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As biomarkers, endogenous neurotransmitters play critical roles in the process of neuropsychiatric diseases, and neurotransmitter levels in different brain regions can contribute to neurological disease diagnosis and treatment. Due to the lack of a blank matrix for endogenous neurotransmitters, surrogate-matrix and surrogate-analyte approaches have been used for the determination of neurotransmitters to solve this problem. In this study, we capitalised on the high accuracy, precision, and throughput of UHPLC-MS/MS and developed new methods based on the two approaches. Both approaches satisfied FDA and EMA validation criterias after an appropriate parallelism assessment, and they were used to further quantify the three endogenous neurotransmitters, including dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rat brain four regions (cortex, striatum, hypothalamus and hippocampus) which represent the catecholamines, indolamines, and amino acids, respectively. Comparison of the results in the same rats (n = 10) showed there was no significant difference in DA, 5-HT, or GABA levels between the two approaches (P > 0.05). The concentrations of DA and GABA were highest in striatum and hypothalamus, respectively, and the levels of 5-HT were paralleled in striatum and hippocampus almost 2-fold higher than other regions. This is the first study to compare these two approaches in the determination of endogenous neurotransmitter content in the rat brain, and the surrogate-matrix approach proved to be simple, rapid, and reliable, considering cost, matrix similarity, and practicality., (Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: Rotigotine is a potent and selective D1, D2, and D3 dopaminergic receptor agonist. Due to an extensive first-pass effect, it has a very low oral bioavailability (approximately 0.5% in rats)., Purpose: The present investigation aimed to develop a microemulsion-based hydrogel for transdermal rotigotine delivery with lower application site reactions., Methods: Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to determine the region of oil in water (o/w)-type microemulsion. Central composite design was used to support the pseudoternary phase diagrams and to select homogeneous and stable microemulsions with an optimal amount of rotigotine permeation within 24 hours. In vitro skin permeation experiments were performed, using Franz diffusion cells, to compare rotigotine-loaded microemulsions with rotigotine solutions in oil. The optimized formulation was used to prepare a microemulsion-based hydrogel, which was subjected to bioavailability and skin irritancy studies., Results: The selected formulations of rotigotine-loaded microemulsions had enhanced flux and permeation coefficients compared with rotigotine in oil. The optimum microemulsion contained 68% water, 6.8% Labrafil(®), 13.44% Cremophor(®) RH40, 6.72% Labrasol(®), and 5.04% Transcutol(®) HP; the drug-loading rate was 2%. To form a microemulsion gel, 1% Carbomer 1342 was added to the microemulsion. The bioavailability of the rotigotine-loaded microemulsion gel was 105.76%±20.52% with respect to the marketed rotigotine patch (Neupro(®)). The microemulsion gel irritated the skin less than Neupro., Conclusion: A rotigotine microemulsion-based hydrogel was successfully developed, and an optimal formulation for drug delivery was identified. This product could improve patient compliance and have broad marketability.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is used to manage chronic pain, including neuropathic and inflammatory pain. However, data regarding the clinical effectiveness are conflicting and the neurophysiological mechanism of SOD has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether SOD relieved chronic central pain (CCP) following spinal cord injury (SCI) and the possible underlying mechanisms. A CCP model was established using the Allen method and the CCP of the rats was measured using the paw withdrawal threshold. SOD was administered intraperitoneally following the establishment of CCP as a result of SCI. The results demonstrated that SOD relieved CCP in rats following SCI. In addition, the expression of spinal phosphorylated N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor subunit 1 (pNR-1) was inhibited in the CCP rats that had been treated with SOD. These observations indicated that SOD reduced mechanical allodynia and attenuated the enhancement of spinal pNR1 expression in rats with CCP. In addition, the results indicated that superoxide, produced via xanthine oxidase, and the participation of superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) as a precursor of peroxynitrite in NMDA, were involved in the mediation of central sensitization. Therefore, the observations support the hypothesis that SOD may have a potential therapeutic role for the treatment of CCP following SCI via the manipulation of superoxide and NO.

Objective: To prepare ligustrazine (TMPZ) ocular sustained-release implant, and investigate its in vitro drug release, pharmacokinetics in rabbit vitreum and in vitro correlation., Method: Ligustrazine ocular sustained-release implants were prepared by micro-twin conical screw mixers with hot-melting extrusion method, with polyactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as the matrix. HPLC was adopted to determine the concentration in vitreum after ligustrazine was implanted in rabbit eyes, in order to examine its in vivo sustained-release behavior, and study the correlation between in vitro and in vivo., Result: Ligustrazine implants were prepared with a drug-loading rate between 10% and 30%, which was in conformity to the pharmacopoeia in terms of the content uniformity. Its in vitro release was in conformity to the zero-order release model. With PLGA 5050, 2. 5A as a vector, ligustrazine implants with a drug-loading rate of 30% could slowly release drug for more than 3 weeks, indicating a good correlation between in vitro and in vivo release., Conclusion: Ligustrazine ocular implants prepared with hot-melting extrusion method is practicable. Ligustrazine ocular implants release drug smoothly in rabbit vitreous vitreums, suggesting good sustained-release effect.

Objective: To study the clinical effect of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) construction with different transplants., Methods: From March 2006 to April 2009, 86 patients including 60 male and 26 female undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were prospectively randomized consecutively into autograft group (44 patients, using autogeneic hamstring tendons) and allograft group (42 patients, using allogenic lower extremity tendons). The age of those patients were 22 - 56 years, averaging (32 ± 7) years. The operations were made by the same doctor with the standard technology. The postoperative effects were assessed by the range of motion and tibia forward distance, Lachman test, pivot shift test, Daniel test, IKDC scores systems, Lysholm-Tegner scores., Results: Seventy-nine patients were followed up, 41 patients in autograft groups averaged 39.6 months and 38 patients in allograft group averaged 37.4 months. The operation time of autograft group was (87 ± 11) minutes, that of allograft group was (55 ± 10) minutes (t = 15.732, P < 0.05). The time of postoperative fever of autograft group was (3.2 ± 1.4) days, that of allograft groups was (7.6 ± 5.3) days (t = 5.740, P < 0.05). The Lysholm scores of autograft group was 42 ± 7 before operation, and 89 ± 8 at final follow-up. The Lysholm scores of allograft group was 44 ± 6 before operation, and 87 ± 9 at final follow-up. There was statistic difference in both groups between before operation and final follow-up (t = 13.534 and 17.768, P < 0.05).But no statistic difference existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). The Tegner scores of autograft group was 2.9 ± 2.1 before operation, and 7.7 ± 1.2 at final follow-up. The Tegner scores of allograft group was 2.7 ± 1.4 before operation, and 7.1 ± 1.6 at final follow-up. There was statistic difference in both groups between before operation and final follow-up (t = 16.004 and 12.338, P < 0.05).No statistic difference existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). The KT2000 results showed that the anterior displacement of autograft groups was (10.7 ± 3.5) mm before operation and (5.0 ± 2.7) mm at final follow-up, the anterior displacement of allograft groups was (10.9 ± 2.9) mm before operation and (6.5 ± 2.4) mm at final follow-up, there was statistic difference between before and after operation in anterior displacement in two groups (t = 16.354 and 13.296 P < 0.05). There was no difference between two groups before operation and at final follow-up. Compared to before operation, the IKDC scores were improved greatly after operation (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The clinical effect of arthroscopic ACL construction with allograft transplants is near to autograft.

To study pharmacokinetic properties of puerarin poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimer complex, a sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated to determine puerarin in rabbit aqueous humor using microdialysis sampling. Astilbin was used as the internal standard. The linear range for puerarin was from 2 to 1000ng/mL (r=0.9986) based on 20μL of aqueous humor. The coefficients of variations for intra-day and inter-day precisions were less than 10.0%, and the relative error of accuracy was within ±6.3%. The mean extraction recovery of puerarin varied from 80.4% to 85.5%. Microdialysis provides a complete concentration versus time profile. A significant difference was observed in main pharmacokinetic parameters of C(max), AUC and t(1/2) between puerarin solution and puerarin PAMAM dendrimer complex. Complex formation resulted in an obvious increase in bioavailability of puerarin after topical administration to rabbit according to the above LC-MS/MS assay method., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers on corneal permeation of puerarin (PUE). Permeation studies were performed using excised cornea of rabbits by a Valia-Chien diffusion apparatus. Drug-treatment studies were carried out by measuring the penetration of puerarin on cornea in PAMAM-PUE physical mixture or PAMAM-PUE complex, and cornea-treatment studies were carried out by measuring the penetration of puerarin on PAMAM dendrimer pretreated cornea in puerarin solution. The results showed that the permeability coefficient of puerarin in PAMAM-PUE physical mixture was enhanced by 2.48 (G3), 1.99 (G4) and 1.36 (G5) times on average, respectively compared to control. However, no significant permeability enhancement of puerarin in PAMAM-PUE complex was found compared to control. This may attribute to free drug concentration was lower in PAMAM-PUE complex which served as a depot and exhibited slow-released behavior of drug. Cornea-treatment studies showed that the lag time of puerarin was decreased, while the cumulative amount within 2.5 h (Q(2.5)) and the permeability coefficient of puerarin increased compared to control. The permeability coefficient of puerarin was linear correlated to the molecular weight of PAMAM dendrimer (r(2)=0.99). This indicates that higher generation of PAMAM dendrimer more easily interact with cornea or loosen the epithelium cell junctions than lower generation to increase the flux of puerarin. Overall, the study showed that PAMAM dendrimer increased the corneal permeation of puerarin mainly by altering the corneal barrier.

To prepare cyclosporine A (CyA) loaded block copolymer micelles and observe its release behaviors in vitro and pharmacokinetics in rats, methoxylpoly (ethylene glycol)-poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) was synthesized by ring-opening copolymerization of lactide and glycolide in the presence of methoxylpoly (ethylene glycol) (mPEG) as initiator. The structure of the mPEG-PLGA copolymer was confirmed with 1H NMR and FT-IR. The cyclosporine A loaded micelles (CyA-PM) were prepared by solvent evaporation method and their morphology was observed by the transmission electron microscope (TEM). The mean size and size distribution were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The release behaviors in vitro and pharmacokinetics in rats were investigated by HPLC method using cyclosporine A injection commercial agent, sandimmune, as the reference. The obtained CyA-PM showed spherical shape with the core-shell structure, the mean particle sizes are in the range of 136.1-141.9 nm. The drug loading amount and entrapment efficiency were increased and the particle size became smaller with decreasing the ratio of acetone to water. With the increasing of the amount of cyclosporine A fed the drug loading increased, entrapment efficiency decreased and the particle size had no change. CyA-PM showed significant sustained release behave in vitro compared with sandimmune and only 9.7% of encapsulated cyclosporine A was released after 12 hours, the release characteristics was well fitted with Higuchi equation (r = 0.999). The Pharmacokinetics study at equal administration dosage (5 mg x kg(-1)) in rats showed the half-life (t1/2) of CyA-PM extended and the area under concentration-time curve (AUC) increased compared to sandimmune. The results also showed that cyclosporine A concentration-time data were all in accord with two compartment model. Cyclosporine A loaded mPEG-PLGA micelles showed obviously solubility enhancement, sustained release and overcome the side effect and toxicity of sandimmune resulted from solubiling agent-polyoxyethylene castor oil (Cremophor EL) and might be developed as a novel dosage form of cyclosporine A.

To optimize the formulation and preparation method of multivesicular liposome of thymopentin and to investigate its pharmacokinetics in rats, the multivesicular liposome of thymopentin was prepared by double emulsification method and the formulation was optimized by orthogonal design. The release characteristics of thymopentin from multivesicular liposome in PBS (pH 7.4) and in plasma were investigated. The multivesicular liposome of thymopentin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate was prepared by double emulsification method. Its pharmacokinetics was evaluated following intramuscular injection in rats. The optimal formulation of multivesicular liposome of thymopentin were formulated with 7.5% glucose in aqueous phase and 2.25 mol x L(-1) triolein, 2.68 mol x L(-1) DPPG and 16.96 mol x L(-1) DOPC in organic phase. The entrapment efficiency of the multivesicular liposome of thymopentin was above 85% and the mean particle size was about 22 microm. The in vitro release of thymopentin from multivesicular liposome in PBS (pH 7.4) and in plasma was found to be in a sustained manner. The release curves were fitted to Higuchi equation. The pharmacokinetics following intramuscular injection of the multivesicular liposome of thymopentin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate in rats showed that the peak concentration of thymopentin was lower and elimination of it was slower significantly than that of thymopentin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate solution in the same dose. The plasma concentration of thymopentin maintained above quantitative limitation at 120 h after administration of multivesicular liposome of thymopentin. The optimized formulation and preparation technology of multivesicular liposome of thymopentin with higher entrapment efficiency are feasible with good reproducibility. Multivesicular liposome of thymopentin showed significant sustained-release property following intramuscular injection in rats.