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Kreir M, Putri D, Tekle F, Pibiri F, d’Ydewalle C, Van Ammel K, Geys H, Teisman A, Gallacher DJ, Lu HR. Development of a new hazard scoring system in primary neuronal cell cultures for drug-induced acute neuronal toxicity identification in early drug discovery. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1308547. [PMID: 38873414 PMCID: PMC11170107 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1308547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigated drug-induced acute neuronal electrophysiological changes using Micro-Electrode arrays (MEA) to rat primary neuronal cell cultures. Data based on 6-key MEA parameters were analyzed for plate-to-plate vehicle variability, effects of positive and negative controls, as well as data from over 100 reference drugs, mostly known to have pharmacological phenotypic and clinical outcomes. A Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, coupled with expert evaluation helped to identify the 6-key parameters from many other MEA parameters to evaluate the drug-induced acute neuronal changes. Calculating the statistical tolerance intervals for negative-positive control effects on those 4-key parameters helped us to develop a new weighted hazard scoring system on drug-induced potential central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects (AEs). The weighted total score, integrating the effects of a drug candidate on the identified six-pivotal parameters, simply determines if the testing compound/concentration induces potential CNS AEs. Hereto, it uses four different categories of hazard scores: non-neuroactive, neuroactive, hazard, or high hazard categories. This new scoring system was successfully applied to differentiate the new compounds with or without CNS AEs, and the results were correlated with the outcome of in vivo studies in mice for one internal program. Furthermore, the Random Forest classification method was used to obtain the probability that the effect of a compound is either inhibitory or excitatory. In conclusion, this new neuronal scoring system on the cell assay is actively applied in the early de-risking of drug development and reduces the use of animals and associated costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kreir
- Global Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Dea Putri
- Statistics and Decision Sciences, Global Development, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Fetene Tekle
- Statistics and Decision Sciences, Global Development, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Francesca Pibiri
- Global Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Karel Van Ammel
- Global Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Helena Geys
- Statistics and Decision Sciences, Global Development, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ard Teisman
- Global Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - David J. Gallacher
- Global Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Hua Rong Lu
- Global Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology, Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
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Berridge BR, Baran SW, Kumar V, Bratcher-Petersen N, Ellis M, Liu CN, Robertson TL. Digitalization of toxicology: improving preclinical to clinical translation. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1377542. [PMID: 38605940 PMCID: PMC11007025 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1377542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Though the portfolio of medicines that are extending and improving the lives of patients continues to grow, drug discovery and development remains a challenging business on its best day. Safety liabilities are a significant contributor to development attrition where the costliest liabilities to both drug developers and patients emerge in late development or post-marketing. Animal studies are an important and influential contributor to the current drug discovery and development paradigm intending to provide evidence that a novel drug candidate can be used safely and effectively in human volunteers and patients. However, translational gaps-such as toxicity in patients not predicted by animal studies-have prompted efforts to improve their effectiveness, especially in safety assessment. More holistic monitoring and "digitalization" of animal studies has the potential to enrich study outcomes leading to datasets that are more computationally accessible, translationally relevant, replicable, and technically efficient. Continuous monitoring of animal behavior and physiology enables longitudinal assessment of drug effects, detection of effects during the animal's sleep and wake cycles and the opportunity to detect health or welfare events earlier. Automated measures can also mitigate human biases and reduce subjectivity. Reinventing a conservative, standardized, and traditional paradigm like drug safety assessment requires the collaboration and contributions of a broad and multi-disciplinary stakeholder group. In this perspective, we review the current state of the field and discuss opportunities to improve current approaches by more fully leveraging the power of sensor technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and animal behavior in a home cage environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vivek Kumar
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | | | - Michael Ellis
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | - Chang-Ning Liu
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer, Groton, CT, United States
| | - Timothy L. Robertson
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
- TLR Ventures, Redwood City, CA, United States
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Tsubouchi T, Ikeda K, Sasaki Y, Watanabe H, Chihara K, Miyawaki I. Improved seizure liability detection by combining rat hippocampal brain slice electrophysiology with in vivo behavior observation following intracerebroventricular drug administration. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2024; 126:107496. [PMID: 38432527 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2024.107496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
An adverse effect of drug candidates, seizure is a serious issue in drug development. Improving evaluation systems for seizure liability is crucial for selecting good candidates. Firstly, in vitro electrophysiological measurement by a multielectrode array system in rat hippocampal brain slices was employed to confirm an increase in electrically evoked population spike (PS) area, the occurrence of multiple population spikes (MPSs), and thereby the seizure liability of five positive control chemicals: picrotoxin, 4-aminopyridine, pentylenetetrazole, penicillin G, and chlorpromazine. Aspirin, a negative control, did not affect PS area or generate MPSs. Furthermore, baclofen, an anticonvulsant drug, decreased PS area and inhibited the increase in PS area or occurrence of MPSs induced by picrotoxin. A comparative study of seizure liability among carbapenem antibiotics revealed that tienam > carbenin > omegacin and finibax. Despite leading to a strong decrease in PS area, physostigmine, cisplatin, and paroxetine still produced MPSs. Therefore, the increase in PS area or the occurrence of the MPS are considered significant evaluation parameters for seizure liability. In contrast, the in vitro electrophysiological measurement could not detect the seizure liability of diphenhydramine or fluvoxamine. A follow-up study of in vivo mouse behavioral change induced by intracerebroventricular administration of these drugs clearly detected convulsions. The in vitro electrophysiological study using hippocampal brain slices combined with in vivo behavior observation study of drug candidates administered by intracerebroventricular injection can implement to assess the seizure liability of even small amounts, especially in the early stages of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keigo Ikeda
- Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-0022, Japan
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4
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Siafis S, McCutcheon R, Chiocchia V, Ostinelli EG, Wright S, Stansfield C, Juma DO, Mantas I, Howes OD, Rutigliano G, Ramage F, Tinsdeall F, Friedrich C, Milligan L, Moreno C, Elliott JH, Thomas J, Macleod MR, Sena ES, Seedat S, Salanti G, Potts J, Cipriani A, Leucht S. Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonists for psychosis: protocol for a living systematic review and meta-analysis of human and non-human studies. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:365. [PMID: 38634067 PMCID: PMC11021884 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19866.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need to develop more effective and safer antipsychotics beyond dopamine 2 receptor antagonists. An emerging and promising approach is TAAR1 agonism. Therefore, we will conduct a living systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize and triangulate the evidence from preclinical animal experiments and clinical studies on the efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanism of action of TAAR1 agonism for psychosis. METHODS Independent searches will be conducted in multiple electronic databases to identify clinical and animal experimental studies comparing TAAR1 agonists with licensed antipsychotics or other control conditions in individuals with psychosis or animal models for psychosis, respectively. The primary outcomes will be overall psychotic symptoms and their behavioural proxies in animals. Secondary outcomes will include side effects and neurobiological measures. Two independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction using predefined forms, and risk of bias assessment using suitable tools based on the study design. Ontologies will be developed to facilitate study identification and data extraction. Data from clinical and animal studies will be synthesized separately using random-effects meta-analysis if appropriate, or synthesis without meta-analysis. Study characteristics will be investigated as potential sources of heterogeneity. Confidence in the evidence for each outcome and source of evidence will be evaluated, considering the summary of the association, potential concerns regarding internal and external validity, and reporting biases. When multiple sources of evidence are available for an outcome, an overall conclusion will be drawn in a triangulation meeting involving a multidisciplinary team of experts. We plan trimonthly updates of the review, and any modifications in the protocol will be documented. The review will be co-produced by multiple stakeholders aiming to produce impactful and relevant results and bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research on psychosis. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO-ID: CRD42023451628.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Siafis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert McCutcheon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England, UK
| | - Virginia Chiocchia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo G. Ostinelli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Simonne Wright
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Claire Stansfield
- EPPI Centre, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, England, UK
| | | | - Ioannis Mantas
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oliver D. Howes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England, UK
| | - Grazia Rutigliano
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Fiona Ramage
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Francesca Tinsdeall
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Claire Friedrich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | | | - Carmen Moreno
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, CIBERSAM, ISCIII, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
| | - Julian H. Elliott
- Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Future Evidence Foundation, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James Thomas
- EPPI Centre, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, England, UK
| | - Malcolm R. Macleod
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Emily S. Sena
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Georgia Salanti
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Potts
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Stefan Leucht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - the GALENOS team
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England, UK
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
- EPPI Centre, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, England, UK
- My Mind Our Humanity, Mombasa, Kenya
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- MQ Mental Health Research, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, CIBERSAM, ISCIII, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
- Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Future Evidence Foundation, Melbourne, Australia
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5
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Fares R, Champéroux P. Simultaneous assessment of central nervous and respiratory systems using jacketed telemetry in socially-housed rats: Application of the "3Rs" principles in core battery safety pharmacology studies. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2023; 121:107268. [PMID: 37146838 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2023.107268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous (CNS) and respiratory systems are routinely investigated in safety pharmacology core battery studies. For small molecules, the assessment of both vital organ systems is frequently done in rats in two distinct studies. With the advent of a miniaturized technology of jacketed external telemetry for rats (DECRO system), the simultaneous assessment of modified Irwin's or functional observational battery (FOB) test and respiratory (Resp) studies has become possible within a single study. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to perform the FOB and the Resp studies simultaneously in pair-housed rats fitted with jacketed telemetry, and to assess the feasibility and the outcome of this combination in control, baclofen, caffeine, and clonidine treated groups, i.e., with three agents having both respiratory and CNS effects. Our results provided evidence that performing both Resp and FOB assessment simultaneously in the same rat was feasible and the outcome was successful. The expected CNS and respiratory effects of the 3 reference compounds were accurately captured in each assay confirming the results' relevance. In addition, heart rate and activity level were recorded as additional parameters making this design as an enhanced approach for nonclinical safety assessment in rats. This work provides clear evidence that the "3Rs" principles can be effectively applied in core battery safety pharmacology studies while remaining in compliance with worldwide regulatory guidelines. Both reduction in animal use and refinements in procedures are demonstrated with this model.
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6
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Systemic Administration of Neutral Electrolyzed Saline as a Novel Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Reduces Mechanical and Inflammatory Damage to the Joints: Preclinical Evaluation in Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1717614. [PMID: 35692576 PMCID: PMC9184204 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1717614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is globally present in about 1% of the population. This autoinflammatory disease modifies the connective tissue, causing pain and inflammation of the joints. Over time, it causes the loss of joint cartilage and bone mass, decreasing the patient's quality of life. Treatment options now available either give symptomatic alleviation or alter the disease process. Nonetheless, adherence to chronic treatment is typically limited due to adverse effects. As a result, new therapy approaches, such as systemic administration of neutral electrolyzed saline to improve patients' quality of life, are being investigated. The study is a randomized prospective preclinical trial with a single-blind and a 4-arm parallel group using a collagen-induced mice model to generate rheumatoid arthritis. It was carried out on 36 male BALB/c mice, with the primary outcome measure being a scoring system for histopathologic assessment. When all groups are compared, there are significant differences. In addition, the animal model was validated by the healthy group. The animals treated with neutral electrolyzed saline had much less cartilage degradation, bone erosion, pannus development, and inflammation than the placebo-treated mice. Serum IL-6 levels were evaluated in parallel with disease severity expressed as synovitis grading of the affected joints. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (Rs) = 0.399 (P=0.016) between serum IL-6 levels and the synovitis grading suggests a direct correlation between IL-6 production and disease severity. An additional trial of 20 male BALB/c mice (10 treated with placebo and 10 with neutral electrolyzed saline for 30 days) showed no clinical nor histopathological evidence of adverse effects. According to histopathological and blood test results, we conclude that neutral electrolyzed saline minimizes mechanical and inflammatory damage to the joint and may be helpful as an alternative to rheumatoid arthritis therapy.
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7
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Sathish JG, Bhatt S, DaSilva JK, Flynn D, Jenkinson S, Kalgutkar AS, Liu M, Manickam B, Pinkstaff J, Reagan WJ, Shirai N, Shoieb AM, Sirivelu M, Vispute S, Vitsky A, Walters K, Wisialowski TA, Updyke LW. Comprehensive Nonclinical Safety Assessment of Nirmatrelvir Supporting Timely Development of the SARS-COV-2 Antiviral Therapeutic, Paxlovid™. Int J Toxicol 2022; 41:276-290. [PMID: 35603517 PMCID: PMC9125132 DOI: 10.1177/10915818221095489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a potentially fatal infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease (Mpro) is a viral enzyme essential for replication and is the target for nirmatrelvir. Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir co-administered with the pharmacokinetic enhancer ritonavir) showed efficacy in COVID-19 patients at high risk of progressing to hospitalization and/or death. Nonclinical safety studies with nirmatrelvir are essential in informing benefit-risk of Paxlovid and were conducted to support clinical development. In vivo safety pharmacology assessments included a nervous system/pulmonary study in rats and a cardiovascular study in telemetered monkeys. Potential toxicities were assessed in repeat dose studies of up to 1 month in rats and monkeys. Nirmatrelvir administration (1,000 mg/kg, p.o.) to male rats produced transient increases in locomotor activity and respiratory rate but did not affect behavioral endpoints in the functional observational battery. Cardiovascular effects in monkeys were limited to transient increases in blood pressure and decreases in heart rate, observed only at the highest dose tested (75 mg/kg per dose b.i.d; p.o.). Nirmatrelvir did not prolong QTc-interval or induce arrhythmias. There were no adverse findings in repeat dose toxicity studies up to 1 month in rats (up to 1,000 mg/kg daily, p.o.) or monkeys (up to 600 mg/kg daily, p.o.). Nonadverse, reversible clinical pathology findings without clinical or microscopic correlates included prolonged coagulation times at ≥60 mg/kg in rats and increases in transaminases at 600 mg/kg in monkeys. The safety pharmacology and nonclinical toxicity profiles of nirmatrelvir support clinical development and use of Paxlovid for treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean G. Sathish
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Siddhartha Bhatt
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Jamie K. DaSilva
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Declan Flynn
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Stephen Jenkinson
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amit S. Kalgutkar
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Maggie Liu
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Jason Pinkstaff
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - William J. Reagan
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Norimitsu Shirai
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Ahmed M. Shoieb
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Madhu Sirivelu
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Saurabh Vispute
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Allison Vitsky
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Karen Walters
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Todd A. Wisialowski
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Lawrence W. Updyke
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
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8
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Mugale MN, Shukla S, Chourasia MK, Hanif K, Nazir A, Singh S, Gayen JR, Kumaravelu J, Tripathi RK, Mohrana B, Barthwal MK, Kumar A, Sharma D, Mohan D, Srivastava AK, Samuel SS, Kaleti N, Bharti S, Srivastava A, Sharma D, Meena AK, Chandra R, Yadav S, Bhushan B, Pandey SK, Agnihotri PK, Bora HK, Kanojiya S, Sharma S, Mishra PR, Arya KR, Chattopadhyay N, Rath SK, Bhadauria S. Regulatory safety pharmacology and toxicity assessments of a standardized stem extract of Cassia occidentalis Linn. in rodents. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 123:104960. [PMID: 34022260 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cassia occidentalis Linn (CO) is an annual/perennial plant having traditional uses in the treatments of ringworm, gastrointestinal ailments and piles, bone fracture, and wound healing. Previously, we confirmed the medicinal use of the stem extract (ethanolic) of CO (henceforth CSE) in fracture healing at 250 mg/kg dose in rats and described an osteogenic mode of action of four phytochemicals present in CSE. Here we studied CSE's preclinical safety and toxicity. CSE prepared as per regulations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice for human pharmaceuticals/phytopharmaceuticals and all studies were performed in rodents in a GLP-accredited facility. In acute dose toxicity as per New Drug and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019 (prior name schedule Y), in rats and mice and ten-day dose range-finding study in rats, CSE showed no mortality and no gross abnormality at 2500 mg/kg dose. Safety Pharmacology showed no adverse effect on central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system at 2500 mg/kg dose. CSE was not mutagenic in the Ames test and did not cause clastogenicity assessed by in vivo bone marrow genotoxicity assay. By a sub chronic (90 days) repeated dose (as per OECD, 408 guideline) study in rats, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level was found to be 2500 mg/kg assessed by clinico-biochemistry and all organs histopathology. We conclude that CSE is safe up to 10X the dose required for its osteogenic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kashif Hanif
- Pharmacology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Aamir Nazir
- Neuroscience & Ageing Biology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Sarika Singh
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Jiaur R Gayen
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | | | | | | | - Akhilesh Kumar
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Divya Mohan
- Pharmacology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | | | - Navodayam Kaleti
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Sachi Bharti
- Pharmacology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | - Divyansh Sharma
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Anil Kumar Meena
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | - Sudhaker Yadav
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | - Sadan K Pandey
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | - Himangsu K Bora
- Laboratory Animals Facility, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Sanjeev Kanojiya
- Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility & Research, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | - Sharad Sharma
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | - Kamal R Arya
- Division of Botany, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
| | | | | | - Smrati Bhadauria
- Toxicology & Experimental Medicine, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, 226 031, India.
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9
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Baldrick P. Core battery safety pharmacology testing - An assessment of its utility in early drug development. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2021; 109:107055. [PMID: 33813006 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2021.107055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Requirements for safety pharmacology testing have been in place since the issue of initial regulatory guidance over 20 years ago. An evaluation of such testing, supporting first clinical entry of 105 small molecule drug candidates over the last decade, showed that a "core battery" of in vitro electrophysiological (hERG), conscious non-rodent telemetry cardiovascular, rodent central nervous system (CNS) (modified Irwin's or functional observational battery [FOB] test) and respiratory function (plethysmography) studies was performed. Routine use of the latter 2 studies appears to have limited utility, with only 21% and 28% of studies, respectively, giving findings of which none were identified as of obvious concern to moving the affected drugs into the clinic. The use of a stand-alone hERG assay does not appear to be particular sensitive in predicting proarrythmic risk as a tool by itself. Telemetry study testing had utility especially for identifying effects on QTc interval (about 10% of studies), resulting on some occasions in a lower clinical starting dose and/or increased awareness for potential effects on the cardiovascular system in the Phase I study. Overall, this investigation provides information supporting an overhaul of the current "box ticking" core battery approach used for safety pharmacology testing. However, in order to achieve a more focused examination to investigate potential undesirable pharmacodynamic effects of a new candidate drug and also support 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) thinking in performing unnecessary studies, there will not only need to be a sea change by drug developers but also a change in current regulatory guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Baldrick
- Strategic Product Development Consulting, Covance Clinical & Commercialisation Services, Covance, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 1PY, United Kingdom.
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10
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Basante-Romo M, Gutiérrez-M JO, Camargo-Amado R. Non-toxic doses of modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles (m-TiO 2NPs) in albino CFW mice. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06514. [PMID: 33786399 PMCID: PMC7988325 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Modified titanium dioxide (m-TiO2NPs) is a novel photocatalytic nanomaterial. Its level of toxicity was evaluated to be used in photodynamic treatment for cervical cancer. In the toxicity studies (Irwin test, acute and repeated doses (10 days)), female albino Swiss Webster (CFW) mice, 28 days old were used; the m-TiO2NPs was administered in single 300, 600 and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight (b.w) doses injected in the peritoneal zone. No adverse events or mortality were produced. Daily intraperitoneal doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg b.w every 24 h for 10 days did not produce adverse effects or mortality. There were no abnormal clinical signs or behavioral changes (neurological or physiological) in any of the mice. All organs exhibited normal architecture, and histological studies determined that m-TiO2NPs does not produce changes in the cells or tissues. Based on the test results, it is concluded that the m-TiO2NPs has not a toxic effect in doses equal to or less than 5,000 mg/kg b.w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Basante-Romo
- Physicochemistry of Bio and Nanomaterials Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 # 100-00, Cali, Colombia
| | - Jose Oscar Gutiérrez-M
- Farmacología UNIVALLE Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B # 36-00, Cali, Colombia
| | - Rubén Camargo-Amado
- Physicochemistry of Bio and Nanomaterials Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 # 100-00, Cali, Colombia
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11
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Ferreira MA, Azevedo H, Mascarello A, Segretti ND, Russo E, Russo V, Guimarães CRW. Discovery of ACH-000143: A Novel Potent and Peripherally Preferred Melatonin Receptor Agonist that Reduces Liver Triglycerides and Steatosis in Diet-Induced Obese Rats. J Med Chem 2021; 64:1904-1929. [PMID: 33626870 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The modulation of melatonin signaling in peripheral tissues holds promise for treating metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Here, several benzimidazole derivatives have been identified as novel agonists of the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2. The lead compounds 10b, 15a, and 19a demonstrated subnanomolar potency at MT1/MT2 receptors, high oral bioavailability in rodents, peripherally preferred exposure, and excellent selectivity in a broad panel of targets. Two-month oral administration of 10b in high-fat diet rats led to a reduction in body weight gain similar to dapagliflozin with superior results on hepatic steatosis and triglyceride levels. An early toxicological assessment indicated that 10b (also codified as ACH-000143) was devoid of hERG binding, genotoxicity, and behavioral alterations at doses up to 100 mg/kg p.o., supporting further investigation of this compound as a drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hatylas Azevedo
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos, Guarulhos, São Paulo 07034-904, Brazil
| | | | | | - Elisa Russo
- Zirkon Ind. Com de Insumos Químicos, Itapira, São Paulo 13977-105, Brazil
| | - Valter Russo
- Zirkon Ind. Com de Insumos Químicos, Itapira, São Paulo 13977-105, Brazil
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12
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Aslamkhan AG, Xu Q, Loughlin A, Vu H, Pacchione S, Bhatt B, Garfinkel I, Styring TG, LaFranco-Scheuch L, Pearson K, Reynolds S, Li N, Zhou H, Miller JR, Solban N, Bass A, Glaab WE. Characterization of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase, and Ido1/Tdo2 knockout mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 406:115216. [PMID: 32871117 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase 2 (TDO2) degrade tryptophan (Trp) to kynurenine (Kyn), and these enzymes have promise as therapeutic targets. A comprehensive characterization of potential safety liabilities of IDO1 and TDO2 inhibitors using knockout (KO) mice has not been assessed, nor has the dual Ido1/Tdo2 KO been reported. Here we characterized male and female mice with KOs for Ido1, Tdo2, and Ido1/Tdo2 and compared findings to the wild type (WT) mouse strain, evaluated for 14 days, using metabolomics, transcriptional profiling, behavioral analysis, spleen immunophenotyping, comprehensive histopathological analysis, and serum clinical chemistry. Multiple metabolomic changes were seen in KO mice. For catabolism of Trp to Kyn and anthranilic acid, both substrates were decreased in liver of Tdo2 and dual KO mice. Metabolism of Trp to serotonin and its metabolites resulted in an increase in 5-Hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid in the Tdo2 and dual KO mice. Ido1 and dual KO mice displayed a Kyn reduction in plasma but not in liver. Nicotinamide synthesis and conversion of glucose to lactic acid were not impacted. A slight decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase was seen in all KOs, and small changes in liver gene expression of genes unrelated to tryptophan metabolism were observed. Regarding other parameters, no genotype-specific changes were observed. In summary, this work shows metabolomic pathway changes for metabolites downstream of tryptophan in these KO mice, and suggests that inhibition of the IDO1 and TDO2 enzymes would be well tolerated whether inhibited individually or in combination since no safety liabilities were uncovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy G Aslamkhan
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA; 770 Sumneytown Pike, WP45-313; West Point, PA 19486, USA.
| | - Qiuwei Xu
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Amy Loughlin
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Heather Vu
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Stephen Pacchione
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Bhavana Bhatt
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Ivy Garfinkel
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Tara Grady Styring
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Lisa LaFranco-Scheuch
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Kara Pearson
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Spencer Reynolds
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Nianyu Li
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Heather Zhou
- Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | | | - Nicolas Solban
- Quantitative Biosciences, Merck & Co, Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alan Bass
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Warren E Glaab
- Safety Assessment & Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co, Inc., West Point, PA, USA
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13
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Fisher J, Pavan C, Ohlmeier LS, Nilson B, Lundgaard I, Linder A, Bentzer P. A functional observational battery for evaluation of neurological outcomes in a rat model of acute bacterial meningitis. Intensive Care Med Exp 2020; 8:40. [PMID: 32770475 PMCID: PMC7415049 DOI: 10.1186/s40635-020-00331-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute bacterial meningitis is a disease with a high mortality and a high incidence of neurological sequelae in survivors. There is an acute need to develop new adjuvant therapies. To ensure that new therapies evaluated in animal models are translatable to humans, studies must evaluate clinically relevant and patient-important outcomes, including neurological symptoms and sequelae. METHODS We developed and tested a functional observational battery to quantify the severity of a variety of relevant neurological and clinical symptoms in a rat model of bacterial meningitis. The functional observational battery included symptoms relating to general clinical signs, gait and posture abnormalities, involuntary motor movements, focal neurological signs, and neuromotor abnormalities which were scored according to severity and summed to obtain a combined clinical and neurological score. To test the functional observational battery, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were infected by intracisternal injection of a clinical isolate of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Rats were evaluated for 6 days following the infection. RESULTS Pneumococcal meningitis was not lethal in this model; however, it induced severe neurological symptoms. Most common symptoms were hearing loss (75% of infected vs 0% of control rats; p = 0.0003), involuntary motor movements (75% of infected vs 0% of control rats; p = 0.0003), and gait and posture abnormality (67% of infected vs 0% of control rats; p = 0.0013). Infected rats had a higher combined score when determined by the functional observational battery than control rats at all time points (24 h 12.7 ± 4.0 vs 4.0 ± 2.0; 48 h 17.3 ± 7.1 vs 3.4 ± 1.8; 6 days 17.8 ± 7.4 vs 1.7 ± 2.4; p < 0.0001 for all). CONCLUSIONS The functional observational battery described here detects clinically relevant neurological sequelae of bacterial meningitis and could be a useful tool when testing new therapeutics in rat models of meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Fisher
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Chiara Pavan
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Faculties of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luisa S Ohlmeier
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo Nilson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Medical Microbiology Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Microbiology, Labmedicin, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Iben Lundgaard
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Adam Linder
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Peter Bentzer
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Helsingborg Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden
- Division of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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14
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Hayes A, Pressman P, Moser P, Soares-da-Silva P. Regulatory safety pharmacology evaluation of BIA 10-2474. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2020; 102:106677. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2020.106677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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