Effect of alprazolam on rat serum metabolic profiles

Serum metabolomics strategy for investigating the hepatotoxicity induced by different exposure times and doses of Gynura segetum (Lour.) Merr. in rats based on GC-MS

Gynura segetum (Lour.) Merr. (GS), has been widely used in Chinese folk medicine and can promote circulation, relieve pain and remove stasis. In recent years, the hepatotoxicity caused by GS has been reported, however its mechanism is not fully elucidated. Metabolomic techniques are powerful means to explore the toxicological mechanism and therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to establish a serum metabolomics method based on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to explore the hepatotoxicity mechanism of different exposure times and doses of GS in rats. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were administered daily with distilled water, 7.5 g kg^-1 GS, or 15 g kg^-1 GS by intragastrical gavage for either 10 or 21 days. The methods adopted included enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and GC-MS-based serum metabolomics. Serum biochemistry analysis showed that the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerides (TG), total bilirubin (TBIL) and total bile acid (TBA) significantly (P < 0.05) increased while the levels of albumin (ALB) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in GS-treated groups, compared with the control group. Interestingly, the ALT, AST, TG and ALB levels changed in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The results of H&E staining showed the degree of liver damage after administration of GS gradually deepened with the extension of administration time and the increase of the dose. According to the results of metabolomics analysis, 26 differential metabolites were identified, which were involved in 8 metabolic pathways including phenylalanine metabolism, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism and so on. Meanwhile, the number of differential metabolites in different GS-treated groups was associated with GS exposure time and dose. Therefore, we concluded that GS might induce hepatotoxicity depending on the exposure time and dose.

Co-abuse of alprazolam augments the hepato-renal toxic effects of methylphenidate

OBJECTIVE:

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a first-line treatment option for attention-deficit hyperactive disorder and narcolepsy. MPH is one of the most abused psychostimulants by the adults and young population to stay awake, perform better, or improve concentration. The scanty reports say that the medical users or abusers mostly consider the administration of benzodiazepines to overcome the adverse effects, i.e., mood- and anxiety-related problems associated with MPH chronic abuse. This work aims to study the effect of alprazolam (ALZ) on MPH-associated adverse effects on liver and kidney.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Female Wistar rats (n = 58) were administered with MPH (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and ALZ (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) alone and in combination for 28 days. Bodyweight, feed intake, and water intake were monitored weekly. Parameters related to liver and renal function, oxidative stress, and histopathology were performed to evaluate the toxic impacts on the liver and kidneys.

RESULTS:

ALZ, along with MPH, increased the serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea levels. The co-abuse also led to elevated oxidative stress and structural abnormalities in the liver and kidney tissues.

CONCLUSION:

The co-abuse of ALZ has amplified the hepato-renal toxic effects of MPH. Therefore, it is a significant concern for public safety, and their co-abuse must be restricted and discouraged.

UPLC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Khasianine in Mouse Blood: Application for Its Pharmacokinetic Study

Background:

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of khasianine in mouse whole blood sample and its application for the pharmacokinetics by a rapid, selective and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method.

Methods:

The blood samples were preprocessed by one-step protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The study was performed on an ACQUITY I-Class UPLC system with a UPLC BEH column. Lannaconitine (internal standard, IS) and khasianine were gradient eluted by a mixture of acetonitrile and water with 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was equipped with an Electrospray Ionization (ESI) source in positive mode. The quantitative detection was performed in a multiple reaction monitoring modes at transitions m/z 722.4→70.7 for khasianine and m/z 585.3→119.9 for the corresponding IS.

Results:

The calibration curve was of good linearity ranging from 0.5 to 1000 ng/mL (r > 0.995). The Lower Limit of Detection (LLOD) and Lower Limit of Quantitation (LLOQ) were 0.2 and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day precision (RSD%) were both less than 14%, and the accuracy ranged from 86.6% to 108.3%. The matrix effects were between 98.0% and 103.7%, and the average recovery was better than 67.4%.

Conclusion:

This assay established a sensitive, rapid, selective UPLC-MS/MS method which was successfully used for the pharmacokinetic study of khasianine in mouse blood, and the absolute availability of khasianine was 0.78% which exhibited a poor oral absorption.

Quantification of Lappaconitine in Mouse Blood by UPLC-MS/MS and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

Lappaconitine is extracted from Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai, which belongs to the Ranunculaceae. Lappaconitine is as a diterpenoid alkaloid used as a nonaddictive analgesic. To assure the rational use of the drug, ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was conducted to determine lappaconitine in mouse blood and its application to pharmacokinetics. In this study, khasianine was used as internet standard (IS). A UPLC BEH C18 column was used for chromatographic separation and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate (0.1% formic acid). The flow rate of was 0.4 mL/min. Quantitative detection was performed in a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using an electrospray ionization source in positive mode. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into four groups, three of which received 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg lappaconitine by intragastric administration, while the other group received 1 mg/kg lappaconitine by intravenous administration. After 0.0833, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 8 h, blood samples were collected and acetonitrile was used for protein precipitation. A linear calibration relationship (R² = 0.9979) in the range of 0.1-500 ng/mL in mouse blood indicated good results. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng/mL and the limit of detection was 0.04 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precision were below 13% and 14%, respectively. The accuracy was 90.1-107.2%, and the recovery exceeded 81.1%. The matrix effect ranged between 102.1 and 108.8%. The absolute bioavailability of lappaconitine was 2.0%. UPLC-MS/MS achieved high sensitivity, speed, and selectivity. Methodological verification indicated this method as suitable for determination of lappaconitine in mouse blood.