Edward S. Lazer

The role of 5-lipoxygenase products in preclinical models of asthma

BACKGROUND The action of 5-lipoxygenase on arachidonic acid generates potent inflammatory mediators that may contribute to the pathophysiology of asthma. METHODS Using the potent and selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor BI-L-239, we have examined the role of 5-lipoxygenase products in three animal models of asthma. RESULTS In vitro BI-L-239 inhibited 5-lipoxygenase product generation from human lung mast cells, alveolar macrophages, and peripheral blood leukocytes with a concentration that would provide 50% inhibition values of 28 to 340 nmol/L. A 36-fold selectivity for immunoreactive leukotriene C4 versus immunoreactive prostaglandin D2 inhibition was demonstrated in mast cells. In anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys, inhaled BI-L-239 provided dose-dependent inhibition of the inhaled Ascaris-induced immunoreactive leukotriene C4 release (maximum, 73%; bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL], 20 minutes), late-phase bronchoconstriction (maximum, 41%; +6 to 8 hours), and neutrophil infiltration (maximum, 63%; BAL, +8 hours). In conscious sheep, inhaled BI-L-239 provided dose-dependent inhibition of the inhaled Ascaris-induced late-phase bronchoconstriction (maximum, 66%; +6 to 8 hours) and increase in airway responsiveness (maximum, 82%; carbachol, +24 hours). The acute bronchoconstriction was shortened, and neutrophil infiltration diminished (maximum, 61%; BAL, +8 hours) in this model. Finally in conscious actively sensitized guinea pigs pretreated with pyrilamine and indomethacin, inhaled BI-L-239 attenuated acute bronchoconstriction (maximum, 80%; +5 to 15 minutes), leukocyte infiltration (58%; BAL, +3 days) and increase in airway responsiveness (100%; methacholine, +3 days) induced by three alternate-day ovalbumin inhalations. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, results in these three animal models indicate that 5-lipoxygenase products may be major contributors to the bronchoconstriction (especially late phase), leukocyte infiltration, and airway hyperresponsiveness that characterize asthma.

Antiinflammatory 2-benzyl-4-sulfonyl-4H-isoquinoline-1,3-diones: novel inhibitors of COX-2.

A series of 2-benzyl-4-sulfonyl-4H-isoquinoline-1,3-diones was prepared. Members of this series are potent and selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in both microsomal and cellular assays. Two representatives demonstrated activity in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats upon oral administration.

Antiinflammatory benzimidazole derivative with inhibitory effects on neutrophil function

Abstract5-Methyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethylsulfonyl-1H-benzimidazole (BI-L-45 XX) inhibits both neutrophil enzyme release and chemotaxisin vitro and also inhibits chemotaxisin vivo. BI-L-45 XX has an IC50 between 16μM and 25 μM in inhibiting lysosomal enzyme release from human peripheral blood neutrophils. In a Boyden chamber experiment, BI-L-45 XX inhibited migration in response to fMLP with an IC50 of 5 μM. When given orally to passively sensitized rats at doses of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg, it inhibited migration of neutrophils to the pleural cavity in response to an antigen (ovalbumin) challenge. BI-L-45 XX also shows activity in the developing adjuvant arthritis model, with an ED50 of 45 mg/kg, while exhibiting no significant inhibition of cyclooxygenase in a human platelet assay. This suggests the possibility that its antiinflammatory activity may be in part mediated by its effect on neutrophil function.

BI-L-239, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, blocks inhaled antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in conscious guinea pigs

Male Hartley guinea pigs were actively sensitized to ovalbumin (OA). Respiratory system resistance (Rrs) was measured by forced oscillations superimposed on tidal breathing. Airway responsiveness (inhaled methacholine PC100) was determined three days prior and three days after (day 10) three alternate day inhalations of OA. Airway cell composition was assessed on day 10 by lung lavage. Three groups (n=5–6) were studied: A) vehicle challenged, B) OA challenged/placebo treated, C) OA challenged/BI-L-239 (2,6-dimethyl-4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethenyl]phenol) treated (10×0.75 mg/actuation, 10 minutes prior to each OA challenge). Animals were treated with pyrilamine and indomethacin (10 mg/kg i.p.) 30 minutes prior to each OA challenge. OA induced acute increases in Rrs of 143±29%, 238±73% and 102±43% in placebo and 86±34%, 45±35% (p, 0.05 vs. placebo) and 102±31% in BI-L-239 treated. OA induced a significant (p<0.05) increase in airway leukocytes in placebo (487±36 to 1615±421×103/ml) but not BI-L-239 treated (to 881±155×103/ml) and decrease in methacholine PC100 in placebo (1.487±0.49 to 0.39±0.18 mg/ml) but not BI-L-239 treated (0.99±34 to 1.04±0.39 mg/ml). We conclude that BI-L-239 attenuates the airway constriction, inflammation and hyperresponsiveness induced by repeated antigen inhalations in conscious guinea pigs.