Effects ofEscherichia colilipopolysaccharide on the metformin pharmacokinetics in rats

Effects of metformin on lipopolysaccharide induced inflammation by activating fibroblast growth factor 21

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria that produces endotoxemia, which may cause septic shock. Metformin (MET) is a widely used hypoglycemic drug that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an endocrine polypeptide that affects glucose and lipid metabolism, and also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the effects of MET and FGF21 on inflammation due to LPS induced endotoxemia in male rats. Animals were divided into five groups: control, LPS, pre-MET LPS, LPS + 1 h MET and LPS + 3 h MET. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, FGF2, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and FGF21 levels were measured in liver tissue samples. Histopathology of all groups was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin stained sections. LPS caused severe inflammatory liver damage. MET exhibited a partially protective effect and reduced inflammation significantly. FGF21 is produced in the liver following inflammation and MET may increase its production.

Quantification of TSPO overexpression in a rat model of local neuroinflammation induced by intracerebral injection of LPS by the use of [(18)F]DPA-714 PET

PURPOSE

[(18)F]DPA-714 is a radiotracer with high affinity for TSPO. We have characterized the kinetics of [(18)F]DPA-714 in rat brain and evaluated its ability to quantify TSPO expression with PET using a neuroinflammation model induced by unilateral intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODS

Dynamic small-animal PET scans with [(18)F]DPA-714 were performed in Wistar rats on a FOCUS-220 system for up to 3 h. Both plasma and perfused brain homogenates were analysed using HPLC to quantify radiometabolites. Full kinetic modelling of [(18)F]DPA-714 brain uptake was performed using a metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input function. Binding potential (BPND) calculated as the distribution volume ratio minus one (DVR-1) between affected and healthy brain tissue was used as the outcome measure and evaluated against reference tissue models.

RESULTS

The percentage of intact [(18)F]DPA-714 in arterial plasma samples was 92 ± 4 % at 10 min, 75 ± 8 % at 40 min and 52 ± 6 % at 180 min. The radiometabolite fraction in brain was negligible (<3 % at 30 min). Among the models investigated, the reversible two-tissue (2T) compartment model best described [(18)F]DPA-714 brain kinetics. BPND values obtained with a simplified and a multilinear reference tissue model (SRTM, MRTM) using the contralateral striatum as the reference region correlated well (Spearman's r = 0.96, p ≤ 0.003) with 2T BPND values calculated as DVR-1, and showed comparable bias (bias range 17.94 %, 20.32 %). Analysis of stability over time suggested that the acquisition time should be at least 90 min for SRTM and MRTM.

CONCLUSION

Quantification of [(18)F]DPA-714 binding to TSPO with full kinetic modelling is feasible using a 2T model. SRTM and MRTM can be suggested as reasonable substitutes with the contralateral striatum as the reference region and a scan duration of at least 90 min. However, selection of the reference region depends on the disease model used.

Quantification of metformin by the HPLC method in brain regions, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of rats treated with lipopolysaccharide

Recently, it has been reported that metformin may attenuate inflammation and directly act on the central nervous system. Using the HPLC method, in Wistar rats, we assessed the changes in metformin concentrations in various brain regions (pituitary gland, olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, frontal cortex), cerebrospinal fluid and plasma after single and chronic oral administration, in the model of systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (ip). Regarding the influence of systemic inflammation on metformin distribution, the pituitary gland demonstrated the highest its level after single and chronic administration (28.8 ± 3.5 nmol/g and 24.9 ± 3.2 nmol/g, respectively). We concluded that orally-dosed metformin rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier and differently accumulates in structures of the central nervous system.