Modulation of the P-glycoprotein-mediated intestinal secretion of ivermectin: in vitro and in vivo assessments.

The everted gut sac method was used to assess the role of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on the intestinal secretion of ivermectin (IVM), an antiparasitic widely used in human and veterinary medicine. The work included the evaluation of two different P-gp modulators [itraconazole (ITZ) and valspodar (PSC833)] used at equimolar doses in the rat. Furthermore, the influence of both P-gp modulator agents on the disposition kinetics of IVM in plasma, liver, and gastrointestinal tissues was characterized. For the in vitro experiments, ileal sacs were incubated with IVM (3 microM) in the presence or absence of either ITZ (10 microM) or PSC833 (10 microM). In the in vivo experiments, male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three groups (n=18) and subcutaneously treated with IVM (200 microg/kg-1), alone and coadministered with ITZ (5 mg, two doses) or PSC833 (8.6 mg, two doses). Animals were sacrificed between 6 and 96 h. Blood, liver, and gastrointestinal samples were collected. IVM concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The rate of IVM accumulation in the intestinal wall of everted sacs was significantly higher after its incubation with ITZ (0.115 nmol/g/min) and PSC833 (0.238 nmol/g/min) than that obtained after the incubation without the P-gp modulators (0.016 nmol/g/min). In agreement with the in vitro experiment, the presence of ITZ and PSC833 induced an enhancement in the concentrations of IVM in plasma and gastrointestinal tissues. The results obtained in the current work, both under in vivo and in vitro conditions, confirm the relevance of P-gp-mediated transport to the intestinal secretion of IVM.     

高效液相色谱法测定依维菌素血药浓度

目的 :建立依维菌素血药浓度的HPLC测定法。方法 :依维菌素与N 甲基咪唑、三氟醋酸酐经脱水反应生成荧光产物 ,该产物以HPLC进行分离。色谱柱为SuplecosilLC 18(15 0mm×4.6mm ,5 μm) ,乙腈 水 (96∶4)为流动相 ,柱温 5 0℃ ,流速1mL·min-1,检测波长为 :λex =36 5nm ,λem =475nm。结果 :依维菌素血药浓度在 1～ 40 μg·L-1范围内 ,浓度与峰面积比有良好的线性关系 ,最低检测浓度为 0 .5 μg·L-1。平均回收率为 (99.6± 7.3) %。日内RSD≤ 8.7% ,日间RSD≤ 11.2 %。结论 :本方法简单、快速、准确 ,可用于依维菌素的临床药动学研究     

Modulation of pancreatic carcinogenesis by antioxidants.

Previously performed short-term (4-month) studies demonstrated that vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and selenium modulate growth of early putative preneoplastic acinar lesions induced in rat pancreas by azaserine. The present paper summarizes the results of long-term studies performed with azaserine-treated rats maintained on diets high in either beta-carotene, vitamins C and E or selenium. It appeared that rats given a diet high in beta-carotene, vitamin C or selenium, but not vitamin E, developed fewer pancreatic tumours than controls. The chemopreventive effects of these micronutrients were most pronounced when beta-carotene and/or selenium were given during the promotion phase of the carcinogenic process. Surprisingly, cell proliferation in azaserine-induced preneoplastic acinar lesions was higher in rats given beta-carotene and/or selenium via the diet in comparison to controls. It is considered unlikely that any antioxidant alone can be associated with protection against cancer. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of combinations of antioxidants may have practical application in chemoprevention of cancer.     

Modulation of glucose homeostasis by doxepin.

Blood glucose level (BGL) was estimated up to 4 h (3 h in case of GTT) in 18-h fasted albino rabbits following acute and chronic (one month) feeding of doxepin and thereafter for another 8 days together with either insulin or glibenclamide or adrenaline. A single dose of doxepin produced significant hypoglycemia which peaked at 4 h and lasted up to 10 h. On chronic doxepin feeding there was complete attenuation of initial hypoglycemia on the 7th and 14th days, culminating into frank hyperglycemia on the 21st day. However, there was complete recovery on the 29th day exhibiting tolerance to initial hypo-as well as delayed hyperglycemia. Similarly, glucose intolerance was accentuated on the 8th day followed by a gradual recovery on the 15th and 22nd days, culminating in disappearance of glucose intolerance on the 30th day. The hypoglycemic effect of insulin was markedly potentiated in chronically doxepin fed animals which was further enhanced on continuing administration of both agents. Profound hypoglycemia was observed during GTT in such animals. The hyperglycemic effect of adrenaline was enhanced in chronically doxepin fed animals, which may be due to TCA induced enhancement of the response of exogenous adrenaline. Suppression of this hyperglycemia with continued administration of both drugs seems to be due to subsensitivity of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Additive hyperglycemia was observed during GTT in such animals.     

Modulation of sulphobromophthalein excretion by ethacrynic acid.

1. Ethacrynic acid (EA), a phenoxyacetic acid diuretic, has similar effects to tienilic acid (TA) on rat liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in vitro, using either 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene or sulphobromophthalein (BSP) as a substrate. EA inhibits the basic rat liver GST, with inhibition being greater with GST containing subunits 3 and 4 than with those containing subunits 1 and 2. 2. In vitro inhibitors of GST can inhibit biliary excretion of BSP in a perfused liver. 3. A single bolus dose of EA had no effect on BSP excretion from the isolated perfused rat liver, and this is most likely due to the rapid disappearance of EA from the perfusion media. Experiments using perfused rat liver indicated that a sustained high concentration of EA in the perfusion media has an inhibitory effect on the excretion of both unchanged and conjugated BSP. 4. A decrease in BSP excretion may not be an indicator of liver damage, but a consequence of GST inhibition.     

Modulation of GABAA receptor activity by alphaxalone.

The modulation of the gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor by alphaxalone has been investigated by use of voltage-clamp recordings from enzymatically isolated bovine chromaffin cells maintained in cell culture. Alphaxalone (greater than 30 nM) reversibly and dose-dependently potentiated the amplitude of membrane currents elicited by locally applied GABA (100 microM). The potentiation was not associated with a change in the reversal potential of GABA-evoked currents and was not influenced by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, Ro15-1788 (300 nM). At relatively high concentrations (greater than 1 microM), alphaxalone directly elicited a membrane current. It is concluded that such currents result from GABAA receptor activation since they were reversibly suppressed by bicuculline (3 microM), dose-dependently enhanced by phenobarbitone (100-500 microM), and had a similar reversal potential (approximately 0 mV) to currents elicited by GABA. Additionally, on outside-out membrane patches, alphaxalone activated single channel currents with amplitudes and a reversal potential similar to those evoked by GABA. Alphaxalone (30 nM-1 microM) had no effect upon the amplitude of membrane currents elicited by locally applied acetylcholine (ACh) (100 microM). However, higher concentrations of alphaxalone (10-100 microM) reversibly suppressed ACh-evoked currents, the IC50 for blockade being 20 microM. The beta-hydroxy isomer of alphaxalone, betaxalone (100 nM-1 microM), did not potentiate GABA-induced currents, nor did higher concentrations of the steroid (10-100 microM) directly evoke a membrane current. However, over the latter concentration range, betaxalone suppressed the amplitude of currents elicited either by GABA or ACh. The relevance of the present results to the anaesthetic action of alphaxalone is discussed together with the broader implications of steroidal modulation of the GABAA receptor.     

Modulation of sympathetic transmission by neuronally-released dopamine.

1 When rabbits were pretreated with Fla-63, there was a marked inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase such that, after incubation of the ear arteries with [3H]-dopamine 47.2% of the tritium in the tissue was retained as unchanged dopamine. 2 [3H]-dopamine was released by stimulation of the sympathetic nerves in ear arteries taken from rabbits pretreated with Fla-63 and incubated with [3H]-dopamine. 3 The dopamine antagonists metoclopramide (1.0 microM) and ergometrine (1.0 microM) enhanced the stimulation-induced efflux of tritium in ear arteries taken from rabbits pretreated with Fla-63 and incubated with [3H]-dopamine, but not when the arteries were incubated with [3H]-noradrenaline. 4. These results suggest that if dopamine is present in the transmitter stores, it can be released by stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, and if the amount is adequate, it can activate an inhibitory feedback loop where prejunctional dopamine receptors are present.     

Modulation of cycloheximide-resistant memory by sympathomimetic agents.

Amphetamine overcomes the amnesia caused by cycloheximide (CXM) provided it is administered closely following the learning trial. In day-old chickens with one trial passive avoidance learning, there is a short-term, labile memory existing for 90 min following training under the influence of CXM. Amphetamine has been shown to keep the memory at precisely the level exhibited by the labile, cycloheximide-resistant memory trace at the time of injection. Norepinephrine, methoxamine (an alpha adrenergic stimulant) and isoprenaline (a beta adrenergic stimulant) each mimic the amphetamine effect in CXM-pretreated chickens. That the action of amphetamine could be due to its release of norepinephrine is supported by the finding that it could be blocked by both alpha adrenergic (piperoxane) and beta adrenergic antagonists (propranolol). It has been suggested that this labile memory trace depends on the functioning of a sodium pump. Norepinephrine may be modulating memory formation by an action on the sodium pump since in preliminary biochemical assays norepinephrine stimulated the sodium pump (Na+/K+ ATPase) activity in chicken forebrain total homogenate.     

Ricinine-elicited seizures. A novel chemical model of convulsive seizures

The present investigation introduces ricinine-elicited seizures as a novel chemical model of convulsive seizure. Ricinine, a neutral alkaloid obtained from the plant Ricinus communis, induces seizures when administered to mice at doses higher than 20 mg/kg. Animals presenting seizures showed a marked preconvulsive phase followed by short duration hind limb myoclonus, respiratory spasms, and death. The lethal nature of ricinine seizures is also pointed out as a good model to study the events causing death in clonic seizures, particularly those related to respiratory spasms, which are also observed in some types of human epilepsy. The behavioral signs of ricinine-elicited seizures are accompanied by electrographic alterations more evident during the preconvulsive phase in the cerebral cortex and more intense during the ictal phase both in the cortex and in the hippocampus. The ricinine-elicited seizures may be inhibited by diazepam but not by phenobarbital, phenytoin, or ethosuximide. Micromolar concentrations of ricinine cause a small decrease in the binding of [3H]-flunitrazepam to cerebral cortex membranes, but do not alter the binding of other radioligands to AMPA, 5-HT(1A), muscarinic, and alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors. Although ricinine presents a cyanide radical, only higher doses of ricinine (4 mM) caused a small impairment of mitochondrial respiration. These results suggest that the mechanism of action of ricinine probably involves the benzodiazepine site in the GABA(A) receptor. This may represent a new mechanism of drug-elicited seizures that may contribute to a better understanding of epilepsy and to new therapeutic approaches to this disease.     

Characterization of cholinergic regulation of seizures by the midline thalamus.

This study determined the effects of injections of different cholinergic agents in the central medial intralaminar nucleus of the thalamus on seizures induced by intravenous injection of pentylenetetrazol. Injections of the cholinesterase inhibitor, neostigmine bromide, induced a stiff, tremulous state and lowered myoclonic, clonic and tonic seizure thresholds. The nicotinic agonist, tartrate, depressed arousal and facilitated all types of seizure, while its antagonist, d-tubocurarine chloride, heightened arousal and transformed pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions, with tonic seizures occurring at a very low threshold without preceding myoclonic or clonic seizures or EEG spikes. The muscarinic agonist (+/-)pilocarpine hydrochloride, in very large doses, induced slight hyperactivity and facilitated tonic seizures but did not affect myoclonic or clonic seizures. Its antagonist, (-)scopolamine hydrobromide, slightly depressed arousal and myoclonic and clonic seizure thresholds. Injections of mixtures of agonists and antagonists (d-tubocurarine chloride + nicotine tartrate or (+/-)pilocarpine hydrochloride + (-)scopolamine) had little effect on spontaneous behavior or seizures. These results suggest that the midline thalamus regulates seizures and arousal, under the control of cholinergic neurotransmission. Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors have opposing roles in mediating these functions.     

Modulation of adjuvant arthritis by endogenous nitric oxide.

1. The role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats has been studied by use of L-arginine, the amino acid from which NO is synthesized, and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthase. Prolonged modulation (35 days) of the L-arginine: NO pathway in rats was achieved by dissolving test compounds in the drinking water (L-arginine: 3, 10 and 30 mg ml-1; L-NAME: 0.1, 1 and 10 mg ml-1). 2. Arthritis was exacerbated by L-arginine and suppressed by L-NAME in a dose-related fashion. Combined treatment with L-NAME (1 mg ml-1) and L-arginine (30 mg ml-1) did not modify the arthritis. 3. Reduced weight gain, which is a feature of adjuvant arthritis, was modified by these compounds so that L-arginine reduced weight gain whereas L-NAME increased weight gain compared with that in control animals. 4. D-Arginine (30 mg ml-1), NG-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME: 1 mg ml-1) and L-lysine (30 mg ml-1), an amino acid not involved in the generation of NO, were without effect on either arthritis or body weight gain. 5. Antigen-stimulated proliferation of T-lymphocytes as well as generation of nitrite (NO2-) and release of acid phosphatase from macrophages were all enhanced in L-arginine-treated arthritic rats and reduced in L-NAME-treated animals. 6. These results suggest that endogenous NO modulates adjuvant arthritis, possibly by interfering with the activation of T-lymphocytes and/or macrophages.     

Modulation of hypersensitivity reaction by lipids given orally.

The effect of lipids administration by gavage (0.4% body weight) given daily during four weeks on the hypersensitivity reaction in trachea, upper and lower bronchi, liver, kidney, mesentery, and pancreas was investigated in male rats. The plasma exudation was assessed by using Evans blue (EB) dye extravasation method. There was a significant difference in the permeability of the organs in nonimmunized rats. The immunization increased the vascular permeability and the response with the organs varied greatly. The effect of lipids on anaphylactic reaction was compared to those of untreated rats (control group). The EB extravasation was significantly increased in the trachea obtained from rats treated with cocoa butter and soybean oil. In the upper bronchi of rats treated with soybean oil, the EB extravasation was increased. However, in the lower bronchi, none of the treatments with lipids changed the extravasation of EB. The same was observed in the liver and kidney. The animals treated with lipids by gavage did not present differences in EB extravasation in the mesentery. However, in the pancreas and duodenum, the treatment with fish and soybean oils and cocoa butter markedly lowered EB extravasation.     

Modulation of acute inflammation by endogenous nitric oxide.

The role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in acute inflammation was investigated using two inhibitors of NO synthase (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)) as well as L- or D-arginine. The effect of test compounds was studied on the carrageenin-induced increase in vascular permeability in rat skin and in dextran- and carrageenin-induced paw oedema. Both L-NAME and L-NMMA dose dependently inhibited the increase in vascular permeability and oedema formation. L- but not D-arginine increased these inflammatory responses and reversed the inhibitory effects of L-NAME and L-NMMA. In dexamethasone-treated rats L-arginine enhanced the dextran-induced oedema and the early phase of carrageenin-induced oedema but did not modify the inhibition by dexamethasone of the late phase of carrageenin-induced oedema. These results suggest that endogenous NO is released at the site of acute inflammation and modulates oedema formation. Depending on the time course or on the type of inflammation, NO may be predominantly generated by the constitutive or by the inducible NO synthase.     

Modulation of GABAA and glycine receptors by chlormethiazole.

The influence of chlormethiazole, on currents evoked by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, was investigated under voltage-clamp conditions, in bovine chromaffin cells and murine spinal neurones, respectively. Chlormethiazole (30 and 100 μM) dose dependently potentiated currents activated by either inhibitory neurotransmitter. The potentiation of the GABA-evoked response occurred without altering the reversal potential and was not influenced by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788 (300 nM). GABA-gated channels, recorded from outside-out membrane patches, showed increased probability of being in the conducting state in the presence of chlormethiazole. High concentrations of chlormethiazole (3 mM) activated bicuculline (1 μM)-sensitive whole-cell currents with a reversal potential similar to the chloride equilibrium potential. Chlormethiazole potentiates GABA- and glycine-activated currents and at higher doses, directly activates the GABA_A receptor.     

Modulation of the tonic stretch reflex by monoamines.

The effects of L-DOPA and 5-HTP on the tonic stretch reflex (TSR) in the decerebrate rat were studied. L-DOPA facilitated the TSR in a dose-dependent manner. The facilitation of the TSR was blocked by pimozide. A sensitive electromygraphic (EMG) technique capable of recording single motor unit discharges was used. The EMG results suggest that gamma motoneuron sensitivity was increased to a greater degree than alpha motoneuron sensitivity during the facilitation by L-DOPA. The L-DOPA-induced facilitation persisted in animals partly depleted of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) by reserpine, p-chlorophenylalanine or 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine. 5-HTP inhibited the TSR in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that DA not 5-HT is the amine which normally mediates facilitation of the TSR after L-DOPA and that gamma motoneuron activation is more likely to be involved to a greater degree than alpha motoneuron activation in the neural mechanisms of the facilitation.     

Modulation of a calcium-activated chloride current by Maitotoxin.

The effect of Maitotoxin (MTX) on the calcium-activated chloride current (ICl-Ca) from Xenopus oocytes was studied, applying the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. MTX increased the current amplitude at all the voltages explored and reduced the time to reach the maximum current level (time to peak). At low toxin concentrations (15 pM), both effects were fully reversible. Activation of ICl-Ca by MTX was secondary to the increment in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced by this toxin, since incubation of the oocytes with the cell-permeant Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM, greatly reduced the effect of MTX on ICl-Ca. Furthermore, external chloride ions removal also diminished the MTX effect on the current, strongly suggesting that the main current activated by MTX is ICl-Ca. Subsequent applications of a fixed toxin concentration after toxin washout resulted in enhanced ICl-Ca, suggesting that the toxin effect potentiates.     

Distinct features of seizures induced by cocaine and amphetamine analogs.

Seizure-related emergencies caused by stimulants of abuse have been increasing. To better understand the nature of these drug-induced convulsions, we characterized the seizure patterns associated with high doses of cocaine, and the amphetamine analogs, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 4-methylaminorex. The features of the stimulant-induced seizures were distinct and included the following: (1) the duration of convulsive activity was shortest for cocaine and longest for methamphetamine, (2) only MDMA produced a secondary clonic phase after the initial ictal event, and (3) 4-methylaminorex manifested a very steep dose-response curve. Differential preventive profiles of anticonvulsant agents on the stimulant-induced seizures also were observed. For example, cocaine-related seizures were most effectively prevented by, while methamphetamine-induced seizures were completely refractory to, phenytoin pretreatment. The only anticonvulsants which appeared to influence methamphetamine-related convulsions were diazepam and valproate. A unique feature of 4-methylaminorex was that related seizures were almost completely blocked by the calcium channel blocker, flunarizine.     

Preformulation stability screening of ivermectin with non-ionic emulsion excipients.

As an important and complementary step during a preformulation study differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine the compatibility between ivermectin and commonly used excipients for preparing non-ionic emulsions. Ivermectin was found to exhibit interactions with 21 excipients, while it was compatible with 25 excipients. HPLC showed a significant decrease in drug amount +20%, when substances interacted with invermectin.     

N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid- and metaphit-induced audiogenic seizures in rat model of seizures.

The effects of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) on metaphit (1-[1(3-isothiocyanatophenyl)-cyclohexyl]piperidine)-induced audiogenic seizures in adult male Wistar albino rats were studied with the aim of developing a suitable animal model of seizures. The animals were divided into four experimental groups: 1, saline control; 2, metaphit-injected; 3, metaphit + NMDA administered and 4, NMDA-treated. Upon the treatment, the rats were exposed to sound stimulation (100 +/- 3 dB, for 60 s) at hourly intervals and the incidence and severity (running, clonus and tonus) of seizures were analysed. In group 3, only the animals which did not exhibit any metaphit-induced audiogenic seizures over 8 h were given a subconvulsive NMDA dose after the eighth audiogenic testing. For EEG recordings, three gold-plated screws were implanted into the rat skull. In most animals, metaphit led to EEG abnormalities and elicited epileptiform activity recorded as spikes, polyspikes and spike-wave complexes. Maximum incidence and severity of metaphit-induced convulsions occurred 8 h after injection (incidence 9/12), abating gradually until disappearing 30 h later. NMDA alone provoked no seizure response but the initial signs characterized by isolated spike activity evolving into sporadic slow-wave complexes, thus representing a proconvulsive brain state, were observed. This compound led to stereotyped behaviour seen as asymmetric posture, loss of righting reflex and tonic hind limb extension lasting for 60-90 min. It also potentiated metaphit-induced audiogenic seizures. Potentiation of metaphit-related audiogenic seizures by NMDA was recorded in three out of 17 rats that had never displayed seizures in eight previous testings, with a maximum incidence of eight out of 17 animals, 13-14 h after metaphit administration and seizures lasted for 10 h.