Anti-inflammatory actions of a taurine analogue, ethane β-sultam, in phagocytic cells, in vivo and in vitro

The ability of a taurine prodrug, ethane β-sultam, to reduce cellular inflammation has been investigated, in vitro, in primary cultures of alveolar macrophages and an immortilised N9 microglial cell line and in vivo in an animal model of inflammation and control rats. Ethane β-sultam showed enhanced ability to reduce the inflammatory response in alveolar macrophages, as assayed by the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated–nitric oxide release, (LPS stimulated-NO), in comparison to taurine both in vitro (10 nM, 50 nM) and in vivo (0.15 mmol/kg/day by gavage). In addition, ethane β-sultam, (50, 100 and 1000 nM) significantly reduced LPS-stimulated glutamate release from N9 microglial cells to a greater extent than taurine. The anti-inflammatory response of taurine was shown to be mediated via stabilisation of IkBα. The use of a taurine prodrug as therapeutic agents, for the treatment of neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease and alcoholic brain damage, where activated phagocytic cells contribute to the pathogenesis, may be of great potential.     

Pharmacovigilance in children in Camagüey Province, Cuba

Purpose

Our aim was to describe the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) detected following increased education about pharmacovigilance and drug toxicity in children in Camagüey Province, Cuba.

Methods

Over a period of 24?months (January 2009 to December 2010), all reports of suspected ADRs in children to the Provincial Pharmacovigilance Centre in Camagüey Province were analysed. ADRs were classified in relation to causality and severity.

Results

There were 533 reports involving suspected ADRs in children in the period. Almost one third of the reports received were classified as moderate (155, 29%) or severe (10, 2%). There was one fatality in association with the use of ceftriaxone. Vaccines and antibiotics were responsible for most of the ADR reports (392, 74%) and for all ten severe ADRs. After an intensive educational package, both within the community and the Children’s Hospital, the number of reports increased from 124 in 2008 to 161 in 2009 and 372 in 2010. This was equivalent to a reporting rate of 879 and 2,031 reports per million children per year for 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence of ADRs in children Camagüey Province, Cuba, is greater than previously reported. An educational intervention about pharmacovigilance and drug toxicity in children can improve the reporting of ADRs.     

Plasma retinoid profile in bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, in relation to agricultural intensity of sub-watersheds in the Yamaska River drainage basin, Québec, Canada

Amphibian populations are decreasing globally and the causes are presently unclear. Retinoids have been extensively studied in other vertebrate classes where they are associated with pleiotropic effects such as susceptibility to disease (including cancer and parasitic infections), deformities and reproduction. To investigate the hypothesis that retinoid homeostasis is influenced by agricultural activities, blood samples were collected from adult bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, at each of six sub-watersheds chosen to represent a gradient of agricultural intensity within the Yamaska River drainage basin. Samples of surface water were collected at each of the study sites approximately 1 month after spraying and analyzed for 53 pesticides. Male body weight was significantly different (p<0.001) between study sites with the smallest bullfrogs captured from the Rivière à la Barbue sub-watershed associated with high agricultural intensity. A significant linear regression (p<0.001; R2=0.176) was obtained between plasma retinol and body weight. Plasma retinol concentrations were significantly different between study sites (p<0.001) being lowest at both Rivière Noire and Rivière à la Barbue. More than 60% of the land area in these sub-watersheds is under intensive corn-soya cultivation and surface water contained the highest concentrations of the herbicides atrazine, deethyl-atrazine, simazine, metolachlor, dimethenamide, chlopyralide, dicamba and bentazone. Plasma 13-cis-4-oxo-retinoic acid was significantly different (p<0.001) between sub-watersheds, however this effect was apparently unrelated to agricultural intensity. Plasma retinol was negatively correlated (p=0.026; r=-0.237) with plasma 13-cis-4-oxo-retinoic acid. These results suggest that retinoid homeostasis in bullfrogs may be influenced by agricultural practices.     

Preparation,optimisation, and in vitro–in vivo evaluation of febuxostat ternary solid dispersion

Abstract

The research aimed to prepare febuxostat (FEB) solid dispersion through solvent evaporation. Optimised solid dispersion composed of FEB, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) and poloxamer at a ratio of 1:3:3 was characterised. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated FEB was transformed from crystalline into the amorphous state in solid dispersion and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) suggested the interactions formed between FEB and polymers. A remarkable increase was observed of the optimised formulation in saturation solubility, dissolution studies (96.17?±?0.79% in pH 6.0), and bioavailability (C_max 18.25?±?2.44 vs. 7.72?±?0.48?μg/mL and AUC_0–∞ 53.62?±?7.63 vs. 34.76?±?2.45?μg·h/mL). Besides, the FEB solid dispersion showed great stability after 90 days storage. Thus, the present study supports the rationality of PVP K30 and poloxamer188 as co-carriers for the preparation of FEB solid dispersion.     

Trans-3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene,a resveratrol analog,potently inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

Aim:

Trans-3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-212) has shown strong antiproliferative activities against a variety of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of DMU-212 in vitro and in vivo.

Methods:

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used in this study. Cell viability was studied with MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL assay and morphological observation. The expression of the related genes and proteins was analyzed with qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Angiogenesis of HUVECs were studied using cell migration and capillary-like tube formation assays in vitro, and mouse Matrigel plug assay and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in vivo. The tyrosine kinase activities of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were measured using commercial kits.

Results:

DMU-212 (5–80 μmol/L) significantly inhibited VEGF-stimulated proliferation of HUVECs (IC₅₀ value was approximately 20 μmol/L), and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, DMU-212 concentration-dependently inhibited VEGF-induced migration of HUVECs and capillary-like structure formation in vitro. DMU-212 also inhibited VEGF-induced generation of new vasculature in Matrigel plugs in vivo with significantly decreased area of infiltrating CD31-positive endothelial cells, and inhibited newly formed microvessels in chick CAMs. Moreover, DMU-212 concentration-dependently suppressed VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2, and inhibited phosphorylation of multiple downstream signaling components in the VEGFR2 pathway, including c-Src, FAK, Erk1/2, Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K in HUVECs. DMU-212 had no effect on VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR1.

Conclusion:

DMU-212 is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis that exerts anti-angiogenic activity at least in part through the VEGFR2 signaling pathway.     

XW630, a conjugate of tetracycline and estrone, in treatment of osteoporosis in overiectomized rats

AIM: To study the effects of XW630 on the bone formation inoveriectomized (OVX ) rats and in human osteoblast--likeosteosarcoma cell line TE85. METHODS: The OVX rats wereobtained by abdominal oopholectomy. The static and dynamichistomorphometric studies were performed by bi-labeledtetracycline methods.The iNOS activity was determined by     

Gender-related differences in pharmacokinetics of enantiomers of trans-tramadol and its active metabolite, trans-O-demethyltramadol, in rats

AIM: To compare the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of trans-tramadol (trans-T) and its active metabolite, trans-O-demethyltramadol (M1), in male and female rats. METHODS: Following a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg trans-T hydrochloride to rats, (+)-trans-T, (-)-trans-T, (+)-M1, and (-)-M1 in plasma were determined by a high performance capillary electrophoresis method. RESULTS: The females showed higher plasma concentrations of (+)-trans-T, (-)-trans-T, and (+)-M1 than the males. The enantiomers of trans-T were absorbed and eliminated more slowly in the females than in the males. (+)-M1 was eliminated more slowly in the females than in the males. All pharmacokinetic parameters but T_(max) of the two enantiomers of trans-T were significantly different in both sex rats. The (+)/(-)-enantiomeric ratios of the pharmacokinetic parameters for trans-T in the males were similar to those in the females. The values of C_(max), AUC_(0-∞) of the two enantiomers of M1 were significantly different in both sex rat     

Clinical,economic, and organizational impact of pharmacists’ interventions in a cognitive-behavioral unit in France

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Objective Evaluate the clinical, economic, and organizational impact of pharmaceutical interventions performed during medication review in a...     

Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of etamicastat, a novel dopamine-β-hydroxylase inhibitor, in a rising multiple-dose study in young healthy subjects

Background: Activation of the sympathetic nervous system is an important feature in hypertension and congestive heart failure. A strategy for directly modulating sympathetic nerve function is to reduce the biosynthesis of norepinephrine (noradrenaline) via inhibition of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH).Objective: To assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of etamicastat (BIA 5–453), a new DβH inhibitor, following repeated dosing.Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in healthy young male volunteers. Participants received once-daily doses of placebo or etamicastat 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 600 mg, for 10 days.Results: Etamicastat underwent N-acetylation to its metabolite BIA 5–961. Etamicastat and BIA 5–961 maximum concentrations were achieved at 1–3 and 2–4 hours, respectively, after dosing. Elimination half-lives ranged from 18.1 to 25.7 hours for etamicastat and 6.7 to 22.5 hours for BIA 5–961. Both etamicastat and BIA 5-961 followed linear pharmacokinetics. The extent of systemic exposure to etamicastat and BIA 5–961 increased in an approximately dose-proportional manner, and steady-state plasma concentrations were attained up to 9 days of dosing. Etamicastat accumulated in plasma following repeated administration. The mean observed accumulation ratio was 1.3–1.9 for etamicastat and 1.3–1.6 for BIA 5–961. Approximately 40%of the etamicastat dose was recovered in urine in the form of parent compound and BIA 5–961. There was a high variability in pharmacokinetic parameters, attributable to different N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) phenotype. Urinary excretion of norepinephrine decreased following repeated administration of etamicastat. Etamicastat was generally well tolerated. There was no serious adverse event or clinically significant abnormality in clinical laboratory tests, vital signs, or ECG parameters.Conclusion: Etamicastat was well tolerated. Etamicastat undergoes N-acetylation, which is markedly influenced by NAT2 phenotype. NAT2 genotyping could be a step toward personalized medicine for etamicastat.Trial Registration: EudraCT No. 2007-004142-33     

Safety,tolerability,and efficacy of clozapine in drug-resistant schizophrenia

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Trends in opioid analgesics consumption,Israel, 2000–2008

Objective  

To describe trends in opioid consumption in Israel (morphine, methadone, oxycodone, pethidine, fentanyl, buprenorphine, codeine, and dextropropoxyphene) over the 9 years, 2000–2008, and to explore explanations for changes in consumption, in amounts and the pattern.     

Sodium arsenite-induced abnormalities in expressions of Caveolin-1, eNOS,IKKβ, and COX-2 in SV-40 immortalized human uroepithelial cells and in urothelial carcinomas

Arsenic, a known human carcinogen, is found throughout the crust of the earth. Prolonged arsenic exposure is a known cause of urothelial carcinoma (UC) and blackfoot disease (BFD). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sodium arsenite on Caveolin-1 and downstream signaling molecules (eNOS, IKKβ and COX-2) expression in human urothelial cells (SV-HUC-1). Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of Caveolin-1, eNOS, IKKβ, and COX-2 was also compared between UC patients from endemic and non-endemic areas of BFD in Taiwan. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting results revealed increased expression of Caveolin-1, IKKβ, and COX-2 but decreased eNOS in SV-HUC-1 cells treated with low concentration of arsenite. Additionally, MEK inhibitor (U0126) significantly attenuated arsenite-induced expression of Caveolin-1, IKKβ and COX-2 while reducing eNOS expression. The IHC staining of UCs revealed that expressions of Caveolin-1, IKKβ, and COX-2 were significantly higher in patients from endemic areas of BFD compared to patients from non-endemic areas (p = 0.011, p = 0.002, p = 0.0001) whereas eNOS was significantly lower (p = 0.0001). The correlation observed between Caveolin-1 and downstream signaling molecule expression may be an important mechanism of arsenic-induced urothelial carcinogenesis.     

Harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro and in vivo

Bone homeostasis is controlled by the balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. Excessive bone resorption is involved in the pathogenesis of bone-related disorders such as osteoporosis, arthritis and periodontitis. To obtain new antiresorptive agents, we searched for natural compounds that can inhibit osteoclast differentiation and function. We found that harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, inhibited multinucleated osteoclast formation induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in RAW264.7 cells. Similar results were obtained in cultures of bone marrow macrophages supplemented with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and RANKL, as well as in cocultures of bone marrow cells and osteoblastic UAMS-32 cells in the presence of vitamin D(3) and prostaglandin E(2). Furthermore, harmine prevented RANKL-induced bone resorption in both cell and bone tissue cultures. Treatment with harmine (10 mg/kg/day) also prevented bone loss in ovariectomized osteoporosis model mice. Structure-activity relationship studies showed that the C3-C4 double bond and 7-methoxy group of harmine are important for its inhibitory activity on osteoclast differentiation. In mechanistic studies, we found that harmine inhibited the RANKL-induced expression of c-Fos and subsequent expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1, which is a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. However, harmine did not affect early signaling molecules such as ERK, p38 MAPK and IκBα. These results indicate that harmine inhibits osteoclast formation via downregulation of c-Fos and NFATc1 induced by RANKL and represses bone resorption. These novel findings may be useful for the treatment of bone-destructive diseases.     

Differences in the biotransformation of a 17β-hydroxylated steroid,trenbolone acetate,in rat and cow

1. The metabolism of trenbolone acetate, 17β-acetoxyestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one (TBA), an anabolic compound used as a growth promoter, was compared in rat and cow.

2. [6,7-³H] TBA was injected i.v. into rats and a heifer, and bile was collected for 24?h. In both species, the bile was the major route of excretion. TBA undergoes an extensive hydrolysis to 17β-hydroxyestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one and the unchanged compound was not detected, but subsequent major metabolic pathways are different in the two species.

3. In the rat, oxidation of the 17β-hydroxyl to the 17-oxo group and hydroxylation in the 16α-position are the major routes. The three major metabolites are 17β-hydroxyestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one, 16α,17β-dihydroxyestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one and 16α-hydroxyestra-4,9,11-trien-3,17-dione.

4. In the heifer, 17α-epimerization is the major pathway and the main metabolite is the 17α-hydroxyestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one.

5. In both species, estra-4,9,11-trien-3,17-dione and the other metabolites, resulting either from hydroxylation in 1, 2, 6β, 16α or 16β positions, or from aromatization of the A ring, were minor products.

6. Overall, 60% of the 3-oxotriene structures identified in the rat bile were 17β-hydroxylated and the remainder were 17-keto metabolites, whereas in the heifer bile 90% were 17α-hydroxylated compounds.

7. Thus, in bovine species, the major pathway is similar to those of testosterone or 17β-estradiol which are mainly excreted as their 17α-epimers. This epimerization strongly decreases the biological potency, as with the natural 17β-hormones, and leads to detoxication of tissue residues.     

Pharmacokinetics of amosulalol,an α, β-adrenoceptor blocker,in rats,dogs and monkeys

1. The pharmacokinetics of an α,β-adrenoceptor blocker, amosulalol hydrochloride, were studied after i.v. and oral administration to rats, dogs and monkeys.

2. After an i.v. dose (1 mg/kg), the plasma concentration-time curve fitted a two-compartment open model with terminal half-lives of 2-5 h in rats, 21 h in dogs and 1-8 h in monkeys. The order of plasma clearances for amosulalol was: rats > dogs > monkeys.

3. After oral administration, the maximum plasma concentration was obtained at 0-5-1 h in rats (10-100mg/kg) and dogs (3-30mg/kg), and at l-7-2-7h in monkeys (3-10 mg/kg). A linear relationship between the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and dose administered was obtained for all three species. The systemic availabilities of the drug in rats, dogs and monkeys were 22-31%, 51-59% and 57-66%, respectively.

4. After repeated oral administration (10 mg/kg) to dogs for 15 days, the pharmaco-kinetic parameters did not differ significantly from those on the first day.     

Uveal melanocytes,ocular pigment epithelium,and Müller cells in culture: in vitro toxicology

Uveal melanocytes and the ocular pigment epithelium are located in the middle and inner layers of the eye. Müller cells (a type of glial cell) are located in the neural retina. Melanocytes, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and Müller cells do not participate directly in the detection or transfer of visual information, but they have various functions that support the neural retina and are essential for the maintenance of vision. Methods for the isolation and cultivation of melanocytes, RPE, and Müller cells have been established by us and other investigators. These cultured cells can be used as in vitro model systems for studying the toxicology of visible light, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, drugs, and other potentially toxic agents. Toxic effects on these cells may give rise to altered retinal function and result in impaired vision. Both melanocytes and pigment epithelium contain melanin, which has the ability to bind organic amines and metal ions. This results in the accumulation of these substances in the eye. Melanin may protect cells from chemical stress by binding toxic chemicals; but in chronic exposure, increased and lengthy binding may cause damage to these cells. Two different types of melanin are found in the eye: eumelanin and pheomelanin, which may have photoprotective and phototoxic effects, respectively. Pigment epithelium contains mainly eumelanin, whereas melanocytes contain both eumelanin and pheomelanin. Melanin is an antioxidant and with age, the antioxidant properties may diminish to the point that it may even become a prooxidant. There are also other functions of pigment epithelium and uveal melanocytes not related to melanin and there are also several functions of Muller cells that play a role in the toxicological aspects of the eye. Cultured uveal melanocytes, pigment epithelial cells, and Müller cells can be used to study the toxicology of these cells in vitro.     

Trends in methadone maintenance treatment participation,retention, and compliance to dosing guidelines in British Columbia,Canada: 1996–2006

Aspects of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) delivery, particularly daily dosing practices, are associated with longer retention in treatment. Our objective was to identify trends in compliance to MMT dosing guidelines at the population level in British Columbia, Canada, from 1996 to 2006. Analysis of a provincial drug dispensation database identified 31,724 MMT episodes initiated during the study period. The number of patients in treatment increased from 2,827 in 1996 to 9,601 in 2006. Long-term retention (>36 months) was achieved in 20%–25% of all episodes. Compliance to minimally effective dose guidelines, which is independently associated with retention, fell from 2001 to 2006. Accordingly, this decline was mirrored by 12-month retention figures, which fell from 45.9% in 2001 to 40.5% in 2005. Our evaluation has both highlighted the successes of the British Columbia Methadone program and identified aspects that may be improved to ensure safety and maximize the benefits of MMT.