Letter: Enhancement of heparin effect by probenecid

Mind the gap: connexins and pannexins in platelet function

Connexins are a family of gap junction forming proteins widely expressed by mammalian cells. They assemble into hexameric hemichannels, which can either function independently or dock with opposing hemichannels on apposite cells, forming a gap junction. Pannexins are structurally related to the connexins but extensive glycosylation of these channels prevents docking to form gap junctions and they function as membrane channels. Platelets express pannexin-1 and several connexin family members (Cx37, Cx40 and Cx62). These channels are permeable to molecules up to 1,000 Daltons in molecular mass and functional studies demonstrate their role in non-vesicular ATP release. Channel activation is regulated by (patho)physiological stimuli, such as mechanical stimulation, making them attractive potential drug targets for the management of arterial thrombosis. This review explores the structure and function of platelet pannexin-1 and connexins, the mechanisms by which they are gated and their therapeutic potential.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of probenecid

A review of the clinical applications and of the disposition of probenecid in man, including drug interactions, is presented. Probenecid is the classical competitive inhibitor of organic acid transport in the kidney and other organs. There are 2 primary clinical uses for probenecid: as a uricosuric agent in the treatment of chronic gout and as an adjunct to enhance blood levels of antibiotics (such as penicillins and cephalosporins). Adsorption of probenecid is essentially complete following oral administration. The drug is extensively metabolised by glucuronide conjugation and by oxidation of the alkyl side chains; oxidation of the aromatic ring does not occur. The half-life of probenecid in plasma (4 to 12 hours) is dose-dependent. Renal excretion is the major route of elimination of the metabolites; excretion of the parent drug is minimal and is dependent on urinary pH. Probenecid and its oxidised metabolites are extensively bound to plasma proteins, mainly to albumin. Tissue concentrations (based on animal studies) are generally lower than plasma concentrations. Most of the drug-drug interactions involving probenecid are due to an effect on the kidney-block of transport of acidic drugs. Similarly probenecid affects the tubular secretion of a number of acidic endogenous substances by the kidney. Probenecid is also involved in the block of transport of acidic metabolites of catecholamines, for example homovanillic and hydroxyindoleacetic acids, in the brain. There are a number of analytical procedures for the assay of probenecid. These are based on spectrophotometry, spectrofluorometry, gas and liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of heparin

Heparin binds reversibly to its target sites of action, antithrombin and the other serine proteases involved in coagulation, especially activated factor X. It also binds to other plasma proteins, including fibrinogen, plasmin, albumin, and lipases. The volume of distribution of heparin is then, under most circumstances, limited to the plasma volume. Heparin has a very short half-life, about 1.5 hours, which is dose-dependent and varies with the assay method employed for its measurements. It is not eliminated enzymatically nor by glomerular filtration or renal tubular secretion. In all likelihood, the anticoagulant is transferred to reticuloendothelial cells, which may also provide the means for its degradation. Many of the difficulties inherent in assessing the kinetic properties of heparin, as well as its clinical efficacy, may be attributed to: (1) its molecular heterogeneity; (2) its wide spectrum of binding sites and their respective kinetic properties and dissociation constants; (3) differences among methods for measuring heparin effect and concentration; (4) the dose dependence of the drug's half-life; (5) variation in patient response to heparin; (6) the specific cation associated with it; and (7) the presence of hypercoagulation syndromes associated with deficits of antithrombin. Neither renal nor hepatic disease, nor the biological tissues from which heparins are extracted commercially, seem to influence the drug's kinetic properties as much as variations in clearance and response to heparin among individual patients. Many comparisons among available studies are difficult because of the wide variation in the assay methods employed in them. It would appear that optimum therapy with heparin can be achieved only when the individual patient's response to, and rate of elimination of, heparin are taken into account concurrently.