Stability and cytotoxicity of Fab-ricin A immunotoxins prepared with water soluble long chain heterobifunctional crosslinking agents

The effects of the hindered and non-hindered water soluble long-chain disulfide bonds on the stability and cytotoxicity of the ricin A chain (RTA) immunotoxin were examined. The RTA immunotoxins were prepared with the Fab fragments of anti-common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) monoclonal antibody (Fab-RTA) using sulfosuccinimidyl-6-[(-methyl-(-(2-pyridyldithio)toluamido]hexanoate (S-LC-SMPT) and sulfosuccinimidyl-6-[3-(2-pyridyldithio)-propionamido]hexanoate (S-LC-SPDP). The prepared Fab-RTA immunotoxins were evaluated for their conjugation yield, immunoreactivity, thermal and disulfide bond stability and cytotoxicity. The conjugation yield of the Fab-RTA immunotoxin from the water soluble long chain crosslinking agents, S-LC-SMPT and S-LC-SPDP, were comparable. Both Fab-RTA immunotoxins exhibited a similar immunoreactivity and thermal stability in aqueous solution. However, S-LC-SMPT -mediated Fab-RTA, sterically hindered, showed an enhanced disulfide bond stability in vitro over S-LC-SPDP mediated one. In the cytotoxicity against antigenic cell Daudi, the S-LC-SMPT -mediated RTA immunotoxin maintained a comparable cytotoxicity, compared with S-LC-SPDP mediated Fab-RTA immunotoxin.

Isolation, characterization, and stability of positional isomers of mono-PEGylated salmon calcitonins

PURPOSE

To separate and characterize the different positional isomers of mono-PEGylated salmon calcitonins (mono-PEG-sCTs) and to evaluate the effects of the PEGylation site on the stability of different mono-PEG-sCTs in rat kidney homogenate.

METHODS

Mono-PEG-sCTs were prepared using succinimidyl carbonate monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (5,000 Da) and separated by gel-filtration HPLC followed by reversed-phase HPLC. To characterize PEGylated sCTs, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and reversed-phase HPLC of the trypsin digested samples were performed. Mono-PEG-sCTs and sCT in rat kidney homogenates were measured by column-switching reversed-phase HPLC with on-line detection of the radioiodinated samples using a flow-through radioisotope detector.

RESULTS

Three different mono-PEGylated sCTs were separated by reversed-phase gradient HPLC. From the MALDI-TOF MS analysis, the average molecular weight of mono-PEG-sCTs was confirmed as around 8650 Da. The presence of PEG moiety in the mono-PEG-sCTs was also manifested by the fact that the distance between two adjacent mass spectum lines was 44 Da which corresponds to PEG monomer unit. Tryptic digestion analysis demonstrated that these mono-PEG-sCTs are 3 positional isomers of N-terminus, Lys18- and Lys11-residue modified mono-PEGylated sCTs. The degradation half-life of these 3 positional isomers in rat kidney homogenates significantly increased in order of the N-terminus (125.5 min), Lys11- (157.3 min), and Lys18 residue modified mono-PEGylated sCT (281.5 min) over the native sCT (4.8 min).

CONCLUSION

Three positional isomers of mono-PEGylated sCTs were purified and characterized. Of these, the resistance to proteolytic degradation was highest for the Lys18-residue modified mono-PEG-sCT. These studies demonstrate that the in vivo stability of PEGylated sCTs is highly dependent on the site of PEG molecule attachment.

Expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase during leaf ontogeny in white clover

We examined the expression of three distinct 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase genes during leaf ontogeny in white clover (Trifolium repens). Significant production of ethylene occurs at the apex, in newly initiated leaves, and in senescent leaf tissue. We used a combination of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends to identify three distinct DNA sequences designated TRACO1, TRACO2, and TRACO3, each with homology to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase. Southern analysis confirmed that these sequences represent three distinct genes. Northern analysis revealed that TRACO1 is expressed specifically in the apex and TRACO2 is expressed in the apex and in developing and mature green leaves, with maximum expression in developing leaf tissue. The third gene, TRACO3, is expressed in senescent leaf tissue. Antibodies were raised to each gene product expressed in Escherichia coli, and western analysis showed that the TRACO1 antibody recognizes a protein of approximately 205 kD (as determined by gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis) that is expressed preferentially in apical tissue. The TRACO2 antibody recognizes a protein of approximately 36.4 kD (as determined by gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis) that is expressed in the apex and in developing and mature green leaves, with maximum expression in mature green tissue. No protein recognition by the TRACO3 antibody could be detected in senescent tissue or at any other stage of leaf development.

Preparation and characterization of polyethylene-glycol-modified salmon calcitonins

The conjugation of salmon calcitonin (sCT) by covalent linkage of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was attempted to overcome several disadvantages of sCT as a therapeutic drug, namely its rapid clearance from blood circulation and enzymatic degradation. The polymer employed was succinimidyl carbonate monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (12 kDa). Superose HR size-exclusion chromatography was applied to separate the PEGylated sCTs (mono-PEG-sCT and di-PEG-sCT) from the unmodified sCT. The PEGylation of sCT was verified by an electrophoresis gel stained with iodine and by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The molecular weights of mono-PEG-sCT and di-PEG-sCT were determined to be 16,094 and 29,077 Da, respectively. PEGylated sCTs showed a substantially improved stability in rat liver homogenates as compared to the intact sCT, indicating that PEG molecules protected sCT from various degrading enzymes. These PEGylated sCTs exhibited similar biological activity to the intact sCT by adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (cAMP) assay. In clearance studies in the rat, PEGylated sCTs had significantly longer circulating half-lives than the intact sCT (11.2 min for mono-PEG-sCT and 54.0 min for di-PEG-sCT versus 4.7 min for intact sCT).

Rapid and sensitive determination of paclitaxel in mouse plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

This report describes a rapid, simple and sensitive isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array UV detection for micro-sample analysis of paclitaxel in mouse plasma. The analysis utilized a Capcell-pak octadecyl analytical column and a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile--0.1% phosphoric acid in deionized water (55:45, v/v). Paclitaxel and n-hexyl p-hydroxybenzoic acid (internal standard) were extracted from plasma by one-step extraction with tert.-butyl methyl ether. Peak purity was determined over a UV wavelength range of 200 to 400 nm. Paclitaxel and the internal standard were eluted at 3.4 min and 5.4 min, respectively, at a mobile phase flow-rate of 1.3 ml/min. No interfering peaks were observed and the total run time was 10 min. The standard curve was linear (r = 0.9999) over the concentration range of 0.010-500 micrograms/ml. The extraction recovery was > 90% for both paclitaxel and n-hexyl p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The intra- and inter-day assay variabilities of paclitaxel ranged from 0.4 to 2.2% and 0.6 to 7.8%, respectively. The LOD and LOQ were 5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively, for paclitaxel using a plasma sample volume of 100 microliters. This highly sensitive and simple assay method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after i.v. administration of paclitaxel 20 mg/kg to mice.

Stability of albuterol in continuous nebulization

Due to the emergent nature of situations requiring continuous nebulization of albuterol a premixed albuterol solution would provide faster access to the therapy when required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of albuterol solutions at a concentration (200 micrograms/mL) used in continuous nebulization when stored in various containers of polyvinyl chloride bags, polyolefin bags, polypropylene syringes and tubes and borosilicate glass tubes. Solutions were prepared in triplicate in 0.9% sodium chloride stored under refrigerated and room temperatures for seven days. Samples were removed and analyzed using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatrography assay method. Albuterol was found to be stable (greater than 90% of the initial concentration remaining) for at least seven days in all five types of containers under the conditions tested.

Kinetic interaction between fluoxetine and imipramine as a function of elevated serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels

The effect of elevated serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) levels on the pharmacokinetic interaction between imipramine and fluoxetine has been examined by utilizing a novel strain of transgenic mice which express serum AAG levels several times greater than normal. Before fluoxetine treatment, serum imipramine levels were approximately three times greater in transgenic mice than in control mice. Despite higher serum imipramine levels in transgenic mice, brain drug levels were lower than those found in control mice. Fluoxetine pre-treatment (20 mg kg(-1) for 5 days) resulted in an increase in serum imipramine levels in both groups of mice and the extent of the increase was greater in transgenic mice than in control mice (4.5-fold increase compared with 3.1-fold). Similarly, fluoxetine pre-treatment resulted in an increase in brain levels of imipramine in both groups of mice and the extent of the increase was greater in transgenic mice than in control mice (3.0-fold increase compared with 2.0-fold). Similar trends were observed for levels of desipramine in the serum and brain. Serum imipramine and desipramine levels did not correlate with their respective brain levels in the presence of elevated serum AAG levels before and after pre-treatment. These findings indicate that the extent of increases in imipramine and desipramine serum and brain levels are greater during elevated serum AAG states than during normal AAG states when imipramine is co-administered with fluoxetine.

Pharmacokinetics and antidepressant activity of fluoxetine in transgenic mice with elevated serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels

Fluoxetine, a novel selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor utilized in the treatment of depression, is avidly bound to serum albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG). AAG is an acute phase protein, and its serum levels are elevated in a variety of pathophysiological conditions including inflammation, depression, cancer, and acquired autoimmune deficiency syndrome. Further, the pharmacokinetic disposition and pharmacological activity of several highly bound drugs have been reported to be significantly altered as a result of elevated serum AAG. We investigated the effects of elevated serum AAG levels on the pharmacokinetic disposition, antidepressant activity, and steady state profile of fluoxetine and its demethylated metabolite, norfluoxetine. This was approached utilizing a novel strain of transgenic mice that expressed genetically elevated serum AAG levels severalfold over those of control mice. Serum and brain drug concentrations were determined by HPLC after fluoxetine administration. In transgenic mice, the volume of distribution and the terminal elimination half-life of fluoxetine were significantly reduced. Further, significant reductions in brain-to-serum fluoxetine concentration ratios and antidepressant activity were observed in transgenic mice, despite having higher serum drug levels than control mice. This trend in the serum continued at steady state, and brain fluoxetine levels were significantly lower in transgenic mice. The results of this study provide valuable insights regarding the consequences of elevated serum AAG levels, often seen in several disease states, on the pharmacokinetic disposition of fluoxetine.

Quantification of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine serum levels by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography assay method was developed to determine serum fluoxetine and norfluoxetine levels by single extraction of 0.1 ml of serum with sodium hydroxide. The mobile phase (55% acetonitrile-45% distilled water containing 10 mM aqueous triethylamine) was used to separate fluoxetine and norfluoxetine (25-1000 ng/ml, using clomipramine as the internal standard) by ultraviolet detection at 226 nm. The inter- and intra-day variabilities of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were 13-18%, and the recoveries of both drugs exceeded 89%. This assay method was applied to a pharmacokinetic disposition study of fluoxetine in mice.

Mandrake toxicity. A case of mistaken identity

A 31-year-old man ingested an unknown amount of mandrake plant purchased at a local health food store and came to the emergency department with severe nausea and vomiting. He was hospitalized overnight but recovered uneventfully without obvious adverse systemic effects. This plant was almost certainly Podophyllum peltatum based on chromatographic identification of podophyllotoxin in a sample. However, the patient had mistakenly believed he was taking the anticholinergic and hallucinatory plant Mandragora officinarum, which is also known as mandrake. Other users of herbal substances and authors of the medical literature have also confused these 2 versions of mandrake. Given the growing popularity of alternative therapies, physicians should understand the distinction between these substances and should be aware of the medical effects of other commonly used herbal remedies.

In vitro evaluation of a series of N-dodecanoyl-L-amino acid methyl esters as dermal penetration enhancers

A series of N-dodecanoyl-L-amino acid methyl esters (1-10) and n-pentyl N-acetylprolinate (11) were evaluated for dermal enhancement properties using an in vitro diffusion cell technique. Methods of synthesis of these compounds were described. Enhancers were applied 1 h prior to drug treatment. Hydrocortisone was used as the model drug and was applied to excised hairless mouse skin as a saturated suspension in propylene glycol. Enhancement ratios (ER) were determined for permeability coefficient, 24 h diffusion cell receptor concentration (Q24), and 24 h full-thickness skin steroid content. Controls received no enhancer pretreatment of the skin. N-Dodecanoyl-L-proline (10) showed the highest Q24 value for total steroid (ER 13.7) while N-dodecanoyl-L-phenylalanine (5) showed the highest total steroid skin retention (ER 16.5).

Steady-state kinetics of imipramine in transgenic mice with elevated serum AAG levels

PURPOSE

The effect of elevated serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations on the steady-state serum and brain levels of imipramine and its metabolite desipramine was assessed. This was approached using a novel strain of transgenic mice whose basal endogenous serum AAG levels were 8.6-fold elevated over normal.

METHODS

Imipramine was administered by s.c. infusion or i.p., injection into transgenic and control mice. After drug administration, serum and whole brain were harvested and analyzed for imipramine and desipramine concentrations. Equilibrium dialysis was performed to determine the extent of imipramine protein binding in transgenic and control sera. Serum and brain samples were analyzed for imipramine and desipramine content by an established HPLC method with UV detection.

RESULTS

At steady-state, the mean serum imipramine concentration was significantly higher in transgenic mice than in control mice (859.0 vs. 319.9 ng/ml). In contrast, the mean steady-state brain imipramine concentration was significantly lower in transgenic mice (3,862.6 vs. 7,307.7 ng/g). Similarly, in transgenic mice, the mean steady-state serum desipramine concentration was significantly higher (176.7 vs. 39.0 ng/ml) while the mean brain desipramine concentration was lower (243.0 vs. 393.5 ng/g). The serum unbound fraction of imipramine was 3-fold lower in transgenic mice (0.03 vs. 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum AAG impedes the transport of imipramine and desipramine into the brain. Further, in the presence of elevated serum AAG levels, imipramine and desipramine concentrations in the brain did not correlate with their respective concentrations in the serum.

Altered disposition and antidepressant activity of imipramine in transgenic mice with elevated alpha-1-acid glycoprotein

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant known to be bound in the serum primarily by alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. The present study examined the effect of changes in serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels on the pharmacokinetics and antidepressant activity of the drug by utilizing a novel set of transgenic mice in which the steady-state level of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein is significantly elevated over normal. The pharmacokinetic disposition was characterized after i.v. and i.p. injections in transgenic and control mice. In transgenic mice, there were significant decreases in the serum unbound fraction (0.62+/- 0.38 vs.2.48 +/- 0.43%), Vd (9.0 +/- 2.5 vs. 22.4 +/- 3.2 liters/kg), T1/2 (35.0 +/- 7.6 vs. 65.3 +/- 7.6 min) and fraction of dose excreted unchanged in urine (0.14 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.70 +/- 0.20%) with no significant alterations in systemic clearance (204.7 +/- 56.1 vs. 292.8 +/- 58.4 ml/min/kg) compared to control values. The antidepressant activity of imipramine was measured by a swimming-immobility test 30 min after either imipramine (30 mg/kg i.p.) or saline treatment. After saline treatment, there were no significant differences in the duration of swimming despair between transgenic (183 +/- 24 sec) and control (175 +/- 12 sec) mice. Imipramine treatment resulted in reductions in the duration of immobility in both transgenic (130 +/- 21 sec) and control (54 +/- 33 sec) mice. The extent of reduction was significantly less in transgenic animals than in control animals. These alterations in the antidepressant action appeared to correlate with the unbound drug concentration but not with the total drug concentration.

Rapid microsample analysis of imipramine and desipramine by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A rapid and highly sensitive HPLC assay method was developed to measure small amounts of imipramine and its major metabolite, desipramine. The assay involved simple extraction procedures using clomipramine as the internal standard. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (60%) and 0.01 M triethylamine in distilled water (40%) with the pH adjusted to 3.0. Separations were achieved on a C18 column and the effluent measured for UV absorption at 260 nm. The chromatographic separation was excellent, with no interference from endogenous serum constituents. This assay was suitable for measuring drug concentrations in the range of 10-1000 ng/ml using a 0.1-ml serum sample. The method was applied to a drug disposition study in transgenic mice with increased plasma alpha 1-acid glycoprotein.

Mammary excretion of cannabidiol in rabbits after intravenous administration

The present study examined the distribution of cannabidiol into milk after an intravenous bolus injection (3 mg kg-1) to lactating rabbits. Drug concentrations in milk and serum were measured by HPLC. Cannabidiol was excreted into milk rapidly and the drug levels in milk increased over a 4-24-h period following the maternal injection. The mean milk to serum concentration ratio was 25.9, indicating a significant accumulation of the drug in milk.

Transplacental and nonplacental clearances of diphenhydramine in the chronically instrumented pregnant sheep

Pharmacokinetic studies of the histamine H1-receptor antagonist diphenhydramine were conducted in eight chronically instrumented pregnant sheep at 126-138 days of gestation. Diphenhydramine was administered by simultaneous intravenous bolus injection and infusion to steady state given 48 h apart, to the ewe and the fetus on separate occasions. Average steady-state drug concentration in plasma after maternal infusion was 212.1 +/- 67.8 ng/mL in the mother and 36.3 +/- 14.4 ng/mL in the fetus, resulting in a fetal-to-maternal concentration ratio of 0.19 +/- 0.10. Following fetal infusions, maternal and fetal steady-state drug concentrations were 31.1 +/- 11.6 and 447.6 +/- 185.2 ng/mL, respectively. The free fraction of diphenhydramine determined in the fetus (0.277 +/- 0.087) was significantly greater than that in the mother (0.141 +/- 0.079). Transplacental and nonplacental clearances were calculated at steady state according to a general two-compartment open model, with drug elimination occurring from both compartments. The total fetal clearance (472.7 +/- 215.7 mL/min) was relatively small compared with the total maternal clearance (3426.1 +/- 905.8 mL/min). The transplacental clearance from fetus to mother (264.4 +/- 138.7 mL/min) was approximately threefold higher than that from mother to fetus (82.4 +/- 40.5 mL/min). Maternal nonplacental clearance (3343.8 +/- 890.7 mL/min) accounted for 97.8 +/- 1.1% of the maternal total clearance, whereas fetal nonplacental clearance (208.4 +/- 80.4 mL/min) accounted for 45.1 +/- 4.7% of the fetal total clearance. It is concluded that in the fetus both the transplacental and nonplacental pathways are important for drug elimination.

Sustained bronchodilation with isoproterenol poly(glycolide-co-lactide) microspheres

An animal study was carried out to evaluate the in vivo bronchodilator action of isoproterenol (Iso) from poly(glycolide-co-lactide) (PGL) microspheres. Microspheres with a mean diameter of 4.5 microns and a drug load of 7% were administered intratracheally to Long-Evans rats. The microspheres released about 70% of the incorporated drug in the instillation medium before administration, which provided immediate action, and the remaining 30% was available for sustained release. A total of 120 animals was anesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated, and divided into 15 groups (n = 8): 3 groups each for saline, blank microspheres, free Iso, blank microspheres with free Iso, and microencapsulated Iso. All instillations were made in a volume of 1 ml/kg and the dose of all Iso preparations was 0.1 mg/kg. At 3, 6, or 12 hr after the intratracheal instillation, a serotonin challenge (40 micrograms/rat) was administered intravenously to constrict the airways. Airway function tests were performed at each time interval on one group of animals by a maximal expiratory flow-volume maneuver. The heart rate in animals receiving Iso formulations was similar to that in the saline control group, indicating minimal systemic effect of the dose administered. The systemic serum levels were below 2 ng/ml in all the groups. Animals receiving encapsulated Iso resisted the serotonin challenge for at least 12 hr after intratracheal instillation, indicating that the drug was still present over this period of time. On the other hand, the serotonin-induced airway constriction observed in the animals receiving blank microspheres, free Iso, or free Iso with blank microspheres was similar to that in saline controls at all time points. The results clearly show that only a small fraction of the free dose is required in sustained-release form for a prolonged pharmacological effect, resulting in a 50- to 100-fold reduction in the total dose administered.

Pharmacokinetics of cimetidine during lactation: species differences in cimetidine transport into rat and rabbit milk

The disposition of cimetidine, including transfer into milk, was characterized in the rabbits and rats. Nursing rabbits and suckling offspring exhibited similar pharmacokinetics with a mean systemic disease (CL) in the adults and pups of 22.0 +/- 5.2 and 30.4 +/- 8.9 ml/min/kg, respectively. Cimetidine exhibited a distributional time lag and a prolonged T 1/2 in milk compared to serum (70 +/- 15 vs. 33 +/- 5 min), resulting in a time-dependent milk to serum (M/S) drug concentration ratio. The ratio of the area under the time curve of cimetidine in serum and milk was 1.49 +/- 0.37 and was comparable to a diffusional model predicted M/S ratio of 1.16 +/- 0.11. Unbound CL after a high cimetidine infusion regimen (16.6 +/- 7.3 ml/min/kg) was significantly less than that after two lower infusion rates (26.2 +/- 4.9 and 29.4 +/- 12.3 ml/min/kg, respectively). M/S determined at increasing steady-state serum concentrations were 1.03, 1.08 and 1.08, respectively, which agreed well with the corresponding predicted M/S (1.06, 1.14 and 1.13, respectively). Cimetidine was also administered to lactating rats and resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in CL (11.2 +/- 1.5, 10.8 +/- 2.7 and 7.30 +/- 1.0 ml/min, respectively) after three increasing infusion rates. The steady-state M/S ratio decreased slightly from 31.9 +/- 9.0 to 26.5 +/- 9.5 and 24.6 +/- 6.4 with the increasing infusion rate. Steady-state M/S values were 6-fold higher than the predicted M/S value (4.19). Hence, cimetidine transport into rabbit milk appears to be governed by diffusion, whereas cimetidine transfer into rat milk may involve active transport.

Pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its demethylated metabolites in lactating adult rabbits and neonatal offspring. Predictions of breast milk to serum concentration ratios

The purpose of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its metabolites in the lactating rabbit and suckling pup. The ability of a diffusional model to predict milk-to-serum drug concentration ratios (M/S) observed in vivo from in vitro experiments was established. The distribution into milk of caffeine, paraxanthine, theobromine, and theophylline was measured in lactating New Zealand White rabbits following an iv bolus dose of caffeine (5 mg/kg). M/S ratios were determined in vivo (M/Sobs; caffeine = 0.875 +/- 0.052; paraxanthine = 0.358 +/- 0.019; theobromine = 0.829 +/- 0.038; and theophylline = 0.412 +/- 0.054) under single dose conditions using area under the milk and serum concentration-time profiles. Predicted M/S values (M/Spred; caffeine = 0.797 +/- 0.040; paraxanthine = 0.316 +/- 0.029; theobromine = 0.692 +/- 0.062; and theophylline = 0.385 +/- 0.039) were calculated from in vitro measurements of the unbound fractions of drug in skim milk and serum (fm and fs, respectively), the skim-to-whole milk drug concentration ratio (S/W), milk and serum pH, and the pKa of the model compound. The pharmacokinetic profile of caffeine in the suckling pup following iv bolus administration (5 mg/kg) was more prolonged compared with adult rabbits. The mean systemic clearance of total caffeine (CIs) in the adults and the pups was 3.83 +/- 1.94 and 1.14 +/- 0.80 ml/min/kg, respectively. The mean unbound systemic clearance (CIs,u) for caffeine was 5.09 +/- 2.60 ml/min/kg in the adults and 1.41 +/- 0.71 ml/min/kg in the pups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen, antipyrine, and salicylic acid in the lactating and nursing rabbit, with model predictions of milk to serum concentration ratios and neonatal dose

The rabbit was utilized for examining the pharmacokinetics of three compounds (acetaminophen, AC; antipyrine, AN; and salicylic acid, SA) in nursing adults and their suckling offspring and for assessing the ability of a diffusional model to predict milk to serum drug concentration ratios (M/S) from in vitro experiments. AC, AN, and SA serum concentration time profiles declined monoexponentially for both adults and their pups. The mean systemic clearance (Cls) for AC in the adults and pups was 16.1 and 13.7 ml/min/kg, respectively. The mean half-lives of AC (t1/2) were 25.5 and 33.3 min in the adult and pup groups, respectively. AN declined in parallel for adult rabbits and an older group of suckling pups (23-25 days old). In a younger group of pups (18-21 days old) it declined with a longer t1/2 (97.5, 95.1, and 347.6 min in the adults, older pups, and younger pups, respectively). The mean AN Cls in the adults, the older pups, and the younger pups was 5.34, 6.30, and 1.91 ml/min/kg, respectively. The time course of SA was prolonged in the suckling pups (t1/2 of 633 min in the pups vs 78.7 min in the adult). The mean Cls values in the adults and the pups were 1.05 and 0.27 ml/min/kg, respectively. The mean systemic clearance of unbound drug (Clu) for SA was 11.2 ml/min/kg in the adults and 0.92 ml/min/kg in the pups. The serum protein binding of AC and AN was limited, whereas the mean free fraction for SA was 9.7% in adult serum and 32.5% in pup serum. AC and AN in milk paralleled serum drug profiles; a time lag was noted for milk SA. M/S ratios were determined in vivo (M/Sobs; AN = 0.885, AC = 0.580, and SA = 0.125) using area under the milk and serum concentration time profiles. Predicted M/S values (M/Spred; AN = 0.779, AC = 0.578, and SA = 0.085) were calculated from in vitro measurements of the unbound fractions of drug in skim milk and serum, the skim to whole milk drug concentration ratio, milk and serum pH, and the pKa of the model compound. Mean values for M/Sobs were highly correlated with M/Spred values (r2 = 0.976) when the present data were combined with previous data for propranolol, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and diazepam (Fleishaker, J.C., and McNamara, P.J., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 244, 919, 1988). These results support the usefulness of the diffusional model for predicting M/S in vivo, provided that the distributional process is governed by passive diffusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Pharmacokinetics of diphenhydramine after dose ranging in nonpregnant ewes

Studies were conducted to characterize the pharmacokinetics of diphenhydramine in nonpregnant ewes after iv administration of 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-mg doses of diphenhydramine hydrochloride on a crossover basis. Plasma drug concentration versus time data exhibited multiexponential characteristics. The initial distribution half-life increased from 5 to 9 min and the elimination half-life from 34 to 68 min as the dose was increased. There was also an increase in the volume of distribution (from 3 to 6 L/kg) with increasing dose. The elimination half-life and the volume of distribution after a 200-mg dose were significantly greater than after a 25-mg dose. There was, however, a linear increase in AUC0 infinity as dose was increased. The average total body clearance (approximately 5 L/h/kg) remained unchanged regardless of dose. The free fraction of diphenhydramine determined by equilibrium dialysis averaged 0.229 +/- 0.080, and the extent of drug binding to plasma protein was independent of the drug concentrations encountered (30-780 ng/mL) in the nonpregnant sheep in vivo. Concentration-independent binding of the drug was also confirmed by in vitro binding studies over the drug concentration range 10-2000 ng/mL. Therefore, it appears that changes in the volume of distribution are likely to be a result of changes in tissue uptake or binding of the drug as a function of dose.

Effects of diphenhydramine in the fetal lamb after maternal or fetal administration

The effects of diphenhydramine on fetal behavioral states, breathing activity, blood gas status, arterial pressure and heart rate have been investigated in the fetal lamb after maternal or fetal drug administration to steady state in chronically instrumented pregnant sheep. During maternal drug infusion there were declines in the percentage of low voltage electrocorticographic (ECoG) pattern 55-46%), the percentage of low voltage ECoG activity containing rapid eye movements (80-55%), the overall incidence of fetal breathing (42-21%) and in the amount of breathing during low voltage ECoG activity (67-36%). These sedative like effects occurred at fetal plasma drug concentrations (approximately 36 ng/ml) lower than those resulting in discernable central nervous system effects in adults. Drug infusion to fetus achieved higher fetal plasma drug levels (approximately 448 ng/ml) and resulted in a transient decline in arterial Po2 and pH, associated with transient tachycardia and vigorous breathing movements during the initial portion of the infusion. There was also a significant fall in the amount of low voltage ECoG pattern (51-26%) and marked increases in the amount of intermediate voltage pattern (8-46%), and an increase in the occurrence of rapid eye movements during this intermediate voltage pattern (8-63%). In summary, diphenhydramine elicits significant effects in the fetal lamb, the precise nature of which varies with drug concentration.

Drug accumulation in lung fluid of the fetal lamb after maternal or fetal administration

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the antiemetic drug metoclopramide and the antihistamine diphenhydramine have been determined in a chronically catheterized pregnant sheep preparation. Metoclopramide and diphenhydramine were administered by separate maternal and fetal intravenous infusions to a steady state as well as by maternal intravenous bolus dosing. Drug concentrations in the maternal and fetal plasma and the amniotic and tracheal fluids were measured by means of capillary gas-liquid chromatographic assay techniques. Both metoclopramide and diphenhydramine were excreted into tracheal fluid in substantial quantities. Tracheal metoclopramide concentrations were found to exceed fetal plasma levels by about fifteen-fold while diphenhydramine attained maximal excretion in tracheal fluid of about five times that seen in fetal plasma. Drug levels were observed to accumulate slowly in amniotic fluid and eventually to exceed tracheal concentrations. The markedly elevated concentrations of these drugs in fetal lung fluid suggests that the fetal lung may be an important route of drug distribution, elimination, and excretion.