R. Conotte

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of novel 3-alkylindole derivatives as selective and highly potent myeloperoxidase inhibitors.

Due to its production of potent antimicrobial oxidants including hypochlorous acid, human myeloperoxidase (MPO) plays a critical role in innate immunity and inflammatory diseases. Thus MPO is an attractive target in drug design. (Aminoalkyl)fluoroindole derivatives were detected to be very potent MPO inhibitors; however, they also promote inhibition of the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) at the same concentration range. Via structure-based drug design, a new series of MPO inhibitors derived from 3-alkylindole were synthesized and their effects were assessed on MPO-mediated taurine chlorination and low-density lipoprotein oxidation as well as on inhibition of SERT. The fluoroindole compound with three carbons in the side chain and one amide group exhibited a selectivity index of 35 (Ki/IC50) with high inhibition of MPO activity (IC50 = 18 nM), whereas its effect on SERT was in the micromolar range. Structure-function relationships, mechanism of action, and safety of the molecule are discussed.

A metabonomic evaluation of the monocrotaline-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) in rats.

The main curative treatment of colorectal cancer remains the surgery. However, when metastases are suspected, surgery is followed by a preventive chemotherapy using oxaliplatin which, unfortunately, may cause liver sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). Such hepatic damage is barely detected during or after chemotherapy due to a lack of effective diagnostic procedures, but liver biopsy. The primary objective of the present study was to identify potential early diagnosis biomarkers of SOS using a metabonomic approach. SOS was induced in rats by monocrotaline, a prototypical toxic substance. (1)H NMR spectroscopy analysis of urine samples collected from rats treated with monocrotaline showed significant metabolic changes as compared to controls. During a first phase, cellular protective mechanisms such as an increased synthesis of GSH (reduced taurine) and the recruitment of cell osmolytes in the liver (betaine) were seen. In the second phase, the disturbance of the urea cycle (increased ornithine and urea reduction) leading to the depletion of NO, the alteration in the GSH synthesis (increased creatine and GSH precursors (glutamate, dimethylglycine and sarcosine)), and the liver necrosis (decrease taurine and increase creatine) all indicate the development of SOS.

Does the 1 H-NMR plasma metabolome reflect the host-tumor interactions in human breast cancer?

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. There is an obvious need for a better understanding of BC biology. Alterations in the serum metabolome of BC patients have been identified but their clinical significance remains elusive. We evaluated by 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, filtered plasma metabolome of 50 early (EBC) and 15 metastatic BC (MBC) patients. Using Principal Component Analysis, Partial Least-Squares Discriminant Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering we show that plasma levels of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, glutamate, glutamine, valine, lysine, glycine, threonine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, acetate, acetoacetate, β-hydroxy-butyrate, urea, creatine and creatinine are modulated across patients clusters. In particular lactate levels are inversely correlated with the tumor size in the EBC cohort (Pearson correlation r = −0.309; p = 0.044). We suggest that, in BC patients, tumor cells could induce modulation of the whole patients metabolism even at early stages. If confirmed in a lager study these observations could be of clinical importance.

Hybrid molecules inhibiting myeloperoxidase activity and serotonin reuptake: a possible new approach of major depressive disorders with inflammatory syndrome

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is accompanied with an imbalance in the immune system and cardiovascular impairments, such as atherosclerosis. Several mechanisms have been pointed out to underlie this rather unexpected association, and among them the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO). The aim of our study was to find compounds that inhibit both MPO and serotonin transporter (SERT) for treating MDD associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Metabonomics: on the Road to Detect Diagnostic Biomarkers in Endemic (Balkan) Nephropathy. Evaluation in a Retrospective Pilot Project

Introduction: Endemic (Balkan) Nephropathy is a chronic renal disease mainly affecting rural populations in the valleys of the Danube. In the absence of renal replacement therapy, it leads to fatal kidney failure and is significantly associated with upper urothelial carcinoma. Bread poisoning with aristolochic acids is now widely accepted. The source of this toxic substance is considered to be Aristolochia clematitis, a perennial plant that invades farming fields. The poisoning with aristolochic acids was suggested when clinical and histopathological changes similar to those observed in the Balkan patients were reported in several cases of nephropathy in Belgian patients unintentionally exposed to aristolochic acids during a Chinese herbs diet. Those clinical and histopathological features were then reproduced in laboratory experimental models. Methods: Using metabonomics, an emerging dynamic technique that allows an effective mapping of alterations in endogenous metabolites levels in biofluids and tissues, we evaluated early signs of renal toxicity from extra urine samples collected in a rat model of intoxication with aristolochic acids. Results: Changes in urine composition were consistent with a proximal tubular damage, most likely initiated by a mitochondrial default and an inappropriate response to oxidative stress. The same metabonomic approach was applied to surplus of urine samples collected from Belgian and Croatian patients in clinical and epidemiological studies, respectively. It allowed a clear discrimination of the Belgian patients from a database of healthy volunteers. On the other hand, a trend to discrimination was noticed when comparing urine samples collected from individuals living in Croatian endemic regions as compared to Croatian non endemic villages. Finally, when included in the same analysis, both Belgian and Croatian patients displayed similar urine metabolic signatures, suggesting a common etiology of both diseases.

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of pentamidine and analog in rat biological fluids

Pentamidine isethionate (PTMD) is an antiprotozoal agent used in different parasitic diseases as Human African Trypanosomiasis or Pneumocystis pneumonia. Given its side effects, numerous analogs are still under development worldwide. PTMD has been recently described having a potential activity in myotonic dystrophy (type 1). Here we present an UPLC method coupled to fluo or PDA detection for PTMD and one analog determination in rat plasma or urine. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Acquity UPLC® HSS T3 analytical column using a mobile phase combining formic acid 0.1% (v/v) and acetonitrile (ACN) at a constant flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Preliminary, an innovative μSPE (solid phase extraction) procedure using Oasis® WCX sorbent was processed and gave satisfying and reproducible results in terms of extraction yields. Additionally, the methods were successfully validated using the accuracy profiles approach (β=95% and acceptance limits=15%) over the ranges 2.88-287.52 ng/mL and from 143.76 ng/mL to 1.72 μg/mL in rat plasma and urine for PTMD and for EBAB, from 4.23 to 423.39 ng/mL and from 211.69 ng/mL to 2.54 μg/mL for plasma and urine, respectively. The validated protocols were applied to a pharmacokinetic (PK) study on rats and permitted to point out some relevant PK parameters on PTMD and its studied analog.

Metabonomic profiling of chronic intermittent hypoxia in a mouse model

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (ChIH) is a dominant feature of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and is associated to metabolic alterations and oxidative stress (OS). Although management of OSA is well established, the research of new biomarkers that are independent of confounding factors remains necessary to improve the early detection of comorbidity and therapeutic follow-up. In this study, the urinary metabonomic profile associated to intermittent hypoxia was evaluated in a mouse model. When exposed to intermittent hypoxia, animals showed a significant alteration in energy metabolism towards anaerobic pathways and signs of OS imbalance. A compensatory response was observed over time. Our data also indicates an excess production of vitamin B3, liver function modulations and a stimulation of creatine synthesis which could be used to evaluate the ChIH repercussions. As well, TMAO and allantoin could constitute interesting biomarker candidates, respectively in the context of cardiovascular risk and OS associated to OSA.