Inhibition of human CYP19 by azoles used as antifungal agents and aromatase inhibitors, using a new LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of estradiol product formation

Azoles are used as fungicides in agriculture or antifungal drugs in medicine. Their therapeutic activity is based on the inhibition of fungal lanosterol-14alpha-demethylase (CYP51). Azoles are also used for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases, e.g. in breast cancer therapy. Inhibition of CYP19 (aromatase) is the working principle for tumor therapy, but is an unwanted side effect of azoles used as fungicides or antifungal drugs. The inhibition of recombinant human CYP19 by 21 azoles in use for the three different purposes was investigated using the natural substrate testosterone. Estradiol product formation was measured by a newly developed and fully validated analytical method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry utilizing photospray ionization (APPI). Potency of enzyme inhibition was expressed in terms of IC50 concentrations. The two cytostatic drugs fadrozole and letrozole were the most potent inhibitors. However, azoles used as fungicides, e.g. prochloraz, or as antifungal drugs, e.g. bifonazole, were almost as potent inhibitors of aromatase as the drugs used in tumor therapy. Comparison of plasma concentrations that may be reached in antifungal therapy do not allow for large safety factors for bifonazole and miconazole. The IC50 values were compared to data obtained with other substrates, such as the pseudo-substrate dibenzylfluorescein (DBF). A high correlation was found, indicating that the fluorescence assay with DBF can well be used for potency ranking and screening of chemicals for aromatase inhibition. The data for antifungal drugs show that side effects on steroid hormone synthesis in humans due to inhibition of aromatase should be considered.     

The Effect of Valproate on the Metabolism of Phenobarbital in the Rat

Valproate has been shown to interact with all major antiepileptic drugs. The interaction with phenobarbital is the most clinically significant. The mechanism of the interaction was evaluated in the in vivo rat and in vitro liver perfusion system. Phenobarbital and parahydroxyphenobarbital (PbOH) were administered with and without valproate treatment. In vivo, after administration of PbOH, valproate caused a significant inhibition of both the renal clearance of unchanged PbOH (40%) and the formation clearance (ClF) of its glucuronide conjugate (44%). When coadministered with phenobarbital, valproate caused a significant decrease in the total plasma clearance of phenobarbital (95.4 ± 29.0 to 65.8 ± 20.2 ml/hr/kg), with no apparent effect on the phenobarbital renal clearance or the ClF of PbOH. Valproate did cause a significant inhibition (50%) of formation of a minor metabolite, metahydroxyphenobarbital. The largest effect of valproate appears to be on unknown pathways of phenobarbital elimination. In the isolated perfused rat liver, the ClF of PbOH and its glucuronide conjugate were determined. Valproate caused a small (10%) but significant decrease in the ClF of PbOH. As seen in vivo, the most significant effect of valproate was on the ClF of the PbOH glucuronide (66% decrease). In conclusion, inhibition of PbOH formation by valproate cannot account entirely for the increased plasma concentrations of phenobarbital that occur when valproate is added to therapy. A complete understanding of the mechanism will require a complete accounting of the phenobarbital dose in rat or in humans.     

三种常用抗癫痫药物对儿童注意力的影响

目的 :了解苯巴比妥、卡马西平、丙戊酸钠对癫痫患儿注意力的影响。方法 :4 5例患儿随机分组服用这三种药物 ,分别在服药前及服药后 6个月、1年、2年时用NJ2 2型注意力测试仪测试患儿的注意力 ,比较服药前后及三种药物间的注意力缺陷值变化。结果 :三组患儿服药后 6个月、1年、2年后注意力缺陷值改变不显著 (P >0 0 5 ) ,三种药物间注意力缺陷值比较无显著差异 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :三种药物单药常规剂量时对患儿注意力没有明显的不良影响     

Influence of antazoline and ketotifen on the anticonvulsant activity of conventional antiepileptics against maximal electroshock in mice.

Experimental studies have indicated that the central histaminergic system plays an important role in the inhibition of seizures through the stimulation of histamine H1 receptors. H1 receptor antagonists, including classical antiallergic drugs, occasionally may induce convulsions in healthy children and patients with epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of antazoline and ketotifen (two H1 receptor antagonists) on the anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced convulsions in mice. The following antiepileptic drugs were used: valproate, carbamazepine, diphenylhydantoin and phenobarbital. In addition, the effects of antiepileptic drugs alone or in combination with antazoline or ketotifen were studied on long-term memory (tested in the passive avoidance task) and motor performance (evaluated in the chimney test), acutely and after 7-day treatment with these H1 receptor antagonists. The influence of antazoline and ketotifen on the free plasma and brain levels of the antiepileptics was also evaluated. Antazoline (at 0.5 mg/kg), given acutely and after 7-day treatment, significantly diminished the electroconvulsive threshold. Similarly, ketotifen, after acute and chronic doses of 8 mg/kg markedly reduced the threshold for electroconvulsions. In both cases, antazoline and ketotifen were without effect upon this parameter at lower doses. Antazoline (0.25 mg/kg) significantly raised the ED50 value of carbamazepine against MES (both, acutely and after 7-day treatment). Furthermore antazoline (0.25 mg/kg) also reduced the anticonvulsant activity of diphenylhydantoin, but only after repeated administration, without modifying the brain and free plasma level of this drug. Moreover, valproate and phenobarbital did not change their protective activity when combined with antazoline. Ketotifen (4 mg/kg) possessed a biphasic action, acutely it enhanced the anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine and phenobarbital while, following 7-day treatment, reduced the antiseizure activity of carbamazepine. Ketotifen did not affect the free plasma or brain levels of antiepileptics tested. Only acute antazoline (0.25 mg/kg) applied with valproate impaired the performance of mice evaluated in the chimney test. Ketotifen (4 mg/kg) co-administered with conventional antiepileptic drugs impaired motor coordination in mice treated with valproate, phenobarbital or diphenylhydantoin. Acute and chronic antazoline (0.25 mg/kg) alone or in combination with antiepileptic drugs did not disturb long-term memory, tested in the passive avoidance task. Similarly, ketotifen (4 mg/kg) did not impair long-term memory, acutely and after 7-day treatment. However, valproate alone or in combination with chronic ketotifen (4 mg/kg) worsened long-term memory. The results of this study indicate that H1 receptor antagonists, crossing the blood brain barrier, should be used with caution in epileptic patients. This is because antazoline reduced the protective potential of diphenylhydantoin and carbamazepine. Also, ketotifen reduced the protection offered by carbamazepine and elevated the adverse activity of diphenylhydantoin, phenobarbital and valproate.     

回顾性分析357例次小儿抗癫痫药物血药浓度

目的:回顾性分析4种常用抗癫痫药在儿童癫痫治疗中的血药浓度监测情况,以利指导合理用药。方法:采用HPLC法测定丙戊酸钠、卡马西平、苯巴比妥和苯妥英钠4种常用抗癫痫药物的血药浓度。结果:血药浓度在治疗窗内占47.1%,高于治疗窗占7.0%,低于治疗窗占45.9%。常规服药的患者有49.8%血药浓度在治疗窗内,联合用药致血药浓度偏离治疗窗达76.2%。结论:儿童使用抗癫痫药物监测血药浓度是指导临床用药的重要依据,特别是联合用药尤其应密切监测。     

Effect of 4-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(3-chlorophenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione on the anticonvulsant action of different classical antiepileptic drugs in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 4-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(3-chlorophenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (TP4-a new S-triazole derivative possessing anticonvulsant properties in preclinical studies) on the protective action of four different classical antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate) against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Results indicate that TP4 administered intraperitoneally at doses of 75 and 100 mg/kg significantly elevated the threshold for electroconvulsions in mice. TP4 at doses of 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 mg/kg had no impact on the threshold for electroconvulsions in mice. Moreover, TP4 (50 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant activity of carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproate, but not that of phenytoin in the maximal electroshock seizure test in mice. TP4 at 25 mg/kg significantly potentiated the anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine, but not that of phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model. Pharmacokinetic experiments revealed that TP4 significantly elevated total brain concentrations of carbamazepine and valproate, having no impact on total brain concentrations of phenobarbital in mice. In conclusion, the enhanced anticonvulsant action of phenobarbital by TP4 was probably pharmacodynamic in nature and, therefore, the combination of TP4 with phenobarbital is worthy of consideration while extrapolating the results from this study into clinical settings. The enhanced anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine and valproate by TP4 in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model was associated with pharmacokinetic increases in total brain concentrations of the antiepileptic drugs in mice. The combination of TP4 with phenytoin was neutral from a preclinical point of view.     

Effect of sodium valproate on phenobarbital serum levels in children and adults

The influence of sodium valproate on serum levels of phenobarbital during combination treatment was studied in 29 children and 50 adults with epilepsy. Steady-state drug levels in serum were determined immediately prior to drug administration using immunoenzymatic analysis. The serum level/dose ratio of phenobarbital increased significantly (p less than 0.001) when sodium valproate was added to the treatment. The increase had a mean value of 50.9% in adults and 112.5% in children, suggesting marked interindividual variability in the intensity of the interaction. Almost half of the patients required a decrease in the dose of phenobarbital prescribed. The interaction was more pronounced in patients with high serum levels of phenobarbital, while the dose of phenobarbital and the serum levels and dose of sodium valproate did not seem to affect the extent of the interaction. Close monitoring of the serum levels of phenobarbital is recommended during simultaneous treatment with sodium valproate.     

抗癫痫药物对癫痫患儿甲状腺激素水平的影响

目的　观察抗癫痫药物对患儿甲状腺激素水平的影响。方法　用放射免疫法对患儿血清中三碘甲状腺原氨酸 (T3) ,甲状腺素 (T4 ) ,游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸 (FT3) ,游离甲状腺素 (FT4 )和促甲状腺素 (TSH)水平进行测定。结果　卡马西平、苯巴比妥及两药与丙戊酸钠合用的患儿血清 T4 ,FT4 水平明显降低。而单用丙戊酸钠的患儿血清中甲状腺激素无明显改变。结论　肝酶诱导剂的抗癫痫药物可影响血中甲状腺激素的水平 ,在药物控制癫痫发作的同时应注意其水平的改变     

MK-801与抗癫痫药合用对大鼠杏仁核点燃的影响

目的在大鼠杏仁核点燃模型研究MK-801(地佐西平)及其联合用药的抗癫痫作用。方法建立大鼠杏仁核慢性电刺激点燃模型,测定不同剂量的MK-801对点燃模型各项指标的影响,探讨MK-801与其他抗癫痫药的协同作用,用氨基脲诱发的小鼠惊厥模型测定MK-801抗惊厥作用。 结果MK-801(0.1～0.25 mg·kg^-1)可剂量依赖性抑制杏仁核点燃,缩短后放电时程,降低Racine's分级;在对点燃均无明显影响的剂量下,MK-801(0.05 mg·kg^-1)与抗癫痫药(苯巴比妥、丙戊酸及尼卡地平)合用可缩短后放电时程或降低Racine's分级。MK-801(0.1～0.25 mg·kg^-1)显著降低小鼠氨基脲诱发的发作潜伏期、惊厥发生率和死亡率。结论MK-801具有抑制大鼠杏仁核点燃的作用,增强苯巴比妥、丙戊酸及尼卡地平的抗癫痫活性,为临床的合并用药提供实验依据。     

Selective Dual Inhibitors of CYP19 and CYP11B2: Targeting Cardiovascular Diseases Hiding in the Shadow of Breast Cancer

Postmenopausal women are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases because of the estrogen deficiency. As for postmenopausal breast cancer patients, this risk is even higher due to inhibition of estrogens biosyntheses in peripheral tissue by the aromatase (CYP19) inhibitors applied. Because estrogen deficiency results in significantly elevated aldosterone levels, which are a major cause of cardiovascular diseases, dual inhibition of CYP19 and CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) is a promising treatment for breast cancer and the coinstantaneous cardiovascular diseases. By combination of important structural features of known CYP19 and CYP11B2 inhibitors, we succeeded in obtaining compounds 3 and 5 as selective dual inhibitors with IC(50) values around 50 and 20 nM toward CYP19 and CYP11B2, respectively. These compounds showed also good selectivity toward CYP11B1 (selectivity factors (IC(50?CYP11B1)/IC(50?CYP11B2)) around 50) and CYP17 (no inhibition).     

利伐沙班与抗癫痫药物相互作用的研究进展

心房颤动（房颤）导致的卒中是其严重并发症,非瓣膜性房颤导致脑梗死患者并发癫痫的风险比其他原因卒中患者更高,可能需要利伐沙班联合抗癫痫药物治疗。新型口服抗凝药物利伐沙班是口服直接Xa因子抑制剂,同时是CYP3A4和P-糖蛋白（P-gp）的底物,某些抗癫痫药物对CYP3A4和/或P-gp有诱导作用,与利伐沙班合用,可使利伐沙班血药浓度下降,血栓风险增加。对利伐沙班与丙戊酸钠、卡马西平、苯巴比妥、奥卡西平、左乙拉西坦以及其他抗癫痫药物合用的相互作用进行综述,并根据相关研究和病例报道给出推荐意见,为临床合理用药提供参考。     

Synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 mesylate enhances the protective action of four classical antiepileptic drugs against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of WIN 55,212-2 mesylate (WIN — a non-selective cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist) on the protective action of four classical antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and valproate) in the mouse maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model. The results indicate that WIN (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and valproate in the MES test in mice. WIN (5 mg/kg) potentiated the anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine and valproate, but not that of phenytoin or phenobarbital in the MES test in mice. However, WIN administered alone and in combination with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and valproate significantly reduced muscular strength in mice in the grip-strength test. In the passive avoidance task, WIN in combination with phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate significantly impaired long-term memory in mice. In the chimney test, only the combinations of WIN with phenobarbital and valproate significantly impaired motor coordination in mice. In conclusion, WIN enhanced the anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and valproate in the MES test. However, the utmost caution is advised when combining WIN with classical antiepileptic drugs due to impairment of motor coordination and long-term memory and/or reduction of skeletal muscular strength that might appear during combined treatment.     

Adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs on bone mineral density in children

Bone mineral content (BMC) or density (BMD) may be decreased in children with epilepsy either as a consequence of the epilepsy, the condition that caused the epilepsy or the treatment for epilepsy. This paper investigates the effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on BMD in children. A systematic search of Pubmed resulted in 14 papers that described changes in BMD in children on AEDs. For phenytoin, one study failed to show a decrease in femur BMD, whereas another study reported a decrease in total body and spine BMD, but only with the use of phenytoin for > 2 years. With phenytoin combined with a ketogenic diet, a decrease in forearm BMC was seen. For phenobarbital, one study showed a decrease in spine and total body BMD, but only among those who had used phenobarbital for > 2 years. Six studies were available for carbamazepine, and none of these showed a decrease in BMD in any skeletal site. For valproate, results were diverse; two studies reported a decrease in spine BMD, whereas two other studies did not. Two studies reported a decrease in hip BMD with valproate, whereas one did not. All three studies on forearm BMD in users of valproate described a decrease. Three studies reported an improvement in BMC with vitamin D supplementation in children on AEDs. No reports on changes in BMD among users of newer AEDs are available. In conclusion, more evidence is needed for the effects on BMD in children, especially for newer AEDs. The available studies have all been cross-sectional, and longitudianal studies are needed along with studies on potential interventions in children with decreased BMD.     

Influence of retigabine on the anticonvulsant activity of some antiepileptic drugs against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice

Retigabine (D-2319, 0.5-20 mg/kg i.p.) antagonised dose dependently audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice. Retigabine at 0.5 mg/kg i.p., a dose that per se did not affect the occurrence of audiogenic seizures significantly, potentiated the anticonvulsant activity of carbamazepine, diazepam, felbamate, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and valproate against sound-induced seizures in DBA/2 mice. The degree of additivity for the effect induced by retigabine was greatest for diazepam, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate, less for carbamazepine and lamotrigine and least for felbamate. The increase in anticonvulsant activity was usually associated with a comparable increase in motor impairment. However, the therapeutic index of combined treatment (drugs plus retigabine), was more favourable than the same drug plus vehicle. Since retigabine had no significant influence on the total and free plasma levels of the anticonvulsant drugs, pharmacokinetic interactions, in terms of total or free plasma levels, are not probable. However, the possibility that retigabine modifies the clearance of the anticonvulsant drugs from the brain cannot be excluded. Retigabine had no significant effect on the hypothermic effects of the anticonvulsants tested. In conclusion, retigabine showed an additive effect when administered in combination with classical anticonvulsants, most notably diazepam, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate.     

Influence of sex hormone antagonists on the anticonvulsant action of conventional antiepileptic drugs against amygdala-kindled seizures in male and female rats.

The effects of three gonadal steroid antihormones, tamoxifen (TXF, an estrogen antagonist), cyproterone acetate (CYP, an antiandrogen) and mifepristone (MIF, a progesterone antagonist) alone or combined with conventional antiepileptics were evaluated in amygdala-kindled seizures in male and female rats. None of the three antihormones used in this study affected any seizure parameter. TXF (50 mg/kg) and CYP (50 mg/kg), when combined with carbamazepine, or phenobarbital applied at their subprotective doses of 15 mg/kg, resulted in significant reductions of the seizure and afterdischarge durations, both in male and female rats. Additionally, the combination of carbamazepine and CYP markedly increased the afterdischarge threshold in fully-kindled rats of both genders. The interaction between antihormones and carbamazepine, or phenobarbital, was not reversed by respective sex steroid hormones (estradiol, testosterone). However, the TXF- and CYP-induced anticonvulsant effects in combinations with carbamazepine were attenuated by bicuculline, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and aminophylline. Kainic acid and strychnine remained ineffective in this respect. The effect of a combination of TXF with phenobarbital was reversed by bicuculline and NMDA and that of CYP with phenobarbital-by bicuculline and aminophylline. Neither TXF nor CYP altered the free plasma concentrations of carbamazepine or phenobarbital, so a pharmacokinetic interaction is not probable. The combined treatment of the two antihormones with antiepileptic drugs did not affect motor performance, and did not result in significant long-term memory deficits. Our data confirm the hypothesis that sex hormone antagonist-mediated events may play some role in seizure processes in the central nervous system and can modulate the protective activity of some conventional antiepileptic drugs against kindled seizures.     

Testing of prototype antiepileptics in hippocampal slices

Summary The effects of six prototype anticonvulsant drugs, phenytoin, carbamazepine, midazolam, phenobarbital, ethosuximide and sodium valproate, were evaluated in two different experimental models of epileptiform activity using the in vitro slice preparation from the rat hippocampus. The relative potencies of the agents were determined: a) in the complete absence of synaptic transmission by recording spontaneous burst firing from the CA 1 pyramidal cell layer in a low calcium high magnesium solution and b) during blocked synaptic inhibition by observing the activity of each drug upon orthodromically evoked population spikes in penicillin containing medium. The rank order of potencies was a) in low Ca²⁺: carbamazepine, phenytoin, midazolam, phenobarbital, valproate, ethosuximide; b) in penicillin containing medium: midazolam, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, ethosuximide. These observations illustrate that the use of multiple paradigms is warranted when examining the mechanisms of action of new anticonvulsants.     

In vitro evaluation of the interaction potential of irosustat with drug-metabolizing enzymes

Irosustat is a first-generation, irreversible, steroid sulfatase inhibitor currently in development for hormone-dependent cancer therapy. To predict clinical drug-drug interactions between irosustat and possible concomitantly administered medications, the inhibition/induction potential of irosustat with the main drug-metabolizing enzymes was investigated in vitro. The interaction of aromatase inhibitors in the in vitro metabolism of irosustat was also studied. Irosustat inhibited CYP1A2 activity in human liver microsomes through the formation of its desulfamoylated degradation product and metabolite 667-coumarin. CYP1A2 inhibition by 667-coumarin was competitive, with a K(i) of 0.77 μM, a concentration exceeding by only 5-fold the maximal steady-state concentration of 667-coumarin in human plasma with the recommended dose of irosustat. In addition, 667-coumarin metabolites enhanced the inhibition of CYP1A2 activity. Additional clinical interaction studies of irosustat with CYP1A2 substrate drugs are strongly recommended. 667-Coumarin also appeared to be a competitive inhibitor of CYP2C19 (K(i) = 5.8 μM) in human liver microsomes, and this inhibition increased with assessment in human hepatocytes. Inhibition of CYP2C19 enzyme activity was not caused by repression of CYP2C19 gene expression. Therefore, additional mechanistic experiments or follow-up studies with clinical evaluation are recommended. Irosustat neither inhibited CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4/5, or UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, 1A4, or 2B7 activities nor induced CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP3A4/5 at clinically relevant concentrations. Results from human liver microsomes indicated that no changes in irosustat pharmacokinetics in vivo are expected as a result of inhibition of irosustat metabolism in cases of concomitant medication administration or irosustat-aromatase inhibitor combination therapy with letrozole, anastrozole, or exemestane.