Search

Understanding compound metabolism in early drug discovery aids medicinal chemistry in designing molecules with improved safety and ADME properties. While advancements in metabolite prediction brings increased confidence, structural decisions require experimental data.

Purpose Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is a volatile but powerful explosive that appeals to terrorists due to its ease of synthesis from household items. For this reason, bomb squad, canine (K9) units, and scientists must work with this material to mitigate this threat. However, no information on the metabolism of TATP is available. Methods In vitro experiments using human liver microsomes and recombinant enzymes were performed on TATP and TATP-OH for metabolite identification and enzyme phenotyping. Enzyme kinetics for TATP hydroxylation were also investigated. Urine from laboratory personnel collected before and after working with TATP was analyzed for TATP and its metabolites. Results While experiments with flavin monooxygenases were inconclusive, those with recombinant cytochrome P450s (CYPs) strongly suggested that CYP2B6 was the principle enzyme responsible for TATP hydroxylation. TATP-O-glucuronide was also identified and incubations with recombinant uridine diphosphoglucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) indicated that UGT2B7 catalyzes this reaction. Michaelis–Menten kinetics were determined for TATP hydroxylation, with Km = 1.4 µM and Vmax = 8.7 nmol/min/nmol CYP2B6. TATP-O-glucuronide was present in the urine of all three volunteers after being exposed to TATP vapors showing good in vivo correlation to in vitro data. TATP and TATP-OH were not observed. Conclusions Since scientists working to characterize and detect TATP to prevent terrorist attacks are constantly exposed to this volatile compound, attention should be paid to its metabolism. This paper is the first to elucidate some exposure, metabolism and excretion of TATP in humans and to identify a marker of TATP exposure, TATP-O-glucuronide in urine.

This work is performed to determine if there is a potential for the accumulation and potential toxicity of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in canines. Additional utility of this information may suggest human toxicity and possibly detection of biomarkers, metabolites or intact molecule of those using this material for nefarious reasons. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of dog liver microsome (DLM) incubation samples of TATP was used to measure substrate depletion. Trapping of electrophilic products was performed using glutathione (GSH) and semicarbazide. Comparisons were made to free hydroperoxides found in methyl ethyl ketone peroxides (MEKP). The non-specific Km value of 2.2 μM and a Vmax of 1.1 nmol/min/mg of protein were determined. Canine recombinant cytochrome P450 (rCYP) 2B11 with human cytochrome b5 was found to catalyze the NADPH-dependent metabolism of TATP into its only phase I metabolite, hydroxy-TATP (TATP-OH). No secondary metabolite(s) or degraded products were detected or trapped from microsomal incubations. MEKP subjected to similar conditions was found to undergo significant metabolism, semicarbazide trapping and rapid oxidation of GSH to GSSG. The synthesized TATP-OH metabolite incubated in DLM progressed three times faster than TATP metabolism with no secondary metabolites found or trapped. TATP does not react as MEKP suggesting that TATP does not ring-open to form hydroperoxides. TATP and TATP-OH compete for the same enzyme, with TATP dominating this competition. Failure to detect additional metabolite(s) suggests they may be too small to detect by our system or bound covalently to a protein or polymer in the incubation reaction.

Our efforts to lower the detection limits of hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) have uncovered previously unreported gas-phase reactions of primary and secondary amines with one of the six methylene carbons. The reaction occurs primarily in the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source and is similar to the behavior of alcohols with HMTD [1]. However, unlike alcohols, the amine reaction conserves the hydrogen peroxide on the intact product. Furthermore, with or without amines, HMTD is oxidized to tetramethylene diperoxide diamine dialdehyde (TMDDD) in a temperature-dependent fashion in the APCI source. Synthesized TMDDD forms very strong adducts (not products) to ammonium and amine ions in the electrospray ionization (ESI) source. Attempts to improve HMTD detection by generating TMDDD in the APCI source with post-column addition of amines were not successful. Signal intensity of the solvent related HMTD product in methanol, [HMTD+MeOH2–H2O2]+ (m/z 207.0975), was understandably related to the amount of methanol in the HMTD environment as it elutes into the source. With conditions optimized for this product, the detection of 100 pg on column was accomplished with a robust analysis of 300 pg (1.44 pmol) routinely performed on the Orbitrap mass spectrometers.

Over the last several decades, mass spectrometry has become one of the principle methods for compound identification and quantification. While for analytical purposes, fragments which are not fully characterized in terms of origin and intensity as a function of experimental conditions have been used, understanding the nature of those species is very important. Herein we discuss such issues relative to triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and its frequently observed fragment at m/z 89. This "fragment" has been identified as the gas-phase reaction product of TATP with one or two methanol molecules/ions. Additionally, the origin and conditions of other fragments at m/z 91, 75, and 74 associated with TATP will be addressed. Similar analytical issues associated with other multi-peroxide organic compounds [hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), methyl ethyl ketone peroxides (MEKP)] will also be discussed. Solution storage conditions for TATP, HMTD, and tetramethylene diperoxide diamine dialdehyde have been determined. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

The synthesis and decomposition of hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) were studied. Mechanisms were proposed based on isotopic labeling and mass spectral interpretation of both condensed phase products and head-space products. Formation of HMTD from hexamine appeared to proceed from dissociated hexamine as evident from scrambling of the 15N label when synthesis was carried out with equal molar labeled/unlabeled hexamine. Decomposition of HMTD was considered with additives and in the presence and absence of moisture. In addition to mass spectral interpretation, density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate energy differences of transition states and the entropies of intermediates along different possible decomposition pathways. HMTD is destabilized by water and citric acid making purification following initial synthesis essential in order to avoid unanticipated violent reaction.

RATIONALE Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) is a sensitive peroxide explosive first synthesized in 1885. HMTD exhibits an unusual gas-phase phenomenon in the presence of alcohols that has been previously observed, but incorrectly resolved. We are attempting to determine this specific mechanism. METHODS We used positive ion mode atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) as the interface to the mass spectrometer. HMTD was infused with various solvents including 18O- and 2H-labeled methanol in order to determine gas-phase reaction mechanisms. RESULTS Based on these labeled experiments, it was determined that, under APCI conditions, the alcohol oxygen attacks a methylene carbon of HMTD and releases H2O2. This was attempted with nine different alcohols and, in each case, the alcohol is fully incorporated into the molecule with the peroxide release. A mechanism for this reaction has been proposed. CONCLUSIONS This work appears to have confirmed the gas-phase reaction mechanism of HMTD with alcohols. As we continue efforts to characterize this unusual molecule, the information may prove useful in determining formation and degradation mechanism(s). In addition, this property of HMTD may find use in other fields of science. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Efforts to analyze trace levels of cyclic peroxides by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry gave evidence that acetonitrile suppressed ion formation. Further investigations extended this discovery to ketones, linear peroxides, esters, and possibly many other types of compounds, including triazole and menadione. Direct ionization suppression caused by acetonitrile was observed for multiple adduct types in both electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. The addition of only 2% acetonitrile significantly decreased the sensitivity of analyte response. Efforts to identify the mechanism were made using various nitriles. The ion suppression was reduced by substitution of an acetonitrile hydrogen with an electron-withdrawing group, but was exacerbated by electron-donating or steric groups adjacent to the nitrile. Although current theory does not explain this phenomenon, we propose that polar interactions between the various functionalities and the nitrile may be forming neutral aggregates that manifest as ionization suppression. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

The metabolism of elzasonan has been examined in vitro using hepatic microsomes from human and recombinant heterologously expressed P450 enzymes (rCYP). Metabolism occurs primarily via oxidative N-demethylation to form M4 and oxidation reactions to form elzasonan N-oxide (M5) and 5-hydroxyelzasonan metabolite (M3). Additionally, elzasonan was shown to be metabolized to the novel cyclized indole metabolite (M6) which undergoes subsequent oxidation to form the iminium ion metabolite (M3a). The rCYP data was normalized relative to the levels of each CYP form in native human liver microsomes to better assess the contribution of each rCYP in the metabolism of elzasonan. Results demonstrated the involvement of CYP3A4 in the pathways leading to M3a, M3, M5 and M6 and CYP2C8 in the formation of M4. Kinetic constants for the formation of M3 were determined and correlation and inhibition studies suggested that CYP3A4 is primarily responsible for the formation of M3 and CYP2C19 plays a very minor role in its formation. Cytochrome b5 has shown to be an essential component in P450 3A4 catalyzed 5-hydroxyelzasonan formation and provides insights on the disconnect between human liver microsomes data and that of rCYP. Furthermore, rCYP3A4 containing b5 are useful models for predicting the rates for liver microsomes P450-dependent drug oxidations and should be utilized routinely.

In vitro metabolite identification and GSH trapping studies in human liver microsomes were conducted to understand the bioactivation potential of compound 1 [2-(6-(4-(4-(2,4-difluorobenzyl)phthalazin-1-yl)piperazin-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)propan-2-ol], an inhibitor of the Hedgehog pathway. The results revealed the formation of a unique, stable quinone methide metabolite (M1) via ipso substitution of a fluorine atom and subsequent formation of a GSH adduct (M2). The stability of this metabolite arises from extensive resonance-stabilized conjugation of the substituted benzylphthalazine moiety. Cytochrome P450 (P450) phenotyping studies revealed that the formation of M1 and M2 were NADPH-dependent and primarily catalyzed by CYP3A4 among the studied P450 isoforms. In summary, an unusual and stable quinone methide metabolite of compound 1 was identified, and a mechanism was proposed for its formation via an oxidative ipso substitution.

The metabolism and excretion of a potent and selective substance P receptor antagonist, CP-122,721, have been studied in beagle dogs following oral administration of a single 5 mg kg(-1) dose of [(14)C]CP-122,721. Total recovery of the administered dose was on average 89% for male dogs and 95% for female dogs. Approximately 94% of the radioactivity recovered in urine and feces was excreted in the first 72 h. Male bile duct-cannulated dogs excreted a mean of approximately 56% of the dose in bile, approximately 11% in feces, and approximately 25% in urine. The sum of radioactivity in bile and urine indicates80% of the [(14)C]CP-122,721-derived radioactivity was absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. CP-122,721 was extensively metabolized in dogs, and only a small amount of parent CP-122,721 was excreted as unchanged drug. There were no significant gender-related quantitative/qualitative differences in the excretion of metabolites in urine or feces. The major metabolic pathways of CP-122,721 were O-demethylation, aromatic hydroxylation, and indirect glucuronidation. The minor metabolic pathways included: Aliphatic oxidation at the piperidine moiety, O-dealkylation of the trifluoromethoxy group, and N-dealkylation with subsequent sulfation and/or oxidative deamination. In addition, the novel cleaved product 5-trifluoromethoxy salicylic acid (TFMSA) was identified in plasma. These results suggest that dog is the most relevant animal species in which the metabolism of CP-122,721 can be studied for extrapolating the results to humans.

The metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and excretion of a potent and selective substance P receptor antagonist, CP-122,721 [(+)-(2S,3S)-3-(2-methoxy-5-trifluoromethoxybenzylamino)-2-phenylpiperidine], have been studied in six healthy male human subjects [four extensive metabolizers (EMs) and two poor metabolizers (PMs) of CYP2D6) following oral administration of a single 30-mg dose of [14C]CP-122,721. Approximately 84% of the administered radioactivity was recovered from the urine and feces of the subjects over a period of 312 h. Approximately 80% of the dose for EM subjects was recovered within 48 h. PM subjects, however, excreted only about 45% of the dose in 48 h and required the full 312 h to achieve nearly 80% recovery. Absorption of CP-122,721 was rapid in both extensive and poor metabolizers, as indicated by the rapid appearance of radioactivity in serum. The serum concentrations of total radioactivity were always much greater than those of unchanged drug indicating early formation of metabolites. The average CP-122,721 t1/2 was 6.7 h and 45.0 h for EM and PM subjects, respectively. The serum concentrations of CP-122,721 reached a peak of 7.4 and 69.8 ng/ml for extensive and poor metabolizers, respectively. The major metabolic pathways of CP-122,721 were due to O-demethylation, aromatic hydroxylation, and indirect glucuronidation. The minor metabolic pathways included aliphatic oxidation at the piperidine moiety, O-dealkylation of the trifluoromethoxy group, N-dealkylation, and oxidative deamination. In addition to the major human circulating metabolite 5-trifluoromethoxy salicylic acid (TFMSA), all other circulating metabolites of CP-122,721 were glucuronide conjugates of oxidized metabolites. TFMSA was identified using high pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and NMR and mechanisms were proposed for its formation. There are no known circulating active metabolites of CP-122,721.

Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) is a sensitive peroxide explosive first synthesized in 1885. HMTD exhibits an unusual gas-phase phenomenon in the presence of alcohols that has been previously observed, but incorrectly resolved. We are attempting to determine this specific mechanism.We used positive ion mode atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) as the interface to the mass spectrometer. HMTD was infused with various solvents including (18) O- and (2) H-labeled methanol in order to determine gas-phase reaction mechanisms.Based on these labeled experiments, it was determined that, under APCI conditions, the alcohol oxygen attacks a methylene carbon of HMTD and releases H2 O2 . This was attempted with nine different alcohols and, in each case, the alcohol is fully incorporated into the molecule with the peroxide release. A mechanism for this reaction has been proposed.This work appears to have confirmed the gas-phase reaction mechanism of HMTD with alcohols. As we continue efforts to characterize this unusual molecule, the information may prove useful in determining formation and degradation mechanism(s). In addition, this property of HMTD may find use in other fields of science.

Oxidative deamination of the GABA(A) partial agonist CP-409,092 and sumatriptan represents a major metabolic pathway and seems to play an important role for the clearance of these two compounds. Similar to sumatriptan, human mitochondrial incubations with deprenyl and clorgyline, probe inhibitors of monoamine oxidase B and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-B and MAO-A), respectively, showed that CP-409,092 was metabolized to a large extent by the enzyme MAO-A. The metabolism of CP-409,092 and sumatriptan was therefore studied in human liver mitochondria and in vitro intrinsic clearance (CL(int)) values were determined and compared to the corresponding in vivo oral clearance (CL(PO)) values. The overall objective was to determine whether an in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) could be described for compounds cleared by MAO-A. The intrinsic clearance, CL(int), of CP-409,092 was approximately 4-fold greater than that of sumatriptan (CL(int), values were calculated as 0.008 and 0.002 ml/mg/min for CP-409,092 and sumatriptan, respectively). A similar correlation was observed from the in vivo metabolic data where the unbound oral clearance, CL(u)(PO), values in humans were calculated as 724 and 178 ml/min/kg for CP-409,092 and sumatriptan, respectively. The present work demonstrates that it is possible to predict in vivo metabolic clearance from in vitro metabolic data for drugs metabolized by the enzyme monoamine oxidase.

The metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and excretion of a potent and selective 5-hydroxytryptamine(1B) receptor antagonist elzasonan have been studied in six healthy male human subjects after oral administration of a single 10-mg dose of [(14)C]elzasonan. Total recovery of the administered dose was 79% with approximately 58 and 21% of the administered radioactive dose excreted in feces and urine, respectively. The average t(1/2) for elzasonan was 31.5 h. Elzasonan was extensively metabolized, and excreta and plasma were analyzed using mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy to elucidate the structures of metabolites. The major component of drug-related material in the excreta was in the feces and was identified as 5-hydroxyelzasonan (M3), which accounted for approximately 34% of the administered dose. The major human circulating metabolite was identified as the novel cyclized indole metabolite (M6) and accounted for ∼65% of the total radioactivity. A mechanism for the formation of M6 is proposed. Furthermore, metabolism-dependent covalent binding of drug-related material was observed upon incubation of [(14)C]elzasonan with liver microsomes, and data suggest that an indole iminium ion is involved. Overall, the major metabolic pathways of elzasonan were due to aromatic hydroxylation(s) of the benzylidene moiety, N-oxidation at the piperazine ring, N-demethylation, indirect glucuronidation, and oxidation, ring closure, and subsequent rearrangement to form M6.

The role of propionitrile in the production of [M + H]+ under atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) was investigated. In dopant-assisted APPI using acetone and anisole, protonated acetone and anisole radical cations were the most prominent ions observed. In dopant-free or direct APPI in acetonitrile, however, a major ion in acetonitrile was detected and identified as propionitrile, using high accuracy mass measurement and collision induced dissociation studies. Vaporizing ca. 10−5 M althiazide and bendroflumethazide under direct APPI in acetonitrile produced their corresponding protonated species [M + H]+. In addition to protonated acetonitrile, its dimers, and acetonitrile/water clusters, protonated propionitrile, propionitrile dimer, and propionitrile/water clusters were also observed. The role of propionitrile, an impurity in acetonitrile and/or a possible product of ion–molecule reaction, in the production of [M + H]+ of althiazide and bendroflumethazide was further investigated in the absence of dopant using propionitrile-d5. The formation of [M + D]+ species was observed, suggesting a possible role of propionitrile in the protonation process. Additionally, an increase in the [M + H]+ signal of althiazide and bendroflumethazide was observed as a function of propionitrile concentration in acetonitrile. Theoretical data from the literature supported the assumption that one possible mechanism, among others, for the formation of [M + H]+ could be attributed to photo-initiated isomerization of propionitrile. The most stable isomers of propionitrile, based on their calculated ionization energy (IE) and relative energy (ΔE), were assumed to undergo proton transfer to the analytes, and mechanisms were proposed.

The in vitro metabolism of CJ-11,972, (2-benzhydryl-1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-(5-tert-butyl-2-methoxybenzyl)amine, an NK1 receptor antagonist, was studied in human liver microsomes and recombinant human CYP isoforms. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) coupled to radioactive detection were used to detect and identify the metabolites. CJ-11,972 was extensively metabolized in human liver microsomes and recombinant human CYP 3A4/3A5 isoforms. A total of fourteen metabolites were identified by a combination of various MS techniques. The major metabolic pathways were due to oxidation of the tert-butyl moiety to form an alcohol (M6) and/or O-demethylation of the anisole moiety. The alcohol metabolite M6 was further oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde (M7) and carboxylic acid (M4). Two unusual metabolites (M13, M17), formed by C-demethylation of the tert-butyl group, were identified as 2-{3-[(2-benzhydryl-1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-ylamino)methyl]-4-methoxyphenyl}propan-2-ol and (2-benzhydryl-1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-(5-isopropenyl-2-methoxybenzyl)amine. A plausible mechanism for C-demethylation may involve oxidation of M6 to form an aldehyde metabolite (M7), followed by cytochrome P450-mediated deformylation leaving an unstable carbon-centered radical, which would quickly form either the alcohol metabolite M13 and the olefin metabolite M17. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The synthesis, biological activity, and pharmacokinetic profile of novel CCR1 antagonists are described.

Sensitive and selective detection of dipeptides is important in neurochemistry. We have developed a flexible detection scheme for dipeptides based on a modified carbon electrode. The modification arises from the anodic treatment of the carbon electrode in alkaline solution. The flexibility of the detection scheme arises from the different conditions used in both the modification and the detection. It is shown that the modification step requires the presence of cupric ion, while the detection step does not. On the other hand, it is shown that the presence of copper in the detection eluent, as well as the pH of the environment, can be used in controlling the selectivity of the modified electrode. For example, the modified electrode is more selective for alpha-dipeptides over beta- and gamma-dipeptides as well as amino acids at pH 9.8, whereas it is selective for all dipeptides over amino acids at pH 8.0. Detection limits of dipeptides on the order of 10 nM were achieved at pH 8.0 by flow-injection analysis with a knotted Teflon tubing connecting the injector and the detector that gave a typical peak volume of about 0.50 ml at 1.0 ml/min. From surface analysis it is shown that the oxygenation of the glassy carbon electrode gives rise to the selectivity. The oxidation of dipeptides at the modified electrode is completely inhibited by 10 mM Mg2+ in the eluent.