Dennis P. Riley

On the selectivity of superoxide dismutase mimetics and its importance in pharmacological studies

The list of pathophysiological conditions associated with the overproduction of superoxide expands every day. Much of the knowledge compiled on the role of this radical in disease has been gathered using the native superoxide dismutase enzyme and, more recently, by the use of superoxide dismutase knockout models or transgenic models that overexpress the various isoforms of the enzyme. Although the native enzyme has shown promising anti‐inflammatory properties in both preclinical and clinical studies, there were drawbacks and issues associated with its use as a therapeutic agent and pharmacological tool. Based on the concept that removal of superoxide modulates the course of inflammation, synthetic, low‐molecular‐weight mimetics of the superoxide dismutase enzymes that could overcome some of the limitations associated with the use of the native enzyme have been designed. In this review, we will discuss the advances made using various superoxide dismutase mimetics that led to the proposal that superoxide (and/or the product of its interaction with nitric oxide, peroxynitrite) is an important mediator of inflammation, and to the conclusion that superoxide dismutase mimetics can be utilized as therapeutic agents in diseases of various etiologies. The importance of the selectivity of such compounds in pharmacological studies will be discussed.

Protective effects of a superoxide dismutase mimetic and peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts in endotoxin-induced intestinal damage

The relative contributions of superoxide anion (O2−) and peroxynitrite (PN) were evaluated in the pathogenesis of intestinal microvascular damage caused by the intravenous injection of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. The superoxide dismutase mimetic (SODm) SC‐55858 and the active peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(2,4,6‐trimethyl‐3,5‐disulphonatophenyl)‐porphyrinato iron (III) and 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(N‐methyl‐4′‐pyridyl)‐porphyrinato iron (III) (FeTMPS, FeTMPyP respectively) were used to assess the roles of O2− and PN respectively. The intravenous injection of LPS elicited an inflammatory response that was characterized by a time‐dependent infiltration of neutrophils, lipid peroxidation, microvascular leakage (indicative of microvascular damage), and epithelial cell injury in both the duodenum and jejunum. Administration of the SODm SC‐55858, FeTMPS or FeTMPyP at 3 h post LPS reduced the subsequent increase in microvascular leakage, lipid peroxidation and epithelial cell injury. Inactive peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts exhibited no protective effects. Only, SC‐55858 inhibited neutrophil infiltration. Our results suggest that O2− and peroxynitrite play a significant role in the pathogenesis of duodenal and intestinal injury during endotoxaemia and that their removal by SODm and peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts offers a novel approach to the treatment of septic shock or clinical conditions of gastrointestinal inflammation. Furthermore, the remarkable protection of the intestinal epithelium by these agents suggests their use during chemo‐ and radiation therapy, cancer treatments characterized by gastrointestinal damage. Potential mechanisms through which these radicals evoke damage are discussed.

Stopped-flow kinetic analysis for monitoring superoxide decay in aqueous systems.

We have utilized a commercially available, computer-driven stopped-flow spectrophotometer to rapidly measure the self-dismutation or catalyzed decay of superoxide in aqueous buffers. In the self-dismutation assay, a dimethyl sulfoxide solution of superoxide is mixed in less than 2 ms with an aqueous buffer. The decay of superoxide is monitored directly by its absorbance at 245 nm and the data is processed by computer. By careful purification of the water and the use of metal-free buffers, a decay of superoxide that fits second-order kinetics is obtained without using metal ion chelators in the buffer. The second-order rate constant for superoxide decreased with increasing pH and decreased by a factor of 3.3 by using D2O in place of H2O in the buffer. The rapid mixing time makes it possible to determine rate constants for active superoxide dismutase catalysts at a pH as low as 7. A first-order decay of superoxide is obtained when the aqueous buffer contains bovine Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase or aquo copper(II), which are known catalysts of superoxide dismutation. The rate of superoxide decay was established to be first-order in catalyst. The catalytic rate constant for bovine Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase was determined to be 2.3 x 10(9) M-1 s-1 in H2O and D2O-based buffers and was independent of pH over the range 7-9. Aquo copper(II) gave a catalytic rate constant of 1.2 x 10(8) M-1 s-1, but was ineffective in the presence of EDTA. The catalytic rate constants obtained by stopped-flow kinetics are in excellent agreement with studies carried out by the direct method of pulse radiolysis.

The contribution of oxidative stress in apoptosis of human-cultured astroglial cells induced by supernatants of HIV-1-infected macrophages

Apoptosis of neurons and astrocytes has been found in patientsundergoing AIDS dementia complex. We demonstrated that supernatantsfrom human primary macrophages (M/M) infected by HIV‐1 lead humanastroglial cells to oxidative stress, as shown by elevated levels ofmalondialdehyde, and then to apoptosis. Electron microscopy ofastrocytes shortly incubated with HIV‐1‐infected M/M supernatantsshowed apoptotic blebbing, cytoplasmic loss, and chromatincondensation. Apoptosis was antagonized by pretreating astrocytes withthe nonpeptidic superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic M40401 but notwith anti‐HIV‐1 compounds, thus showing that apoptosis of astrocytesdriven by HIV‐1‐infected M/M supernatants is mainly mediated byabnormal production of superoxide anions without relationship to HIV‐1replication in such cells. Overall results support the role ofoxidative stress mediated by HIV‐1‐infected M/M as one of the leadingcauses of neurodegeneration in patients with HIV‐1 and suggest the useof nonpeptidic SOD mimetics to counteract HIV‐1‐related neurologicaldisorders.

Asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized polyazamacrocycles via reduction of cyclic peptide precursors

Abstract A general synthetic method for the preparation of carbon-functionalized polyazamacrocycles from the corresponding cyclic peptides is described.

POTENTIATION OF NITRIC OXIDE-MEDIATED VASCULAR RELAXATION BY SC52608, A SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE MIMIC

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) produced by the vascular endothelium is an endogenous contributor to the regulation of vascular relaxation and the maintenance of blood pressure. The effective half-life of NO and the relaxation of aortic rings by NO is enhanced by a reduction in the concentration of superoxide radicals with superoxide dismutase (SOD). In the current study, SC52608, a newly synthesized SOD mimic with a manganese core, was tested for its ability to potentiate the activity of NO both in vitro and in vivo. SC52608 relaxation of rat aortic segments was endothelium dependent as well as concentration dependent. The maximum relaxation following KCI contraction was 44% with 300 μM SC52608. Cyclic GMP concentrations in the segments were increased 1.6- and 3.2-fold with 5 and 300 μM SC52608, respectively. N-monomethyl-l-arginine pretreatment of aortic rings abolished the relaxation and cyclic GMP accumulation mediated by SC52608. In a smooth muscle cell reporter system of nitric oxide synthase activity, SC52608 potentiated the increase in cyclic GMP elicited by NO in a concentration-dependent manner with a maximum increase of 5.2-fold at 100 μM. Injection of SC52608 into conscious, restrained rats resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of blood pressure. Therefore, the data suggest that SC52608 potentiates the actions of nitric oxide on vascular tone, cyclic GMP, and blood pressure by enhancing the half-life of NO through a mechanism that mimics the action of SOD.

SYNTHESIS OF CONFORMATIONALLY TAILORED PENTAAZACYCLOPENTADECANES. PREORGANIZING PEPTIDE CYCLIZATIONS

Abstract A general method for the preparation of rigidified pentaazamacrocycles using trans-(1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane as the conformational controller element. High macrocyclization yields have been obtained by strategic placement of the diaminocyclohexane group within the pseudopeptide backbone.

Highly selective generation of urethanes from amines, carbon dioxide and alkyl chlorides

Generation of carbamate anions from either a primary or secondary amine, carbon dioxide and a stoichiometric amount of a pentaalkylguanidine followed by the addition of alkyl chlorides gives high yields of urethanes.

Industrial Perspectives on the use of Dioxygen: New Technology to Solve Old Problems

The selective catalytic oxidation of organic molecules continues as a very important reaction pathway for the synthesis of primary and specialty chemicals in the chemical industry worldwide. Catalytic utilization of molecular oxygen using both soluble metal compounds in liquid reaction media (homogeneous catalysis) and the surfaces of metals or metal oxide compounds in gas or liquid reaction media (heterogeneous catalysis) is very important today, and will become even more important in the future as worldwide environmental policies become more stringent. This will necessitate the development of new “no-waste” technologies which will provide economically viable syntheses of molecules of commercial importance. Clearly, selective catalytic oxidation with O2 represents critical technology and will be an area in which continued research and technical breakthroughs will be required.

New conformationally constrained polyaza macrocycles prepared via the bis(chloroacetamide) method

Abstract The synthesis of two new series of conformationally constrained polyazamacrocycles featuring polysubstitution at macrocycle ring carbons is described.