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Su S, Vincent KL. Lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate non-hormonal prescription vaginal pH modulator (VPM) gel for the prevention of pregnancy. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2022; 15:659-670. [PMID: 35802958 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2022.2100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A non-hormonal prescription vaginal pH modulator (VPM) gel (Phexxi®), with active ingredients lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate, has recently been approved for prevention of pregnancy in the United States. The objective of this review is to compile the evidence available from published preclinical and clinical trials to support its use. AREAS COVERED PubMed was searched for published literature on VPM gel. Two Phase III trials were found on clinicaltrials.gov database. The results demonstrated that VPM gel is safe, with minimal side effects, and effective (cumulative 6-7 cycle pregnancy rate of 4.1-13.65%, (Pearl Index 27.5) as a contraceptive. Microbicidal effects suggest potential for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); currently a Phase III clinical trial is being conducted to evaluate prevention of chlamydia and gonorrhea. EXPERT OPINION Non-hormonal reversible contraceptive options have been limited to the highly effective copper-releasing intrauterine device that requires insertion by a trained clinician, and less effective coitally-associated barrier and spermicide options which are typically available over-the-counter. Spermicides, which improve efficacy of barrier devices, may increase the risk of HIV/STIs. VPM gel provides a new safe, effective non-hormonal contraceptive option, with potential for prevention of STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna Su
- St James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Kathleen L Vincent
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, TX, USA
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Weitzel M, North BB, Waller D. Development of multipurpose technologies products for pregnancy and STI prevention: update on polyphenylene carboxymethylene MPT gel development†. Biol Reprod 2021; 103:299-309. [PMID: 32469052 PMCID: PMC7401404 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Current modern contraceptives rely heavily on the use of hormones. These birth control drug products, including pills, patches, injections, and IUDS, have been extremely beneficial to millions of women and their families over the past 50 years. But a surprisingly high number of women abandon such modern methods, many because they cannot tolerate the side effects and others because they have medical issues for which hormonal methods are contraindicated. In addition, modern hormonal methods are simply not available to many women. The extent of this problem is steadily becoming more apparent. We present the case for developing simple nonhormonal vaginal products that women can use when needed, ideal products that are multipurpose and offer both contraception and sexually transmitted disease protection. Gel-based vaginal products are particularly well suited for this purpose. Gels are easy to use, highly acceptable to many women, and can be safely formulated to enhance natural vaginal defenses against infection. However, the development of a new chemical entity for this application faces significant technical and regulatory hurdles. These challenges and our solutions are described for polyphenylene carboxymethylene (PPCM), a novel topical drug in a vaginal gel nearing human clinical trials. We have advanced PPCM from benchtop to IND-enabling studies and provide a brief description of the complex development process. We also describe a simple lab assay which can be used as a biomarker for contraceptive activity to enable pharmacodynamic studies in vaginal contraceptive development, both preclinically and in early human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Donald Waller
- Yaso Therapeutics Inc, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.,College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
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North BB, Weitzel MB, Waller DP, Birch WX, Feathergill KA, Birch LA, De Jonge CJ, Prins GS. Evaluation of the novel vaginal contraceptive agent PPCM in preclinical studies using sperm hyaluronan binding and acrosome status assays. Andrology 2021; 10:367-376. [PMID: 34542939 PMCID: PMC8760152 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Polyphenylene carboxymethylene (PPCM) sodium salt is a promising multipurpose technology for prevention of both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. In preclinical studies, PPCM has demonstrated significant (1) antimicrobial activity against several important viral and bacterial pathogens and (2) contraceptive activity associated with premature acrosome loss. Objective To further evaluate a vaginal antimicrobial compound as a contraceptive agent in preclinical studies utilizing a repurposed hyaluronan binding assay (HBA). Materials and methods Semen samples containing either neat semen or washed spermatozoa were treated with increasing concentrations of PPCM or calcium ionophore A23187 (positive control). Sperm inactivation was measured by two methods: (1) double acrosome staining (AS), and (2) a hyaluronan binding assay (HBA®). Percentage of inactivated sperm was compared between untreated control sperm and those treated with PPCM or A23187. Results PPCM had a significant (p < 0.05) and dose‐dependent effect on sperm inactivation in both assays, with HBA detecting a higher proportion of inactivated sperm than AS. PPCM did not affect sperm motility and exhibited equivalent responses in the neat and washed samples. Discussion Both HBA and AS confirmed that spermatozoa were rapidly inactivated at PPCM concentrations likely present in the vagina under actual use conditions and in a time‐frame comparable to in vivo migration of spermatozoa out of seminal plasma into cervical mucus. Conclusion PPCM vaginal gel may provide contraceptive protection as well as help with STI prevention. HBA may be a sensitive and much needed biomarker for sperm activity in future contraceptive development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Donald P Waller
- Yaso Therapeutics Inc., Frisco, Texas, USA.,College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - William X Birch
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Lynn A Birch
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher J De Jonge
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gail S Prins
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Pant NC, Singh R, Gupta V, Chauhan A, Mavuduru R, Prabha V, Sharma P. Contraceptive efficacy of sperm agglutinating factor from Staphylococcus warneri, isolated from the cervix of a woman with inexplicable infertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019; 17:85. [PMID: 31656198 PMCID: PMC6815424 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-019-0531-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Voluntary control of fertility is of paramount importance to the modern society. But since the contraceptive methods available for women have their limitations such as urinary tract infections, allergies, cervical erosion and discomfort, a desperate need exists to develop safe methods. Vaginal contraceptives may be the answer to this problem, as these are the oldest ways of fertility regulation, practiced over the centuries. With minimal systemic involvement, these are also the safest. Natural substances blocking or impairing the sperm motility offer as valuable non-cytotoxic vaginal contraceptives. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) isolated from plants, animals and microorganisms are known to possess sperm immobilizing and spermicidal properties. Following this, in the quest for alternative means, we have cloned, over expressed and purified the recombinant sperm agglutinating factor (SAF) from Staphylococcus warneri, isolated from the cervix of a woman with unexplained infertility. METHODS Genomic library of Staphylococcus warneri was generated in Escherichia coli using pSMART vector and screened for sperm agglutinating factor (SAF). The insert in sperm agglutinating transformant was sequenced and was found to express ribonucleotide-diphosphate reductase-α sub unit. The ORF was sub-cloned in pET28a vector, expressed and purified. The effect of rSAF on motility, viability, morphology, Mg++-dependent ATPase activity and acrosome status of human sperms was analyzed in vitro and contraceptive efficacy was evaluated in vivo in female BALB/c mice. RESULTS The 80 kDa rSAF showed complete sperm agglutination, inhibited its Mg2+-ATPase activity, caused premature sperm acrosomal loss in vitro and mimicked the pattern in vivo showing 100% contraception in BALB/c mice resulting in prevention of pregnancy. The FITC labeled SAF was found to bind the entire surface of spermatozoa. Vaginal application and oral administration of rSAF to mice for 14 successive days did not demonstrate any significant change in vaginal cell morphology, organ weight and tissue histology of reproductive and non-reproductive organs and had no negative impact in the dermal and penile irritation tests. CONCLUSION The Sperm Agglutinating Factor from Staphylococcus warneri, natural microflora of human cervix, showed extensive potential to be employed as a safe vaginal contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Chandra Pant
- Department of Microbiology, South Campus, Basic Medical Science (Block I), Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Ravinder Singh
- Department of Microbiology, South Campus, Basic Medical Science (Block I), Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Vijaya Gupta
- Department of Microbiology, South Campus, Basic Medical Science (Block I), Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Aditi Chauhan
- Department of Microbiology, South Campus, Basic Medical Science (Block I), Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | | | - Vijay Prabha
- Department of Microbiology, South Campus, Basic Medical Science (Block I), Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Prince Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, South Campus, Basic Medical Science (Block I), Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
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Kaur K, Kaur S, Prabha V. Exploitation of sperm-Escherichia coli interaction at the receptor-ligand level for the development of anti-receptor antibodies as the vaginal contraceptive. Andrology 2014; 3:385-94. [PMID: 25380035 DOI: 10.1111/andr.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In an earlier work performed in our laboratory, we have been able to isolate a sperm receptor (SR) from human spermatozoa playing critical role in fertilization using sperm--E. coli interactions at the receptor-ligand level. It has been hypothesized that for the development of an immunocontraceptive, antibodies generated against the SR should have the ability to impair sperm parameters. In this league, an attempt was made to generate anti-SR antibodies and their effect on sperm parameters such as motility, viability, Mg(2+) -dependent ATPase activity, acrosome status, and apoptotic index was examined. Loss of sperm motility was observed with 100% agglutination. Interaction of anti-SR antibodies with spermatozoa resulted in reduced Mg(2+) -dependent ATPase activity (1020 ± 0.53%), premature acrosomal loss (61.5 ± 0.67%) as well as induced apoptosis (58.76 ± 2.5%). The induction of sperm damage was specifically because of anti-SR polyclonal antibodies as it could be mitigated by the addition of purified SR. Further, when in vivo efficacy of anti-SR antibodies was checked, results showed that a single intravaginal administration with anti-SR antibodies in female BALB/c mice led to the failure of conception. However, simultaneous administration of SR with anti-SR polyclonal antibodies resulted in sustenance of fertility. Infertility induced by anti-SR antibodies did not show any other tissue pathology; hence the present work highlights the potential of anti-SR polyclonal antibodies to be used as a vaginal contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kaur
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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Kaur S, Prabha V. Receptor mediated amelioration of the detrimental effects of sperm agglutinating factor on sperm parameters. Andrology 2013; 1:624-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00088.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Revised: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Kaur
- Department of Microbiology; Panjab University; Chandigarh; India
| | - V. Prabha
- Department of Microbiology; Panjab University; Chandigarh; India
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Pozzetto B, Delézay O, Brunon-Gagneux A, Hamzeh-Cognasse H, Lucht F, Bourlet T. Current and future microbicide approaches aimed at preventing HIV infection in women. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2012; 10:167-183. [DOI: 10.1586/eri.11.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
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Darszon A, Nishigaki T, Beltran C, Treviño CL. Calcium Channels in the Development, Maturation, and Function of Spermatozoa. Physiol Rev 2011; 91:1305-55. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00028.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A proper dialogue between spermatozoa and the egg is essential for conception of a new individual in sexually reproducing animals. Ca2+ is crucial in orchestrating this unique event leading to a new life. No wonder that nature has devised different Ca2+-permeable channels and located them at distinct sites in spermatozoa so that they can help fertilize the egg. New tools to study sperm ionic currents, and image intracellular Ca2+ with better spatial and temporal resolution even in swimming spermatozoa, are revealing how sperm ion channels participate in fertilization. This review critically examines the involvement of Ca2+ channels in multiple signaling processes needed for spermatozoa to mature, travel towards the egg, and fertilize it. Remarkably, these tiny specialized cells can express exclusive channels like CatSper for Ca2+ and SLO3 for K+, which are attractive targets for contraception and for the discovery of novel signaling complexes. Learning more about fertilization is a matter of capital importance; societies face growing pressure to counteract rising male infertility rates, provide safe male gamete-based contraceptives, and preserve biodiversity through improved captive breeding and assisted conception initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Takuya Nishigaki
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Carmen Beltran
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Claudia L. Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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Anderson RA, Brown D, Jackson EM, Feathergill KA, Bremer JW, Morack R, Rawlins RG. Feasibility of Repurposing the Polyanionic Microbicide, PPCM, for Prophylaxis against HIV Transmission during ART. ISRN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2010; 2011:524365. [PMID: 21647213 PMCID: PMC3099743 DOI: 10.5402/2011/524365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 10/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
HIV-serodiscordant couples wishing to conceive often seek assisted reproduction, during which spermatozoa from infected men are washed to minimize the risk of HIV transmission to partner and fetus. We sought to improve this method by adding a microbicide, PPCM, as an HIV prophylactic. HIV-1 (BaL) inhibition by PPCM appears irreversible and independent of added Ca2+. Without added Ca2+, PPCM
(≤10 mg/mL, ≤90 min), a stimulus of Ca2+-dependent acrosomal loss, has no effect on sperm motility, forward progression, or acrosomal status. PPCM-treated (10 mg/mL) sperm retain their ability to acrosome react when Ca2+ is added. Sperm DNA integrity/function is unaffected by PPCM (≤10 mg/mL). Adding PPCM (5 mg/mL, 30 min) to washing media reduces infectivity (viral antigen p24 and RNA) of ex-vivo HIV-infected semen by 3-4 Logs compared with washing alone. Sperm washing with appropriate extracellular Ca2+ levels and PPCM is significantly more effective than washing alone at reducing HIV infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Anderson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 W. Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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