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

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

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.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume25
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)145-154
Number of pages10
ISSN0928-0987
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Bioreversible derivatives; Dipeptide; Aqueous stability; hPEPT1; Caco-2; Intracellular pH

    Research areas

  • Biological Transport, Caco-2 Cells, Dipeptides, Drug Stability, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Nucleosides, Prodrugs, Pyrimidines, Symporters

ID: 1093495