Effect of alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin in rats treated with turpentine oil

The pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin (TAM) was investigated using male Sprague-Dawley rats in which plasma alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (alpha(1)-AGP) levels were elevated by the subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mL/kg of turpentine oil. alpha(1)-AGP levels increased about eight times after turpentine oil treatment, causing a threefold decrease in plasma unbound fraction (f(u)) of TAM. When 0.3 mg/kg of TAM was dosed intravenously, total and nonrenal clearances (CL(tot) and CL(nr)) in turpentine-treated rats were 47% and 44% lower than those in nontreated controls, respectively. The area under the concentration-time curve of plasma unbound TAM (AUC(inf,u)) was lower than that in the control. When 1 mg/kg of TAM was dosed orally, oral clearance (CL(oral)) in alpha1-AGP-induced rats was 65% lower than in the control. The AUC(inf,u) and unbound oral clearance (CL(oral,u)) were nearly equal in both groups. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between fu and CL(oral) of TAM (r(2) = 0.603, P < 0.01), whereas no correlation was observed between f(u) and CL(oral,u). The absolute bioavailability (BA) increased from 19.2% to 46.9% by induction of alpha(1)-AGP. These results suggest that decreased f(u) caused by the elevation of plasma alpha(1)-AGP level affects the pharmacokinetics of TAM, but does not affect the CL(oral,u,) which represents the hepatic metabolism of TAM.     

Distribution of paclitaxel in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid

Our objective was to assess the distribution of paclitaxel in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a cancer patient, and evaluate the role of the formulation vehicle Cremophor EL (CrEL) in drug distribution. Analysis of paclitaxel concentrations in CSF was performed using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometric assay with electrospray ionization. Total and unbound paclitaxel levels in plasma were measured by liquid chromatography and equilibrium dialysis, respectively, and CrEL concentrations were determined by a colorimetric dye-binding microassay. Clinical samples were obtained from a 54-year-old female with breast cancer receiving a weekly regimen of paclitaxel (dose 60 mg/m2). The disposition of total paclitaxel in plasma was characterized by a bi-exponential elimination (terminal half-life 9.17 h) and a total clearance of 19.4 l/h/m2. The fraction of unbound paclitaxel in plasma ranged from 7.6 to 12.4% (unbound drug CL 176 l/h/m2). The plasma clearance of CrEL was 0.332 l/h/m2, whereas CrEL levels were undetectable in CSF (below 0.5 microl/ml). Concentrations of paclitaxel in CSF (range 45.5-162 pg/ml) and unbound CSF:unbound plasma concentration ratios (range 0.093-9.53%) progressively increased up to 24 h, with a mean unbound drug fraction in CSF of 84+/-3.6% (range 81-88%). These findings indicate that there is substantial distribution of paclitaxel to CSF. Since the fraction of unbound paclitaxel is different between plasma and CSF, measurement of unbound paclitaxel is required to accurately assess the extent of drug penetration.     

Effect of mild and moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and safety of carisbamate

This open-label, parallel-group study was designed to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of carisbamate in participants with mild or moderate hepatic impairment versus those with normal hepatic function. Healthy (n = 10) and hepatic-impaired (n = 20) participants received a single 200-mg oral dose of carisbamate. Serial PK blood samples were collected up to 120 hours postdose. A modest increase in mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC(∞)) was observed for the mild impairment group compared with the normal group (ratio of geometric means ~116%), while mean maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) values were similar (ratio of geometric means ~94%). The AUC(∞) value for the moderate hepatic-impaired group was approximately 207% that of the normal group, while there was a smaller increase in C(max) (~118%) compared with the normal group. Mean half-life (t(1/2)) values were prolonged in the moderate impairment group (21 hours) relative to the normal group (11 hours). There was a decrease in apparent clearance (CL/F) and an increase in AUC(∞u) (AUC(∞) × % drug unbound). The percentage of carisbamate unbound to proteins did not change across the groups, suggesting the increases in AUC(∞) were due to decreased intrinsic hepatic clearance. Carisbamate 200 mg was well tolerated.     

Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid concentration and plasma free concentration as a surrogate measurement for brain free concentration.

This study was designed to evaluate the use of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drug concentration and plasma unbound concentration (C(u,plasma)) to predict brain unbound concentration (C(u,brain)). The concentration-time profiles in CSF, plasma, and brain of seven model compounds were determined after subcutaneous administration in rats. The C(u,brain) was estimated from the product of total brain concentrations and unbound fractions, which were determined using brain tissue slice and brain homogenate methods. For theobromine, theophylline, caffeine, fluoxetine, and propranolol, which represent rapid brain penetration compounds with a simple diffusion mechanism, the ratios of the area under the curve of C(u,brain)/C(CSF) and C(u,brain)/C(u,plasma) were 0.27 to 1.5 and 0.29 to 2.1, respectively, using the brain slice method, and were 0.27 to 2.9 and 0.36 to 3.9, respectively, using the brain homogenate method. A P-glycoprotein substrate, CP-141938 (methoxy-3-[(2-phenyl-piperadinyl-3-amino)-methyl]-phenyl-N-methyl-methane-sulfonamide), had C(u,brain)/C(CSF) and C(u,brain)/C(u,plasma) ratios of 0.57 and 0.066, using the brain slice method, and 1.1 and 0.13, using the brain homogenate method, respectively. The slow brain-penetrating compound, N[3-(4'-fluorophenyl)-3-(4'-phenylphenoxy)propyl-]sarcosine, had C(u,brain)/C(CSF) and C(u,brain)/C(u,plasma) ratios of 0.94 and 0.12 using the brain slice method and 0.15 and 0.018 using the brain homogenate method, respectively. Therefore, for quick brain penetration with simple diffusion mechanism compounds, C(CSF) and C(u,plasma) represent C(u,brain) equally well; for efflux substrates or slow brain penetration compounds, C(CSF) appears to be equivalent to or more accurate than C(u,plasma) to represent C(u,brain). Thus, we hypothesize that C(CSF) is equivalent to or better than C(u,plasma) to predict C(u,brain). This hypothesis is supported by the literature data.     

Ketoprofen pharmacokinetics and bioavailability based on an improved sensitive and specific assay

Summary A commercial capsule containing 50 mg of ketoprofen (Orudis), a simple capsule containing 50 mg of ketoprofen alone and 50 mg of ketoprofen in an aqueous solution were given as separate doses in a randomized sequence to 12 normal adult males. The areas under the resulting plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) were remarkably consistent for each volunteer. The bioavailability from the commerical capsule relative to that from the solution was 99.7%±10.5% and that from the simple capsule was 102%±10%. After 6 of the volunteers had taken the commercial capsule 6 hourly for thirteen doses, their AUC extrapolated to infinity was significantly higher (by 22%) than that after the single dose indicating, contrary to previous reports, accumulation upon multiple dosing. The interdose AUC after the thirteenth dose was, however, statistically indistinguishable from the AUC-to-infinity after the single dose as might be expected from linear kinetics. The ketoprofen solution generated peak plasma concentrations in only one-third the time (21±7 min) required for the capsules (commercial, 72±45; simple, 61±39 min). Despite plasma concentrations being tracked over a 200-fold range, log linearity was not established within 12 h in any of the 42 profiles obtained. A two-compartment open model was fitted to the solution data giving excellent prediction of the time-to-peak and clearance (Cl/F=5.2±1.1 l/h) as determined by eye and by log-trapezoidal rule, respectively.Deceased, April 4th, 1981     

血液微渗析技术研究酮洛芬在大鼠体内的药代动力学

目的考察酮洛芬微渗析体内外回收率及影响因素，研究酮洛芬静脉给药后非结合型药物在大鼠体内的药代动力学。方法大鼠颈静脉插入探针后，依次用不同浓度的灌注液对探针进行灌注，测定酮洛芬体内回收率及非结合型酮洛芬在大鼠体内的药代动力学。以高效液相色谱法测定微渗析液中药物浓度。体外回收率的测定采用浓差法。结果增量法及减量法测定的回收率一致。以浓差法测定的体外回收率为28.75%；反渗析法测定体内回收率为(40.3±2.7)%。酮洛芬静脉给药后非结合型药物的T_1/2，AUC和CL分别为(181±16) min，(112±27) μg·min·mL^-1和(0.22±0.05) min^-1。结论血液微渗析技术可用于研究非结合型酮洛芬在大鼠体内的药代动力学。     

Pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of eprosartan in Chinese healthy volunteers of different gender

The study aims to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of eprosartan in Chinese healthy volunteers and to study the effect of gender on pharmacokinetics of eprosartan. Twenty healthy volunteers (ten men and ten women) were recruited for an open trial and received a single dose of 600 mg eprosartan. Using a validated LC/MS/MS method, plasma and urinary concentrations of eprosartan were determined. The following pharmacokinetic parameters were elucidated after administration: the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve from 0 to 32 h (AUC0-32h) 14818.75 +/- 7312.11 ng x h/mL, the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve from 0 to infinite (AUC(0-infinity)) 15081.62 +/- 7379.63 ng x h/mL, peak plasma concentration (Cmax) 3664.25 x 1653.94 ng x h/mL, time to Cmax (Tmax) 1.63 +/- 0.46 h, elimination half-life (t(1/2)) 8.03 +/- 4.04 h, apparent clearance (CL/F) 47.84 +/- 19.21 L/h, apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment (V/F) 537.21 +/- 287.91 L, renal clearance (CLr) 1.33 +/- 0.41 L/h, amount of unchanged eprosartan excreted into urine 18.44 +/- 6.43 mg and fraction of unchanged eprosartan excreted into urine 3.07 +/- 1.07%. Our results also indicated that no gender differences were observed in the pharmacokinetics of eprosartan in Chinese healthy volunteers.     

Nonlinear pharmacokinetics of aprindine in guinea pigs

After intravenous bolus administration of aprindine (AP) to conscious guinea pigs, the semilogarithmic plasma concentration versus time curve was linear at a dose of 2 mg/kg, but convex at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. AP concentrations immediately after administration (C(p0)) were almost identical, irrespective of the dose received. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUCs) were proportional to the AP doses. At 2 mg/kg, the plasma total clearance (CL(tot)) of AP was high (279+/-80 mL/h), and its volume of distribution (Vd(ss)) was large (245+/-99 mL). Total blood clearance and time-averaged blood clearance (CL(ave)) values for AP were similar to those for R(+) propranolol (PL) after intravenous coadministration of R(+) PL (0.25 mg/kg) and AP (2 or 10 mg/kg). An in vitro serum protein binding study showed that the unbound fraction of AP was concentration-dependent. In guinea pigs pretreated with turpentine oil (2 mL/kg/day), the elimination of AP after intravenous doses of 2 and 5 mg/kg closely followed first-order kinetics, while C(p0) and AUC increased in proportion to the AP doses. The bound fraction of AP in the serum was larger after turpentine oil pretreatment than in normal guinea pig serum in vitro. From these observations, the nonlinear pharmacokinetics of AP observed in guinea pigs can be attributed to nonlinear serum protein binding.     

Blood and Plasma Pharmacokinetics of Ciclosporin in Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Long-term diabetes mellitus may affect the absorption, distribution and metabolism of immunosuppressive agents used after organ transplantation. The aims of this study were to characterize ciclosporin pharmacokinetics in blood and plasma and to compare the ciclosporin unbound concentration and the blood : plasma concentration (B : P) ratio in diabetic kidney transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ciclosporin 12-hour steady-state pharmacokinetics were studied in eight diabetic and nine nondiabetic patients. Ciclosporin concentrations in whole blood and in plasma were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the ciclosporin fraction unbound (f(u)) was determined by an equilibrium dialysis method utilizing [(3)H]ciclosporin as a tracer. Oral absorption of paracetamol (acetaminophen) was used as a marker for gastric emptying. RESULTS: In diabetic patients, the time to the peak blood ciclosporin concentration at steady state (t(max)(,ss)) was prolonged (128 minutes vs 93 minutes in nondiabetic patients, p < 0.01) and, on average, the paracetamol t(max) was prolonged by 30 minutes. The whole-blood dose-normalized area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 hours (AUC(12)) was marginally lower in diabetic patients (p = 0.09) and the plasma AUC(12) was significantly lower (p = 0.03). The ciclosporin f(u) was numerically higher in diabetic patients (1.20 +/- 0.65% vs 0.72 +/- 0.28% in nondiabetic patients, p = 0.066); however, the unbound concentration values were essentially similar in the two groups (0.58 +/- 0.76 microg/L in diabetic patients and 0.52 +/- 0.48 microg/L in nondiabetic patients; p = 0.59). No difference was observed in the ciclosporin B : P ratio between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that diabetes delays ciclosporin absorption, reduces ciclosporin exposure and increases the ciclosporin f(u) but not the pharmacologically active unbound concentration.     

The effect of age and gender on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of febuxostat, a novel nonpurine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase

Febuxostat is a novel nonpurine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, which is currently being developed for the management of hyperuricemia in patients with gout. The effect of age and gender on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of once-daily oral febuxostat 80 mg was assessed in healthy male and female subjects after 7 days. Following multiple dosing with febuxostat, there were no statistically significant differences in the plasma or urinary pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic parameters between subjects aged 18 to 40 years and >or=65 years. Although unbound peak concentration (C(max,u)) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(24,u)) for febuxostat were higher in women as compared with men (31.5 vs 23.6 ng/mL, P 相似文献   

Determination of the transdermal bioavailability of a newly developed diclofenac sodium patch in comparison with a reference preparation

Two different transdermal diclofenac (CAS 15307-86-5) formulations (Olfen Patch 140 mg diclofenac sodium as test preparation and 180 mg diclofenac epolamine plaster, equivalent to 140 mg diclofenac sodium, as reference preparation) were investigated in 24 healthy male and female volunteers in order to compare the transdermal bioavailability between both treatments following topical multiple dose administration. Subjects were applied 2 plasters of test and reference formulation at a dose interval of 12 h for 4 consecutive days. Test and reference preparation were administered in randomised sequence at a marked spot at the left upper arm under non-fasting conditions. For determination of diclofenac concentrations, pre-dose (trough) values were taken during steady-state build-up and during the period of switch-over between both preparations on days 1-3 and 5-7. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic profiling were taken on days 4 and 8 at pre-defined time points up to 24 h following drug administration (after the 7th resp. 15th dose). Treatments were not separated by a wash-out phase. Considering the short half-life of diclofenac, it was appropriate that a switch-over design was chosen without wash-out periods between treatments. Diclofenac plasma concentrations were determined by means of a validated LC-MS/MS method (limit of detection: 0.06 ng/ml; lower limit of quantification: 0.15 ng/ml). For the test preparation, maximum plasma concentrations of 3.36 ng/ml (C(max, 0-12)), 3.73 ng/ml (C(max, 12-24)) and 3.84 ng/ml (C(max, 0-24)) as well as areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of 31.11 ng x h/ml (AUC(0-12), 34.83 ng x h/ml (AUC(12.24)) and 65.94 ng x h/ml (AUC(0-24)) were determined. For the reference preparation, these values were 1.55 ng/ml (C(max, 0-12)), 1.45 ng/ml (C(max, 12-24) and 1.57 ng/ml (C(max, 0-24)) as well as 13.28 ng x h/ml (AUC(0-12)), 12.68 ng x h/ml (AUC(12-24)) and 25.96 ng x h/ml (AUC(0-24)). For the test preparation, peak-to-trough fluctuations (% PTF) of 34.78% (% PTF(0-12)), 38.50% (% PTF(12-24)) and 43.68% (% PTF(0-24)) were observed. Corresponding values for the reference preparation were 35.82% (% PTF(0-12), 31.36% (% PTF(12-24)) and 40.55% (% PTF(0-24)). In order to evaluate comparable bioavailability of both preparations, 90% confidence intervals of the test/reference ratios were determined. Thereby, for all dose intervals considered and all AUC parameters calculated, the extent of diclofenac absorption from the test preparation markedly exceeds those values obtained for the reference preparation. Likewise, maximum plasma concentrations, as a measure for the rate of absorption, were higher after the test preparation. With respect to peak-to-trough fluctuation of plasma diclofenac levels, both plaster preparations were comparable for the morning dose interval 0-12 h as well as for the 0-24 h period.     

Entry of diazepam and its major metabolite into cerebrospinal fluid

Five dogs received a single 1.0 mg/kg dose of diazepam (DZ) IV. Concentrations of DZ and its major metabolite desmethyldiazepam (DMDZ) were simultaneously measured in plasma and cisternal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for up to 8 h after the dose by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography. DZ was rapidly eliminated from plasma (half-life 0.3–1.3 h); DZ disappearance was mirrored by formation of DMDZ, which in turn was eliminated slowly. Both DZ and DMDZ rapidly penetrated CSF and concentrations in CSF declined parallel with those in plasma. Despite rapid uptake, the extent of CSF transfer of DZ and DMDZ was limited by plasma protein binding. Mean CSF: plasma concentration ratios for DZ (range 0.023–0.137) and DMDZ (range 0.047–0.119) were highly correlated with the unbound fraction in plasma (r=0.95 and 0.80, respectively). Thus DZ and DMDZ concentrations in CSF, presumed to reflect concentrations at the site of action, are determined by unbound plasma concentrations. The intensity of pharmacologic action is more likely to correlate with unbound than with total plasma concentrations.     

Pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence study of meloxicam tablets in healthy male subjects

Meloxicam (CAS 71125-38-7), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is used for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatic arthritis. In the present study, two different oral meloxicam formulations (Melcam 15 mg tablets as test preparation and tablets of a reference preparation) were investigated in 24 healthy male subjects in order to prove bioequivalence between both preparations. A single 15 mg oral dose was administered according to an open, randomised, two-period cross-over design in the fasted state. Blood samples for the determination of meloxicam plasma concentrations were collected at pre-defined time points up to 96 h following drug administration. A wash-out period of 7-8 days separated both treatment periods. Meloxicam plasma concentrations were determined by means of a validated HPLC method with UV-detection. Maximum plasma concentrations (C(max)) of 1,146.9 ng/ml (test) and 1,064.8 ng/ml (reference) were achieved. Areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity) of 34,499.0 ng x h/ml (test) and 33,784.3 ng x h/ml (reference) were determined. The results showed nearly identical rate and extent of drug absorption. Also further pharmacokinetic parameters were well comparable. Thus, t(max) showed values of 5.00 h for both test and reference. The plasma elimination half-life (t1/2) was 18.29 h (test) und 18.94 h (reference). Both primary target parameters C(max). and AUC(0-infinity, were tested parametrically by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the 90% confidence intervals were between 99.46%-105.24% (AUC0-infinity)) and 103.37%-112.46% (C(max)). Bioequivalence between test and reference preparation was demonstrated since for both parameters AUC and C(max) the 90% confidence intervals of the T/R ratios of logarithmically transformed data were in the generally accepted range of 80%-125%.     

通过体外自乳化性能及体内药代动力学评价优化葛根素自乳化制剂

本文将水不溶性药物葛根素制备成自乳化制剂。测定了葛根素在不同油相及表面活性剂的溶解度，结果表明葛根素在油酸、Tween 80中的溶解度较好，1，2-丙二醇不但能增加药物的溶解度，而且能够提高自乳化能力。以油酸为油相，Tween 80为表面活性剂，1，2-丙二醇为助表面活性剂，配制一系列混合物，通过绘制三元相图得到自乳化区，考察不同自乳化处方的自乳化性质，采用激光粒度散射仪测定乳化后粒子大小，在体外评价基础上选择较好的3个处方进行比格犬体内药动学研究，比较不同处方自乳化制剂在比格犬体内的生物利用度包括药代动力学参数Cmax， Tmax， AUC0-t。结果表明处方2和处方3的AUC0-t值［(5.201±0.511) ng·mL^-1·h， (5.174±0.498) ng·mL^-1·h］和Cmax值［(1.524±0.125) ng·mL^-1， (1.513±0.157) ng·mL^-1］显著高于处方4［(3.013±0.623) ng·mL^-1·h， (0.939±0.089) ng·mL^-1］，通过体内研究结果获得较优处方为油酸(17.5%)、Tween 80(34.5%)、1，2-丙二醇(34.5%)。自乳化释药系统提供了水不溶性药物口服给药的新途径。     

Cerebrospinal fluid distribution of ketoprofen after intravenous administration in young children

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) distribution of an NSAID, ketoprofen, in children. Ketoprofen concentrations were determined from the CSF, plasma and protein-free plasma samples. METHODS: Children (n = 21), aged 13-94 months, were given intravenous ketoprofen (1 mg/kg) prior to surgery under spinal anaesthesia. Single venous blood and CSF samples from each patient were collected simultaneously 7-67 minutes after the drug administration. Ketoprofen concentrations in the samples were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Ketoprofen entered the CSF and was detectable in all samples. However, CSF delivery was limited; the ratio of ketoprofen concentration in CSF to plasma remained below 0.006 at all times. Ketoprofen was highly bound (> 98%) to plasma proteins. The free ketoprofen fraction was not in equilibrium with the CSF, and no clear peak drug concentration in the CSF was observed. CONCLUSION: This study shows that ketoprofen is able to enter the CSF of children, which enables central analgesic effects of ketoprofen. However, the slow distribution of ketoprofen into the CSF and the apparently low absolute concentrations has to be taken into account when central analgesic effects are desired.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of two tablet formulations of amoxicillin: bioequivalence assessment

The aim of the present study was to compare the bioavailability of amoxicillin (CAS 26787-78-0) from two different amoxicillin tablets (Demoksil 1 g tablet as test preparation and 1 g tablet of the originator product as reference preparation). The study was conducted according to an open-label, randomised two-period cross-over design with a wash-out phase of 4-7 days. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic profiling were taken up to 10 h post-dose, and amoxicillin plasma concentrations were determined with a validated LC-MS/ MS method. Maximum plasma concentrations (C(max)) of 13,296.4 ng/ml (test) and 12,797.7 ng/ml (reference) were achieved. Areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) of 39,556.7 ng x h/ml (test) and 38,599.1 ng x h/ml (reference) were calculated. The median t(max) was 1.62 h (test) and 1.54 h (reference). Plasma elimination half-lives (t(1/2)) of 1.64 h (test) and 1.65 h (reference) were determined. Both primary target parameters, AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) were tested parametrically by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the 90% confidence intervals were between 96.76%-108.46% (AUC(0-infinity)) and 97.80%-111.98% (C(max)). Bioequivalence between test and reference preparation was demonstrated since for both parameters, AUC and C(max) the 90% confidence intervals of the T/R-ratios of logarithmically transformed data were in the generally accepted range of 80%-125%.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ketoprofen plasters

Ketoprofen plasters of 70 cm(2) size using DuroTak acrylic adhesive polymers were developed either containing 30 mg (Ketotop-L) or 60 mg drug (Ketotop-P). The in vitro skin permeation profile was obtained in hairless mouse skin and showed the permeation rate of Ketotop-P to be twice that of Ketotop-L. The plasma concentration profile of ketoprofen was determined in Sprague-Dawley rats after applying a 3 x 3 cm(2) plaster. AUC(0-24h) and C(max) of Ketotop-P were 260.92 microg.h/ml and 25.09 microg/ml, respectively, which were about twice the values of Ketotop-L. The hind paw edema induced by carrageenan injection was measured for 6 h after applying a 2 x 2 cm(2) plaster, and the area under the time-response curve (AUR) value was significantly lower in Ketotop-P attached rats (180.70%.h) than in those with the Ketotop-L (298.65%.h) and the control (407.04%.h) groups, indicating a stronger anti-inflammatory action of Ketotop-P. However, the analgesic effect of the two formulations did not show a statistically significant difference. In conclusion, Ketotop-P was able to achieve higher plasma concentration of ketoprofen, thereby exhibiting higher and more constant anti-inflammatory effect compared with Ketotop-L.     

Studies of drug binding to plasma proteins using a variant of equilibrium dialysis

The plasma protein binding of three model compounds was investigated using a variant of equilibrium dialysis, denoted comparative equilibrium dialysis (CED), and the results were compared with those obtained with ultrafiltration (UF). In CED, the buffer that the plasma is dialysed against in traditional equilibrium dialysis is replaced by, for example, plasma from other species. The CED method has the advantage that the unbound concentration (C(u)) does not need to be measured, which can be difficult for drugs with extremely small unbound fractions. Instead, the ratio of the total drug concentration (C(tot)) on either side of the dialysis membrane at equilibrium is a direct measure of the relative binding properties of the two plasma types. For the first model compound, having an unbound fraction (f(u)) of about 0.05% in human plasma, the time to reach equilibrium was too long (> or =40 h) to make the CED technique feasible in practice. For the second model compound, the more weakly bound drug NAD-299 (with an unbound fraction of about 2% in human plasma), the CED equilibration times were considerably shortened (< or =16 h), and the technique was applied to plasma from three different species. Large discrepancies between the CED and UF results were seen, CED always giving rise to much lower C(tot) differences than expected from the UF results. It is suspected that this discrepancy was due to equilibration between the dialysis chambers of all plasma components with a molecular weight less than the cut-off of the membrane. This equilibration causes altered binding properties compared to the initial plasma. When performing ultrafiltration on plasma where drug was added to untreated plasma or added to blank plasma that was equilibrated against plasma from the same or from another species, the change of binding properties was confirmed. To ensure that the results were not specific for NAD-299, a third model compound, tolterodine, was also included. The same trends as for NAD-299 were seen. Because of the long equilibration times for compounds with high protein binding and, in particular, the suspected partial mixture of low molecular weight compounds from the two plasma types and the subsequent change of binding properties, we cannot recommend the CED method as a tool for studying relative protein binding.     

The separation of unbound prednisolone in plasma by centrifugal ultrafiltration

To study variable plasma protein binding of prednisolone in children with nephrotic syndrome we have devised a simple rapid method for measuring unbound prednisolone. The plasma was initially ultrafiltered at 37 degrees C fixed angle head at 1500 g for 30 min then the filtrate was analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography. The effects of variable ultrafiltration conditions were studied. The method was used to compare the AUC unbound prednisolone in a nephrotic child (plasma albumin concentration 18 g L-1) with a control (plasma albumin concentration 43 g L-1); their respective AUC unbound prednisolone values were 4.02 mg h L-1 and 1.07 mg h L-1.     

Bioequivalence study of sultamicillin suspensions

Sultamicillin (CAS 76497-13-7) is a prodrug combination of ampicillin (CAS 69-53-4) and sulbactam (CAS 68373-14-8), with the antibiotic ampicillin and the beta-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam chemically linked as double ester. The present study was performed to investigate the relative bioavailability and to assess the bioequivalence of two different sultamicillin suspensions (Devasid 250 mg/5 ml as test preparation and 375 mg/7.5 ml of the originator product as reference preparation). Twenty-four healthy male volunteers received equal doses of the sultamicillin preparations according to an open, randomised, single-dose, two-period cross-over design with a wash-out phase of 7 days. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic profiling were taken up to 8 h post-dose, and ampicillin and sulbactam plasma concentrations were determined with a validated LC-MS/MS method. Maximum plasma concentrations (C(max)) of 11,267.4 ng/ml (ampicillin, test), 10,864.4 ng/ml (ampicillin, reference), 6,360.6 ng/ml (sulbactam, test and 6,410.7 ng/ml (sulbactam, reference) were achieved. Areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity) of 17,512.9 ng x h/ml (ampicillin, test), 18,388.0 ng x h/ml (ampicillin, reference), 10,971.7 ng ng x h/ml (sulbactam, test) and 11,181.2 ng x h/ml (sulbactam, reference) were calculated. The median t(max) was 0.69 h (ampicillin, test), 0.85 h (ampicillin, reference), 0.72 h (sulbactam, Devasid) and 0.83 h (sulbactam, reference). Plasma elimination half-lives (t(1/2)) of 1.04 h (ampicillin, test), 1.03 h (ampicillin, reference), 1.26 h (sulbactam, Devasid) and 1.00 h (sulbactam, reference) were determined. Both primary target parameters AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) of ampicillin and sulbactam were tested parametrically by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the 90% confidence intervals were between 84.58%-117.80% (AUC(0-infinity), ampicillin), 92.37%-119.93% (C(max), ampicillin), 85.81%-120.50% (AUC(0-infinity), sulbactam) and 88.41%-117.57% (C(max), sulbactam). Bioequivalence between test and reference preparation was demonstrated since for both parameters AUC and C(max) the 90% confidence intervals of the T/R-ratios of logarithmically transformed data were in the generally accepted range of 80%-125%.