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Abdella S, Afinjuomo F, Song Y, Upton R, Garg S. Mucoadhesive Buccal Film of Estradiol for Hormonal Replacement Therapy: Development and In-Vivo Performance Prediction. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030542. [PMID: 35335917 PMCID: PMC8955147 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The age-related loss of circulating estrogen that occurs during the menopausal transition manifests itself through a variety of symptoms including vasomotor (hot flushes and night sweats), genito-urinary syndrome (vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms), sexual dysfunction, mood, and sleep disturbance that often last longer than a decade. Furthermore, reductions in estrogen level increase the risks of chronic complications such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline among others, thereby affecting the quality of life of women. Although oral estrogens are the most widely used therapy for menopausal symptoms, they suffer from poor bioavailability, and there are concerns over their safety, creating a significant concern to consumers. Mucoadhesive buccal films are an innovative dosage form that offers several advantages including avoidance of the first-pass metabolism, fast onset of action, and importantly, improved patient acceptance. In the current work, we developed mucoadhesive estradiol film for hormonal replacement therapy using film-forming polymers. Two approaches, namely, co-solvency and nano-emulsion were evaluated to increase solubility and hence incorporate estradiol, a poorly water-soluble drug, into a formulation made from the hydrophilic polymer/s. The films were characterised for their mechanical and physicochemical properties. In-vitro release study showed that about 80% of the drug was released within 6 min from films prepared by the nano-emulsion approach, whereas it took about 10.5 min to get similar drug release from films prepared by the co-solvency approach. The ex-vivo permeation result indicates that about 15% of the drug permeated across the porcine buccal mucosa in the first 10 h from films prepared by the nano-emulsion approach, while permeation across porcine buccal mucosa was only observed at around 24 h from films prepared by the co-solvency method. The nano-emulsion films were evaluated for in vivo performance using a convolution technique using R software. The predicted Cmax and Tmax were found to be 740.74 ng mL−1 and 7 min, respectively, which were higher than previously reported in vivo concentration from oral tablets. The results demonstrated that mucoadhesive film of estradiol based on the nano-emulsion approach could be a promising platform for the delivery of estradiol through the buccal mucosa for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadikalmahdi Abdella
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Development (PIDG) Group, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (S.A.); (F.A.); (Y.S.)
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Zambia St., Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Franklin Afinjuomo
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Development (PIDG) Group, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (S.A.); (F.A.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yunmei Song
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Development (PIDG) Group, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (S.A.); (F.A.); (Y.S.)
| | - Richard Upton
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Sanjay Garg
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Development (PIDG) Group, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (S.A.); (F.A.); (Y.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Bentley C, Potter C, Yakoub KM, Brock K, Homer V, Toman E, Taylor AE, Shaheen F, Gilligan LC, Athwal A, Barton D, Carrera R, Young K, Desai A, McGee K, Ermogenous C, Sur G, Greig CA, Hazeldine J, Arlt W, Lord JM, Foster MA. A prospective, phase II, single-centre, cross-sectional, randomised study investigating Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation and its Profile in Trauma: ADaPT. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e040823. [PMID: 34312190 PMCID: PMC8314713 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The improvements in short-term outcome after severe trauma achieved through early resuscitation and acute care can be offset over the following weeks by an acute systemic inflammatory response with immuneparesis leading to infection, multiorgan dysfunction/multiorgan failure (MOF) and death. Serum levels of the androgen precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester DHEAS, steroids with immune-enhancing activity, are low after traumatic injury at a time when patients are catabolic and immunosuppressed. Addressing this deficit and restoring the DHEA(S) ratio to cortisol may provide a range of physiological benefits, including immune modulatory effects. OBJECTIVE Our primary objective is to establish a dose suitable for DHEA supplementation in patients after acute trauma to raise circulating DHEA levels to at least 15 nmol/L. Secondary objectives are to assess if DHEA supplementation has any effect on neutrophil function, metabolic and cytokine profiles and which route of administration (oral vs sublingual) is more effective in restoring circulating levels of DHEA, DHEAS and downstream androgens. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A prospective, phase II, single-centre, cross-sectional, randomised study investigating Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation and its profile in trauma, with a planned recruitment between April 2019 and July 2021, that will investigate DHEA supplementation and its effect on serum DHEA, DHEAS and downstream androgens in trauma. A maximum of 270 patients will receive sublingual or oral DHEA at 50, 100 or 200 mg daily over 3 days. Females aged ≥50 years with neck of femur fracture and male and female major trauma patients, aged 16-50 years with an injury severity score ≥16, will be recruited. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol was approved by the West Midlands - Coventry and Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee (Reference 18/WM/0102) on 8 June 2018. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presented at national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered with the European Medicines Agency (EudraCT: 2016-004250-15) and ISRCTN (12961998). It has also been adopted on the National Institute of Health Research portfolio (CPMS ID:38158). TRIAL PROGRESSION The study recruited its first patient on 2 April 2019 and held its first data monitoring committee on 8 November 2019. DHEA dosing has increased to 100 mg in both male cohorts and remains on 50 mg in across all female groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Bentley
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Claire Potter
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- D3B, CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kamal Makram Yakoub
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kristian Brock
- D3B, CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Victoria Homer
- D3B, CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Emma Toman
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Angela E Taylor
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fozia Shaheen
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lorna C Gilligan
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Amrita Athwal
- D3B, CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Darren Barton
- D3B, CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ronald Carrera
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Katie Young
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Amisha Desai
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kirsty McGee
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christos Ermogenous
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gurneet Sur
- D3B, CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit Clinical Trials Group (D3B team), CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Carolyn A Greig
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jon Hazeldine
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
- National Institute of Health Research, Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Janet M Lord
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- National Institute of Health Research, Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark A Foster
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Bentley C, Hazeldine J, Greig C, Lord J, Foster M. Dehydroepiandrosterone: a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment and rehabilitation of the traumatically injured patient. BURNS & TRAUMA 2019; 7:26. [PMID: 31388512 PMCID: PMC6676517 DOI: 10.1186/s41038-019-0158-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Severe injuries are the major cause of death in those aged under 40, mainly due to road traffic collisions. Endocrine, metabolic and immune pathways respond to limit the tissue damage sustained and initiate wound healing, repair and regeneration mechanisms. However, depending on age and sex, the response to injury and patient prognosis differ significantly. Glucocorticoids are catabolic and immunosuppressive and are produced as part of the stress response to injury leading to an intra-adrenal shift in steroid biosynthesis at the expense of the anabolic and immune enhancing steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). The balance of these steroids after injury appears to influence outcomes in injured humans, with high cortisol: DHEAS ratio associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Animal models of trauma, sepsis, wound healing, neuroprotection and burns have all shown a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, improved survival and increased resistance to pathological challenges with DHEA supplementation. Human supplementation studies, which have focused on post-menopausal females, older adults, or adrenal insufficiency have shown that restoring the cortisol: DHEAS ratio improves wound healing, mood, bone remodelling and psychological well-being. Currently, there are no DHEA or DHEAS supplementation studies in trauma patients, but we review here the evidence for this potential therapeutic agent in the treatment and rehabilitation of the severely injured patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Bentley
- 1NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2WB UK.,2School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,3MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Birmingham University Medical School, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
| | - Jon Hazeldine
- 1NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2WB UK.,3MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Birmingham University Medical School, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
| | - Carolyn Greig
- 2School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,4NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Janet Lord
- 1NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2WB UK.,3MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Birmingham University Medical School, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.,4NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark Foster
- 1NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2WB UK.,5Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham Research Park, Birmingham, B15 2SQ UK
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Krøll J. Dehydroepiandrosterone, molecular chaperones and the epigenetics of primate longevity. Rejuvenation Res 2015; 18:341-346. [PMID: 25706901 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2014.1641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) are the most abundant circulating adrenal steroid hormones. The plasma level of DHEAS correlates with longevity in primates and varies during human development with a maximum in early adulthood and a marked decline during aging. DHEA promotes the expression of molecular chaperones which are housekeeping stress response proteins essential for the processes of folding, translocation, maintenance and repair of proteins, RNA and DNA, as well as for homeostasis, immune response and cancer resistance. The level of chaperone expression correlates with longevity and shows a decline during aging. DHEA-induced promotion of chaperone expression could contribute to the epigenetic evolution of primate longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Krøll
- Hafnia Unit of Biogerontology , Godthåbsvej 111,3 , Frederiksberg, Denmark , DK 2000 , +45 38862220 ;
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Abstract
'Bioidentical hormones' is a term created by the lay media to refer to chemicals derived from plants that are modified to be structurally identical to endogenous human hormones. These compounds include estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone when prescribed for menopausal women. Patients assume bioidentical hormones are natural and safer than synthetic hormones with regard to the risk of developing breast cancer and other diseases, but there is little evidence to support this belief. Proponents of this therapy also support the use of salivary hormone measurements to adjust doses of these hormones instead of adjustment based on improvement or lack of improvement in menopausal symptoms. In this review, the rationale behind the use of bioidentical hormones is discussed, along with the evidence supporting the use of compounded and FDA-approved bioidentical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia K Sites
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, 340 OHB, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA, Tel.: +1 205 934 1030; Fax: +1 205 975 5732
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Kuhl H. Pharmacology of estrogens and progestogens: influence of different routes of administration. Climacteric 2005; 8 Suppl 1:3-63. [PMID: 16112947 DOI: 10.1080/13697130500148875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 458] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
This review comprises the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of natural and synthetic estrogens and progestogens used in contraception and therapy, with special consideration of hormone replacement therapy. The paper describes the mechanisms of action, the relation between structure and hormonal activity, differences in hormonal pattern and potency, peculiarities in the properties of certain steroids, tissue-specific effects, and the metabolism of the available estrogens and progestogens. The influence of the route of administration on pharmacokinetics, hormonal activity and metabolism is presented, and the effects of oral and transdermal treatment with estrogens on tissues, clinical and serum parameters are compared. The effects of oral, transdermal (patch and gel), intranasal, sublingual, buccal, vaginal, subcutaneous and intramuscular administration of estrogens, as well as of oral, vaginal, transdermal, intranasal, buccal, intramuscular and intrauterine application of progestogens are discussed. The various types of progestogens, their receptor interaction, hormonal pattern and the hormonal activity of certain metabolites are described in detail. The structural formulae, serum concentrations, binding affinities to steroid receptors and serum binding globulins, and the relative potencies of the available estrogens and progestins are presented. Differences in the tissue-specific effects of the various compounds and regimens and their potential implications with the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kuhl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, J. W. Goethe University of Frankfurt, Germany
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Vashisht A, Wadsworth F, Carey A, Carey B, Studd J. A study to look at hormonal absorption of progesterone cream used in conjunction with transdermal estrogen. Gynecol Endocrinol 2005; 21:101-5. [PMID: 16109596 DOI: 10.1080/09513590500128583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural progesterone creams are gaining popularity as a possible treatment for menopausal symptoms, and many women may be using them with estrogen. We planned to evaluate, using an open plan study, the systemic absorption of a combination of transdermal estrogen and progesterone. Women applied transdermal progesterone 40 mg and transdermal estrogen 1 mg daily over 48 weeks. Women were assessed at intervals of 12 weeks. Significant increases in plasma levels of progesterone and estradiol were seen after 12 weeks, although only low plasma progesterone levels were found (median 2.5 nmol/l) and no further increase was noted over the remainder of the study period. A significant correlation was found between plasma levels of the two hormone (r = 0.315, p = 0.045). Women reported significant reductions in menopausal symptoms, as measured by the Green Climacteric Scale, after 24 and 48 weeks of combined treatment. There may be similar mechanisms of absorption of the two hormones, although the doses used in our study produced sub-luteal levels of progesterone. There was no evidence of accumulation of progesterone with time, and further study is needed to assess the efficacy and safety of this combination of hormones.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The terms "natural" or "bioidentical" hormone therapy (NHT) are used to describe hormone treatment with individually compounded recipes of certain steroids in various dosage forms, including dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, testosterone, progesterone, estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Based on the results of a person's salivary hormone levels, the final composition of the compounded dosage form is individualized to that specific person. Proponents claim that NHT is better tolerated than manufactured products. This paper is intended to review the concept of NHT and to determine whether there is sufficient scientific evidence to support its use. DESIGN A literature search was performed in Medline using the following MeSH terms and key words: drug combinations; progestational hormones; hormone replacement therapy; endometrium; estrogen replacement therapy; climacteric; menopause; estradiol; estrogens; progesterone; drug monitoring; and drug compounding. Current Contents, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Lexis Nexis, Google, Medscape, MD Consult, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched with key words. RESULTS There are a few observational studies and clinical trials comparing conventional hormone therapy with bioidentical hormone therapy. Studies generally lacked adequate study design, including small sample sizes and comparison of inequivalent doses, to prove safety and efficacy. Little evidence was found to support individualized hormone dosing based upon saliva hormone concentrations. CONCLUSION Evidence suggests that, although individualized hormonal products may decrease some symptoms of menopause, it seems they have no proven advantage over conventional hormone therapies and their use is not supported by evidence regarding pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Boothby
- Columbus Regional Drug Information Center, Columbus, GA, USA.
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