Title: Targeted Metabolomics Study of Human Plasma Revealed Activation of the Cytochrome P450 Epoxygenase/Epoxide Hydrolase Axis in Patients with IgA Nephropathy Deng BQ, Li MY, Fu X, Luo Y, Qiao Q, Liu JY Ref: J Proteome Res, :, 2022 : PubMed
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis and a leading cause of chronic kidney disease. The pathogenic mechanism of IgAN remains largely unknown and thus a specific therapeutic target is lacking. Here, we reported that the cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase/epoxide hydrolase (EH) axis was activated in the patients and is likely a therapeutic target for IgAN. Specifically, quantitative profiling of the plasma from IgAN patients and healthy controls revealed significant changes in plasma levels of CYP/EH-mediated lipid epoxides and diols. Subsequently, CYP2C8, CYP2C18, CYP2J2, EPHX1, and EPHX2 were found to be significantly increased in whole blood cells at mRNA levels from the IgAN patients when compared with those of healthy controls. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that all five CYPs and two EHs were upregulated in the kidney tissue from IgAN patients when compared with normative renal tissue, but the expression locations of the proteins were different with most of them. Treatment of HK-2 cells with IgA1 increased cell viability, compressed cell apoptosis, and increased the protein levels of CYP2C9, EPHX1, and EPHX2. All the results agreed that CYPs/EHs axis is likely the prophylactic and therapeutic target for IgAN, providing IgAN patients with a new intervention strategy.
Title: Enzyme-Activated Multifunctional Prodrug Combining Site-Specific Chemotherapy with Light-Triggered Photodynamic Therapy Zhang HX, Lin HH, Su D, Yang DC, Liu JY Ref: Mol Pharm, :, 2022 : PubMed
Combination treatments are more effective than conventional monotherapy in combating cancer. Herein, a multifunctional prodrug BDP-L-CPT was rationally engineered and prepared by the conjugation of a boron dipyrromethene (BDP)-based photosensitizer (PS) to the active site of the chemotherapeutic drug camptothecin (CPT) via a phenyl benzoate group. After modification, the cytotoxicity of CPT was locked. Moreover, the fluorescence emission at 430 nm from the CPT component in the prodrug was substantially inhibited through the intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer process. The phenyl benzoate linker in BDP-L-CPT could be selectively cleaved by exogenous carboxylesterase in phosphate-buffered saline solution and endogenous carboxylesterase overexpressed in cancer cells, which was followed by self-immolation to release free CPT. The drug release process could be monitored by the turn-on of CPT fluorescence in solution and cells. Owing to the combination of site-specific chemotherapy with light-driven photodynamic therapy, the IC(50) values of the prodrug BDP-L-CPT against HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma and HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells were lower than those of the controls, BDP-COOH and CPT. The combined antitumor effects of the prodrug BDP-L-CPT were also observed in the mice bearing H22 tumors. Furthermore, BDP-L-CPT had a more prolonged blood circulation time in mice than CPT, which is beneficial to persistent therapy. This study may provide a promising strategy for a selective combination cancer treatment by conjugating a prodrug to a PS.
Lepidium meyenii (maca), a plant indigenous to the Peruvian Andes, recently has been utilized globally for claimed health or recreational benefits. The search for natural products that inhibit soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), with therapeutically relevant potencies and concentrations, led to the present study on bioactive amide secondary metabolites found in L. meyenii, the macamides. Based on known and suspected macamides, 19 possible macamides were synthesized and characterized. The majority of these amides displayed excellent inhibitory potency (IC(50) = 20-300 nM) toward the recombinant mouse, rat, and human sEH. Quantitative analysis of commercial maca products revealed that certain products contain known macamides (1-5, 8-12) at therapeutically relevant total concentrations (<=3.29 mg/g of root), while the inhibitory potency of L. meyenii extracts directly correlates with the sum of concentration/IC(50) ratios of macamides present. Considering both its in vitro efficacy and high abundance in commercial products, N-benzyl-linoleamide (4) was identified as a particularly relevant macamide that can be utilized for in vivo studies. Following oral administration in the rat, compound 4 not only displayed acceptable pharmacokinetic characteristics but effectively reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory pain. Inhibition of sEH by macamides provides a plausible biological mechanism of action to account for several beneficial effects previously observed with L. meyenii treatments.
A high-fat diet (HFD) causes obesity-associated morbidities involved in macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). AMPK, the mediator of macroautophage, has been reported to be inactivated in HFD-caused renal injury. However, PAX2, the mediator for CMA, has not been reported in HFD-caused renal injury. Here we report that HFD-caused renal injury involved the inactivation of Pax2 and Ampk, and the activation of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), in a murine model. Specifically, mice fed on an HFD for 2, 4, and 8 wk showed time-dependent renal injury, the significant decrease in renal Pax2 and Ampk at both mRNA and protein levels, and a significant increase in renal sEH at mRNA, protein, and molecular levels. Also, administration of an sEH inhibitor, 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl)urea, significantly attenuated the HFD-caused renal injury, decreased renal sEH consistently at mRNA and protein levels, modified the renal levels of sEH-mediated epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) as expected, and increased renal Pax2 and Ampk at mRNA and/or protein levels. Furthermore, palmitic acid (PA) treatment caused significant increase in Mcp-1, and decrease in both Pax2 and Ampk in murine renal mesangial cells (mRMCs) time- and dose-dependently. Also, 14(15)-EET (a major substrate of sEH), but not its sEH-mediated metabolite 14,15-DHET, significantly reversed PA-induced increase in Mcp-1, and PA-induced decrease in Pax2 and Ampk. In addition, plasmid construction revealed that Pax2 may positively regulate Ampk transcriptionally in mRMCs. This study provides insights into and therapeutic target for the HFD-mediated renal injury.
Title: Inhibition of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase for Renal Health Liu JY Ref: Front Pharmacol, 9:1551, 2018 : PubMed
A soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) mediates the metabolism of epoxy fatty acids to form the corresponding vicinal diols, which are usually inactive or less active than the epoxide substrates. The sEH enzyme presents in many organs, including but not limited to the liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidney. Here we summarized the changes in the expression and activity of sEH in multiple renal diseases, such as acute kidney injury (AKI), diabetic nephrology (DN), chronic kidney diseases (CKD), hypertension-mediated renal damage, and other renal dysfunctions. We also discussed the pharmacologic effects and the underlying mechanisms of sEH inhibition by using an inhibitor of sEH and/or the generic deletion of sEH on multiple renal diseases. We believe that sEH is a potential therapeutic target for renal dysfunction although the target disease needs further investigation.
Title: Screening of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitory ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines for anti-inflammatory use Liu JY, Morisseau C, Huang H, Hammock BD Ref: J Ethnopharmacol, 194:475, 2016 : PubMed
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been extensively reported to be anti-inflammatory in multiple animal models. Some anti-inflammatory traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and a few natural compounds were also found to be inhibitory to sEH in vitro. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine whether the active intergradient (AI) against sEH of anti-inflammatory TCMs in vitro is anti-inflammatory in vivo and the sEH inhibitory action of the AI contributes to its anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro inhibition assay of the sEH was conducted for the methanol and ethanol extracts of 27 anti-inflammatory TCMs. Two potent extracts were subject to further separation guided by bioassay to afford promising AI against sEH in vitro [Fr.5 of the crude ethanol extract of Rhizoma coptidis (FFCERC)]. Finally, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect and sEH inhibitory potency of FFCERC was evaluated in a lipopolysacchride (LPS)-challenged murine model of acute systemic inflammation. The inflammatory status was characterized by the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and sEH inhibitory function was evaluated by the plasma levels of epoxyeicosantrienoic acids (EETs) and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs), which are the sEH mediated substrates and products, respectively. RESULTS: At the concentration of 25microg/mL, the crude ethanol extracts of 6 TCMs including Herba Asari, Radix Polygalae, Fructus Amomi, Radix Astragali, Radix Scutellariae, and Rhizoma Coptidis were potent against sEH. The crude extracts of Herba Asari and Rhizoma Coptidis were selected for further separation to afford FFCERC as the most promising AI for in vivo evaluation. Oral administration of FFCERC attenuated the significant increase in TNF-alpha and IL-6 caused by LPS challenge in a dose-dependent manner. In parallel, oral administration of FFCERC shifted the changes in plasma levels of EETs and DHETs caused by LPS-challenge like a synthetic sEH inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: A sEH inhibitory AI from Rhizoma Coptidis is anti-inflammatory and the inhibition of sEH contributes to this biological effect, indicating that sEH may be at least one of multiple therapeutic targets for relevant TCMs.
Title: Repositioning proton pump inhibitors as anticancer drugs by targeting the thioesterase domain of human fatty acid synthase Fako VE, Wu X, Pflug B, Liu JY, Zhang JT Ref: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 58:778, 2015 : PubMed
Fatty acid synthase (FASN), the enzyme responsible for de novo synthesis of free fatty acids, is up-regulated in many cancers. FASN is essential for cancer cell survival and contributes to drug resistance and poor prognosis. However, it is not expressed in most nonlipogenic normal tissues. Thus, FASN is a desirable target for drug discovery. Although different FASN inhibitors have been identified, none has successfully moved into clinical use. In this study, using in silico screening of an FDA-approved drug database, we identified proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as effective inhibitors of the thioesterase activity of human FASN. Further investigation showed that PPIs inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of cancer cells. Supplementation of palmitate, the end product of FASN catalysis, rescued cancer cells from PPI-induced cell death. These findings provide new evidence for the mechanism by which this FDA-approved class of compounds may be acting on cancer cells.
N,N'-disubstituted urea-based soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors are promising therapeutics for hypertension, inflammation, and pain in multiple animal models. The drug absorption and pharmacological efficacy of these inhibitors have been reported extensively. However, the drug metabolism of these inhibitors is not well described. Here we reported the metabolic profile and associated biochemical studies of an N-adamantyl urea-based sEH inhibitor 1-adamantan-1-yl-3-(5-(2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy)pentyl)urea (AEPU) in vitro and in vivo. The metabolites of AEPU were identified by interpretation of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and/or NMR. In vitro, AEPU had three major positions for phase I metabolism including oxidations on the adamantyl moiety, urea nitrogen atoms, and cleavage of the polyethylene glycol chain. In a rodent model, the metabolites from the hydroxylation on the adamantyl group and nitrogen atom were existed in blood while the metabolites from cleavage of polyethylene glycol chain were not found in urine. The major metabolite found in rodent urine was 3-(3-adamantyl-ureido)-propanoic acid, a presumably from cleavage and oxidation of the polyethylene glycol moiety. All the metabolites found were active but less potent than AEPU at inhibiting human sEH. Furthermore, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 was found to be a major enzyme mediating AEPU metabolism. In conclusion, the metabolism of AEPU resulted from oxidation by CYP could be shared with other N-adamantyl-urea-based compounds. These findings suggest possible therapeutic roles for AEPU and new strategies for drug design in this series of possible drugs.
Diabetes is affecting the life of millions of people. A large proportion of diabetic patients suffer from severe complications such as neuropathic pain, and current treatments for these complications have deleterious side effects. Thus, alternate therapeutic strategies are needed. Recently, the elevation of epoxy-fatty acids through inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) was shown to reduce diabetic neuropathic pain in rodents. In this report, we describe a series of newly synthesized sEH inhibitors with at least 5-fold higher potency and doubled residence time inside both the human and rodent sEH enzyme than previously reported inhibitors. These inhibitors also have better physical properties and optimized pharmacokinetic profiles. The optimized inhibitor selected from this new series displayed improved efficacy of almost 10-fold in relieving pain perception in diabetic neuropathic rats as compared to the approved drug, gabapentin, and previously published sEH inhibitors. Therefore, these new sEH inhibitors could be an attractive alternative to treat diabetic neuropathy in humans.
Title: Key amino acid associated with acephate detoxification by Cydia pomonella carboxylesterase based on molecular dynamics with alanine scanning and site-directed mutagenesis Yang XQ, Liu JY, Li XC, Chen MH, Zhang YL Ref: J Chem Inf Model, 54:1356, 2014 : PubMed
Insecticide-detoxifying carboxylesterase (CE) gene CpCE-1 was cloned from Cydia pomonella. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and computational alanine scanning (CAS) indicate that Asn 232 in CpCE-1 constitutes an approximate binding hot-spot with a binding free energy difference (DeltaDeltaGbind) value of 3.66 kcal/mol. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/km) of N232A declined dramatically, and the half inhibitory concentrations (IC50) value increased by more than 230-fold. Metabolism assay in vitro reveals that the acephate could be metabolized by wild CpCE-1, whereas N232A mutation is unable to metabolize the acephate, which suggests that the hot-spot Asn 232 is a crucial residue for acephate metabolism. Mutation detection suggests that low frequency of Asn 232 replacement occurred in Europe field strains. Our MD, CAS, site-directed mutagenesis, and metabolism studies introduce a new amino acid residue Asn 232 involved in the metabolism of the acephate with CpCE-1, and this method is reliable in insecticide resistance mechanism research and prediction of key amino acids in a protein which is associated with specific physiological and biochemical functions.
Prostaglandins derived from the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) from the cytochrome P450/soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) pathway are important eicosanoids that regulate angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. COX-2 inhibitors, which block the formation of prostaglandins, suppress tumor growth, whereas sEH inhibitors, which increase endogenous EETs, stimulate primary tumor growth and metastasis. However, the functional interactions of these two pathways in cancer are unknown. Using pharmacological inhibitors as probes, we show here that dual inhibition of COX-2 and sEH synergistically inhibits primary tumor growth and metastasis by suppressing tumor angiogenesis. COX-2/sEH dual pharmacological inhibitors also potently suppress primary tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis via selective inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. These results demonstrate a critical interaction of these two lipid metabolism pathways on tumorigenesis and suggest dual inhibition of COX-2 and sEH as a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors (sEHIs) are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-hypertensive, cardio- and renal-protective in multiple animal models. However, the earlier adamantyl-containing urea-based inhibitors are rapidly metabolized. Therefore, new potent inhibitors with the adamantyl group replaced by a substituted phenyl group were synthesized to presumptively offer better pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Here we describe the improved PK profile of these inhibitors and the anti-inflammatory effect of the most promising one in a murine model. The PK profiles of inhibitors were determined following p.o. administration and serial bleeding in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl)urea (TPPU), the most promising inhibitor among the five sEHIs tested, was investigated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged murine model. The earlier broadly-used adamantyl-containing sEHI, trans-4-[4-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid (t-AUCB), was used for comparison. Compared with the earlier adamantyl-containing urea-based inhibitors, substituted phenyl-containing urea-based inhibitors afford more favorable PK properties, such as higher Cmaxs, larger AUCs and longer t1/2s, which, as expected, show more stable metabolic stability. Moreover, oral administration of TPPU dramatically reversed the shifts caused by LPS-challenge in plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, epoxides and corresponding diols, which is more potent than t-AUCB. The substituted phenyl-containing sEHIs are more metabolically stable than those with adamantyl group, resulting in more potent efficacy in vivo. This indicates a new strategy for development of sEHIs for further study toward clinical trials.
Title: A thermostable and organic-solvent tolerant esterase from Pseudomonas putida ECU1011: catalytic properties and performance in kinetic resolution of alpha-hydroxy acids Ma BD, Yu HL, Pan J, Liu JY, Ju X, Xu JH Ref: Bioresour Technol, 133:354, 2013 : PubMed
A novel esterase, rPPE01, from Pseudomonas putida ECU1011 was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and identified for enzymatic resolution of hydroxy acids via O-deacetylation. alpha-Acetoxy carboxylates were converted with approximately 50% yield and excellent enantioselectivity (E>200) at a substrate concentration of 100 mM. The half-lives of rPPE01 were 14 days at 50 degrees C and 30 days at 30 degrees C, indicating the enzyme has relatively high thermostability. Another remarkable advantage of rPPE01 is that both the activity and thermostability were enhanced significantly in the presence of hydrophobic alkanes and ethers. rPPE01 retained 159% of its initial activity after incubation with 50% (v/v) n-heptane at 30 degrees C for 60 days. The attractive organic-solvent tolerance, good thermostability and high enantioselectivity towards alpha-acetoxy carboxylates endow rPPE01 with the potential of practical application for the production of enantiopure hydroxy acids.
Title: Isolation and biochemical characterization of two novel metagenome-derived esterases Ouyang LM, Liu JY, Qiao M, Xu JH Ref: Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 169:15, 2013 : PubMed
Environmental DNA from soil and water samples was extracted to construct a plasmid library and a fosmid library containing 19,500 and 20,400 clones, respectively. Two esterases (EstP2K and EstF4K) were finally isolated from each library based on activity screening, and both of them were characterized in this study. The esterase EstF4K consists of 396 amino acids with an SMTK motif which belongs to family VIII esterase/lipase. The amino acid sequence of EstF4K showed 83 % identity with that of EstA3, a reported esterase isolated from uncultured organisms of soil. EstP2K is composed of 224 amino acids in size and shows only 37 % identity with a putative lipase of Neisseria elongata subsp. The purified EstF4K was optimally active at pH 8.0 and 50 degrees C. It was remarkably active and very stable in the presence of 30 % dimethyl sulfoxide. Activity fingerprint of EstF4K displayed a higher level of activity toward short-chain fatty acid p-nitrophenyl (pNP) esters, while EstP2K preferred bias for pNP caprylate ester. The optimum reaction temperature and pH for EstP2K are 45 degrees C and 7.5, respectively, and the enzyme exhibited strong tolerance in the presence of 30 % methanol. EstF4K and EstP2K showed opposite enantioselectivity for methyl 3-phenylglycidate, a chiral synthon for the synthesis of Taxol(R) side chain.
Title: Synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of urea-containing pyrazoles as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 and soluble epoxide hydrolase Hwang SH, Wagner KM, Morisseau C, Liu JY, Dong H, Wecksler AT, Hammock BD Ref: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 54:3037, 2011 : PubMed
A series of dual inhibitors containing a 1,5-diarylpyrazole and a urea were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as novel COX-2/sEH dual inhibitors in vitro using recombinant enzyme assays and in vivo using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced model of pain in rats. The best inhibition potencies and selectivity for sEH and COX-2 over COX-1 were obtained with compounds (21b, 21i, and 21j) in which both the 1,5-diaryl-pyrazole group and the urea group are linked with a three-methylene group. Compound 21i showed the best pharmacokinetic profiles in both mice and rats (higher AUC and longer half-life). Following subcutaneous administration at 10 mg/kg, compound 21i exhibited antiallodynic activity that is more effective than the same dose of either a COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) or a sEH inhibitor (t-AUCB) alone, as well as coadministration of both inhibitors. Thus, these novel dual inhibitors exhibited enhanced in vivo antiallodynic activity in a nociceptive behavioral assay.
Title: Juvenile hormone (JH) esterase of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus is not a target of the JH analog insecticide methoprene Kamita SG, Samra AI, Liu JY, Cornel AJ, Hammock BD Ref: PLoS ONE, 6:e28392, 2011 : PubMed
Juvenile hormones (JHs) are essential sesquiterpenes that control insect development and reproduction. JH analog (JHA) insecticides such as methoprene are compounds that mimic the structure and/or biological activity of JH. In this study we obtained a full-length cDNA, cqjhe, from the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus that encodes CqJHE, an esterase that selectively metabolizes JH. Unlike other recombinant esterases that have been identified from dipteran insects, CqJHE hydrolyzed JH with specificity constant (k(cat)/K(M) ratio) and V(max) values that are common among JH esterases (JHEs). CqJHE showed picomolar sensitivity to OTFP, a JHE-selective inhibitor, but more than 1000-fold lower sensitivity to DFP, a general esterase inhibitor. To our surprise, CqJHE did not metabolize the isopropyl ester of methoprene even when 25 pmol of methoprene was incubated with an amount of CqJHE that was sufficient to hydrolyze 7,200 pmol of JH to JH acid under the same assay conditions. In competition assays in which both JH and methoprene were available to CqJHE, methoprene did not show any inhibitory effects on the JH hydrolysis rate even when methoprene was present in the assay at a 10-fold higher concentration relative to JH. Our findings indicated that JHE is not a molecular target of methoprene. Our findings also do not support the hypothesis that methoprene functions in part by inhibiting the action of JHE.
Title: Incorporation of piperazino functionality into 1,3-disubstituted urea as the tertiary pharmacophore affording potent inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase with improved pharmacokinetic properties Huang SX, Li HY, Liu JY, Morisseau C, Hammock BD, Long YQ Ref: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 53:8376, 2010 : PubMed
The inhibition of the mammalian soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a promising new therapy in the treatment of hypertension, inflammation, and other disorders. However, the problems of limited water solubility, high melting point, and low metabolic stability complicated the development of 1,3-disubstituted urea-based sEH inhibitors. The current study explored the introduction of the substituted piperazino group as the tertiary pharmacophore, which resulted in substantial improvements in pharmacokinetic parameters over previously reported 1-adamantylurea based inhibitors while retaining high potency. The SAR studies revealed that the meta- or para-substituted phenyl spacer and N(4)-acetyl or sulfonyl substituted piperazine were optimal structures for achieving high potency and good physical properties. The 1-(4-(4-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)butoxy)phenyl)-3-adamantan-1-yl urea (29c) demonstrated excellent in vivo pharmacokinetic properties in mice: T1/2 =14 h, Cmax = 84 nM, AUC = 40 200 nM.min, and IC50 = 7.0 nM against human sEH enzyme.
Title: Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin and 5-lipoxygenase activation protein inhibitor in a murine model Liu JY, Yang J, Inceoglu B, Qiu H, Ulu A, Hwang SH, Chiamvimonvat N, Hammock BD Ref: Biochemical Pharmacology, 79:880, 2010 : PubMed
Inflammation is a multi-staged process whose expansive phase is thought to be driven by acutely released arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), or soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is known to be anti-inflammatory. Inhibition of sEH stabilizes the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) products epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Here we used a non-selective COX inhibitor aspirin, a 5-lipoxygenase activation protein (FLAP) inhibitor MK886, and a sEH inhibitor t-AUCB to selectively modulate the branches of AA metabolism in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged murine model. We used metabolomic profiling to simultaneously monitor representative AA metabolites of each branch. In addition to the significant crosstalk among branches of the AA cascade during selective modulation of COX, LOX, or sEH, we demonstrated that co-administration of t-AUCB enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin or MK886, which was evidenced by the observations that co-administration resulted in favorable eicosanoid profiles and better control of LPS-mediated hypotension as well as hepatic protein expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX. Targeted disruption of the sEH gene displayed a parallel profile to that produced by t-AUCB. These observations demonstrate a significant level of crosstalk among the three major branches of the AA cascade and that they are not simply parallel pathways. These data illustrate that inhibition of sEH by both pharmacological intervention and gene knockout enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin and MK886, suggesting the possibility of modulating multiple branches to achieve better therapeutic effects.
Title: 1-Aryl-3-(1-acylpiperidin-4-yl)urea inhibitors of human and murine soluble epoxide hydrolase: structure-activity relationships, pharmacokinetics, and reduction of inflammatory pain Rose TE, Morisseau C, Liu JY, Inceoglu B, Jones PD, Sanborn JR, Hammock BD Ref: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 53:7067, 2010 : PubMed
1,3-Disubstituted ureas possessing a piperidyl moiety have been synthesized to investigate their structure-activity relationships as inhibitors of the human and murine soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Oral administration of 13 1-aryl-3-(1-acylpiperidin-4-yl)urea inhibitors in mice revealed substantial improvements in pharmacokinetic parameters over previously reported 1-adamantylurea based inhibitors. For example, 1-(1-(cyclopropanecarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-3-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)urea (52) showed a 7-fold increase in potency, a 65-fold increase in C(max), and a 3300-fold increase in AUC over its adamantane analogue 1-(1-adamantyl)-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl)urea (2). This novel sEH inhibitor showed a 1000-fold increase in potency when compared to morphine by reducing hyperalgesia as measured by mechanical withdrawal threshold using the in vivo carrageenan induced inflammatory pain model.
Myocardial infarction (MI) leading to myocardial cell loss represents one of the common causes leading to cardiac failure. We have previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of several potent soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors in cardiac hypertrophy. sEH catalizes the conversion of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to form the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). EETs are products of cytochrome P450 epoxygenases that have vasodilatory properties. Additionally, EETs inhibit the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-mediated gene transcription. Motivated by the potential to uncover a new class of therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases which can be effectively used in clinical setting, we directly tested the biological effects of sEH inhibitors (sEHIs) on the progression of cardiac remodeling using a clinically relevant murine model of MI. We demonstrated that sEHIs were highly effective in the prevention of progressive cardiac remodeling post MI. Using metabolomic profiling of the inflammatory lipid mediators, we documented a significant decrease in EETs/DHETs ratio in MI model predicting a heightened inflammatory state. Treatment with sEHIs resulted in a change in the pattern of lipid mediators from one of inflammation towards resolution. Moreover, the oxylipin profiling showed a striking parallel to the changes in inflammatory cytokines in this model. Our study provides evidence for a possible new therapeutic strategy to improve cardiac function post MI.
Title: Pharmacokinetic optimization of four soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors for use in a murine model of inflammation Liu JY, Tsai HJ, Hwang SH, Jones PD, Morisseau C, Hammock BD Ref: British Journal of Pharmacology, 156:284, 2009 : PubMed
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors (sEHIs) such as 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid (AUDA) are effective anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory agents in various animal models. However, their poor metabolic stability and limited water solubility make them difficult to use pharmacologically. Here we present the evaluation of four sEHIs for improved pharmacokinetic properties and the anti-inflammatory effects of one sEHI. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The pharmacokinetic profiles of inhibitors were determined following p.o. (oral) administration and serial bleeding in mice. Subsequently the pharmacokinetics of trans-4-[4-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid (t-AUCB), the most promising inhibitor, was further studied following s.c. (subcutaneous), i.v. (intravenous) injections and administration in drinking water. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effect of t-AUCB was evaluated by using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine model. KEY RESULTS: Better pharmacokinetic parameters (higher C(max), longer t(1/2) and greater AUC) were obtained from the tested inhibitors, compared with AUDA. Oral bioavailability of t-AUCB (0.1 mg.kg(-1)) was 68 +/- 22% (n = 4), and giving t-AUCB in drinking water is recommended as a feasible, effective and easy route of administration for chronic studies. Finally, t-AUCB (p.o.) reversed the decrease in plasma ratio of lipid epoxides to corresponding diols (a biomarker of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition) in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. The in vivo potency of 1 mg.kg(-1) of t-AUCB (p.o.) was better in this inflammatory model than that of 10 mg.kg(-1) of AUDA-butyl ester (p.o) at 6 h after treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: t-AUCB is a potent sEHI with improved pharmacokinetic properties. This compound will be a useful tool for pharmacological research and a promising starting point for drug development.
The advent of multikinase inhibitors targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor has revolutionized the treatment of highly angiogenic malignancies such as renal cell carcinoma. Interestingly, several such inhibitors are commercially available, and they each possess diverse specific beneficial and adverse effect profiles. In examining the structure of sorafenib, it was hypothesized that this compound would possess inhibitory effects on the soluble epoxide hydrolase, an enzyme with pleiotropic effects on inflammation and vascular disease. We now show that sorafenib but not another VEGF receptor targeted inhibitor sunitinib is a potent inhibitor of the human soluble epoxide hydrolase in vitro (K(I) = 17 +/- 4 nmol/L). Furthermore, sorafenib causes the expected in vivo shift in oxylipid profile resulting from soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition, evidence of a reduction in the acute inflammatory response. Lipopolysaccharide-induced hypotension was reversed with sorafenib but not sunitinib treatment, suggesting that soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition accounts for at least part of the anti-inflammatory effect of sorafenib. The pharmacokinetic studies presented here in light of the known potency of sorafenib as a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor indicate that the soluble epoxide hydrolase will be largely inhibited at therapeutic doses of sorafenib. Thus, it is likely that soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition contributes to the beneficial effects from the inhibition of the VEGF receptor and other kinases during treatment with sorafenib.
A series of N,N'-disubstituted ureas having a conformationally restricted cis- or trans-1,4-cyclohexane alpha to the urea were prepared and tested as soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors. This series of compounds showed low nanomolar to picomolar activities against recombinant human sEH. Both isomers showed similar potencies, but the trans isomers were more metabolically stable in human hepatic microsomes. Furthermore, these new potent inhibitors show a greater metabolic stability in vivo than previously described sEH inhibitors. We demonstrated that trans-4-[4-(3-adamantan-1-ylureido)cyclohexyloxy]benzoic acid 13g (t-AUCB, IC50 = 1.3 +/- 0.05 nM) had excellent oral bioavailability (98%, n = 2) and blood area under the curve in dogs and was effective in vivo to treat hypotension in lipopolysaccharide challenged murine models.
Title: Stereoselective characteristics and mechanisms of epidermal carboxylesterase metabolism observed in HaCaT keratinocytes Zhu QG, Hu JH, Liu JY, Lu SW, Liu YX, Wang J Ref: Biol Pharm Bull, 30:532, 2007 : PubMed
There is increasing evidence that epidermal carboxylesterase may be involved in the stereoselective hydrolysis of prodrugs in percutaneous absorption. The present study was designed to evaluate the stereoselective characteristics and mechanisms of ketoprofen ethyl ester hydrolysis by epidermal carboxylesterase expressed in HaCaT keratinocytes. Ketoprofen ethyl ester was mainly hydrolyzed to R-ketoprofen by carboxylesterase of human HaCaT keratinocytes. Human carboxylesterase-1 (hCE-1) and human carboxylesterase-2 (hCE-2) were intensively detected in L02 hepatocytes, hCE-2 was also intensively detected in HaCaT keratinocytes, but hCE-1 was not detected in HaCaT keratinocytes. hCE-2 is thus an abundant carboxylesterase in HaCaT keratinocytes which may be responsible for stereoselective hydrolysis of ketoprofen ethyl ester.
