Stereoselective determination of plasma pindolol in endotoxin-pretreated rats by high-performance liquid chromatography

Determination of pindolol enantiomers in amniotic fluid and breast milk by high-performance liquid chromatography: Applications to pharmacokinetics in pregnant and lactating women

A method for the determination of pindolol enantiomers in amniotic fluid and breast milk was developed, validated, and applied to the investigation of six pregnant women treated with rac-pindolol (10 mg/12 h). Biological samples were extracted with tert-methyl-butyl ether, and the pindolol enantiomers were resolved on a Chiralpak AD column. Amniotic fluid/plasma and milk/plasma concentrations ratios ranged from 0.4 to 4.5 and from 0.6 to 3.7, respectively, for (+)-R-pindolol and from 0.5 to 3.5 and from 1.1 to 2.8, respectively, for (-)-S-pindolol. Preliminary data suggest that amniotic fluid and breast milk are routes of fetal exposure to pindolol enantiomers.

Blockade of 5-HT1A receptors by (+/-)-pindolol potentiates cortical 5-HT outflow, but not antidepressant-like activity of paroxetine: microdialysis and behavioral approaches in 5-HT1A receptor knockout mice

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine (Prx) often requires 4-6 weeks to achieve clinical benefits in depressed patients. Pindolol shortens this delay and it has been suggested that this effect is mediated by somatodendritic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A autoreceptors. However clinical data on the beneficial effects of pindolol are conflicting. To study the effects of (+/-)-pindolol-paroxetine administration, we used genetical and pharmacological approaches in 5-HT1A knockout mice (5-HT1A-/-). Two assays, in vivo intracerebral microdialysis in awake mice and the forced swimming test (FST), were used to assess the antidepressant-like effects of this drug combination. Basal levels of extracellular serotonin, 5-HT ([5-HT]ext) in the frontal cortex (FCX) and the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) did not differ between the two strains of mice, suggesting a lack of tonic control of 5-HT1A autoreceptors on nerve terminal 5-HT release. Prx (1 and 4 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased cortical [5-HT]ext in both genotypes, but the effects were greater in mutants. The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY-100635 (0.5 mg/kg), or (+/-)-pindolol (5 and 10 mg/kg) potentiated the effects of Prx (4 mg/kg) on cortical [5-HT]ext in 5-HT1A+/+, but not in 5-HT1A-/- mice. Similar responses were obtained following local intra-raphe perfusion by reverse microdialysis of either WAY-100635 or (+/-)-pindolol (100 microM each). In the FST, Prx administration dose-dependently decreased the immobility time in both strains of mice, but the response was much greater in 5HT1A-/- mice. In contrast, (+/-)-pindolol blocked Prx-induced decreases in the immobility time while WAY-100635 had no effect in both genotypes. These findings using 5-HT1A-/- mice confirm that (+/-)-pindolol behaves as an antagonist of 5-HT1A autoreceptor in mice, but its blockade of paroxetine-induced antidepressant-like effects in the FST may be due to its binding to other neurotransmitter receptors.

Enantiomeric separation and quantification of pindolol in human plasma by chiral liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry using staggered injection with a CTC Trio Valve system

Pindolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist (beta-blocker) for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and angina pectoris. It has one chiral center, and, therefore, two optical isomers. It was essential to develop an enantioselective assay to measure each enantiomer in human plasma. However, separation of enantiomers using chiral chromatography usually requires relatively long retention times. This can pose a problem for rapid turnaround of a large number of samples (i.e., clinical studies). In the present study, a simple and sensitive chiral liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of S-(-)- and R-(+)-pindolol in human plasma. To increase throughput, staggered sample injection was employed using a CTC Trio Valve system on a CTC HTS PAL autosampler. The method exhibited good intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision, and was linear over a dynamic range of 250 pg/mL to 250 ng/mL for each pindolol enantiomer. Intra- and inter-day accuracy ranged between 90.0-106% and 91.6-104% for both quality control (QC) samples of S-(-)- and R-(+)-pindolol, respectively. The respective intra- and inter-day precision ranged between 4.24-7.86% and 4.98-10.4%.

Resolution of chiral drugs by liquid chromatography based upon diastereomer formation with chiral derivatization reagents

Chiral derivatization reagents for resolution of biologically important compounds, such as chiral drugs by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), based upon pre-column derivatization and diastereomer formation, are reviewed. The derivatization reagents for various functional groups, i.e., amine, carboxyl, carbonyl, hydroxyl and thiol, are evaluated in terms of reactivity, stability, wavelength, handling, versatility, sensitivity, and selectivity. The applicability of the reagents to the analyses of drugs and bioactive compounds are included in the text.

Direct determination of pindolol enantiomers in human serum by column-switching LC-MS/MS using a phenylcarbamate-beta-cyclodextrin chiral column

A direct analytical method of pindolol enantiomers in body fluids was developed by means of column-switching semi-microcolumn liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A pre-column packed with a silica-based cation-exchanger was used for on-line sample cleanup. Subsequent enantioseparation was conducted with a phenylcarbamate-beta-cyclodextrin (ph-beta-CD) bonded semi-micro chiral column (2.0 mm inner diameter (i.d.)). A 25-microl aliquot of serum/urine samples was directly injected into the system after simple filtration with a membrane filter. Separated enantiomers were monitored with positive electrospray ionization (ESI) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM). R(+)- and S(-)-pindolol in serum and urine were determined separately within 16 min at a resolution factor of 1.9. The detection limits at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 5 were 0.13 ng ml(-1) for both enantiomers. The linearity of the method was in the range of 0.25-100 ng ml(-1) with regression coefficient greater than 0.997. Recoveries from spiked serum and urine samples, estimated by the external standard method, were between 94.8 and 117.6% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) ranging from 2.1 to 18%.

Is the beneficial antidepressant effect of coadministration of pindolol really due to somatodendritic autoreceptor antagonism?

BACKGROUND

We investigated the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with the beta-adrenoceptor/serotonin 1A (5-HT(1A)) antagonist pindolol, based on the concept that 5-HT(1A) receptor blockade would eliminate the need for desensitization of presynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors and therefore hasten the onset of action and improve the efficacy of SSRIs. However, since pindolol plasma levels after 2.5 mg three times a day are about 60 nmol/L, and the K(i) for the 5-HT(1A) receptor is 30 nmol/L, it is questionable whether pindolol levels in the brain would be sufficient to antagonize 5-HT(1A) receptors. Using microdialysis in the guinea pig, we correlated brain and plasma levels of pindolol with its capability of augmenting paroxetine-induced increases in brain 5-HT levels. In addition, central beta-receptor antagonism of pindolol was studied by investigating blockade of beta-agonist-induced increases in brain cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation.

METHODS

Using microdialysis and jugular vein catheterization, we studied the ability of systemically administered pindolol to antagonize central 5-HT(1A) and beta-adrenoceptors, while simultaneously monitoring pindolol plasma and brain concentrations.

RESULTS

Augmentation of paroxetine-induced increases in extracellular 5-HT levels in the ventral hippocampus was only observed at steady state plasma levels exceeding 7000 nmol/L (concurrent brain levels 600 nmol/L). In contrast, antagonism of beta-agonist-induced increases of brain cAMP levels was already observed at pindolol plasma levels of 70 nmol/L (concurrent brain levels < 3 nmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS

At plasma levels that are observed in patients after 2.5 mg three times a day ( approximately 60 nmol/L), pindolol produces only a partial blockade of presynaptic 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors and does not augment the SSRI-induced 5-HT increase in the guinea pig brain. It is therefore very unlikely that the favorable effects of combining pindolol with SSRIs, as reported in a number of clinical studies, are due to 5-HT(1A) antagonism. Since pindolol completely blocks central beta-adrenoreceptors at clinically relevant plasma levels, it is possible that beta-adrenoceptor antagonism is involved in mediating pindolol's beneficial effects.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of pindolol enantiomers in human serum and urine using a reversed-phase cellulose-based chiral column

Simple, sensitive and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic methods are reported for the determination of pindolol enantiomers in human serum and urine. The methods involved a solid-phase extraction of serum and a direct injection of urine samples. The separation of R(+)- and S(-)-pindolol was accomplished on a reversed-phase cellulose-based chiral column with a mobile phase of 40:60 (v/v) acetonitrile-0.3 M aqueous sodium perchlorate at a flow-rate of 0.5 ml/min. The detection was achieved by monitoring the fluorescence emission of pindolol enantiomers at 310 nm with excitation at 270 nm. The limits of detection were 1.2 ng/ml of R(+)- and 4.3 ng/ml of S(-)-pindolol in serum, and 21 ng/ml of R(+)- and 76 ng/ml of S(-)-pindolol in urine. The external standard method was used for quantitation. The methods have been applied to the analysis of human serum and urine samples in a pharmacokinetic study.

Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of oxprenolol, propranolol, and verapamil: species differences and influence of endotoxin

The influence of endotoxin-induced inflammation was studied on the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of the racemic drugs oxprenolol, propranolol, and verapamil in rabbits and dogs. Enantioselective pharmacokinetics were seen for oxprenolol and propranolol in the rabbit and for propranolol and verapamil in the dog. In the dog, the enantioselective differences in plasma concentrations are due to differences in both protein binding and metabolism, whereas in the rabbit the differences are due solely to differences in metabolism. In both species endotoxin treatment increases the plasma concentrations of the enantiomers of the three drugs; both protein binding and metabolism are influenced. In rabbits and in dogs, the influence of endotoxin on the disposition of the three drugs is less enantioselective than was previously observed in the rat.

Influence of endotoxin on the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of oxprenolol, propranolol, and verapamil in the rat

The influence of endotoxin-induced inflammation on the enantioselective pharmacokinetics of propranolol, oxprenolol, and verapamil, which bind to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, was studied in the rat. The racemic mixtures were given orally. In the control animals, for propranolol and oxprenolol, the plasma concentrations of the (R)-enantiomer were higher than those of the (S)-enantiomer, while for verapamil the reverse was true. Protein binding and intrinsic clearance are the main factors responsible for this enantioselectivity. After endotoxin treatment, for the three drugs tested the plasma concentrations and the plasma binding of both enantiomers were significantly increased. This effect was more pronounced for (R)-propranolol, (R)-oxprenolol, and (S)-verapamil than for their respective antipodes. The enantioselective effect of endotoxin on the plasma concentrations of the drugs studied seems mainly due to the enantioselective increase in binding to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein.

Enantioselective bioanalysis of beta-blocking agents: focus on atenolol, betaxolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, pindolol, propranolol and sotalol

The recent developments in enantioselective HPLC-separation techniques are impressive and are driven by industrial and academic interests; thus there is for instance a high demand for developing stereoselective assays for chiral drugs in biological fluids. The beta-blocking agents, which possess an amino-propanol- or -ethanol side chain with at least one chiral centre, represent one of the most intensively investigated groups of more than 40 drugs introduced world wide. Seven of the most popular beta-blockers were chosen as representatives: atenolol; betaxolol; carvedilol; metoprolol; pindolol; propranolol; and sotalol, these span the whole range of lipophilicity to hydrophilicity (polarity). Enantioselective HPLC bioassays for these beta-blockers published so far, including techniques based on chiral derivatizing agents (CDAs), chiral stationary phases (CSPs) and chiral mobile phase additives (CMPAs) have been reviewed and documented in the light of general aspects together with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations.

Effects of turpentine oil pretreatment on beta-blocker pharmacokinetic parameters in rats

Turpentine oil treatment (0.2 mL kg-1, s.c.) was used to increase the plasma concentration of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (0.13 mg mL-1 in control rats) to 1.72 mg mL-1 after 2 days, and allow assessment of its effects on the pharmacokinetics and stereoselective binding of three beta-blockers. Racemates (5 mg kg-1) were administered intravenously to control and turpentine oil-pretreated rats and the plasma concentrations were determined up to 90 min. Stereoselective analysis showed the apparent distribution volume and the area under plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) of R-(+)-propranolol to be, respectively, one-quarter and twice those of the S-(-)-enantiomer and differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two were magnified by turpentine oil pretreatment. Pharmacokinetic parameters of oxprenolol enantiomers were essentially similar for the controls but after turpentine oil pretreatment, a higher affinity of the R-(+)-enantiomer for plasma was observed. Acebutolol enantiomers behaved non-stereospecifically throughout. These results were consistent with predictions from the in-vitro stereospecific binding properties of these agents to purified rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein.

Stereoselective binding of beta-blockers to purified rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein

The stereoselectivity of binding of four beta-blockers, pindolol, propranolol, oxprenolol and acebutolol, to purified rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) was examined using equilibrium dialysis. Pindolol and propranolol were bound stereoselectively to AAG, whereas binding of oxprenolol was non-stereospecific. Neither of the enantiomers of acebutolol bound to either AAG or any other plasma protein. The affinity of (+)-pindolol was 25 times that of (-)-pindolol, as determined in a single enantiomer experiment. Both enantiomers of propranolol demonstrated two classes of binding sites in AAG, the total binding for the high affinity site for (+)-propranolol being double that of (-)-propranolol, which could explain the higher binding of the (+)-enantiomer in racemate experiments. These results further showed that stereoselective binding to a rat AAG is not a property common to all beta-blockers.

Chiral separation by high performance liquid chromatography. I. Review on indirect separation of enantiomers as diastereomeric derivatives using ultraviolet, fluorescence and electrochemical detection

The increased attention on the therapeutic implications of stereoisomerism has provided an impetus for the development of analytical methods for enantiomeric separation. The indirect method of separation of enantiomers as diastereomers using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has emerged as an efficient and versatile approach. This is due mainly to the availability of numerous chiral derivatization reagents (CDRs). This article reviews CDRs useful for the development of an indirect HPLC method using ultraviolet, fluorescence and electrochemical detection. In addition, factors crucial for the development of the indirect method are discussed.

The chiral chromatographic separation of β-adrenoceptor blocking drugs

Over 100 chromatographic procedures for the separation of beta-blocker enantiomers are reviewed including a large number for the analysis of biological samples. All the principal chiral chromatographic procedures have found use, namely Chiral Mobile Phase Additives (CMPA), Chiral Derivatization Agents (CDA) and Chiral Stationary Phases (CSP). Chiral Mobile Phase Additives are less frequently employed than the other two procedures and many of the earlier methods were based on the use of CDAs. However, the recent development of sophisticated custom-made CSPs has allowed the separation of native (underivatized) analytes and this approach appears to be gaining in popularity. The beta-blockers are an extensive group of drugs and stereoselective separations have been reported for 40 different structures.

Chromatography of beta-adrenergic blocking agents

The determination of beta-blockers has posed pharmaceutical analysts with a variety of problems arising from the essential characteristics of these compounds as bases and the variability of physicochemical properties of individual drugs. Liquid chromatography has become the favoured method of analysis and to a certain extent there is a standardised approach to analysis based on either solvent or solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection. The analyst must be aware of interactions occurring during extraction stages. All manipulations should be fully evaluated for individual drugs and metabolites prior to use. Other analytical options are chosen for specific or more demanding applications. The use of unmodified silicas for the liquid chromatography of beta-blockers (and other basic drugs) is an example of a potential alternative mode of chromatography. The stereoselectivity of the pharmacology of beta-blockers has spawned a great deal of literature describing the resolution of enantiomers by chromatographic methods. It is envisaged that this area will achieve greater prominence in the future as drug development pursues optical purity. The demand for the availability of enantiomerically pure pharmaceutical preparations will certainly see developments for preparative-scale separations as well as analytical methods and will surely promote developments in new and established methods of chromatography.