Gastrointestinal first-pass effect of YJA-20379-8, a new reversible proton pump inhibitor, in rats.

Since low bioavailability of YJA-20379-8 (3-butyryl-4-[5-R-(+)-methylbenzylamino]-8ethoxy-1,7-naph thy ridine), a new reversible proton pump inhibitor, has been reported after oral administration of the drug to rats, the first-pass organ of the drug was investigated in rats. YJA-20379-8, 50 mg kg(-1), was infused over 1 min via the jugular vein (n=5) or the portal vein (n=5), or was instilled directly into the stomach (n=5) or the duodenum (n=5). After intravenous or intraportal infusion of the drug, the total body clearance of YJA-20379-8 (18.1 and 19.7 mL min(-1) kg(- 1) based on plasma data) was considerably lower than the reported cardiac output (296 mL min(-1) kg(-1) based on blood data) in rats. This data indicated that the first-pass effect of YJA-20379-8 by the lung and heart was negligible. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) after intravenous or intraportal administration of YJA-20379-8 (2760 and 2540 microg min mL(-1)) were not significantly different, indicating that the hepatic first-pass effect of the drug was also negligible in rats. After intragastric or intraduodenal instillation of YJA-20379-8, the extent of absolute oral bioavailability was 18.2 and 33.8%, respectively. Based on gastrointestinal recovery studies, approximately 86.5 and 91.2% of YJA-20379-8 was absorbed from rat gastrointestinal tract after intragastric or intraduodenal instillation, respectively. The data indicated that gastrointestinal and intestinal first-pass effects of YJA-20379-8 were approximately 68% (86.5-18.2) and 57% (91.2-33.8), respectively. The AUC(0-24h) values of YJA-20379-8 were significantly different between intragastric and intraduodenal instillation, indicating that the gastric first-pass effect of the drug was approximately 10% in rats. Therefore, it could be concluded that the low F value of YJA-20379-8 after oral administration of the drug could be due to a considerable (approx. 60%) intestinal first-pass effect in rats.     

Pharmacokinetics of a new proton-pump inhibitor, YJA-20379-8, after intravenous and oral administration to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Because physiological changes occurring in diabetes mellitus patients could alter the pharmacokinetics of the drugs used to treat the disease, the pharmacokinetics of a new proton pump inhibitor, YJA-20379-8, were investigated after intravenous and oral administration of the drug (50 mg kg(-1)) to control rats and to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (SIDM). After intravenous administration of YJA-20379-8 to SIDM rats, plasma concentrations of the drug were significantly higher and this resulted in a significantly greater AUC (area under the concentration-time curve; 2520 +/- 366 compared with 1870+/-272 microg min mL(-1)). This was because of significantly slower clearance (CL; 19.5+/-2.88 compared with 27.2+/-3.93 mL min(-1) kg(-1)) in SIDM rats. The significantly slower metabolism of YJA-20379-8 in SIDM rats was confirmed by an in-vitro tissue metabolism study; the amounts of YJA-20379-8 remaining in the liver (27.1+/-5.19 compared with 18.9+/-8.24 microg(g tissue)(-1)) were significantly greater after 30-min incubation of the drug (50 microg) with supernatant fractions obtained from the tissues by centrifugation at 9000 g. After oral administration of YJA-20379-8 to SIDM rats the plasma concentrations of the drug were significantly lower and this resulted in significantly smaller AUC (128+/-31.0 compared with 219+/-45.6 microg min mL(-1)). This was because of reduced gastrointestinal absorption of YJA-20379-8 in SIDM rats; the amounts of the oral dose recovered as unchanged drug from the entire gastrointestinal tract after 24h were significantly greater (32.9 compared with 19.2%) in SIDM rats. The tissue distribution of YJA-20379-8 was not affected by SIDM.     

Pharmacokinetics of BOF-4272, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, after single intravenous or oral administration to male mice and rats.

BOF-4272, (+/-)-8-(3-methoxy-4-phenylsulphinylphenyl) pyrazolo [1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine-4 (1H)-one), is a new drug intended for the treatment of hyperuricaemia. This report describes the detailed pharmacokinetics of BOF-4272 in mice and rats after intravenous or oral administration. Plasma concentrations of BOF-4272 at 2-8h after intravenous administration were significantly higher in mice than in rats. Plasma concentrations of BOF-4272 after oral administration were significantly higher in fed mice than in fasted mice, but were similar in fasted and fed rats. The elimination half-life of the distribution phase (t1/2(alpha)) was similar in mice (0.158 h) and rats (0.210 h). The elimination half-life of the terminal elimination phase (t1/2(beta)) in mice was 1.936 h, while that in rats was 0.742 h. The volume of the central compartment (V1) was almost the same in mice (415 mL kg(-1)) and rats (440 mL kg(-1)). However, the volume of the peripheral compartment (V2) in mice was 1068 mL kg(-1), while that in rats was 92 mL kg(-1). The steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) was 2.8 times larger in mice than in rats. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) in mice was 5332 ng h mL(-1), while that in rats was 3806 ng h mL(-1). The AUC0-24 h after oral administration was 2.5 times greater in fed mice than in fasted mice, and was 1.4 times greater in fasted rats than in fed rats. The correlation coefficients of Cmax and AUC0-24 h in both mice and rats after oral administration were greater than 0.997 in the dose range 1 - 125 mg kg(-1), indicating that the linear range of absorption or elimination (or both) of BOF-4272 is very wide. The results of the present study demonstrate that the mouse is a suitable animal species for evaluating the clinical pharmacokinetics of BOF-4272.     

Pharmacokinetics of a new proton pump inhibitor, YJA-20379-8, after intravenous and oral administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats and DOCA-salt-induced hypertensive rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes for the differences observed in the pharmacokinetics of YJA-20379-8 in 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). To see if the hereditary characteristics of SHRs was the cause, 20 mg/kg of the drug was intravenously infused over 15 min and 50 mg/kg of the drug was orally administered to 6-week-old SHRs and 16-week-old SHRs and their age-matched control Kyoto-Wistar (KW) rats. Also to see if the hypertensive status itself was the cause, the same doses were administered to 16-week-old deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt-induced hypertensive rats (DOCA-salt rats) and their age-matched control Sprague-Dawley rats. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (for intravenous study) and to the last sampling time in plasma (for oral study) were significantly smaller after both intravenous and oral administration, and the total body clearances of the drug were significantly faster after intravenous administration to 6-week-old SHRs, 16-week-old SHRs, and 16-week-old DOCA-salt rats than those in their respective age-matched control rats. The above pharmacokinetic parameter changes in 16-week-old SHRs were due to both hereditary characteristic of SHRs and the hypertensive status itself.     

Chitosan nanoparticles enhance the plasma exposure of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in mice through an enhancement in intestinal stability

The green tea catechin (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has attracted significant research interest due to its beneficial therapeutic effects, which include anti-oxidant, neuro-protective and anti-cancer effects. However, the therapeutic potential of EGCG following oral consumption is limited by its poor absorption. To address this issue, EGCG has been encapsulated in chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (CS NPs) and the oral absorption of EGCG evaluated in Swiss Outbred mice. Administration of the CS NPs enhanced the plasma exposure of total EGCG by a factor of 1.5 relative to an EGCG solution, with plasma AUC((0-5 h)) values of 116.4±4.1 and 179.3±10.8 nM.h (mean±s.d., n=3-5) for the EGCG solution and CS NPs, respectively. Associated with the increased plasma exposure of EGCG was an enhancement in concentrations of EGCG in the stomach and jejunum of mice following CS NP administration. A 2.3-fold increase in the apparent exposure of EGCG to the jejunum (AUC(j)) was observed following CS NP encapsulation, with AUC(j(0-5 h)) values of 5.3±1.1 and 12.3±1.5 μM.h (mean±s.d., n=3-5) for the EGCG solution and CS NPs, respectively. The enhanced exposure of EGCG to the jejunum was likely responsible for the increased plasma concentrations of EGCG. The findings from this study suggest that CS NPs may be a useful approach for enhancing oral delivery, and therapeutic application, of EGCG in a number of disease conditions.     

Biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of a newly synthesized H+/K+-ATPase inhibitor, YJA20379-8, 3-butyryl-4-[R-1-methylbenzylamino]-8-ethoxy-1,7-naphthyridine, in pigs and rats

We have investigated the effect of the newly synthesized proton-pump inhibitor YJA20379-8, 3-butyryl-4-[R-1-methylbenzylamino]-8-ethoxy-1,7-naphthyridine, on gastric mucosal proton pump (H+/K+-ATPase) activity, gastric acid secretion and gastric lesions in experimental animals. In lyophilized pig gastric microsomes, YJA20379-8 was shown to inhibit H+/K+-ATPase activity; the inhibitory effect was not affected by pH, the IC50 (dose resulting in 50% inhibition) being 28.0 microM and 30.0 microM at pH 6.4 and pH 7.4, respectively. The effect was fully reversed by dilution and subsequent washing of the incubation mixtures of H+/K+-ATPase and YJA20379-8, suggesting the reversible nature of the enzyme inhibition. In pylorus-ligated rats, YJA20379-8 administered by different routes (intraduodenal, subcutaneous, intravenous or oral) resulted in dose-dependent suppression of basal gastric acid secretion. The duration of antisecretory action of 30 mg kg(-1) YJA20379-8 given intraduodenally was very brief (less than 7 h). Pretreatment with YJA20379-8 also dose-dependently prevented gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol and water-immersion stress in rats. These results suggest that YJA20379-8 might exert its antiulcer activity partly by reversible suppression of acid secretion and partly by protecting the gastric mucosa against ulcerative stimuli.     

Pharmacokinetics of oral amlodipine orotate in vagotomized dogs

It was reported that gastric motility was delayed and gastric acid secretion was reduced in vagotomized dogs which mimics a low gastric acidity in humans. A delay in gastric motility causes long residence of amlodipine in the stomach. More unionized fractions of amlodipine could exist in less acidic conditions of gastrointestinal fluids, since amlodipine is a weak basic drug with pKa of 8.7. Hence, gastrointestinal absorption of amlodipine is expected to be enhanced and the time to reach a peak plasma concentration of amlodipine (Tmax) is faster in vagotomized dogs. This was proven after oral administration of an amlodipine orotate tablet at a dose of 5 mg as amlodipine in vagotomized dogs. For example, in vagotomized dogs, the total area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measured time, 48 h, in plasma (AUC(0-48 h)) was significantly greater (725 versus 348 ng h/ml) and Tmax was significantly shorter (1.50 versus 5.00 h) than those in dogs without vagotomy.     

Absorption of rivastigmine from different regions of the gastrointestinal tract in humans

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate and extent of absorption and metabolism of rivastigmine (Exelon), ENA 713) after site-specific delivery of the drug in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using a naso-intestinal intubation technique. Healthy adult subjects (n = 7) received, on four separate occasions, a 3-mg dose of a rivastigmine solution (2 mg/mL) orally and via a naso-intestinal tube to three GI sites (jejunum, ileum, and ascending colon). On each of the 3 treatment days for regional GI dosing, the tube was progressed to each of the three GI sites, which was determined by a radiographical technique prior to dosing. On the fourth day, following tube withdrawal, the subject received a 3-mg oral dose of a rivastigmine solution. Plasma samples were obtained at different multiple time points, and the plasma concentrations of rivastigmine and its metabolite, NAP 226-90, were determined using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. Rivastigmine was rapidly absorbed following both oral administration and site-specific delivery to different regions of the GI tract (jejunum, ileum, and ascending colon). Compared with oral administration (AUV(0- infinity ) = 21 ng*h/mL, C(max) = 12.8 ng/mL, and t(max) = 0.87 h), delivery of the drug directly into the ileum, jejunum, and ascending colon did not change the extent of absorption, but the time to peak concentration appeared to be smaller (mean t(max) ranged from 0.4-0.6 h, with no change in C(max)). The relative bioavailability of rivastigmine from all three regions of the GI tract was comparable to that following oral administration. The metabolite levels (AUC, C(max)) were also similar among the three different regions of the GI tract when compared to the oral dose. It was concluded that rivastigmine is rapidly and equally well absorbed following an oral dose and after specific delivery to different regions of the small intestine and ascending colon. GI metabolism of rivastigmine to its major metabolite, NAP 226-90, occurs to a similar extent in different segments of the GI tract.     

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of guar gum-based colon-targeted oral drug delivery systems of metronidazole in healthy volunteers.

The present study was carried out to find the in vivo performance of guar gum-based colon-targeted tablets of metronidazole as compared to an immediate release tablets in human volunteers. Six healthy volunteers participated in the study and a crossover design was used. Blood samples were obtained at different time intervals and the plasma concentration of metronidazole was estimated by reverse phase HPLC. The immediate release tablets of metronidazole produced peak plasma concentration (Cmax of 2990 +/- 574.6 ng/mL) within 2.8 +/- 0.6 h. On oral administration of colon-targeted tablets, metronidazole started appearing in the plasma between 5 h and 8 h, and reached the peak concentration (Cmax of 1940.0 +/- 528.4 ng/mL) at 11.1 +/- 2.1 h (Tmax). The AUC(0-infinity) and t(1/2) of metronidazole were unaltered on administering the drug as a colon-targeted tablet indicating that the extent of absorption and elimination were not affected by targeting the drug to the colon. However, colon-targeted tablets showed delayed tmax and absorption time (ta), decreased Cmax and decreased absorption rate constant as compared to immediate release tablets. This in turn indicated that metronidazole was delivered to the colon resulting in a slow absorption of the drug and making it available for local action in the colon.     

In vivo evaluation of guargum-based colon-targeted oral drug delivery systems of celecoxib in human volunteers.

The present study involved the in vivo evaluation of orally administered guar gum-based colon-targeted tablet formulations of celecoxib (colon-targeted tablet-20 or colon-targeted tablet-30) as compared with an immediate release capsule in 15 human volunteers. Blood samples were obtained at different time intervals and the plasma concentration of celecoxib was estimated by reversed phase HPLC. The immediate release capsules of celecoxib might have disintegrated very fast in GI tract and absorbed quickly from stomach and small intestine thereby producing peak plasma concentration (Cmax of 478 +/- 57 ng/ml) within 3.8 +/- 0.1 h (Tmax). Though celecoxib could be seen in plasma after oral administration of colon-targeted tablet-20 or colon-targeted tablet-30 between 1 and 2 h, low levels of drug were observed upto 8 h resulting in peak concentration (Cmax) of 78 +/- 6 ng/ml or 88 +/- 15 ng/ml at 10.5 +/- 1.9 h or 13.5 +/- 1.4 h (Tmax) respectively, whereas the immediate release capsules produced peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 478 +/- 57 ng/ml at 3.8 +/- 0.1 h (Tmax). Colon-targeted tablets showed decreased AUC(0-infinity), Cmax and absorption rate constant, prolonged absorption time (ta), and increased t1/2 in comparison with the immediate release capsules. The results of the study indicated that the guar gum-based colon-targeted tablets of celecoxib did not release the drug significantly in stomach and small intestine, but delivered to the colon resulting in a slow absorption of the drug and making it available for local action in the colon.     

Biochemical and Pharmacological Characteristics of 3-Butyryl-8-methoxy-4-[(2-thiophenyl)amino]quinoline,a New Proton-pump Inhibitor,in Rabbit Gastric Microsomes and in Rats

We have investigated the properties of the newly synthesized proton-pump inhibitor, 3-butyryl-8-methoxy-4-[(2-thiophenyl)amino]quinoline (YJA20379–6), on gastric mucosal proton-pump (H⁺/K⁺-ATPase) activity, gastric acid secretion and gastroduodenal lesions in experimental rats. YJA20379–6 markedly inhibited H⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in rabbit isolated gastric mucosal microsomes, confirming its classification as a proton-pump inhibitor. The inhibitory efficacy of YJA20379-6 on the proton pump was approximately 14-times higher than that of omeprazole at pH 7.4. YJA20379–6 given intraduodenally had a potent inhibitory effect on gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats (ED50 22.9 mg kg^?1) but was less active than omeprazole. Pretreatment of rats with YJA20379-6 dose-dependently protected the gastric mucosa from damage induced by water-immersion stress, indomethacin and absolute ethanol, and the duodenal mucosa from damage induced by mepirizole. Repeated administration of YJA20379-6 also dose-dependently accelerated the spontaneous healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. These results suggest that YJA20379-6 has potent anti-secretory and anti-ulcer effects which are exerted by suppression of H⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in gastric parietal cells. YJA20379–6 might be useful for the clinical treatment of peptic ulcer diseases.     

Pharmacokinetics of oxycodone after intravenous, buccal, intramuscular and gastric administration in children

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of four administration routes of oxycodone parenteral liquid (10 mg/mL), single intravenous and intramuscular injections and buccal and gastric administration, in children. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Forty generally healthy children, aged 6-93 months, undergoing inpatient surgery. METHODS: After induction of anaesthesia, children received a single dose of oxycodone 0.1 mg/kg intravenously (n = 9), intramuscularly (n = 10), buccally (n = 11) or via an orogastric tube into the stomach (n = 10). Regular blood samples were collected up to 12 hours, and plasma was analysed for oxycodone using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (limit of quantification 1 microg/L). RESULTS: The peak drug concentration observed was 57-110 (mean 82) microg/L after intravenous administration, 23-54 (34) microg/L after intramuscular administration, 3.9-14 (9.8) microg/L after buccal administration and 1.7-15 (9.2) microg/L after gastric administration. The time to peak concentration was 2-30 (16) minutes in the intramuscular group, 30-480 (221) minutes in the buccal group and 60-360 (193) minutes in the gastric group. The terminal elimination half-lives were closely similar in the four groups: 124-208 (163) minutes in the intravenous group, 162-227 (150) minutes in the intramuscular group, 73-234 (150) minutes in the buccal group and 80-246 (147) minutes in the gastric group. Area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was 5037-8954 (6612) microg x min/L in the intravenous group, 3084-5524 (4473) microg x min/L in the intramuscular group, 1444-5560 (3658) microg x min/L in the buccal group and 692-3843 (2436) microg x min/L in the gastric group. The estimated bioavailability (AUC/mean intravenous AUC) of intramuscular oxycodone was 0.47-0.84 (0.68), that of buccal oxycodone 0.22-0.84 (0.55) and that of gastric oxycodone 0.10-0.58 (0.37). CONCLUSION: The pharmacokinetics of intravenous oxycodone in children aged 6-93 months are fairly similar to those reported in adults. Intramuscular administration provides relatively constant drug absorption, but after buccal and gastric administration the interindividual variation in the rate and extent of absorption is large.     

Effect of 11R, 16, 16-trimethyl prostaglandin E2 on meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion in duodenal ulcer subjects

The effect of varying oral doses of 11R, 16, 16-trimethyl prostaglandin E2 (TmPGE2) on meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin concentrations was studied in 10 male subjects with asymptomatic duodenal ulcer disease. A liquid protein meal was infused intragastrically 0.5 h and 3.5 h after drug administration. TmPGE2 inhibited gastric acid secretion in a dose dependent manner during the first meal and no significant effect was observed during the second meal. Except for the highest dose, no TmPGE2 was detected in plasma 3 h after drug administration. The degree of inhibition of meal-stimulated gastric acid was positively correlated with the plasma level of TmPGE2, but it was not due to inhibition of postprandial gastrin release. The results indicate that oral TmPGE2 inhibits meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion but not gastrin release in humans with asymptomatic duodenal ulcer disease.     

Dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of a new neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, KR-31378, in rats

The dose-dependent pharmacokinetic parameters of a new neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, KR-31378, were evaluated after intravenous and oral administration, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg, to rats. After intravenous administration of 50 mg/kg, the dose-normalized (10 mg/kg) AUC (994 microg min/mL) was significantly greater than that at 10 (569 microg min/ml) and 20 (660 microg min/mL) mg/kg. This could be due to slower clearance (Cl) with increasing dosage (18.5, 14.6, and 10.2 mL/min/kg for 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg, respectively). The slower Cl with increasing dosage could be due to saturable metabolism of KR-31378 in rats and this could be supported by significantly slower Cl(nr) and significantly greater 24-h urinary excretion of the drug at 50 mg/kg than those at 10 and 20 mg/kg. After oral administration of 50 mg/kg, the dose-normalized (10 mg/kg) AUC (1160 microg min/mL) was significantly greater than that at 10 (572 microg min/mL) and 20 (786 microg min/mL) mg/kg. Note that the AUCs were comparable (not significantly different) between intravenous and oral administration at each dosage, indicating that the absorption from gastrointestinal tract was almost complete and the first-pass (gastric, intestinal, and hepatic) effect was not considerable after oral administration to rats.     

Influence of Gastrointestinal Site of Drug Delivery on the Absorption Characteristics of Ranitidine

The absorption characteristics of ranitidine after delivery to three locations in the gastrointestinal tract were compared in an open-label study of eight healthy males. Subjects received ranitidine HCl (150 mg) for injection via a nasoenteric tube directly into their stomach, jejunum, or cecum sequentially in three separate periods (24 hr apart). Plasma samples were collected at periodic time intervals for 12 hr following each dosing and analyzed for ranitidine concentration by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Mean concentrations following cecal dosing were lower (P < 0.05) than concentrations following gastric or jejunal dosing at each sampling time except baseline. Mean concentrations following gastric and jejunal dosing were similar except at 2 hr (gastric > jejunal). Mean pharmacokinetic parameters for cecal administration were different (P < 0.05) from either the gastric or the jejunal periods with the exception of T_max. There was no difference in any pharmacokinetic parameter after gastric or jejunal dosing. The relative bioavailability after cecal administration was less than 15% of that observed after administration into the stomach or jejunum. Additionally, Wagner-Nelson analysis indicated that the rate of ranitidine absorption was much slower following cecal administration than after gastric or jejunal dosing. Two plasma concentration peaks were observed in three of eight subjects after gastric dosing, in eight of eight subjects after jejunal dosing, and in zero of eight subjects after cecal dosing. These data demonstrate that the absorption profile of ranitidine is equivalent, in extent and duration, after delivery to the stomach or jejunum, while absorption from the cecum is significantly less. In addition, the two plasma concentration peaks commonly seen with ranitidine administration are not secondary to variations in gastric emptying as has been hypothesized.     

Effects of protein-calorie malnutrition on the pharmacokinetics of DA-7867, a new oxazolidinone, in rats

The pharmacokinetic parameters of DA-7867, a new oxazolidinone, were compared after intravenous and oral administration at a dose of 10 mg x kg(-1) to control rats and rats with protein-calorie malnutrition (rats with PCM). After intravenous administration of 10 mg x kg(-1) DA-7867 to rats, metabolism of the drug was not considerable and after 14 days approximately 85.0% of the dose was recovered as unchanged drug from urine and faeces. After intravenous administration to rats with PCM, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) was significantly smaller (10800 vs 6990 microg min x mL(-1)) compared with control rats. This may have been due to significantly faster total body clearance (CL, 0.930 vs 1.44 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1)). The faster CL in PCM rats could have been due to significantly faster non-renal clearance (0.842 vs 1.39 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1) due to significantly greater gastrointestinal (including biliary) excretion; the amount of unchanged DA-7867 recovered from the entire gastrointestinal tract at 24 h was significantly greater (1.19 vs 4.28% of intravenous dose)) because the renal clearance was significantly slower in PCM rats (0.0874 vs 0.0553 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1)). After oral administration to PCM rats, the AUC was significantly smaller compared with control rats (7900 vs 4310 microg x min x mL(-1)). This could have been due to a decrease in absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.     

Mucoadhesive Microspheres for Gastroretentive Delivery of Acyclovir: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the potential use of mucoadhesive microspheres for gastroretentive delivery of acyclovir. Chitosan, thiolated chitosan, Carbopol 71G and Methocel K15M were used as mucoadhesive polymers. Microsphere formulations were prepared using emulsion-chemical crosslinking technique and evaluated in vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo. Gelatin capsules containing drug powder showed complete dissolution (90.5 +/- 3.6%) in 1 h. The release of drug was prolonged to 12 h (78.8 +/- 3.9) when incorporated into mucoadhesive microspheres. The poor bioavailability of acyclovir is attributed to short retention of its dosage form at the absorption sites (in upper gastrointestinal tract to duodenum and jejunum). The results of mucoadhesion study showed better retention of thiolated chitosan microspheres (8.0 +/- 0.8 h) in duodenal and jejunum regions of intestine. The results of qualitative and quantitative GI distribution study also showed significant higher retention of mucoadhesive microspheres in upper GI tract. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that administration of mucoadhesive microspheres could maintain measurable plasma concentration of acyclovir through 24 h, as compared to 5 h after its administration in solution form. Thiolated chitosan microsphere showed superiority over the other formulations as observed with nearly 4.0-fold higher AUC(0-24) value (1,090 +/- 51 ng h/ml) in comparison to drug solution (281 +/- 28 ng h/ml). Overall, the result indicated prolonged delivery with significant improvement in oral bioavailability of acyclovir from mucoadhesive microspheres due to enhanced retention in the upper GI tract.     

The comparative pharmacokinetics and gastric toxicity of bezafibrate and ciprofibrate in the rat

1. The comparative gastric toxicology and pharmacokinetics of two phenoxyisobutyrate derivatives have been evaluated in the Fischer rat. 2. After oral administration of single daily doses for 7 days, the plasma elimination half-life for bezafibrate was rapid (t1/2 of 4-5 h) in comparison to ciprofibrate (t1/2 of 76 h). 3. The area under the plasma drug concentration versus time curve (AUC) 0-24 (micrograms.h/ml +/- SD) for bezafibrate (dose 125 mg/kg per day) was 1553 +/- 334, which was less than half the value of 3748 +/- 358 achieved by ciprofibrate (10 mg/kg per day) after 7 days. 4. Oral administration of ciprofibrate at 10 mg/kg every 48 h produced similar sustained plasma concentrations to those achieved by bezafibrate 125 mg/kg dosed every 12 h. The AUC 0-48 values (micrograms.h/ml +/- SD) achieved were 5124 +/- 450 for bezafibrate compared to 4207 +/- 240 for ciprofibrate. 5. In chronic oral multidose studies with ciprofibrate and bezafibrate, similar gastric toxicity (neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia) occurred in the rat when dose regimens were adjusted to compensate for the pharmacokinetic differences between these two drugs.     

Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of BIA 2-093, a novel putative antiepileptic, in a rising multiple-dose study in young healthy humans

This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to investigate rising oral doses of BIA 2-093 (S-(-)-10-acetoxy-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz/b,f/azepine-5-carboxamide), a putative new antiepileptic drug. Within each of 4 dosage groups of 8 healthy male adult subjects, 2 subjects were randomized to receive placebo, and the remaining 6 subjects were randomized to receive BIA 2-093 (200 mg bid, 400 mg qd, 800 mg qd, and 1200 mg qd) for 8 days. Concentrations of BIA 2-093 in plasma or urine were generally not measurable. Median maximum plasma concentrations of the major metabolite (licarbazepine, (+/-)-10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-5H-dibenz/b,f/azepine-5-carboxamide) were attained (t(max)) at 2 to 3 h postdose; thereafter, plasma concentrations declined with a mean apparent terminal half-life of 9 to 13 h following repeated dosing. The extent of systemic exposure to licarbazepine increased in an approximately dose-proportional manner following single and repeated administration. Licarbazepine accumulated in plasma following repeated administration of BIA 2-093; the mean extent of accumulation (R(O), calculated from AUC(0-tau) (day 8)/AUC(0-tau) (day 1)) was 3.0 after repeated, twice-daily dosing and 1.4 to 1.7 after once-daily dosing. Steady-state plasma licarbazepine concentrations were attained at 4 to 5 days of once- or twice-daily dosing, consistent with an effective half-life on the order of 20 to 24 h. The mean renal clearance of licarbazepine from plasma was approximately 20 to 30 mL/min, which is low compared with the glomerular filtration rate. The total amount of licarbazepine recovered in urine was approximately 20% within 12 h postdose and 40% within 24 h postdose. All adverse events were mild in severity, except for 1 case of somnolence of moderate severity, which occurred in a subject receiving 1200 mg BIA 2-093. The incidence of adverse events was similar between all treatment groups, including placebo. There were no serious adverse events. In conclusion, BIA 2-093 was well tolerated and appeared to be rapidly and extensively metabolized to licarbazepine following single and repeated administration to healthy young subjects.     

Ulcerogenic and antiulcerogenic effects of a new antiinflammatory drug, the gamma-lactone-N-ethyl derivative of 6-[1S-(3S,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-1H-2-benzo- pyran-1-one-3-yl)-3-methylbutylamino]-4S,5S-dihydroxy-6-oxo-3S- ammoniohexanoate, on gastrointestinal tract in rats

6-[1S-(3S,4-Dihydro-8- hydroxy-1H-2-benzo-pyran-1-one-3-yl)- methylbutylamino]-4S,5S-dihydroxy-6-oxo-3S-ammoniohexanoate (AI-77B)-gamma-lactone-N-ethyl derivative (AI-77-C2) is a new antiinflammatory drug with antiulcer activity. In the first part of the present study the ulcerogenicity of this drug was assessed. Acidic antiinflammatory drugs--indomethacin and diclofenac--and basic antiinflammatory drugs--tiaramide and mepirizole--were used for comparison. Although AI-77-C2 was barely ulcerogenic at 7 h after dosing, some lesions developed in both stomach and intestine at 24 h. Repeated administrations over 5 days appeared to increase its ulcerogenicity and general toxicity. Marked gastric ulcers were induced by indomethacin and diclofenac, and severe intestinal ulcers were also produced at 24 h and by their repeated administration. Tiaramide did not induce marked ulcers in any case. Although the ulcerogenicity of mepirizole was weak at 7 h, severe duodenal ulcers developed at 24 h and after the repeated administration. From the results given above, it was concluded that the ulcerogenicity of AI-77-C2 was relatively low. In the next study, the antiulcer activity of AI-77-C2 was examined in several experimental ulcer models. AI-77-C2 showed a marked inhibition of all the models presently employed, i.e., the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, the pylorus ligation ulcer, the water immersion stress ulcer, and the acetylsalicylic acid-induced ulcer in rats. It was observed that AI-77-C2 suppressed the gastric secretion and movement. It is therefore concluded that the antiinflammatory drug AI-77-C2 has low ulcerogenicity and potent antiulcer activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)