In vitro and in vivo evaluation of pectin beads for the colon delivery of β-lactamases

The aim of the present study was to provide a “proof of concept” of colon delivery of β-lactamases by pectin beads aiming to degrade residual β-lactam antibiotics, in order to prevent the emergence of resistant bacterial strains.

Pectin beads were prepared according to ionotropic gelation method using CaCl₂ as a gelling agent. Particles were then washed and soaked in polyethylenimine (PEI). Coating beads with PEI considerably improved their stability in simulated intestinal medium. In vitro studies showed that β-lactamases were released from pectin beads in colonic medium due to the action of pectinolytic enzymes. When ampicillin was added to this medium, the release of β-lactamases induced, as expected, the antibiotic inactivation. Finally, after oral administration of loaded-beads to CD1 mice, β-lactamases were retrieved in high concentrations in faeces. Observation by SEM of beads extracted from mice intestinal tracts concluded the core degradation of beads without any modification of the PEI coating layer.

This study demonstrates that a multiparticulate system with suitable characteristics for site-specific colonic delivery can be prepared. This system could be used to target β-lactamases to the colon in order to hydrolyse antibiotic residues during treatment and prevent their impact on colonic microflora.     

Formulation and in vitro–in vivo evaluation of ketoprofen-loaded albumin microspheres for intramuscular administration

Abstract

The objective of this work was to prepare and evaluate ketoprofen-loaded albumin microspheres for intramuscular administration. Microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross-linking method using a 2³ factorial design and the effect of different factors on entrapment efficiency was determined. Microspheres were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, percentage yield, particle size and release behaviour. Selected formulations were then tested by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Further they were analysed for residual solvents, syringeability and stability. Microspheres were then sterilized and bioavailability studies were carried out in New Zealand white rabbits. The physical characteristics of microspheres showed that they were suitable for IM administration. The sterilization technique adopted was adequate to maintain sterility. In vivo studies showed increase in C_max, AUC, t_1/2 and MRT (p < 0.05) administered in the form of microspheres. MRT of ketoprofen was almost 3.2-times in the form of microspheres. From these results it was concluded that the developed albumin microspheres of ketoprofen is a potential delivery system for once-a-day intramuscular administration.     

Preparation,optimization and in vitro–in vivo investigation for capsules of the choline salt of febuxostat

The objective of the present study was to exhibit the enhanced water-solubility and in vivo oral absorption when febuxostat (FXT) became the salt formation of choline. The formation of the choline salt of febuxostat was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The direct filling method was used to develop a capsule formulation. Cellactose 80 was used as the filler due to its good fluidity, while cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) and magnesium stearate (MS) were used as the disintegrant and lubricant, respectively. Then the in vitro release of the formulation was carried out in five different dissolution media including HCl solution (pH 1.2), acetate buffer (pH 4.5), phosphate buffer (pH 6.8 and pH 7.2) and water. Evident improvement of release for choline febuxostat (CXT) was presented in water while the dissolution degree was decreased for CXT in the medium of phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) in comparison with FXT. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of CXT was studied in rats using UPLC-MS/MS compared with FXT. The data acquired illustrated that AUC_0-24h of CXT and FXT were 22,245.96 ± 7342.92 µg⋅h/l and 12,249.70 ± 2024.04 µg⋅h/l, respectively. The relative bioavailability of CXT to FXT was about 181.6% and the P value of AUC_0-24h was less than 0.05. It showed significant difference between the two drugs after oral administration. In conclusion, the water-solubility and oral bioavailability were both improved remarkably for the choline salt of febuxostat and choline salinization was proved an effective way to increase the in vivo absorption for FXT.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of oral tablet formulations prepared with ketoconazole and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

The objective of this study was to enhance the solubility, dissolution rate, and oral bioavailability of a very poorly water-soluble anti-fungal agent, ketoconazole (KET), by inclusion complexation with a highly-soluble cyclodextrin derivative, hydroxypropyl-β cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). Two groups of tablets containing KET alone and KET:HP-β-CD (1:2) kneaded product (KP) including magnesium stearate and lactopress (anhydrous and spray-dried) as excipients were prepared by direct compression method. After the characterization studies, the in vitro dissolution studies of these tablets in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) were carried out. To evaluate the in vivo bioavailability, the tablets were administered orally to rabbits and drug levels in serum were determined by HPLC. Tablets containing the cyclodextrin complex showed a higher in vitro dissolution rate and bioavailability compared to the tablets containing KET alone.     

Design and in vitro evaluation of gentamicin–Eudragit microspheres intended for intra-ocular administration

The conditions of preparation of gentamicin sulfate microspheres with high drug loading and a particle size less than 5?µm, using a double-emulsion-solvent evaporation technique, intended for intra-ocular administration are described. The microspheres were prepared from poly methacrylate (Eudragit RS and RL) polymers cross-linked with polyvinyl alcohol. The parameters that improved the incorporation efficiency of gentamicin in the microspheres and controlled the particle size and surface morphology were investigated. Modifying the secondary aqueous phase by partially saturating it with various concentrations of either KCl or gentamicin increased the incorporation efficiency of the drug and affected the mean diameters of the microspheres. However, these characteristics were not altered when the initial drug loading was increased in the formulations. The modified gentamicin microspheres exhibited a smooth surface with an incorporation efficiency rate of 12.59% and a mean diameter of 4.06?µm. The antimicrobial efficiency of gentamicin released from the modified particles against selected Gram-positive and -negative organisms including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa confirmed that the entrapped gentamicin seemed to remain unaltered by the encapsulation process.     

In vitro and in vivo targeting effect of folate decorated paclitaxel loaded PLA–TPGS nanoparticles

Paclitaxel is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for treating various types of cancer. However, the clinical application of paclitaxel in cancer treatment is considerably limited due to its poor water solubility and low therapeutic index. Thus, it requires an urgent solution to improve therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel. In this study, folate decorated paclitaxel loaded PLA–TPGS nanoparticles were prepared by a modified emulsification/solvent evaporation method. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method. The spherical nanoparticles were around 50 nm in size with a narrow size distribution. Targeting effect of nanoparticles was investigated in vitro on cancer cell line and in vivo on tumor bearing nude mouse. The results indicated the effective targeting of folate decorated paclitaxel loaded copolymer nanoparticles on cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.     

In vitro–in vivo evaluation of tetrahydrozoline-loaded ocular in situ gels on rabbits for allergic conjunctivitis management

Ocular allergy is one of the most common disorders of the eye surface. The conventional eye drops lack of therapeutic efficacy due to low ocular bioavailability and decreased drug residence time on eye surface. Hence, the present research work aimed to formulate, optimize, and evaluate the in situ gel for ophthalmic drug delivery. The prepared in situ gel formulations were evaluated for clarity, pH, gelling capacity, viscosity, osmolality, in vitro release study, and kinetic evaluation. ex vivo corneal permeation/penetration study using goat and in vivo studies on rabbits were also performed. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy was also applied to study possible interactions between drug and polymers. The formulations found to be stable, nonirritant, and showed sustained release of the drug for a period of up to 24 hr with no ocular damage. The developed in situ gels loaded with tetrahydrozoline are alternative and promising ocular candidates for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.     

Pharmacokinetic aspects and in vitro–in vivo correlation potential for lipid-based formulations

Lipid-based formulations have been an attractive choice among novel drug delivery systems for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs due to their ability to keep the drug in solubilized state in the gastrointestinal tract. These formulations offer multiple advantages such as reduction in food effect and inter-individual variability, ease of preparation, and the possibility of manufacturing using common excipients available in the market. Despite these advantages, very few products are available in the present market, perhaps due to limited knowledge in the in vitro tests (for prediction of in vivo fate) and lack of understanding of the mechanisms behind pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutical aspects of lipid formulations after oral administration. The current review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the in vivo processing steps involved after oral administration of lipid formulations, their pharmacokinetic aspects and in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC) perspectives. Various pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutical aspects such as formulation dispersion and lipid digestion, bioavailability enhancement mechanisms, impact of excipients on efflux transporters, and lymphatic transport are discussed with examples. In addition, various IVIVC approaches towards predicting in vivo data from in vitro dispersion/precipitation, in vitro lipolysis and ex vivo permeation studies are also discussed in detail with help of case studies.KEY WORDS: Pharmacokinetics, Lipolysis, IVIVC, Efflux transporters, Lymphatic delivery, Food effectAbbreviations: ADME, absorption/distribution/metabolism/elimination; AUC, area under the curve; BCS, biopharmaceutics classification system; BDDCS, biopharmaceutics drug disposition classification system; CACO, human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells; C_max, maximum plasma concentration; CMC, critical micellar concentration; CYP, cytochrome; DDS, drug delivery systems; FaSSGF, fasted-state simulated gastric fluid; FaSSIF, fasted-state simulated intestinal fluid; FeSSIF, fed-state simulated intestinal fluid; GIT, gastrointestinal tract; IVIVC, in vitro in vivo correlation; LCT, long chain triglyceride; LFCS, lipid formulation classification system; log P, n-octanol/water partition coefficient; MCT, medium chain triglyceride; MDCK, Madin–Darby canine kidney cells; NCE, new chemical entity; P-app, apparent permeability; P-gp, permeability glycoprotein; SCT, short chain triglyceride; SEDDS, self-emulsifying drug delivery system; SIF, simulated intestinal fluid; SMEDDS, self-microemulsifying drug delivery system; SNEDDS, self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system; Vit E, vitamin E     

In vitro–in vivo extrapolation of hepatic clearance involving active uptake: Theoretical and experimental aspects

The importance of hepatic uptake transporters in drug clearance is well recognized. The subject is reviewed with the intention of providing an overview of the concepts in order to link the increasing knowledge of transporter-mediated uptake into established models of hepatic clearance. In order to understand and quantify their impact, models of hepatic elimination that incorporate permeability barriers are required. Models that include both active and passive uptake into hepatocytes are discussed and simulations of the influence of active uptake and passive diffusion on hepatic clearance are presented. The advantages and weaknesses of a number of in vitro assays of hepatic uptake are described, and their ability to predict hepatic clearance is reviewed.     

Chitosan reinforced alginate controlled release beads of losartan potassium: design,formulation and in vitro evaluation

The work investigates the development and optimization of chitosan-alginate beads containing Losartan potassium (LP) through ionotropic/external gelation technique using 3² factorial design. The effect of polymer-blend concentrations i.e. chitosan and sodium alginate on the drug encapsulation efficiency (DEE%), and cumulative drug release after 20 h (R_20h %) was optimized. The DEE% of all these beads was within the range of 67.12 ± 1.97–89.81 ± 1.52 % with sustained in vitro drug release of 80.98–97.13 % over 20 h. The in vitro drug release from these beads was followed first order kinetic model. The beads were also characterized by FE-SEM, FTIR and XRD analysis. The swelling of chitosan–alginate beads containing LP were influenced by the pH of the test medium. Chitosan coated alginate beads were developed as oral sustained delivery carriers for LP in order to improve patient compliance, to reduce side effects associated with it and also to reduce the dose/dosing frequency in the management of hypertension.     

Inactivation of hepatic enzymes by inhalant nitrite—In vivo and in vitro studies

We examined the effects of acute isobutyl nitrite (ISBN) exposure on the activity of several hepatic enzymes. Two strains of adult male mice (Balb/c and C57BL/6) were exposed to 900 ppm ISBN or ambient air for 45 minutes. The enzyme activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated deethylation, glutathione S-transferase (GST), and carboxylesterase (CBE) was monitored through the substrates 3-cyano-7-ethoxycoumarin (CEC), 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, and p-nitrophenyl acetate, respectively. Acute ISBN exposure led to a significant reduction in hepatic CYP-mediated CEC deethylation, GST, and CBE activity in Balb/c mice (of 81.5%, 74.7%, and 25.2%, respectively, vs control mice, each at P < .05) when livers were harvested immediately after inhalant exposure. The corresponding decreases in C57BL/6 mice were smaller (with reductions of 21.8%, 18.8%, and 13.3%, respectively, each at P < .05). This enzyme activity, tested in C57BL/6 mice only, returned to control values after a 24-hour period of nonexposure. Follow-up mechanistic investigations using rat liver GST indicated that ISBN-mediated enzyme inactivation was not caused by its metabolites: inorganic nitrite ion (NO2-) or nitric oxide. This inactivation could be prevented, but not reversed, by added glutathione, suggesting irreversible protein oxidation. Using different NO donors as comparative agents, we found that GST inactivation by ISBN was not associated with protein S-nitrosylation or disulfide formation, but with tyrosine nitration. Inhalant nitrite exposure, therefore, led to a significant reduction in hepatic enzyme activity in mice, possibly through tyrosine nitration of hepatic proteins. This effect raises the possibility of drug-drug metabolic interactions from inhalant nitrite abuse. However, determining the applicability of these findings to humans will require further study.     

In vitro and in vivo down-regulation of human plateletα 2-adrenoceptors by clonidine

Summary The effect of clonidine on the number of ₂-adrenoceptors in human platelet membranes, determined by³H-yohimbine binding, was investigatedin vitro andin vivo. Incubation of platelet membranes with clonidine (1–100 µM) for 16 h at 25 °C led to a concentration-dependent decrease in the number of³H-yohimbine binding sites of 10–25%; the affinity of³H-yohimbine to the sites was not changed (K_D approximately 3–4 nM). In such desensitized membranes, inhibition of³H-yohimbine binding by clonidine resulted in steep, monophasic displacement curves, which in comparison to the curves from control membranes (IC₅₀ for clonidine 90 nM), were shifted to the right (IC₅₀: 321 nM) and were not affected by 10^–4M guanosine-5-triphosphate (GTP).Treatment of 3 hypertensive patients with clonidine (3×150 µg/d for 7 days) reduced blood pressure and heart rate. Simultaneously, both³H-yohimbine binding sites on platelet membranes and plasma catecholamine levels decreased within three days and remained at a reduced level during treatment. After abrupt cessation of clonidine treatment, blood pressure, heart rate and plasma catecholamines rapidly increased, reaching values after two days similar to or higher than those before treatment.³H-yohimbine binding sites, however, initially decreased further before returning to control values. In platelet membranes derived from hypertensive patients treated with clonidine for at least three weeks, GTP (10^–4M) had no influence on inhibition of³H-yohimbine binding by (—)-adrenaline and clonidine. It is concluded that clonidine desensitizes ₂-adrenoceptors in human platelet membranesin vitro andin vivo. An important step in the desensitization process is the uncoupling of receptor occupancy by agonists and adenylate cyclase activity, as indicated by loss of the regulatory activity of GTP on desensitized membranes. The clonidine withdrawal syndrome may be caused by enhanced release of endogenous catecholamines not adequately regulated by presynaptic ₂-adrenoceptors, which have become subsensitive after chronic clonidine treatment.     

Formulation and stability evaluation of 3D alginate beads potentially useful for cumulus–oocyte complexes culture

Ovarian follicle encapsulation in synthetic or natural matrixes based on biopolymers is potentially a promising approach to in vitro maturation (IVM) process, since it maintains follicle 3D organisation by preventing its flattening and consequent disruption of gap junctions, preserving the functional relationship between oocyte and companion follicle cells. The aim of the work was to optimise physico-chemical parameters of alginate microcapsules for perspective IVM under 3D environments. On this purpose alginate and cross-linking agent concentrations were investigated. Alginate concentration between 0.75% and 0.125% w/w and Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Ca^2+?at concentration between 100 and 20?mM were tested. Follicle encapsulation was obtained by on purpose modified diffusion setting gelation technique, and evaluated together with beads, chemical and mechanical stability in standard and stressing conditions. Beads permeability was tested towards albumin, fetuin, pyruvate, glucose, pullulan. Results demonstrated that 0.25% alginate cross-linked in 100?mM CaCl₂ beads is suitable to follicle encapsulation.     

In vivo investigation of thiomer–polyvinylpyrrolidon nanoparticles using magnetic resonance imaging

This study focused on the investigation of the permeation enhancing effects of a stomach targeted, nanoparticulate drug delivery system. The polyacrylic acid–cysteine/polyvinylpyrrolidon nanoparticles were loaded with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid gadolinium(III)dihydrogen salt (Gd‐DTPA). Average particle size was determined to be 130 nm and the optimum for stability was found to be below a pH of 4.5. In vitro permeation studies were performed on rat gastric mucosa and revealed an eightfold increase in Gd‐DTPA uptake when incorporated in the nanoparticles compared to evaluation in the presence of unformulated polyacrylic acid–cysteine. In vivo investigations with rats were performed via the noninvasive MRI method in order to track the nanoparticles way through the gastrointestinal tract. When Gd‐DTPA was administered orally as nanoparticulate suspension, an increased MRI signal in the urinary bladder was detected after 34 min, providing evidence for systemic uptake and renal elimination of the contrast agent. As control experiments with Gd‐DTPA only or in combination with unformulated polyacrylic acid–cysteine revealed no MRI signal increase at all, the significant permeation enhancing effect could be identified based on the nanoparticulate formulation. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 2008–2017, 2010     

Analysis of the enhanced oral bioavailability of fenofibrate lipid formulations in fasted humans using an in vitro–in silico–in vivo approach

Lipid-based formulations have established a significant role in the formulation of poorly soluble drugs for oral administration. In order to better understand their potential advantages over solid oral dosage forms, we studied the solubility and dissolution/precipitation characteristics of three self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) formulations and one suspension of micronized fenofibrate in lipid excipients, for which pharmacokinetic studies had already been reported in the open literature. The in vitro dispersion/dissolution studies were carried out in biorelevant media using USP II apparatus. These were followed up by in silico simulations using STELLA® software, in which not only dispersion/dissolution, but also the precipitation and re-dissolution of fenofibrate was taken into account. While unformulated drug exhibited poor solubility (0.22 μg/mL in FaSSGF and 4.31 μg/mL in FaSSIF-V2(PO₄)) and dissolved less than 2% in dissolution tests, the solubility of fenofibrate in the presence of the lipid excipients increased dramatically (e.g., to 65.44 μg/mL in the presence of the Myritol 318/TPGS/Tween 80 SMEDDS) and there was an attendant increase in the dissolution (over 80% from capsules containing the Myritol 318/TPGS/Tween 80 SMEDDS and about 20% from the dispersion of fenofibrate in lipid excipients). For the four lipid-based fenofibrate formulations studied, combining in vitro data in biorelevant media with in silico simulation resulted in accurate prediction of the in vivo human plasma profiles. The point estimates of C_max and AUC ratio calculated from the in silico and in vivo plasma profiles fell within the 0.8–1.25 range for the SMEDDS solution and capsule formulations, suggesting an accurate simulation of the in vivo profiles. This similarity was confirmed by calculation of the respective f₂ factors. Sensitivity analysis of the simulation profiles revealed that the SMEDDS formulations had virtually removed any dependency of absorption on the dissolution rate in the small intestine, whereas for the dispersion in lipid excipients, this barrier remained. Such results pave the way to optimizing the performance of oral lipid-based formulations via an in vitro–in silico–in vivo approach.     

Prediction of metabolic drug clearance in humans: In vitro–in vivo extrapolation vs allometric scaling

Previously in vitro–in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) with the Simcyp Clearance and Interaction Simulator® has been used to predict the clearance of 15 clinically used drugs in humans. The criteria for the selection of the drugs were that they are used as probes for the activity of specific cytochromes P450 (CYPs) or have a single CYP isoform as the major or sole contributor to their metabolism and that they do not exhibit non-linear kinetics in vivo. Where data were available for the clearance of the drugs in at least three animal species, the predictions from IVIVE have now been compared with those based on allometric scaling (AS). Adequate data were available for estimating oral clearance (CL_p.o.) in 9 cases (alprazolam, sildenafil, caffeine, clozapine, cyclosporine, dextromethorphan, midazolam, omeprazole and tolbutamide) and intravenous clearance in 6 cases (CL_i.v.) (cyclosporine, diclofenac, midazolam, omeprazole, theophylline and tolterodine). AS predictions were based on five different methods: (1) simple allometry (clearance versus body weight); (2) correction for maximum life-span potential (CL?×?MLP); (3) correction for brain weight (CL?×?BrW); (4) the use of body surface area; and (5) the rule of exponents. A prediction accuracy was indicated by mean-fold error and the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. Predictions were considered successful if the mean-fold error was ≤2. IVIVE predictions were accurate in 14 of 15 cases (mean-fold error range: 1.02–4.00). All five AS methods were accurate in 13, 11, 10, 10 and 14 cases, respectively. However, in some cases the error of AS exceeded fivefold. On the basis of the current results, IVIVE is more reliable than AS in predicting human clearance values for drugs mainly metabolized by CYP450 enzymes. This suggests that the place of AS methods in pre-clinical drug development warrants further scrutiny.