Effects of tebufelone (NE-11740), a new anti-inflammatory drug, on arachidonic acid metabolism.

Abstract

Tebufelone is a novel nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), of the di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP) class, which displays potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties in a variety of animal models. In this report, the effects of Tebufelone on arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism are reviewed. Tebufelone potently inhibits the formation of prostaglandins (PGE2) a key mediator of pain and inflammation, in isolated enzyme preparations (IC50 = 1.5 microM, KI = 0.35 microM), two in vitro cellular systems: rat peritoneal macrophages (IC50 = 0.02 microM) and human whole blood (IC50 = 0.08 microM), and ex vivo in man. In addition to PGE2 inhibition, which is common to all NSAIDs, higher concentrations of Tebufelone block the in vitro formation of products of the lipoxygenase pathway [leukotrienes (LTB4)] in rat macrophages (IC50 = 20 microM) and human whole blood (IC50 = 22 microM). Substrate incorporation studies (14C-AA) indicate that Tebufelone reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase (CO) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzymes rather than regulating the release of AA. Tebufelone was shown to be a more potent CO inhibitor than indomethacin and a less potent 5-LO inhibitor than RG-5901. Comparisons to structurally related compounds under development (E-5110, Esai; KME-4, Kanagafuchi), found Tebufelone to be the most potent CO inhibitor in vitro. All three DTBP compounds were equipotent 5-LO inhibitors. It is likely that Tebufelone's inhibitory effects on AA metabolism are, in part, responsible for its in vivo efficacy and enhanced safety profile.

• Authors: S M Weisman, M J Doyle, K R Wehmeyer, B A Hynd, T H Eichhold, R M Clear, C W Coggeshall, D L Kuhlenbeck
• Journal: Agents and actions (Agents Actions) Vol. 41 Issue 3-4 Pg. 156-63 (May 1994) ISSN: 0065-4299 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 7942323 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alkynes
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
• Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
• Phenols
• Quinolines
• alpha-pentyl-3-(2-quinolinylmethoxy)benzenemethanol
• Leukotriene B4
• Arachidonic Acid
• Calcimycin
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
• Dinoprostone
• tebufelone
• Indomethacin

Topics

• Alkynes (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Arachidonic Acid (metabolism)
• Calcimycin (pharmacology)
• Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Dinoprostone (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Humans
• Indomethacin (pharmacology)
• Leukotriene B4 (blood)
• Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
• Macrophages, Peritoneal (drug effects, metabolism)
• Male
• Phenols (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases (metabolism)
• Quinolines (pharmacology)
• Rats