Human percutaneous absorption of a direct hair dye comparing in vitro and in vivo results: Implications for safety assessment and animal testing

Although in vitro skin absorption studies often detect small residues of applied test material in the epidermis/dermis, it is uncertain whether the residue is within the living skin. We studied the dermal absorption of a hair dye hydroxyanthraquinone–aminopropyl methyl morpholinium methosulphate (HAM) in human skin in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, skin (back and scalp) received 0.5% HAM in a commercial formulation at 20 μg/cm² After 0.5 or 48 h, skin was tape stripped, followed by cyanoacrylate biopsies (CAB). Sebum from scalp sites was collected for 48 h. In vitro, skin was treated with 20 mg/cm² dye for 0.5 h, penetration determined after 24 h. In vivo, at 0.5 h, total recovery (back) was 0.67 μg/cm² (tape strips + CAB). Fluorescence microscopy showed HAM in the hair follicle openings (HFO). At 0.5 h, scalp tape strips contained 1.80 μg/cm², HFO 0.82 μg/cm². At 48 h, HFO contained 0.21 μg/cm², sebum 0.80 μg/cm². In vivo, skin residues were in the non-living skin and eliminated via desquamation and sebum secretion. In vitro, the SC contained 1.50 μg/cm², epidermis/dermis 0.86 μg/cm², receptor fluid < 0.04 μg/cm², a total of 0.90 μg/cm² was considered to be bioavailable. In vitro epidermis/dermis residues were nearly identical to those located in non-living skin in vivo. In conclusion, in vitro percutaneous penetration studies may produce seemingly bioavailable material , which raises the need for a Threshold of Skin Absorption (TSA) addressing a negligible dermal absorption in order to avoid unnecessary in vivo toxicity studies on substances that produce no significant human systemic exposure.     

Nanoparticulate delivery system for insulin: Design, characterization and in vitro/in vivo bioactivity

Insulin-loaded alginate–dextran nanospheres were prepared by nanoemulsion dispersion followed by triggered in situ gelation. Nanospheres were characterized for mean size and distribution by laser diffraction spectroscopy and for shape by transmission electron microscopy. Insulin encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release were determined by Bradford protein assay and bioactivity determined in vitro using a newly developed Western blot immunoassay and in vivo using Wistar diabetic rats. Nanospheres ranged from 267 nm to 2.76 μm in diameter and demonstrated a unimodal size distribution. Insulin encapsulation efficiency was 82.5%. Alginate–dextran particles suppressed insulin release in acidic media and promoted a sustained release at near neutral conditions. Nanoencapsulated insulin was bioactive, demonstrated through both in vivo and in vitro bioassays     

In vitro dermal absorption of pesticides: IV. In vivo and in vitro comparison with the organophosphorus insecticide diazinon in rat, guinea pig, pig, human and tissue-cultured skin

In vitro skin absorption tests are currently being developed as an alternative to in vivo animal tests for predicting the degree of occupational exposure to pesticides. In the study reported here, in vitro percutaneous absorption tests were conducted with the ¹⁴C-ring-labelled pesticide, diazinon, dissolved in acetone and applied to the dermatomed skin (0.5 mm) of a number of species at a dose rate of 9.5–16.7 μg/cm². Skin permeation was determined for 48 hr after exposure using an in vitro flow-through system. Skin permeation was calculated from the sum of the percentage recovery of ¹⁴C activity in the receiver solution and the percentage recovery obtained in methanol washes of the skin at 48 hr and in skin digests. Listed in decreasing order, the total percentage in vitro dermal absorptions (mean ± SD) obtained by 48 hr after exposure for the five skin types were: 47 ± 3.4% (rat), 36 ± 0.9% (tissue cultured Testskin), 33 ± 2.8% (hairless guinea pig), 20 ± 3.1% (human) and 15 ± 13.1% (pig). The percentage recoveries in soapy water skin washes at 24 hr, in methanol washes and skin digests at 48 hr and of ¹⁴C-labelled volatiles collected in air traps at 48 hr after exposure are reported. Comparative in vivo studies demonstrated 37 ± 0.8 and 24 ± 5.7% recovery of ¹⁴C in the urine of rats (dose rate, 6 μg/cm²) and hairless guinea pigs (dose rate, 5 μg/cm²), respectively, by 14 days after exposure. Total faecal recovery 14 days after exposure was 18 ± 0.4 and 4 ± 0.9% for rats and guinea pigs, respectively. Analysis of tissue taken at autopsy 14 days after exposure demonstrated a total tissue recovery of 0.6 ± 0.1% [¹⁴C]diazinon in rats and 1 ± 0.2% in hairless guinea pigs. The total recovery in skin removed from the dose site at 14 days after exposure was 0.2 ± 0.02% and 0.1 ± 0.05% in rats and hairless guinea pigs, respectively. Recovery of radioactivity from soapy water skin washes conducted at 24 hr after exposure was 21 ± 3.8% for rats and 2 ± 0.1% for hairless guinea pigs. Recovery in skin patches was 23 ± 5.4% and 73 ± 2.9% in rats and hairless guinea pigs, respectively. The in vitro data for dermal absorption of [¹⁴C]diazinon for rats (47 ± 3.4%) and hairless guinea pigs (33 ± 2.8%) were in good agreement with the data observed for rats (56 ± 1.03%) and hairless guinea pigs (28 ± 6.0%) in vivo. This study supported the use of in vitro skin absorption tests as an alternative to in vivo animal testing.     

In vitro dermal absorption of pesticides: VI. In vivo and in vitro comparison of the organochlorine insecticide DDT in rat, guinea pig, pig, human and tissue-cultured skin

In vitro dermal absorption tests were conducted with the ¹⁴C-ring-labelled pesticide, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) dissolved in acetone and applied to dermatomed skin (0.5 mm) of a number of species at dose rates of 16–27 μg/cm². Skin absorption was determined for 48 hr after exposure using in vitro flow-through cells. Skin absorption was calculated from the sum of the percentage recovery of ¹⁴C activity in the receiver solution added to the percentage recovery for the methanol washes of the skin at 48 hr and the skin digest samples. Two receiver solutions, Ringer's saline (used with Moody aluminium cells), and Hanks' HEPES buffered saline with 4% serum albumin (used with Bronaugh flow-through cells) were used. Listed in decreasing order, the total percentage in vitro dermal absorptions obtained by 48 hr after exposure for the five skin types were: 42 ± 2.6% [hairless guinea pig; Hanks' receiver (HR)], 34 ± 10.5% (rat; HR), 28 ± 13.2% [Testskin; Ringer's receiver (RR)], 28 ± 2.9% (human; HR), 22 ± 3.3% (Testskin; HR), 18 ± 6.2% (pig; RR) and 14 ± 2.1% (pig; HR). The percentage ¹⁴C activity recovered in soapy water rinses of the skin specimens at 24 hr, and for methanol skin washes and skin digests at 48 hr, and of ¹⁴C-labelled volatiles collected in air traps are reported. Data obtained with pig and Testskin for DDT using the Moody flow-through permeation cell was compared with that obtained using the Bronaugh cell. Significantly greater (P < 0.05) percentage recovery was obtained for the soap washes at 24 hr of the skin following the Bronaugh procedure than was obtained with the Moody method. Comparative in vivo studies demonstrated urinary recovery was 2 ± 0.5 and 15 ± 1.7% for rats (dose rate; 6 μg/cm²) and guinea pigs (dose rate: 9 μg/cm²), respectively. Total faecal recovery was 20 ± 1.9 and 44 ± 2.75% for rats and guinea pigs, respectively. Analysis of tissue taken at autopsy 14 days after dosing demonstrated total tissue recovery of 51 ± 5.6% in rats but of only 3 ± 0.7% in guinea pigs. Including the ¹⁴C activity extracted from the skin removed from the dose site at 14 days after exposure, the total recovery of dermally absorbed residues was 73 ± 5.9 and 62 ± 4.1% for rats and guinea pigs, respectively. Recovery of ¹⁴C from soapy water skin washes conducted at 24 hr after exposure was 3 ± 1.4 and 14 ± 1.8% for rats and guinea pigs, respectively, and this was significantly less than that obtained by both the Bronaugh and Moody in vitro procedures. Skin patch recovery was 24% for both rats and guinea pigs. In summary, the in vitro data underestimed the degree of dermal absorption observed in vivo for both rats and guinea pigs, and this was thought to be due to an overly vigorous removal of the pesticide skin deposit by the soap washing procedures used in vitro in comparison with the in vivo washing procedure.     

Inducibility and functionality of rat embryonic/foetal cytochrome P-450: A study of differentiating limb-bud and mid-brain cells in vitro

The presence of constitutive levels of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes in cultures derived from rat embryo limb-bud (LB) and mid-brain (CNS) cells was demonstrated immunocytochemically by staining with specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies of cytochrome P-450. The b and e forms of cytochrome P-450 were found to be non-inducible by either in vitro co-incubation for 5 days or by transplacental maternal induction with phenobarbitone (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) or β-naphthoflavone (βNF) in either cell type. Consistent with this lack of response was the observation that both in vitro and in vivo inducer treatment did not alter the toxicity of the teratogens diphenylhydantoin (DPH) or cyclophosphamide (CPA). In contrast, 3MC induction was achieved by both in vitro and transplacental regimens as gauged by the increased intensity of peroxidase staining using a monoclonal antibody to cytochrome t-450 c, in both cell types. There was also a concomitant increase in DPH toxicity (>20% gauged by a decrease in IC₅₀ values) in LB cells by both induction regimens but the CNS cells were refractory. βNF induction of cytochrome P-450 was observed following in vitro and in vivo exposures in both cell types. There was no modulation of DPH or CPA toxicity after in vitro exposure to the inducers, but in vivo induction caused a strong staining reaction in both cell types, commensurate with a 30% increase in DPH toxicity in LB cells and activation of the pro-teratogen CPA. The b and e forms of cytochrome P-450 were non-inducible but it is highly likely that the c form was both inducible (by 3MC and βNF) and functional, the latter being assessed by modulation of DPH toxicity and CPA activation. It may be possible to induce cytochrome P-450 in cells derived from embryos. The system used may be suitable for detailed investigations of the types of metabolizing systems involved in the mechanisms underlying toxicity/teratogenicity.     

In vitro dermal absorption of pesticides: V. In vivo and in vitro comparison of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in rat, guinea pig, pig, human and tissue-cultured skin

In vitro dermal absorption tests were conducted with the ¹⁴C-ring-labelled herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), dissolved in acetone and applied to dermatomed skin (0.5 mm) of a number of species at dose rates of 7–8 μg/cm². Skin absorption was determined for 48 hr after exposure using an in vitro flow-through system. Skin absorption was calculated from the sum of the percentage recovery of ¹⁴C activity in the receiver solution and the percentage recovery in the methanol washes of the skin at 48 hr and the skin digest samples. Two receiver solutions, Ringer's saline, and Hanks' HEPES buffered saline with 4% serum albumin were used. Listed in decreasing order, the total percentage in vitro dermal absorptions obtained by 48 hr after exposure for the five skin types were: 47 ± 4.3% [tissue cultured Testskin; Hanks' receiver (HR)], 40 ± 4.5% (rat; HR), 19 ± 1.8% (human; HR), 14 ± 2.3% (hairless guinea pig; HR), 14 ± 8.8% (pig; Ringer's receiver). The percentage recovery of the radiolabel in soapy water skin washes at 24 hr, methanol washes and skin digests at 48 hr, and of ¹⁴C-labelled volatiles collected in air traps at 48 hr after exposure are reported. Comparative in vivo studies were conducted for 14 days after exposure and demonstrated 32 ± 3.9 and 28 ± 7.8% recovery of ¹⁴C in the urine of rats (dose rate, 3 μg/cm²) and guinea pigs (dose rate, 4 μg/cm²), respectively. Total faecal recovery was 2 ± 0.3 and 9 ± 3.5% for rats and guinea pigs, respectively. Analysis of tissue taken at autopsy 14 day after dosing demonstrated a total tissue recovery of ¹⁴C activity of 1 ± 0.1 and 2 ± 0.5% in rats and guinea pigs, respectively. Including the ¹⁴C activity extracted from the skin removed from the dose site at 14 days after exposure, the total recovery of dermally absorbed residues was 49 ± 10.4 and 40 ± 9.9% in rats and guinea pigs, respectively. Recovery of ¹⁴C activity from soapy water skin washes conducted at 24 hr after exposure was 28 ± 8.1 and 43 ± 9.0% for rats and guinea pigs, respectively. Recovery in skin patches was 18% (guinea pigs) and 26% (rats). In summary, the in vitro/in vivo concordance for the rat dermal absorption data was good but the in vitro data for hairless guinea pigs underestimated the in vivo absorption, and therefore for 2,4-D, rat skin may provide a better model of percutaneous absorption.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of tegaserod maleate pH-dependent tablets

The purpose of this study was to prepare tegaserod maleate (TM) pH-dependent tablets and evaluate their advantages as a sustained release delivery system. TM, insoluble in water and unstable in gastric milieu, was formulated into pH-dependent tablets coated with combinations of two methacrylic acid copolymers – Eudragit^® L100 and Eudragit^® S100. The influence of core tablet compositions, polymer combination ratios and coating levels on the in vitro release rate of TM from coated tablets was investigated. The optimum formulation was evaluated for in vitro release rate and in vivo bioavailability study on beagle dogs. In addition, physico-chemical properties of the drug, including solubility at different pH and temperatures, and dissociation constant were determined. The results showed that no drug was released in 0.1 mol/L hydrochloric acid within 2 h, and about 90% of the drug was released in the pH 6.8 phosphate buffer within 12 h in a sustained manner. The pharmacokinetic investigation showed that TM pH-dependent tablets exhibited a sustained plasma concentration, a lag time of approximately 2.3 h and a relative bioavailability of 159% compared to plain tablets. A close correlation existed between the in vitro release rate of the pH-dependent system and its in vivo absorption percentage. The results of the present study have demonstrated that the pH-dependent tablet system is a promising vehicle for preventing rapid hydrolysis in gastric milieu and improving oral bioavailability of TM for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.     

Influence of dichlorodiphenylchloroethylene on vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor in human and rat ovarian cells

1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE, DDE), a metabolite of DDT is a persistent hormonally active environmental toxicant present in human serum and follicular fluid. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of DDE on the expression of the ovarian vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in primary cultures of human granulosa cells and in the rat ovary. Granulosa cells were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization and cultured with environmentally relevant concentrations of DDE. Immature female rats were treated with 100 μg DDE/kg body weight or vehicle at 28 and 31 days of age and then euthanized at 50 days of age for collection of ovarian tissue. Expression of VEGF, the VEGF receptor fetal liver kinase (Flk-1) and IGF-1 were determined by Western blotting analysis of protein lysates from granulosa cell cultures and by immunohistochemistry in the rat ovary. DDE at concentrations of 100–1000 ng/mL increased the expression of VEGF, Flk-1 and IGF-1 in vitro in primary cultures of human granulosa cells, with the highest expression occurring at 1000 ng/mL. Similarly, acute administration of DDE resulted in a significant increase in immunoreactive VEGF, Flk-1 and IGF-1 in the rat ovary. We conclude that DDE, at levels, which have been detected in humans, alters the expression of the ovarian growth factors VEGF and IGF-1 both in vivo and in vitro. This alteration in expression of growth factors may lead to altered ovarian function as seen in polycystic ovaries and impaired fertility.     

Prediction of drug-drug interaction from In vitro plasma protein binding and metabolism: A study of tolbutamide-sulfonamide interaction in rats

The prediction of tolbutamide-sulfonamide interaction from in vitro unbound intrinsic clearance was studied by comparing the in vvivo and in vitro total body clearance (CL_tot) in rats. The The sulfonamides used were sulfaphenazole (SP), sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ). The plasma half-life (T_1/2) of tolbutamine (TB) was increased ssignificantly by SP and SDM, while CL_tot was decreased significantly by both drugs; no significant changes were observed in their parameter by SMZ. The in vitro plasma protein binding and microsomal oxidation of TB were competitively inhibited by sulfonamides; the order of inhibitor constantswas SMZ>SP>SDM. Since metabolism is the rate-determining step of the hepatic extraction of TB, the in vivo CL_tot can be expressed by the equation; CL_tot ƒ_BCL_int, where ƒ_B is the blood free fraction and CL_int is the hepatic intrinsic clearance of unbound drug. A comparatively good agreement was observed between the in vivo CL_tot and that calculated from both in vitro plasma protein binding and metabolic parameters.     

An interlaboratory assessment of the Eytex system

Seventeen raw materials and chemical formulations were evaluated in the Eytex System to determine the ability of this assay in vitro to predict eye irritation potential in vivo. All the test samples, which represented a wide range of chemical types and eye irritancy potential in vivo, were provided by one of the participating laboratories. Historical data from tests in vivo were available for each of the test samples, so testing in vivo specifically for this study was not necessary. Samples were evaluated by both the membrane partition assay (MPA) and the rapid membrane assay (RMA). The sensitivity, specificity, predictivity and equivalence of the Eytex assay were determined by comparison with the rabbit eye irritation data, using each of the different Eytex Draize Equivalent (EDE) classification schemes. Regardless of the classification scheme used, the correlation between the scores in vivo and in vitro was poor. The Eytex System consistently overclassified materials of low irritancy in vivo and underclassified those test materials of moderate irritancy or above. On the basis of the results from the 17 materials tested in this study, the Eytex System appears unsuitable as a replacement in vitro for ocular irritancy testing of all types of chemical. However, Eytex may have a place as a pre-screening method used as part of a test battery.     

Comparison of effects of formoterol and BRL 37344 on isolated term-pregnant rat myometrial strips in vitro

This study was designed to compare the effects of β-adrenoceptor agonists formoterol and BRL 37344 on spontaneous contractions and the levels of cAMP and cGMP of myometrial strips isolated from timed-pregnant rats. Myometrial strips were obtained from term-pregnant Wistar albino rats (n = 12), mounted in organ baths and tested for changes in isometric tension in response to formoterol and BRL 37344. We evaluated the effect of increasing concentrations of formoterol and BRL 37344 on oxytocin-induced myometrial contractions and on contractions of myometrial smooth muscle pretreated with metoprolol, ICI 118.551 and SR 59230A (β₁, β₂, β₃-adrenoceptor antagonist, respectively, 10^− 6 M). Effects of formoterol and BRL 37344 on cAMP and cGMP levels in isolated myometrial strips (n = 6) were evaluated by radioimmunoassay kits. Formoterol (10^− 12–10^− 8 M) and BRL 37344 (10^− 11–10^− 5 M) concentration-dependently decreased the amplitude of oxytocin-induced contractions. E_max value (100%) of formoterol was increased significantly more than E_max value (70.6%) of BRL 37344 (P < 0.05), with no change in pD₂ value (9.54 ± 0.12 and 9.12 ± 0.12, respectively). The inhibition of the amplitude of oxytocin-induced contractions by formoterol was antagonized with ICI 118.551 (10^− 6 M), but they were not changed by metoprolol (10^− 6 M) or SR 59230A (10^− 6 M). The inhibition of the amplitude of oxytocin-induced contractions by BRL 37344 were antagonized with SR 59230A (10^− 6 M), but they were not changed by metoprolol (10^− 6 M) or ICI 118.551 (10^− 6 M). Formoterol and BRL 37344 increased cAMP levels. BRL 37344 increased cGMP levels in BRL 37344 group more than control group, but this increase is less significant than cAMP levels (P > 0.05). Formoterol and BRL 37344 decreased amplitude of myometrial contractions with similar potency, but efficacy of formoterol was better than BRL 37344.     

In vitro biological efficiency of tenocyclidine – TCP and its adamantane derivative TAMORF

Tenocyclidine – TCP showing a broad spectrum of pharmacological activity including antidotal effect in organophosphorus compounds poisoning, radioprotective and anticancer effects. We investigated in vitro interactions of TCP and its adamantane derivative – TAMORF with human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Moreover, their genotoxicity and radioprotective activity on human white blood cells were studied using the alkaline comet assay, viability testing and the analysis of the structural chromosome aberrations. The tested compounds were found to be weak inhibitors of AChE, for TCP IC₅₀ = 1 × 10⁻⁵ M and for TAMORF IC₅₀ > 1 × 10⁻³ M, without reactivating and protective effects on AChE inhibited by soman. Results suggest that TCP modified by the replacement of the cyclohexyl ring with an adamantly ring and piperidine with morpholine group (TAMORF) have lower toxicity. Both compounds possess low cytotoxicity and radioprotective activity, but TAMORF also shows cell growth inhibitory effects. To clarify differences in their biological efficiency observed in vitro and in vivo, additional analyses are necessary. Since TAMORF was found to significantly inhibit cell growth and proliferation in vitro, it is reasonably to consider it as a source molecule promising for further modifications and development of more potent substances with antitumor properties rather then radioprotector or antidote in organophosphorus poisoning.     

In vitro and in vivo effects of endothelin-1 and YM598, a selective endothelin ET A receptor antagonist, on the lower urinary tract

We investigated the contractile response of the lower urinary tract to endothelin-1 in vitro (rabbits) and in vivo (dogs). We also assessed the effects of a selective endothelin ET_A receptor antagonist, (E)-N-[6-methoxy-5-(2-methoxyphenoxy)[2, 2′-bipyrimidin]-4-yl]-2-phenylethenesulfonamide monopotassium salt (YM598), on endothelin-1-induced contractile responses. In the in vitro study, endothelin-1 induced contractile responses in isolated rabbit bladder base, urethra, and prostate tissues. YM598 (10^− 7–10^− 5 M) antagonized these endothelin-1-induced contractile responses without affecting the maximal responses. In the in vivo study, endothelin-1 induced the elevation of non-prostatic urethral pressure as well as prostatic urethral pressure even in the presence of tamsulosin (10 μg/kg, i.v.) in anesthetized male dogs. YM598 (0.1–3 mg/kg, i.v.) inhibited these endothelin-1-induced contractile responses in a dose-dependent fashion. These results suggest that endothelin ET_A receptors play an important role in the lower urinary tract contraction, and that the selective endothelin ET_A receptor antagonist YM598 has ameliorating effects on various urinary dysfunctions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

Transbuccal delivery of chlorpheniramine maleate from mucoadhesive buccal patches

This article describes buccal permeation of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) and its transbuccal delivery using mucoadhesive buccal patches. Permeation of CPM was calculated in vitro using porcine buccal membrane and in vivo in healthy humans. Buccal formulations were developed with hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and evaluated for in vitro release, moisture absorption, mechanical properties, and bioadhesion, and optimized formulation was subjected for bioavailability studies in healthy human volunteers. In vitro flux of CPM was calculated to be 0.14 ± 0.03 mg.h^-1.cm^-2 and buccal absorption also was demonstrated in vivo in human volunteers. In vitro drug release and moisture absorbed were governed by HEC content and formulations exhibited good tensile and mucoadhesive properties. Bioavailability from optimized buccal patch was 1.46 times higher than the oral dosage form and the results showed statistically significant difference.     

Polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum occurring in Southern parts of India, protects radiation induced damages both in vitro and in vivo

The in vivo and in vitro radioprotective property of the polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum were determined by survival studies, induction of micronucleus in reticulocytes of mice, strand breaks in plasmid pBR322 DNA and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay). Polysaccharides were administered as a single dose after whole body exposure to 10 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ-radiation to Swiss albino mice. At a dose of 500 μg/kg body wt, the polysaccharides were most effective in protecting animals from radiation induced loss of lethality. Administration of 500 μg/kg body wt to animal exposed to 10 Gy gamma radiation resulted in more than 60% survival on the 30th day compared to the dose of 300 mg/kg/body wt administration of amifostine, a clinically used radioprotective drug. The induction of micronuclei was reduced by the administration of polysaccharides. The decrease in micronuclei induction was dose dependent. Thus following 4 Gy exposure the micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (MNCE) was reduced from 28.16 ± 3.049 to 16.0243 ± 2.074 and 6.30 ± 2.422 by polysaccharides at doses of 250 μg/kg body wt and 500 μg/kg body wt, respectively, and to 10.4 ± 2.581 by amifostine at a dose of 300 mg/kg body wt. The results indicate the significant protective effect of Ganoderma polysaccharides against radiation induced damages. The findings thus suggest the potential use of Ganoderma polysaccharides as novel radioprotective agent.     

Enhanced bioavailability of metoclopramide HCl by intranasal administration of a mucoadhesive in situ gel with modulated rheological and mucociliary transport properties

The prolonged residence of drug formulation in the nasal cavity is of utmost importance for intranasal drug delivery. The objective of the present investigation was to develop a mucoadhesive in situ gel with reduced nasal mucociliary clearance in order to improve the bioavailability of the antiemetic drug, metoclopramide hydrochloride (MCP HCl). The in situ gelation upon contact with nasal mucosa was conferred via the use of the thermogelling poloxamer 407 whereas mucoadhesion and drug release enhancement were modulated via the use of mucoadhesive and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers respectively. The results revealed that the different mucoadhesives augmented the gel viscosity but reduced its sol–gel transition temperatures (T_sol–gel) and the drug release. The inclusion of PEG counteracted the effect of the mucoadhesive polymers whereby it decreased the gel consistency and increased the T_sol–gel as well as the in vitro drug release. The formulations with favorable sol–gel transition temperatures (25–32 °C) and high in vitro drug release (100% release in 60 min) were also rheologically stable upon storage. The mucoadhesiveness test was performed in vivo in rats, results showed that the carbopol-containing in situ gel prolonged the mucociliary transport time from 10 min (control solution) to 52 min (mucoadhesive gel) and maintained nasal mucosal integrity after 14-days application. The bioavailability study in rabbits revealed that the absolute bioavailability of MCP HCl was significantly increased from 51.7% in case of the oral drug solution to 69.1% in case of the nasal in situ gel. The study point to the potential of mucoadhesive nasal in situ gel in terms of ease of administration, accuracy of dosing, prolonged nasal residence and improved drug bioavailability.     

Alteration of dopamine uptake into rat striatal vesicles and synaptosomes caused by an in vitro exposure to atrazine and some of its metabolites

Studies have shown that both in vivo and in vitro exposure to the herbicide atrazine (ATR) results in dopaminergic neurotoxicity manifested by decreased striatal dopamine (DA) levels. However, the mechanism behind this reduction is largely unknown. A decrease in striatal DA could be due to ATR exposure affecting vesicular and/or synaptosomal uptake resulting in disrupted vesicular storage and/or cellular uptake of DA. Hence, we investigated the effects of in vitro ATR exposure on DA uptake into isolated rat striatal synaptosomes and synaptic vesicles. In addition to ATR, effects of its major mammalian metabolites, didealkyl atrazine (DACT), desethyl atrazine (DE) and desiopropyl atrazine (DIP) were investigated. ATR (1–250 μM) inhibited DA uptake into synaptic vesicles in a dose-dependent manner. Of the three ATR metabolites tested, DACT did not affect vesicular DA uptake. DE and DIP, on the other hand, significantly decreased vesicular DA uptake with the effect of 100 μM DE/DIP being similar to the effect of the same concentration of ATR. Kinetic analysis of vesicular DA uptake indicated that ATR significantly decreased the V_max while the K_m value was not affected. Contrary to the inhibitory effects on vesicular DA uptake, synaptosomal DA uptake was marginally (6–13%) increased by ATR and DE, but not by DACT and DIP, at concentrations of ≤100 μM. As a result, ATR, DIP and DE increased the synaptosomal/vesicular (DAT/VMAT-2) uptake ratio. Collectively, results from this study suggest that ATR and two of its metabolites, DIP and DE, but not its major mammalian metabolite, DACT, decrease striatal DA levels, at least in part, by increasing cytosolic DA, which is prone to oxidative breakdown.     

人参皂苷Rk1修饰的伊曲康唑新型脂质体的构建及抗肿瘤活性初步研究

目的 制备一种人参皂苷Rk1修饰的伊曲康唑新型脂质体(R-ITZ-Lip)用于肿瘤治疗,并初步考察其体内外抗肿瘤药效。方法 采用逆向蒸发法制备R-ITZ-Lip,对其进行粒径、电位、包封率等表征研究;采用荧光显微镜和流式试验定性定量考察R-ITZ-Lip体外肿瘤细胞靶向性,采用活体和离体成像试验考察其体内肿瘤靶向性;采用MTT试验和肿瘤生长曲线考察其体内外药效。结果R-ITZ-Lip外观呈圆形,平均粒径为(124.67±2.05)nm,包封率为(97.49±1.93)%;体外细胞摄取试验结果表明,R-ITZ-Lip能够被乳腺癌细胞4T1特异性摄取,活体和离体成像结果表明R-ITZ-Lip在4T1异种移植小鼠模型的肿瘤部位分布显著增强;MTT试验表明R-ITZ-Lip对4T1细胞表现出较好的抑制作用,IC₅₀为1.37 μg·mL^-1,低于伊曲康唑胆固醇脂质体(C-ITZ-lip)的3.12 μg·mL^-1,4T1异种移植小鼠模型体内药效结果表明,R-ITZ-Lip有效地抑制了肿瘤的生长,R-ITZ-lip组的抑瘤率为83.54%,优于C-ITZ-lip组(73.87%)和ITZ注射液组(57.86%)。结论 构建了一种用于治疗肿瘤的R-ITZ-Lip,具有改善的制剂学性质,能够实现肿瘤的精准靶向,提高治疗效果。     

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of 10 chemicals in human and rat hepatocytes and in cell lines: Correlation between in vitro data and human lethal concentration

The cytotoxicity of 10 chemicals from the Multicentre Evaluation of In vitro Cytotoxicity (MEIC) list (nos 21–30) was evaluated in human and rat cultured hepatocytes and in two established cell lines (HepG2 and 3T3) according to the MEIC programme organized by the Scandinavian Society of Cell Toxicology. The MTT test was used as the endpoint of cytotoxicity after 24hr of exposure to the chemicals. Theophylline, phenobarbital and paraquat were the least cytotoxic compounds in the cellular systems (IC₅₀ = 450-17,000 μm) except for the 3T3 cells. The seven remaining chemicals (dextropropoxyphene, propranolol, arsenic trioxide, cupric sulfate, mercuric chloride, thioridazine and thallium sulfate) showed a similar relative cytotoxic ranking in the four in vitro systems in the lower range of concentrations (IC₅₀ = 2–350 μm). The data suggest that these 10 chemicals have a basal cytotoxic effect common to the four in vitro systems, and probably none of these compounds could be considered either hepatotoxic or species specific. The correlation between in vitro data and human lethal blood concentrations showed that the predictability of the in vitro systems was similar to that of in vivo rodent tests (LD₅₀) only when low cytotoxic concentrations (IC₁₀) were used for correlation.