Compatibility of atenolol with excipients: LC–MS/TOF characterization of degradation/interaction products,and mechanisms of their formation

A study was carried out to investigate compatibility of atenolol, a β₁ blocker, with a variety of pharmaceutical excipients. The binary mixtures (1:1) of atenolol with the excipients were stored for 1 month at 40 °C/75% RH. The samples were directly observed for the physical changes, and also analyzed by a validated HPLC method to determine the chemical changes. The study revealed that atenolol was incompatible with ascorbic acid, citric acid and butylated hydroxyanisole. The degradation/interaction products formed in these mixtures were characterized by high resolution mass spectrometric and fragmentation analyses, using a LC–MS/TOF system. The identity of characterized structures was justified through mechanistic explanations.     

Modulation of cyclothiazide on the glutamate receptor/NO/cyclic GMP pathway in the hippocampus of freely-moving rats

通过活体微透析的方法研究了环噻嗪对大鼠海马谷氨酸受体／ＮＯ／ｃＧＭＰ通路的影响．局部灌流α－氨基羟甲基异唑丙酸（ＡＭＰＡ）受体脱敏阻断剂环噻嗪能引起细胞外ｃＧＭＰ水平的提高．环噻嗪的这种作用能够被ＮＯ合酶抑制剂Ｎ－硝基－Ｌ－精氨酸（Ｌ－ＮＮＡ）或选择性的可溶性鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂１Ｈ－［１，２，４］二唑［４，３－ａ］喹喔啉－１－酮（ＯＤＱ）所阻断．在环噻嗪灌流过程中，大鼠呈现明显的痉挛前的行为变化湿狗样反应（ＷＤＳ）．由环噻嗪引起的ｃＧＭＰ增加和ＷＤＳ反应能够被Ｎ－甲基－Ｄ－天冬氨酸（ＮＭＤＡ）受体通道阻断剂甲基二苯并环庚烯亚胺（ＭＫ－８０１）或镁离子所阻断．ＡＭＰＡ受体拮抗剂６，７－二硝基喹喔啉－２，３－二酮（ＤＮＱＸ）和２，３－二羟基－６－硝基－７－氨磺酰基－苯并（ｆ）－喹喔啉（ＮＢＱＸ）可拮抗ＷＤＳ反应，但不能阻断环噻嗪引起的ｃＧＭＰ反应．这种结果表明：（１）在海马内与ＮＯ－ｃＧＭＰ通路有关的ＡＭＰＡ受体由于内源性谷氨酸的存在保持部分脱敏状态．（２）环噻嗪对ＡＭＰＡ受体脱敏的阻断作用可导致内源性ＮＭＤＡ受体的激活．     

Celecoxib offsets the negative renal influences of cyclosporine via modulation of the TGF-β1/IL-2/COX-2/endothelin ETB receptor cascade

Endothelin (ET) signaling provokes nephrotoxicity induced by the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine A (CSA). We tested the hypotheses that (i): celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, counterbalances renal derangements caused by CSA in rats and (ii) the COX-2/endothelin ET_B receptor signaling mediates the CSA-celecoxib interaction. Ten-day treatment with CSA (20 mg/kg/day) significantly increased biochemical indices of renal function (serum urea, creatinine), inflammation (interleukin-2, IL-2) and fibrosis (transforming growth factor-β₁, TGF-β₁). Histologically, CSA caused renal tubular atrophy along with interstitial fibrosis. These detrimental renal effects of CSA were largely reduced in rats treated concurrently with celecoxib (10 mg/kg/day). We also report that cortical glomerular and medullary tubular protein expressions of COX-2 and ET_B receptors were reduced by CSA and restored to near-control values in rats treated simultaneously with celecoxib. The importance of ET_B receptors in renal control and in the CSA-celecoxib interaction was further verified by the findings (i) most of the adverse biochemical, inflammatory, and histopathological profiles of CSA were replicated in rats treated with the endothelin ET_B receptor antagonist BQ788 (0.1 mg/kg/day, 10 days), and (ii) the BQ788 effects, like those of CSA, were alleviated in rats treated concurrently with celecoxib. Together, the data suggest that the facilitation of the interplay between the TGF-β1/IL-2/COX-2 pathway and the endothelin ET_B receptors constitutes the cellular mechanism by which celecoxib ameliorates the nephrotoxic manifestations of CSA in rats.     

Development of orally disintegrating tablets of Perphenazine/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

The aim of the present work was to prepare perphenazine (PPZ) orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) based on the use of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) forming inclusion complex with PPZ to improve the solubility and dissolution of this practically insoluble drug. Phase solubility studies were performed to evaluate the complexation of PPZ with HP-β-CD in three aqueous systems. The inclusion complex prepared by evaporation method was characterized by different physicochemical techniques, including the dissolution studies. The prepared complex was incorporated into ODTs containing different fillers and disintegrants. The ODTs prepared by direct compression were evaluated for drug content, hardness, porosity, friability, in vitro disintegration time (DT), wetting time (WT) and dissolution profiles. The solubility and dissolution rate were substantially improved compared with that of PPZ. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses suggested that PPZ could form true inclusion complex with HP-β-CD. The optimized formulation F6 exhibited short DT (15.5 ± 1.9 s) and WT (34.2 ± 2.3 s), sufficient hardness (30.4 ± 1.6 N/mm) and rapid drug dissolution. The developed tablet formulation could be a promising drug delivery system with improvements in PPZ bioavailability and patient compliance.     

Detection of AmpC β-lactamase and drug resistance of Enterobacter cloacae

In order to provide useful information for effective control and clinical therapy of infection, the resistance status and the rate of carrying AmpC β-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) were investigated. By VITEK (Bacterial automatic biochemical analyzer), the isolates of E. cloacae were identified and the drug resistance was measured. The AmpC enzyme was detected by the five-disk diffusion test. Antibiotic sensitivity test showed that the resistance effects of E. cloacae to cefazolin, cefoxitin and ampicillin were more serious, with resistant rates of 80.5%, 75.3% and 70.1%, respectively. However, it was more sensitive to Sulperazone (cefoperazone/sulbactam, 13.0%), amikacin (16.9%) and ciprofloxacin (19.5%). Meanwhile, the phenotype detection showed that 35.06%(27/77) isolates of E. cloacae produced AmpC β-lactamase. Most of E. cloacae are multi-drug resistant strains. Sulperazone (cefoperazone/sulbactam), a kind of component β-lactamase, is a more effective antibiotic for treating infection caused by E. cloacae. Unreasonable application of the third generation cephalosporins plays an important role in leading to emergence of high-yield AmpC β-lactamase strains, so antibiotics should be used wisely.     

Evaluation of photodynamic activity of C60/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles

The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of C(60)/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CyD) naonparticles to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to induce cell toxicity by the photoirradiation. C(60) nanoparticles were prepared by cogrinding with HP-β-CyD for 3 h at 4°C under reduced pressure. The photodynamic activity of C(60)/HP-β-CyD nanoparticles was evaluated by spectroscopic methods, including the electron spin resonance spin-trapping method, and by the cell viability test using Hela cells. C(60)/HP-β-CyD nanoparticles efficiently generated not only superoxide anion radical (O(2)(·-)) and hydroxyl radical (·OH), but also singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) through photoirradiation. The ROS generation was enhanced by decreasing the mean particle diameter of C(60) nanoparticles, and the particle size smaller than 90 nm showed a high generation of ·OH and (1)O(2). In addition, HP-β-CyD enhanced the generation of (1)O(2), compared with polyvinylpyrrolidone (an effective solubillizer for C(60)), due to partial disposition of C(60) in the hydrophobic CyD cavity. Furthermore, C(60) /HP-β-CyD nanoparticles showed cell toxicity after the light irradiation, but no toxicity was observed without the light irradiation. Therefore, HP-β-CyD is useful for the preparation of stable C(60) nanoparticles with high ROS generation ability, and C(60)/HP-β-CyD nanoparticles are a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy.     

Role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in drug resistance of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by its intrinsic resistance to cytotoxic agents. But the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. Studies demonstrate that angiogenesis, presence of highly resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs), dysregulation of cell cycle and apoptosis are main aspects of mechanisms of pancreatic cancer chemoresistance. Interestingly, recent investigations of Wnt/β-catenin signaling suggest roles for the signaling in these four aspects and the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Conceivably, the dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in pancreatic cancer chemoresistance. Though researchers have proven it in some other cancer types, however, there is no direct evidence for this reasoning in pancreatic cancer. Designing effective experiment setups to define the function and mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in pancreatic cancer chemoresistance and subsequently targeting the signaling to improve the sensitivity of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer require a full understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in angiogenesis, maintaining of highly resistant CSCs, regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer.     

Effects of rutin on the expression of PPARγ in skeletal muscles of db/db mice

The effect of rutin (RT) on the expression of PPARγ in the skeletal muscle of db/db mice has been investigated. Thirty db/db mice were randomized into 5 equal groups: model control group (MCG), positive control group 30 mg/kg pioglitazone hydrochloride (PCG), low-dose rutin group 50 mg/kg (LRT), middle-dose rutin group 100 mg/kg (MRT), high-dose rutin group 200 mg/kg (HRT), and 6 other db/m mice were used as the normal control (NC). The expression of PPARγ mRNA and protein in the skeletal muscle was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot, respectively. Treatment with HRT resulted in significant decreases in the plasma levels of glucose and lipids (p < 0.001). Compared to the MCG, the expression of PPARγ mRNA and protein of the skeletal muscle was significantly increased in the HRT and PCG groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Rutin can increase the expression of PPARγ in skeletal muscles of db/db mice.     

Bisphenol A disrupts glucose transport and neurophysiological role of IR/IRS/AKT/GSK3β axis in the brain of male mice

Bisphenol A (BPA), one of the most prevalent chemicals for daily use, was recently reported to disturb the homeostasis of energy metabolism and insulin signaling pathways, which might contribute to the increasing prevalence rate of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the underlying mechanisms are remained poorly understood. Here we studied the effects of low dose BPA on glucose transport and the IR/IRS/AKT/GSK3β axis in adult male mice to delineate the association between insulin signaling disruption and neurotoxicity mediated by BPA. Mice were treated with subcutaneous injection of 100 μg/kg/d BPA or vehicle for 30 days, then the insulin signaling and glucose transporters in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were detected by western blot. Our results showed that mice treated with BPA displayed significant decrease of insulin sensitivity, and in glucose transporter 1, 3 (GLUT1, 3) protein levels in mouse brain. Meanwhile, hyperactivation of IR/IRS/AKT/GSK3β axis was detected in the brain of BPA treated mice. Noteworthily, significant increases of phosphorylated tau and β-APP were observed in BPA treated mice. These results strongly suggest that BPA exposure significantly disrupts brain insulin signaling and might be considered as a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases.     

Quantitation of DNA reactive pyrrolic metabolites of senecionine – A carcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloid by LC/MS/MS analysis

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are carcinogenic phytochemicals, inducing liver tumors in experimental rodents. We previously determined that (±)-6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP), 7-glutathione-DHP, 7-cysteine-DHP, 7-N-acetylcysteine-DHP, and 1-CHO-DHP are DNA reactive pyrrolic metabolites potentially associated with PA-induced liver tumor initiation. In this study, we developed an LC/MS/MS multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode method to identify and quantify these metabolites formed from the metabolism of senecionine, a carcinogenic PA, by mouse, rat, and human liver microsomes, and primary rat hepatocytes. Together with the chemically prepared standards of these metabolites, this represents an accurate and convenient LC/MS/MS analytical method for quantifying these five reactive pyrrolic metabolites in biological systems.     

Impairment of endothelium-dependent ACh-induced relaxation in aorta of diabetic db/db mice—possible dysfunction of receptor and/or receptor–G protein coupling

Diabetes is a risk factor of ischemic heart disease, cerebral ischemia, and atherosclerosis, in which endothelial dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis. We examined vascular responses in the aorta of pre-diabetic db/db mice with normoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia (6 weeks old), and diabetic db/db mice with hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia (11 weeks old) in comparison with age-matched non-diabetic db/+ mice. Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha))-induced contraction was significantly enhanced in the aorta of diabetic but not pre-diabetic db/db mice compared to age-matched non-diabetic db/+ mice. Acetylcholine (ACh), adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP), NaF, a G protein activator and A-23187, a Ca-ionophore, caused endothelium-dependent and nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, caused endothelium-independent relaxation in the pre-contracted aorta of db/db mice. Maximal endothelium-dependent ACh-induced relaxation was reduced in diabetic but not pre-diabetic db/db mice compared to age-matched db/+ mice, while maximal SNP-induced relaxation was not different between diabetic and non-diabetic mice. ACh-induced relaxation in diabetic db/db mice was not affected by ozagrel, a thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) synthetase inhibitor, or acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, suggesting no involvement of endogenous TXA(2) or prostanoids in the reduction of relaxation. Maximal endothelium-dependent ADP-, A-23187-, and NaF-induced relaxation was not reduced in diabetic db/db mice. EC(50) values for ACh- and SNP-induced relaxation were increased in diabetic but not pre-diabetic db/db mice, suggesting decreases in sensitivity to NO in diabetic mice. Two-week treatment with KV-5070, a PPARgamma agonist, lowered plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), and insulin but not cholesterol, and reversed the reduced ACh-induced relaxation. In conclusion, ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation is impaired in diabetic db/db mice, probably due to the dysfunction of ACh receptors and/or receptor-G protein coupling. Endothelial dysfunction was not genetic and was considered to be initiated primarily by hyperglycemia, and was improved by anti-diabetic treatment with a PPARgamma agonist.     

Feasibility of ion-pair/supercritical fluid extraction of an ionic compound—Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride

The supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of an ionic compound, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, from a spiked-sand surface was successfully demonstrated. The effect of carbon dioxide density (CO₂), supercritical fluid composition (pure vs. methanol modified), and the addition of a commonly used reversed-phase liquid chromatographic ion-pairing reagent, 1-heptanesulfonic acid, sodium salt, on extraction efficiency was examined. The extraction recoveries of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride with the addition of the ion-pairing reagent from a spiked-sand surface were shown to be statistically greater than the extraction recoveries without the ion-pairing reagent with both pure and methanol-modified carbon dioxide.     

Mode of action of Nifurtimox and N-oxide-containing heterocycles against Trypanosoma cruzi: Is oxidative stress involved?

Chagas disease is caused by the trypanosomatid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and threatens millions of lives in South America. As other neglected diseases there is almost no research and development effort by the pharmaceutical industry and the treatment relies on two drugs, Nifurtimox and Benznidazole, discovered empirically more than three decades ago. Nifurtimox, a nitrofurane derivative, is believed to exert its biological activity through the bioreduction of the nitro-group to a nitro-anion radical which undergoes redox-cycling with molecular oxygen. This hypothesis is generally accepted, although arguments against it have been presented. In the present work we studied the ability of Nifurtimox and five N-oxide-containing heterocycles to induce oxidative stress in T. cruzi. N-Oxide-containing heterocycles represent a promising group of new trypanosomicidal agents and their mode of action is not completely elucidated. The results here obtained argue against the oxidative stress hypothesis almost for all the studied compounds, including Nifurtimox. A significant reduction in the level of parasitic low-molecular-weight thiols was observed after Nifurtimox treatment; however, it was not linked to the production of reactive oxidant species. Besides, redox-cycling is only observed at high Nifurtimox concentrations (>400 μM), two orders of magnitude higher than the concentration required for anti-proliferative activity (5 μM). Our results indicate that an increase in oxidative stress is not the main mechanism of action of Nifurtimox. Among the studied N-oxide-containing heterocycles, benzofuroxan derivatives strongly inhibited parasite dehydrogenase activity and affected mitochondrial membrane potential. The indazole derivative raised intracellular oxidants production, but it was the least effective as anti-T. cruzi.     

Anti-allergic inflammatory activity of the fruit of Prunus persica: Role of calcium and NF-κB

Mast cell-mediated allergic symptoms are involved in many diseases, such as asthma and sinusitis. In this study, we investigated the effect of ethanol extract of fruits of Prunus persica (L) Batsch (FPP) on the mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and studied the possible mechanism of action. FPP dose-dependently inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and immunoglobulin E-mediated local allergic reactions. Histamine releasing from mast cells was reduced by FPP, which was mediated by modulation of intracellular calcium. In addition, FPP attenuated the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human mast cells. The inhibitory effect of FPP on pro-inflammatory cytokines was nuclear factor (NF)-κB dependent. Our findings provide evidence that FPP inhibits mast cell-derived allergic inflammation and involvement of calcium and NF-κB in these effects.