Ro-24-0238

Multidimensional narrow bore liquid chromatography analysis of Ro 24-0238 in human plasma

A highly sensitive LC method has been developed and validated for quantitation of Ro 24-0238 in human plasma using Ro 24-2446 as an internal standard. With 1 ml of plasma, the limit of quantitation of the method was 50 pg ml-1 of Ro 24-0238. After solid-phase extraction with C18 reversed-phase cartridges, the samples were reconstituted in an acidic buffer solution; under these conditions, Ro 24-0238 and Ro 24-2446 (IS) were converted to their cationic forms. The LC system employed a strong cation exchange column and a narrow bore reversed-phase column, connected via a column switching valve. The cationic analyte and internal standard were separated from most of the endogenous components of plasma on the cation exchange column. A small fraction containing the analyte and the internal standard was transferred by automated valve switching to the narrow bore reversed-phase column, which further resolved the individual components. The chromatography was monitored by UV absorption at 322 nm. The overall intra-assay precision was 3.6% (RSD) and the per cent error was less than +/- 11%. The overall inter-assay precision was 3.9% (RSD). Linearity was demonstrated in a concentration range of 50-5000 pg ml-1. This method has been applied to pharmacokinetic studies of Ro 24-0238 in man.

The effect of topical application of the platelet-activating factor-antagonist, Ro 24-0238, in psoriasis vulgaris--a clinical and immunohistochemical study

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is considered to be one of the most potent lipid mediators in allergic and inflammatory reactions. Suggestions that PAF is produced by cutaneous cells, and cells infiltrating the skin from the blood, have been reported. PAF has been identified in allergic cutaneous reactions and also in psoriatic lesions. The biological activity of PAF is thought to be mediated by cell membrane receptors. Studies revealed that PAF-antagonists can be active in animal models of cutaneous inflammation. In humans PAF-antagonists showed minimal therapeutic improvement in studies of antigen-induced cutaneous responses in atopic subjects. No data are available on the effects of PAF-antagonists in psoriasis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a potent PAF-antagonist (Ro 24-0238, 10% solution in diethylene glycol monoethyl ether) in 10 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Clinical response was evaluated and markers of inflammation, differentiation and proliferation were studied immunohistochemically on punch biopsies taken from actively treated and placebo-treated lesions, before and after treatment. This study demonstrated that a 10% solution of the PAF-antagonist Ro 24-0238 was not effective at the clinical or cell biological level after a 4-week treatment period. The most likely explanation for these negative observations is that PAF is not a significant factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Platelet-activating factor antagonists

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), identified as 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine, exhibits potent proinflammatory properties. PAF is produced by numerous cell types, including endothelial cells, neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, basophils, eosinophils and mastocytes. Since the discovery and identification of the chemical structure of PAF, a large variety of specific PAF-receptor antagonists, both natural and synthetic compounds, have been described. Intensive research has been conducted and development programs set up by more 25 pharmaceutical companies world-wide, studying the therapeutic interest of more than 50 PAF-receptors antagonists in various pathophysiological conditions. Medline (1966-1996), Embase (Excerpta Medica; 1974-1996), and other biomedical and drug directory databases were searched to identify English-language articles (basic science, clinical trial research, and review articles) and abstracts of conference proceedings on PAF receptor antagonists and related terms. The most important PAF receptor antagonists are reviewed with their effectiveness in various experimental tests. Fundamentally, PAF antagonists may be divided in two groups: natural and synthetic compounds. Natural (Ginkgolides, Kadsurenone, Chantancin, Phomactin, Swietemohonin A, Prehispalone, THC-7-oic acid, Aglafoline, FR 900452, PCA 4248 and SCH 37370), and synthetic antagonists (CV-3988, CV-6209, SRI 63-072, SRI 63-441, UR-10324, UR-11353, E-5880, CL 184005, 6-Mono and Bis-aryl phosphate antagonists, TCV-309, Ro-74719, WEB 2086, Y 24180, BN 50726, BN 50727, BN 50730, BN 50739, Ro 24-4736, Ro 24-0238, RP 55778, RP 59227, RP 66681, YM 264, YM 461, SM 10661, SR 27417, UK 74505, BB 182, BB 823, BB 654, SDZ 64-412, SDZ 65-123, L 652731, L 659898, L 668750, L 671284, L680573, L 680574, CIS 19, ABT-299 and Pinusolide) have a great variability in their chemical structure that might have importance in their different pharmacological profile. The great majority of these drugs are under development, and only a few have undergone clinical trials.

Induction and modulation of macrophage Ia antigen expression by platelet-activating factor

Expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, Ia, can be significantly augmented by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in macrophages. In this study we demonstrate that platelet-activating factor (PAF) was also a potent inducer of Ia antigen expression on macrophages. PAF-induced Ia expression was both time- and dose-dependent. Maximal Ia expression was induced with 25 nM PAF after 3-h exposure to PAF. Ia expression in macrophages stimulated with PAF for 24 h was not significantly greater than unstimulated macrophages. Treatment of macrophages with IFN-gamma and PAF did not affect either the kinetics or concentration required for maximal Ia expression induced by either IFN-gamma or PAF. PAF-induced Ia expression was inhibited by the specific PAF receptor antagonists, WEB 2086, Ro 24-0238, and Ro 24-4637, indicating a receptor-mediated event. Like IFN-gamma-induced Ia expression, PAF activity was inhibited by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). However, that expression was only inhibited after 24 h when macrophages were treated with the PGE2 synthesis inhibitors, flurbiprofen and indomethacin. These findings demonstrate that PAF, along with its role as a potent proinflammatory mediator, was also capable of inducing Ia expression on macrophages through the PAF receptor and that expression was altered by PGE2.

Topical application of a platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist in atopic dermatitis

Platelet-activating factor (PAF acether) is a lipid mediator with a potent proinflammatory activity. Results derived both from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest a possible role of this substance in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis. A double-blind, randomized, multi-center, within-patient study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a topically applied PAF antagonist (RO-24-0238) in 36 patients with atopic dermatitis. Over a period of 28 days, 0.25 ml of the PAF antagonist and the vehicle (placebo) were applied twice daily on opposite sites of symmetrical lesions (measuring 10 to 20 cm2 each). The overall assessment of the therapeutic efficacy did not demonstrate a superior effect of the PAF antagonist in comparison to placebo, and this was the same with the individual study parameters erythema, scaling, induration and exudation. For reducing pruritus, as assessed by the patient using a visual analogue scale, a statistically significant action was documented during the first 2 weeks of the study (p < 0.04; Wilcoxon rank sum test), with a continued, yet not statistically significant efficacy after weeks 3 and 4. The exact role of the pathological events of atopic dermatitis that might be influenced by a PAF antagonist remains to be determined, but the anti-pruritic component of this substance especially deserves further scientific interest.