N-tert-butyl and N-methyl nitrones derived from aromatic aldehydes inhibit macromolecular permeability increase induced by ischemia/reperfusion in hamsters.

N-alquil nitrones 1c and 3-6 were prepared from aromatic aldehydes and N-tert-butylhydroxylamine or N-methylhydroxylamine in good yields and soft conditions. Their protective effect against microvascular damages caused by ischemia/reperfusion in 'hamster cheek pouch' assay was investigated and compare with that observed for nitrones 1a,b and 2, previously studied. Nitrones 3b, 4b and 4c were the most active ones in inhibiting macromolecular permeability increase induced by ischemia/reperfusion when administered by gavage and intravenous, while 3a and 4a were active only after intravenous administration. N-tert-butylhydroxylamine and Nt-methylhydroxylamine, products of the hydrolysis of these nitrones, were weakly active when administered by gavage or intravenous. Nitrone (4a) was the most potent in inhibiting macromolecular permeability increase induced by histamine. In this case, N-tert-butylhydroxylamine was as active as 4a. The lypophylicity in nitrones, specially in N-methyl nitrones, play an important role on the protective action when compounds were administered by gavage.