Shigeyuki Kitamura

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Activity of Nonallergenic Pyrazolone-Type Antipyretic Analgesics

To develop novel nonallergenic pyrazolone analgesics, we synthesized a series of compounds in which position 1 of the pyrazolone ring was substituted in place of the original methyl group in order to block the formation of allergenic metabolites via N-dealkylation. These pyrazolone analogues were found to show as potent an antipyretic and analgesic effect as antipyrine (AT). In an examination of allergenicity, AT induced a typical skin reaction in guinea pigs, whereas the pyrazolone analogues were inactive. When AT was administered (po) to rats, norantipyrine (NORA) as an active metabolite was detected in the urine, whereas similar administration of the pyrazolone analogues did not afford NORA. We conclude that these novel pyrazolone analogues were nonallergenic because they were not converted to allergenic metabolites in vivo. Because these compounds retain the antipyretic and analgesic activities of AT, they are considered to be promising candidates for nonallergenic antipyretic analgesics.

Characterization of steroid hormone receptor activities in 100 hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls, including congeners identified in humans

Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs), major metabolites of PCBs, have been reported to act as estrogen receptor α (ERα) agonists or antagonists. However, little concern has been paid to the ability of OH-PCBs to interfere with other steroid hormone receptors such as ERβ, androgen receptor (AR) or glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In this study, we characterized the agonistic and antagonistic activities of available 100 OH-PCBs (39 ortho-, 24 meta-, and 37 para-OH compounds), including some congeners identified in humans, against human ERα/β, AR, and GR using in vitro reporter gene assays. In the ERα assay, 45 and 9 of the 100 OH-PCBs tested showed agonistic and antagonistic activities, respectively. In the ERβ assay, 45 and 6 compounds showed agonistic and antagonistic activities, respectively. In the AR and GR assays, although none of the compounds tested showed agonistic activity, 83 and 30 of the 100 OH-PCBs showed antagonistic activity, respectively. These AR and/or GR antagonistic compounds had various patterns of substituent in the structure, while relatively potent ERα/β agonistic and antagonistic compounds possessed para- and ortho-OH structures, respectively. Three OH-PCBs, predominantly identified in human tissues, showed little ERα/β or AR activities, apart from the weak ERα and/or GR antagonistic activity observed in 4-OH-CB107 and 4-OH-CB187. Taken together, these results suggest that a large number of OH-PCBs might act as agonists and/or antagonists against ERα/β, AR and GR.

Similarities in the Endocrine-Disrupting Potencies of Indoor Dust and Flame Retardants by Using Human Osteosarcoma (U2OS) Cell-Based Reporter Gene Assays

Indoor dust is a sink for many kinds of pollutants, including flame retardants (FRs), plasticizers, and their contaminants and degradation products. These pollutants can be migrated to indoor dust from household items such as televisions and computers. To reveal high-priority end points of and contaminant candidates in indoor dust, using CALUX reporter gene assays based on human osteosarcoma (U2OS) cell lines, we evaluated and characterized the endocrine-disrupting potencies of crude extracts of indoor dust collected from Japan (n = 8), the United States (n = 21), Vietnam (n = 10), the Philippines (n = 17), and Indonesia (n = 10) and for 23 selected FRs. The CALUX reporter gene assays used were specific for compounds interacting with the human androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor α (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2). Indoor dust extracts were agonistic to ERα, GR, and PPARγ2 and antagonistic against AR, PR, GR, and PPARγ2. In comparison, a majority of FRs was agonistic to ERα and PPARγ2 only, and some FRs demonstrated receptor-specific antagonism against all tested nuclear receptors. Hierarchical clustering clearly indicated that agonism of ERα and antagonism of AR and PR were common, frequently detected end points for indoor dust and tested FRs. Given our previous results regarding the concentrations of FRs in indoor dust and in light of our current results, candidate contributors to these effects include not only internationally controlled brominated FRs but also alternatives such as some phosphorus-containing FRs. In the context of indoor pollution, high-frequency effects of FRs such as agonism of ERα and antagonism of AR and PR are candidate high-priority end points for further investigation.

Comparative study on transcriptional activity of 17 parabens mediated by estrogen receptor α and β and androgen receptor

The structure-activity relationships of parabens which are widely used as preservatives for transcriptional activities mediated by human estrogen receptor α (hERα), hERβ and androgen receptor (hAR) were investigated. Fourteen of 17 parabens exhibited hERα and/or hERβ agonistic activity at concentrations of ≤ 1 × 10(-5)M, whereas none of the 17 parabens showed AR agonistic or antagonistic activity. Among 12 parabens with linear alkyl chains ranging in length from C₁ to C₁₂, heptylparaben (C₇) and pentylparaben (C₅) showed the most potent ERα and ERβ agonistic activity in the order of 10(-7)M and 10(-8)M, respectively, and the activities decreased in a stepwise manner as the alkyl chain was shortened to C₁ or lengthened to C₁₂. Most parabens showing estrogenic activity exhibited ERβ-agonistic activity at lower concentrations than those inducing ERα-agonistic activity. The estrogenic activity of butylparaben was markedly decreased by incubation with rat liver microsomes, and the decrease of activity was blocked by a carboxylesterase inhibitor. These results indicate that parabens are selective agonists for ERβ over ERα; their interactions with ERα/β are dependent on the size and bulkiness of the alkyl groups; and they are metabolized by carboxylesterases, leading to attenuation of their estrogenic activity.

Significance of aldehyde oxidase during drug development: Effects on drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy

Aldehyde oxidase contributes to drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (PK), and a few clinical studies were discontinued because of aldehyde oxidase metabolism. Its AOX1, AOX3, AOX3L1, and AOX4 isoforms are expressed in mammals, and species differences in expression profiles reflect differences in drug metabolism and PK between animals and humans. Individual differences in aldehyde oxidase activity also influence drug metabolism in humans. Moreover, the reduced solubility of the aldehyde oxidase metabolites may induce drug toxicity. Because various drugs inhibit aldehyde oxidase, assessments of ensuing drug-drug interactions (DDI) are critical for drug optimization. Although drug metabolism, PK, safety, and DDI are important, drugs such as famciclovir and O6-benzylguanine that affect aldehyde oxidase activity in humans have been reported. Recently, various in vitro approaches have been developed to predict PK in humans. However, in vitro studies on aldehyde oxidase may be hampered because of its instability. In contrast, in vivo studies on chimeric mice with humanized livers have also been focused on to predict aldehyde oxidase-mediated metabolism. Additionally, the ratios of N1-methylnicotinamide to metabolites in urinary excretions may represent useful biomarkers of aldehyde oxidase activity in humans. Thus, assessing the contributions of aldehyde oxidase to drug metabolism in humans is necessary.

Metabolism of UV-filter benzophenone-3 by rat and human liver microsomes and its effect on endocrine-disrupting activity

Benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; BP-3) is widely used as sunscreen for protection of human skin and hair from damage by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In this study, we examined the metabolism of BP-3 by rat and human liver microsomes, and the estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities of the metabolites. When BP-3 was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH, 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzophenone (2,4,5-triOH BP) and 3-hydroxylated BP-3 (3-OH BP-3) were newly identified as metabolites, together with previously detected metabolites 5-hydroxylated BP-3 (5-OH BP-3), a 4-desmethylated metabolite (2,4-diOH BP) and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (2,3,4-triOH BP). In studies with recombinant rat cytochrome P450, 3-OH BP-3 and 2,4,5-triOH BP were mainly formed by CYP1A1. BP-3 was also metabolized by human liver microsomes and CYP isoforms. In estrogen reporter (ER) assays using estrogen-responsive CHO cells, 2,4-diOH BP exhibited stronger estrogenic activity, 2,3,4-triOH BP exhibited similar activity, and 5-OH BP-3, 2,4,5-triOH BP and 3-OH BP-3 showed lower activity as compared to BP-3. Structural requirements for activity were investigated in a series of 14 BP-3 derivatives. When BP-3 was incubated with liver microsomes from untreated rats or phenobarbital-, 3-methylcholanthrene-, or acetone-treated rats in the presence of NADPH, estrogenic activity was increased. However, liver microsomes from dexamethasone-treated rats showed decreased estrogenic activity due to formation of inactive 5-OH BP-3 and reduced formation of active 2,4-diOH BP. Anti-androgenic activity of BP-3 was decreased after incubation with liver microsomes.

Predictability of Metabolism of Ibuprofen and Naproxen Using Chimeric Mice with Human Hepatocytes

Prediction of human drug metabolism is important for drug development. Recently, the number of new drug candidates metabolized by not only cytochrome P450 (P450) but also non-P450 has been increasing. It is necessary to consider species differences in drug metabolism between humans and experimental animals. We examined species differences of drug metabolism, especially between humans and rats, for ibuprofen and (S)-naproxen as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are metabolized by P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, sulfotransferase, and amino acid N-acyltransferase for taurine conjugation in liver, using human chimeric mice (h-PXB mice) repopulated with human hepatocytes and rat chimeric mice (r-PXB mice) transplanted with rat hepatocytes. We performed the direct comparison of excretory metabolites in urine between h-PXB mice and reported data for humans as well as between r-PXB mice and rats after administration of ibuprofen and (S)-naproxen. Good agreement for urinary metabolites (percentage of dose) was observed not only between humans and h-PXB mice but also between rats and r-PXB mice. Therefore, the metabolic profiles in humans and rats reflected those in h-PXB mice and r-PXB mice. Our results indicated that h-PXB mice should be helpful for predicting the quantitative metabolic profiles of drugs mediated by P450 and non-P450 in liver, and r-PXB mice should be helpful for evaluation of species differences in these metabolic enzymes.

Comparative study of the hydrolytic metabolism of methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, heptyl- and dodecylparaben by microsomes of various rat and human tissues

Abstract 1.u2002Hydrolytic metabolism of methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, heptyl- and dodecylparaben by various tissue microsomes and plasma of rats, as well as human liver and small-intestinal microsomes, was investigated and the structure–metabolic activity relationship was examined. 2.u2002Rat liver microsomes showed the highest activity toward parabens, followed by small-intestinal and lung microsomes. Butylparaben was most effectively hydrolyzed by the liver microsomes, which showed relatively low hydrolytic activity towards parabens with shorter and longer alkyl side chains. 3.u2002In contrast, small-intestinal microsomes exhibited relatively higher activity toward longer-side-chain parabens, and showed the highest activity towards heptylparaben. 4.u2002Rat lung and skin microsomes showed liver-type substrate specificity. Kidney and pancreas microsomes and plasma of rats showed small-intestinal-type substrate specificity. 5.u2002Liver and small-intestinal microsomal hydrolase activity was completely inhibited by bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate, and could be extracted with Triton X-100. Ces1e and Ces1d isoforms were identified as carboxylesterase isozymes catalyzing paraben hydrolysis by anion exchange column chromatography of Triton X-100 extract from liver microsomes. 6.u2002Ces1e and Ces1d expressed in COS cells exhibited significant hydrolase activities with the same substrate specificity pattern as that of liver microsomes. Small-intestinal carboxylesterase isozymes Ces2a and Ces2c expressed in COS cells showed the same substrate specificity as small-intestinal microsomes, being more active toward longer-alkyl-side-chain parabens. 7.u2002Human liver microsomes showed the highest hydrolytic activity toward methylparaben, while human small-intestinal microsomes showed a broadly similar substrate specificity to rat small-intestinal microsomes. Human CES1 and CES2 isozymes showed the same substrate specificity patterns as human liver and small-intestinal microsomes, respectively.

Structure–activity relationships of 44 halogenated compounds for iodotyrosine deiodinase-inhibitory activity

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of halogenated compounds on thyroid hormone metabolism via inhibition of iodotyrosine deiodinase (IYD) activity. The structure-activity relationships of 44 halogenated compounds for IYD-inhibitory activity were examined in vitro using microsomes of HEK-293 T cells expressing recombinant human IYD. The compounds examined were 17 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 15 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), two agrichemicals, five antiparasitics, two pharmaceuticals and three food colorants. Among them, 25 halogenated phenolic compounds inhibited IYD activity at the concentration of 1×10(-4)M or 6×10(-4)M. Rose bengal was the most potent inhibitor, followed by erythrosine B, phloxine B, benzbromarone, 4-hydroxy-2,2,4-tribromodiphenyl ether, 4-hydroxy-2,3,3,4-tetrabromodiphenyl ether, 4-hydroxy-2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobiphenyl, 4-hydroxy-2,2,4,5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether, triclosan, and 4-hydroxy-2,2,3,4,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether. However, among PCBs and PBDEs without a hydroxyl group, including their methoxylated metabolites, none inhibited IYD activity. These results suggest that halogenated compounds may disturb thyroid hormone homeostasis via inhibition of IYD, and that the structural requirements for IYD-inhibitory activity include halogen atom and hydroxyl group substitution on a phenyl ring.

Predictability of plasma concentration–time curves in humans using single-species allometric scaling of chimeric mice with humanized liver

Abstract 1.u2002We used chimeric mice (PXB mice®), which were repopulated with human hepatocytes, to evaluate their predictabilities of human pharmacokinetics. 2.u2002The relationships of total clearance (CLt) and the volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) between that predicted from single-species allometric scaling (SSS) of PXB mice and the observed human values indicated good correlations for various drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and non-CYPs. 3.u2002We examined the Dedrick plot with which the plasma concentration–time curves can exhibit superimposability using SSS of PXB mice for CLt and Vdss. The predicted plasma concentration–time curves using the complex Dedrick plot from PXB mice were generally superimposed with the observed human data. 4.u2002However, the predicted curve of diazepam was not superimposable with the observed profile. Residual mouse hepatocytes in the livers of PXB mice may affect predictability of CLt of diazepam because significant discrepancy of in vitro intrinsic clearance in PXB mouse liver microsomes consisted of low and high replacement of human hepatocytes were observed. 5.u2002The complex Dedrick plot with SSS from PXB mice is useful for predicting the plasma concentration–time curve in drug discovery, although there are some limitations.