Cardiopulmonary resuscitation during severe hypothermia in pigs: does epinephrine or vasopressin increase coronary perfusion pressure?

The American Heart Association does not recommend epinephrine for management of hypothermic cardiac arrest if body core temperature is below 30 degrees C. Furthermore, the effects of vasopressin administration during hypothermic cardiac arrest are totally unknown. This study was designed to assess the effects of vasopressin and epinephrine on coronary perfusion pressure in a porcine model during hypothermic cardiac arrest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Pigs were surface-cooled until their body core temperature was 26 degrees C. After 30 min of untreated cardiac arrest, followed by 3 min of basic life support CPR, 15 animals were randomly assigned to receive, at 5-min intervals, either vasopressin (0.4, 0.4, and 0.8 U/kg; n = 5), epinephrine (45, 45, and 200 microg/kg; n = 5), or saline placebo (n = 5). Compared with epinephrine, mean +/- SEM coronary perfusion pressure was significantly higher (P < 0.05) 90 s and 5 min after the first (35+/-4 vs 22+/-3 mm Hg and 37+/-2 vs 16+/-2 mm Hg) and the second vasopressin administration (40+/-5 vs 26+/-5 mm Hg and 36+/-5 vs 18+/-2 mm Hg, respectively). After the third drug administration, coronary perfusion pressure in the epinephrine group increased dramatically and was comparable to vasopressin. In the saline placebo group, coronary perfusion pressure was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the vasopressin and epinephrine groups. Six animals treated with epinephrine or vasopressin had transient return of spontaneous circulation, whereas all placebo animals died (P < 0.05). During CPR in severe hypothermia, administration of both vasopressin and epinephrine resulted in significant increases in coronary perfusion pressure when compared with placebo.

IMPLICATIONS

Our study was designed to assess the effects of vasopressin and epinephrine in a porcine model simulating cardiac arrest during severe hypothermia. This study demonstrates that the administration of both emergency drugs results in an increased perfusion pressure in the heart.

First-in-human study with ACT-539313, a novel selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist

AIMS

The orexin system is involved in anxiety behaviour and corresponding physiological reactions and constitutes a target for treatment of anxiety disorders. ACT-539313 is a potent, selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist being developed for the treatment of anxiety disorders. This first-in-human study investigated its single-dose pharmacokinetics (PK) including food effect, pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and tolerability.

METHODS

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study included 40 healthy male subjects. Ascending oral doses of 10-400 mg ACT-539313 were investigated in 5 dose groups of 8 subjects (of whom 2 received placebo per dose group). At 100 mg, subjects received ACT-539313 in fasted and fed conditions in a fixed sequential design. PK, PD (objective and subjective measures of sedation and effects on central nervous system), safety and tolerability were assessed.

RESULTS

In fasted conditions, ACT-539313 was rapidly absorbed (median time to maximum plasma concentration [Cmax ] 0.7-3.5 h) and cleared from plasma with a mean terminal half-life of 3.3-5.7 h across dose levels. A 1.63-fold (90% confidence interval: 1.26-2.11) increase in Cmax and no change in area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity was observed under fed compared to fasted conditions. No relevant PD signals were detected except for a trend of reduced saccadic peak velocity around time to Cmax . The most commonly reported adverse events were somnolence and headache. All adverse events were transient and of mild or moderate intensity. No treatment-related effects on vital signs, clinical laboratory or 12-lead electrocardiogram were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

ACT-539313 exhibits good safety and tolerability at single doses of up to and including 400 mg that warrant further investigations.

Novel 1 L polyethylene glycol-based bowel preparation (NER1006): proof of concept assessment versus standard 2 L polyethylene glycol with ascorbate - a randomized, parallel group, phase 2, colonoscopist-blinded trial

Background

Colonoscopy requires colon cleansing. For this, many polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based preparations still require a high preparation-volume intake. Using an increased osmotic load with ascorbate (Asc), five new low-volume PEG-based bowel preparations (LVPEG) were tested for clinical proof of concept.

Methods

This two-part, open-label study examined preparation-volumes of 1–1.25 L and total required fluid volumes of 2–3 L. Part 1, in healthy volunteers, used mean cumulative 24-h stool weight (target > 2750 g) to identify a lead candidate. Part 2 was endoscopist-blinded: patients undergoing screening colonoscopy were randomized before treatment with the selected lead, one of two variants of it, or the control 2 L PEG + Asc. Two primary endpoints were used for proof of concept demonstration: mean 24-h stool weight and bowel cleansing success (Harefield Cleansing Scale).

Results

A total of 120 subjects (30 per group) were enrolled/randomized 1:1:1:1 (max 40:60 gender ratio) per completed Part. In Part 1, LVPEG-3 achieved the largest mean stool weight (3399 g: P < 0.0001 vs target) and was selected for Part 2. In Part 2, stool weights exceeded the target, notably for LVPEG-4 (3215 g: P < 0.001), which achieved 100% cleansing success after a total required fluid intake of 2 L. The control achieved 90% cleansing success. Adverse events were few, gastrointestinal in nature and similar between groups.

Conclusions

LVPEG-4 achieved a clinically useful combination of cleansing, safety/tolerability and low consumption volume: 1 L preparation + 1 L required additional fluid. Named NER1006, LVPEG-4 demonstrated clinical proof of concept and warrants further investigation.

Trial registration

October 2012.

Identifier: NCT01714466. EudraCT: 2012–003052-37

The trial was prospectively registered.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12876-019-0988-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between daridorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, and citalopram in healthy subjects

Daridorexant (ACT-541468) is a new dual orexin receptor antagonist being evaluated for the treatment of insomnia, which is a common comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Therefore, daridorexant is likely to be administered concomitantly with agents (e.g., citalopram) used to treat these disorders. In this single-centre, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, sequential design Phase 1 study with the inclusion of two double-blind crossover parts, the pharmacokinetic (PK; blood sampling at regular intervals) and pharmacodynamic (PD; battery of objective and subjective PD tests performed at regular intervals) interactions between daridorexant (50 mg) and citalopram (20 mg, single dose and at steady state) as well as the safety/tolerability in healthy subjects were investigated. There were no relevant effects of citalopram (single dose/steady state) on daridorexant exposure and vice versa. PD variables measured after morning administration of daridorexant alone showed effects consistent with a sleep-promoting compound. Only co-administration of daridorexant with citalopram at steady state led to relevant changes in objective (unstable tracking) and subjective (visual analogue scale alertness and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) PD endpoints compared to daridorexant alone. No serious or severe adverse events were reported, while no clinically relevant treatment-emergent effects on ECG parameters, clinical laboratory, or vital signs were observed. In conclusion, the co-administration of daridorexant and citalopram lead to only minor changes in PK parameters, while performance of PD assessments following co-administration were mainly driven by the expected central nervous system effects of daridorexant. Doses up to 50 mg daridorexant can be safely co-administered with citalopram.

First-in-human study with ACT-1014-6470, a novel oral complement factor 5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) antagonist, supported by pharmacokinetic predictions from animals to patients

Aberrantly controlled activation of the complement system contributes to inflammatory diseases. Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single-ascending doses of ACT-1014-6470, a novel orally available complement factor 5a receptor 1 antagonist, were assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 study. Six ACT-1014-6470 doses (0.5-200 mg) were selected after predictions from a Complex Dedrick plot. In each group, ACT-1014-6470 or matching placebo was administered to six and two healthy male individuals under fed conditions, respectively, including a cross-over part with 10 mg administered also under fasted conditions. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling and safety assessments (adverse events, clinical laboratory, vital signs, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and QT telemetry) were performed. ACT-1014-6470 was absorbed with a time to maximum plasma concentration (t_max ) of 3 h across dose levels and eliminated with a terminal half-life of 30-46 h at doses ≥ 2.5 mg. Exposure increased approximately dose proportionally. Under fed compared to fasted conditions, ACT-1014-6470 exposure was 2.2-fold higher and t_max delayed by 1.5 h. Pharmacokinetic modelling predicted that twice-daily oral administration is warranted in a subsequent multiple-dose study. No clinically relevant findings were observed in safety assessments. ACT-1014-6470 was well tolerated at all doses and could provide a novel therapy with more patient-friendly administration route compared to biologicals.

Multiple-ascending doses of ACT-1014-6470, an oral complement factor 5a receptor 1 (C5a1 receptor) antagonist: Tolerability, pharmacokinetics and target engagement

AIMS

Targeting the complement factor 5a receptor 1 (C5a1 receptor) offers potential to treat various autoimmune diseases. The C5a1 receptor antagonist ACT-1014-6470 was well tolerated in a single-ascending dose study in healthy subjects. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and target engagement of multiple-ascending doses of ACT-1014-6470.

METHODS

Per dose level, 10 healthy male and female subjects of nonchildbearing potential (1:1 sex ratio) were enrolled to assess 30, 60 and 120 mg ACT-1014-6470 administered twice daily for 4.5 days under fed conditions. Adverse events, clinical laboratory data, vital signs, electrocardiogram and PK blood samples were collected up to 120 h post last dose and ex vivo stimulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 was quantified as target engagement biomarker. At the 60-mg dose level, PK samples were collected until 8 weeks post last dose.

RESULTS

The total adverse event number was 57 and no treatment-related safety pattern was apparent. At steady state, ACT-1014-6470 reached maximum plasma concentrations after 2-3 h and the half-life estimated up to Day 10 was 115-146 h across dose levels. Exposure parameters increased dose-proportionally, steady state was attained between Day 3-5, and ACT-1014-6470 accumulated 2-fold. At the 60-mg dose level, ACT-1014-6470 was quantifiable until 8 weeks after the last dose. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 release was suppressed to endogenous background concentrations up to the last sampling time point, confirming sustained target engagement of ACT-1014-6470.

CONCLUSION

The compound was generally safe and well tolerated at all dose levels, warranting further clinical investigations.

[Response of human growth hormone to anesthesia induction with propofol]

Although there are distinct differences in both pharmacokinetics and chemical structure, propofol has sedative effects similar to those of benzodiazepines. Both diazepam and thiopental, commonly used agents for inducing anaesthesia, show some typical neuroendocrine effects such as liberation of human growth hormone (hGH) in addition to their well-known influences on the cardiovascular system. It was our aim to examine the endocrine response of hGH after induction of anaesthesia with propofol and to compare any possible effects with those of diazepam and thiopental. The study was performed on 30 non-premedicated patients, who underwent plastic-surgery (mean age: x = 35 +/- 8.3 years, mean body weight: x = 68.9 +/- 23.2 kg). No signs of endocrine disturbances were found in the patients prior to the study. Patients were divided in a random fashion into 3 groups of 10 persons each: In group 1 propofol was given in a bolus injection (2 mg/kg) and then by infusion for a period of 10 min (0.2 mg/kg/min). In group 2 diazepam (0.3 mg/kg) and in group 3 thiopental (5 mg/kg) were administered as a bolus to induce anesthesia. All patients were intubated immediately after induction of anesthesia and then relaxed using vecuronium (1 mg/kg). Ventilation was performed mechanically during the entire operative period (N2O/O2 - FiO2:0.33, tidal volume 10 ml/kg, respiratory rate: 14/min). To maintain anesthesia halothane (0.5-1.0 vol.-%) and meperidine (0.75 mg/kg) were added 15 min after induction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)