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Lapatinib (LAP) is an anticancer drug, which is metabolized to the N‐ and O‐dealkylated products (N‐LAP and O‐LAP, respectively). In view of the photosensitizing potential of related drugs, a complete experimental and theoretical study has been performed on LAP, N‐LAP and O‐LAP, both in solution and upon complexation with human serum albumin (HSA). In organic solvents, coplanar locally excited (LE) emissive states are generated; they rapidly evolve towards twisted intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) states. By contrast, within HSA only LE states are detected. Accordingly, femtosecond transient absorption reveals a very fast switching (ca. 2 ps) from LE (λmax=550 nm) to ICT states (λmax=480 nm) in solution, whereas within HSA the LE species become stabilized and live much longer (up to the ns scale). Interestingly, molecular dynamics simulation studies confirm that the coplanar orientation is preferred for LAP (or to a lesser extent N‐LAP) within HSA, explaining the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metamizole is a pain-killer drug that has been banned in some countries because of its toxicity, but it is still used in many countries due to its effective analgesic and antispasmodic properties. Although large variability in the biodisposition and adverse effects of metamizole are known, factors underlying this variability are poorly understood. We analyzed the urinary recovery of metabolites, as well as the association of these profiles with genetic and non-genetic factors, in a group of 362 healthy individuals. Gender and functional polymorphisms are strongly related to metabolic profiles. N -demethylation of the active metabolite MAA is diminished in carriers of the CYP2C19*2 allele and in NAT2 -slow acetylators. Acetylation of the secondary metabolite AA is decreased in men, in drinkers and in NAT2-slow acetylators with a differential effect of NAT2*5 and NAT2*6 alleles. The formylation of MAA is diminished in older subjects and in carriers of defect CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 alleles. Two novel arachidonoyl metabolites were identified for the first time in humans. Women and NAT2-slow acetylators show higher concentrations, whereas the presence of the rapid CYP2C19*17 allele is associated with lower concentrations of these metabolites. All genetic associations show a gene-dose effect. We identified for the first time genetic and non-genetic factors related to the oxidative metabolism of analgesic drug metamizole, as well as new active metabolites in humans. The phenotypic and genetic factors identified in this study have a potential application as biomarkers of metamizole biotransformation and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photooxygenation of model compounds containing the two enantiomers of naproxen (NPX) covalently linked to histidine (His), tryptophan (Trp) and tyrosine (Tyr) has been investigated by steady state irradiation, fluorescence spectroscopy and laser flash photolysis. The NPX–His systems presented the highest oxygen-mediated photoreactivity. Their fluorescence spectra matched that of isolated NPX and showed a clear quenching by oxygen, leading to a diminished production of the NPX triplet excited state (3NPX*–His). Analysis of the NPX–His and NPX–Trp photolysates by UPLC-MS–MS revealed in both cases the formation of two photoproducts, arising from the reaction of singlet oxygen (1O2) with the amino acid moiety. The most remarkable feature of NPX–Trp systems was a fast and stereoselective intramolecular fluorescence quenching, which prevented the efficient formation of 3NPX*–Trp, thus explaining their lower reactivity towards photooxygenation. Finally, the NPX–Tyr systems were nearly unreactive and exhibited photophysical properties essentially coincident with those of the parent NPX. Overall, these results point to a type II photooxygenation mechanism, triggered by generation of 1O2 from the 3NPX* chromophore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown how chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarisation (CIDNP) spectroscopy is able to efficiently complement electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), when molecular transformations of free radical pairs are investigated. This is demonstrated in three examples of modelling biologically relevant phenomena, particularly oxidative stress and antioxidant activity. Lipid peroxidation, topological control in the oxidation of cholesterol, and a mechanistic study of antioxidant activity of natural tea and wine polyphenols are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are photoreactive drugs, but it is not known whether laboratory light exposure can influence the induction of photoproducts and modify in vitro test results. The basophil activation test (BAT) has proven to be useful for evaluating immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity to FQs, with a higher percentage of positive responders with ciprofloxacin (CIP) than with moxifloxacin (MOX). We studied the effect of laboratory light on CIP and MOX degradation, and drug-protein conjugate formation, and its influence on the BAT for evaluating IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to FQs. The results showed an important decrease in fluorescence emission intensity under light compared to dark conditions for MOX, and that BAT positivity was lower in light (17.9%) than in dark (35.7%) conditions. No changes were found for CIP in either fluorescence emission intensity or BAT results (46.4% in both conditions). We can conclude that light exposure is a critical factor in BAT results when photolabile drugs like MOX are used. Therefore, light is important when interpreting in vitro results. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of triplet eximers of 6-fluoro-7-piperazinyl-quinolone-3-carboxylicacids (FQs) have been detected in aqueous media using laser flashphotolysis (LFP). These transient species (SS) are generated by self-quenchingreactions of FQ triplet excited states such as pefloxacin (PFX), norfloxacin(NFX), the N-acetylated form of NFX (ANFX), and itsmethyl ester (EANFX) with their ground states. In this context, self-quenchingrate constants in the range of (1–7) × 108M–1s–1were determined. The tripletexcimers show transient absorption spectra with λmaxca. 710 nm for SSNFX, 740 nm for SSPFX, and620 nm for SSANFXand EANFX, which are red-shifted with respect to their predecessors tripletexcited states. These excimers can be also observed in the presenceof phosphate buffer (PB). Experiments performed with NFX and ANFXat different PB concentrations showed that deprotonation processesare not involved in the generation of SS. The triplet multiplicityof the FQ excimers was confirmed by energy transfer reactions withnaproxen. The correlation between fluorescence, intersystem crossing,excimer and photodegradation quantum yields of (A)NFX indicated thatFQ self-quenching reactions are mainly a deactivation pathway. Onthe other hand, generation of FQ radical anions absorbing at λmaxca. 620 nm has been observed by an efficient electron transferreaction from Trp to NFX, PFX, and ANFX (rate constants ca. 1 ×109M–1s–1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen abstraction from the C-7 position of cholesterol (Ch) by triplet excited benzophenone (BZP) exhibits remarkable solvent-dependence in product studies. Kinetic measurements on the intramolecular version of the process in dyads containing covalently linked Ch and BZP units reveal important solvent effects and significant stereodifferentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A common tool for investigating the specific distribution of a ligand between different protein microenvironments is the use of displacement probes, which force the ligand to move from one to another site or from the protein to the bulk aqueous solution. Open problems associated with this methodology are the possibility of two different molecules sharing the same site and the potential appearance of allosteric effects. A possible approach to address these issues could be based on the use of two different singlet excited states, together with the corresponding triplets, acting as reporters. As a first step towards the development of this concept, we have synthesized two model diastereomeric dyads containing covalently linked flurbiprofen (FBP) and carprofen (CPF) moieties and studied their photophysical and photochemical behaviour, looking for spectroscopically detectable excited state interactions between the two chromophores. The main deactivation processes that take place upon excitation of dyads (R,R)-FBP–CPF and (S,R)-FBP–CPF are the following: initial excitation at 266nm leads to the first singlet excited states of both subunits. Singlet–singlet energy transfer (SSET) from 1FBP* to CPF is thermodynamically allowed and indeed it appears to take place very efficiently. Radiative deactivation of 1CPF* is followed by intersystem crossing (ISC) and triplet–triplet energy transfer (TTET) from 3CPF* to FBP, which is also downhill in energy. The final step corresponds to deactivation of 3FBP* to the ground state. In connection with the possibility of making use of the photophysical properties of FBP and CPF to investigate drug–drug interactions in protein binding studies, the most clear-cut conclusions are the following: (a) if the two drugs are within the same protein molecule (irrespective of the site) the only detectable emission will likely correspond to CPF, as its excited singlet is lower in energy, and SSET via the Förster mechanism is feasible, and (b) the transient triplet–triplet absorptions corresponding to the two chromophores are in principle detectable by laser flash photolysis; however, if the two drugs share the same binding site of a protein only the FBP triplet will be observed, as TTET occurs via the Dexter mechanism, which can only operate at very short distances. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New 8-(het)aryltetrahydroisoquinolines ( 10–14 ), 8-aryltetrahydroisoquinolin-4-ols ( 15 , 16 ), and 8-phenylisoquinolin-4-ol ( 17 ), flexible analogues of aporphine, were synthesized in good yields using palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions from 8-bromotetrahydroisoquinolin-4-one ( 6 ) as a common intermediate. We also describe the synthesis of this novel intermediate through an easy and efficient method, which involved intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We describe the preparation in a ‘one-pot’ sequence 1-cyclohexylmethyl 7,8-dioxygenated tetrahydroisoquinoline, substituted and unsubstituted in the C ring by application of the Photo–Fries transposition, followed by a tandem reduction–cyclization and further reduction. Indeed, we have accomplished for the first time regioselective hydrogenation of the benzylic ring of the tetrahydroisoquinoline systems. All 1-cyclohexylmethyl THIQ synthesized were able to displace D2 dopamine receptor from its specific binding site in rat striatal membranes, while the N-methylated derivatives showed also affinity for D1 dopamine receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of potent antitumor α-keto-imine BDHIQ derivatives were synthesized and assayed in vitro against L1210 leukemia cell line. A new and easy method for the direct formation of α-keto-imine from imine BDHIQ''s was performed with 10% C/Pd in acetonitrile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rucaparib (RCP) is a potent selective inhibitor of both PARP-1 and PARP-2 enzymes that induces synthetic lethality in cancer cells. It is used for the treatment of breast and ovarian tumors harboring deleterious germline or somatic cancer susceptibility genes mutations. Although RCP has an indole chromophore in its structure, it displays a bathochromic shift of the absorption band towards the UVA region of sunlight, thus extending the active fraction of solar light able to produce photosensitivity reactions. In this context, it is highly interesting to study the photo(geno)toxicity disorders associated with this drug, bearing in mind that, for dermatologists it is crucial to understand the toxicity mechanism to improve clinical management. In the present work, RCP has shown to be potentially phototoxic, as observed in the neutral red uptake phototoxicity test. Moreover, this significant phototoxicity is attributed to both proteins and genomic DNA, as revealed in the protein photooxidation and comet assays. The results obtained are highly relevant concerning RCP photosafety and become clinically important in the context of identification of the cutaneous adverse events that can be associated with the targeted therapies. Interestingly, this is the first example of a PARP inhibitor able to induce photosensitized damage to biomolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Talazoparib (TLZ) is a poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerase inhibitor employed for the treatment of breast cancer. This drug displays an absorption band in the UVA region, and therefore investigation of the possible phototoxic side-effects associated to its administration results of enormous relevance. In this context, we describe here a photochemical and photobiological study to ascertain the photosafety profile of TLZ. Concerning transient species, the singlet and triplet excited states of TLZ were detected by fluorescence (λ max em = 440 nm) and laser flash photolysis experiments (λ max abs = 400 nm), respectively. Remarkably, TLZ irradiation with UVA light in aqueous solution resulted in formation of a stable photooxidated product, TLZ-P, whose absorption band is extended until the visible region. From in vitro experiments, phototoxicity was revealed for the parent drug by neutral red uptake (NRU) assays, with a PIF value of ca 7; besides, TLZ induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and produced significant damage to both proteins and DNA. By contrast, the singlet and triplet excited states of TLZ-P were not detected, and no photodamage was observed in the NRU experiments. Overall, the results indicate that TLZ induces phototoxicity, whereas its photoproduct exhibits photosafety. [Display omitted] • Upon UVA irradiation, talazoparib leads to a non-reactive photoproduct. • Neutral red uptake assay of talazoparib reveals that the drug is phototoxic. • Talazoparib induces protein photooxidation. • Reactive oxygen species within cells are detected by fluorescence microscopy. • Non-reversible photodamage to cellular DNA is confirmed by comet assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The covalent binding of β-lactams to proteins upon photochemical activation has been demonstrated by using an integrated approach that combines photochemical, proteomic and computational studies, selecting human serum albumin (HSA) as a target protein and ezetimibe ( 1) as a probe. The results have revealed a novel protein haptenation pathway for this family of drugs that is an alternative to the known nucleophilic ring opening of β-lactams by the free amino group of lysine residues. Thus, photochemical ring splitting of the β-lactam ring, following a formal retro-Staudinger reaction, gives a highly reactive ketene intermediate that is trapped by the neighbouring lysine residues, leading to an amide adduct. For the investigated 1/HSA system, covalent modification of residues Lys414 and Lys525, which are located in sub-domains IIIA and IIIB, respectively, occurs. The observed photobinding may constitute the key step in the sequence of events leading to photoallergy. Docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies provide an insight into the molecular basis of the selectivity of 1 for these HSA sub-domains and the covalent modification mechanism. Computational studies also reveal positive cooperative binding of sub-domain IIIB that explains the experimentally observed modification of Lys414, which is located in a barely accessible pocket (sub-domain IIIA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C, a liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), is treated with antiviral drugs. In this context, simeprevir (SIM) is an NS3/4A protease inhibitor used in HCV genotypes 1 and 4. It is orally administered and achieves high virological cure rates. Among adverse reactions associated with SIM treatment, photosensitivity reactions have been reported. In the present work, it is clearly shown that SIM is markedly phototoxic, according to the in vitro NRU assay using BALB/c 3T3 mouse fibroblast. This result sheds light on the nature of the photosensitivity reactions induced by SIM in HCV patients, suggesting that porphyrin elevation in patients treated with SIM may not be the only mechanism responsible for SIM-associated photosensitivity. Moreover, lipid photoperoxidation and protein photooxidation assays, using human skin fibroblasts (FSK) and human serum albumin (HSA), respectively, reveal the capability of this drug to promote photodamage to cellular membranes. Also, DNA photo lesions induced by SIM are noticed through comet assay in FSK cells. Photochemical and photobiological studies on the mechanism of SIM-mediated photodamage to biomolecules indicate that the key transient species generated upon SIM irradiation is the triplet excited state. This species is efficiently quenched by oxygen giving rise to singlet oxygen, which is responsible for the oxidation of lipids and DNA (Type II mechanism). In the presence of HSA, the photobehavior is dominated by binding to site 3 of the protein, to give a stable SIM@HSA complex. Inside the complex, quenching of the triplet excited state is less efficient, which results in a longer triplet lifetime and in a decreased singlet oxygen formation. Hence, SIM-mediated photooxidation of the protein is better explained through a radical (Type I) mechanism. [Display omitted] • Simeprevir is photo(geno)toxic to cells as revealed by the 3T3 NRU and comet assays. • Simeprevir is an efficient photosensitizer for singlet oxygen formation. • Photosensitization of lipids and DNA by simeprevir proceeds via Type II mechanism. • Binding of simeprevir to HSA leading to 1:1 complex, occurs at site 3 of the protein. • Simeprevir-mediated photooxidation of proteins takes place by a Type I mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the seventh known human coronavirus, and it was identified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in 2020. It caused the highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. A great number of studies in the search of new therapies and vaccines have been carried out in these three long years, producing a series of successes; however, the need for more effective vaccines, therapies and other solutions is still being pursued. This review represents a tracking shot of the current pharmacological therapies used for the treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photophysical and photochemical behavior of ( R )-cinacalcet (CIN) and ( S )-naproxen (NPX) entrapped within liposomes has been studied. For this purpose, liposome encapsulated drugs have been prepared through thin layer evaporation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, cryoscopy scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Steady state and time-resolved fluorescence experiments showed similar spectra, emission quantum yields, singlet energies and lifetimes for the selected drugs, outside and inside liposomes. By contrast, laser flash photolysis experiments revealed an important enhancement of the triplet lifetimes for entrapped drugs inside liposomes, indicating the spatial confinement existing in the microenvironment prevailing in these biomimetic entities. Thus, this photophysical property shows potential as a non-invasive, direct and valuable tool to monitor encapsulation of photoactive drugs and to probe the intraliposome environment. In addition, it provides a new quantitative indicator of the capability of liposomes to act as drug carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New photoactive dyads have been synthesized by derivatization of cholic acid (CA) or cholesterol (Ch). These compounds have proven to be efficient tools to monitor incorporation of CA and Ch to mixed micelles (MM) and to probe the microenvironment experienced inside these entities. The outstanding capability of MM to solubilize Ch has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two enantiomers of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatorydrug naproxenand of its methyl ester have been selected as representative probeswith markedly different hydrophobicity to assess the potential ofcholic acid aggregates as drug carriers by means of photophysicaltechniques. The different distribution of the probes between bulksolution and aggregates has been assessed by quenching of their singletand triplet excited states by iodide and nitrite anions, respectively.This straightforward photophysical methodology can, in principle,be extended to a variety of drugs containing a photoactive chromophore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An in depth study on photodegradation of barnidipine, a new 1,4-dihydropyridine antihypertensive drug, was performed by exposing the drug to natural and stressing light irradiation. A different degradation process and distribution of photoproducts under different light sources and irradiation power were demonstrated. Degradation kinetics, reactive excited states involved, transient species and photoproducts generated were investigated. Exposure of barnidipine to forced irradiation caused a complex degradation pathway. Kinetics of this process was studied by HPLC and spectrophotometry, demonstrating the formation of several by-products. In contrast, the drug, under direct or indirect sunlight, underwent oxidation generating the pyridine derivative as the main photodegradation product, according to most of the drug congeners. HPLC and derivative spectrophotometric methods were defined for the simultaneous assay of the drug and its pyridinic by-product, useful as a routine control method of the drug formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epidermal growth factor receptors EGFR and HER2 are the main targets for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The quinazoline derivative lapatinib (LAP) is used since 2007 as dual TKI in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and currently, it is used as an oral anticancer drug for the treatment of solid tumors such as breast and lung cancer. Although hepatotoxicity is its main side effect, it makes sense to investigate the ability of LAP to induce photosensitivity reactions bearing in mind that BRAF (serine/threonine-protein kinase B-Raf) inhibitors display a considerable phototoxic potential and that afloqualone, a quinazoline-marketed drug, causes photodermatosis. Metabolic bioactivation of LAP by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 leads to chemically reactive N-dealkylated (N-LAP) and O-dealkylated (O-LAP) derivatives. In this context, the aim of the present work is to explore whether LAP and its N- and O-dealkylated metabolites can induce photosensitivity disorders by evaluating their photo(geno)toxicity through in vitro studies, including cell viability as well as photosensitized protein and DNA damage. As a matter of fact, our work has demonstrated that not only LAP, but also its metabolite N-LAP have a clear photosensitizing potential. They are both phototoxic and photogenotoxic to cells, as revealed by the 3T3 NRU assay and the comet assay, respectively. By contrast, the O-LAP does not display relevant photobiological properties. Remarkably, the parent drug LAP shows the highest activity in membrane phototoxicity and protein oxidation, whereas N-LAP is associated with the highest photogenotoxicity, through oxidation of purine bases, as revealed by detection of 8-Oxo-dG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human genome is constantly attacked by endogenous and exogenous agents (ultraviolet light, xenobiotics, reactive oxygen species), which can induce chemical transformations leading to DNA lesions. To combat DNA damage, cells have developed several repair mechanisms; however, if the repair is defective, DNA lesions lead to permanent mutations. Single-cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay) is a sensitive and well-established technique for quantifying DNA damage in individual cells. Nevertheless, this tool lacks relationship with mutagenesis. Therefore, to identify errors that give rise to mutations it would be convenient to test an alternative known procedure, such as next generation sequencing (NGS). Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the photomutagenicity of neuroleptic drug chlorpromazine (CPZ), and its N-demethylated metabolites using COMET assay and to test NGS as an alternative method to assess photomutagenesis. In this context, upon exposure to UVA radiation, COMET assay reveals CPZ-photosensitized DNA damage partially repaired by cells. Conversely with this result, metabolites demethylchlorpromazine (DMCPZ) and didemethylchlorpromazine (DDMCPZ) promote extensive DNA-photodamage, hardly repaired under the same conditions. Parallel assessment of mutagenesis by NGS is consistent with these results with minor discrepancies for DDMCPZ. To our knowledge, this is the first example demonstrating the utility of NGS for evaluating drug-induced photomutagenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phototoxic effects of 6,8 dihalogenated quinolones confers to this type of molecules a potential property as photochemotherapeutic agents. Two photodehalogenation processes seem to be involved in the remarkable photoinduced cellular damage. In this context, a new 6,8 dihalogenated quinolone 1 (1-methyl-6,8-difluoro-4-oxo-7-aminodimethyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid) was synthetized looking for improving the phototoxic properties of fluoroquinolones (FQ) and to determine the role of the photodegradation pathways in the FQ phototoxicity. With this purpose, fluorescence emissions, laser flash photolysis experiments and photodegradation studies were performed with compound 1 using 1-ethyl-6,8-difluoro-4-oxo-7-aminodimethyl-1,4-dihidroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (2) and lomefloxacin (LFX) as reference compounds. The shortening of alkyl chain of the N(1) of the quinolone ring revealed a lifetime increase of the reactive aryl cation generated from photolysis of the three FQ and a significant reduction of the FQ photodegradation quantum yield. The fact that these differences were smaller when the same study was done using a hydrogen donor solvent (ethanol-aqueous buffer, 50/50 v/v) evidenced the highest ability of the reactive intermediate arising from 1 to produce intermolecular alkylations. These results were correlated with in vitro 3T3 NRU phototoxicity test. Thus, when Photo-Irritation-Factor (PIF) was determined for 1 , 2 and LFX using cytotoxicity profiles of BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts treated with each compound in the presence and absence of UVA light, a PIF more higher than 30 was obtained for 1 while the values for 2 and LFX were only higher than 8 and 10, respectively. Thereby, the present study illustrates an approach to modulate the photosensitizing properties of FQ with the purpose to improve the chemotherapeutic properties of antitumor quinolones. Moreover, the results obtained in this study also evidence that the key pathway responsible for the phototoxic properties associated with dihalogenated quinolones is the aryl cation generation. Image 1 • The reduction in the length of the N(1)-alkyl chain of fluoroquinolones produces an increase in their phototoxicity. • A phototoxicity enhancement is produced by the lack reactivity of a carbene intermediate with its N(1)-methyl substituent. • Photodehalogenation of fluoroquinolones in bulk water is the main pathway involved in the phototoxic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diclofenac (DCF) can cause adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular disorders; therefore, topical administration may be an attractive alternative to the management of local pain in order to avoid these side effects. However, previous studies have shown that DCF, in combination with sunlight, displays capability to induce photosensitivity disorders. In humans, DCF is biotransformed into hydroxylated metabolites at positions 4′ and 5 (4′OH-DCF and 5OH-DCF), and this chemical change produces non negligible alterations of the drug chromophore, resulting in a significant modification of its light-absorbing properties. In the present work, 5OH-DCF exhibited higher photo(geno)toxic potential than the parent drug, as shown by several in vitro assays (3T3 NRU phototoxicity, DNA ssb gel electrophoresis and COMET), whereas 4′OH-DCF did not display significant photo(geno)toxicity. This could be associated, at least partially with their more efficient UV-light absorption by 5OH-DCF metabolite and with a higher photoreactivity. Interestingly, most of the cellular DNA damage photosensitized by DCF and 5OH-DCF was repaired by the cells after several hours, although this effect was not complete in the case of 5OH-DCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singlet oxygen photosensitization (studied by time-resolved near-infrared emission spectroscopy) and in vitro phototoxicity (by means of the 3T3 neutral red uptake assay) have been investigated for the prodrugs fenofibrate ( FFB), mycophenolate mofetil ( MMP), and trifusal ( TFS) as well as for their active metabolites fenofibric acid ( FFA), mycophenolic acid ( MPA), and 2-hydroxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid ( HTB). The results show that FFB and its active metabolite FFA generate 1O2 with a quantum yield in the range 0.30 to 0.40 and show a photo-irritation factor (PIF) higher than 40. By contrast, MMP/ MPA and TFS/ HTB are not photoactive in the used assays. These results correlate well with the previously reported in vivo phototoxicity in treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is an anti-psychotic drug widely used to treat disorders such as schizophrenia or manic-depression. Unfortunately, CPZ exhibits undesirable side effects such as phototoxic and photoallergic reactions in humans. In general, the influence of drug metabolism on this type of reactions has not been previously considered in photosafety testing. Thus, the present work aims to investigate the possible photo(geno)toxic potential of drug metabolites, using CPZ as an established reference compound. In this case, the metabolites selected for the study are demethylchlorpromazine (DMCPZ), didemethylchlorpromazine (DDMCPZ) and chlorpromazine sulfoxide (CPZSO). The demethylated CPZ metabolites DMCPZ and DDMCPZ maintain identical chromophore to the parent drug. In this work, it has been found that the nature of the aminoalkyl side chain modulates the hydrophobicity and the photochemical properties (for instance, the excited state lifetimes), but it does not change the photoreactivity pattern, which is characterized by reductive photodehalogenation, triggered by homolytic carbon-chlorine bond cleavage with formation of highly reactive aryl radical intermediates. Accordingly, these metabolites are phototoxic to cells, as revealed by the 3T3 NRU assay; their photo-irritation factors are even higher than that of CPZ. The same trend is observed in photogenotoxicity studies, both with isolated and with cellular DNA, where DMCPZ and DDMCPZ are more active than CPZ itself. In summary, side-chain demethylation of CPZ, as a consequence of Phase I biotransformation, does not result a photodetoxification. Instead, it leads to metabolites that exhibit in an even enhanced photo(geno)toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For SIT, PIF value is below 2; indicating that neither UVA radiation nor sunlight affect the toxicity of the compound, and therefore, according to the OECD Guideline,[10] SIT cannot be considered a phototoxic drug. The probability that SIT could have triggered cutaneous lupus in the patient is low because the lesions did not resolve after SIT discontinuation and no case has been reported in the literature related to SIT-induced lupus. Due to both the clinical evaluation of our patient, and the I in vitro i and complementary tests carried out, we have reasonable evidence supporting that SIT is not capable of triggering photosensitivity reactions. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Pyrazolones are the most common causes of selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) hypersensitivity. We studied a large group of patients with immediate and delayed selective responses to metamizole. Methods: Patients with suspicion of hypersensitivity to metamizole were evaluated. We verified acetylsalicylic acid tolerance and classified patients as immediate or delayed responders if they showed symptoms less or more than 24 h after metamizole administration. Skin tests were performed and if negative, a basophil activation test (BAT) was performed on immediate responders. If it was negative, we performed a drug provocation test (DPT) with metamizole. Results: A total of 137 patients were included: 132 reacted within 24 h (single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/ anaphylaxis; SNIUAA) and 5 after 24 h (single NSAID-induced delayed hypersensitivity reaction; SNIDHR). Most SNIUAA patients developed anaphylaxis (60.60%); for SNIDHR, maculopapular exanthema was the most frequent entity (60%). Skin testing was positive in 62.04% of all cases and BAT in 28% of the SNIUAA patients with negative skin tests. In 5.1% of the cases, DPT with metamizole was needed to establish the diagnosis. In 22.62% of the cases, diagnosis was established by consistent and unequivocal history of repeated allergic episodes in spite of a negative skin test and BAT. Conclusions: SNIUAA to metamizole is the most frequent type of selective NSAID hypersensitivity, with anaphylaxis being the most common clinical entity. It may occur within 1 h after drug intake. SNIDHR occurs in a very low percentage of cases. The low sensitivity of diagnostic tests may be due to incomplete characterization of the chemical structures of metamizole and its metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel diastereomeric triads containing two naphthalene chromophores have been designed in which an electron-donating amine moiety is covalently integrated into the connecting bridge. Photophysical studies (steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence) in solvents of different polarity have been performed. A remarkable stereodifferentiation in the intramolecular fluorescence quenching was found in acetonitrile. Laser flash photolysis gave rise to naphthalene-derived radical cations, which were also quenched by the amine with an even higher degree of stereodifferentiation. The results are in agreement with thermodynamic estimations and indicate that photoinduced electron transfer (PET) is the main quenching pathway. Furthermore, theoretical calculations have allowed us to explain the experimentally observed stereodifferentiation in PET quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photophysical techniques, specificallytime-resolved fluorescenceand laser flash photolysis, have proven to be noninvasive, straightforward,and valuable tools to demonstrate how drug encapsulation into biomimeticmixed micelles (MM) influences the dynamics of excited states andtheir accessibility to ionic quenchers. This concept has been illustratedby choosing a set of currently administered drugs containing a commonnaphthalene chromophore, namely, (S)-naproxen andits methyl ester, (R)-cinacalcet and (S)-propranolol. A remarkable increase of their triplet lifetimes isnoticed when experiments are performed in MM, indicating efficiententrapment of the drugs in these supramolecular entities. Furthermore,a decrease of 1 order of magnitude in the quenching rate constantof the singlet and triplet excited states (by iodide or nitrite, respectively)is observed upon encapsulation into MM. This approach can in principlebe extended to other microenvironments capable of incorporating photoactivecompounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient absorption spectroscopy in combination with in silico methods has been employed to study the interactions between human serum albumin (HSA) and the anti-psychotic agent chlorpromazine (CPZ) as well as its two demethylated metabolites (MCPZ and DCPZ). Thus, solutions containing CPZ , MCPZ or DCPZ and HSA (molar ligand:protein ratios between 1:0 and 1:3) were submitted to laser flash photolysis and the ΔA max value at λ = 470 nm, corresponding to the triplet excited state, was monitored. In all cases, the protein-bound ligand exhibited higher ΔAmax values measured after the laser pulse and were also considerably longer-lived than the non-complexed forms. This is in agreement with an enhanced hydrophilicity of the metabolites, due to the replacement of methyl groups with H that led to a lower extent of protein binding. For the three compounds, laser flash photolysis displacement experiments using warfarin or ibuprofen indicated Sudlow site I as the main binding site. Docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that the binding mode of the two demethylated ligands with HSA would be remarkable different from CPZ , specially for DCPZ , which appears to come from the different ability of their terminal ammonium groups to stablish hydrogen bonding interactions with the negatively charged residues within the protein pocket (Glu153, Glu292) as well as to allocate the methyl groups in an apolar environment. DCPZ would be rotated 180° in relation to CPZ locating the aromatic ring away from the Sudlow site I of HSA. Image 1 • The triplet decay allows discrimination between free and protein-bound metabolites. • Binding of metabolites to HSA is remarkably different from that of the parent drug. • Computational studies support HSA binding of chlorpromazine metabolites to site I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Benzopyran-4-one, dihydrobenzopyran or benzopyran-4-ol derivatives were synthetized. • Four benzopyran-4-ones and three dihydrobenzopyrans activated hPPARα. • A chlorinated benzopyran-4-one with C-5 alkyl side chain activated hPPARγ. • Benzopyran nucleus and the length of side chain play a key role in PPAR activation. We describe the synthesis of 26 compounds, small polycerasoidol analogs, that are Lipinski's rule-of-five compliant. In order to confirm key structural features to activate PPARα and/or PPARγ, we have adopted structural modifications in the following parts: (i) the benzopyran core (hydrophobic nucleus) by benzopyran-4-one, dihydrobenzopyran or benzopyran-4-ol; (ii) the side chain at 2-position by shortening to C3, C4 and C5-carbons versus C-9-carbons of polycerasoidol; (iii) the carboxylic group (polar head) by oxygenated groups (hydroxyl, acetoxy, epoxide, ester, aldehyde) or non-oxygenated motifs (allyl and alkyl). Benzopyran-4-ones 6 , 12 , 13 and 17 as well as dihydrobenzopyrans 22, 24 and 25 were able to activate hPPARα, whereas benzopyran-4-one (7) with C5-carbons in the side chain exhibited hPPARγ agonism. According to our previous docking studies, SAR confirm that the hydrophobic nucleus (benzopyran-4-one or dihydrobenzopyran) is essential to activate PPARα and/or PPARγ, and the flexible linker (side alkyl chain) should containg at least C5-carbon atoms to activate PPARγ. By contrast, the polar head ("carboxylic group") tolerated several oxygenated groups but also non-oxygenated motifs. Taking into account these key structural features, small polycerasoidol analogs might provide potential active molecules useful in the treatment of dyslipidemia and/or type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amoxicillin, a low-molecular-weight compound, is able to interact with dendritic cells inducing semi-maturation in vitro. Specific antigens and TLR ligands can synergistically interact with dendritic cells (DC), leading to complete maturation and more efficient T-cell stimulation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of amoxicillin and the TLR2, 4 and 7/8 agonists (PAM, LPS and R848, respectively) in TLR expression, DC maturation and specific T-cell response in patients with delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to amoxicillin. Monocyte-derived DC from 15 patients with DTH to amoxicillin and 15 controls were cultured with amoxicillin in the presence or absence of TLR2, 4 and 7/8 agonists (PAM, LPS and R848, respectively). We studied TLR1-9 gene expression by RT-qPCR, and DC maturation, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production by flow cytometry. DC from both patients and controls expressed all TLRs except TLR9. The amoxicillin plus TLR2/4 or TLR7/8 ligands showed significant differences, mainly in patients: AX+PAM+LPS induced a decrease in TLR2 and AX+R848 in TLR2, 4, 7 and 8 mRNA levels. AX+PAM+LPS significantly increased the percentage of maturation in patients (75%) vs. controls (40%) (p=0.036) and T-cell proliferation (80.7% vs. 27.3% of cases; p=0.001). Moreover, the combinations AX+PAM+LPS and AX+R848 produced a significant increase in IL-12p70 during both DC maturation and T-cell proliferation. These results indicate that in amoxicillin-induced maculopapular exanthema, the presence of different TLR agonists could be critical for the induction of the innate and adaptive immune responses and this should be taken into account when evaluating allergic reactions to these drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]