Single dose pharmacokinetics and tolerance of pancopride in healthy volunteers

Pancopride (LAS 30451, CAS 121650-80-4) is a new selective 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonist which has demonstrated antiemetic properties in animal models. The tolerance and pharmacokinetics of pancopride and its effect on the 5-hydroxytryptamine flare test were examined in healthy male volunteers, in three single-dose studies. The studies consisted of two rising dose tolerance and kinetic studies with placebo control, each involving 14 volunteers, and an absolute bioavailability study involving 12 volunteers. The doses used in the rising dose studies were 0.5-20 mg intravenous pancopride in the first study, and 5-40 mg pancopride as oral solution in the second study. For the absolute bioavailability study, 20 mg doses as intravenous infusion, oral tablet and oral solution were compared. Pancopride was well tolerated at these doses in these studies. There were no significant effects on pulse rate, blood pressure, or electrocardiograms, or on haematology or serum biochemistry. Few adverse events were recorded, the most significant being gastrointestinal effects (including diarrhoea and soft stools) seen particularly with the 40 mg oral dose. Pharmacokinetic parameters for the 24 h after dosing were derived from plasma and urine pancopride levels, determined using a capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Linear kinetics appeared to apply over the intravenous dose range 5-20 mg. Urinary recovery of unchanged pancopride was in the order of 10-17% over the 24 h after dosing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microdialysis sampling to determine the pharmacokinetics of unbound SDZ ICM 567 in blood and brain in awake, freely-moving rats

The free concentrations of the serotoninergic 5-HT3 antagonist SDZ ICM 567 in blood and in the central nervous system were examined in awake, freely-moving rats using blood and brain microdialysis coupled to liquid chromatography. Microdialysis probes were implanted in the jugular vein and in the frontal cortex and dialysis samples were simultaneously collected from both sites. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated after a 10 mg/kg intravenous dose of [14C]SDZ ICM 567. The elimination half lives measured in whole blood, brain and blood microdialysates were similar (congruent to 1.7 h). The AUC0-5h corresponding to the unbound drug was 462 +/- 142 ng.ml-1.h in blood dialysate, not significantly different from the AUC corresponding to the free concentration in whole blood, i.e. 586 +/- 63 ng.ml-1.h. The free fraction in blood obtained in vitro by equilibrium dialysis (21%) or by microdialysis (19%) was not statistically different from that obtained in vivo (17%) in microdialysis experiments. The unbound concentrations (AUC0-5h) of SDZ ICM 567 in the brain cortex were 86 +/- 24 ng.ml-1.h, lower than those expected from unbound blood concentrations, suggesting an active transport out of the central nervous system. Finally, microdialysis sampling allowed the determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of SDZ ICM 567 in blood and brain as well as the estimation of the free fraction of drug in blood.

Quantitative analysis of bencynonate in human plasma using a deuterated internal standard by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method is described for the quantitative analysis of bencynonate in human plasma. Deuterated bencynonate served as the internal standard and selected-ion monitoring of the fragments of bencynonate and internal standard permitted the quantitation of bencynonate down to 25 pg/ml of plasma. The assay is linear for plasma bencynonate concentrations in the range 25 pg/ml-3 ng/ml. At 0.25 ng/ml the recovery and coefficient of variation are 54.3% and 19.1%, respectively. Application of the method to clinical studies gave data for the pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of bencynonate in man.

Repeated dose pharmacokinetics of pancopride in human volunteers

The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetic profile of pancopride after repeated oral dose administration of 20 mg pancopride in tablet form once a day for 5 d in 12 healthy male volunteers. Plasma levels were measured by HPLC using a solid phase extraction method and automated injection. The minimum quantification limit of pancopride in plasma was 2 ng mL-1. The maximum plasma concentration (mean +/- SD) after the first dose was 92.5 +/- 41.5 ng ML-1 and tmax was 1.7 +/- 0.9 h. The elimination half-life (t1/2) was 14.3 +/- 6.9 h. The area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC) was 997 +/- 396 ng h mL-1. The maximum plasma concentration (mean +/- SD) at steady state (day 5) was 101.8 +/- 36.9 ng mL-1 and tmax was 2.2 +/- 1.2 h. The elimination half-life (t1/2) was 16.3 +/- 2.7 h and the minimum plasma concentration (Cssmin) was 16.6 +/- 6.9 ng mL-1. The area under the concentration-time curve during the dosing interval (AUCss tau) was 995 +/- 389 ng h mL-1. The average plasma concentration at steady state (Cssav) was 43.3 +/- 16.1 ng mL-1 and the experimental accumulation ratio (RAUC) was 1.34 +/- 0.19, whereas the mean theoretical value (R) was 1.40 +/- 0.29. The results obtained showed a good correlation between the experimental plasma levels and the expected values calculated using a repeated dose two-compartment model assessed by means of the Akaike value. It is concluded that the pharmacokinetics of pancopride are not modified after repeated dose administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the new antimalarial Ro 42-1611 (arteflene)

Ro 42-1611 (arteflene) is a new synthetic structural analogue of yingzhaosu, a Chinese traditional herbal drug, now under development for treatment of malaria. The in vivo activity of arteflene in a mouse animal model was 4-5 fold higher after parenteral than after oral administration. Pharmacokinetics of the drug were investigated in mice, rats, dogs, marmosets and cynomolgus monkeys. Plasma concentrations of arteflene were determined using a specific HPLC-UV method; the limit of quantification was 45 ng/ml using 0.5 ml plasma. The oral bioavailability was very low and variable (0.6% in mice, 4-5% in rats, 2.5 +/- 1% in dogs, < or = 0.5% in marmosets and < 0.5% in cynomolgus) as expected from the high metabolic clearance and the relative short apparent half-life (1.4-4.7 h). However, a metabolite (MA) was observed in plasma of all species indicating that drug was absorbed but underwent extensive first-pass metabolism. MA was also detected in samples of human plasma, collected during an oral tolerability study in healthy volunteers. After incubation of 14C-arteflene with liver microsomes of mice, rats, dogs and humans, the same major metabolite was detected and both samples were identical to Ro 47-6936 which was chemically synthesized as a reference compound. The in vitro activity of Ro 47-6936 was tested against Plasmodium falciparum and found to be about 1/4 that of the parent drug. Therefore, this metabolite makes a significant contribution to the biological activity in vivo, partially explaining the high activity of arteflene after oral administration in spite of its low bioavailability. Moreover, comparison of the metabolic patterns from human, rat and dog microsomes indicated that the dog is an appropriate species for toxicological evaluations.

Tolerability and pharmacokinetics of Ro 42-1611 (arteflene) in man

The safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of the antimalarial arteflene (Ro 42-1611) were evaluated in a single ascending dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy male volunteers. Six groups of 9 volunteers (6 active and 3 placebo) received single oral doses of 100, 300, 900, 1800, 2700 and 3600 mg as a drinking suspension in the fasted state. For pharmacokinetic evaluation serial plasma and urine samples were collected up to 48 h after drug intake. Samples were analyzed for unchanged drug and the 8-hydroxy-metabolite using a new HPLC assay with UV detection. Serial blood samples were also taken for pharmacodynamics (ex vivo inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth). No serious adverse events were reported and no withdrawals occurred. Laboratory parameters (haematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis), vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature) and electrocardiograms revealed no clinically relevant changes. Highly significant inhibition of P. falciparum growth was observed in sera from subjects who received 300 mg or higher doses as early as 30 minutes and up to 8 h post dosing. Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics from the plasma concentration-time data showed that the mean Cmax and AUC values increased linearly with dose up to a dose level of 1800 mg. At higher doses a plateau was reached pointing to a saturation of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Maximum concentrations in plasma were reached 1.7 to 3.3 hours post-dose. The elimination half-lives were relatively short and ranged between 2 and 4 hours. In plasma, the 8-hydroxy-metabolite reached approximately 3 times the Cmax values of the unchanged substance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative autoradiography of 5-HT4 receptors in brains of three species using two structurally distinct radioligands, [3H]GR113808 and [3H]BIMU-1

Recent radioligand binding studies have demonstrated the presence of 5-HT4 receptors throughout the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems of mammalian brain. In many regions, the binding has not yet been correlated with functional responses. The present study was carried out to fully characterize the regional distribution of 5-HT4 receptors in brain sections from three species using two structurally distinct radioligands, [3H]GR113808, and [3H]BIMU-1. The highest density of 5-HT4 receptors labeled with [3H]GR113808 was found in the olfactory tubercle, substantia nigra, ventral pallium and striatum of rat and guinea pig, and similar regions of pig-tail macaque monkey. A similar distribution of 5-HT4 receptors was observed in guinea pig brain using [3H]BIMU-1. With either ligand, the binding was saturable and of high affinity (Kd = 0.08-0.53 nM for [3H]GR113808; 1.4-3.0 nM for [3H]BIMU-1). These results extend previous distribution studies, confirm the heterogenous distribution of 5-HT4 receptors throughout the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems of three species, and demonstrate a similar distribution using two structurally distinct 5-HT4 radioligands.

Allosteric modulation of [35S]TBPS-binding in the cerebral cortex of the rat during postnatal development

The ontogenesis of the GABA-gated Cl- channel was investigated in the cerebral cortex of the rat by monitoring the binding parameters of [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) at intervals after birth (1-90 days). To investigate the influence of the developmental changes in the content of GABA on [35S]TBPS-binding, the assays were carried out in unwashed membranes, in which the concentration of GABA was dependent on its content in vivo, and in repeatedly washed membranes in the presence of defined concentrations of exogenous GABA. At birth, the density (Bmax) of [35S]TBPS-binding sites in unwashed membranes was similar to that found in well-washed membranes. However, in unwashed membranes, the number of [35S]TBPS-binding sites increased by two-fold within 10 days after birth whereas in washed membranes it increased by four-fold during the same period. The higher density of [35S]TBPS-binding sites in washed membranes as compared with the unwashed counterparts persisted throughout development. In unwashed membranes, the apparent Kd for [35S]TBPS-binding increased with age whereas in washed membranes the affinity of [35S]TBPS for its binding sites remained constant throughout development. The binding of [35S]TBPS to the GABA-gated Cl- channel is allosterically modulated by drugs acting on different sites of the GABAA receptor complex. Thus, GABA and diazepam decrease [35S]TBPS-binding whereas the GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, and the inverse agonist for benzodiazepine receptors, 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, increase it.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Single dose human pharmacology of umespirone

We have compared the cognitive, EEG, and neuroendocrine effects of single doses of umespirone (20 mg and 80 mg) with those of buspirone (30 mg) and placebo in double-blind, cross-over studies in 44 healthy men. The pattern and time-course of the cognitive effects with umespirone and buspirone were dissimilar. Peak effects of buspirone were seen shortly after dosing and then receded, whilst the effects of umespirone persisted for up to 23 h. Although both drugs objectively impaired attention, buspirone reduced subjective alertness, calmness, and contentedness, whilst umespirone increased subjective alertness and contentedness and showed potential to improve secondary verbal memory. The EEG effects of umespirone were different from those seen with buspirone; they included a decrease of power in the alpha 1 band and the beta bands in the frontocentral area and an increase in the delta and theta bands in the occipitotemporal area. Umespirone had a later onset of action than buspirone but its effects lasted longer. Similar transient increases in serum prolactin and growth hormone concentrations were seen with buspirone and 80 mg umespirone; umespirone 20 mg had no effect. Plasma concentrations of ACTH and adrenaline and serum concentrations of cortisol were unaffected by either dose of umespirone. There was some evidence that buspirone increased ACTH and cortisol concentrations in some cases, and that umespirone increased noradrenaline concentrations. The frequency of adverse events was higher with buspirone than with 80 mg of umespirone. At the lower dose of umespirone, the frequency was similar to that with placebo.

Chronic toxicity, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist zatosetron (LY277359) in Fischer 344 rats

Studies were done to characterize the chronic toxicity, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist in Fischer 344 rats. Animal were given daily gavage doses of 10, 30, or 90 (females only were increased from 90 to 120 mg/kg for months 7-12) mg/kg of zatosetron for 1 year. Treatment-related histologic changes occurred primarily in the liver and kidney of rats given 30 or 90/120 mg/kg and consisted of hepatocellular fatty change (males only), hepatic granuloma formation, and histiocytosis (females only), and renal pigment deposition (both sexes), lesions not previously described in animals treated with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Decreased erythrocyte parameters, increased total leukocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, alanine transaminase, and liver weights in females were most likely related to the chronic inflammatory process in the liver. Increased alanine transaminase and transiently increased alkaline phosphatase with increased liver weights in males were likely related to the hepatocellular fatty change. Increased renal tubular epithelial pigment deposition (lipofuscin and hemosiderin) was observed in males and females in the high-dose group and in females in the middle-dose group. Both had increased kidney weights and increased serum inorganic phosphorus. Females in the high-dose group had increased urine volume, decreased pH, and increased total excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride, and creatinine. These changes may have been a reflection of tubular dysfunction associated with excessive pigment deposition. No toxicologically significant effects occurred in rats treated with 10 mg/kg/day for 1 year. Plasma concentrations of zatosetron and its 3-hydroxy metabolite increased with increasing dose and duration of dosing in both males and females during the first 6 months of dosing. Subsequent values measured at 12 months showed no substantive increases except in males given the highest dose. At comparable doses, consistent sex differences (F > M) in mean 1-hr plasma content of parent compound were evident across dose and time. Zatosetron-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity seems to be peculiar to the rat and is observed only at very high doses relative to the proposed human clinical dose.

Effects of propofol, pentobarbital and alphaxalone on t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding in rat cerebral cortex

The effects of propofol, pentobarbital, alphaxalone, etomidate and diazepam on t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding to membrane preparations from rat cerebral cortex were studied in the absence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Addition of low concentrations (3-10 microM) of propofol to washed membrane preparations (devoid of GABA) markedly enhanced [35S]TBPS binding (maximal enhancement, 85%), whereas higher concentrations (50-100 microM) inhibited this parameter. Diazepam also enhanced [35S]TBPS binding in this preparation (maximal enhancement, 38%). In contrast, pentobarbital, alphaxalone and etomidate decreased [35S]TBPS binding in a concentration-dependent manner. The propofol-induced increase in [35S]TBPS binding in washed membranes was completely reversed by the addition of GABA at a concentration (0.3 microM) that alone did not modify [35S]TBPS binding (78% increase with 10 microM propofol alone, 33% decrease in the additional presence of GABA). The ability of GABA to reverse the effect of propofol on [35S]TBPS binding in washed membranes was shared by pentobarbital (200 microM) and alphaxalone (3 microM); etomidate (20 microM) only partially antagonized the effect of propofol. Diazepam at a concentration (30 microM) that alone had no effect on [35S]TBPS binding failed to modify the propofol-induced increase in [35S]TBPS binding, whereas at a concentration (3 microM) that alone increased [35S]TBPS binding the effect of diazepam was additive with that of propofol. The addition of bicuculline to washed membranes failed to abolish the increase in [35S]TBPS binding induced by propofol or diazepam, but completely antagonized the effects of pentobarbital, alphaxalone and etomidate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gastroprokinetic properties of the benzimidazolone derivative BIMU 1, an agonist at 5-hydroxytryptamine4 and antagonist at 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptors

We have investigated the in vivo motor stimulating and gastroprokinetic properties of the azabicycloalkyl benzimidazolone derivative BIMU 1 (3-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-N-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-2-oxo-1H- benzimidazole-1-carboxamide hydrochloride) and its binding profile at 5-hydroxytryptamine3 and 5-hydroxytryptamine4 receptors, in an attempt to assess the serotonergic mechanism underlying its prokinetic action. BIMU 1 dose-dependently (0.01-0.3 mg/kg i.v.) increased the motility of a denervated pouch of canine stomach. This excitatory action was sensitive to muscarinic blockade. A similar stimulatory effect was exerted by the benzamidic prokinetic agent cisapride (0.03-0.3 mg/kg i.v.) but not by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron (up to 1 mg/kg i.v.). The significance for propulsive efficacy of the motor stimulating activity of BIMU 1 was evaluated in a model of gastric emptying of liquids in the conscious dog. The emptying rate of a non-caloric liquid meal instilled through a gastric fistula was accelerated by both BIMU 1 (0.01-1 mg/kg i.v. and 0.1-3 mg/kg p.o.) and cisapride (0.03-1 mg/kg i.v. and 0.3-10 mg/kg p.o.). Ondansetron (1 mg/kg i.v.) did not show any effect. The activity of the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist DAU 6285 was evaluated in the gastric emptying model per se and in interaction experiments on the accelerating action of BIMU 1 (0.3 mg/kg i.v.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of flumazenil on the learning-enhancing effect of ambocarb in rats

The effects of flumazenil (Ro 15-1788) and a new beta-carboline, ambocarb (AMB), on learning were investigated using the multichoice maze. The drugs, administered either alone or simultaneously, were injected once a day before training for eight days. AMB, administered alone, improved the performance and decreased the working errors, whilst flumazenil had no effect on performance during its sole administration but weakly prevented the learning-improving effect of AMB. More significantly, flumazenil antagonized the motor activity depressed by AMB. In the study ex vivo, flumazenil decreased and AMB increased the apparent affinity of [3H]flunitrazepam to the central benzodiazepine receptors. Flumazenil reversed the action of AMB on the central benzodiazepine receptors, but failed to reduce significantly the modulative effects of AMB on [3H]muscimol and [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding. These data indicate that flumazenil, due to its action on the central benzodiazepine receptors, more effectively reverses the inhibition of motor activity than the performance-improving effect of AMB.

Studies on picrotoxin binding sites of GABAA receptors in rat cortical synaptoneurosomes

Experiments were performed to characterize [35S]TBPS binding in rat cortical synaptoneurosomes, which have vesicular structures containing both pre- and postsynaptic elements. Scatchard analysis revealed a single component of [35S]TBPS binding sites with KD and Bmax values of 76.1 nM and 1.97 pmoles/mg protein, respectively, under physiological conditions. GABA and muscimol inhibited [35S]TBPS binding in a concentration-dependent manner. IC50 values of these GABAA agonists in displacing synaptoneurosomal [35S]TBPS binding are comparable to previously reported EC50 values of the agonist-stimulated 36Cl- uptake in synaptoneurosomes by these agents. Furthermore, the IC50 values of these GABAA agonists were better correspondence to those determined by [3H]muscimol binding in synaptoneurosomal preparations as reported by Delorey and Brown (3) than those determined in membrane preparations. Although bicuculline increased [35S]TBPS binding in a concentration dependent manner in cortical membranes, it did not affect synaptoneurosomal [35S]TBPS binding. Benzodiazepine agonists and inverse agonists (0.1 to 10 microM) did not show any effects on the binding in the absence of muscimol. However, benzodiazepine agonists potentiated and inverse agonists antagonized muscimol-induced inhibition of synaptoneurosomal [35S]TBPS binding. In addition, an anesthetic steroid, THDOC, and pentobarbital inhibited synaptoneurosomal [35S]TBPS binding in a concentration dependent manner. These results suggest that allosteric modulation of [35S]TBPS binding by various ligands which interact with GABAA supramolecular complexes remain intact in synaptoneurosomes. It appears that this preparation is useful for investigating correlation between functional 36Cl- uptake and individual binding studies of each of the GABAA receptor complex.

Decreased forebrain [35S]TBPS binding and increased [3H]muscimol binding in rats that do not develop stress-induced behavioral depression

Recent evidence suggests that anxiety and its biological concomitants may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. In the present study, the in vitro radioligand binding of [3H]flunitrazepam, [3H]muscimol and [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) sites on the benzodiazepine/GABA chloride ionophore receptor complex (BGRC) was examined using the learned helplessness paradigm. Only rats which did not develop the syndrome showed a significant increase in [3H]muscimol binding in cerebral cortex and a decrease in [35S]TBPS binding in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in comparison to naive controls. For both ligands, this represented a change in Bmax rather than a change in affinity. Adrenalectomy had no impact on these alterations indicating that critical endogenous factors are not manufactured by the adrenal glands. These findings suggest that the BGRC in the forebrain may be a site mediating the 'coping' ability of rats that do not develop the learned helplessness syndrome. The possible involvement of neurosteroids in this effect is discussed.

Pharmacokinetic study of bisaramil in man

Six healthy volunteers received an oral dose of 100 mg and an intravenous dose of 35 mg of bisaramil in a cross over study. Plasma concentrations were measured by HPLC. Bisaramil was eliminated from the plasma with a half life of 8.6 +/- 1.8 h and 9.0 +/- 4.1 h after iv. and oral administration, respectively. The mean total plasma clearance and volume of distribution were found to be 70 +/- 13.1 l/h and 864 +/- 204 l, respectively. The calculated oral bioavailability of bisaramil in tablets amounted to 56 +/- 20%.

Structure-activity relationship within a series of pyrazolidinone antibacterial agents. 2. Effect of side-chain modification on in vitro activity and pharmacokinetic parameters

The structure-activity relationship among a series of novel pyrazolidinone antibacterial agents is described. Specifically, the effect of modification of the side chain attached to the nitrogen at C-7 was explored in an attempt to improve the potency and spectrum of activity. This approach was successful in identifying several compounds having good in vitro profiles. These top candidates were then evaluated for their activity in vivo, and their pharmacokinetic behavior in various animal models was explored. This information proved critical for the identification of candidates for clinical evaluation.

Enzyme immunoassays for a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, zabicipril, and its active metabolite in human plasma: application to pharmacokinetic studies

Zabicipril (S 9650) is a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor whose hydrolysis in vivo produces the pharmacologically active metabolite zabiciprilat (S 10211). Two competitive enzyme immunoassays specific for either zabicipril or zabiciprilat have been developed using acetylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.7) as label. Antibodies were raised in rabbits after immunization with lysil derivatives of zabicipril or zabiciprilat coupled with bovine serum albumin. Assays were performed in 96-well microtiter plates coated with a monoclonal antibody raised against rabbit immunoglobulin G, thus ensuring rapid separation of free and bound fractions of the tracer. The analysis does not require any extraction step. In the case of the assay of zabiciprilat, interference generated by endogenous angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was eliminated by the addition of perindoprilat, another ACE inhibitor. Perindoprilat was not recognized by the antibodies (cross-reactivity < 0.01%) and did not affect assay efficiency. The specificity of the assays was checked by high-performance liquid chromatography of human plasma samples obtained after oral administration of 2 mg of zabicipril. No metabolites or endogenous substances were detected. The mean reproducibility was 15% for the assay of zabicipril and 19% for the assay of zabiciprilat. The quantification limits were 1.2 ng/ml for the zabicipril assay and 0.8 ng/ml for the zabiciprilat assay. These assays are therefore suitable for pharmacokinetic studies and drug monitoring in clinical studies.

Region-specific changes of GABAA receptors by tolerance to and dependence upon pentobarbital

An experimental model for inducing tolerance to and dependence upon pentobarbital was characterized. Rats were infused with pentobarbital, 300 micrograms/10 microliter per h i.c.v. for 6 or 7 days, through pre-implanted cannulas by osmotic minipumps. Measurement of brain and serum levels showed that pentobarbital remained mainly inside of the brain. Measurements of sleeping time and susceptibility to convulsant-induced seizures indicated a substantial degree of tolerance and dependence (24 h after termination of infusion). Results of GABAA receptor binding assays showed marked regional variations. While [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding sites were increased in frontal cortices and striata of pentobarbital-dependent animals, KD was increased in striata of tolerant animals. Dependence upon pentobarbital was correlated with increased [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites in all three regions examined. Both high and low affinity [3H]muscimol binding sites were increased in dependent animals, but low affinity sites were decreased in frontal cortices of tolerant animals. KDs of [3H]muscimol high affinity sites were increased in cerebellum after animals developed dependence upon pentobarbital. KDs of [3H]muscimol low affinity sites were decreased in striata of pentobarbital tolerant animals. These findings further support the hypothesis that GABAA receptors in discrete areas of the brain have different subunit compositions and are regulated differentially by pharmacological modulators.

A potential imaging agent for the GABAA receptor: 4-t-butyl-1-(4-[123I]iodophenyl)-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane

Based upon the known high toxicity and high antagonist activity of t-butylorthobenzoates towards the GABA receptor complex, 4-t-butyl-1-(4-iodophenyl)-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane 5 and its radioiodo analogues ([123I]-5 and [131I]-5 were prepared as potential markers for the gated chloride channel of GABAA receptors. Mice showed rapid clearance of [131I]-5 from all organs including the brain. The radioactivity was found to proceed into the urine in spite of the high lipophilicity of 5, the high binding affinity of 5 for plasma protein and the apparent chemical stability of 5 in plasma.

Disposition of zatosetron, a serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, in humans

Zatosetron is being tested clinically as an antianxiety agent; it is a highly selective antagonist of the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor, with minimal agonist activity. The disposition of [14C]zatosetron was studied in five healthy men after a single oral dose (46.2 mg). Serum levels of radioactivity and parent drug peaked in 3-8 hr. About 15% more radioactivity was measured in red blood cells than in plasma. In serum, the parent compound represented about 85% of the radioactivity, zatosetron-N-oxide represented 10%, and N-desmethyl-zatosetron and 3-hydroxy-zatosetron each represented 2-3%. The t1/2 of zatosetron was 25-37 hr. About 75% of zatosetron added to human plasma became reversibly bound to protein. Concentrations of zatosetron in saliva were generally 10-50% higher than those in serum. About 80% of the administered radioactivity was eliminated in urine and 20% in feces; radioactivity was measurable in the excreta for 10-12 days after drug administration. The major route of metabolism of zatosetron was a stereoselective N-oxidation to form 8-alpha-methyl, 8-beta-oxo zatosetron (zatosetron N-oxide). In urine, approximately 45% of the radioactivity was unchanged zatosetron, 35% was zatosetron N-oxide, 10% was N-desmethyl-zatosetron, and 5% was 3-hydroxy-zatosetron. In feces, 30% of the radioactivity was unchanged zatosetron, and 70% was N-desmethyl-zatosetron. Overall, approximately 60% of the administered zatosetron was metabolized in humans. In a separate multiple-dose study, the disposition of zatosetron was found to be similar to that in the single-dose study.

Chronic ethanol intoxication induces differential effects on GABAA and NMDA receptor function in the rat brain

The effect of long-term treatment with ethanol was investigated on the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) and N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. Rats were rendered ethanol-dependent by repeated forced administration of a 20% ethanol solution (12 to 18 g/kg/day po) for 6 days and tested while still intoxicated or at different time intervals after withdrawal. t-[35S]Butylbicyclophosphorothionate (35S-TBPS) binding was increased by 30% in cortical homogenates of rats killed 1 to 3 hr after last ethanol administration, when compared with saline-treated animals. However, GABA-stimulated 36Cl- uptake and its enhancement by flunitrazepam was decreased in the ethanol-treated animals. 35S-TBPS binding and 36Cl- influx measured 9 to 24 hr following the last ethanol injection, when withdrawal signs were present, were unmodified with respect to saline-treated rats. Moreover, the effects of both isoniazid and FG 7142 on 35S-TBPS binding were unchanged in ethanol-dependent rats tested at 1 to 3 and 9 to 24 hr, compared with controls. In contrast, ethanol-withdrawn rats tested at 9 to 24 hr showed a dramatic enhancement in their sensitivity to the convulsant action of isoniazid (50 to 250 mg/kg, sc). The same animals were also more susceptible to the convulsant action of NMDA (0.5 to 5 micrograms/5 microliters/rat intracerebroventricularly) and kainic acid (12 mg/kg, ip), and this effect was paralleled by an enhancement (+25%) in the density of 3H-MK 801 recognition sites in the hippocampus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Application of lipid microspheres to prepare a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist aerosol for inhalation

The methyl ester of a new thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, (+)S-145, i.e. (1R,2S,3S,4S)-(5Z)-7-(3-phenyl-sulfonyl-aminobicyclo[2,2,1]he pt-2-yl)heptenoic acid, was incorporated into lipid microspheres (lipo S-145-Me) and its pharmacological effect and tissue distribution were examined in guinea pigs following aerosol delivery. Bronchoconstrictive responses induced by intravenous injection of U46619 or the inhalation of ovalbumin were suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by aerosol inhalation of lipo S-145-Me, which was 3-10 times more potent that the unencapsulated calcium dihydrate of the original drug (S-1452). There was no significant difference in the airway tissue distribution of labelled lipo S-145-Me versus S-1452 after 2 or 5 min of inhalation, but the encapsulated drug showed marked accumulation in the lungs after 30 min of inhalation. The in vitro uptake of lipo [14C] S-145-Me by fresh human neutrophils and an eosinophil cell line was respectively 7 times and 3.5 times higher than that of [14C] S-1452. These results suggest that lipo S-145-Me has the potential to be used as an inhalational antiasthma agent, and that its effect may be partly attributable to a for inflammatory cells which are responsible for allergic airway inflammation.