The novel formulation design of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) type O/W microemulsion III: the permeation mechanism of a poorly water soluble drug entrapped O/W microemulsion in rat isolated intestinal membrane by the Ussing chamber method

We used ibuprofen as a poorly water soluble model drug, to examine the influence of bile salts and mucin layers on the permeability of that entrapped in an O/W microemulsion, in a rat isolated intestinal membrane by the Ussing chamber method. Under the presence of 3 kinds of the primary bile salts such a sodium taurocholate, etc., or a secondary bile salt such a sodium taurochenodeoxycholate at 0.01 mmol/L concentration, a significant difference was not demonstrated in the permeation clearance of the ibuprofen entrapped O/W microemulsion, as compared with the case without the bile salts. Thus, the bile salts did not have a remarkable influence on the permeability of the drug entrapped in the O/W microemulsion, and it was verified that this O/W microemulsion was hardly influenced by the flow of the bile secretion. On the other hand, when N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) with the removal ability of a mucin layer was combined with the ibuprofen entrapped O/W microemulsion at the concentration of 3 and 10 mmol/L, it was shown that the permeation clearance of free ibuprofen did not decrease, but that of ibuprofen entrapped in the O/W microemulsion decreased with the increase of the NAC concentration. Therefore, it is confirmed that the mucin layer participates in the permeability of the drug entrapped in the O/W microemulsion. From these results, the mechanism in which the drug entrapped in the O/W microemulsion is released in a mucin layer, without passing through the route of the mixed micelle formation by bile, thereafter the drug permeates an intestinal membrane, is supposed.

The novel formulation design of O/W microemulsion for improving the gastrointestinal absorption of poorly water soluble compounds

The design of the novel O/W microemulsion formulation, which enhances the oral bioavailability by raising the solubility of poorly water soluble compounds was examined. Using medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT), diglyceryl monooleate (DGMO-C), polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 40 (HCO-40), ethanol and PBS (pH 6.8) as an oil phase, a lipophilic surfactant, a hydrophilic surfactant, a solubilizer and an aqueous phase, at the mixture ratio of 5%/1%/9%/5%/80% (w/w), respectively, the O/W microemulsion with an average particle diameter of 20 nm or less was prepared. Moreover, for nine kinds of poorly water soluble compounds, such as Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Tamoxifen, Testosterone, Tolbutamide and other new compounds, the solubility to water was increased from 60 to 20,000 times by this O/W microemulsion formulation. The AUCs in plasma concentration of Ibuprofen and a new compound, ER-1039, following single oral administration of these compounds as the O/W microemulsion to fasted rats were equivalent to that of solution administration or increased by nine and two times that of suspension administration, respectively. Accordingly, this novel O/W microemulsion is a useful formulation, which enhances the oral bioavailability by raising the solubility of poorly water soluble compounds.

Possibility of Long-Term Preservation of Freeze-Dried Mouse Spermatozoa1

Freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa are capable of participating in normal embryonic development after injection into oocytes. When the freeze-dried spermatozoa are used as a method for storage of genetic materials, however, it is essential to assure the relevance of long-term preservation over several decades or centuries. Thus, we applied the theory of accelerated degradation kinetics to freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa. Thermal denaturation kinetics were determined based on Arrhenius plots derived from transition-state theory analysis at three elevated temperatures: 30, 40, and 50 degrees C. Accelerated degradation kinetics were calculated by extrapolation of Arrhenius plots. This theory also is being applied to the long-term stability of drugs. The estimated rate of development to the blastocyst stage at 3 and 6 mo and at 1, 10, and 100 yr of sperm storage at 4 degrees C were 21.60%, 7.91%, 1.00%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. At -80 degrees C, estimated development rates to the blastocyst stage that would be expected after 100 yr of storage did not decline significantly. In addition, after 3 or 6 mo of storage at 4 or -80 degrees C, preimplantation development of the embryos derived from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was examined. The actual developmental rates to the blastocyst stage from ICSI by freeze-dried sperm stored for 3 mo at 4 and -80 degrees C were 21% and 62%, respectively, and the rates for such sperm stored for 6 mo were 13% and 59%, respectively. These results indicate that the determination of accelerated degradation kinetics can be applied to the preservation of freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa. Furthermore, for long-term preservation, freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa appear to require being kept at lower than -80 degrees C.

The Novel Formulation Design of Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDS) Type O/W Microemulsion II: Stable Gastrointestinal Absorption of a Poorly Water Soluble New Compound, ER-1258 in Bile-fistula Rats

The stabilization effect of the novel self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) type O/W microemulsion on the gastrointestinal absorption of a poorly water soluble new compound, ER-1258 was examined by bile-fistula model rats. In the components of this formulation, medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT), diglyceryl monooleate (DGMO-C), polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 40 (HCO-40) and ethanol were used as an oil, a lipophilic surfactant, a hydrophilic surfactant and a solubilizer at the mixture ratio of 25/5/45/25 w/w%, respectively. The ratios of AUC in the non-treated rats to that in the bile-fistula rats were 5.1, 12.1 and 3.0 for the suspension, the oily solution and the SEDDS type O/W microemulsion, respectively. The risk from which the difference between individuals of the compound absorption amounts resulting from the flow of the bile secretion serves as the maximum was high in order of oily solution>suspension>SEDDS type O/W microemulsion. Therefore, it was verified that the SEDDS type O/W microemulsion was able to reduce this risk, compared with the other formulations. When short chain fatty acid triglyceride (Triacetin) was used as an oil, the similar effect was demonstrated in the formulation composed of sorbitan sesquioleate (SO-15) as a lipophilic surfactant and polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 60 (HCO-60) or polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate (TO-10M) as a hydrophilic surfactant.

Rapid carbohydrate digestion rate produced lesser short-term satiety in obese preschool children

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether high carbohydrate meals with different carbohydrate digestion rates have an effect on the short-term satiety in normal and obese preschool children.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

In total, 48 children of both gender, 24 normal and 24 obese, according to body mass index, aged between 3 and 6 y, were selected from children who were attending to a day-care center where they consumed three meals in the day.

INTERVENTIONS

Rapid (potato-based meal) and lente (spaghetti-based meal) carbohydrate digestion rate meal were given at lunch, matching energy intake, carbohydrate, protein and fat levels, and then the preschool children's energy intake at the subsequent mealtime was observed. In this last mealtime, the children received varied types of high-acceptability foods in higher quantities than the normal serving.

RESULTS

At lunch, a significant higher energy intake, lesser satiation, was observed in both groups, normal-weight and obese children, when they consumed the potato-based meal. In the subsequent mealtime, a significant effect of carbohydrate digestion rate was demonstrated, but only in obese preschool children, being higher in the meal with rapid digestion rate carbohydrates.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid carbohydrate digestion rate meal produced a significative lesser satiation in normal-weight and obese children. However, only in obese children a significant lesser satiety was observed after consumption of the rapid carbohydrate digestion rate meal, indicating a decreased capacity of energy regulation in obese children. The finding of the present work could provide dietary strategies required for decreasing prevalence in overweight and obesity in preschool children.

[Analog gamma camera digitalization computer system]

OBJECTIVE

Digitalization of analogue gamma cameras systems, using special acquisition boards in microcomputers and appropriate software for acquisition and processing of nuclear medicine images is described in detail.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Microcomputer integrated systems interconnected by means of a Local Area Network (LAN) and connected to several gamma cameras have been implemented using specialized acquisition boards. The PIP software (Portable Image Processing) was installed on each microcomputer to acquire and preprocess the nuclear medicine images. A specialized image processing software has been designed and developed for these purposes. This software allows processing of each nuclear medicine exam, in a semiautomatic procedure, and recording of the results on radiological films.

RESULTS

. A stable, flexible and inexpensive system which makes it possible to digitize, visualize, process, and print nuclear medicine images obtained from analogue gamma cameras was implemented in the Nuclear Medicine Division. Such a system yields higher quality images than those obtained with analogue cameras while keeping operating costs considerably lower (filming: 24.6%, fixing 48.2% and developing 26%.)

CONCLUSIONS

Analogue gamma camera systems can be digitalized economically. This system makes it possible to obtain optimal clinical quality nuclear medicine images, to increase the acquisition and processing efficiency, and to reduce the steps involved in each exam.

Biosynthesis of agglomerin A: stereospecific incorporation of pro-R- and pro-S-hydrogens at sn-C-3 of glycerol into the branched C3 moiety

The biosynthetic origin of the C(3) branched unit of agglomerin A has been investigated. Feeding of sn-(3R)- and sn-(3S)-[3-(2)H]glycerols to Enterobacter agglomerans PB-6042 followed by (2)H NMR analysis of the resulting agglomerin A revealed that pro-R and pro-S hydrogens at sn-C-3 of glycerol were incorporated stereospecifically into 5E and 5Z hydrogens of agglomerin A, respectively. These results imply that the immediate precursor of the C(3) branched unit is not pyruvate, but 1,3-bisphosphoglyceric acid or its biological equivalent.

Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in a cohort of middle-aged women: influences of menopause and hormone replacement therapy

In order to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and related risk factors in a cohort of middle-aged women the Laumann's test (DSM-IV) was passed to 534 healthy women between 40 and 64 years old (mean: 52.4+/-5.7) attending the Southern Metropolitan Health Service in Santiago de Chile. Of all the women, 82.8% were peri- or postmenopausal, 23% had received hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and 79.2% were sexually active. Among those who were sexually active a total of 51.3% presented SD. The prevalence of SD increased with age (from 22.2% in the 40-44-year age group to 66% in the 60-64-year age group). HRT users and healthy women presented a lower risk of SD (OR: 0.1 CI: 0.0-0.1 and OR: 0.6 CI: 0.3-0.9, respectively). The risk increased after the menopause (OR: 3.3 CI: 1.6-6.9) and with age older than 49 years (OR: 3.4 CI: 1.8-6.4), hysterectomy (OR: 3.7 CI: 1.3-10.6) and when male partners presented erectile dysfunction (OR: 3.2 CI: 1.2-8.6). In conclusion sexual dysfunction affects more than 51% of middle-aged women who are sexually active and increases with age. Ovarian function and HRT significantly influence sexual activity.

Squamocin-O(1) and squamocin-O(2), new adjacent bis-tetrahydrofuran acetogenins from the seeds of Annona squamosa

Two bis-tetrahydrofuran acetogenins, squamocin-O(1) (1) and squamocin-O(2) (2), were isolated from a MeOH extract of seeds of Annona squamosa L. Their structures were determined by spectral means including precursor-ion scanning mass spectral analysis for their aminal derivatives. The configurations at the oxymethine chiral centers were assigned as 12R,15R,16R,19R,20R,23R,24S,28S,36S for 1 and 12S,15R,16R,19R,20R,23R,24S, 28S,36S for 2, based on 1H NMR analysis of their Mosher's ester derivatives and CD data.

A comparison between an in vitro method to determine carbohydrate digestion rate and the glycemic response in young men

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the relationship between the results of in vitro determinations of carbohydrate digestion rates and the glycemic index.

SUBJECTS

Ten healthy non smoking men, aged between 21 and 24-y-old, were selected to participate in the study.

METHODS

Six different meals with similar levels of carbohydrates were assayed at breakfast in ten subjects and blood samples were obtained at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min to determine glucose levels. The Englyst's enzymatic method was used in the in vitro study. The six meals were based in cereals (rice or spaghetti); legumes (lentil soup and beans with spaghetti); and potato (potato stew with meat and vegetables).

RESULTS

The meals showed different glycemic indices: rice and spaghetti based meals had lower values (mean value 31.4 and 42, respectively); the intermediate values corresponded to lentil soup and the bean dish (49.3, and 76.8 respectively) and the higher glycemic index was shown by the potato based meal (82).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant correlation was observed when the ratio of rapid carbohydrate digestion rate and the lente carbohydrate digestion rate was correlated with the glycemic index of the meals, but not when only the rapid carbohydrate digestion rate was considered. These results demonstrate a useful, simple and inexpensive method to estimate the biological response of high carbohydrate meals.

[Paralytic ileus during treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans retinoic acid]

A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of petechiae and pancytopenia. Bone marrow aspiration showed a normocellular marrow with 92.4% promyelocytes. PML/RAR alpha mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. On the basis of above data, a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was made, and treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) at a dose of 60 mg/day was begun. Fourteen days after the start of treatment, the patient developed paralytic ileus, accompanied by hyperleukocytosis, high fever, renal dysfunction and elevation of the serum FDP level. There was no evidence of infection. At this time, retinoic acid syndrome was suspected, and therefore steroid pulse therapy was started, which led to an improvement of the symptoms within four days. This case suggests that ATRA may have an adverse effect on the small intestine, causing paralytic ileus.

Short-term satiety in preschool children: a comparison between high protein meal and a high complex carbohydrate meal

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a high protein meal has a different effect on short-term satiety in preschool children than a high carbohydrate meal by measuring their intake of a subsequent meal. Subjects were 35 normal preschool children of both genders aged 5 to 6 years. All children were healthy and randomly chosen from those who were attending to a day-care center where they received feeding at three meal times: breakfast, lunch and teatime. Children were weighed with light clothes following standard recommendations. They were normal according to the weight for height index, using the NCHS standards. Two meals with different levels of protein and carbohydrate and equal energy contents were assayed at lunch. The lunches were cooked dishes made from common ingredients. The high carbohydrate meal was consumed in greater amount than the high protein meal (P < 0.01) and a significantly greater energy intake was observed (P < 0.01). Food and energy intakes at teatime were greater with the high carbohydrate meal, but only the energy intake was significant (P < 0.05). When subjects consumed the high protein meal during lunch, they ate a significantly lower amount of protein in the subsequent meal, but the carbohydrate intake was similar. The long-term effects of a high protein diet remain to be investigated before recommending of a high protein for obese children.

Effect of the energy density and volume of high carbohydrate meals on short term satiety in preschool children

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of energy density and food volume intakes in one meal (lunch-time) on food and energy intakes in the subsequent meal (tea-time).

DESIGN

During lunch, two meals with different energy densities (1.26 and 0.69 kcal/g) were offered to preschool children using normal foods and maintaining a similar energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes. In the subsequent meal a varied type of high acceptability foods were served in higher amounts than those that children usually consume.

SETTING

A day care center where the children were fed during lunch-time and tea-time.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred and thirty-four normal preschool children, 108 males and 126 females, according to the weight for height index using the NCHS standards.

METHODS

Chemical analysis of the meals served using the AOAC methods and determination of food and energy intakes by differential weighing of the foods.

RESULTS

The preschool children had a similar energy intake at lunch but a significantly higher food intake when they consumed the meal with the lower energy density (313 vs. 290.7 kcal) (P = 0.001). There were no differences in the food intakes at the subsequent meal times.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this present work demonstrate that under the conditions of the study, there is an inverse relationship between the energy density of the meals consumed at the first meal-time and the energy intakes at the subsequent meal in normal preschool children; and a direct relationship with the short-term satiety. It is possible that differences in satiety reflect, in part, effects from the characteristics of the normal food used in the dietary treatments. These conclusions suggest that future research must be carried out in order to investigate the separate effects of food and the dietary variables commonly used in the studies of food and energy regulations in humans.

[Effect of energy density and fat level of milk formulas on subsequent food and energy intake in preschool children]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two levels of energy intakes and two levels of fat at breakfast, on the food and energy intakes in subsequent meal (lunch). The study was performed in 51 children both genders, with ages ranging from 24 to 48 months, attending a day care center. The children selected had normal nutritional status (weight/height index) according to the NCHS standards. The food intake was determined by differential weighing and energy intake was calculated from proximal analysis. The energy densities of the cow's milk formula used were 0.8 and 1.2 kcal/g, resulting in a total energy offer (breakfast) of 267.5 and 367.5 kcal respectively, the fat levels were 6.3 and 0.9 g/250 g of formula, using the design 2 x 2 factorial. In the study, 720 observations of food intake were conducted in those children consuming higher than 75% of the total food offered at breakfast. In the lunch-time were offered in alternated form two preparations with an 0.97 kcal/g of energy density. The results demonstrated that the children consumed significantly higher energy amounts in the subsequent meal, after being fed the high fat and lower energy-content breakfast. When the total energy intake (breakfast + lunch) was compared these results show that the caloric difference of breakfast was reduced and the degree of reduction was influenced by the fat level. These results show evidence for partial caloric compensation of 67% in the higher-fat level, and only 34% for the children with the lower of fat-level. It is conclude that the energy intake and fat intake at breakfast influences the energy intake at the subsequent meal. These findings are important to the preschool children's feeding with risk of malnutrition.

[Chilean edible sea macroalgae as sources of dietary fiber: effect on apparent digestibility of protein, fiber, and energy and fecal weight of rats]

The inclusion of algae as a source of fiber in the diet is justified by the present need to increase the intake of this nutrient. The aim of this study was to study on rats, the effect of dietary algae fiber on fecal weight and apparent digestibility of energy, protein and fiber. The type of algae studied were cochayuyo (frond) and ulte (basal part) (Durvillea antarctica), luche verde (Ulva lactuca) and luche rojo (Porphyra columbina). All these algae were boiled and dried at 55 degrees under air flow. Male rats, Wistar strain of 25 days of age, were fed during 29 days with diets containing casein plus the inclusion of 10% (weight) of one of these algae dietary fiber. A group having no fiber intake was used as a Control group. Algae content of dietary fiber ranged between 58.2-75.6 g/100 g (dry weight), soluble fiber portion constituted 37.9-52.4%. In relation to the Control group it was found significant reduction in the apparent digestibility of protein and energy, and a significant reduction in fecal weight. Dietary fiber digestibility ranged between 21.1 and 43.1%. This study shows that algae can be an excellent dietary fiber source, very useful to prevent or treat different fiber-deficiency related diseases.

[Effect of different starch and dietary fiber of preparations levels on immediate and subsequent consumption in preschool children 24-48 months of age]

The aim of this study was to examine in preschool children the effects of different levels of starch and dietary fiber of a meal time on the immediate food and energy intake (in the same meal time) and in the following meal (subsequent intake). The study was performed in 50 children both genders, with ages ranging from 24 to 48 months, with normal nutritional status (weight/height index) according to the NCHS standards. The food intake was determined by differential weighing and energy intake was calculated from proximal analysis. In the lunch, several meals were offered differing in their starch and dietary fiber but with similar energy density (1 kcal/g). The results of the immediate consumption demonstrated that the two dietary treatments were significantly and the effect was a lower consumption of food and energy, while the starch an dietary lower consumption of food and energy, while the starch an dietary fiber levels increased. It was observed and interaction between both variables. The subsequent food and energy intake showed the same tendency that was observed in the immediate consumption but there was not an interaction between both variables. The lowest value of intake was showed by the children who consumed the meal with the highest level of starch and dietary fiber. When results of both meal times were combined, the same effects were demonstrated. The findings described have been not reported by others authors. A probable explanation for these results are the lower gastric emptying caused bu high levels of starch and dietary fiber and in the specific case of starch by its glycemic index.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on the content and metabolism of glutathione in rat kidney]

The effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PIFA) upon the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) of the kidney was studied in 32 male Wistar rats. Two equal size groups were fed diets supplemented with either 10% or 18% corn oil. Sixteen hours before death, half of each experimental group was submitted to fasting. The content of GSH and the activity of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) and gamma glutamyl cysteine synthetase was determined in kidney tissue. Fasting led to a reduction of GSH from 3.21 +/- 0.54 to 1.25 +/- 0.20 mumol per gm in the group fed 10%. PIFA. Equivalent figures for the group fed 18% PIFA were 3.49 +/- 0.54 and 0.49 +/- 0.08, respectively. GGTP activity increased significantly after fasting but no differences were observed according to level of PIFA intake. The exaggerated reduction of GSH during fasting after a high PIFA intake may expose the animals to risk of cell damage induced by peroxides or other oxidating agents.