Pyrimidine and nucleoside gamma-esters of L-Glu-Sar: synthesis, stability and interaction with hPEPT1

Eur J Pharm Sci. 2005 May;25(1):145-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2005.02.007.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to improve the synthetic pathway of bioreversible dipeptide derivatives as well as evaluate the potential of using l-Glu-Sar as a pro-moiety for delivering three newly synthesised nucleoside and pyrimidine l-Glu-Sar derivatives. l-Glu(trans-2-thymine-1-yl-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl ester)-Sar (I), l-Glu(thymine-1-yl-methyl ester)-Sar (II) and l-Glu(acyclothymidine)-Sar (III) were synthesised and in vitro stability was studied in various aqueous and biological media. Affinity to and translocation via hPEPT1 was investigated in mature Caco-2 cell monolayers, grown on permeable supports. Affinity was estimated in a competition assay, using [14C] labelled Gly-Sar (glycylsarcosine). Translocation was measured as pHi-changes induced by the substrates using the fluorescent probe BCECF and an epifluorescence microscope setup. All dipeptide derivatives released the model drugs quantitatively by specific base-catalysed hydrolysis at pH>6.0. II was labile in aqueous buffer solution, whereas I and III showed appropriate stability for oral administration. In 10% porcine intestinal homogenate, the half-lives of the dipeptide derivatives indicated limited enzyme catalyzed degradation. All compounds showed good affinity to hPEPT1, but the Compounds I and III showed not to be translocated by hPEPT1. The translocation of the l-Glu-Sar derivative of acyclovir, l-Glu(acyclovir)-Sar was also investigated and showed not to take place. Consequently, l-Glu-Sar seems to be a poor pro-moiety for hPEPT1-mediated transport.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Dipeptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Dipeptides / chemistry
  • Dipeptides / metabolism
  • Drug Stability
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Nucleosides / chemical synthesis*
  • Nucleosides / chemistry
  • Nucleosides / metabolism
  • Peptide Transporter 1
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis*
  • Prodrugs / metabolism
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / metabolism
  • Symporters / physiology*

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Nucleosides
  • Peptide Transporter 1
  • Prodrugs
  • Pyrimidines
  • SLC15A1 protein, human
  • Symporters