Interactions with the protein binding of 7-hydroxy-methotrexate in human serum in vitro

7-Hydroxy-methotrexate (7-OH-MTX), the major extracellular methotrexate (MTX) metabolite, is 90-95% bound in human serum, with albumin (HSA) as the major binding protein. Reports of an interaction with concomitantly administered non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during MTX therapy led us to investigate whether these compounds could reduce the binding of 7-OH-MTX in vitro. Equilibrium dialysis experiments demonstrated that naproxen and indomethacin concentration dependently reduced the binding of 1 microM 7-OH-MTX. After ingestion of 1000 mg naproxen, per cent unbound 7-OH-MTX in sera from volunteers increased 2-3-fold in vitro, positively correlated to naproxen concentrations (P less than 0.00015). In addition, etacrynic acid, bilirubin, sulphamethizole and acetylsalicylic acid displaced 7-OH-MTX from its binding protein(s) in a competitive manner. The data suggest that 7-OH-MTX interacts with several exogenous and endogenous substances associated with HSA in human serum. Displacement of 7-OH-MTX from HSA may contribute to the interaction between NSAIDs and MTX.     

Serum protein binding of propylthiouracil

Serum protein binding of propylthiouracil (PTU) was measured by ultrafiltration in healthy and hyperthyroid patients. The serum protein binding in 12 euthyroid subjects was 76.2 +/- 1.2% (mean +/- s.d.), not significantly different from the values in 10 hyperthyroid patients: 76.6 +/- 1.3% Binding was unaffected by incubation time and temperatures between 25 and 37 degrees C, but increased from 76.5 to 79.1% when pH changed from 7.4 to 7.9. PTU is predominantly bound to albumin with two classes of binding groups with different number of binding sites and affinity. Displacement experiments showed interaction with acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin and phenylbutazone, but not with antipyrine and nortriptyline or other basic drugs.     

Plasma protein binding of quinine: binding to human serum albumin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and plasma from patients with malaria.

The binding of quinine to human serum albumin (HSA), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) and plasma obtained from healthy subjects (10 caucasians and 15 Thais) and from Thai patients with falciparum malaria (n = 20) has been investigated. In healthy volunteers, plasma protein binding expressed as the percentage of unbound quinine was 7.9-31.0% (69-92.1% bound). The mean percentage of unbound quinine found with essentially fatty acid-free HSA (40 g L-1) was 65.4 +/- 1.5% (mean +/- s.d.) and was comparable with the value (66.3 +/- 3.8%, mean +/- s.d.) for Fraction V HSA (40 g L-1). This suggests that fatty acids do not influence the plasma protein binding of quinine. Binding of quinine to 0.7 g L-1 AAG was high (mean unbound 61.0 +/- 5.0%), indicating that quinine is bound primarily to AAG and albumin, although other plasma proteins such as lipoproteins may be involved. The mean percentage of unbound quinine was slightly less in caucasians (14.8 +/- 6.7% unbound), compared with healthy Thai subjects (17.0 +/- 6.7% unbound). The higher binding of quinine in caucasian subjects was associated with a higher plasma AAG concentration observed in caucasians. Mean percentage of unbound quinine was significantly lower in Thai patients with malaria (10.9 +/- 4.0%) than in the healthy Thai subjects. The increase in the extent of quinine binding corresponded with the increase in the acute-phase reactant protein, AAG in the patients with malaria. Overall, when the data were combined there was a significant correlation (r = 0.846, P < 0.005) between the binding ratio (bound/unbound) of quinine and the plasma AAG concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Buffer and pH effects on propranolol binding by human albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein

Propranolol binding to isolated human alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and human albumin (HSA) was studied by equilibrium dialysis at 37 degrees C. With AGP (0.067%) and HSA (4%), total propranolol concentration was varied from 0.7 to 93,000 ng mL-1. Over this concentration range the percentage drug bound to HSA declined from 49 to 39% while that to AGP declined from 68 to 4%. Two classes of sites were identified on AGP with n1k1 = 8.50 X 10(4) M-1 and n2k2 = 3.12 X 10(4) M-1. With a pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, propranolol binding to AGP was greatest when the protein was initially dissolved in pH 7.4 water compared with pH 7.2 water or the phosphate buffer. Thus, the method of AGP solution preparation affected propranolol binding by this protein. For both AGP and HSA, greater drug binding was noted with phosphate buffers in comparison with a physiological buffer. With phosphate buffers, decreasing pH from 7.4 to 7.0 decreased propranolol binding by AGP, while decreasing pH from 7.7 to 7.4 had little effect. With HSA, the percent propranolol bound consistently decreased on lowering pH from 7.7 to 7.0.     

Binding of catecholamines to alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, albumin and lipoproteins in human serum

The binding of catecholamines in human serum was determined by equilibrium dialysis at 37 degrees. For serum concentrations of 10-15 nM the bound fractions were 28.8 +/- 2.2%, 25.7 +/- 1.7% and 22.2 +/- 2.2% for (+/-)-isoproterenol (IPR), (+/-)-norepinephrine (NE) and (+/-)-epinephrine (EPI), respectively. At higher serum concentrations saturation occurred. Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AAG) possessed one high affinity binding site and approximately 10 low affinity sites. The catecholamines were bound to AAG with the same order of potency for both classes of binding sites: IPR (Kd1: 100 microM Kd2: 2.2 mM) greater than NE (Kd1: 120 microM, Kd2: 6.5 mM) greater than EPI (Kd1: 140 microM, Kd2: 14 mM). Human serum albumin (HSA) and lipoproteins (SLP) interacted with the catecholamines in a non-saturable manner. IPR showed the strongest and EPI the weakest association to both of these serum protein fractions. (-)-Propranolol was able to inhibit the binding of IPR in serum and to isolated AAG, but not to HSA or to SLP. The present results show that AAG is an important catecholamine-binding protein in human serum. AAG, but not HSA or SLP, possesses binding sites shared by adrenergic receptor stimulators and blockers.     

99mTc-neoglycoalbumin (NGA)-binding to human hepatic binding protein (HBP) in vitro.

1 Neoglycoalbumin (NGA) was synthesised by covalent coupling of 2-imino-2-methoxyethyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside (IME-thiogalactose) to the primary amino groups of human serum albumin (HSA). NGA was purified by ultrafiltration and size exclusion h.p.l.c. (SEC). 99mTc-labelling was performed with and without SEC purification. 2 Estimation of 99mTc-NGA-binding to human hepatic binding protein (HBP) revealed a complex behaviour indicating saturable high- and low-affinity sites. The high-affinity binding capacity was 1.1 +/- 0.4 pmol mg-1 human liver plasma membrane protein, the low-affinity binding capacity was 6.2 +/- 1.8 pmol mg-1 liver plasma membrane protein. The apparent equilibrium dissociation constants were 2.4 +/- 1.2 and 18.4 +/- 4.8 nM, respectively. 3 Specific binding of 99mTc-NGA to human HBP in the presence of 100 microM unlabelled NGA, Ca++ and Mg++ at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees C reached 85 +/- 5% at equilibrium. The amount of ligand specifically bound increased with the amount of human liver membrane protein added. The concentration of unlabelled agonist necessary to displace 50% of ligand bound amounted to 100 nM.     

Factors influencing the protein binding of vancomycin.

Various factors influencing the protein binding of vancomycin were examined using equilibrium dialysis method. Four per cent human serum albumin (HSA) and/or 0.08 per cent alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), dissolved in isotonic phosphate buffer, were dialyzed against isotonic phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 using Spectrapor 2 membrane. The protein binding of vancomycin to 0.08 per cent AAG was dependent on vancomycin concentrations; the values ranged from 21.1 per cent at the vancomycin concentration of 20 micrograms ml-1 to 5.30 per cent at 2400 micrograms ml-1. However, binding to 4 per cent HSA was relatively constant, 8.79 +/- 2.43 per cent over a vancomycin concentration range of 20-2400 micrograms ml-1. The values to 4 per cent HSA alone and 0.08 per cent AAG alone did not predict the greater binding of vancomycin in the presence of both proteins, especially at higher concentrations of vancomycin; the values to 4 per cent HSA with 0.08 per cent AAG were constant, 26.3 +/- 3.74 per cent, at the vancomycin concentration range of 20-2400 micrograms ml-1. This suggested an interaction between the proteins, which resulted in enhanced binding of vancomycin. The protein binding of vancomycin to 4 per cent HSA with 0.08 per cent AAG was not influenced by the different incubation temperatures (4 degrees, 22 degrees, and 37 degrees), quantities of heparin (up to 40 units ml-1) or AAG (up to 0.16 per cent), or buffers (isotonic phosphate buffer of pH 7.4, phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 and 0.9 per cent NaCl solution) at the vancomycin concentration of 80 micrograms ml-1. Vancomycin was found to be stable in human serum albumin or in isotonic phosphate buffer of pH 7.4.     

Temperature effect on serum protein binding kinetics of phenytoin in monotherapy patients with epilepsy.

The effects of temperature on the binding kinetics of phenytoin (PHT) to serum proteins were determined in patients with epilepsy. Serum samples examined in the study were obtained from 59 patients (31 male, 28 female) with epilepsy on PHT monotherapy. Their age ranged from 3 to 64 years (mean (SD), 23.3 (16.3) years). Protein binding of PHT was evaluated by ultrafiltration under current routine laboratory conditions (25 +/- 3 degrees C) or at a temperature of 37 degrees C. The in vivo binding parameters of PHT to serum proteins were determined using a binding equation derived from the Scatchard equation for a one-site binding model. Significant differences were observed in serum concentrations of unbound PHT between paired data (P < 0.05). The mean association constant (K) of PHT to serum proteins is 0.011 microM-1 at 25 +/- 3 degrees C and 0.006 microM-1 at 37 degrees C, while mean total concentration of binding sites (n(Pt)) is 1002 microM for 25 +/- 3 degrees C and 1112 microM for 37 degrees C. Significant differences were observed in the binding kinetics of PHT to serum proteins for the different temperature conditions of ultrafiltration (P < 0.05). Our study confirms that binding affinity for PHT-serum protein interaction is approximately 45% lower at 37 degrees C than at 25 +/- 3 degrees C and consequently, binding potential (K.n(Pt)) is approximately 39% lower at 37 degrees C than at 25 +/- 3 degrees C.     

Intra- and intermolecular reactions of 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane with human serum albumin

Diisocyanates are highly reactive industrial chemicals that have been shown to possess toxic activity, including potential for allergic sensitization. To assist in diagnosis of sensitization, immunoassays for diisocyanate-specific antibodies are performed; such assays require preparation of diisocyanate-containing hapten-protein conjugates. Conditions were investigated for formation of conjugates yielding varying degrees of hapten binding. Relative concentrations of haptens and proteins were varied as were pH, temperature, and time of reaction. Quantitation of 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (MDI) binding with human serum albumin (HSA) was assessed by absorbance of the isolated conjugates at 250 nm after determination of the molar extinction coefficient for MDI. At pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, the binding reaction was found to be biphasic with binding of 5-6 mol of MDI groups/mol of HSA within the first minute, followed by incorporation at a rate of 0.16 mol/min during the next 2 h. Evaluation of reaction products using SDS-PAGE revealed extensive inter- and intramolecular cross-linking of HSA by MDI. Intramolecular cross-linking was accompanied by an increased migration of conjugates from an initial molecular mass of 66 kDa, typical of HSA, to a molecular mass of 44 kDa. The change in migration was also produced by using disuccinimidyl tartarate (DST) as hapten and was eliminated when DST was cleaved with sodium periodate. It was attributed to altered protein shape. Conditions that favored binding of MDI with HSA were a high relative concentration of MDI:HSA, a pH of 9.4, and a temperature of 37 degrees C. Under such conditions it was calculated that 53 mol of MDI were bound per mole of HSA after 24 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pethidine binding in plasma: effects of methodological variables.

Several methodological variables potentially influencing the plasma protein binding of [14C]-pethidine in vitro were investigated using equilibrium dialysis and rigorous pH control. Ionic strength of buffer, pethidine concentration and 21 days of plasma samples frozen to -8 degrees C did not affect the outcome of the binding experiments. Unbound fraction decreased with increasing temperatures between 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Unbound fraction decreased with increased pH between pH 7.0 and 8.0; the mean unbound fraction at an equilibrium pH of 7.4 and at 37 degrees C was 0.58 (s.d. 0.03, n = 58). It is likely that previous reports of pethidine unbound fraction as being between 0.2 and 0.4 represent artefacts caused by inadequate pH control during dialysis.     

Cefazolin serum protein binding and its inhibition by bilirubin, fatty acids and other drugs

This paper describes the protein binding of cefazolin to human serum and to human serum albumin (HSA) using equilibrium dialysis. The drug is exclusively bound to HSA with a moderate affinity, Ka = 16,600 +/- 1600 M-1, and one saturable binding site, n = 0.73 +/- 0.02. Moreover cefazolin shows a dose-dependent binding leading a possible increase of the free fraction (when its total concentration increases). This antibiotic is displaced by free fatty acids (FFA) and bilirubin. Cefazolin binding to human serum and human serum albumin (HSA) was studied in presence of acidic drugs. At low concentrations clofibric acid and phenylbutazone both exhibiting high affinity for HSA displace strongly cefazolin. Valproic and salicylic acids, sulfamethoxazole, cefoperazone which have approximately the same affinity as cefazolin, must be used at higher concentrations to displace this antibiotic. A particular phenomenon was observed with cefazolin on HSA when associated with furosemide. A low concentration (5-25 microM) of this drug induces a positive cooperativity of binding between cefazolin and HSA. But at a molar ratio of furosemide to albumin greater than one, such cooperative interaction disappears and a competitive inhibition of cefazolin binding occurs. For all drugs studied, a competitive inhibition was found except for tryptophan. Finally, it is concluded that cefazolin shares the warfarin binding site on HSA.     

Binding of pyridostigmine bromide,N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide and permethrin,alone and in combinations,to human serum albumin

In this study we examined the interaction of the anti-nerve agent drug pyridostigmine bromide (PB, 3,3-dimethylaminocarbonyloxy- N-methylpyridiniyum bromide), the insect repellent DEET ( N, N-diethyl- m-toluamide), and the insecticide permethrin [3-(2,2-dichloroethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl ester] in binding to human serum albumin (HSA). Concentrations between 500 ng/ml and 10 microg/ml PB, DEET and permethrin, alone or in combination, were incubated with HSA at 37 degrees C for 60 min. Concentrations of PB, DEET and permethrin were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that 81.2+/-4.2%, and 84.6+/-2.5% of the initial concentration of PB was bound to HSA when incubated alone or in combination with DEET or permethrin, respectively. DEET and permethrin did not significantly interact with HSA after 1 h of incubation. Incubation of combinations of two or three compounds did not significantly alter the binding pattern of any of the compounds with HSA. These results showed that PB is highly bound to albumin protein, while the competition between PB, DEET and permethrin on binding sites of HSA as a possible site of interaction following combined administration in vivo is not likely.     

Relative bioavailability of trimeprazine tablets investigated in man using HPLC with electrochemical detection

The stability, partition coefficient, plasma protein binding, red blood cell distribution, and whole blood concentrations of trimeprazine were investigated. Trimeprazine solution was stable for 6 months at -20 degrees C and 3.5 months at 40 degrees C. In whole blood trimeprazine was stable for 5 weeks at -20 degrees C, 24 h at 4 degrees C, 4 h at 25 degrees C and 1 h at 37 degrees C. The apparent hexane-water partition coefficient varied from 1.50 (at pH 4.83) to over 100 (at pH 10.54). The fraction bound to plasma protein exceeded 0.9 as estimated by equilibrium dialysis with correction for volume shift. The mean plasma/red blood cell concentration ratio was 1.17 and the mean red blood cell/plasma distribution coefficient was 8.65. Six healthy adult males received single 5 mg doses of trimeprazine in a syrup (5 mg in 10 ml) and tablets with at least two weeks between doses. Blood was collected for 48 h. The mean (+/- s.e.m.) times for peak blood concentrations were 3.5 +/- 0.22 h for the syrup and 4.5 +/- 0.43 h for the tablets. There were no significant differences in Cmax values. The overall mean (+/- s.e.m.) terminal phase half-life was 4.78 +/- 0.59 h. Mean (+/- s.e.m.) areas under the concentration time curves from 0 to infinity (AUC infinity) were 11.0 +/- 1.99 ng h-1 ml-1 and 7.67 +/- 1.05 ng h-1 ml-1 for syrup and tablets, respectively. The mean relative bioavailability for the tablets was approximately 70% with respect to the syrup.     

Binding of prazosin to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and albumin: effect of protein purity and concentrations

Prazosin is extensively bound in human serum/plasma. In the present study a bound fraction of 93-95% was observed at 37 degrees for therapeutic drug concentrations. Both alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) and albumin (HSA) are established as transport proteins for prazosin, but their individual contribution to the extent and variability of protein binding in serum/plasma is unclear. The present study showed that AAG possesses one binding site per molecule with high affinity (Kd approximately 0.8 microM) for prazosin. HSA, essentially globulin-free, bound prazosin with lower affinity (Kd approximately 30 microM) with an average of 0.3 binding sites per molecule. However, less purified HSA, containing globulins, exhibited apparently higher affinity (Kd approximately 8 microM), but lower binding capacity (0.07 sites per molecule) for prazosin. In mixtures of highly purified proteins, the concentrations of AAG, and not HSA, determined the extent and variability of prazosin binding.     

Protein binding of nifedipine

The protein binding of nifedipine in concentrations up to 1200 ng ml-1 has been measured in serum, pure human albumin solution and pure human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) solutions by ultrafiltration. The drug was extensively bound in serum from four healthy volunteers with a mean (+/- s.d.) fraction bound of 0.992 +/- 0.008. In albumin solution (40 g litre-1) the mean (+/- s.d.) fraction bound 0.970 +/- 0.012, was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) from that in serum, suggesting that albumin is the major, but not necessarily the only, binding protein for nifedipine in serum. The binding of nifedipine in solutions of AAG was proportional to the AAG concentration and ranged from 0.514 +/- 0.059 to 0.755 +/- 0.035 in solutions containing 50 and 150 mg % AAG, respectively. Binding of nifedipine in all protein solutions was linear.     

Interaction of homopyrimidazole derivatives with biopolymers. I. Binding of MZ 144, a new potent analgesic to human serum albumin.

The binding of 1,6-dimethyl-3-carbethoxy-4-oxo-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-homopyrimidazolium-methyl-sulfate (MZ 144, Probon) to human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied in vitro. The measurements have been performed mostly by means of the classical equilibrium dialysis method. Initially several controls were run to estimate the binding of drug to Visking membrane, time required for equilibrium and to check the stability of the drug at different pH. In addition binding was studied spectrophotometrically, essentially following the method of Klotz. Treatment of binding data was based on the equation developed by Scatchard. The data obtained do not fit the single-site binding equation but could be resolved by a computer program into two sets of binding sites. At pH 7,35,4 degrees C and using a 1% HSA solution values found for binding parameters were: N1 = 0.4359, k1 = 4077 M(-1), N2 = 1.17, k2 = 424 M(-1). Protein binding is considered to have a strong effect on drug distribution only if the affinity constant for the drug, k, has a value greater than 1 times 10(4). The HSA-MZ 144 interaction is temperature dependent and pH dependent. The percentage bound as a function of total drug concentration was calculated at pH 4.96, 7.35 and 8.5; a considerable increase was observed at pH 8.5.     

Characterization of drug-protein binding process by employing equilibrium sampling through hollow-fiber supported liquid membrane and Bjerrum and Scatchard plots

The technique equilibrium sampling through membrane (ESTM) was extended to measuring the free drug concentration in solutions of drug and protein. Bjerrum and Scatchard plots were employed for characterizing individual drug binding to pure human blood proteins. Four drugs were investigated as a model system: fluvoxamine and ropivacaine which dominantly bind to alpha-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and R,S-ibuprofen and S-ketoprofen which highly bind to human serum albumin (HSA). The level of drug binding to AGP and HSA relied on drug and protein concentrations. Bjerrum and Scatchard plots revealed high affinity constants (K(a)) at low protein concentration. Both Bjerrum and Scatchard plots of fluvoxamine and ropivacaine binding to AGP showed one specific binding site (n(1)=1) with ropivacaine K(a) value close to 5 times higher than the K(a) of fluvoxamine at 22.9muM AGP concentration. Bjerrum plots of ketoprofen and ibuprofen gave total number of binding sites or bound molecules of 6-7, which did not depend on the drug or protein concentration. Scatchard plots of ketoprofen and ibuprofen exhibited two binding sites (n(1) and n(2)) at 0.15muM and 0.75muM HSA concentrations. On one hand, at 0.15muM HSA, ketoprofen and ibuprofen were bound to site I at n(1)=1.2 and n(1)=1.0, respectively. However, at 0.75muM HSA, ketoprofen and ibuprofen were bound to site I at n(1)=1.2 and n(1)=1.9, respectively. On the other hand, site II, at 0.15muM HSA, interacted with ketoprofen and ibuprofen at n(2)=5.6 and 6.7, respectively. However, at 0.75muM HSA, site II interacted with ketoprofen at n(2)=7.4 and ibuprofen at n(2)=6.2. It would be concluded that, upon mixing ketoprofen and ibuprofen in a HSA solution, a ketoprofen-ibuprofen interaction would most likely occur at site II in HSA.     

Plasma protein binding of azapropazone in patients with kidney and liver disease.

1 The free fraction of azapropazone in the plasma of 37 healthy volunteers ranged from 0.0027 to 0.0070 (0.0044 +/- 0.0009, mean +/- s.d.). The principal binding protein was found to be albumin. 2 In 27 patients with various degrees of renal failure the free fraction values of azapropazone were markedly enhanced (0.0260 +/- 0.0239, mean +/- s.d.) and increased more than tenfold in some patients. There was a weak correlation (r = 0.46, P less than 0.05) between the free fraction and the clearance of endogenous creatinine. Such correlation was not found for serum creatinine, serum albumin, serum uric acid and serum urea nitrogen. 3 In 32 patients with chronic liver disease the free fraction values of azapropazone were also markedly higher (0.0210 +/- 0.0242, mean +/- s.d.) than in healthy subjects. There were statistical significant correlation between free fraction values and the prothrombin complex activity in the plasma (r = 0.40, P less than 0.05) and the total bilirubin concentration in the plasma (r = 0.90, P less than 0.001), respectively. Such correlation was not found for serum albumin, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and serum alkaline phosphatase. 4 In patients with kidney and liver disease the free fraction values of azapropazone correlated well with those of the anticoagulant drug phenprocoumon (r = 0.93, P less than 0.001). However, the binding of the latter drug was less impaired. Bilirubin, when added in vitro, displaced both drugs from plasma proteins but this displacing effect was much smaller than the binding changes observed in patients with liver disease. 5 Kidney and liver disease caused a marked impairment of the plasma protein binding of azapropazone. In patients with kidney disease the degree of impairment of azapropazone binding cannot or only poorly (creatinine clearance) be predicted from the biochemical parameters of kidney function whereas in patients with chronic liver disease the total bilirubin concentration in the plasma may serve as an index of the binding defect.     

Variability of the serum protein binding of theophylline in patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis.

1. The serum protein binding of theophylline was studied in 28 asthmatics and 11 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who were receiving the drug regularly. Peak theophylline samples were collected at 2 week intervals on four occasions in each asthmatic and on three occasions in each CF patient. The binding was measured using ultrafiltration at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4. The total and free (unbound) theophylline concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. 2. The mean free-fractions (+/- s.d.) in asthmatics (0.50 +/- 0.03) and in CF patients (0.51 +/- 0.04) were not significantly different. The intra- and inter-subject variability in the free-fraction (fu) was relatively small in both patient groups. The binding was found to be concentration-independent at serum theophylline concentrations up to 30.9 micrograms ml-1. The effects of age, gender, serum albumin and total serum protein on the free fraction were evaluated. 3. The results indicate that the binding of theophylline is similar in the two disease states. The low degree of variability in serum theophylline binding indicates that measurements of total serum theophylline concentrations will reflect unbound serum concentrations with acceptable accuracy in both patient groups studied.     

Compartmentation of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells

We have identified alpha 2-adrenergic receptors on human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells, a suspension-grown cell line related to human platelets. properties of receptors were assessed in intact cells by binding of the antagonist [3H]yohimbine and by inhibition of cAMP accumulation. [3H]Yohimbine labeled 5900 +/- 2100 receptors/cell with a Kd of 3.6 +/- 0.9 nM (n = 7). alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors were potently coupled to inhibition of adenylate cyclase, with EC50 values for epinephrine, UK-14,304, and p-aminoclonidine in the low nM range. Treatment of cells with pertussis toxin abolished this response. In radioligand binding studies with membrane preparations [3H]yohimbine and [3H]UK-14,304 bound to the same number of sites (71 versus 69 fmol/mg of protein), and epinephrine competed for [3H]yohimbine binding in a biphasic manner. After addition of GTP, no high affinity [3H]UK-14,304 binding was detected, and epinephrine competed for [3H]yohimbine binding with lower affinity at both 4 degrees and 37 degrees. In studies with intact cells, we detected no specific binding of [3H]UK-14,304 at either 37 degrees or 4 degrees. At 37 degrees, epinephrine competed for all [3H]yohimbine binding sites with a low apparent affinity (Ki = 21 microM), whereas at 4 degrees epinephrine (up to 1 mM) was able to compete for only 59 +/- 13% of [3H]yohimbine-binding sites. The potency of epinephrine in competing for [3H]yohimbine sites in intact cells at 4 degrees was greater than at 37 degrees (Ki = 1 microM) and was similar to that observed with membranes in the presence of GTP. We hypothesize that sites not detectable by epinephrine at 4 degrees are sequestered within the cell. Treatment of HEL cells with pertussis toxin reduced the proportion of receptors on the surface from 51 +/- 12% to 23 +/- 7% (n = 3, p less than 0.05) of the total sites. Treatment of HEL cells with epinephrine (100 microM, 1 hr) reduced the cell surface component to 25 +/- 8% (n = 3) of the total sites. This treatment was not accompanied by significant desensitization of the ability of epinephrine to inhibit cAMP accumulation. We conclude that alpha 2-adrenergic receptors exist in more than one compartment in HEL cells and that interaction of receptors with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein or with agonist may regulate this compartmentation. These cells provide a new model system for the study of expression and metabolism of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.