Elucidation of the physiological role of the D3 receptor and its distribution in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET) is hampered by the lack of bioavailable subtype selective tracer ligands. To develop appropriate D3 radioligands, we designed an integrative procedure involving the elucidation of structural features determining D3 selectivity over both congeners D2 and D4 by comparative molecular analysis. Thus, we have successfully generated CoMFA and CoMSIA models based on the affinitiy differences of a series of 79 ligands representing a broad range of selectivities. These models yielded highly significant cross-validations (q2cv(D3/D2) = 0.86; q2cv(D3/D4) = 0.92) and excellent predictions of a 16-ligand test set (r2pred = 0.79-0.93). Exploiting this information, synthesis and receptor binding studies directed us to the fluorinated lead compounds 78 and 79, featuring subnanomolar D3 affinities and considerable selectivities over D2 and D4 and, subsequently, to the subtype selective PET tracers [18F]78 and [18F]79.

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Disturbances of neutrotransmission at the dopamine D3 receptor are related to several neuropsychiatric diseases and in particular to drug addiction. Herein, we report the computer-assisted prediction of D3 selectivities of new fluoroalkoxy-substituted receptor ligands by means of 3D-QSAR analysis. As close analogues of the D3-selective lead compound FAUC 346 and BP 879, the (19)F-substituted test compounds 4 a-d were synthesized and evaluated. In vitro investigation of their binding characteristics in transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells led to excellent K(i) values between 0.12 and 0.69 nM at the dopamine D3 subtype. The benzothiophene-substituted carboxamide 4 a (K(i)=0.12 nM) displayed 133 and 283-fold selectivity over the structurally related D2(Long) and D4 subtypes, respectively. Mitogenesis assays showed the behavior of partial agonists. Based on these data, we synthesized the [(18)F]fluoroethoxy-substituted radioligands [(18)F]4 a-d. The N-[4-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]butyl]-2-carboxamides 3 a-d were prepared and labeled with 2-[(18)F]fluoroethyltosylate in a two-step procedure. Optimization of the (18)F-labeling conditions led to radiochemical yields between 24 and 65 %.

The emergence of untreatable drug‐resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major public health problem worldwide, and the identification of new efficient treatments is urgently needed. Mycobacterium tuberculosis cytochrome P450 CYP121A1 is a promising drug target for the treatment of tuberculosis owing to its essential role in mycobacterial growth. Using a rational approach, which includes molecular modelling studies, three series of azole pyrazole derivatives were designed through two synthetic pathways. The synthesized compounds were biologically evaluated for their inhibitory activity towards M. tuberculosis and their protein binding affinity ( K D ). Series 3 biarylpyrazole imidazole derivatives were the most effective with the isobutyl ( 10 f ) and tert ‐butyl ( 10 g ) compounds displaying optimal activity (MIC 1.562 μg/mL, K D 0.22 μM ( 10 f ) and 4.81 μM ( 10 g )). The spectroscopic data showed that all the synthesised compounds produced a type II red shift of the heme Soret band indicating either direct binding to heme iron or (where less extensive Soret shifts are observed) putative indirect binding via an interstitial water molecule. Evaluation of biological and physicochemical properties identified the following as requirements for activity: LogP >4, H‐bond acceptors/H‐bond donors 4/0, number of rotatable bonds 5–6, molecular volume >340 Å 3 , topological polar surface area <40 Å 2 .

A validated, reliable and accurate reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method using pre-column derivatization was adopted for the simultaneous determination of two ternary mixtures containing omeprazole, tinidazole and doxycycline hyclate or clarithromycin. Separation was achieved on a C18 column, through a gradient elution system using acetonitrile-methanol-water adjusted to pH = 6.60. Drugs were detected at 277 nm over concentration ranges of 1-112, 5-125, 2.5-550 and 2.5-100 µg/mL for omeprazole, tinidazole, doxycycline hyclate and clarithromycin, respectively. This is the first method that has isolated and identified clarithromycin derivative by infrared and mass spectroscopy. This method is the first study for the simultaneous determination of omeprazole, tinidazole, doxycycline hyclate and clarithromycin in combined mixtures and pharmaceutical formulations.

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