New formulation of in situ gelling Metolose-based liquid suppository

CONTEXT

An in situ gelling liquid suppository is liquid at room temperature but forms a gel at body temperature. In our work, Metolose® SM-4000 (methylcellulose) is studied that basically shows thermal gelation at 68°C (2%, w/w).

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to study the potency of different factors (concentration, pH, additives) to change the value of thermal gelation temperature (T (t)) for Metolose® to form an in situ gelling liquid suppository.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied the effect of Metolose® concentration, pH, and salts (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and sodium monohydrogen phosphate) on T (t) by viscosimetry. To choose the appropriate compound, in vitro drug release was examined. Rectal safety test was performed on rats in vivo after 12-hour application.

RESULTS

Increasing the Metolose® concentrations (0.5-4%, w/w), T (t) can be decreased, but it also altered the consistency of gel. pH does not affect the T (t). The water-soluble salts allowed reducing the gelation temperature to 37°C. Sodium monohydrogen phosphate in 4.5% concentration was found to be the most appropriate. The impact of examined factors on in vitro drug release of piroxicam from the in situ-formed gel was characterized according to Fickian diffusion. Metolose® and the chosen salt did not cause any morphological damage on the rectal tissues.

DISCUSSION

According to our study, Metolose® has the physical and chemical potential to be used as base for liquid suppositories.

Characterization of liposomal vesicles encapsulating rhodanese for cyanide antagonism

The major mechanism of removing cyanide from the body is its enzymatic conversion by a sulfurtransferase, e.g. rhodanese, to the less toxic thiocyanate in the presence of a sulfur donor. Earlier results demonstrated that externally administered encapsulated rhodanese significantly enhances the in vivo efficacy of the given sulfur donor. Present studies are focused on liposomal carrier systems encapsulating rhodanese. Physicochemical properties, e.g. membrane rigidity, size distribution, surface potential, osmolarity, and viscosity, were determined for various liposomal lipid compositions and hydrating buffers to establish in vitro stability and in vivo fate. Lipid composition was also optimized to achieve maximum encapsulation efficiency.

In vitro food-drug interaction study: Which milk component has a decreasing effect on the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin?

The purpose of the present work was developing an in vitro dissolution test to highlight the possible molecular background causing ciprofloxacin (CPFX)-milk interaction. The in vitro dissolution of CPFX from film-coated tablets (Ciprinol) 500mg) was examined at different pH values, simulating certain parts of the gastrointestinal tract, in the presence of water, low-fat milk, casein- or calcium enriched water. In order to determine the amount of dissolved CPFX, solid phase extraction sample preparation followed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was applied. Comparing the dissolution efficiency values in various media, it can be concluded, that casein has a more pronounced effect on the absorbable amount of the antibiotic at each pH value studied, than calcium. In the case of concomitant intake of CPFX film-coated tablet and milk or other dairy products not only the complexation with calcium, but also the adsorption of CPFX on the surface of proteins decreases the absorbable amount of CPFX.

Liposomal oxytetracycline and doxycycline: studies on enhancement of encapsulation efficiency

Liposomal encapsulations of oxytetracycline (OTC) and doxycycline (DC) with various lipid compositions and hydrating solutions have been studied in order to develop a new liposomal formulation to treat bacterial infections. Encapsulation efficiencies as a function of pH (pH 4.0-8.0) in ionic (phosphate buffers) and non-ionic (mannitol or glucose) hydrating solutions with various lipid compositions (lecithin or α-L-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, with or without cholesterol) were determined and compared to the character of lipid vesicles. Based on our encapsulation efficiency studies and on the drug stability considerations it can be concluded that for OTC/DC encapsulation the use of non-ionic solutions is the most promising.

Metabolism of moexipril to moexiprilat: determination of in vitro metabolism using HPLC-ES-MS

Moexipril is a long-acting, non-sulfhydryl angiotensine-converting enzyme inhibitor. It is used for treatment of arterial hypertension. Moexipril is the prodrug, yielding moexiprilat by hydrolysis of an ethyl ester group. Moexiprilat is the metabolite responsible for the pharmacological effect after moexipril administration. Samples of rat and human microsomal preparations exposed to moexipril treatment were analyzed by HPLC using octyl silica stationary phase and isocratic elution. To detect moexipril and moexiprilat the separation was monitored by both ultraviolet and mass specific detection. The rat liver microsomal preparation was more effective to in producing moexiprilat than the similar one derived from human liver cell lines. While additional potential metabolites of moexipril were suggested by computer-modeling, moexiprilat was the sole metabolite detected after microsomal treatment.

Potential application of Metolose in a thermoresponsive transdermal therapeutic system

The purpose of the present study was to formulate a novel thermoresponsive membrane controlled therapeutic system from Metolose for possible transdermal application. Metolose gel shows thermal gelation property, which can be characterized by two (T(1), T(2)) temperatures. A sharp decrease of viscosity can be measured at T(1), but gelation can be observed at T(2). Different types of Metolose polymers were compared considering their thermoresponsive behaviour. Only thermal gelation was observed in the case of Metolose SM, while Metolose SH showed a sudden decrease of viscosity at T(1). Since this temperature is above the body temperature, so it should be shifted to the skin temperature in case of possible transdermal application. Modulation of thermoresponsibility was followed by rheological method, and the thermoresponsive drug release from Metolose gel was studied by static liberation test. Our results demonstrated that the effect of different salts (NaCl, NaHCO(3), KCl) of various concentrations in Metolose SH gel reduced T(1) to the skin temperature, which enabled enhanced drug release.

The effect of oil as a dietary component on in vitro dissolution of an acid-labile drug

The non-benzodiazepine-like anxiolytic agent deramiclane fumarate (EGIA-3886) was used to demonstrate that the presence of high oil/fat content in dissolution media serves as a barrier against accelerated drug degradation in acidic media.

Metabolite analysis, isolation and purity assessment using various liquid chromatographic techniques combined with radioactivity detection

During the discovery of metabolic routes of a drug candidate, radioactively labeled substances are administered. This study reports the multidimensional application of overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with online or off-line nondestructive radioactivity detection methods in metabolism studies. Among these methods, digital autoradiography and flow-cell radioactivity detectors (RD) using solid scintillators are used. In this study, the hyphenation of OPLC with RD is reported. The application of the OPLC-RD technique is demonstrated on a metabolism study as well as the multidimensional chromatographic selectivity using normal-phase OPLC for the separation in the first dimension, followed by reversed-phase HPLC-RD, which provides additional selectivity to the separation. Information regarding the identity of radiolabeled metabolites and data obtained from spectroscopic methods could be advantageously used during structure elucidation.

Comparative bioavailability of alpha-methyldopa normal and film tablet formulations after single oral administration in healthy volunteers

In a single dose, randomized, cross-over study, with one week of wash-out period, the relative bioavailability of Dopegyt tablets containing 250 mg alpha-methyldopa (AMD) and Presinol film tablets with identical active ingredient content was examined in 24 healthy volunteers. Since technologically two completely different preparations (a film-tablet and a non-film-tablet) having significantly different in vitro dissolution were to be compared, both preparations were compared to a third one, AMD solution (Dopegyt solution) with 250 mg/50 ml concentration. Plasma concentrations of the drug were measured for 24 hours post-dose, applying HPLC with fluorometric detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from individual data (AUC0-infinity, AUC0-t, Cmax, Cmax/AUC0-infinity, t(max)) were evaluated statistically. Wilcoxon's nonparametric test and the four-way variance analysis could not detect any significant difference at the usual a=95% probability level in these pharmacokinetic parameters of the two tablet preparations. For AUC0-infinity at the 90% probability level, the confidence interval was 0.883-1.237 (with an estimated geometric mean of 1.045), for the test/reference ratio of Dopegyt and Presinol tablets, thus the two preparations proved to be bioequivalent. The relative bioavailability of Dopegyt (test preparation) and Presinol (reference preparation) calculated from the AUC0-infinity values was 116.7+/-56.7% that also confirmed bioequivalence. The results of all the applied statistical tests suggest that Dopegyt and Presinol can be considered as bioequivalent preparations.

Determination of deramciclane and N-desmethylderamciclane in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using off-line robotic sample pretreatment

A rapid and highly sensitive LC-MS-MS method using deuterium-labelled internal standards was developed and evaluated for the simultaneous determination of deramciclane and its pharmacologically active metabolite (N-desmethylderamciclane). The sample preparation based on liquid-liquid extraction was carried out with an off-line robotic system. Evaluation of this analytical method shows that samples can be assayed with acceptable accuracy and precision in the 0.1 to 50 ng/ml concentration range for both compounds. The method was applied for the quantitative determination of deramciclane and its metabolite in human plasma samples during a food interaction pharmacokinetic study.

Oral, intraperitoneal and intravenous pharmacokinetics of deramciclane and its N-desmethyl metabolite in the rat

The pharmacokinetic properties of deramciclane fumarate (EGIS-3886), a new potential anxiolitic agent, and its N-desmethyl metabolite have been investigated in Wistar rats after 10 mgkg(-1) deramciclane fumarate was administered orally, intraperitoneally or intravenously. A highly sensitive, validated and optimized gas chromatographic method with nitrogen selective detection (GC-NPD) using a solid-phase extraction technique was used to determine plasma levels of the parent compound and its N-desmethyl metabolite. After oral administration the absorption of the parent compound was very fast (t(max) 0.5h). The maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) was detected at 44.9, > or =177.8 and > or =2643.0 ngmL(-1) after oral, intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of deramciclane, respectively. For the metabolite the respective Cmax values were 32.0, > or =25.4 and 51.0 ngmL(-1). The pharmacokinetic curves of both the parent compound and its metabolite showed enterohepatic recirculation for all administration routes. The biological half-life (tbeta 1/2) for deramciclane ranged from 3.42 to 5.44 h and for the N-desmethyl metabolite the range was 2.90-5.44 h, after administration of the drug by the three different routes. After intravenous administration AUC0-infinity, of deramciclane was 29.2- and 5.4-times higher than that observed after oral and intraperitoneal treatment, respectively. These AUC0-infinity ratios were only 2.1- and 1.5-times higher for the metabolite. The absolute bioavailability of deramciclane in rats was 3.42% after oral and 18.49% after intraperitoneal administration. The comparative pharmacokinetic study of deramciclane in rat after the different administration routes showed fast absorption. Furthermore, plasma levels were found to be administration route-dependent, low bioavailability of the parent compound indicated an extremely fast and strong first-pass metabolism. The apparent volume of distribution suggested strong tissue binding after administration of the drug by any of the three routes studied.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of deramciclane during multiple oral dosing

Deramciclane is a new putative non-benzodiazepine-type anxiolytic compound. It is a selective serotonin 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist and has also inverse agonist properties. The aim of this study was to reveal the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of deramciclane during repeated oral dosing in healthy male volunteers.

SUBJECTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used. The study had three consecutive groups that received first a single oral dose of 10, 30 and 60 mg of deramciclane followed by twice a day administration for seven days. The total number of subjects was 28. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for a single dose and after repeated administration. Tolerability was assessed by monitoring safety laboratory variables, electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood pressure and adverse events.

RESULTS

The steady-state was reached during the seven-day administration. The pharmacokinetics of deramciclane was dose-proportional at steady-state at each dose level. Deramciclane accumulated about three-fold during repeated administration. The relative bioavailability of deramciclane increased about 1.4-fold compared to that of a single dose at each dose level. The mean elimination half-life of deramciclane for 10, 30 and 60 mg doses prolonged from 24.3, 20.9 and 22.9 h after a single dose to 30.5, 25.6 and 28.7 h at steady-state, respectively. Only few adverse events were reported, all mild and transient in nature. The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions were tiredness and headache. There were no deramciclane-induced changes in the clinical chemistry or hematology variables, blood pressure, heart rate or in electrocardiogram.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the pharmacokinetics of deramciclane is linear over the dose range of 10 - 60 mg at steady-state. The slight non-linearity within the dose levels during repeated administration of seven days was regarded as clinically irrelevant. Deramciclane was safe and well tolerated up to doses of 60 mg b.i.d. for seven days.

The single dose pharmacokinetics and safety of deramciclane in healthy male volunteers

The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a new putative non-benzodiazepine type anxiolytic compound deramciclane was studied in two consecutive studies. An open dose-escalation design was used to study doses from 0.2 to 50 mg in 18 healthy male volunteers. In the second study doses from 50 to 150 mg were investigated in 14 healthy males in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose escalation study. Deramciclane was rapidly absorbed from the GI-tract and T(max) was 2-4 h. The elimination half-life increased from about 20 h to about 32 h with the increasing dose. Nevertheless, the AUC(0-infinity) values increased linearly within the studies over the dose ranges of 3-50 and 50-150 mg. However, the increase was more than the ratio of the dose over the total dose range of 3-150 mg. Therefore, non-linear pharmacokinetics of deramciclane at high doses cannot be excluded. N-desmethyl deramciclane, which is the active metabolite of deramciclane, was determined in plasma. C(max) was reached at about 6 h. The AUC(0-48 h) for the N-desmethyl metabolite was about one third of the AUC(0-infinity) of the parent compound and the ratio remained constant at each dose level. Deramciclane was safe, and was well tolerated at each dose level.

Application of overpressured layer chromatography combined with digital autoradiography and mass spectrometry in the study of deramciclane metabolism

Overpressured layer chromatography was combined with the highly sensitive and rapid digital autoradiography (DAR) and mass spectrometry to separate, detect, and identify 3H- and 14C-labeled deramciclane metabolites in different biological matrixes. Several minor and major metabolites were separated from plasma and urine samples. The radioactive metabolites localized by DAR were scraped from the thin-layer chromatographic plate and transferred to a mass spectrometer for structure identification. Several metabolites were isolated and characterized, including hydroxy-N-desmethyl deramciclane, which is described in detail. The combination of techniques is efficient and has good sensitivity: about 2 micrograms metabolite from a biological matrix was isolated and identified this way.

Whole-body autoradiography and quantitative organ-level distribution study of deramciclane in rats

The distribution of 3H-labelled deramciclane (EGIS-3886), a new 5-HT2 antagonist with anxiolytic activity, has been investigated by whole-body autoradiography and quantitative organ-level determination after intravenous and oral administration to male and female rats at a dose of 3 mg kg(-1). Pregnant dams were also studied, but by autoradiography only. In the autoradiographic study 32 organs were investigated, while in the quantitative organ-level study the radioactivity in 15 organs were determined. There are no sex differences in the distribution of deramciclane, absorption is rapid, elimination is comparatively fast, no specific organ is targeted, and the accumulation of the compound is very unlikely. Penetration of the blood-brain barrier was complete and extremely fast, a very important feature of a potential anxiolytic drug. There is no penetration of the foetus in pregnant dams. The study demonstrated that deramciclane has advantageous pharmacokinetic properties in rats.

[Comparative pharmacokinetics of 800 mg of acyclovir-containing Telviran and Zovirax tablets in healthy volunteers]

The authors performed a detailed comparative clinical and pharmacokinetic study with two 800 mg acyclovir containing tablets, namely the Telviran (EGIS Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) and the Zovirax (Wellcome Foundation Ltd.). The determination of the detailed pharmacokinetic parameters and the relative bioavailability was carried out on 24 healthy male volunteers in a two way, open, randomised, cross-over design study after single dose administration. The plasma concentration of acyclovir was determined by a newly developed and validated highly sensitive (LLOQ = 10 ng/ml) HPLC-UV bioanalytical method after sample preparation with RP-18 solid phase extraction method (SPE). The individual pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the time-plasma concentration curve (tmax, Cmax, AUC0-infinity, AUC0-16, AUC0-t, AUC0-z, AUCRest, t beta 1/2, MRT, Cmax/AUC0-infinity) were compared with statistical methods (ANOVA, ANOVAlog, Confidence interval, Schuirmann, Wilcoxon tests). On the basis of the results of the statistical evaluation and the clinical study, there was no significant difference found between the two acyclovir containing preparations. The comparative pharmacokinetic study demonstrated, that the relative bioavailability of the 800 mg Telviran and Zovirax tablets are equivalent and the two products are bioequivalent.

Pharmacokinetics of deramciclane in rabbits

The pharmacokinetics of deramciclane (CAS 120444-78-8, EGIS-3886) was investigated in rabbits after i.v., p.o. and s.c. administration of 3 mg/kg 14C-phenyl-deramciclane. The plasma, concentration-time curves of total radioactivity, the parent compound (deramciclane) and its N-demethylated metabolite (EGIS-7056) were determined. The radioactivity level was measured by liquid scintillation technique while the concentration of the parent compound and its metabolite was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection. The p.o. and i.v. studies were carried out on the same group of animals, while a separate group of rabbits was used for studying s.c. absorption. Deramciclane was readily absorbed after p.o. and s.c. treatment (tmax 1.0 to 1.4 h). The terminal elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) of the parent compound fell between 5.8 to 7.1 h, while that of the total radioactivity ranged from 21.6 and 26.0 h. The absolute bioavailability of deramciclane calculated from the AUC0-infinity values was found to be 43 and 60% after p.o. and s.c. treatment. The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) and the whole body clearance (Cl) of deramciclane after i.v. administration were 25.0 +/- 7.1 l/kg and 2.6 +/- 0.5 l/h/kg, respectively. The AUC0-infinity values of the parent compound varied between 4.6 and 7.9% of that of total radioactivity, suggesting that deramciclane was subjected to intensive metabolic conversion. The AUC0-infinity of N-desmethyl-deramciclane was 5.7%, compared to that of the parent compound after i.v. administration.

Different absorption profiles of deramciclane in man and in dog

We have studied the dog model for predicting the oral absorption of deramciclane, a novel anxiolytic compound, as a model acid-labile drug. The absorption profile of deramciclane was studied in man and beagle dogs after administration of conventional capsules and enteric coated tablets. Absorption in dogs pretreated with pentagastrin or saline was also studied after administration of conventional capsules. The in-vitro stability of deramciclane was determined over the pH range 1.2-6.0. The rate of degradation of deramciclane increased ten-fold as the pH was reduced from 2.1 to 1.2 (t 1/2 beta (elimination half-life) 9 h and 39 min, respectively). Deramciclane was stable at pH > or = 3. The two formulations were bioequivalent in dogs and there were no significant differences between pharmacokinetic parameters measured for dogs pretreated with pentagastrin or saline. In man the mean relative bioavailability and Cmax (peak plasma concentration) for the conventional capsules were approximately 75% and 83% of those for the enteric coated tablets (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0031, respectively). This was probably because of degradation of deramciclane at lower pH of man's stomach compared with that of the dog. Pentagastrin was probably unsuccessful in reducing gastric pH and thus no change in absorption was observed. It is concluded that the absorption of deramciclane, and possibly other acid-labile drugs, cannot be predicted by use of the dog model.

[Role of food interaction pharmacokinetic studies in drug development. Food interaction studies of theophylline and nifedipine retard and buspirone tablets]

Due to several mechanism, meals may modify the pharmacokinetics of drug products, thereby eliciting to clinically significant food interaction. Food interactions with the drug substance and with the drug formulation should be distinguished. Food interaction of different drug products containing the same active ingredient can be various depending on the pharmaceutical formulation technology. Particularly, in the case of modified release products, the food/formulation interaction can play an important role in the development of food interaction. Well known example, that bioavailability of theophylline can be influenced in different way (either increased, decreased or unchanged) by concomitant intake of food in the case of different sustained release products. The role and methods of food interaction studies in the different kinds of drug development (new chemical entity, modified release products, generics) are reviewed. Prediction of food effect response on the basis of the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drug molecule or formulations is discussed. The results of three food interaction studies carried out the products of EGIS Pharmaceuticals Ltd. are also reviewed. The pharmacokinetic parameters of theophyllin 400 mg retard tablet were practically the same in both fasting condition and administration after consumption of a high fat containing standard breakfast. The ingestion of a high fat containing breakfast, increased the AUC of nifedipine from 259.0 +/- 101.2 ng h/ml to 326.7 +/- 122.5 ng h/ml and Cmax from 34.5 +/- 15.9 ng/ml to 74.3 +/- 23.9 ng/ml in case of nifedipine 20 mg retard tablet, in agreement with the data of literature. The statistical evaluation indicated significant differences between the pharmacokinetic parameters in the case of two administrations (before and after meal). The effect of a high fat containing breakfast for a generic version of buspiron 10 mg tablet and the bioequivalence after food consumption were studied in a single-dose, three-way (test and reference products administered after consumption of standard breakfast, as well as test product in fasting condition), cross-over, food effect bioequivalence study. According to the results, the test product--which, in a former study proved to be bioequivalent with the reference product in fasting state--is bioequivalent with the reference product under feeding conditions and the food intake influenced the pharmacokinetics of the test tablets.

Study of the bone marrow penetration of radioactivity after oral administration of radiolabelled girisopam (EGIS-5810) in mice

Girisopam (EGIS-5810) is a potent anxiolytic compound. Recent in vitro studies with the substance, in Chinese hamster ovary cells, indicated dose-dependent mutagenic activity. At the same time, in ex vivo bone marrow micronucleus tests performed after treating CFLP mice with extreme oral doses (875, 1300 and 1750 mg/kg) no mutagenic activity could be observed at any of the dose-levels. On the basis of the above results, it seemed reasonable to study the absorption and distribution of radioactivity and particularly its bone marrow penetration after administering tritiated and 14C-labelled girisopam at the same doses as those applied in the micronucleus test. The animals were sacrificed 30 minutes, 2 and 24 hours after treatment and the radioactivity content of blood, plasma and bone marrow was determined. For whole body autoradiography studies, the animals were sacrificed at the same time points, however they were treated with tritium-labelled girisopam. The results indicated that the absorption of radioactivity from the gastro-intestinal tract of the animals started immediately. The samples collected had well measurable radioactivity even 30 minutes after treatment. At the same time, it was also evident, that, in spite of the high doses, the absolute amount of radioactivity was rather low. At both dose-levels, the radioactivity concentration was the highest in samples collected 24 hours after treatment. This results indicated extremely delayed absorption. The radioactivity level of bone marrow was practically the same as that measured in blood. The samples of animals treated with the high-dose had higher radioactivity content, however the increase was not linearly proportional to the dose. Disproportionality can probably be explained by delayed absorption. The whole body autoradiography was in good agreement with the results of quantitative determinations. This results confirmed the observations obtained by ex vivo micronucleus test. The radioactivity penetrated in the bone marrow resulting a long time exposure of the radioactivity without any mutagenic effect.

[Review of bioanalytic methods in pharmacokinetics]

The analytical methods used in pharmacokinetic practice are reviewed. The system of special pharmacokinetic demands on bioanalytical methods for carrying out the different pharmacokinetic, metabolite kinetic, bioequivalence and food interaction studies is demonstrated in details (high sensitivity; the parallel measurability of the parent compound and its metabolites; species and biological matrices dependent methods; anticoagulation; sample preparation; derivatisation; special calibration system; method selectivity; reproducibility; validation; economicalness). The different immunological methods and separation techniques used in pharmacokinetic practice and the sensitivity of the detectors have been compared and characterized. Without the requirement of completeness, the author has tried to summarize the most important bioanalytical techniques in the view of general and specific feature; the possibilities of application, characteristics of operation and limitations.

Absorption of the new anxiolytic compound deramciclane in rats, dogs and rabbits

The absorption of deramciclane fumarate ((1R,2S,4R)-(-)-N,N-dimethyl-2-[(1,7,7-trimethyl-2-phenylbicyclo [2,2,1] hept-2-yl) oxy] ethane amine-2-(E)-butenedioate (1:1), CAS 120444-78-8, EGIS-3886), a new anxiolytic compound, was studied in rats, dogs and rabbits by using 3H-camphor- or 14C-phenyl-labelled radioisomers of the substance. The compound was readily absorbed from the intestinal tract after oral administration. The absorption of 14C-deramciclane was also studied from the isolated intestinal loops of rats (duodenal, jejunal, ileal loops) and dogs (duodenal loop). The absorption was faster in rats and rabbits than in dogs (tmax = 1 h or 6 h, respectively). The radioactivity was not absorbed from the isolated stomach of any species studied for 2 h. Meanwhile, the substance was not decomposed by the gastric juice, as it has been proved by TLC and MS analyses. Deramciclane is preferentially excreted via the bile. The intensity of its bile excretion is higher in rats than in dogs. Higher plasma levels of labelled deramciclane were found in female than in male rats.

Food interaction pharmacokinetic study of cordaflex 20 mg retard filmtablet in healthy volunteers

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of food consumption on the pharmacokinetics of Cordaflex 20 mg retard filmtablet in healthy volunteers through measuring nifedipine plasma levels by an HPLC-ED method both after fasting and food ingestion. The food interaction pharmacokinetic study of Cordaflex 20 mg retard filmtablet was carried out in 12 healthy male volunteers treated with a single dose of the preparation both after fasting and after food ingestion, in a crossover design allowing 1 week of wash-out period between the 2 treatments. Nifedipine concentration of plasma samples were determined by an isocratic HPLC-ED method [Horvai et al. 1994] with robotic sample processing [Horváth et al. 1995, 1996]. The pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-infinity, AUC0-t, Cmax, MRT) were analyzed by calculating 90% confidence interval for logarithmic transformed test/reference ratio values, and Schuirmann's statistical tests, the tmax and HVD values were analyzed by Wilcoxon's nonparametric statistical test. The above statistical tests of the present food interaction study indicated significant differences for each one of the respective pharmacokinetic parameter pairs calculated for treatments after fasting and after food ingestion. On the basis of the above findings and also by comparing the mean pharmacokinetic curves, it was evident, that, in agreement with the data of literature [Kleinbloesem et al. 1993, Schall et al. 1994], food ingestion increased the relative bioavailability and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). Considering the average of the parameter values and also the respective statistical tests, it was also apparent that the time to maximum plasma concentration (tmax), the mean residence time (MRT), and the half-value duration (HVD) all decreased significantly upon the effect of food ingestion.

Distribution of deramciclane (EGIS-3886) in rat brain regions

The time related distribution and pharmacokinetics of double-labelled EGIS-3886 (EGIS-3886-phenyl-14C and -ethyl-3H) were studied in the plasma, hypophysis and 14 cerebral regions, including the spinal cord of the rat after a single oral treatment (acute experiments) and after repeated administration of one dose daily for six days (subacute experiments). The tissue levels of EGIS-3886 (deramciclane) were calculated from the simultaneously determined dpm values and the specific activities of the two radioisomers present in the dose administered. EGIS-3886 was rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (t(max)=1.0 h). The concentration-time curves in the tissues can be described by a two compartment open model. The 3H-activity could be measured during the whole period of the acute experiment (96 h), whereas 14C-radioactivity fell below the detection limit within 24 h. The AUC(0-96) values for 3H were 10 to 15 times higher than that for 14C. In all samples examined, on the concentration time curves a peak characteristic of enterohepatic cycle can be seen at 12 h. The studies indicated that intact molecules entered brain tissues from the circulation. The results of the subacute experiments indicate that the 14C-labelled EGIS-3886, or its metabolite(s) carrying the tracer, reach an equilibrium as early as on the second to third day, whilst the level of 3H-radioactivity continually increases during the six days of repeated administration. In the subacute experiments the peak concentrations were reached at 0.5 h after the final treatment. However, their values for 3H were higher than in acute experiments. The last tendency was not observed in the case of 14C-tracer. The AUC values of 3H-labelled EGIS-3886 determined in subacute experiments predominated over 14C; the ratios were 50 to 60 in all brain regions. The enterohepatic cycle, seen after a single dose, also operated after repeated dosage. The time related concentrations of EGIS-3886 in the hypophysis were at least two times higher than that in the plasma and the brain tissues. No significant difference was seen in the concentrations of EGIS-3886 in the symmetrical (left and right) regions of the brain.

Automated determination of levodopa and carbidopa in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection using an on-line flow injection analysis sample pretreatment unit

An automated analytical procedure is described for the parallel determination of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa, L-dopa, LD) and the analogous hydrazine compound carbidopa (CD) in dog plasma by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED). After deproteinization of the plasma samples with perchloric acid the catecholamines were extracted from the supernatant by adsorption on a small column filled with alumina. The extraction and redissolution were automatically performed in a flow injection analysis unit (FIA) coupled to the HPLC system. The performance of the whole system was tested on dog plasma samples including specimens taken after oral administration of the anti-Parkinsonism drug Duellin, which is a combination tablet of levodopa and carbidopa.

Pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence study of two gemfibrozil preparations

A comparative pharmacokinetic study has been performed in 19 healthy male volunteers in a single-dose, randomized, two way cross-over design with two preparations of gemfibrozil (CAS 25812-30-0) capsules each of them containing 300 mg active ingredient. The test preparation was Innogem 300 mg capsule. The plasma concentration of gemfibrozil was determined by a validated HPLC-UV analytical method. The statistical comparison of individual pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-16, AUC0-oc Cmax, tmax) of the two capsule preparations was performed by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Wilcoxon's, Westlake's, Schuirmann's and Hanck-Anderson's method as well as by the calculation of confidence intervals on the ratio of test/reference. The relative bioavailability of the test preparation with respect to the reference preparation in terms of the AUC0-oc was 104.06 +/- 21.61%. No statistically significant difference was found between the pharmacokinetic parameters, calculated from plasma concentration-time curves, indicating that the two preparations were bioequivalent.

[Bioanalytic examination and pharmacokinetics of captopril. Bioequivalence studies of different captopril-containing Tensiomin preparations]

The authors of the present report reviewed the literature of various bioanalytical methods for the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of captopril and present their own results obtained in bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic studies. The authors performed a detailed comparative clinical, pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence study, in Hungary, with 3 different captopril tablets, 50 mg each, namely with Tensiomin (EGIS Pharmaceuticals Ltd.), as test preparation and Capoten (E.R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.) and Lopirin (Squibb Pharma GmbH) as reference preparations. Bioequivalence study of Tensiomin and Capoten preparations both containing 100 mg of captopril was carried out in the United States. Relative bioavailability and comparative pharmacokinetic parameters were determined in 24 and 25 healthy volunteers, respectively, in single-dose, randomised studies of three-way (50 mg) or two-way (100 mg) cross-over design. The individual pharmacokinetic parameters determined for the test and reference preparations with different active principle content were tmax, Cmax, AUCOo-t, AUCo-infinity t beta 1/2, Cmax/AUCo-infinity. Statistical evaluation of the results of bioequivalence studies was made using confidence interval calculation and the Test/Reference ratio (50 and 100 mg), and by Schuirmann's, Hauck-Anderson's, Westlake's, Wilcoxon's methods (50 mg) and power test (100 mg). All the above tests indicated statistical equivalence between the test and reference preparations. The test and reference preparations of different strengths had identical relative bioavailability. Accordingly, the clinical and biological equivalence of 50 mg and 100 mg Tensiomin tablets with 50 mg and 100 mg Capoten tablets and 50 mg Lopirin tablet have been demonstrated in two independent comparative bioequivalence studies.

Pharmacokinetics of panomifene in healthy volunteers at phase I/a study

Panomifene (PAN) /E/-1,2,-diphenyl-1-[4-[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-ethoxy]-phenyl]-3, 3,3-trifluoropropene is a new original Hungarian compound and is a tamoxifen (TMX) analog. In the phase I/a study presented here the human tolerance, pharmacokinetics and endocrine effects of a single oral dose of panomifene were evaluated in healthy, post-menopausal, female volunteers. As to the dose escalation, pharmacokinetic studies were carried out at doses of 24, 48 and 96 mg in two volunteers, and 120 mg in one volunteer. To find a suitable dose or dose range, for further evaluation of the drug detailed pharmacokinetics were performed at a selected dose level (24 mg) in 10 volunteers. The pharmacokinetic study showed considerable interindividual variability of the parameters, and only a medium correlation between dose and AUC (r=0.876). At the selected dose level (24 mg p.o.) the peak concentration of the plasma was 67.7 +/- 17.4 ng/ml (Cmax(meas)), the time to peak was 3.6 +/- 1.8 h (t[max(meas)]). The mean of the terminal half-life was 70.0 +/- 23.1 h (t(1/2beta)). The area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) calculated by the kinetic equation (AUCcalc) was 4814 +/- 1172 and by the trapezoidal rule (AUCtrap) was 4612 +/- 1357 (ng/ml) h.

Liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ticlopidine in human plasma

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of ticlopidine in human plasma using ultra violet detection was developed. The separation of the investigated compound and internal standard was achieved on a C18 BD column with a 0.01 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 4)-acetonitrile-methanol (20:40:40, v/v) mobile phase. The detection was performed at 215 nm. The compounds were isolated from plasma by Bond Elut C18 solid-phase extraction, the mean absolute recovery was 84.9%. The limit of quantitation was 10 ng ml(-1), the limit of detection was 5 ng ml(-1). The bioanalytical method was validated with respect to linearity, within- and between-day accuracy and precision. system suitability and stability. All validated parameters were found to be within the internationally required limits. The developed analytical method for ticlopidine was found to be suitable for application in pharmacokinetic studies and human drug monitoring.

Human bioequivalence study of a new nifedipine containing retard filmtablet after single and repeated administration

A clinical pharmacokinetic bioequivalence study with two retard filmtablet preparations, both containing 20 mg of nifedipine (CAS 219829-25-4) was carried out. The investigated test preparation was Cordaflex 20 mg retard filmtablet. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined after single and repeated administration in 15 and 16 healthy male volunteers, respectively, in open, randomised studies of cross-over design. Plasma levels of nifedipine were determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection using a robotic sample preparation technique. Statistical comparison of the pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-infinity, AUCss, tau tmax, Cmax, Css,min, Css,av, MRT, etc.) calculated from plasma concentration-time curves by ANOVAlog, confidence interval, Schuirman's, Westlake's, Anderson's and Wilcoxon's tests, furthermore the comparison of the clinical results did not show any significant difference between the two preparations. It is concluded that the two preparations are bioequivalent after repeated administration.

[Pharmacokinetic study of nerisopam and its n-acetyl metabolite in rats]

Three doses were administered to the rats during the pharmacokinetic study of nerisopam and the plasma concentrations of nerisopam and its N-acetyl metabolite were determined parallelly by means of validated SPE-HPLC method developed by the authors. The pharmacokinetics of nerisopam could be described by a two-compartment open model in rats, it was absorbed rapidly and could be measured in plasma for about 8 hours. The peak plasma concentration of the N-acetyl metabolite was reached rapidly a little bit later than that of the parent compound, similarly to the human plasma, and it could be measured for about 12 hours. The pharmacokinetics of N-acetyl metabolite could be described by an one-compartment open model. The fast appearance of the metabolite and the Cmax and AUC 0-infinity values higher than those of nerisopam refer to an intensive "first-pass" metabolism. The AUC-dose curves indicate that supposingly the mechanism transforming the N-acetyl metabolites are not as fast as the acetylation.

[Human pharmacokinetic study of nerisopam and its n-acetyl metabolite]

It was established during the human phase I study of nerisopam, a new anxiolytic drug, that nerisopam (EGIS-6775) shows two, while N-acetyl metabolite (EGIS-7649) shows one compartmental pharmacokinetic behaviour. Acetylation of nerisopam is polymorph, so that volunteers belonging into slow or fast acetylating group show significantly different plasma concentration. Observed pharmacokinetic differences are primarily manifested in the absorption phase, and not in the elimination one. Accordingly, slow acetylators have higher nerisopam levels, while fast acetylators possess higher metabolite levels. Elimination phase is practically parallel for both compounds. At the same time, significant differences are found in the AUC and Cmax values. Nerisopam is rapidly absorbed, but N-acetyl metabolite is appeared especially fast in the blood. Our consideration is, that nerisopam undergoes significant "first-pass" metabolism process, the extent of which is different between the two acetylator phenotypes.

Food interaction study of a new theophylline (Egifilin) 200 and 400 mg retard tablet in healthy volunteers

The aim of the present food interaction study was to determine the blood plasma levels of theophylline upon the administration of new Egifilin 200 and 400 mg retard tablets, either on an empty stomach or after meal, and to make comparative pharmacokinetic evaluation in 26 healthy volunteers. For determination of the plasma levels of theophylline an improved isocratic HPLC-UV method was used in the concentration range of 0.1-18 micrograms/ml. The mean pharmacokinetic curves obtained with 200 and 400 mg tablets before and after meal were in good agreement also on the basis of statistical evaluation, although, as usual with theophylline, the evaluation of the individual pharmacokinetic curves indicated great variations. The pharmacokinetic parameters (AUCzero-t, AUCzero-infinity, HVD, MRT, Cmax, tmax) calculated for Egifilin 200 and 400 mg retard tablets were analyzed by ANOVA, ANOVAlog, Wilcoxon, and Schuirmann statistical tests as well as by the confidence interval calculation. As it was found, under the circumstances of the present food interaction study, food consumption did not have a biologically significant effect on the pharmacokinetic parameters of either the 200 or the 400 mg Egifilin retard preparations.

[Validity of a liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of ticlopidine in human plasma]

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of ticlopidine in human plasma using UV detection was developed. The separation of the investigated compound and internal standard was achieved on "BST Rutin" 10, C18 BD column with a 0.01 M, (pH 4) potassium dihydrogen phosphate bufferacetonitrile-methanol (20:40:40 v/v) mobile phase. The detection was performed at 215 nm. The compounds were isolated from plasma by Bond Elut C18 solid-phase extraction, the mean absolute recovery was 84.9%. The limit of quantitation was 10 ng/ml, the limit of detection was 5 ng/ml. The assay has been validated with respect to accuracy, precision and system suitability. All validated parameters were found to be within the necessary limits. The developed analytical method for ticlopidine was found to be suitable for application in pharmacokinetic studies and human drug monitoring.

Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of nifedipine in dog plasma using an automated sample preparation system with laboratory robot

Nifedipine, a calcium-channel blocking drug was analysed in dog plasma after oral dosing with two different formulations. Sample preparation was automated with a laboratory robot. Quantitative determination of the drug was performed on a reversed-phase HPLC system with electrochemical detection (ED) using an internal standard. Validation of the analytical method showed that the system is well suited for pharmacokinetic studies on dogs. The assay was linear in the range 1-50 ng/ml. Inter-day and intra-day variability were between 6.43-18.15% C.V. and 1.57-5.53% C.V., respectively.

[Bioanalysis of gemfibrozil. Comparative human pharmacokinetics of 300 mg of gemfibrozil-containing Innogem and Lopid capsules]

Comparative pharmacokinetic study was performed in 19 healthy male volunteers in a single-dose, randomized, two way cross-over trial on two preparations of gemfibrozil (Innogem and Lopid capsules) each of them containing 300 mg active ingredient. After administration either the test preparation (Innogem, EGIS Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,) or the reference preparation (Lopid, Parke-Davis) in human, the plasma concentration of gemfibrozil was determined by validated HPLC-UV (225 nm) bioanalytical method. After the relatively simple liquid-liquid extraction of the plasma samples the separation was carried out under isocratic condition on Nucleosil 10, C-18 column. On the basis of the validation process the limit of quantitation (LOQ), of the HPLC method was 250 ng/0.5 ml. All the validation parameters fell within the internationally accepted range. The comparison of individual pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-16, AUC0-infinity Cmax, tmax) of the two capsule preparations was accomplished by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Wilcoxon's, Westlake's, Schuirmann's and Hauck-Anderson's method as well as by the calculation of confidence intervals on the ratio of test/reference values. The relative bioavailability of Innogem with respect to Lopid 300 mg capsule for AUC0-infinity was 104.06 +/- 21.61%. No statistically significant difference was found in the clinical results and between the pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from plasma concentration-time curves indicating that the two gemfibrozil preparations were bioequivalent after single administration.

Capillary electrophoretic separation of clomiphene isomers using various cyclodextrins as additives

The cis (Z) and trans (E) isomers of clomiphene were separated using capillary electrophoresis. Various derivatives of cyclodextrins (CDs) were applied as buffer additives, achieving a resolution of greater than 18. The effect of various parameters, type and concentration of CDs, type and concentration of background electrolytes (BGEs), pH, and organic modifiers has been studied systematically. Migration reversal was observed in several cases. The load ability of the various buffer systems was also taken into account.

Determination of alpha-methyldopa in human plasma by validated high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A sensitive reversed-phase gradient elution high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection has been developed for the determination of alpha-methyldopa (AMD) in human plasma. Separation of the investigated compound and the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) internal standard was achieved on a Nucleosil 7 C18 column with a 5 mM heptanesulphonic acid sodium salt containing 0.05 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate (pH 3.2)-acetonitrile mobile phase. The composition of the mobile phase was changed according to a linear gradient time program. Detection was performed at 270 nm fluorimetric excitation and 320 nm emission. The compounds were isolated from plasma by Bond-Elut C18 solid-phase extraction. The limit of quantitation was found to be 10 ng/ml plasma. The assay was validated with respect to accuracy, precision and system suitability. All validated parameters were found to be within the 20% required limits. On the basis of the sensitivity, linearity and validation parameters the developed analytical method was found to be suitable for application in a bioequivalency study.

Simultaneous determination of nerisopam, a novel anxiolytic agent showing polymorphic metabolism, and its N-acetyl metabolite from human plasma by a validated high performance liquid chromatographic method

A sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet absorbance detection has been developed to simultaneously determine the concentrations of nerisopam (EGIS-6775) and its N-acetyl metabolite (EGIS-7649) from human plasma. The separation of the investigated compounds and internal standard was achieved on a Nucleosil 7 C(18) column with 2 mM heptanesulphonic acid containing 0.04 M phosphoric acid-acetonitrile-methanol (70:25:5, v/v), pH 2.7 mobile phase. The detection was performed at 385 nm. The compounds were isolated from plasma by Bakerbond C(18) solid-phase extraction. The limit of quantitation was 10 ng/ml plasma for each compound investigated. The assay has been validated with respect to accuracy, precision and system suitability. All validated parameters were found to be within the necessary limits. On the basis of the sensitivity, linearity and validation parameters, the developed analytical method was found to be suitable for the determination of nerisopam and its N-acetyl metabolite from human plasma and for application in pharmacokinetic studies and human drug monitoring. The pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from twelve human volunteers are reported. It was found that nerisopam acetylation is polymorphic: the volunteers with fast or slow acetylator phenotypes produced significantly different plasma concentrations. In slow acetylator phenotypes the concentration of nerisopam was considerably higher in plasma, while the level of its acetyl metabolite was higher in plasma of fast acetylators.

[Comparative human pharmacokinetic studies of 20 mg nifedipine-containing Cordaflex and Adalat film coated retared tablets]

Comparative pharmacokinetic studies have been carried out with two 20 mg nifedipine active substance-containing retard film coated tablets, Cordaflex produced by EGIS Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. and Adalat of Bayer AG. The pharmacokinetic parameters and the relative bioavailability were determined in 15 and 16 healthy male volunteers, respectively after single and repeated administration in open, randomized cross over study. The plasma concentration of nifedipine was determined by HPLC-ED method, using laboratory robot for automated sample preparation. On the basis of graphical and statistical comparison of the pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-infinity, AUCss,0-tau, tmax, Cmax, Css,min, Css,av, MRT, etc.) calculated from the time-plasma concentration curve, moreover on the basis of clinical results, there was no significant difference between the two preparations. In conclusion, the relative bioavailability of Cordaflex and Adalat 20 mg retard tablets did not show significant difference after single and repeated administration.