Improvement of subcutaneous bioavailability of insulin by sulphobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin in rats

The objective of this study was to examine and compare how hydrophilic beta-cyclodextrin derivatives (beta-CyDs) improve the bioavailability of insulin following subcutaneous injection of insulin solution in rats. When insulin solutions in the absence of beta-CyDs were injected into the dorsal subcutaneous tissues of rats, the absolute bioavailability of insulin calculated from plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels was approximately 50%. When maltosyl-beta-cyclodextrin was added to the solutions, there was no change in the plasma IRI levels and hypoglycaemia compared with those of the insulin-alone solution. Dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin decreased the bioavailability of insulin, although it increased the maximal concentration of IRI in plasma and the capillary permeability of the fluorescein isothiocyanatedextran 40, a non-degraded permeation marker. When insulin solutions containing sulphobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin with a degree of substitution of the sulphobutyl group of 3.9 (SBE4-beta-CyD) were injected, the IRI level rapidly increased and maintained higher IRI levels for at least 8 h. The bioavailability of the insulin/SBE4-beta-CyD system was about twice that of insulin alone and approached 96%. The enhancing effects of SBE4-beta-CyD may be in part due to the inhibitory effects of SBE4-beta-CyDs on the enzymatic degradation and/or the adsorption of insulin onto the subcutaneous tissue at the injection site, although this does not apparently facilitate capillary permeability. These results suggest that SBE4-beta-CyD in aqueous insulin injection for subcutaneous administration is useful for improving the bioavailability and the hence the pharmacological effects of insulin.

X-ray crystallographic characterization of nilvadipine monohydrate and its phase transition behavior

Crystals of nilvadipine monohydrate were obtained from aqueous acetonitrile solution and characterized by powder and single crystal X-ray crystallography and thermal analysis. Water molecules of crystallization exist in nilvadipine monohydrate crystals in a molar ratio of 1:1 (drug-to-water) and were fixed by three hydrogen bonds with two carbonyl groups of the methyl and isopropyl esters, respectively, and one imino group of neighboring nilvadipine molecules. The conformation of the methyl and isopropyl esters in the monohydrate crystal was the reversal of that in the anhydrate crystal due to the presence of hydrogen bonds with water in the former crystal. The monohydrate crystal was slowly converted to the dehydrate at low humidity, and the latter rapidly converted to the former at high humidity. Powder X-ray diffraction studies indicated that the dehydrate retains the original structure of the monohydrate, i.e., a layer structure stacked on the ac plane perpendicular to the b-axis The solubility of the monohydrate in water was lower than that of the dehydrate and anhydrate forms, although the initial dissolution rate of the monohydrate was faster than that of the anhydrate. The present results indicated that the conformation of 1, 4-dihydropyridine-type calcium channel antagonists such as nilvadipine is easily changed by hydrogen bonds with water molecules of crystallization, and the water molecules are mobile through the void spaces formed between the layers in crystals.

Controlled release of a water-soluble drug, captopril, by a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic cyclodextrin derivatives

Parent beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-CyD (HP-beta-CyD) form 1:1 solid complexes with an orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, while hydrophobic perbutanoyl-beta-CyD (TB-beta-CyD) forms a solid dispersion or solid solution with the drug. The binary system of captopril/HP-beta-CyD or captopril/TB-beta-CyD and the ternary system of captopril/TB-beta-CyD/HP-beta-CyD in different molar ratios were prepared by the kneading method, and the release behavior of the drug was investigated. The release rate of captopril from the binary HP-beta-CyD system was rather fast, whereas that from the binary TB-beta-CyD system was comparatively slower, the retarding effect being dependent on the amounts of TB-beta-CyD. The release rate from the ternary captopril/TB-beta-CyD/HP-beta-CyD system was slowed down by the addition of small amounts of HP-beta-CyD, whereas the rate became faster as the molar ratio of HP-beta-CyD further increased (>.25 molar ratio). Both water penetration studies and microscopic observation suggested that the retarding effect is attributable to a gel formation of HP-beta-CyD in the TB-beta-CyD hydrophobic matrix. It was difficult to prolong plasma levels of captopril by administering orally either the binary HP-beta-CyD or TB-beta-CyD system in dogs. On the other hand, the ternary captopril/TB-beta-CyD/HP-beta-CyD system (molar ratio of 1:0.5:0.5) gave a plasma profile comparable to that of a commercially available sustained release preparation (Captoril R). Therefore, a combination of HP-beta-CyD and TB-beta-CyD is useful for the controlled release of water-soluble drugs such as captopril.

Effects of aging on crystallization, dissolution and absorption characteristics of amorphous tolbutamide-2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin complex

The effects of storage on the crystallization, dissolution and absorption of tolbutamide from amorphous tolbutamide-2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CyD) complex were investigated, in comparison with those of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solid dispersion. The amorphous solid complex of tolbutamide with HP-beta-CyD and the solid dispersion of tolbutamide with PVP were prepared by a spray-drying method. During storage, a stable form of tolbutamide (form I) was crystallized from the amorphous PVP dispersion, whereas a metastable form of tolbutamide (form II) was crystallized from the HP-beta-CyD complex. The dissolution rate of tolbutamide from both HP-beta-CyD complex and PVP dispersion was significantly faster than that of tolbutamide alone. However, the dissolution rate from the PVP dispersion markedly decreased with storage, because of the formation of slow dissolving form I crystals. On the other hand, the dissolution rate from the HP-beta-CyD complex was only slightly decreased due to the formation of fast dissolving formII crystals. These in vitro dissolution characteristics were clearly reflected in the in vivo absorption of tolbutamide and the glucose plasma level after oral administration in dogs. The results suggested that HP-beta-CyD is useful not only for converting crystalline tolbutamide to an amorphous substance, but also for maintaining the fast dissolution rate of the drug over a long period. Furthermore, the crystallization of drugs from CyD complexes, with storage, seemed to be different from that involving polymer excipients such as PVP.

Stromal cell-independent differentiation of human cord blood CD34+CD38- lymphohematopoietic progenitors toward B cell lineage

To study the cytokine regulation of early stages of human B-lymphopoiesis, we developed a stroma-free two-step culture system. Single human cord blood CD34+CD38- cells were individually cultured by micromanipulation with interleukin (IL)-3, stem cell factor (SCF), fIt3 ligand (FL), IL-6 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). About 10% of the cells formed primary colonies, which were individually tested for myeloid and B-lymphoid potentials by reculturing aliquots of the primary colony cells into secondary myeloid and B-lymphoid cultures. One third of the primary colonies proved capable of differentiation into CD19+IgM+ cells, as well as into myeloid lineage cells. RT-PCR analyses revealed that some cells in the primary culture had already matured to express B cell-specific transcripts. Thus, the combination of IL-3, SCF, FL, IL-6 and G-CSF supported the differentiation of CD34+CD38- lymphohematopoietic progenitors toward B cell lineage in addition to myeloid lineages. Screening of cytokines to identify the minimum requirement of cytokines in the primary culture revealed that IL-3 and SCF were essential and that the addition of FL, and to a lesser extent IL-6 or G-CSF, to the combination of IL3 and SCF remarkably enhanced the primary colony formation and the generation of CD19+ cells in the secondary B-lymphoid culture.

Virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori affecting its gastric colonization in Mongolian gerbils

Helicobacter pylori is recognized to possess a number of virulence factors. We investigated the role of motility, vacuolating cytotoxin, and urease in gastric colonization by H. pylori. Mongolian gerbils (SPF, 7 weeks old) were challenged orally with a single administration of a 24-h culture broth of H. pylori and then were killed 6 and 26 weeks after challenge. Gastric colonization, severe gastritis, ulceration, and high levels of serum anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G were observed in the gerbils challenged with strains motile in the semisolid medium (ATCC43504, HPY-127, HPY-204), but not in gerbils challenged with strains nonmotile in the medium (ATCC49503, HPY-205, HPY-206). Only strains ATCC43504, ATCC49503, HPY-204, and HPY-206 had vacuolating cytotoxin activity against HeLa and Vero cells. Thus, motile strains were able to colonize regardless of their vacuolating cytotoxin activities, and vacuolating cytotoxin was not associated with epithelial damage in the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, the phenotypic variants of strains with the ability to colonize that lacked either motility or urease activity lost their ability to colonize. In conclusion, motility and urease activity, but not vacuolating cytotoxin activity, are essential for gastric colonization by H. pylori in Mongolian gerbils.

Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study on amorphous solid complexes of tolbutamide with 2-hydroxypropyl-alpha- and -beta-cyclodextrins

PURPOSE

The objective of the study was to obtain structural information of inclusion complexes of tolbutamide with HP-alpha- and -beta-cyclodextrins in amorphous state.

METHOD

The solid complexes of tolbutamide with HP-alpha- and -beta-CyDs in molar ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 (guest:host) were prepared by the spray-drying method, and their interactions were investigated by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

RESULTS

The solid 1:1 and 1:2 tolbutamide/HP-CyD complexes showed halo pattern on the powder X-ray diffractogram and no thermal change in DSC curves, indicating they are in an amorphous state. 13C NMR signals of the butyl moiety were broader than those of the phenyl moiety in the HP-alpha-CyD solid complex, whereas the phenyl moiety showed significantly broader signals than the butyl moiety in the HP-beta-CyD solid complex. As temperature increased, signals of the phenyl carbons became markedly sharper, whereas the butyl carbons only sharpen slightly in the HP-d-CyD complex. In contrast, signals of the butyl carbons became significantly sharper whereas those of phenyl carbons only slightly changed in the HP-beta-CyD complex.

CONCLUSIONS

Solid state 13C NMR spectroscopic studies indicated that the butyl moiety of tolbutamide is predominantly included in the HP-alpha-CyD cavity, whereas the phenyl moiety in the HP-beta-CyD cavity in amorphous complexes.

Heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-acetyl)-beta-cyclodextrin: A water-soluble cyclodextrin derivative with low hemolytic activity

Acetyl groups were introduced to the hydroxyl groups of heptakis(2, 6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CyD), and the resulting heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-acetyl)-beta-CyD (DMA-beta-CyD) was evaluated for the inclusion property and hemolytic activity. It was confirmed by means of NMR and mass spectroscopies that in the DMA-beta-CyD molecule, all seven hydroxyl groups at the 3-position were substituted by acetyl groups. Thus, it has the degree of substitution (DS) of 7, whereas DMA4-beta-CyD with the lower substitution (DS 3.8) was a mixture of components with different DS. The aqueous solubility of DMA-beta-CyD was higher than those of beta-CyD, DM-beta-CyD, and heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-CyD (TM-beta-CyD). The hydrophobicity of the whole molecule, assessed from measurements of surface tension, increased in the order of DM-beta-CyD < DMA-beta-CyD < TM-beta-CyD. The half-life of DMA-beta-CyD for hydrolysis in pH 9.5 and 60 degrees C was about 19 h, and there was only slight liberation of acetic acid in rabbit plasma and carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1) at 37 degrees C. DMA-beta-CyD had an inclusion ability similar to that of TM-beta-CyD for p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters with different alkyl chain lengths and an antiinflammatory drug, flurbiprofen, although it was inferior to that of DM-beta-CyD. The hemolytic activity and rabbit muscular irritation of DMA-beta-CyDs were much weaker than those of DM-beta-CyD: no hemolysis was observed even in the presence of 0.1 M DMA-beta-CyD with DS 7. The results suggest that the water-soluble CyD derivative with superior bioadaptability and inclusion ability can be prepared by properly designing substituents at the 3-position and by optimally controlling their degree of substitution.

Development of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and carcinoid due to long-term Helicobacter pylori colonization in Mongolian gerbils

A Mongolian gerbil model was used to clarify whether long-term colonization by Helicobacter pylori is an important risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. Fifty-nine gerbils (3 controls and 56 gerbils inoculated with H. pylori) were killed at various times (average, 23 months) more than 12 months after H. pylori inoculation. In the H. pylori-inoculated group, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was observed in the pylorus of 1 gerbil, and carcinoid was observed in the fundus of the stomach in 18 gerbils. No lesions were found in the stomachs of the 3 control gerbils. The results imply that long-term colonization by H. pylori is an important risk factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma and carcinoid.

Differentiation in culture of murine primitive lymphohematopoietic progenitors toward T-cell lineage

Earlier, we described a stromal cell-free two-step clonal culture system in which murine primitive lymphohematopoietic progenitors produce myeloid and B-lymphoid lineage cells. In the same culture T-cell potential of the progenitors was maintained. We now report that, in addition to myeloid and B-lymphoid cells, putative T-cell progenitors are also produced in culture. Lineage-negative (Lin-) Ly-6A/E+ c-kit+ bone marrow cells from 5-fluorouracil-treated mice were cultured in methylcellulose in the presence of SF (Steel factor), interleukin (IL)-11, and IL-7, and the resulting primary colonies were picked and pooled. When injected into severe combined immune deficiency (scid) mice, the pooled cells reconstituted the T-cell compartment of the scid mice earlier than freshly prepared primitive marrow cells. This reconstitution activity of the pooled primary colony cells was enriched in the Ly-6A/E+ and FcgammaRII/III-/low cell fractions. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and DNA-PCR analyses showed that some of the primary colony cells are differentiated sufficiently to express messenger RNA (mRNA) of T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain and pre-TCR alpha (pTalpha) and, although not frequently, to perform Dbeta-Jbeta rearrangement of the TCR gene. Micromanipulation studies confirmed the clonal origin of myeloid lineage cells and the cells positive for the T-cell-specific transcripts and D-J rearrangement of TCR beta-chain. These results suggested that, in the presence of SF, IL-11, and IL-7, primitive lymphohematopoietic progenitors differentiate toward T-cell lineage in addition to myeloid and B-cell lineages.

[Cell cycle-dependent change of the adhesive character of CD34+ progenitor cells and their VLA-4 expression]

We identified the cell cycle status of CD34+ cells of steady-state bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) obtained from healthy volunteers, and those of BM and apheresis PB samples collected from donors who had been administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Regardless of whether G-CSF treatment was undergone, more than 10% of CD34+ cells in the BM was in the S + G2/M phase. In contrast, less than 2% of CD34+ cells in the PB was cycling. After co-culturing BM CD34+ cells with a monolayer of the stromal cell line MS-5 for 1 hour, some cells adhered to the stroma. The percentage of cells in the S + G2/M phase among these adherent cells was higher than that among the non-adherent cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that CD34+ cells in mobilized PB expressed less VLA-4 than those in BM and that in in vitro-cultured non-adherent cells exhibited a lower level of VLA-4 expression than adherent cells. In addition, CD34+ cells in the G0/G1 phase expressed lower levels of VLA-4 than those in the S + G2/M phase. These findings suggested that the reduced expression of adhesion molecules such as VLA-4 by the progenitor cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle result in the release of progenitor cells from the hematopoietic microenvironment to peripheral blood.

Determination of stability constant of beta-cyclodextrin complexes using the membrane permeation technique and the permeation behavior of drug-competing agent-beta-cyclodextrin ternary systems

The stability constants (Kc) of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) complexes with phenacetin and various benzoic acids were determined using the membrane permeation technique using a cellophane membrane permeable for guest molecules which was impermeable for beta-CyD molecules. The permeation rate equations of guests in the presence of beta-CyD in the donor phase were derived and the permeation profiles were analyzed as a function of time to determine the Kc values. The Kc values determined using the membrane permeation technique were in close agreement with those determined by the conventional kinetic method and the solubility method. The membrane permeation technique is of greater advantage than the conventional methods, because in the former method the stability constant can be obtained from only one experimental run by analyzing the permeation data as a function of time. In the latter method, on the other hand, some property changes have to be measured at various CyD concentrations and in turn analyzed as a function of CyD concentration. The permeation profiles of phenacetin of the drug-competing agent-beta-CyD ternary system were estimated by using the stability constants and the experimental curves closely matched the theoretically derived ones.

Characterization of tolbutamide polymorphs (Burger's forms II and IV) and polymorphic transition behavior

Burger's two polymorphs of tolbutamide (TB), an oral hypoglycemic agent, were obtained by spray-drying the drug dissolved in a mixed solvent of ethanol/dichloromethane (Form IV) and allowing Form IV to stand at constant temperatures and humidities (Form II). These polymorphs were characterized by various physical methods [e.g., powder X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectrometry, and solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectroscopy] and compared with two other TB polymorphs Forms I and III. The 13C NMR spectra showed that the chemical shift and the peak shape of resonance associated with the toluene and n-butyl moieties of TB were different for each of the four polymorphs, whereas the carbonyl carbon was unchanged, indicating different conformations and molecular motions of the toluene and n-butyl moieties in the solid states. Form IV converted itself to Form II within 3 h when it was stored at 45 degrees C and 75% relative humidity (RH) and, in turn, Form II transformed to Form I at higher temperatures. The conversion of Form IV to Form II proceeded according to a zero-order equation (Polany-Winger equation), and that of Form II to Form I according to a first-order equation. The increase in RH accelerated the polymorphic transition of Form IV. Both the apparent dissolution rate and the solubility of Form IV were nearly identical with those of Form II, because the former changed to the latter during the dissolution, but their dissolution rates and solubility were higher than those of Forms I and III. These dissolution characteristics of TB polymorphs were reflected in the oral absorption behavior in dogs; that is, the bioavailability increased in the order Form I < Form III < Form II approximately Form IV.

Characterization of itraconazole/2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex in aqueous propylene glycol solution

The interaction of itraconazole, a triazole antifungal agent, with 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CyD) in water and 10% v/v propylene glycol/water solution at pH 2.0 was investigated by the solubility method and ultraviolet and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The solubility of itraconazole in water significantly increased as the concentrations of HP-beta-CyD were augmented, showing an AP type phase solubility diagram. The upward curvature closely corresponded to the simulation curve which was calculated on the basis of the 1:2 (guest:host) complexation model. The 1:2 complex was formed even in the presence of 10% v/v propylene glycol, although the co-solvent system made the interaction with HP-beta-CyD weaker due to the competitive inclusion. The ultraviolet spectroscopic studies also supported the 1:2 complex formation of itraconazole with HP-beta-CyD in 10% v/v propylene glycol/water solution at pH 2.0. The 1H-NMR spectroscopic studies suggested that the triazole and triazolone moieties of itraconazole are involved in the 1:2 inclusion complexation.

Solubility and mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies on interaction of cyclosporin A with dimethyl-alpha- and -beta-cyclodextrins in aqueous solution

The interaction of cyclosporin A (CsA) with dimethyl-alpha- and -beta-cyclodextrins (DM-alpha-CyD and DM-beta-CyD) was investigated by the solubility method, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). The extremely low solubility (1.9 x 10(-5) M at 25 degreesC) of CsA in water was significantly improved by the complexation with DM-CyDs: for example, the solubility increased 87-fold in the presence of 5.0 x 10(-2) M DM-beta-CyD. The phase solubility diagram of CsA/DM-CyD systems showed an Ap type and the stability constants (1060 M-1 and 1050 M-1, respectively) of the 1:1 CsA/DM-alpha-CyD and CsA/DM-beta-CyD complexes were much higher than those of the 1:2 complexes (15 M-1 and 21 M-1, respectively). In ESI-MS spectra of the CsA/DM-beta-CyD system, a new signal emerged at 1268 which corresponds to the 1:1 adduct of the di-ionized guest molecule with the host molecule. This signal intensity was significantly decreased by the addition of chlorpromazine (CPZ) which has a large stability constant (8800 M-1) of the DM-beta-CyD complex, whereas the signal corresponding to the CPZ/DM-beta-CyD complex was little affected by the addition of CsA, indicating a competitive inclusion of CPZ and CsA within the host cavity. CsA gave many new peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum when the solvent was changed from chloroform to methanol/water, suggesting conformational diversity of CsA in polar solvents. Inspection of 1H-chemical shift changes and the two-dimensional rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect (ROESY) spectra of the CsA/DM-CyD system suggested that the side chains of amino acids in CsA molecule take part in the inclusion within DM-CyDs, although there is seemingly no preference of particular amino acid residues. All the data obtained here suggested that CsA forms inclusion complexes with DM-alpha- and -beta-CyDs in an aqueous medium and side chains of CsA are mainly involved in the inclusion.

Enhanced absorption of cyclosporin A by complexation with dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin in bile duct-cannulated and -noncannulated rats

The enhancing effects of dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CyD) on the absorption of cyclosporin A (CsA) after oral administration to rats under bile duct-cannulated and -noncannulated conditions were investigated. The dissolution rate of CsA was markedly augmented by complexation with DM-beta-CyD. In a closed loop in situ study, DM-beta-CyD considerably increased the cumulative amounts of CsA in the mesenteric venous blood after injection of the aqueous CsA suspension into the small intestinal sac of rats. In addition, the cumulative amount ratio of M1, the dominant metabolite of CsA in rats, to CsA in the mesenteric venous blood for up to 40 min after the injection of the CsA-DM-beta-CyD suspension into the sac was lower than that of the CsA suspension alone. DM-beta-CyD inhibited the bioconversion of CsA in the small intestinal microsomes of rats. These results indicate that the bioconversion of CsA was abated by complexation with DM-beta-CyD. An in vivo study revealed that DM-beta-CyD increased the transfer of CsA to blood, not lymph, with low variability in the absorption after oral administration of the CsA suspension to rats. The variability of bioavailability of DM-beta-CyD complex was lower than that of Sandimmune, although the extent of bioavailability of DM-beta-CyD was only a little higher than that of Sandimmune. The bioavailability of CsA or its DM-beta-CyD complex was appreciably decreased by the cannulation of the bile duct of rats, and the extent of the lowering in the bioavailability in the presence of DM-beta-CyD was much less serious than that of CsA alone. The present results suggest that DM-beta-CyD is particularly useful in designing oral preparations of CsA with an enhanced bioavailability and a reduced variability in absorption.

A clonal culture assay for human cord blood lymphohematopoietic progenitors

We describe a two-step clonal culture assay system for human lymphohematopoietic progenitors present in umbilical cord blood which are capable of differentiation along both myeloid and B-lymphoid lineages. Human cord blood CD34+ cells were plated in methylcellulose in the presence of stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin (IL)-7, and the murine stroma cell line, MS-5. The growing primary colonies were individually examined for their potentials to differentiate along both myeloid and B-lymphoid lineages by reculturing aliquots of the primary colonies in methylcellulose culture containing IL-3, G-CSF and erythropoietin (Epo), and on a monolayer of MS-5 in the presence of SCF and G-CSF. Approximately 10-15% of the primary colonies generated various combinations of myeloid cells and CD19+ sIgM+ cells. Subsequent studies using micromanipulated single CD34+ cells unequivocally demonstrated the clonal origin of the lymphohematopoietic progenitors. This culture system should prove valuable for elucidation of the mechanisms regulating early stages of human lymphohematopoiesis.

Comparison of the anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects of YM-75466, a novel orally-active factor Xa inhibitor, and warfarin in mice

The anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects of YM-75466 (N-[4-[(1-acetimidoyl-4-piperidyl)oxy]phenyl]-N-[(7-amidino-2-naph thyl)methyl]sulfamoyl acetic acid monomethanesulfonate), a novel orally-active factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor, and warfarin were compared in mice. Both agents were orally administered in all studies. In ex vivo studies, the peak effects of YM-75466 occurred 1 hr after administration while the peak of warfarin activity occurred 18 hr after administration. At each peak, both YM-75466 and warfarin prolonged coagulation time dose-dependently. The dose response curve of warfarin for prothrombin time was steeper than that of YM-75466. In a thromboplastin-induced thromboembolism model, administration of 30 mg/kg YM-75466 or 3 mg/kg warfarin significantly improved the lethality ratio. In blood loss studies, YM-75466 did not increase blood loss from the tail even at 30 mg/kg, while warfarin markedly increased blood loss at 3 mg/kg. Agents that interfere with warfarin action did not interfere with YM-75466 action. In conclusion, this study shows that YM-75466 has advantages over warfarin: i) rapid onset of anticoagulant activity, ii) wide therapeutic range, iii) little effect on bleeding and iv) lack of drug interaction with agents that interfere with warfarin. These results suggest that YM-75466 may be promising as a novel oral anticoagulant agent.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7-(2-aminoalkyl)morpholinoquinolones as anti-Helicobacter pylori agents

A series of the titled compounds was synthesized and tested for anti-Helicobacter pylori activities. We discovered Y-34867 having the most potent activity against Helicobacter pylori among the quinolones tested along with high photostability. Furthermore, Y-34867 showed an excellent therapeutic effect in the experimental Helicobacter pylori infected Mongolian gerbil model.

Different adhesive characteristics and VLA-4 expression of CD34(+) progenitors in G0/G1 versus S+G2/M phases of the cell cycle

We identified the cell cycle status of CD34(+) cells of steady-state bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) obtained from healthy volunteers, and those of apherasis PB samples collected from healthy donors who had been administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). More than 10% of CD34(+) cells in BM were in S+G2/M phase. In contrast, regardless of whether G-CSF treatment was performed, less than 2% of CD34(+) cells in PB were cycling. BM CD34(+) cells showed greater VLA-4 expression and adherence to stromal cells than PB CD34(+) cells. In addition, when cycling and dormant BM CD34(+) cells were analyzed separately, the cells in S+G2/M phase expressed more VLA-4 and adhered to the stromal cell monolayer more efficiently than the cells in G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, this adhesion of CD34(+) cells to the stromal cell layer was almost completely inhibited by anti-VLA-4 antibody. Taken together, these results suggest that CD34(+) progenitors in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle differ from those in S+G2/M phase in adhesiveness mediated by VLA-4 in the hematopoietic microenvironment.

Negative regulation by interleukin-3 (IL-3) of mouse early B-cell progenitors and stem cells in culture: transduction of the negative signals by betac and betaIL-3 proteins of IL-3 receptor and absence of negative regulation by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The receptors for interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-5 share a common signaling subunit betac. However, in the mouse, there is an additional IL-3 signaling protein, betaIL-3, which is specific for IL-3. We have previously reported that IL-3 abrogates the lymphoid potentials of murine lymphohematopoietic progenitors and the reconstituting ability of hematopoietic stem cells. We used bone marrow cells from betac- and betaIL-3-knock-out mice to examine the relative contributions of the receptor proteins to the negative regulation by IL-3. First, we tested the effects of IL-3 on lymphohematopoietic progenitors by using lineage-negative (Lin-) marrow cells of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated mice in the two-step methylcellulose culture we reported previously. Addition of IL-3 to the combination of steel factor (SF, c-kit ligand) and IL-11 abrogated the B-lymphoid potential of the marrow cells of both types of knock-out mice as well as wild-type mice. Next, we investigated the effects of IL-3 on in vitro expansion of the hematopoietic stem cells. We cultured Lin-Sca-1-positive, c-kit-positive marrow cells from 5-FU-treated mice in suspension in the presence of SF and IL-11 with or without IL-3 for 7 days and tested the reconstituting ability of the cultured cells by transplanting the cells into lethally irradiated Ly-5 congenic mice together with "compromised" marrow cells. Presence of IL-3 in culture abrogated the reconstituting ability of the cells from both types of knock-out mice and the wild-type mice. In contrast, addition of GM-CSF to the suspension culture abrogated neither B-cell potential nor reconstituting abilities of the cultured cells of wild-type mice. These observations may have implications in the choice of cytokines for use in in vitro expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors.

Antithrombotic effect of YM-75466 is separated from its effect on bleeding time and coagulation time

The antithrombotic effects of YM-75466 ([N-[4-[(1-acetimidoyl-4-piperidyl)oxy]phenyl]-N-[(7-amidino-2-nap hthyl)methyl]sulfamoyl]acetic acid monomethane sulfonate), a novel orally-active factor Xa inhibitor, and its effects on bleeding time and coagulation time were studied in rats and compared with those of warfarin. Both agents were orally administered. In the venous thrombosis model, YM-75466 and warfarin inhibited thrombus formation dose-dependently, with ID50 values of 3.3 and 0.56 mg/kg, respectively. Ex vivo study showed that both YM-75466 and warfarin prolonged prothrombin time dose-dependently, with doses, causing a two-fold prolongation of prothrombin time in the control group, of 89 and 0.38 mg/kg, respectively. In bleeding time studies, YM-75466 and warfarin prolonged bleeding time dose-dependently, with doses, causing a two-fold prolongation of bleeding time in the control group, of > 100 and 0.43 mg/kg, respectively. These results show that the antithrombotic effects of YM-75466 are markedly separate from its effects on bleeding time and coagulation time compared with warfarin.

Colon-specific drug delivery based on a cyclodextrin prodrug: release behavior of biphenylylacetic acid from its cyclodextrin conjugates in rat intestinal tracts after oral administration

An antiinflammatory drug biphenylylacetic acid (BPAA) as a model drug was selectively conjugated onto one of the primary hydroxyl groups of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins (CyDs) through an ester or amide linkage, and the in vivo drug release behavior of these prodrugs in rat gastrointestinal tracts after oral administration was investigated. The CyD prodrugs were stable in rat stomach and small intestine and negligibly absorbed from these tracts. Three to six hours after the oral administration, most of the prodrugs had moved to the cecum and colon. The alpha- and gamma-CyD amide prodrugs were hydrolyzed to the maltose conjugate in the cecum and colon, and these prodrugs and the conjugate were negligibly absorbed. On the other hand, the alpha- and gamma-CyD ester prodrugs produced BPAA in the cecum and colon, and BPAA appeared in the blood after 3-6 h. Both beta-CyD amide and ester prodrugs released only small or negligible amounts of the maltose conjugate or BPAA in the cecum and colon, within 24 h, probably due to the low solubility in the biological media. Further, the antiinflammatory effect of the gamma-CyD ester prodrug was evaluated using the model of carageenan-induced acute edema in rat paw and compared with those of BPAA alone and the BPAA/beta-CyD complex prepared by the kneading method in a molar ratio of 1:1. In the case of the beta-CyD complex, a rapid antiinflammatory response was observed, compared to BPAA alone, because the drug is mainly absorbed from the small intestine after a fast dissolution of the complex. In sharp contrast, the gamma-CyD ester prodrug needed a fairly long lag time to exhibit the drug activity, because BPAA is produced after the prodrug had reached the cecum and colon. The present results clearly suggest that the CyD prodrug approach can provide a versatile means for constructions of not only colon-specific delivery systems but also delayed-release system of certain drugs.

Antithrombotic effects of YM-60828 in three thrombosis models in guinea pigs

The antithrombotic effects of a novel factor Xa inhibitor, YM-60828 ([N-[4-[(1-acetimidoyl-4-piperidyl)oxy]phenyl]-N-[(7-amidino-2-nap hthyl)methyl]sulfamoyl]acetic acid dihydrochloride), in three thrombosis models in guinea pigs were studied in comparison with its effect on bleeding time. The antithrombotic effects of YM-60828 were most pronounced in the venous thrombosis and the arterio-venous shunt models but YM-60828 showed 10-fold weaker effects in the carotid thrombosis model. However, YM-60828 prolonged bleeding time at a much higher dose than that required in all thrombosis models. In conclusion, YM-60828 exerted its antithrombotic effects without prolonging bleeding time in all thrombosis models and may be of clinical value not only in venous thrombosis but also in arterial thrombosis.