preterm formula on prostanoid formation in preterm infants during their first weeks of life. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, healthy infants received either formula enriched with LCP (n = 10), standard preterm formula(n = 10), or (expressed) breast milk (n = 10). Urine was sampled, and anthropometric measurements were taken at study entry and after the study period of 3 wk. In vivo formation of prostaglandin E2, thromboxane A2, and prostacyclin was evaluated by measuring the urinary excretion of the respective index metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. There were no significant differences in urinary prostanoid excretion and anthropometric data between the groups at the end of the study period. We conclude that neither conventional formula nor supplementation of a preterm formula with LCP for a period of 3 wk substantially influence prostanoid formation in healthy preterm infants.

Phenotypic redifferentiation and cell cluster formation of cultured human articular chondrocytes in a three-dimensional oriented gelatin scaffold in the presence of PGE2 - first results of a pilot study†

Modern tissue engineering strategies comprise three elemental parameters: cells, scaffolds and growth factors. Articular cartilage represents a highly specialized tissue which allows frictionless gliding of corresponding articulating surfaces. As the regenerative potential of cartilage is low, tissue engineering-based strategies for cartilage regeneration represent a huge challenge. Prostaglandins function as regulators in cartilage development and metabolism, especially in growth plate chondrocytes. In this study, it was analyzed if prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) has an effect on the phenotypic differentiation of human chondrocytes cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) gelatin-based scaffold made by directional freezing and subsequent freeze-drying. As a result, it was clearly demonstrated that low doses of PGE2 revealed beneficial effects on the phenotypic differentiation and collagen II expression of human articular chondrocytes in this 3D cell culture system. In conclusion, PGE2 is an interesting candidate for tissue engineering applications since it represents an already well-studied molecule which is available in pharmaceutical quality.

Determination of Isotopic Ratios ofL‐Leucine andL‐Phenylalanine and their Stable Isotope Labeled Analogues in Biological Samples by Gas Chromatography/Triple‐stage Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

A gas chromatographic/triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometric (GC/MS/MS) method for measuring very low levels of enrichment of [5,5,5-2H3]-L-leucine and [ring-13C6]-L-phenylalanine in plasma and lipoprotein hydrolysates is described. The amino acids were derivatized to their N-heptafluorobutyryl isobutyl ester derivatives and the isotope ratio was determined by GC/MS/MS in the negative-ion chemical ionization mode. Parent ions were the [M-HF]- ions and fragment ions used for quantification were [P-2HF-C3H7]- (leucine) and [P-HF-OC4H9]- (phenylalanine), respectively. The limit of quantification was about 10 pg of the labeled compound co-eluting with 20 ng of the endogenous compound. The calibration curves were linear in the investigated range from 0.1% to 100% of the labeled compound. In biological samples, the higher selectivity of GC/MS/MS compared with GC/MS was demonstrated.

New Analgesics Synthetically Derived from the Paracetamol Metabolite N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-icosatetra-5,8,11,14-enamide

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-icosatetra-5,8,11,14-enamide (AM404) is a metabolite of the well-known analgesic paracetamol. AM404 inhibits endocannabinoid cellular uptake, binds weakly to CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, and is formed by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in vivo. We prepared three derivatives of this new (endo)cannabinoid using bioisosteric replacement (1), homology (2), and derivatization (3) of the 4-aminophenol moiety in AM404 and tested them against CB1, CB2, and FAAH. We found affinities toward both cannabinoid receptors equal to or greater than that of AM404. Shortening the acyl chain from C20 to C2 led to three new paracetamol analogues: N-(1H-indazol-5-yl)acetamide (5), N-(4-hydroxybenzyl)acetamide (6), and N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acetamide (7). Again, 5, 6, and 7 were tested against CB1, CB2, and FAAH without significant activity. However, 5 and 7 behaved like inhibitors of cyclooxygenases in whole blood assays. Finally, 5 (50 mg/kg) and 6 (275 mg/kg) displayed analgesic activities comparable to paracetamol (200 mg/kg) in the mouse formalin test.

Ozone induces synthesis of systemic prostacyclin by cyclooxygenase-2 dependent mechanism in vivo.

Under certain pathological conditions, e.g., infectious or neoplastic diseases, application of ozone exerts therapeutic effects. However, pharmacological mechanisms are not understood. Since an interaction with the arachidonic acid metabolism is suggested we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal insufflation of ozone on prostanoid system in vivo. Upon ozone application (4 mg/kg) to rats we observed an approximate 3-fold increase in excretion rate of 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1α and of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PG F1α, the measurable stable products of prostacyclin. In plasma and vessel tissue 6-keto-PG F1α concentration was also significantly increased. In contrast, excretion rates for PGE2 and thromboxane (TX) B2 did not change. F2-isoprostanes, regarded as endogenous indicators of oxidative stress, were also unaffected by ozone application. Oxygen insufflation used as control was without any effect on prostanoid levels. Ozone caused increase in 6-keto-PG F1α by arterial but not by venous vessel tissues with peak activity 6-9h following insufflation. The increase in PGI2 synthesis was dependent on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity, demonstrated by its sensitivity towards COX-2 inhibition, and by enhanced COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in vessels. Ozone exerted no rise in excretion rate of prostacyclin metabolites in COX-2(-/-) but in COX-1(-/-) mice. Enzymatic activity and mRNA expression of vascular PGI2 synthase (PGIS) was unaffected by ozone treatment. In summary our study shows for the first time that ozone insufflation causes enhanced expression of COX-2 in the vessel system leading to exclusive elevation of systemic PGI2 levels. We assume that PGI2 stimulation may contribute to the beneficial effects of ozone treatment.