Pyruvate Esters Research Articles

Rapid in situ carbon-13 hyperpolarization and imaging of acetate and pyruvate esters without external polarizer

Hyperpolarized 13C MRI visualizes real-time metabolic processes in vivo. In this study, we achieved high 13C polarization in situ in the bore of an MRI system for precursor molecules of most widely employed hyperpolarized agents: [1-13C]acetate and [1-13C]pyruvate ethyl esters in their perdeuterated forms, enhancing hyperpolarization lifetimes, hyperpolarized to P13C ≈ 28% at 80 mM concentration and P13C ≈ 19% at 10 mM concentration, respectively. Using vinyl esters as unsaturated Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization via Side-Arm Hydrogenation (PHIP-SAH) precursors and our novel polarization setup, we achieved these hyperpolarization levels by fast side-arm hydrogenation in acetone-d6 at elevated temperatures (up to 90°C) and hydrogenation pressures (up to 32 bar). We optimized the hyperpolarization process, reducing it to under 10 s, and employed advanced pulse sequences to enhance the polarization transfer efficiency. The hyperpolarization system has a small footprint, allowing it to be positioned in the same magnet, where 13C MRI is performed. We exemplified the utility of the design with sub-second in situ 13C MRI of ethyl [1-13C]pyruvate-d6. However, challenges remain in side-arm cleavage and purification in the MRI system to extract highly polarized aqueous agent solutions. Our results showcase efficient and rapid 13C hyperpolarization of these metabolite precursors in an MRI system with minimal additional hardware, promising to enhance future throughput and access to hyperpolarized 13C MRI.

Radio-Frequency Sweeps at Microtesla Fields for Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization of Biomolecules

Magnetic resonance imaging of 13C-labeled metabolites enhanced by parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) enables real-time monitoring of processes within the body. We introduce a robust, easily implementable technique for transferring parahydrogen-derived singlet order into 13C magnetization using adiabatic radio frequency sweeps at microtesla fields. We experimentally demonstrate the applicability of this technique to several molecules, including some molecules relevant for metabolic imaging, where we show significant improvements in the achievable polarization, in some cases reaching above 60% nuclear spin polarization. Furthermore, we introduce a site-selective deuteration scheme, where deuterium is included in the coupling network of a pyruvate ester to enhance the efficiency of the polarization transfer. These improvements are enabled by the fact that the transfer protocol avoids relaxation induced by strongly coupled quadrupolar nuclei.

Adiabatic Passage through Level Anticrossings in Systems of Chemically Inequivalent Protons Incorporating Parahydrogen: Theory, Experiment, and Prospective Applications.

Level anticrossings (LACs) are ubiquitous in quantum systems and have been exploited for spin-order transfer in hyperpolarized nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This paper examines the manifestations of adiabatic passage through a specific type of LAC found in homonuclear systems of chemically inequivalent coupled protons incorporating parahydrogen (pH2). Adiabatic passage through such a LAC is shown to elicit translation of the pH2 spin order. As an example, with prospective applications in biomedicine, proton spin polarizations of at least 19.8 ± 2.6% on the methylene protons and 68.7 ± 0.5% on the vinylic protons of selectively deuterated allyl pyruvate ester are demonstrated experimentally. After ultrasonic spray injection of a precursor solution containing propargyl pyruvate and a dissolved Rh catalyst into a chamber pressurized with 99% para-enriched H2, the products are collected and transported to a high magnetic field for NMR detection. The LAC-mediated hyperpolarization of the methylene protons is significant because of the stronger spin coupling to the pyruvate carbonyl 13C, setting up an ideal initial condition for subsequent coherence transfer by selective INEPT. Furthermore, the selective deuteration of the propargyl side arm increases the efficiency and polarization level. LAC-mediated translation of parahydrogen spin order completes the first step toward a new and highly efficient route for the 13C NMR signal enhancement of pyruvate via side-arm hydrogenation with parahydrogen.

Heterogeneous 1 H and 13 C Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization of Acetate and Pyruvate Esters.

Magnetic resonance imaging of [1-13 C]hyperpolarized carboxylates (most notably, [1-13 C]pyruvate) allows one to visualize abnormal metabolism in tumors and other pathologies. Herein, we investigate the efficiency of 1 H and 13 C hyperpolarization of acetate and pyruvate esters with ethyl, propyl and allyl alcoholic moieties using heterogeneous hydrogenation of corresponding vinyl, allyl and propargyl precursors in isotopically unlabeled and 1-13 C-enriched forms with parahydrogen over Rh/TiO2 catalysts in methanol-d4 and in D2 O. The maximum obtained 1 H polarization was 0.6±0.2 % (for propyl acetate in CD3 OD), while the highest 13 C polarization was 0.10±0.03 % (for ethyl acetate in CD3 OD). Hyperpolarization of acetate esters surpassed that of pyruvates, while esters with a triple carbon-carbon bond in unsaturated alcoholic moiety were less efficient as parahydrogen-induced polarization precursors than esters with a double bond. Among the compounds studied, the maximum 1 H and 13 C NMR signal intensities were observed for propyl acetate. Ethyl acetate yielded slightly less intense NMR signals which were dramatically greater than those of other esters under study.

Concise synthesis of cycloheptatrienes from aldehydes and the Wittig reagent prepared from pyruvic ester

A novel and concise synthesis of 1,3,5-cycloheptatrienes has been developed. The reaction of 4-substituted-4-pentenal derivatives with the Wittig reagent prepared from pyruvic ester under the optimal conditions proceeded to give 1,6-di- and 1,6,7-trisubstituted-1,3,5-cycloheptatrienes in moderate yield. The synthesis is advantageous through its use of readily available reagents, milder reaction conditions compared to those previously reported, and simple manipulations. Additionally, a plausible mechanism via intramolecular [4+2]cycloaddition followed by the ring-expansion of norcarene is proposed based on the products of the reaction.

PHIP hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate and [1-13C]acetate esters via PH-INEPT polarization transfer monitored by 13C NMR and MRI

Parahydrogen-induced polarization of 13C nuclei by side-arm hydrogenation (PHIP-SAH) for [1-13C]acetate and [1-13C]pyruvate esters with application of PH-INEPT-type pulse sequences for 1H to 13C polarization transfer is reported, and its efficiency is compared with that of polarization transfer based on magnetic field cycling (MFC). The pulse-sequence transfer approach may have its merits in some applications because the entire hyperpolarization procedure is implemented directly in an NMR or MRI instrument, whereas MFC requires a controlled field variation at low magnetic fields. Optimization of the PH-INEPT-type transfer sequences resulted in 13C polarization values of 0.66 ± 0.04% and 0.19 ± 0.02% for allyl [1-13C]pyruvate and ethyl [1-13C]acetate, respectively, which is lower than the corresponding polarization levels obtained with MFC for 1H to 13C polarization transfer (3.95 ± 0.05% and 0.65 ± 0.05% for allyl [1-13C]pyruvate and ethyl [1-13C]acetate, respectively). Nevertheless, a significant 13C NMR signal enhancement with respect to thermal polarization allowed us to perform 13C MR imaging of both biologically relevant hyperpolarized molecules which can be used to produce useful contrast agents for the in vivo imaging applications.

Reactivity Indices related to DFT Theory, the Electron Localization Function (ELF) and Non-Covalent Interactions (NCI) Calculations in the Formation of the non-Halogenated Pyruvic Esters in Solution

The non-halogenated pyruvic esters are essential compounds, considering that they exhibit particular properties, due to the proximity of two functional groups: carbonyl and ester. These molecules can be obtained from the approach of the Lewis acid MgI2 on the iodinated pyruvic ester by using sodium hydrogen sulfite in aqueous solution, which selectively reduces the carbon-iodine bond of the iodinated pyruvic ester. The sites of attack of hydrogen sulfite of this reaction remained uncertain and were the subject of a debate between the experimenters. Our aim in this work is to determine the more favorable sites of attack by using the local indices (Parr functions). To approve the structure of the reagents, we have conducted a topological analysis of electron localization function (ELF). To reveal the type of interaction in the "ester pyruvic-hydrogen sulfite" complex, we have performed a non-covalent interactions (NCI) calculation. The analysis of local indices and NCI analysis of electron density indicate that the approach of the hydrogen sulfite ion will take place on the iodine atom elucidating the preferable site of the attack.

Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization of 1-13C-Acetates and 1-13C-Pyruvates Using Sidearm Hydrogenation of Vinyl, Allyl, and Propargyl Esters.

13C-hyperpolarized carboxylates, such as pyruvate and acetate, are emerging molecular contrast agents for MRI visualization of various diseases, including cancer. Here we present a systematic study of 1H and 13C parahydrogen-induced polarization of acetate and pyruvate esters with ethyl, propyl and allyl alcoholic moieties. It was found that allyl pyruvate is the most efficiently hyperpolarized compound from those under study, yielding 21% and 5.4% polarization of 1H and 13C nuclei, respectively, in CD3OD solutions. Allyl pyruvate and ethyl acetate were also hyperpolarized in aqueous phase using homogeneous hydrogenation with parahydrogen over water-soluble rhodium catalyst. 13C polarization of 0.82% and 2.1% was obtained for allyl pyruvate and ethyl acetate, respectively. 13C-hyperpolarized methanolic and aqueous solutions of allyl pyruvate and ethyl acetate were employed for in vitro MRI visualization, demonstrating the prospects for translation of the presented approach to biomedical in vivo studies.

Long-range heteronuclear J-coupling constants in esters: Implications for 13C metabolic MRI by side-arm parahydrogen-induced polarization

Side-arm parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP-SAH) presents a cost-effective method for hyperpolarization of 13C metabolites (e.g. acetate, pyruvate) for metabolic MRI. The timing and efficiency of typical spin order transfer methods including magnetic field cycling and tailored RF pulse sequences crucially depends on the heteronuclear J coupling network between nascent parahydrogen protons and 13C, post-parahydrogenation of the target compound. In this work, heteronuclear nJHC (1 < n ≤ 5) couplings of acetate and pyruvate esters pertinent for PHIP-SAH were investigated experimentally using selective HSQMBC-based pulse sequences and numerically using DFT simulations. The CLIP-HSQMBC technique was used to quantify 2/3-bond JHC couplings, and 4/5-bond JHC ≲ 0.5 Hz were estimated by the sel-HSQMBC-TOCSY approach. Experimental and numerical (DFT-simulated) nJHC couplings were strongly correlated (P < 0.001). Implications for 13C hyperpolarization by magnetic field cycling, and PH-INEPT and ESOTHERIC type spin order transfer methods for PHIP-SAH were assessed, and the influence of direct nascent parahydrogen proton to 13C coupling when compared with indirect homonuclear TOCSY-type transfer through intermediate (non-nascent parahydrogen) protons was studied by the density matrix approach.

Pyruvate Enolate Arylation and Alkylation: OBO Ester Protected Pyruvates as Useful Reagents in Organic Synthesis.

A protected pyruvate equivalent is described that allows arylation and arylation/alkylation reactions to be performed at the methyl group. Utilization of the OBO derivative of the pyruvate ester allowed the application of palladium catalyzed arylation reactions together with subsequent alkylation, under basic conditions. Moreover, the OBO protecting group could be easily removed in one step to provide access to a wide range of substituted pyruvate derivatives.

A Concise Organocatalytic Synthesis of 3‐Deoxy‐2‐ulosonic Acids through Cinchona‐Alkaloid‐Promoted Aldol Reactions of Pyruvate

Direct cross‐aldol reactions of a pyruvate ester with chiral aldehydes, mediated by purely organic catalysts, is described as a crucial step in the synthesis of ulosonic acids. Cinchona alkaloids containing a tertiary amine group efficiently promote direct aldol reactions of a sterically hindered pyruvate ester with various sugar aldehydes. The pyruvic acid ester can be directly used as chemical equivalent of PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate) in imitation of the synthetic principle used in nature. The appropriate combination of a chiral aldehyde with a chiral catalyst allows the flexible preparation of anti‐ or syn‐configured aldols, as desired. As a result, concise syntheses of diverse six‐, seven‐, eight‐, and nine‐carbon ulosonic acid esters are described, by using a biomimetic three‐carbon chain elongation of various sugar aldehydes. Consequently, short and practical syntheses of several ulosonic acids, including three important naturally occurring sugars – 3‐deoxy‐d‐erythro‐hex‐2‐ulosonic acid (KDG), 3‐deoxy‐d‐manno‐oct‐2‐ulosonic acid (KDO), and the rare 3‐deoxyglucosone (3DG), in good overall yields are presented.

Robust neuroprotective effects of 2-((2-oxopropanoyl)oxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (OPTBA), a HTB/pyruvate ester, in the postischemic rat brain.

Postischemic brain damage in stroke is proceded with complicated pathological events, and so multimodal drug treatments may offer better therapeutic means for improving clinical outcomes. Here, we report robust neuroprotective effects of a novel compound, 2-((2-oxopropanoyl)oxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (OPTBA), a 2-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (HTB, a metabolite of triflusal)-pyruvate ester. Intravenous administration of OPTBA (5 mg/kg) 3 or 6 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in Sprague-Dawley rats reduced infarct volumes to 38.5 ± 11.4% and 46.5 ± 15.3%, respectively, of that of MCAO controls, and ameliorated motor impairment and neurological deficits. Importantly, neuroprotective effects of OPTBA were far greater than those afforded by combined treatment of HTB and pyruvate. Furthermore, OPTBA suppressed microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokine inductions more effectively than HTB/pyruvate co-treatment in the postischemic brain and LPS-treated cortical slice cultures and also attenuated NMDA-induced neuronal death in hippocampal slice cultures. LC-MS analysis demonstrated that OPTBA was hydrolyzed to HTB and pyruvate with a t1/2 of 38.6 min in blood and 7.2 and 2.4 h in cortex and striatum, respectively, and HTB was maintained for more than 24 h both in blood and brain tissue. Together these results indicate OPTBA acts directly and via its hydrolysis products, thus acting as a multimodal neuroprotectant in the postischemic brain.

Ethyl pyruvate ameliorates experimental colitis in mice by inhibiting the HMGB1-Th17 and Th1/Tc1 responses

Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a simple lipophilic pyruvate ester, has demonstrated protective effects against murine colitis through inhibition the release of inflammatory factor high-mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1). HMGB1 has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases by inducing Thl and Thl7 cells activation. This study was designed to investigate whether EP amelioration of murine colitis is related to the blocking of the HMGB1-Th17/Thl pathway. We induced murine colitis by intrarectal administration of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Ethyl pyruvate was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 7days. One week after intrarectal challenge with TNBS, HMGB1, IL-17 and IFN-γ protein levels were remarkably increased following severe colon inflammation. Meanwhile, excessive infiltration of Th17 cells in colonic tissues, and an upregulated proportion of Th17 and Th1/Tc1 cells in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were found in the TNBS-treated group compared to the control group. Treatment with the HMGB1 inhibitor EP not only remarkably improved colon pathological damage, but also significantly reduced the number of Th17 cells in the local tissues of the colitis-induced mice. Furthermore, the percentage of Th1/Tc1 and Th17 cells in the spleen and MLN, as well as levels of serum IFN-γ and IL-17A, were all markedly decreased in the EP-treated group. Moreover, in vitro, our results showed that EP in a dose dependent manner inhibited HMGB1 release induced by LPS from CT26 cells (murine colon adenocarcinoma cell line). These results suggest that HMGB1 contributes to the development of murine colitis by promoting the Th17 and Th1/Tc1 responses, and that EP can significantly inhibit HMGB1-Th17 and Thl/Tc1 pathway activation, which may provide better protection to mice with TNBS-induced colitis.

Chemistry of Pyruvate Enolates: anti‐Selective Direct Aldol Reactions of Pyruvate Ester with Sugar Aldehydes Promoted by a Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst

AbstractA chiral dinuclear zinc complex can effectively catalyse the direct aldol reactions of pyruvic acid ester with various chiral sugar aldehydes, thus functionally mimicking the pyruvate‐dependent type II aldolases. Application of sterically hindered aryl esters allows for the elusive aldol reaction of the pyruvate donor with controlled anti‐selectivity en route to the short and efficient synthesis of 3‐deoxy‐2‐ulosonic acids. Pyruvic acid ester is here used as a chemical equivalent of phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP) in imitation of the synthetic principle used in nature. The presented biomimetic methodologies use enol formation for the highly efficient and flexible formation of various C6–C9 ulosonic acids. Particularly, efficient and concise syntheses of 3‐deoxy‐D‐erythro‐hex‐2‐ulosonic acid (KDG, overall 50% yield), 3‐deoxy‐D‐ribo‐hept‐2‐ulosonic acid (DRH, overall 53% yield) and 3‐deoxy‐D‐glycero‐D‐talo‐non‐2‐ulosonic acid (4‐epi‐KDN, overall 78% yield) are described. This direct efficient application of pyruvic esters does not require additional demasking steps and thus surpassess previously methodologies utilising masked pyruvic synthons such 2‐acetylthiazole and pyruvic aldehyde dimethyl acetal.magnified image

Kinetic characterization of recombinant Bacillus coagulans FDP-activated l-lactate dehydrogenase expressed in Escherichia coli and its substrate specificity

Bacillus coagulans is a homofermentative, acid-tolerant and thermophilic sporogenic lactic acid bacterium, which is capable of producing high yields of optically pure lactic acid. The l-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH) from B. coagulans is considered as an ideal biocatalyst for industrial production. In this study, the gene ldhL encoding a thermostable l-LDH was amplified from B. coagulans NL01 genomic DNA and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant enzyme was partially purified and its enzymatic properties were characterized. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the l-LDH was a fructose 1,6-diphosphate-activated NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenase (l-nLDH). Its molecular weight was approximately 34–36kDa. The Km and Vmax values of the purified l-nLDH for pyruvate were 1.91±0.28mM and 2613.57±6.43μmol(minmg)−1, respectively. The biochemical properties of l-nLDH showed that the specific activity were up to 2323.29U/mg with optimum temperature of 55°C and pH of 6.5 in the pyruvate reduction and 351.01U/mg with temperature of 55°C and pH of 11.5 in the lactate oxidation. The enzyme also showed some activity in the absence of FDP, with a pH optimum of 4.0. Compared to other lactic acid bacterial l-nLDHs, the enzyme was found to be relatively stable at 50°C. Ca2+, Ba2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions had activated effects on the enzyme activity, and the enzyme was greatly inhibited by Ni2+ ion. Besides these, l-nLDH showed the higher specificity towards pyruvate esters, such as methyl pyruvate and ethyl pyruvate.

Diastereoselective Catalytic Hydrogenation of Schiff Bases of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;N&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;-Pyruvoyl-(&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;S&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;)-Proline Esters

Diastereoselective catalytic hydrogenation of pyruvic acid esters, amides, and their Schiff bases has been well studied over a long period to show that proline is one of the most effective chiral auxiliaries. Proline derivatives have been used as auxiliaries in the diastereoselective catalytic hydrogenation of pyruvamide Schiff bases. The diastereoselective hydrogenation resulted in up to a 78% enantiomeric excess of the amino acid derived from the hydrolysis of the dipeptide products. The chelation hypothesis explains the stereochemistry of the catalytic hydrogenation using (S)-proline esters in the amide moiety and the two chiral centers in the amide and Schiff base moieties.

Stereoselective Titanium-Mediated Aldol Reactions of a Chiral Lactate-Derived Ethyl Ketone with Ketones

Aldol reactions of titanium enolates of lactate-derived ethyl ketone 1 with other ketones proceed in a very efficient and stereocontrolled manner provided that a further equivalent of TiCl4 is added to the reacting mixture. The scope of these reactions encompasses simple ketones such as acetone or cyclohexanone as well as other ketones that contain potential chelating groups such as pyruvate esters or α- and β-hydroxy ketones.

Biomimetic Direct Aldol Reaction of Pyruvate Esters with Chiral Aldehydes

AbstractDirect aldol reactions of pyruvate esters with sugar aldehydes is efficiently promoted by dinuclear metal complexes or chiral Cinchona alkaloid organocatalysts. Application of sterically hindered aryl esters enables the to‐date problematic aldol reaction of pyruvate donors with syn‐ or anti‐selectivity en route to the short and efficient synthesis of 3‐deoxy‐2‐ulosonic acids.

ChemInform Abstract: Sulfamic Acid as a Cost‐Effective Catalyst for Synthesis of α‐Acyloxyacrylate Esters as Candidate Monomers for Biobased Polymers by Acylation of Pyruvate Esters.

Abstract Sulfamic acid was used as an efficient catalyst and green alternative for metal-containing acidic material to promote the acylation of pyruvate esters to produce α-acyloxyacrylate esters, which were candidate monomers for biobased polymers. Polymers from these monomers were useful materials for bio-based plastics, which showed high heat resistance and transparency. A series of α-acyloxyacrylate esters were converted from pyruvate esters by using sulfamic acid as a catalyst and good yields were obtained. The reaction in the presence of the sulfamic acid catalyst was carried out in the liquid phase and showed greater productivity than synthesis with a conventional liquid inorganic acid.

Synthesis, structure characterization and biological evaluation of new 6,8-dichloro-2-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives

The typical active methyl functionality of 6,8-dichloro-2-methyl-4 H -chromen-4-one is utilized to obtain 2-styrylchromones, pyruvate ester and phthalide via reactions with aromatic carboxaldehydes, diethyl oxalate and phthalic anhydride respectively. The phthalide provides illustrative example to convert a heterocyclic compound to an aliphatic one via the effect of alcoholic sodium methoxide. Bromination and cycloaddition reactions of 2-styrylchromones afford vicinal dibromide and adducts respectively. This work presents to the art a typical example of heterocyclic systems transformations through the conversion of the starting chromone to coumarin under the influence of thionyl chloride followed by aqueous potassium hydroxide. Some heterocyclic systems like pyrazole, isoxazol and quinolinone are obtained from the target chromone by treatment with hydrazines, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and ammonium acetate respectively. Thiation of starting chromone interestingly affords a dithiated product instead of the expected monothiated one. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of some synthesized compounds have been screened.