Deupirfenidone-d3 is the deuterium labeled Pirfenidone [1].
Stable heavy isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, and other elements have been incorporated into drug molecules, largely as tracers for quantitation during the drug development process. Deuteration has gained attention because of its potential to affect the pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles of drugs[1].
Pirfenidone (PFD) reduces the protein levels of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-11, a TGF-β target gene and furin substrate involved in carcinogenesis. These data define PFD or PFD-related agents as promising agents for human cancers associated with enhanced TGF-β activity[2]. In RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line, Pirfenidone suppresses the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α by a translational mechanism, which is independent of activation of the MAPK2, p38 MAPK, and JNK. In the murine endotoxin shock model, Pirfenidone potently inhibits the production of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-6, but enhances the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10[3]. Pirfenidone (PFD) shows its inhibitory effects on the proliferation of HLECs. Cell proliferation is attenuated in the 0.3 mg/mL group after 24 hours compare with the control group (P=0.044). The effect is more apparent in the 0.5 mg/mL group at 24, 48, and 72 hours (P<0.05). The proliferation is almost completely inhibited with 1 mg/mL PFD at all the time-points (P<0.01)[4].
Administration of Pirfenidone (300 mg/kg/day) for 4 wk. Pirfenidone significantly attenuates the score when administered in Bleomycin (BLM)-treated mice (P<0.0001). Moreover, collagen content is quantified in the lungs to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects of Pirfenidone. The collagen content in the lungs of BLM-treated mice is significantly increased compared with that in saline- or Pirfenidone-treated mice, and this increase is significantly attenuated by Pirfenidone administration on day 28 after BLM treatment (P=0.0012)[5].
<p >References:
[1]. Russak EM, et al. Impact of Deuterium Substitution on the Pharmacokinetics of Pharmaceuticals. Ann Pharmacother. 2019 Feb;53(2):211-243.