Synthesis and Evaluation of Small Molecule Inhibitors of the Androgen Receptor N-Terminal Domain

The androgen receptor (AR) is central to prostate cancer pathogenesis and has been extensively validated as a drug target. However, small-molecule anti-androgen therapies remain limited due to resistance and will eventually fail to suppress tumor growth, resulting in progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain (NTD) is crucial for AR transactivation and has been investigated as a suitable target in the presence of ligand binding domain mutations. A screening campaign identified biaryl isoxazole compound 7 as a weak inhibitor of the AR NTD. A library of biaryl analogues were synthesized, and their biological activities were assessed in a VCaP cell-based luciferase reporter gene assay. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that indazole analogue 16 exhibited increased potency and favorable physicochemical properties with a benchmarked pharmacokinetic profile, providing a suitable starting point for further optimization of 16 as a CRPC therapeutic in the presence of AR mutations.

Current and emerging approaches to noncompetitive AR inhibition

The androgen receptor (AR) has been shown to be a key determinant in the pathogenesis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The current standard of care therapies targets the ligand-binding domain of the receptor and can afford improvements to life expectancy often only in the order of months before resistance occurs. Emerging preclinical and clinical compounds that inhibit receptor activity via differentiated mechanisms of action which are orthogonal to current antiandrogens show promise for overcoming treatment resistance. In this review, we present an authoritative summary of molecules that noncompetitively target the AR. Emerging small molecule strategies for targeting alternative domains of the AR represent a promising area of research that shows significant potential for future therapies. The overall quality of lead candidates in the area of noncompetitive AR inhibition is discussed, and it identifies the key chemotypes and associated properties which are likely to be, or are currently, positioned to be first in human applications.

The effects of sucrose on stability of human brain natriuretic peptide [hBNP (1-32)] and human parathyroid hormone [hPTH (1-34)]

Although the effect of sucrose on the physical stability of proteins has been well documented, its impact on their chemical stability is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of sucrose on the structural conformation of human brain natriuretic peptide [hBNP (1-32)] and the synthetic human parathyroid hormone [hPTH (1-34)], and link these effects to chemical degradation pathways of these peptides. The stability of hBNP (1-32) and hPTH (1-34) was studied at pH 5.5. Aggregation was monitored using size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC), whereas oxidation and deamidation products were measured by reversed phase (RP) HPLC. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to study the peptides' conformation. Sucrose retarded aggregation, deamidation, and oxidation of hBNP (1-32) and hPTH (1-34), with a maximum effect at relatively high concentrations (as much as 1 m). FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that sucrose maintained the native conformation of hBNP (1-32) and induced small conformation changes in the hPTH (1-34) structure. Sucrose enhanced the stability of hBNP (1-32) and hPTH (1-34) in liquid formulations. The stabilizing effect of sucrose was due to a large extent to retardation of oxidation and deamidation of hBNP (1-32) and hPTH (1-34).

A rationale for determining, testing, and controlling specific impurities in pharmaceuticals that possess potential for genotoxicity

The synthesis of pharmaceutical products frequently involves the use of reactive reagents and the formation of intermediates and by-products. Low levels of some of these may be present in the final drug substance and drug product as impurities. Such chemically reactive impurities may have at the same time the potential for unwanted toxicities including genotoxicity and carcinogenicity and hence can have an impact on product risk assessment. This paper outlines a procedure for testing, classification, qualification, toxicological risk assessment, and control of impurities possessing genotoxic potential in pharmaceutical products. Referencing accepted principles of cancer risk assessment, this document proposes a staged threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) approach for the intake of genotoxic impurities over various periods of exposure. This staged TTC is based on knowledge about tumorigenic potency of a wide range of genotoxic carcinogens and can be used for genotoxic compounds, for which cancer data are limited or not available. The delineated acceptable daily intake values of between approximately 1.5 microg/day for approximately lifetime intake and approximately 120 microg/day for < or = 1 month are virtually safe doses. Based on sound scientific reasoning, these virtually safe intake values do not pose an unacceptable risk to either human volunteers or patients at any stage of clinical development and marketing of a pharmaceutical product. The intake levels are estimated to give an excess cancer risk of 1 in 100,000 to 1 in a million over a lifetime, and are extremely conservative given the current lifetime cancer risk in the population of over 1 in 4 (http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html.all.html). The proposals in this document apply to all clinical routes of administration and to compounds at all stages of clinical development. It is important to note that certain types of products, such as those for life-threatening indications for which there are no safer alternatives, allow for special considerations using adaptations of the principles outlined in this paper.

Analysis of non-covalent aggregation of synthetic hPTH (1-34) by size-exclusion chromatography and the importance of suppression of non-specific interactions for a precise quantitation

There are few methods available for the rapid and precise quantitation of non-covalent aggregation. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), a traditional approach, used to measure the non-covalent aggregation can easily disrupt the weak forces holding an aggregate together. Under the conditions described in this paper the disaggregation of non-covalent aggregate of the synthetic human parathyroid hormone hPTH (1-34) due to hydrophobic/electrostatic interactions with the size-exclusion chromatography column packing was completely suppressed. This report details the effectiveness of adding salts and organic solvents in the mobile phase to overcome non-specific interactions that disrupt the aggregate during the SEC process and may aid in the understanding precise quantitation of non-covalent aggregation.

BIS repetita non placent—a statistical analysis of the number of sample preparations and number of injections required for chromatographic analyses

This article attempts to answer the question of how many replicate sample preparations and replicate chromatographic injections must be done to provide accurate results in chromatographic analyses of pharmaceuticals. Using a random selection of chromatographic runs obtained with 1-3 replicate preparations and duplicate injections, the variance associated with preparation-to-preparation and injection-to-injection variability were estimated by a mixed-model statistical analysis. The analysis also predicted the probability that two injections of the same sample preparation are not in agreement with each other. Results indicated that, with modern chromatographic equipment, duplicate injections do not improve the precision. The number of replicate preparations needed to provide accurate results for various types of analysis depends on the type of sample and the desired tightness of the specification limits.

A validated, sensitive HPLC method for the determination of trace impurities in acetaminophen drug substance

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of n-propionyl-p-aminophenol, 3-chloro-4-hydroxyacetanilide, 4'-hydroxyacetophenone, 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime, 4-acetoxyacetanilide and 4'-chloroacetanilide, the main impurities in acetaminophen drug substance. The chromatographic separation was achieved on an Eclipse XDB-18 reversed-phase column using a gradient elution, being solvent A: 0.01 M phosphate buffer at pH 3.0 and solvent B: methanol. The limit of quantitation (S/N=10:1) was 0.1 microg/ml for each impurity. The coefficients of variation were less than 4% for intra-day and inter-day analyses. The individual recovery of acetaminophen spiked samples ranged from 94 to 104% and the mean recovery for each level from 99 to 103% in the 1-150 microg/ml range for all impurities. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analyses of different lots and different manufactures of acetaminophen drug substance. The proposed method can be used for the routine quality control of acetaminophen.

In vitro metabolism studies of the prodrug, 2',3',5'-triacetyl-6-azauridine, utilizing an automated analytical system

The purpose was to study in vitro metabolism of 2',3',5'-triacetyl-6-azauridine (1) by porcine liver esterase (PLE) and in human plasma using an automated analytical system developed previously. A gradient-LC method was developed to study the concentration-time course of 1 and its metabolites. A fast-LC assay was used to study the temperature effect on the metabolism of 1 by the PLE. 1 and all of its proposed possible metabolites were separated by the gradient-LC method in less than 10 min. Two simplified kinetic schemes were developed to describe the time course of 1, the intermediates and final metabolites with only five rate constants for the metabolisms of 1 by PLE and four rate constants in human plasma. Both enthalpy and entropy of activation in the in vitro metabolism of 1 by PLE were obtained.

The effect of stationary-phase pore size on retention behavior in micellar liquid chromatography

One of the limitations that has restricted the applicability of micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) is the weak eluting power of micellar mobile phases compared to conventional hydro-organic mobile phases used in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. This may be the result of Donnan or steric exclusion of the micelles from the pores of the stationary phase, within which nearly all (> or = 99%) of the stationary phase resides and the analytes spend most of their time. To determine whether wide-pore stationary phases would overcome this limitation in MLC, several C8 and C18 stationary phases ranging from 100 to 4000 A were investigated using a diverse set of test solutes and micellar solutions of anionic, neutral, and cationic surfactants as mobile phases. With the larger pore size stationary phases, the eluting power of the MLC mobile phases was enhanced with all surfactant types, the greatest effect being with the neutral surfactant. Differences in retention behavior were observed between various solute types and between the C8 and C18 stationary phases. These differences appear to be related to the relative hydrophobicity of the solutes and to differences in the surfactant-modified stationary phases. Partitioning behavior of representative solutes on the large-pore C8 and C18 columns was shown to follow the three-phase partitioning model for MLC. Methylene group selectivity data showed only minor differences in the stationary-phase characteristics between the small- and large-pore size C18 columns. The true eluting power of micellar mobile phases was revealed with wide-pore stationary phases and was demonstrated by the separation and elution of an extended series of alkylphenones on C18 columns.

Pharmaceutical development and specification of stereoisomers

The pharmaceutical development of chiral drugs requires the activities of many different research and development groups. Guidelines which help to coordinate the activities of these groups and assist in the successful development of compounds with either single or multiple chiral centers are outlined and discussed.

Plasma analysis of alpha-difluoromethylornithine using pre-column derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde/CN and multidimensional chromatography

A procedure for the plasma analysis of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has been developed that utilizes pre-column derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde/cyanide (NDA/CN) in pH 9.2 borate buffer. Selective derivatization of delta-amine of DFMO followed by quenching of the reaction results in the formation of a cyanobenz [f] isoindole (CBI) derivative that is stable for 24 h. Plasma was prepared for derivatization by a single step procedure which resulted in an ultrafiltrate compatible with derivatization and analysis. The DFMO derivative (CBI-DFMO) was separated from plasma interferences by multidimensional chromatography with an analysis time of 28 min. The response for DFMO in plasma was linear over the range of 2.1 x 10(-8) 2.1 x 10(-6) M after derivatization. This procedure encompasses a useful linear range and offers the advantages of minimal sample preparation and production of a stable fluorophor.

A quantitative circular dichroic investigation of the binding of the enantiomers of ibuprofen and naproxen to human serum albumin

The binding constants for racemic, R and S naproxen and ibuprofen to human serum albumin have been determined by a circular dichroic technique. The ibuprofens and naproxens show no measurable extrinsic optical activity on interaction with the protein, and so the extrinsic Cotton effect shown following the diazepam-albumin interaction is used as a probe. The presence of the drugs reduce the amount of diazepam bound as shown by the interaction is used as a probe. The presence of the drugs reduce the amount of diazepam bound as shown by the reduced size of the induced ellipticity. The calculated primary binding constants show that the S form of both drugs bind to the albumin more tightly than the R form and that the racemic forms bind less tightly than either enantiomer.

Automated analytical systems for drug development studies. V. A system for enzyme kinetic studies

Two similar automated analytical systems using liquid chromatography (LC) and microdialysis as an on-line sampling technique were applied to studies of enzyme kinetics. 2',3',5'-Triacetyl-6-azauridine (azaribine) with porcine liver esterase (PLE) and N-acetylphenylalanyl-3,5-diiodotyrosine (AcFY') with pepsin were used as model compounds. The microdialysis sampling technique permitted the rapid separation of low molecular weight analytes from macromolecules, thus simultaneously achieving clean-up of the samples and quenching of the reaction. The combination of rapid LC analysis and microdialysis sampling provided selectivity and automation. The systems are rugged and give reproducible results in agreement with those from manual sampling methods.

The effect of octanoic acid on the binding of the enantiomers of ibuprofen and naproxen to human serum albumin: a chromatographic implication

PURPOSE

The heats of reaction between the enantiomers and racemates of ibuprofen and naproxen and human serum albumin (HSA) are to be measured with and without the addition of octanoic acid. The effects of octanoic acid on the free energies of interaction between the drugs and HSA is to be determined and compared to that estimated from theoretical equations.

METHODS

The heats of reaction have been measured directly by flow microcalorimetry.

RESULTS

The data showed that octanoic acid lowered the 1:1 binding constants for all the drug-HSA interactions investigated. The effect of octanoic acid was greater on the R than on the S forms of the drugs as shown by the differences in free energies of interaction in the presence and absence of octanoic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased free energy differences for the binding of the enantiomers of both drugs to HSA in the presence of octanoic acid is closer to the value deemed to be necessary for the separation of enantiomers by Davenkov, and shows the importance of the addition of octanoic acid to the mobile phase in the separation of these enantiomers on immobilized albumin columns.

Automated analytical systems for drug development studies. Part IV. A microdialysis system to study the partitioning of lomefloxacin across an erythrocyte membrane in vitro

An automated system utilizing microdialysis sampling, intermittent dosing, and liquid chromatographic analysis was assembled in order to study the partitioning of lomefloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial, into human erythrocytes in vitro. The apparent erythrocyte:buffer partition coefficient was found to be approximately 2.0 with this system and by a manual method. The value was concentration-dependent; lower partition coefficients were observed at lomefloxacin concentrations less than 1 microgram ml-1. At all concentrations, values obtained by microdialysis were statistically indistinguishable from those obtained by a conventional manual method. The results indicate that erythrocyte partition coefficients can be measured successfully with the microdialysis system. Furthermore, microdialysis sampling eliminates the tedious methodology associated with traditional erythrocyte partitioning studies, including sample clean-up. Due to automated intermittent dosing and on-line LC analysis, the system operates unattended.

Determination of alpha-difluoromethylornithine in blood by microdialysis sampling and capillary electrophoresis with UV detection

A procedure is described for the analysis of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an anti-cancer agent, in plasma microdialysis (MD) samples. DFMO has been shown to be effective alone or in combination with other agents in the treatment of several cancers. Precolumn derivatization of DFMO with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde-cyanide (NDA-CN) in pH 10.0 borate buffer results in the rapid formation of a stable mono-derivatized product (N-substituted 1-cyanobenz[f]isoindole, CBI), which is UV active. An analytical method has been developed to separate CBI-DFMO from NDA-CN derivatization products of 20 standard amino acids using capillary electrophoresis (CE). This method is then employed for the determination of DFMO in plasma microdialysis samples. Separation of DFMO from other components in the dialysate was achieved within 20 min. The response for DFMO in Ringer's solution was linear over the range of 1.2 x 10(-6) to 1.6 x 10(-4) M after derivatization. The detection limit of DFMO in the plasma dialysate is 5 microM using UV detection at 254 nm. This method has been proven to have adequate sensitivity for quantitation of DFMO in i.v. microdialysate samples and has been successfully applied to monitoring the pharmacokinetics of DFMO by CE-UV.

Automated analytical systems for drug development studies. 3. Multivessel dissolution testing system based on microdialysis sampling

An automated system consisting of a six-vessel dissolution apparatus, microdialysis sampling, STT E6 multiposition switching valve and a liquid chromatograph was assembled to measure dissolution profiles of immediate and sustained-release tablets. A DL-5 microdialysis loop probe (BAS, Inc.) was immersed in each dissolution vessel and perfused with a suitable medium for sampling. The dialystate from each vessel was injected sequentially onto an on-line liquid chromatography (LC) system for automated analysis. The STT E6 multiposition switching valve was used to sample up to six vessels simultaneously. After addressing issues related to sample carry-over and between-probe variability, the automated system was used in a reproducible manner (RSD < 3%) to measure the dissolution of immediate-release acetaminophen tablets and Accutrim (containing 75 mg phenylpropanolamine HCl) 16 h Precision Release tablets. An uneven injection time sequence was used to monitor three acetaminophen tablets per dissolution run using the automated system and each vessel was sampled about every 6.5 min. However, with Accutrim 16 h Precision Release tablets, a longer sampling interval (10 min) was used, the six tablets could be tested in each dissolution run. The dissolution profiles of acetaminophen and Accutrim tablets measured using the automated multivessel dissolution system compared well with manual and automated single-vessel dissolution systems.

A 19F NMR study of lomefloxacin in human erythrocytes and its interaction with hemoglobin

19F NMR spectroscopy of a model fluoroquinolone, lomefloxacin, in an erythrocyte suspension showed separate resonances for the intra- and extra-cellular compartments. The intra-cellular peak revealed significant line broadening of the fluorine signals of lomefloxacin. Line broadening also occurred in the presence of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), hematin, globin and iron. This evidence indicated that lomefloxacin interacted with these compounds; however, ultrafiltration experiments indicated that there was only weak binding (5%) of lomefloxacin to HbO2. 19F and 31P NMR spectroscopy revealed that lomefloxacin may compete with 2,3-diphosphoglycerate for its binding site on HbO2. An apparent partition coefficient of 1.90 +/- 0.15 was observed for lomefloxacin in human erythrocytes, utilizing LC analysis.

Hydrolysis of the prodrug, 2',3',5'-triacetyl-6-azauridine

PURPOSE

The purposes were to study the kinetics of hydrolysis of 2',3',5'-triacetyl-6-azauridine (1) in aqueous solution (mu = 0.5) and to identify the main intermediates and products of the reaction.

METHODS

A stability indicating isocratic LC assay was used to study the rate of degradation of 1. A gradient LC assay was used to study the time courses of the degradants. The products of hydrolysis were isolated by preparative liquid chromatography and identified by 1H-NMR and CI-MS. The pKa value was obtained by potentiometric titration.

RESULTS

At 36.8 degrees C, the pH-rate profile of 1 in water was adequately described by a four-term rate equation. The intermediates were identified as the primary and secondary di-acetates, and the primary and secondary mono-acetates. The final product was 6-azauridine.

CONCLUSIONS

A simplified kinetic scheme could be used to describe the concentration-time profiles of 1, the intermediates and the final product.

Automated analytical systems for drug development studies. II--A system for dissolution testing

Microdialysis is a non-equilibrium dynamic sampling method in which the analytes diffuse across a semipermeable membrane due to a concentration gradient and are carried away by the constantly pumping perfusion medium for on-line analysis. A BAS, Inc. microinfusion pump/injector and an on-line LC system were interfaced with a dissolution apparatus to automate dissolution testing of tablets. A DL-5 microdialysis loop probe was suspended in the dissolution medium for sampling. The automated system was used reproducibly (RSD < 2%) to measure the dissolution of acetaminophen and Sulfatrim tablets. Drug recovery from the microdialysis probe was a function of the perfusion rate at constant temperature. However, microdialysis recovery was independent of drug concentration over the linear ranges of the assays for the analytes of interest. Dissolution profiles determined by microdialysis sampling were compared with manual sampling. Identical profiles were obtained for acetaminophen tablets in water at 37 degrees C and 50 rpm by both sampling methods. Dissolution of Sulfatrim tablets was determined in 0.1 M hydrochloride acid at 37 degrees C and 75 rpm. Microdialysis sampling permitted the use of a specially designed perfusion medium to buffer the acidic samples before injecting onto the LC column. Dissolution profiles of sulphamethoxazole were comparable for both sampling methods; however, microdialysis sampling indicated slightly higher release of trimethoprim from the Sulfatrim tablets, which was attributed to release of adsorbed drug from the connecting tubing.

Dermal microdialysis sampling in vivo

Microdialysis sampling of the dermis in vivo was accomplished using a linear microdialysis probe. In contrast to previous studies using a commercial cannula-style microdialysis probe, the linear probe had no effect on the flux of drug through the skin in vitro. The extent of tissue damage in vivo due to probe implantation was evaluated by histological examination and microdialysis delivery studies. Tissue damage due to implantation of the linear probe was minimal with no bleeding or edema observed. Infiltration of lymphocytes into the tissue was observed beginning 6 hours after probe implantation with scar tissue beginning to form after approximately 32 hours. The infiltration of lymphocytes had no effect on the behavior of implanted microdialysis probes. Delivery of 5-fluorouracil was between 20 and 25% for six different probes implanted in six different animals demonstrating good probe-to-probe and implantation-to-implantation reproducibility. Constant delivery was maintained for at least 24 hours in all cases indicating that experiments of at least 24 hour duration are feasible. The dermal concentration of topically applied 5-FU cream, Efudex, was continuously monitored by an implanted microdialysis probe demonstrating the feasibility of this technique as for monitoring skin drug levels in vivo. The dermal concentration of 5-FU following topical application was approximately 40-fold higher for in vitro excised skin than for in vivo intact skin.

Automated analytical systems for drug development studies. I--A system for the determination of drug stability

An automated system consisting of a pH-stat, microdialysis sampling and a liquid chromatograph was assembled to measure the rate of rapid chemical reactions. 2',3',5'-Triacetyl-6-azauridine was used as a model compound to validate the performance of the automated system. Buffer catalysis was minimized by using a non-catalytic concentration of borate buffer along with a pH-stat to maintain the pH during the kinetic run. The microdialysis sampling technique permitted sample quenching and buffering of the solutions to a pH compatible with the LC column materials. The combination of microdialysis sampling and rapid LC analysis allowed reactions with a half-life of approximately 1 min to be sampled every 30 s. The rates of hydrolysis of the drug, measured at different conditions of temperature (37-70 degrees C) and pH (9.0-10.5) using the automated system, compared well with the previously determined values.

A liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the enantiomeric purity of the anticancer drug, 9-amino-20(S)-camptothecin

A method was developed for determining the enantiomeric purity of 9-amino-20(S)-camptothecin (9-A-20(S)-CAM). The chiral derivatizing reagent, 1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate (NEI) was used to derivatize the enantiomers of 9-A-CAM, and 1H-NMR, LC-MS, and LC-UV were used to identify and quantitate the two diastereomers produced. During the first 24 h, derivatization was exclusively at the 9-amino nitrogen. The much slower reaction involving reaction of NEI with the 20-hydroxy oxygen could be prevented by quenching the reaction within the first 24 h with methanol. NMR analysis provided useful information about the site of derivatization; however, the partial separation of the signals was insufficient for quantitative analysis of the two diastereomers. Whereas baseline resolution of the two diastereomers was achieved by reversed-phase LC, the reproducibilities of the resolution and the peak area ratios were dependent on the nature and composition of the mobile phase, the flow rate, the column temperature, sample concentration and sample preparation.

A stability-indicating assay and the preformulation characteristics of the radiosensitizer, 1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-amine 1,4-dioxide

A stability-indicating LC assay was developed for the analysis of 1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-amine 1,4-dioxide and applied to the preformulation characterization of the drug. The dissociation constants of the drug were determined using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The LC method was used to determine the aqueous stability of the drug under a variety of accelerated conditions, its solubility in a variety of pharmaceutical solvents and its octan-1-ol-water partition coefficient. The preformulation data were used to develop three prototype aqueous formulations of the drug at a concentration of 0.5 mg ml-1 in 5% Dextrose Injection USP, phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and phosphate buffered mannitol. The 3-month stability of those formulations at room temperature was demonstrated.

Characterization of the complexation of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials with metal ions by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The complexation of the fluoroquinolone antimicrobials is important because it has been implicated in reduced oral bioavailability and reduced antimicrobial activity when the drugs are co-administered with antacids or multi-vitamin preparations containing iron. The complexation of two model compounds, lomefloxacin and norflaxacin was studied using NMR. With aluminum ions, exchange between free and bound drug molecules was slow on the NMR time-scale. Two complexes, proposed to have stoichiometries of 2:1 and 3:1 (drug:metal) based on peak widths and variable temperature studies, were observed. The crystal structure of lomefloxacin, which shows intermolecular self association previously reported to be crucial to the drug's mode of action, is also reported. Because the metal ion complexes could not be crystallized, the crystal structure of uncomplexed lomefloxacin together with the NMR data on the aluminum complexes were used in the molecular modelling of the lomefloxacin-aluminum complexes.

Microdialysis sampling for the investigation of dermal drug transport

Microdialysis perfusion in vivo has the potential to be a powerful sampling technique in dermal and transdermal drug delivery studies. Characterization of a commercially available microdialysis probe in vitro considering relevant physiological parameters is a vital first step in the evaluation of microdialysis as a dermal sampling technique. In previous microdialysis studies, analyte concentration and neutrality have been implicated in altering microdialysis recovery. The recovery of a model compound 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was investigated at several pH values and donor concentrations. The relative recovery of 5-FU by the microdialysis probe was affected by pH but not by donor concentration. To confirm further that the changing concentration and pH profile presented by the flux of 5-FU was not significantly altering microdialysis recovery, an experiment comparing direct and microdialysis sampling of a Franz diffusion cell receptor compartment was performed. Although the 5-FU concentration (0-686 ng/ml) and pH (7.40-7.24) changed substantially, the recovery of 5-FU was not adversely affected. To demonstrate the feasibility of dermal microdialysis, the flux of a commercial preparation of 5-fluorouracil was monitored utilizing a microdialysis probe implanted in excised rat skin in vitro. The results from the dermally implanted probe demonstrate the potential of the technique while establishing the limitations of the current microdialysis system.

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography of the opioid peptides. 3. Development of a microanalytical system for opioid peptides involving microbore liquid chromatography, post-column derivatization and laser-induced fluorescence detection

A microanalytical system has been developed for the determination of peptides in small samples. Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde-beta-mercaptoethanol (NDA-BME) was used as the labelling reagent system as an alternative to NDA-cyanide (NDA-CN) because of the faster labelling when CN was replaced by a thiol. The fluorescence characteristics of the NDA-thiol adducts, N-substituted 1-alkylthiobenz[f]isoindoles (TBIs), were found to be different from the previously described cyanobenz[f]isoindole (CBIs) adducts formed by the reaction of primary amines with NDA-CN. The excitation maximum of the TBI adducts was at 460 nm, which was closer to the 457.9 nm argon-ion laser line, than the 440-nm maximum of the CBI adduct. The limit of detection for leucine enkephalin was 36 fmol (S/N = 3) and linearity was proven for greater than 2 orders of magnitude, from 45 fmol to 9 pmol for an injection volume of 60 nl. The detectability was limited by the high background noise produced by the post-column derivatization system. The utility of the system was demonstrated for the analysis of methionine enkephalin and its potential oxidation products, using leucine enkephalin as a suitable internal standard.

Degradation of dacarbazine in aqueous solution

The effects of initial concentration (0.05-5.0 mg ml-1, 2.5 x 10(-4)-0.025 M) (pH 1-13), buffer concentration (0.01-0.075 M), light, antioxidants and co-solvents on the degradation of dacarbazine in aqueous solution were investigated at 37 degrees C. Liquid chromatography was used to monitor the degradation of dacarbazine as well as the appearance of degradation products. The kinetics of hydrolysis of dacarbazine in the dark were pseudo first-order and independent of the initial concentration of the drug. The degradation of dacarbazine was accelerated by light and at low concentration proceeded by pseudo zero-order kinetics. The pH-rate profiles showed that both the photolytic and the hydrolytic reactions were dependent on the ionization state of the molecule. The main degradation product of both hydrolysis and photolysis was detected by liquid chromatography and confirmed by mass spectrometry to be 2-azahypoxanthine.

Electrochemical characteristics of amino acids and peptides derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde: pH effects and differences in oxidation potentials

The electrochemical oxidations of the cyanobenz[f]isoindole (CBI) derivatives of 18 amino acids and 15 peptides, including enkephalins and several enkephalin fragments, were studied. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that the oxidation potentials of derivatized amino acids were virtually independent of pH. The utility of this pH-independence was demonstrated by controlling, through varying the pH, the selectivity with which CBI derivatives could be detected in the presence of phenolic compounds. In addition, hydrodynamic voltammograms of derivatized amino acids and peptides were constructed from chromatographic data and compared. The E1/2 values among the derivatized amino acids covered a range of 215 mV, with the derivatives of the basic amino acids being the easiest to oxidize and those of the acidic amino acids being the most difficult to oxidize. The E1/2 values of the derivatized peptides examined varied by 270 mV, with minor variations in structure capable of producing marked changes in oxidation potential. These results indicate that voltammetry can aid in identification or selective detection of CBI derivatives of amino acids or peptides.

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography of the opioid peptides--2. Quantitative structure-retention relationships and isocratic retention prediction

The ability of Snyder's theory of linear gradient elution to predict the starting isocratic reversed-phase LC conditions (k' = 4-10) for the opioid peptides was investigated. The errors in predicting the concentration of acetonitrile (phi) required to elute the peptides with a k' value of 4 were high, ranging from 13.5 to 38.1%. At k' = 10 the errors were generally reduced to less than 20%. This analysis was repeated with the same peptides after conversion to their fluorescent 1-cyanobenz[f]isoindoles (CBIs) by reaction with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde/cyanide. For the CBI derivatives, the errors in predicting the required concentration of acetonitrile for isocratic elution were markedly reduced and ranged from 0 to 14.3 for k' = 4 and 0 to 11.9% for k' = 10. The errors in the model in predicting the required isocratic mobile phase accurately were attributed to a mixed mechanism of retention involving solvophobic and silanophilic interactions and leading to non-linear relationships between log k' and phi. Even when the errors in predicting the required value of phi were relatively high, the Snyder approach was found to be very useful in predicting the initial starting conditions for the reversed-phase LC of the native opioid peptides as well as their fluorescence CBI derivatives.

Irreversibility of procainamide-dextrose complex in plasma in vitro

The extent to which the procainamide-dextrose complex reverts to free procainamide hydrochloride in plasma was studied in vitro. The procainamide-dextrose species was formed, isolated using preparative liquid chromatography, and then added to six different lots of pooled plasma that were maintained at physiological temperature (37 +/- 0.1 degrees C). At zero, four, and eight hours after preparation of the samples, 1-mL portions were removed from each sample, extracted, and assayed for procainamide hydrochloride using high-performance liquid chromatography. The mean procainamide hydrochloride concentrations at zero, four, and eight hours after preparation were 2.67, 4.81, and 1.38 g/mL, respectively. Each lot of pooled plasma was statistically analyzed to determine if a significant amount of procainamide hydrochloride reappeared. Analysis of variance showed significant difference between the concentrations of free procainamide hydrochloride in the samples at zero, four, and eight hours (p less than 0.02). Follow-up with Duncan's multiple comparisons test determined that the mean procainamide hydrochloride concentrations immediately after preparation were not significantly different from those at eight hours, but the mean procainamide hydrochloride concentrations at four hours were significantly different from those at eight hours (p less than 0.01). A paired Student's t test comparing the data from zero and eight hours showed a significant reduction in mean procainamide hydrochloride concentrations with time (p less than 0.05). The procainamide-dextrose complex in vitro does not revert to free procainamide hydrochloride in plasma at physiological temperature during the first eight hours.

Clinical pharmacology of deoxyspergualin in patients with advanced cancer

Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in 25 patients with advanced cancer receiving deoxyspergualin (DSG), a candidate anticancer agent, in a dose-finding Phase I study. The dosage range explored was 80 to 2160 mg/m2/day for 5 days by continuous i.v. infusion. The drug levels in plasma and urine were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with postcolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection. One drug metabolite was demonstrated in plasma and urine of treated patients. This metabolite was extracted from urine and purified to homogeneity; thereafter, it was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and fragmentation mass spectrometry and was demonstrated to be identical to chemically synthesized desaminopropyl-DSG. The mean steady state plasma concentrations of DSG ranged from 0.28 to 11.1 microM at, respectively, the 80- and 2160-mg/m2 dosage levels. The plasma concentration at steady state and the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve of DSG were proportional to dose (r = 0.97). Following discontinuance of the infusion, DSG was cleared from the plasma in a biexponential fashion. The mean total body clearance was 364 +/- 78 ml/min/m2. Desaminopropyl-DSG was formed extensively at all dosage levels; mean steady state plasma levels of this metabolite reached a plateau 2.65 microM at a dose of 720 mg/m2/day and did not rise with further dose increments. The urinary content of DSG was examined in 20 patients over the dosage range from 160 to 960 mg/m2/day; in this group less than 10% of the administered dose was excreted as DSG. In four patients at the 720- and 960-mg/m2/day dosage levels, the total DSG plus metabolite excretion ranged from 7 to 18% of the administered dose, with comparable quantities occurring as the parent drug and desaminopropyl-DSG.

Stability of amrinone and digoxin, procainamide hydrochloride, propranolol hydrochloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, or verapamil hydrochloride in intravenous admixtures

The stability of amrinone and digoxin, procainamide hydrochloride, propranolol hydrochloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, or verapamil hydrochloride in intravenous admixtures was studied. Admixtures of amrinone and digoxin were studied at one concentration. Amrinone admixtures with propranolol hydrochloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, and verapamil hydrochloride were studied at two concentrations. In general, 0.45% sodium chloride injection was used as the diluent; 5% dextrose injection was also used for the procainamide hydrochloride experiments. Duplicate solutions of each test admixture and single-drug control admixture were prepared and stored for four hours at 22-23 degrees C under fluorescent light. Samples were analyzed by visual inspection, tested for pH, and assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Admixtures containing amrinone 1.25 or 2.5 mg/mL (as the lactate salt) and sodium bicarbonate 37.5 mg/mL precipitated immediately or within 10 minutes. No changes in pH or visual appearance were noted for amrinone admixtures with procainamide hydrochloride, digoxin, propranolol hydrochloride, potassium chloride, and verapamil hydrochloride. Appreciable degradation of both amrinone and procainamide was observed after four hours when the two were mixed in 5% dextrose. No degradation of amrinone or procainamide was seen when the 5% dextrose was replaced by 0.45% sodium chloride. Amrinone and sodium bicarbonate were incompatible in intravenous admixtures. Amrinone was compatible with digoxin, propranolol hydrochloride, potassium chloride, and verapamil hydrochloride. Amrinone and procainamide were compatible in 0.45% sodium chloride injection but not in 5% dextrose injection.

Reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography of the angiotensins

The isocratic reversed-phase liquid chromatography of the angiotensins and a number of their synthetic analogues is described. Complete separation of 10 out of 12 peptides was achieved through a solvent optimization strategy with a total analysis time of about 20 min. The retention behavior of the angiotensins studied was described in terms of the hydrophobic contribution of their amino acid residues; there was good correlation between predicted and experimental retention for those peptides that were retained by a common mechanism. However, because ion-pair chromatography was required for good peak symmetry, retention was substantially modulated by the presence of acidic and basic residues. The limit of detection of these peptides was 3-5 pmol by UV absorbance at 214 nm. For those peptides containing a primary amino group the detection limit was improved by two orders of magnitude by fluorogenic derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde/cyanide to the corresponding N-substituted 1-cyanobenz[f]isoindole (CBI) derivatives. The contribution of the CBI ring system to retention was also investigated.