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The combination of venetoclax plus azacitidine (VTX-AZA) is FDA-approved to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) aged ≥75 years and has become the standard of care for AML patients. However, the literature has not reported an analytical method for determining VTX-AZA in plasma samples. Therefore, developing an accurate and sensitive bioanalytical assay to quantify VTX-AZA in plasma is important. For the first time, this study describes the development of a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of VTX and AZC in plasma samples with its application to pharmacokinetic study in rats. The assay employs repaglinide (RPG) as an internal standard. The chromatographic separations of VTX, AZC, and RPG are achieved within 2.5 min at 25 °C on an Eclipse plus C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) and an isocratic mobile phase consisted of water with 0.1 % formic acid and acetonitrile (50:50, v/v, pH 3.2) at a flow rate of 0.30 mL/min. VTX and AZC have been extracted from rat plasma using the solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure without interference from plasma endogenous. The FDA guidelines were followed in the validation of the developed assay, and linearity in rat plasma was observed for AZC and VTX, respectively, ranging from 5 to 3000 and 5-1000 ng/mL, with r ≥ 0.998. The lower limits of detection (LLOD) were 2 ng/mL for both drugs. In addition, the inter-day and intra-day accuracy were 0.8-6.6 % and 2.2-5.7 %; the inter-day and intra-day precision were 3-6.6 % and 1.5-7.1 %, respectively. The validated assay was effectively used in a pharmacokinetic investigation including the simultaneous oral administration of 40 mg/kg of AZA and 100 mg/kg of VTX to rats. The maximum plasma concentration (C max ) for AZC and VTX was 794 ± 99.6 ng/mL and 641 ± 96.9 ng/mL achieved at 0.5 ± 0.03 h and 6 ± 0.05 h, respectively. The AUC 0-∞ for AZC and VTX was 1253 ± 252.6 and 4881 ± 745.4 ng/mL.h; respectively., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This single-center, randomized, open-label, single-dose, 2-group, 2-stage crossover trial evaluated the bioequivalence of 15 mg of mirogabalin as orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) with conventional mirogabalin tablets in healthy Japanese men. The trial involved two studies: in Study 1, the ODT formulation was taken without water, and in Study 2, the ODT formulation was taken with water. The conventional tablet was taken with water in both studies. We investigated the pharmacokinetic parameters and bioequivalence of the 2 formulations, including the maximum plasma concentration and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve up to the last quantifiable time. The plasma concentrations of mirogabalin were determined by a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method. A total of 72 participants were enrolled and completed the trial. The geometric least-squares mean ratios of maximum plasma concentration of the ODT formulation to the conventional formulation were within the prespecified bioequivalence range of 0.80-1.25 (Study 1, 0.995; Study 2, 1.009), as was the area under the plasma concentration-time curve up to the last quantifiable time (Study 1, 1.023; Study 2, 1.035). No serious adverse events were observed. In conclusion, mirogabalin 15-mg ODTs, either with or without water, were bioequivalent to conventional 15-mg tablets., (© 2023 The Authors. Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Clinical Pharmacology.)

MGS0274 besylate is an ester-based lipophilic prodrug of a metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) 2 and mGlu3 receptor agonist MGS0008 and being developed for the treatment of schizophrenia. We investigated the disposition of these compounds in rats and monkeys and in vitro metabolism in humans to evaluate whether MGS0274 besylate could be useful as a prodrug in humans. After the oral administration of MGS0274 besylate to monkeys (2.89 mg/kg), MGS0008 was immediately found in plasma, reached a maximum concentration at 4 hours postdose, and decreased with a terminal half-life of 16.7 hours; MGS0274 was barely detectable. The oral bioavailability as MGS0008 was 83.7%, which was approximately 20-fold greater than that after oral dosing of MGS0008 (3.8%). In rats, MGS0008 penetrated the cerebrospinal fluid and was eliminated slower than from plasma. The in vitro metabolism study indicated that MGS0274 was rapidly hydrolyzed to MGS0008, which was not further metabolized. After the intravenous administration of MGS0008 to rats and monkeys, almost all the dose was excreted unchanged in urine. These results suggested that MGS0274 was, as expected, presystemically hydrolyzed to MGS0008 after gastrointestinal absorption and that MGS0008 was distributed throughout the body without further metabolism and ultimately excreted in urine in the animals. Furthermore, the hydrolytic activity against MGS0274 in the human liver S9 fraction was comparable to that in monkeys, suggesting the possibility of the rapid presystemic hydrolysis of MGS0274 to MGS0008 in humans, as it is in monkeys. Consequently, MGS0274 besylate is expected to function as a preferable prodrug in humans., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Mirogabalin, a selective voltage-dependent calcium channel α2δ ligand under development for treatment of neuropathic pain, may be coadministered with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. A randomized, open-label, single-dose, 3-treatment, 3-period crossover study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of mirogabalin and metformin upon coadministration. Eligible subjects received 3 treatments separated by a 7-day washout period: 1 oral dose of mirogabalin 15 mg; 1 oral dose of metformin 850 mg; and coadministration of mirogabalin 15 mg with metformin 850 mg. PK assessments included maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax); time of maximum plasma concentration; area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration, and from 0 to infinity (AUClast and AUC0-inf, respectively). Safety assessments included adverse event (AE) monitoring and physical and clinical laboratory evaluations. 21 healthy men with a mean age of 30.4 years were enrolled and completed the study. Geometric least square means ratios (coadministration vs. alone; 90% confidence interval) for metformin Cmax, AUClast, and AUC0-inf were 1.00 (0.95 - 1.05), 1.04 (1.00 - 1.07), and 1.03 (1.00 - 1.07), respectively; ratios for mirogabalin were 0.94 (0.87 - 1.02), 0.99 (0.95 - 1.04), and 1.00 (0.96 - 1.04), respectively. Three subjects reported treatment-emergent AEs: dyspepsia, headache, and increased hepatic enzymes (resolved upon follow-up without sequelae). There were no deaths, serious AEs, or discontinuations due to AEs. Coadministration of mirogabalin and metformin is well tolerated in healthy subjects with no evidence of a drug-drug interaction.
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Four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-period drug-drug interaction studies were conducted in healthy subjects to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PD) interactions between mirogabalin and commonly used central nervous system depressants. Mirogabalin or placebo was administered alone or with single-dose lorazepam, zolpidem, tramadol, ethanol, or interacting drug placebo. Safety was assessed and serial samples for pharmacokinetic parameters were collected for up to 48 hours postdose. PD assessments included body sway (except tramadol), digit symbol substitution test, vertigo symptom scale short form, brief ataxia rating scale, and the Bond and Lader visual analog scale. Coadministration of mirogabalin with any of the 4 drugs did not cause any clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions. Peak mirogabalin concentration decreased by 28% (least squares mean ratio, 0.72; 90% confidence interval, [CI] 0.67, 0.76) following tramadol coadministration, and increased by 20% (least squares mean ratio, 1.20; 90%CI, 1.12, 1.28) following ethanol coadministration. Mirogabalin alone had little to no effect on PD parameters, but coadministration of mirogabalin with either lorazepam or ethanol increased the PD effects in body sway and digit symbol substitution test assays. Mirogabalin/lorazepam and mirogabalin/zolpidem increased occurrence of somnolence. Increased incidence of nausea and headache was noted with mirogabalin/tramadol and mirogabalin/ethanol, respectively., (© 2018, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.)

A metabolite of procymidone, hydroxylated-PCM, causes rat-specific developmental toxicity due to higher exposure to it in rats than in rabbits or monkeys. When procymidone was administered to chimeric mice with rat or human hepatocytes, the plasma level of hydroxylated-PCM was higher than that of procymidone in rat chimeric mice, and the metabolic profile of procymidone in intact rats was well reproduced in rat chimeric mice. In human chimeric mice, the plasma level of hydroxylated-PCM was less, resulting in a much lower exposure. The main excretion route of hydroxylated-PCM-glucuronide was bile (the point that hydroxylated-PCM enters the enterohepatic circulation) in rat chimeric mice, and urine in human chimeric mice. These data suggest that humans, in contrast to rats, extensively form the glucuronide and excrete it in urine, as do rabbits and monkeys. Overall, procymidone's potential for causing teratogenicity in humans must be low compared to that in rats.

LY-354,740 (eglumegad) is a selective and potent agonist of the metabotropic glutamate group II receptors (mGluR2,3) that has already entered clinical trials as a potential anti-psychotic agent and therefore has well-documented pharmacokinetic (PK), safety and tolerability profiles in human. Whereas its development as an anti-psychotic agent has not been pursued, LY-354,740 may have potential in other neuroscience-related fields, notably anxiety and neuro-protection. The common marmoset is a small primate that has long been used in neuroscience. However, given its small size and small circulating blood volume, conducting PK studies to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of LY-354,740 at clinically-relevant doses is challenging. Here, we have developed and validated a simple, sensitive and selective analytical method that enables quantification of LY-354,740 using a small volume of plasma. The analytical method consisted of protein precipitation followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with heat assisted electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HESI-MS/MS). The chromatographic separation was achieved using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 10mM ammonium formate (pH 3) on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim Trinity P1 analytical column (100x3.0mm I.D., 3μm) operating at 45°C and at a flow rate of 900μl/min. The method displays a linear relationship ranging from 20.0 to 5000ng/ml. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations are less than 5.7% and 7.0%, respectively and the accuracy ranged from 91.0 to 106.0%. The UHPLC-HESI-MS/MS analytical method we describe here is simple, sensitive, specific and capable of quantifying LY-354,740 in both rat and marmoset plasma, and is suitable to conduct PK studies after a single sub-cutaneous dose of 1.0mg/kg or lower in both species., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of a novel mGlu2 agonist were assessed in healthy males., Methods: In two, Phase 1 investigator- and subject-blind, placebo-controlled studies, oral doses of prodrug LY2979165 were evaluated: single doses (20-150 mg, N = 30) and multiple once-daily (QD) doses (20-400 mg; N = 84), using a titration regimen. The plasma and urine PK of LY2979165 and active moiety, 2812223, were measured. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected to determine PK and neurotransmitter levels. Safety parameters were assessed throughout., Results: Nausea and vomiting were dose limiting following single doses; dose titration allowed higher doses to be tested over 14 days. The most common adverse events related to LY2979165 were dizziness, vomiting, nausea, somnolence and headache. The plasma PK of 2812223 were approximately linear with minimal accumulation with QD dosing. Conversion of LY2979165 to 2812223 was extensive, with minimal LY2979165 measurable in plasma. There was no effect of food on the PK of LY2979165 and 2812223. After 60 mg LY2979165 single-dose, 2812223 exposure in CSF was approximately 2-6% and plasma exposure and peak concentrations were approximately four-fold higher than the mGlu2 agonist in vitro EC 50 value. No consistent effects were observed on CSF neurotransmitter levels., Conclusions: Oral doses of LY2979165 up to 60 mg as a single dose and up to 400 mg given as multiple QD doses, using a titration regimen, were well tolerated with linear PK. Overall, these data support further clinical evaluation of LY2979165., (© 2017 The British Pharmacological Society.)

A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe plasma concentrations of mirogabalin and lactam metabolite, obtained following a single oral dose of 5 mg mirogabalin to subjects with varying degrees of renal function.A 2-compartment model was used for both mirogabalin and lactam metabolite. Body weight was a significant covariate on volume of distribution of mirogabalin and lactam metabolite, whereas creatinine clearance significantly affected both renal and nonrenal clearance of mirogabalin. The total clearance of mirogabalin was decreased by 25%, 54%, and 76% in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, respectively, relative to normal controls. Simulation results showed that in comparison with the normal renal function group receiving mirogabalin 15 mg once or twice daily, dose reduction by 50% or 75% in subjects with moderate or severe renal impairment would produce similar AUCss values, but 37%-43% or 28%-32% lower Cmax,ss of mirogabalin. Predicted mirogabalin AUCss was 26% higher, whereas Cmax,ss was similar in subjects with mild renal impairment compared with those having normal renal function taking the same dose. Results support a dose reduction by 50% or 75% in subjects with moderate or severe renal impairment. No dose adjustment seemed necessary for subjects with mild renal impairment., (© 2015, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.)

1.  Metabolism and disposition of ABT-894 was investigated in hepatocytes, in mice and monkeys receiving [(14)C]ABT-894. 2.  In hepatocytes, turnover rate of ABT-894 was slow in all species with more than 90% of parent remaining. M3 (carbamoyl glucuronide) and M6 (mono-oxidation) were detected across species. 3.  ABT-894 showed species-specific disposition profiles. ABT-894 was primarily eliminated by renal secretion in mice. Whereas, monkey mainly cleared ABT-894 metabolically. 4.  ABT-894 underwent two primary routes of metabolism in monkeys: N-carbamoyl glucuronidation to form M3 and oxidation product M1. M3 was the major metabolite in monkey excreta. M3 was observed in mice urine. Circulating levels of M3 in terms of M3/ABT-894 ratios were essentially absent in mice, but were high in monkeys. 5.  Understanding the species difference in the clearance mechanism is the key to the accurate projection of the human clearance and preclinical safety assessment. Lack of species difference in the metabolism of ABT-894 in hepatocytes certainly creates a challenge in predicting its metabolism and pharmacokinetics in human. Based on available metabolism and pharmacokinetic data of ABT-894 in human, monkey is the preferred species in predicting human clearance since it presents a similar clearance mechanism from that observed in human.

In holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission regions, malarial anemia is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Identifying biomarkers of malaria disease severity is important for identifying at-risk groups and for improved understanding of the molecular pathways that influence clinical outcomes. We have previously shown that decreased cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels are associated with enhanced clinical severity in cerebral malaria, malarial anemia, and malaria during pregnancy. Since children with malaria often have increased incidence of additional infections, such as bacteremia and HIV-1, we extend our previous findings by investigating COX-2 and PGE2 in children with falciparum malaria and co-infection with either bacteremia or HIV-1. Plasma bicyclo-PGE2/creatinine levels and peripheral blood COX-2 transcripts were significantly reduced in co-infected children relative to those with malaria mono-infection. Furthermore, suppression of circulating bicyclo-PGE2 was significantly associated with reduced hemoglobin levels in both mono- and co-infected children with malaria, suggesting that bicyclo-PGE2 may represent both a marker and mediator of malaria pathogenesis., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Proteolytically stable peptide architectures are required for the development of long-acting peptide therapeutics. In this work, we found that a phage-selected bicyclic peptide antagonist exhibits an unusually high stability in vivo and subsequently deciphered the underlying mechanisms of peptide stabilization. We found that the bicyclic peptide was significantly more stable than its constituent rings synthesized as two individual macrocycles. The two rings protect each other from proteolysis when linked together, conceivably by constraining the conformation and/or by mutually shielding regions prone to proteolysis. A second stabilization mechanism was found when the bicyclic peptide was linked to an albumin-binding peptide to prevent its rapid renal clearance. The bicyclic peptide conjugate not only circulated 50-fold longer (t(1/2) = 24 h) but also became entirely resistant to proteolysis when tethered to the long-lived serum protein. The bicyclic peptide format overcomes a limitation faced by many peptide leads and appears to be suitable for the generation of long-acting peptide therapeutics.

Unlabelled: It is well accepted that drug transporters play a pivotal role in hepatobiliary excretion of anionic drugs, in which drug-drug interactions and genetic polymorphisms are known to cause variations. However, PET probes for in vivo functional characterization of these transporters have not been established yet. We used PET to investigate hepatic uptake and subsequent canalicular efflux of (11)C-labeled (15R)-16-m-tolyl-17,18,19,20-tetranorisocarbacyclin methyl ester [(15R)-(11)C-TIC-Me)] in healthy subjects., Methods: Serial PET scans of the abdominal region in healthy male subjects were obtained with or without the organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) inhibitor rifampicin after intravenous injection of (15R)-(11)C-TIC-Me as a radiotracer. Venous blood samples and PET images were obtained at frequent intervals up to 30 min after administration of the PET tracer. Dynamic imaging data were evaluated by integration plots of data collected for 2-10 min and for 10-30 min after tracer administration for the determination of tissue uptake clearance and biliary efflux clearance, respectively., Results: After rapid hydrolysis in blood, the acid form-(11)C-labeled (15R)-16-m-tolyl-17,18,19,20-tetranorisocarbacyclin [(15R)-(11)C-TIC]-accumulated in the liver (37% of the dose by 17 min), and the radioactivity was then excreted into the bile (6.2% by 30 min). Rifampicin (600 mg by mouth), a potent OATP inhibitor, significantly reduced the radioactivity excreted into the bile (by 44%) by inhibiting both uptake (by 45%) and subsequent canalicular efflux (by 62%). (15R)-(11)C-TIC is an in vitro substrate of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, and clinically relevant concentrations of rifampicin inhibited uptake by OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. These results demonstrated that in humans, (15R)-(11)C-TIC-associated radioactivity is excreted into the bile by organic anion transport systems., Conclusion: We demonstrated that PET image analysis with (15R)-(11)C-TIC-Me is useful for investigating variations in OATP function in the human hepatobiliary transport system.

Rationale: Nicotinic α7 acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been highlighted as a target for cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia., Aim: To investigate whether the deficits induced by sub-chronic phencyclidine (PCP) in reversal learning and novel object recognition could be attenuated by the selective α7 nAChR full agonist, PNU-282987., Methods: Adult female hooded-Lister rats received sub-chronic PCP (2mg/kg) or vehicle i.p. twice daily for 7days, followed by 7 days washout. In cohort 1, PCP-treated rats then received PNU-282987 (5, 10, 20mg/kg; s.c.) or vehicle and were tested in the reversal-learning task. In cohort 2, PCP-treated rats received PNU-282987 (10mg/kg; s.c.) or saline for 15days and were tested in the novel object recognition test on day 1 and on day 15, to test for tolerance., Results: Sub-chronic PCP produced significant deficits in both cognitive tasks (P<0.01-0.001). PNU-282987 attenuated the PCP-induced deficits in reversal learning at 10mg/kg (P<0.01) and 20mg/kg (P<0.001), and in novel object recognition at 10mg/kg on day 1 (P<0.01) and on day 15 (P<0.001)., Conclusions: These data show that PNU-282987 has efficacy to reverse PCP-induced deficits in two paradigms of relevance to schizophrenia. Results further suggest that 15-day once daily dosing of PNU-282987 (10mg/kg s.c.) does not cause tolerance in the rat. This study suggests that activation of α7 nAChRs, may represent a suitable strategy for improving cognitive deficits of relevance to schizophrenia., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Monkeys have been proposed as an animal model to predict the magnitude of human clinical drug-drug interactions caused by CYP3A4 enzyme induction. To evaluate whether the cynomolgus monkey can be an effective in vivo model, human CYP3A4 inducers were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. First, a full-length pregnane X receptor (PXR) was cloned from the cynomolgus monkey, and the sequence was compared with those of rhesus monkey and human PXR. Cynomolgus and rhesus monkey PXR differed by only one amino acid (A68V), and both were highly homologous to human PXR (approximately 96%). When the transactivation profiles of 30 compounds, including known inducers of CYP3A4, were compared between cynomolgus and human PXR, a high degree of correlation with EC(50) values was observed. These results suggest that cynomolgus and human PXR respond in a similar fashion to these ligands. Second, two known human CYP3A4 inducers, rifampicin and hyperforin, were tested in monkey and human primary hepatocytes for induction of CYP3A enzymes. Both monkey and human hepatocytes responded similarly to the inducers and resulted in increased RNA and enzyme activity changes of CYP3A8 and CYP3A4, respectively. Lastly, in vivo induction of CYP3A8 by rifampicin and hyperforin was shown by significant reductions of midazolam exposure that were comparable with those in humans. These results show that the cynomolgus monkey can be a predictive in vivo animal model of PXR-mediated induction of human CYP3A4 and can provide a useful assessment of the resulting pharmacokinetic changes of affected drugs.

PCM-CH2OH [N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1-hydroxymethyl-2-methylcyclopropane-1,2-dicarboximide] and PA-CH2OH [2-carboxyl-N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1-hydroxymethyl-2-methylcyclopropane-1-carboxamide] are metabolites of the fungicide procymidone [N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1,2-dicarboximide] in rat. The distribution and metabolism of PCM-CH2OH and PA-CH2OH were here clarified by analyzing plasma and tissues (liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen and ovary) of female rats after single subcutaneous administration of [phenyl-14C]PCM-CH2OH and [phenyl-14C]PA-CH2OH at 62.5 mg/kg, respectively. In both rats dosed with PCM-CH2OH and PA-CH2OH, the radioactivity was similarly distributed into plasma and tissues, and PA-CH2OH was detected as the main metabolite in plasma, whereas PCM-CH2OH predominated in tissues except for kidney at 1 h after administration of PA-CH2OH. Furthermore, the cyclization ratio [PCM-CH2OH/(PCM-CH2OH+PA-CH2OH)] increased in tissues of PA-CH2OH dosed rats with passage of time. Both procymidone and PCM-CH2OH have convertible conformations (closed and open ring forms), so influence of pH conditions to their conversion was examined. Both compounds demonstrated closed rings under acidic conditions, and open rings under alkaline conditions. Generally, intracellar pH is kept at approximately neutral, and extracellular pH is kept at 0.6-0.7 units higher in all the animal species, so that our in vitro results supported in vivo findings.

The aim of this study was to investigate what the consequences of induced drug metabolism, caused by St. John's wort (SJW, Hypericum perforatum) treatment, would have on the plasma, biliary and urinary pharmacokinetics of finasteride and its two previously identified phase I metabolites (hydroxy-finasteride and carboxy-finasteride). Twelve healthy men were administered 5mg finasteride directly to the intestine via a catheter with a multi-channel tubing system, Loc-I-Gut, before and after 14 days SJW (300mg b.i.d, hyperforin 4%) treatment. Bile samples were withdrawn via the Loc-I-Gut device from the proximal jejunum. LC-ESI-MS/MS was used to analyze finasteride and its metabolites in plasma, bile and urine. HPLC-UV was used to analyze hyperforin in plasma. The herbal treatment significantly reduced the peak plasma concentration (C(max)), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-24h)) and the elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of finasteride. The geometric mean ratios (90% CI) were 0.42 (0.36-0.49), 0.66 (0.56-0.79) and 0.54 (0.48-0.61), respectively. Finasteride was excreted unchanged to a minor extent into bile and urine. Hydroxy-finasteride was not detected in plasma, bile or urine. Carboxy-finasteride was quantified in all three compartments and its plasma pharmacokinetics was significantly affected by SJW treatment. Hyperforin concentration in plasma was 21+/-7ng/ml approximately 12h after the last dose of the 14 days SJW treatment. In conclusion, SJW treatment for 2 weeks induced the metabolism of finasteride and caused a reduced plasma exposure of the drug. New knowledge was gained about the biliary and urinary excretion or the drug and its metabolites.

LY354740, a potent and selective mGlu (metabotropic glutamate receptor)2/3 agonist, has shown efficacy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). LY544344 is a LY354740 prodrug that increases LY354740 bioavailability. This 8-week study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of LY544344 in the treatment of GAD. Participants had a diagnoses of GAD, baseline Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety subscale scores > or = 10, and moderate illness severity. Patients were randomized to double-blind treatment with LY544344 16 mg b.i.d. (n = 28), LY544344 8 mg b.i.d. (n = 36), or placebo (n = 44). LY544344 16 mg b.i.d.-treated patients showed significantly greater improvement from baseline in Hamilton Anxiety and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scores, as well as response and remission rates compared with placebo-treated patients. LY544344 was well tolerated and there were no significant differences in the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events among the three treatment groups. However, the trial was discontinued early based on findings of convulsions in preclinical studies. In conclusion, the findings of this study support the potential efficacy of mGlu2/3 receptor agonist agents in the treatment of GAD. Additional studies will be needed to further assess the toxicological and clinical profile of LY354740/LY544344.

The peptidyl prodrug (1S,2S,5R,6S)-2-[(2'S)-(2-Amino)propionyl]a-minobicyclo[3.1.0.]hexen-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, also known as LY544344, was discovered to improve the oral bioavailability of the parent drug (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY354740), a potent group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist. This prodrug has been shown to deliver high plasma concentrations of the active drug via intestinal peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1) (PepT1)-mediated intestinal transport and presystemic hydrolysis in preclinical species. The current data describe the pharmacokinetic behavior of LY544344 and LY354740, with a specific focus on the first-pass activation processes and dose linearity in rats and dogs. The PepT1 transporter makes an attractive prodrug target because of its high capacity and relatively broad substrate specificity. This was demonstrated by the wide dose proportionality observed in both species (up to 1000 mg/kg in rats and 140 mg/kg in dogs). After oral administration of LY544344, absorption and bioactivation were extensive and rapid, with greater than 97% of prodrug hydrolysis occurring before its appearance in the hepatic portal vein. Systemic activation was likewise extensive, with 100% conversion of a 7-mg/kg intravenous dose in dogs. Radiolabeled studies confirmed that hydrolysis to LY354740 was the only metabolic pathway and that the excretion pattern of the active drug was not altered by administration of the prodrug. These results demonstrate the nearly ideal prodrug properties of LY544344 and further validate the utility of the peptide transporter-directed approach to prodrug design.

A single transition structure was located on the potential energy surface of the cycloisomerization of protic and Lewis acid activated (2E,4Z)-heptatrienal and the corresponding methyl ester to provide the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexene derivatives, the central skeleton of the crispatene natural products. A two-dimensional scan of the C-C bond-forming reactions revealed a barrierless cyclopropane closure following the pentadienyl cycloisomerization, with preservation of the stereochemical information.

MGS0039 (3-(3,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)-2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo-[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) has been identified as a potent and selective antagonist for metabotropic glutamate receptors. However, the oral bioavailability of MGS0039 is 10.9% in rats, due to low absorption. Several prodrugs, synthesized to improve absorption, exhibited 40 to 70% bioavailability in rats. This study investigated in vitro metabolism using liver S9 fractions from both cynomolgus monkeys and humans and oral bioavailability in cynomolgus monkeys to select the prodrug most likely to exhibit optimal pharmacokinetic profiles in humans. In monkeys, transformation to active substance was observed (5.9-72.8%) in liver S9 fractions, and n-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-methylbutyl, and 4-methylpentyl ester prodrugs exhibited high transformation ratios (>64%). Cmax levels and F values after oral dosing increased to 4.1- to 6.3-fold and 2.4- to 6.3-fold, respectively, and a close relationship between transformation ratios and Cmax and F values was observed, indicating that the hydrolysis rate in liver S9 fractions is the key factor in determining oral bioavailability in monkeys. In humans, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 5-methylbutyl, and 6-methylpentyl ester prodrugs exhibited high transformation ratios (>65%) in liver S9 fractions. With these prodrugs, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, and 5-methylpentyl ester, almost complete recovery (96-99%) was obtained. Given the transformation ratio, we anticipated that the n-heptyl alkyl ester prodrug would exhibit the highest oral bioavailability of active substances in humans, if the hydrolysis rate in liver S9 fractions is indeed the key factor in determining oral bioavailability in humans. On this basis, MGS0210 (3-(3,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)-2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid n-heptyl ester) seems to be a promising candidate among MGS0039 prodrugs.

The analysis of hypericin, pseudohypericin (collectively called in this study hypericins) and hyperforin in biological fluids is reported using single-drop liquid-phase microextraction in conjunction with HPLC-UV-fluorescence detection. A new option for analysis of the active principle constituents in biological samples is proposed, reducing the steps required prior to analysis. There are several parameters which determine the mass transfer such as the extraction solvent, drop and sample volumes, extraction time and temperature, pH and ionic strength, stirring rate and depth of needle tip in the bulk solution. These parameters were chosen to optimize the performance in the current study. The method was validated with respect to precision, accuracy and specificity. The intra-day precision values were below 2.3% for the high concentration level of control samples and 6.2% for the low level. The respective inter-day precision values were calculated to be below 4.4 and 7.1%, respectively, for the two concentration levels. Accuracy of the method, calculated as relative error, ranged from -2.6 to 7.0%. It was demonstrated that as long as the extraction procedure is consistently applied, quantitative analysis is performed accurately and reproducibly in human urine and plasma samples. Limits of quantitation (LOQs) in urine were calculated to be 3, 6 and 12 ng/ml for pseudohypericin, hypericin and hyperforin, respectively. Slightly higher limits were measured in plasma, i.e. 5, 12 and 20 ng/ml, for the respective analytes.

Metabolism and disposition of MGS0028 [(1R,2S,5S,6S)-2-amino-6-fluoro-4-oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid monohydrate], a potent group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, were examined in three preclinical species (Sprague-Dawley rats, beagle dogs, and rhesus monkeys). In rats, MGS0028 was widely distributed and primarily excreted in urine as parent and as a single reductive metabolite, identified as the 4R-isomer MGS0034 [(1R,2S,4R,5S,6S)-2-amino-6-fluoro-4-hydroxybicyclo[3.1.0]-hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid]. MGS0028 had a low brain to plasma ratio at efficacious doses in rats and was eliminated more slowly in rat brain than in plasma. Exposure increased proportionally (1--10 mg/kg p.o.) in rats, with bioavailability>60% at all doses. However, bioavailability was only approximately 20% in monkeys, and MGS0034 was found in relatively high abundance in plasma. In dogs, oral bioavailability was >60%, and the metabolite was not detected. In vitro metabolism was examined in liver subcellular fractions (microsomes and cytosol) from rat, dog, monkey, and human. Reductive metabolism was observed in rat, monkey, and human liver cytosol incubations, but not in dog liver cytosol incubations. No metabolism of MGS0028 was detected in incubations with liver microsomes from any species. Similar to in vivo results, MGS0028 was reduced in cytosol stereospecifically to MGS0034. The rank order of in vitro metabolite formation (monkey >> rat approximately human >> dog) was in agreement with in vivo observations in rats, dogs, and monkeys. Based on the observation of species difference in reductive metabolism, rat and monkey were recommended to be the preclinical species for further characterization prior to testing in humans. Finally, allometric scaling predicts that human pharmacokinetic parameters would be acceptable for further development.

Background: A previously reported clinical trial of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) in depression did not demonstrate efficacy. We assessed treatment adherence by measuring plasma hyperforin and evaluated the possible impact of adherence on study results., Methods: Outpatients with major depression (N = 340) were randomized to an 8-week trial of H. perforatum (900-1500 mg/d), sertraline (50-100 mg/d) as active comparator, or placebo. Plasma was available from 292 patients (86% of randomized). Samples from the placebo and H. perforatum groups were assayed for hyperforin, and samples from the sertraline group for sertraline/N-desmethyl-sertraline., Results: Of the 104 patients randomized to placebo, 18 (17%) had detectable plasma hyperforin. Of the 97 patients randomized to H. perforatum, 17 (17%) had no detectable plasma hyperforin. All the assayed sertraline patients (N = 91) had plasma sertraline/N-desmethyl-sertraline. The clinical trial conclusions remained unchanged when only patients with plasma assay consistent with random assignment were included in the analyses., Conclusions: One of every 6 patients assigned to placebo had plasma hyperforin, and 1 of every 6 patients assigned to H. perforatum had no detectable plasma hyperforin. The finding underscores the difficulty of enforcing treatment adherence in clinical trials of preparations that are readily available in the community.

Rationale: Preclinical findings have repeatedly shown an anxiolytic-like action of agonists at metabotropic glutamate receptors type II, such as LY354740., Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of LY544344, the prodrug of LY354740, upon experimental panic anxiety in humans., Methods: Twelve healthy human volunteers were treated orally with 80 mg bid LY544344 for 1 week in a randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study before 50 mug cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) was injected intravenously. We assessed CCK-induced panic and anxiety symptoms and measured stress hormone release., Results: While no significant treatment effect emerged in the entire sample, a significant reduction of the number of CCK-4-induced panic symptoms and of CCK-4-induced subjective anxiety ratings was detected after removing two subjects who did not show decreased CCK-4-elicited adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) release after LY544344 compared to placebo treatment., Conclusions: Further studies are needed to clarify the potential of LY544344 as a new anxiolytic or antipanic drug.

Rationale: Some of the behavioral consequences of deficits in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor function are thought to arise from the disinhibition of cortical glutamatergic circuitry., Objective: This study evaluated whether pretreatment with a drug that reduces glutamatergic activation, the group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist, LY354740, reduced the cognitive effects of the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, ketamine, in healthy human subjects., Methods: Nineteen healthy human subjects completed 3 test days during which LY354740 (matched placebo, 100 mg, 400 mg) was administered under double-blind conditions 4 h prior to the single-blind intravenous administration of saline and 5.7 h prior to ketamine administration (bolus of 0.26 mg/kg over 1 min, infusion of 0.65 mg/kg per hour for 100 min). Thus on each test day each subject received a single dose of LY354740 (or its matched placebo) and both saline and ketamine infusions., Results: Ketamine impaired attention, working memory, and delayed recall. It also produced positive and negative symptoms, perceptual changes, and dysphoric mood. LY354740 did not have a significant effect on working memory on the placebo day; however, it produced a significant dose-related improvement in working memory during ketamine infusion., Conclusions: These data provide preliminary and suggestive evidence that LY354740 or other group II mGluR agonists might play a role in treating working memory impairment related to deficits in NMDA receptor function.

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the determination of hyperforin and its reduced derivatives octahydrohyperforin and tetrahydrohyperforin in rodent plasma. The procedure includes solid-phase extraction from plasma using the Baker 3cc C8 cartridge, resolution on the Symmetry Shield RP8 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, i.d. 3.5 microm) and UV absorbance detection at 300 nm. The assay was linear over a wide range, with an overall coefficient of variation less than 10% for all compounds. The precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits and the limit of quantitation was sufficient for studies preliminarily assessing the disposition of tetrahydrohyperforin and octahydrohyperforin in the mouse and rat.

A selective and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of hypericin and hyperforin--the two main active ingredients of St. John's Wort (SJW) extract--in human plasma depending on liquid/liquid-extraction and LC/MS/MS detection has been developed, validated after specifying the stability of the photosensitive hypericin in plasma samples during light exposure and applied to samples of a patient. After extraction with ethyl acetate/n-hexane in the darkness, sample extracts were chromatographed isocratically within 6 min on a Kromasil RP-18 column. The analytes were detected with tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode using an electrospray ion source. The limit of quantification was 0.05 ng/mL for hypericin and 0.035 ng/mL for hyperforin. The accuracy of the method varied between 101.9 and 114.2% and the precision ranged from 4.7 to 15.4% (S.D., batch-to-batch) for both analytes. The method was linear at least between 0.05 and 10 ng/mL for hypericin and between 0.035 and 100 ng/mL for hyperforin. Using this method hypericin and hyperforin were determined successfully in a patient over seven days following discontinuation of exposure with therapeutic doses of St. John's Wort extract.

Aim: The herbal medicine St. John's Wort (SJW) causes substantial decreases in the plasma concentrations of a range of co-administered drugs. Therefore, we evaluated the extent of systemic exposure to hyperforin and hypericin, two of the main constituents of SJW, in patients on admission and during hospital stay, and compared the results with known use of SJW as documented in the drug chart and detected in additional interviews., Methods: One hundred and fifty patients aged > or = 18 years and admitted, between August 2000 and February 2002, to an internal medicine ward of a large German university hospital were included. Hyperforin and hypericin was determined in plasma by a sensitive liquid chromotography/mass spectometry (LC/MS/MS) method. To assess undeclared use of SJW the data were compared to information obtained from drug charts and from up to three interviews that had a particular focus on intake of herbal medicines and self-medication during hospitalization., Results: Hyperforin was detected in 12 patients (plasma concentration on the first day of hospitalization = 12-100 ng ml(-1) in five patients and < 3 ng ml(-1) in seven), and hypericin in five patients (0.5-4.3 ng ml(-1)). Nine patients (6%) were taking/had taken SJW without the knowledge of the medical team and the pharmacist, who conducted the additional interviews, and 11 (7.3%) were taking/had taken SJW without the knowledge of the medical team alone. Seven of these patients were treated concurrently with drugs that can interact with SJW., Conclusions: Unrecognized use of SJW is frequent and may have an important influence on the effectiveness and safety of drug therapy during hospital stay., (Copyright 2004 Blackwell Publishing Ltd)

A novel assay method for an enantiomeric pair of drugs has been developed using a combination of capillary electrophoresis and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry connected with a homemade interface. Accurate quantification was demonstrated in plasma from 0.25 to 50 microg/ml. A liquid-liquid sample preparation technique allowed improvement in the quantitation limit to 10 ng/ml. Variables for the enantiomeric separation, including chiral selective reagent, organic solvents, buffer and acid concentration as well as injection technique, were optimized. This assay proved adequate for analysis of neat, spiked plasma, and plasma from a pharmacological study of the drug enantiomers., (Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science B.V.)

The antiarrhythmic profile and cardiohemodynamic effect of a novel Ca(2+) channel blocker, 4-(5H-Dibenzo[a, d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-[(E)-3-(3-methoxy-2-nitro)phenyl-2-p ropeny l]piperidine hydrochloride (AH-1058), were analyzed using the epinephrine-, digitalis- and two-stage coronary ligation-induced canine ventricular arrhythmia models. Intravenous administration of AH-1058 (100 microg/kg) effectively suppressed each of the ventricular arrhythmias accompanied by weak hypotensive effects. The results contrast well with those of a typical Ca(2+) channel blocker, verapamil, which suppresses only the epinephrine-induced ventricular arrhythmia with severe hypotension. These results indicate that AH-1058 may possess a more selective inhibitory action on Ca(2+) channels in the heart than on those in the vessels. Furthermore, the antiarrhythmic actions of AH-1058 were slower in onset and longer-lasting, than those in our previous studies using other antiarrhythmic drugs, including Na(+) and Ca(2+) channel blockers. The antiarrhythmic effects of AH-1058 did not correlate with its plasma concentrations when administered either intravenously or orally. These results suggest that AH-1058 can become a long-acting Ca(2+) channel blocker with unique antiarrhythmic properties, and that AH-1058 may be used in certain pathological processes, for which selective inhibition of the cardiac Ca(2+) channels is essential.

1. After the oral administration of 5 mg/kg S-1452 to rat, the plasma levels of (+)-S-145 were similar between the male and female, but there were sex differences in the profiles of its beta-oxidized and hydroxylated metabolites in plasma. 2. beta-Oxidation of (+)-S-145 determined in vitro was slightly higher in the female than in the male, and agreed with the plasma levels of the beta-oxidized metabolites. 3. 5-Hydroxylation activities of (+)-S-145 and beta-oxidized metabolites by rat liver microsomes were significantly higher in the male than in the female, but marked sex differences were not observed in 6-hydroxylation activities. These results revealed that differences in monooxygenase activities directly account for the sex differences in the plasma level of 5-hydroxylated metabolites, and that the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme system also affected the plasma level of 6-hydroxylated metabolites. 4. Biliary excretion was higher in the male than in the female, and quantitative identification of metabolites in bile indicated that this was based on the prominent excretion of taurine conjugates in the male rat. This conclusion was supported by the fact that taurine conjugation activity was higher in male liver homogenates than in the female.

To study the pharmacokinetics of a new thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist, S-1452, eight healthy volunteers were given placebo or S-1452 orally on four occasions in step-wise increasing doses of 10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg separated by 2-week intervals. Blood samples for measurement of plasma concentrations of the drug and of its inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation were obtained for 24 hours after administration. Bleeding time after administration was measured. S-1452 was rapidly absorbed, with a peak plasma concentration at 30 minutes after administration. Thereafter, the drug was rapidly eliminated (elimination half-life, 0.4-0.5 hours), and no drug was detected at 6 hours. The inhibitory effect of S-1452 on platelet aggregation, which was stimulated by the TXA2 receptor agonist U-46619, persisted more than 6 hours after drug administration. Bleeding time was slightly prolonged after a single dose of S-1452. These results suggest that although S-1452 is rapidly eliminated in plasma, its inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation persist for a longer period. Careful observations are needed to prevent potential bleeding episodes during repeated treatment with the drug.

Objectives: This study describes the toxicokinetics, pulmonary function, and subjective ratings of discomfort in volunteers experimentally exposed to turpentine vapour (a mixture of monoterpenes). The results were compared with similar exposure to single monoterpenes to look in the toxicokinetics and acute effects for signs of interactions between the monoterpenes., Methods: Eight male volunteers were exposed to 450 mg/m3 turpentine by inhalation (2 h, 50 W) in an exposure chamber., Results: The mean relative uptakes of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and 3-carene were 62%, 66%, and 68% respectively, of the amount supplied. Between 2% and 5% of the net uptake was excreted unchanged in the expired air after the end of exposure. The mean blood clearance 21 hours after exposure (CL21h) of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and 3-carene, were 0.8, 0.5, and 0.4 l.kg-1.h-1, respectively. The mean half lives (t1/2) of the last phase of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and 3-carene averaged 32, 25, and 42 hours, respectively. The t1/2s agreed with previously calculated half lives from single exposures. The total blood clearance CL21h of 3-carene found in this turpentine study was lower, and CL4h of 3-carene was significantly lower than the values obtained from similar exposure to pure 3-carene. The subjects attending both exposure to turpentine and to pure alpha-pinene at 450 mg/m3 had lower CL4h during the exposure to turpentine, when they experienced more discomfort of the throat or the airways (F = 5.7, P = 0.048) than during exposure to control concentrations. After experimental exposure to turpentine an increase in airway resistance was found that differed significantly from results of exposure to 3-carene at 10 mg/m3 (P = 0.021) or 450 mg/m3 (P = 0.047)., Conclusions: Toxicokinetics and acute effects show small, if any, interactions between alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and 3-carene. The subjects experienced discomfort in the throat and airways during exposure to turpentine and airway resistance was increased after the end of exposure.

GLG-V-13 (3-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoyl]-7-isopropyl-3,7-diazabicyclo [3.3.1] nonane dihydroperchlorate, CAS 155029-33-7) has been shown to be a potent class III antiarrhythmic agent. The oral and intravenous pharmacokinetics and plasma protein binding of GLG-V-13 in dogs and in rabbits have now been investigated. Plasma GLG-V-13 concentration-time profiles, following an i.v. bolus dose of 6 mg/kg, were fitted to a 2-compartment model. The volume of distribution at steady state (Vd(ss)), the total systemic (ClB), and the elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) were 4.441 l/kg, 1.113 l/h/kg, and 2.485 h in dogs and 3.723 l/kg, 1.548 l/h/kg, and 1.401 h in rabbits. Following i.v. dosing, approximately 9.38% of the parent compound was excreted in dogs urine (0-72 h). Changes in plasma GLG-V-13 concentrations, after oral administration of GLG-V-13 (6 mg/kg), were best described by the 1-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The tmax and Cmax were 1.69 h, 0.54 mg/l in dogs and 1.44 h, 0.35 mg/l in rabbits. On oral administration, GLG-V-13 was moderately eliminated (t1/2kel' 1.867 h-1 in dogs and 3.961 h-1 in rabbits, respectively). Oral bioavailability was estimated to be 53.2% +/- 11.3% in dogs and 66.7% +/- 7.7% in rabbits. About 8.74% of the oral dose (6 mg/kg) was excreted via the dog urine (0-72 h). In vitro binding of GLG-V-13 to dog plasma protein was 29.4 +/- 9.90% (from 0.5 to 4 mg/l). Ex vivo binding of GLG-V-13 to dog plasma protein was 10.4 +/- 7.20%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A 1-year chronic toxicity study was conducted in which rhesus monkeys (4/sex/dose) were given daily doses of 0, 3, 10, or 25 mg zatosetron/kg by nasogastric intubation. Clinical signs of toxicity characterized by salivation, diarrhea or soft stools, and/or emesis occurred in animals that received 10 or 25 mg/kg of zatosetron. One monkey in the high-dose group and one in the middle-dose group died as a result of intratracheal administration of the compound. The death of another monkey in the high-dose group was associated with an unexpectedly high (3-fold the mean plasma Cmax value in surviving females in this group) plasma level of zatosetron as indicated by postmortem analysis of heart blood. Animals of both sexes in all treatment groups gained weight at a slightly reduced rate when compared to control monkeys. Depressed appetite occurred in some monkeys in all treatment groups but was most evident in those receiving 25 mg/kg. Evaluation of ECG's indicated that treatment with zatosetron did not produce any rhythm or conduction disturbances. However, there was a mild increase in the Q-Tc interval throughout the treatment period at 4 hours postdosing in monkeys in the middle- and high-dose groups and a slight increase prior to dosing in animals in the high-dose group. Mean plasma Cmax and AUC(0-24 hr) values on Day 360 were dose proportional for zatosetron and for the N-demethylated metabolite in both sexes over the dose range tested. The mean t1/2 (elimination phase) for the plasma disappearance of zatosetron ranged from 3.4 to 7.2 hr in males and from 2.3 to 6.8 hr in females. Hematology, urinalysis, and clinical chemistry parameters were unaffected by treatment. There were no treatment-related gross or microscopic alterations or changes in organ weights. With the exception of mild effects on body weight gain, there was no evidence of chronic toxicity in monkeys given 3 mg/kg zatosetron daily for 1 year.

The free concentrations of the serotoninergic 5-HT3 antagonist SDZ ICM 567 in blood and in the central nervous system were examined in awake, freely-moving rats using blood and brain microdialysis coupled to liquid chromatography. Microdialysis probes were implanted in the jugular vein and in the frontal cortex and dialysis samples were simultaneously collected from both sites. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated after a 10 mg/kg intravenous dose of [14C]SDZ ICM 567. The elimination half lives measured in whole blood, brain and blood microdialysates were similar (congruent to 1.7 h). The AUC0-5h corresponding to the unbound drug was 462 +/- 142 ng.ml-1.h in blood dialysate, not significantly different from the AUC corresponding to the free concentration in whole blood, i.e. 586 +/- 63 ng.ml-1.h. The free fraction in blood obtained in vitro by equilibrium dialysis (21%) or by microdialysis (19%) was not statistically different from that obtained in vivo (17%) in microdialysis experiments. The unbound concentrations (AUC0-5h) of SDZ ICM 567 in the brain cortex were 86 +/- 24 ng.ml-1.h, lower than those expected from unbound blood concentrations, suggesting an active transport out of the central nervous system. Finally, microdialysis sampling allowed the determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of SDZ ICM 567 in blood and brain as well as the estimation of the free fraction of drug in blood.

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method is described for the quantitative analysis of bencynonate in human plasma. Deuterated bencynonate served as the internal standard and selected-ion monitoring of the fragments of bencynonate and internal standard permitted the quantitation of bencynonate down to 25 pg/ml of plasma. The assay is linear for plasma bencynonate concentrations in the range 25 pg/ml-3 ng/ml. At 0.25 ng/ml the recovery and coefficient of variation are 54.3% and 19.1%, respectively. Application of the method to clinical studies gave data for the pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of bencynonate in man.

The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetic profile of pancopride after repeated oral dose administration of 20 mg pancopride in tablet form once a day for 5 d in 12 healthy male volunteers. Plasma levels were measured by HPLC using a solid phase extraction method and automated injection. The minimum quantification limit of pancopride in plasma was 2 ng mL-1. The maximum plasma concentration (mean +/- SD) after the first dose was 92.5 +/- 41.5 ng ML-1 and tmax was 1.7 +/- 0.9 h. The elimination half-life (t1/2) was 14.3 +/- 6.9 h. The area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC) was 997 +/- 396 ng h mL-1. The maximum plasma concentration (mean +/- SD) at steady state (day 5) was 101.8 +/- 36.9 ng mL-1 and tmax was 2.2 +/- 1.2 h. The elimination half-life (t1/2) was 16.3 +/- 2.7 h and the minimum plasma concentration (Cssmin) was 16.6 +/- 6.9 ng mL-1. The area under the concentration-time curve during the dosing interval (AUCss tau) was 995 +/- 389 ng h mL-1. The average plasma concentration at steady state (Cssav) was 43.3 +/- 16.1 ng mL-1 and the experimental accumulation ratio (RAUC) was 1.34 +/- 0.19, whereas the mean theoretical value (R) was 1.40 +/- 0.29. The results obtained showed a good correlation between the experimental plasma levels and the expected values calculated using a repeated dose two-compartment model assessed by means of the Akaike value. It is concluded that the pharmacokinetics of pancopride are not modified after repeated dose administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A very sensitive and specific quantitative assay for BRL 46470, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, in human plasma was developed. The method uses HPLC with serial UV absorbance detection followed by post-column photochemical reaction and fluorescence detection to provide an ultra-sensitive and specific method with a wide quantitative range. The post-column photochemical reaction enhances the very weak native fluorescence of BRL 46470 by a factor of approximately 150. The quantification ranges were determined to be 0.1-1.5 ng ml-1 (fluorescence detection) and 1.5-200 ng ml-1 (UV absorbance detection) for BRL 46470. Results from a 3 d validation at nominal BRL 46470 concentrations of 0.1, 0.4, 1.0 and 1.5 ng ml-1, using post-column photochemical reaction and fluorescence detection, demonstrated precision ranges of 3.4-5.8% (average within-day) and 1.6-5.6% (between-day). The average accuracy ranged from 93.4 to 114.5%. Results from a 3 d validation at nominal BRL 46470 concentrations of 1.5, 4.0, 25 and 200 ng ml-1, using UV absorbance detection, demonstrated precision ranges of 2.0-8.2% (average within-day) and 1.0-3.4% (between-day). The average accuracy ranged from 86.3 to 103.7%. The recovery of BRL 46470 from human plasma was approximately 64%. Assay specificity was confirmed by HPLC-MS.

Ro 42-1611 (arteflene) is a new synthetic structural analogue of yingzhaosu, a Chinese traditional herbal drug, now under development for treatment of malaria. The in vivo activity of arteflene in a mouse animal model was 4-5 fold higher after parenteral than after oral administration. Pharmacokinetics of the drug were investigated in mice, rats, dogs, marmosets and cynomolgus monkeys. Plasma concentrations of arteflene were determined using a specific HPLC-UV method; the limit of quantification was 45 ng/ml using 0.5 ml plasma. The oral bioavailability was very low and variable (0.6% in mice, 4-5% in rats, 2.5 +/- 1% in dogs, < or = 0.5% in marmosets and < 0.5% in cynomolgus) as expected from the high metabolic clearance and the relative short apparent half-life (1.4-4.7 h). However, a metabolite (MA) was observed in plasma of all species indicating that drug was absorbed but underwent extensive first-pass metabolism. MA was also detected in samples of human plasma, collected during an oral tolerability study in healthy volunteers. After incubation of 14C-arteflene with liver microsomes of mice, rats, dogs and humans, the same major metabolite was detected and both samples were identical to Ro 47-6936 which was chemically synthesized as a reference compound. The in vitro activity of Ro 47-6936 was tested against Plasmodium falciparum and found to be about 1/4 that of the parent drug. Therefore, this metabolite makes a significant contribution to the biological activity in vivo, partially explaining the high activity of arteflene after oral administration in spite of its low bioavailability. Moreover, comparison of the metabolic patterns from human, rat and dog microsomes indicated that the dog is an appropriate species for toxicological evaluations.

A highly sensitive and specific assay was developed for routine analysis of zacopride at the femtomole level in human plasma and urine. Zacopride and the deuterated internal standard [(2H3)zacopride] were measured by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry with methane as the reagent gas. A multiple-step liquid-liquid extraction procedure was used to isolate the two compounds of interest from complex biological matrices. Zacopride was converted to the fluorinated derivative with pentafluoropropionic anhydride. The mass spectrometer was tuned to monitor the very intense [M-HF]- ion at m/z 435 which was generated into the ion source by a dissociative capture process. This assay was performed with 1 ml of plasma or 0.2 ml of urine, and the quantification limit of the method was calculated as 10 pg ml-1 using a suitable statistical test. The very low relative standard deviation and mean percentage error values calculated during the within-day or between-day repeatability assays have clearly demonstrated the ruggedness of the technique for the routine quantitative measurement of zacopride in plasma and urine. Some preliminary results on the pharmacokinetics of this potent drug are presented to illustrate the applicability of this new powerful gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method.

Objective: To examine the antiplatelet effect of a novel pyrazolopyridine derivative (KC-764) in geriatric patients with ischemic stroke., Design: Randomized clinical trial of three graded dose levels., Setting: A geriatric clinic attached to a nursing home., Patients: Fifteen patients with a history of cerebral infarction with a mean age of 75 +/- 5 years (range, 65-83). Patients were divided into three groups and administered 10, 20, or 40 mg/day KC-764 for 8 weeks., Measurements: Platelet aggregation induced by arachidonate, ADP, collagen and platelet-activating factor. Plasma or serum levels of thromboxane B2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha., Main Results: Platelet aggregation was inhibited by KC-764 administration and returned to the control level after discontinuation. Although plasma thromboxane B2 levels were markedly decreased, plasma 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha was not affected. However, the dose of 10 mg/day was not sufficient to maintain an effective plasma level of KC-764. There were no side effects or changes in laboratory findings., Conclusions: We confirmed that KC-764 at a dose of 20 to 40 mg/day is an effective antiplatelet agent and a good candidate for a trial to see if it is feasible for long-term use for the prevention of ischemic stroke in high-risk patients.

Monochlorobimane (MCB) has been used by several investigators as a fluorescent label for quantifying glutathione (GSH) levels in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This paper describes a biochemical evaluation of this approach. PBMC were incubated with MCB (10-100 microM) and the fluorescence in extracellular medium and cell lysates was measured. Nonlinear curves were obtained in both cases and no "plateau" was reached. The majority of the fluorescence was in the medium. Gel permeation (Sephadex G-25) of the lysate indicated a linear increase in protein-bimane adduct formation, reaching about 50% of the intracellular fluorescence after 1 h. Fractionation of the deproteinized samples with Sephadex G-10 showed that only about one-third of the "low-molecular-weight" fluorescence could be ascribed to GSH-bimane, in either the lysate or the medium. Furthermore, about 40% of the free GSH in lysates appeared unbound even after 1 h of incubation. These data are in line with our observation of an extremely low activity in PBMCs of glutathione S-transferase under the conditions employed. Our findings indicate that many variables influence the cellular fluorescence, including the presence of alternative metabolic pathways for MCB and the rapid excretion of GSH-bimane out of the cell. This lack of specificity limits the value of MCB as a GSH probe for PBMC and confirms earlier suggestions that a careful biochemical evaluation is a prerequisite for its application to any particular cell type.

Bencynonate is a newly developed anticholinergic drug. After a dose (2 mg/person or 4 mg/person) of bencynonate, the circulating concentrations are so low that therapeutic drug monitoring studies have previously been impossible. Radioisotope assay and radioaccepter assay had been used in rat experiments, but the detections limits of these methods were not sensitive enough for the therapeutic drug monitoring. Further, the two methods were unsuitable in the human. For evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and the relative bioavailability of bencynonate in man, a gas chromatographic--mass spectrometric method for quantitative analysis of bencynonate in human plasma was developed. Deuterated bencynonate served as the internal standard and selected-ion monitoring of the fragments of bencynonate and internal standard permitted the quantitation of bencynonate down to 25 pg.ml-1 of plasma. The linearity was in the range from 25 pg.ml-1 to 3 ng.ml-1 of bencynonate plasma concentration. At 0.25 ng.ml-1 level the recovery and relative standard deviation of variation are 54.3% and 19.1%, respectively. Application of the method to clinical studies gave the results of pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of bencynonate in man.

Cyclodiene insecticides, hexachlorocyclohexanes, pyrethroids, bicyclophosphates, the bicycloorthocarboxylate insecticides and some of their metabolites and environmental degradation products are central nervous system toxicants with high specific binding affinity to the chloride channel of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor-ionophore sites. [35S] tertiary-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) with specific activity higher than 60 Ci/mmole has a high binding affinity to the same sites and is now commercially available and can be used to label the GABAA receptor for the development of a radioreceptor assay technique. The GABA receptor was prepared by ultra centrifugation and dialysis of brain homogenates of either cow, goat, rat or catfish. The receptor was then labeled with [35S] TBPS and the assay was conducted by measuring the displacement of radioactivity following incubation with samples containing the analytes. A radioreceptor assay protocol was developed to measure the amount of the alpha-endosulfan in blood samples. The assay was extremely sensitive, and can detect 0.2 nM of endosulfan at a level equivalent to 0.08 ppb or 8 x 10(-11) gm of endosulfan in each ml of the blood samples.

Six healthy volunteers received an oral dose of 100 mg and an intravenous dose of 35 mg of bisaramil in a cross over study. Plasma concentrations were measured by HPLC. Bisaramil was eliminated from the plasma with a half life of 8.6 +/- 1.8 h and 9.0 +/- 4.1 h after iv. and oral administration, respectively. The mean total plasma clearance and volume of distribution were found to be 70 +/- 13.1 l/h and 864 +/- 204 l, respectively. The calculated oral bioavailability of bisaramil in tablets amounted to 56 +/- 20%.

Zabicipril (S 9650) is a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor whose hydrolysis in vivo produces the pharmacologically active metabolite zabiciprilat (S 10211). Two competitive enzyme immunoassays specific for either zabicipril or zabiciprilat have been developed using acetylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.7) as label. Antibodies were raised in rabbits after immunization with lysil derivatives of zabicipril or zabiciprilat coupled with bovine serum albumin. Assays were performed in 96-well microtiter plates coated with a monoclonal antibody raised against rabbit immunoglobulin G, thus ensuring rapid separation of free and bound fractions of the tracer. The analysis does not require any extraction step. In the case of the assay of zabiciprilat, interference generated by endogenous angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was eliminated by the addition of perindoprilat, another ACE inhibitor. Perindoprilat was not recognized by the antibodies (cross-reactivity < 0.01%) and did not affect assay efficiency. The specificity of the assays was checked by high-performance liquid chromatography of human plasma samples obtained after oral administration of 2 mg of zabicipril. No metabolites or endogenous substances were detected. The mean reproducibility was 15% for the assay of zabicipril and 19% for the assay of zabiciprilat. The quantification limits were 1.2 ng/ml for the zabicipril assay and 0.8 ng/ml for the zabiciprilat assay. These assays are therefore suitable for pharmacokinetic studies and drug monitoring in clinical studies.

The antiarrhythmic effects of bisaramil were examined in canine models of digitalis-, adrenaline- and two-stage coronary ligation- induced arrhythmia. Bisaramil (0.3-1.5 mg/kg i.v.) suppressed all the arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic plasma concentration (IC50) for arrhythmias induced by digitalis, adrenaline, and 24 h two-stage coronary ligation were 0.11, 0.81, and 0.75 micrograms/ml, respectively. Bisaramil is a potent class I agent, judging from its low antiarrhythmic plasma concentrations. Oral bisaramil (10 mg/kg) also suppressed 24-h coronary ligation-induced arrhythmia. These results indicate that bisaramil may be a useful drug for the treatment of various clinical ventricular arrhythmias.

Thromboxane (TX) A2 has been implicated as an important pathophysiologic mediator of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Monocytes synthesize TXA2 and it modulates their function. This study sought to characterize monocyte TXA2 receptors. Radioligand binding studies were performed on membranes prepared from equine peripheral blood monocytes using [125I]BOP, a TXA2 receptor agonist. [125I]BOP bound to a single class of binding sites (Kd = 1.0 +/- 0.3 nM and Bmax = 389 +/- 191 fmol/mg protein; n = 5). Several TXA2 receptor agonists and antagonists competed for binding with [125I]BOP. I-BOP produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity (IC50 = 9.6 +/- 2.5 nM; n = 5). In contrast to its effects in platelets and vascular smooth muscle, I-BOP significantly increased cAMP formation in monocytes (EC50 = 22 +/- 3.6 nM; n = 4). The TXA2 receptor antagonists SQ29548 (5.6 microM) and L657925 (0.13 microM) significantly blocked I-BOP-stimulated cAMP formation but did not block 250 nM prostaglandin E2-stimulated cAMP formation. These data support the presence of a TXA2 receptor in equine peripheral blood monocytes. Activation of this receptor results in suppression of endotoxin-induced TNF formation and stimulation of cAMP production. Increased cAMP production after receptor activation suggests that this receptor may represent a unique subclass of TXA2 receptors.