Sulindac sulfide suppresses 5-lipoxygenase at clinically relevant concentrations

SD Steinbrink, C Pergola, U Bühring, S George… - Cellular and molecular …, 2010 - Springer
SD Steinbrink, C Pergola, U Bühring, S George, J Metzner, AS Fischer, AK Häfner…
Cellular and molecular life sciences, 2010Springer
Sulindac is a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenases (COX) used to treat inflammation
and pain. Additionally, non-COX targets may account for the drug's chemo-preventive
efficacy against colorectal cancer and reduced gastrointestinal toxicity. Here, we
demonstrate that the pharmacologically active metabolite of sulindac, sulindac sulfide (SSi),
targets 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of proinflammatory
leukotrienes (LTs). SSi inhibited 5-LO in ionophore A23187-and LPS/fMLP-stimulated …
Abstract
Sulindac is a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenases (COX) used to treat inflammation and pain. Additionally, non-COX targets may account for the drug’s chemo-preventive efficacy against colorectal cancer and reduced gastrointestinal toxicity. Here, we demonstrate that the pharmacologically active metabolite of sulindac, sulindac sulfide (SSi), targets 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of proinflammatory leukotrienes (LTs). SSi inhibited 5-LO in ionophore A23187- and LPS/fMLP-stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (IC50 ≈ 8–10 μM). Importantly, SSi efficiently suppressed 5-LO in human whole blood at clinically relevant plasma levels (IC50 = 18.7 μM). SSi was 5-LO-selective as no inhibition of related lipoxygenases (12-LO, 15-LO) was observed. The sulindac prodrug and the other metabolite, sulindac sulfone (SSo), failed to inhibit 5-LO. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated that SSi directly suppresses 5-LO with an IC50 of 20 μM. Together, these findings may provide a novel molecular basis to explain the COX-independent pharmacological effects of sulindac under therapy.
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