To improve mass transfer and enhance the yield for C(1,2) biodehydrogenation of steroid 11beta-hydroxyl medroxyprogesterone, we carried out the dehydrogenation reaction of 11beta-hydroxyl medroxyprogesterone in an oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion by Arthrobacter simplex UR016. We studied the effects of system composition, dehydrogenation temperature and substrate concentration on microbial transformation. We formulated a suitable O/W microemulsion system with Arthrobacter simplex UR016 culture broth as aqueous phase, 10 g/L of edible oil as oil phase, 4 g/L of Tween-O80 and 7% (V/V) alcohol as surfactant and cosurfactant. The optimal dehydrogenation temperature was 33 degrees C. The results showed that in Tween-80/alcohol/edible oil/water microemulsion system, the hydrophobic steroid was solubilised and diffused effectively, with the maximum conversion rate of 88.6% at 46 h under 4 g/L substrate concentration, an increase of 66.2% compared to that in aqueous system. The C(1,2) biodehydrogenation of 11beta-hydroxyl medroxyprogesterone is more efficient in water-edible oil microemulsion system than in aqueous system.
Arthrobacter ; metabolism ; Biotransformation ; Emulsions ; Hydrogenation ; Medroxyprogesterone ; chemistry ; metabolism

PURPOSE: The estrogen receptor (ER), which is over-expressed in ER-positive breast tumors, has been imaged by positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F] labeled estrogen ligands, especially [18F]FES. However, [18F] has relatively short-lived half-life (t1/2=1.8 h) and the labeling yield of radio-fluorination is usually low compared with 64Cu (t1/2=12.7 h). 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) is used to form stable metal complexes with copper, indium, gallium, and gadolinium. With these in mind, we prepared cyclen-based Cu complexes which mimic estradiol in aspect of two hydroxyl groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1,7-Protected cyclen, 1,7-bis (benzyloxycarbonyl)-cyclen was synthesized according to the reported procedure. After introducing two 4-benzyloxybenzyl groups at 4,10-positions, the benzyloxycarbonyl and benzyl groups were removed at the same time by hydrogenation on Pd/C to give 1,7-bis(4-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (1). RESULTS: The prepared ligand 1 was fully characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometer. The synthesized ligand was reacted with copper chloride and copper perchlorate to give copper complexes [Cu(1)]2+2(ClO4-) and [Cu(1)Cl]+Cl- which were confirmed by high-resolution mass (FAB). CONCLUSION: We successfully synthesized a cyclen derivative of which two phenol groups are located on trans position of N-atoms. And, two Cu(II) complexes of +2 and +1 overall charge, were prepared as a potential PET tracers for ER imaging.
Breast Neoplasms ; Coordination Complexes ; Copper* ; Estradiol ; Estrogens* ; Gadolinium ; Gallium ; Half-Life ; Hydrogen ; Hydrogenation ; Indium ; Ligands ; Phenol ; Positron-Emission Tomography

In this paper, we address the preparation of the EPC and HEPC sterically stabilized doxorubicin liposomes and report the data collected from further studies on pharmacokinetics in blood for choosing a better carrier in delivering the drugs. The pharmacokinetics of EPC and HEPC sterically stabilized liposomes (EPC-SSL, and HEPC-SSL) in Wistar rats were investigated by HPLC. The results showed that the mean residence time of HEPC-SSL in blood is 23.3 h, while that of EPC-SSL is 12.0 h. In conclusion, HEPC-SSL is a better carrier in delivering the drugs to the extravascular sites when compared with EPC-SSL.
Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Hydrogenation ; Liposomes ; Phosphatidylcholines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats

In order to look for lower toxic and strongly active compounds, the structure of sesquiterpene lactones from Elephantopus scaber was modified. Deoxyelephantopin and scabertopin were isolated from the whole plant of Elephantopus scaber and hydrogenated and epoxidated. Five sesquiterpenoide derivatives were prepared and their structures were identified by IR, NMR and MS spectra analysis. Four sesquiterpenoides are new compounds. Part of the compounds show definite antitumor activity.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogenation ; Lactones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology