Sample records for quinidine

  1. [Relative bioavailability of various quinidine preparations in man after a single oral dose].

    PubMed

    Terhaag, B; Gieszinger, U

    1982-12-01

    The bioavailability of quinidine sulfate in different preparations (quinidine in capsules as reference; Quinidine longo; Qunidine longo with either quinidine in the cover or in the nucleus, Quinidine Duriles) was investigated in 8 healthy volunteers in plasma and urine in a crossover design. There are no differences in the AUCo infinitey and in the eliminated amount in urine after infinit time. Quinidine longo possesses two maxima at 0.8 +/- 0.1 h and at 3.1 +/- 0.2 h. These maxima are caused by the liberation from the cover and the nucleus. The quotients of retardation (RD = ratio of the duration at 1/2 Cpmax, RC = ratio of 1/2 Cpmax, quinidine sulfate as reference) is calculated for Quinidine longo: RD = 1.42 +/- 0.14, RC = 0.75 +/- 0,05 and for Quinidine Duriles: RD = 1.79 +/- 0.21, RC = 0.52 +/- 0.07. The effect of retardation of Quinidine longo is not so much as that of Quinidine Duriles. However there are no statistic differences for RD in contrast to RC between these two retard-preparations.

  2. Quinidine revisited.

    PubMed

    Yang, Felix; Hanon, Sam; Lam, Patrick; Schweitzer, Paul

    2009-04-01

    One of the earliest antiarrhythmic drugs developed, quinidine had a significant role in the treatment of many arrhythmias. After concerns for increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia and death with quinidine emerged, the use of quinidine fell dramatically in favor of newer antiarrhythmic medications. However, recent trials have generated renewed interest in the use of quinidine. In particular, quinidine appears to be safe and efficacious in combination with verapamil for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Quinidine has also been used successfully to treat idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, Brugada syndrome, and Short QT syndrome. Although it is one of the oldest drugs in our armamentarium, quinidine continues to have a role in modern cardiology.

  3. Blood collection techniques, heparin and quinidine protein binding.

    PubMed

    Kessler, K M; Leech, R C; Spann, J F

    1979-02-01

    With the use of glass syringes without heparin and all glass equipment, the percent of unbound quinidine was measured by ultrafiltration and a double-extraction assay method after addition of 2 microgram/ml of quinidine sulfate. Compared to the all-glass method, collection of blood using Vacutainers resulted in an erroneous and variable decrease in quinidine binding related to blood to rubber-stopper contact. With glass, the unbound quinidine fraction was (mean +/- standard error) 10 +/- 1% in 10 normal volunteers, 8.5 +/- 1.5% in 10 patients with congestive heart failure, and 11 +/- 2% in 11 patients with chronic renal failure (although in 8 of the latter 11 patients the percent of unbound quinidine was 4 or more standard errors from the mean of the normal group). During cardiac catheterization, patients had markedly elevated unbound quinidine fractions: 24 +/- 2% (p less than 0.001). This abnormality coincided with the addition of heparin in vivo and was less apparent after the addition of up to 10 U/ml of heparin in vitro (120% and 29% increase in unbound quinidine fractions, respectively). Quinidine binding should be measured with all glass or equivalent equipment.

  4. QUINIDINE AND DOMPERIDONE INTERACTIONS IN THE RAT EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF REPEATED ADMINISTRATION.

    PubMed

    Bamburowicz-Klimkowska, Magdalena; Szost, Tadeusz; Małkowska, Anna; Szutowski, Mirosław

    2016-07-01

    This study has investigated domperidone (DOM) and quinidine (QD) interaction in the Wistar rat experimental model of repeated administration. We used nonconventional administration model consistent with occasional administration method. Difference in administration was related to sequence of domperidone alone or with quinidine dosage. Expected domperidone-quinidine interactions could have its origin both in the ability of quinidine to inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity as well as cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of both compounds. There also were examined kinetics of acetaminophen (PAM) administered (30 mg/kg) with domperidone as an indicator of gastric emptying, showing domperidone prokinetic activity, as well as quinidine anticholinergic activity. Domperidone (30 mg/kg) with PAM and with/without quinidine (25 mg/kg) was administered orally according to the disposition regiment different for six examined rat groups. DOM and PAM concentrations in plasma were assayed by HPLC method. Following changes were observed: domperidone did not modify the duration of the uptake phase of acetaminophen; quinidine prolongs gastric emptying time (as a result of anticholinergic action); quinidine given as the fourth or fifth dose with domperidone promotes growth of its concentration in plasma; analysis of changes in the value of AUC(0-2) at the initial three weeks of experiment suggests intensity of domperidone absorption processes, the following week increase in the value AUC(4-6) suggests inhibition of domperidone hepatic biotransformation and the mechanism of induction of absorption during domperidone administration is different from the absorption - inducing effects of quinidine. Both effects are superimposed and produce large, 2, 3-fold change in domperidone's AUC(0-6).

  5. Effect of Dextromethorphan-Quinidine on Agitation in Patients With Alzheimer Disease Dementia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

    PubMed

    Cummings, Jeffrey L; Lyketsos, Constantine G; Peskind, Elaine R; Porsteinsson, Anton P; Mintzer, Jacobo E; Scharre, Douglas W; De La Gandara, Jose E; Agronin, Marc; Davis, Charles S; Nguyen, Uyen; Shin, Paul; Tariot, Pierre N; Siffert, João

    Agitation is common among patients with Alzheimer disease; safe, effective treatments are lacking. To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dextromethorphan hydrobromide-quinidine sulfate for Alzheimer disease-related agitation. Phase 2 randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using a sequential parallel comparison design with 2 consecutive 5-week treatment stages conducted August 2012-August 2014. Patients with probable Alzheimer disease, clinically significant agitation (Clinical Global Impressions-Severity agitation score ≥4), and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 8 to 28 participated at 42 US study sites. Stable dosages of antidepressants, antipsychotics, hypnotics, and antidementia medications were allowed. In stage 1, 220 patients were randomized in a 3:4 ratio to receive dextromethorphan-quinidine (n = 93) or placebo (n = 127). In stage 2, patients receiving dextromethorphan-quinidine continued; those receiving placebo were stratified by response and rerandomized in a 1:1 ratio to dextromethorphan-quinidine (n = 59) or placebo (n = 60). The primary end point was change from baseline on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Agitation/Aggression domain (scale range, 0 [absence of symptoms] to 12 [symptoms occur daily and with marked severity]). A total of 194 patients (88.2%) completed the study. With the sequential parallel comparison design, 152 patients received dextromethorphan-quinidine and 127 received placebo during the study. Analysis combining stages 1 (all patients) and 2 (rerandomized placebo nonresponders) showed significantly reduced NPI Agitation/Aggression scores for dextromethorphan-quinidine vs placebo (ordinary least squares z statistic, -3.95; P < .001). In stage 1, mean NPI Agitation/Aggression scores were reduced from 7.1 to 3.8 with dextromethorphan-quinidine and from 7.0 to 5.3 with placebo. Between-group treatment differences were significant in stage 1 (least squares mean, -1.5; 95% CI, -2.3 to -0.7; P<.001). In stage 2, NPI Agitation/Aggression scores were reduced from 5.8 to 3.8 with dextromethorphan-quinidine and from 6.7 to 5.8 with placebo. Between-group treatment differences were also significant in stage 2 (least squares mean, -1.6; 95% CI, -2.9 to -0.3; P=.02). Adverse events included falls (8.6% for dextromethorphan-quinidine vs 3.9% for placebo), diarrhea (5.9% vs 3.1% respectively), and urinary tract infection (5.3% vs 3.9% respectively). Serious adverse events occurred in 7.9% with dextromethorphan-quinidine vs 4.7% with placebo. Dextromethorphan-quinidine was not associated with cognitive impairment, sedation, or clinically significant QTc prolongation. In this preliminary 10-week phase 2 randomized clinical trial of patients with probable Alzheimer disease, combination dextromethorphan-quinidine demonstrated clinically relevant efficacy for agitation and was generally well tolerated. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01584440.

  6. Atrial fibrillation in a pregnant mare: treatment with quinidine sulfate.

    PubMed

    Bertone, J J; Traub-Dargatz, J L; Wingfield, W E

    1987-06-15

    Atrial fibrillation in a pregnant, lactating, 15-year-old mare nursing a 70-day-old foal was converted to normal sinus rhythm, using quinidine sulfate. The maximum concentration of quinidine was 4.3 mg/L in the mare's milk and was 2.6 mg/L in the mare's serum. Treatment with quinidine did not interrupt the pregnancy. Six months after treatment, the mare developed acute volvulus of the large colon and died. At necropsy, the mare did not have macroscopic or microscopic cardiac lesions. The fetus was macroscopically and histologically normal.

  7. Possible interethnic differences in quinidine-induced QT prolongation between healthy Caucasian and Korean subjects

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Jae-Gook; Kang, Won-ku; Shon, Ji-Hong; Arefayene, Million; Yoon, Young-Ran; Kim, Kyung-Ah; Kim, Doo-Il; Kim, Dong-Soo; Cho, Kwang-Hyun; Woosley, Raymond L; Flockhart, David A

    2007-01-01

    Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of quinidine-induced QT prolongation in healthy Caucasian and Korean subjects to investigate interethnic differences in susceptibility to drug-induced arrhythmia. Methods A randomized, double-blind crossover study was conducted in 24 (12 male and 12 female) Korean and 13 (seven male and six female) Caucasian subjects. After a 20 min infusion of quinidine (4 mg kg−1) or saline, the serum concentration of quinidine and the QT interval corrected by Bazett's formula (QTc) were monitored. The dynamic data were analyzed by means of a population modelling approach using NONMEM. Results There were no statistical differences in the pharmacokinetic profiles of quinidine between ethnic groups. The QTc values in Caucasians were higher than those in Koreans at the same quinidine concentrations, especially at higher quinidine concentrations and in female subjects. According to an Emax model , the population modelling approach revealed that E0 (ms) was related to gender (408 + [34*(1 − Sex)]; 1 for male and 0 for female), ΔEmax (ms) was related to ethnicity ((136*fETHN) + Cfemale: fETHN = 1 for Koreans and 1.26 for Caucasians; Cfemale was 106 only for Caucasian females), and EC50 was estimated to be 3.13 µm. Conclusions These results suggest that Korean subjects were less sensitive to quinidine-induced QT prolongation than Caucasian subjects, and that this trend was particularly true for females. Further population-based studies are merited to characterize more completely the ethnic differences in drug-induced QT prolongation between Asians and other ethnic groups. PMID:17096683

  8. Molecular Relaxations in Supercooled Liquid and Glassy States of Amorphous Quinidine: Dielectric Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Approaches.

    PubMed

    Schammé, Benjamin; Mignot, Mélanie; Couvrat, Nicolas; Tognetti, Vincent; Joubert, Laurent; Dupray, Valérie; Delbreilh, Laurent; Dargent, Eric; Coquerel, Gérard

    2016-08-04

    In this article, we conduct a comprehensive molecular relaxation study of amorphous Quinidine above and below the glass-transition temperature (Tg) through broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (BDS) experiments and theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations, as one major issue with the amorphous state of pharmaceuticals is life expectancy. These techniques enabled us to determine what kind of molecular motions are responsible, or not, for the devitrification of Quinidine. Parameters describing the complex molecular dynamics of amorphous Quinidine, such as Tg, the width of the α relaxation (βKWW), the temperature dependence of α-relaxation times (τα), the fragility index (m), and the apparent activation energy of secondary γ relaxation (Ea-γ), were characterized. Above Tg (> 60 °C), a medium degree of nonexponentiality (βKWW = 0.5) was evidenced. An intermediate value of the fragility index (m = 86) enabled us to consider Quinidine as a glass former of medium fragility. Below Tg (< 60 °C), one well-defined secondary γ relaxation, with an apparent activation energy of Ea-γ = 53.8 kJ/mol, was reported. From theoretical DFT calculations, we identified the most reactive part of Quinidine moieties through exploration of the potential energy surface. We evidenced that the clearly visible γ process has an intramolecular origin coming from the rotation of the CH(OH)C9H14N end group. An excess wing observed in amorphous Quinidine was found to be an unresolved Johari-Goldstein relaxation. These studies were supplemented by sub-Tg experimental evaluations of the life expectancy of amorphous Quinidine by X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. We show that the difference between Tg and the onset temperature for crystallization, Tc, which is 30 K, is sufficiently large to avoid recrystallization of amorphous Quinidine during 16 months of storage under ambient conditions.

  9. Influence of different recombinant systems on the cooperativity exhibited by cytochrome P4503A4.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Z; Li, Y; Shou, M; Zhang, Y; Ngui, J S; Stearns, R A; Evans, D C; Baillie, T A; Tang, W

    2004-05-01

    1. The in vitro cooperativity exhibited by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 is influenced by the nature of the recombinant system in which the phenomenon is studied. Diclofenac, piroxicam and R-warfarin were used as model substrates, and quinidine was the effector. 2. The 5-, 5'- and 10-hydroxylation of diclofenac, piroxicam and R-warfarin, respectively, were enhanced five- to sevenfold by quinidine in human liver microsomal incubations. Whereas these cooperative drug interactions were apparent in incubations with CYP3A4 expressed in human lymphoblast cells, similar phenomena were not observed with the enzyme expressed in insect cells. 3. Insect cell microsomes were treated with a detergent and CYP3A4 was solubilized into a buffer medium. In incubations with CYP3A4 'freed' from its host membrane, the 5-hydroxylation of diclofenac increased with increasing quinidine concentrations, reaching a maximal eightfold elevation relative to controls. The metabolism of piroxicam and warfarin was similarly enhanced by quinidine. 4. Kinetically, enhancement by quinidine of the 5-hydroxylation of diclofenac in incubations with solubilized CYP3A4 was characterized by increases in the rate of metabolism with little change in the substrate-binding affinity. Conversely, the 3-hydroxylation of quinidine was not affected by diclofenac. 5. The data suggest that certain properties of CYP3A4 are masked by expression of the protein in insect cells and reinforce the concept that the enzyme possesses multiple binding domains. The absence of cooperative drug interactions with quinidine when CYP3A4 was expressed in insect cells might be due to an absence of enzyme conformation changes on quinidine binding, or the inability of quinidine to gain access to a putative effector-binding domain. 6. Caution should be exercised when comparing models for CYP3A4 cooperativity derived from different recombinant preparations of the enzyme.

  10. Dextromethorphan/quinidine: in pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Garnock-Jones, Karly P

    2011-05-01

    Pseudobulbar affect is characterized by uncontrollable, inappropriate laughing and/or crying that is either unrelated or out of proportion to the emotions felt by the patient and occurs in patients with neurological disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis or traumatic brain injury. Dextromethorphan/quinidine is indicated in the US for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect. Dextromethorphan, when its metabolism is inhibited by the coadministration of quinidine, has been shown to have a positive effect on the symptoms of pseudobulbar affect. Dextromethorphan/quinidine 20 mg/10 mg twice daily was associated with a significantly greater decrease in the rate of pseudobulbar affect episodes per day (primary endpoint) than placebo in the 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre STAR trial (Safety, Tolerability, And efficacy Results trial of AVP-923 in PBA [pseudobulbar affect]) involving patients with pseudobulbar affect and ALS or multiple sclerosis. Moreover, the mean change from baseline in Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale score at 12 weeks was significantly greater among recipients of dextromethorphan/quinidine 20 mg/10 mg twice daily than those receiving placebo. Dextromethorphan/quinidine 20 mg/10 mg twice daily was generally well tolerated. The drug has been shown to cause dosage-dependent corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation; however, in the STAR trial, dextromethorphan/quinidine 20 mg/10 mg twice daily appeared to be well tolerated with regard to QTc prolongation.

  11. Conformational analysis of quinine and its pseudo enantiomer quinidine: a combined jet-cooled spectroscopy and vibrational circular dichroism study.

    PubMed

    Sen, Ananya; Bouchet, Aude; Lepère, Valeria; Le Barbu-Debus, Katia; Scuderi, D; Piuzzi, F; Zehnacker-Rentien, A

    2012-08-16

    Laser-desorbed quinine and quinidine have been studied in the gas phase by combining supersonic expansion with laser spectroscopy, namely, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), and IR-UV double resonance experiments. Density funtional theory (DFT) calculations have been done in conjunction with the experimental work. The first electronic transition of quinine and quinidine is of π-π* nature, and the studied molecules weakly fluoresce in the gas phase, in contrast to what was observed in solution (Qin, W. W.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. C2009, 113, 11790). The two pseudo enantiomers quinine and quinidine show limited differences in the gas phase; their main conformation is of open type as it is in solution. However, vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) experiments in solution show that additional conformers exist in condensed phase for quinidine, which are not observed for quinine. This difference in behavior between the two pseudo enantiomers is discussed.

  12. Quinidine

    MedlinePlus

    ... to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It works by making your heart more resistant to abnormal activity. Quinidine ... This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

  13. Dextromethorphan-quinidine-responsive pseudobulbar affect (PBA): psychopharmacological model for wide-ranging disorders of emotional expression?

    PubMed

    Stahl, Stephen M

    2016-12-01

    The symptoms of emotional dysregulation associated with the syndrome known as pseudobulbar affect (PBA) can be effectively treated by the sigma, glutamate, and serotonergic agent dextromethorphan combined with quinidine. If the same brain circuits affected in PBA are also compromised in related disorders of emotional expression, dextromethorphan-quinidine and other novel sigma-glutamate-serotonin agents could prove to be novel psychopharmacologic treatments for these conditions as well.

  14. Dextromethorphan/quinidine: a review of its use in adults with pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Yang, Lily P H; Deeks, Emma D

    2015-01-01

    Fixed-dose dextromethorphan/quinidine capsules (Nuedexta(®)) utilize quinidine to inhibit the metabolism of dextromethorphan, enabling high plasma dextromethorphan concentrations to be reached without using a larger dose of the drug. The drug combination is the first treatment to be approved for pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition of contextually inappropriate/exaggerated emotional expression that often occurs in adults with neurological damage conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. Dextromethorphan/quinidine at the recommended dosages of 20/10 or 30/10 mg twice daily reduced the rate of PBA episodes and improved PBA severity in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with ALS or MS (STAR), with further improvements in the severity of the condition observed in a 12-week open-label extension phase. Dextromethorphan/quinidine 20/10 mg twice daily also improved PBA secondary to dementia in a cohort of a 12-week noncomparative trial (PRISM II). The drug combination was generally well tolerated in these studies, with no particular safety or tolerability concerns. Although longer-term efficacy and tolerability data for dextromethorphan/quinidine 20/10 or 30/10 mg twice daily would be beneficial, current evidence indicates that it is a useful option in the treatment of adults with PBA.

  15. Vitamin D receptor activation induces P-glycoprotein and increases brain efflux of quinidine: an intracerebral microdialysis study in conscious rats.

    PubMed

    Durk, Matthew R; Fan, Jianghong; Sun, Huadong; Yang, Yingbo; Pang, Henrianna; Pang, K Sandy; de Lannoy, Inés A M

    2015-03-01

    Since the vitamin D receptor (VDR) was found to up-regulate cerebral P-glycoprotein expression in vitro and in mice, we extend our findings to rats by assessing the effect of rat Vdr activation on brain efflux of quinidine, a P-gp substrate that is eliminated primarily by cytochrome P450 3a. We treated rats with vehicle or the active VDR ligand, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] (4.8 or 6.4 nmol/kg i.p. every 2nd day × 4) and examined P-gp expression and cerebral quinidine disposition via microdialysis in control and treatment studies conducted longitudinally in the same rat. The 6.4 nmol/kg 1,25(OH)2D3 dose increased cerebral P-gp expression 1.75-fold whereas hepatic Cyp3a remained unchanged. Although there was no change in systemic clearance elicited by 1,25(OH)2D3, brain extracellular fluid quinidine concentrations were lower in treated rats. We noted that insertion of indwelling catheters increased plasma protein binding of quinidine and serial sampling decreased the blood:plasma concentration ratio, factors that alter distribution ratios in microdialysis studies. After appropriate correction, KECF/P,uu and KECF/B,uu, or ratios of quinidine unbound concentrations in brain extracellular fluid to plasma or blood at steady-state, were more than halved. We demonstrate that VDR activation increases cerebral P-gp expression and delimits brain penetration of P-gp substrates.

  16. Trial of dextromethorphan/quinidine to treat levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease.

    PubMed

    Fox, Susan H; Metman, Leonard Verhagen; Nutt, John G; Brodsky, Matthew; Factor, Stewart A; Lang, Anthony E; Pope, Laura E; Knowles, Nadine; Siffert, João

    2017-06-01

    Nondopaminergic pathways represent potential targets to treat levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease (PD). This pilot-study (NCT01767129) examined the safety/efficacy of the sigma-1 receptor-agonist and glutamatergic/monoaminergic modulator, dextromethorphan plus quinidine (to inhibit rapid dextromethorphan metabolism), for treating levodopa-induced dyskinesia. PD patients were randomized to dextromethorphan/quinidine (45 mg/10 mg twice daily)/placebo in two 2-week double-blind, crossover treatment periods, with intervening 2-week washout. After 14 days, a 2-hour intravenous levodopa-infusion was administered. Patient examinations were videotaped before infusion ("off" state) and every 30 minutes during and afterwards until patients returned to "off." The primary endpoint was dyskinesia-severity during infusion measured by Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale part 3 area-under-curve scores (blinded expert rated). Additional endpoints included other dyskinesia/motor assessments, global measures of clinical-change, and adverse-events. A total of 13 patients were randomized and completed the study (efficacy-evaluable population). Dyskinesia-severity was nonsignificantly lower with dextromethorphan/quinidine than placebo during infusion (area-under-curve 966.5 vs 1048.8; P = .191 [efficacy-evaluable patients]), and significantly lower in a post-hoc sensitivity analysis of the per-protocol-population (efficacy-evaluable patients with ≥ 80% study-drug-compliance, n = 12) when measured from infusion start to 4-hours post-infusion completion (area-under-curve 1585.0 vs 1911.3; P = .024). Mean peak dyskinesia decreased significantly from infusion-start to return to "off" (13.3 vs 14.9; P = .018 [efficacy-evaluable patients]). A total of 9 patients rated dyskinesia "much/very much improved" on dextromethorphan/quinidine versus 1-patient on placebo. Dextromethorphan/quinidine did not worsen PD-motor scores, was generally well tolerated, and was associated with more frequent adverse events. This study provides preliminary evidence of clinical benefit with dextromethorphan/quinidine for treating levodopa-induced dyskinesia in PD. Larger studies with a longer treatment duration need to corroborate these early findings. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

  17. Quinidine, but Not Eicosanoid Antagonists or Dexamethasone, Protect the Gut from Platelet Activating Factor-Induced Vasoconstriction, Edema and Paralysis

    PubMed Central

    Lautenschläger, Ingmar; Frerichs, Inéz; Dombrowsky, Heike; Sarau, Jürgen; Goldmann, Torsten; Zitta, Karina; Albrecht, Martin; Weiler, Norbert; Uhlig, Stefan

    2015-01-01

    Intestinal circulatory disturbances, atony, edema and swelling are of great clinical relevance, but the related mechanisms and possible therapeutic options are poorly characterized, in part because of the difficulties to comprehensively analyze these conditions. To overcome these limitations we have developed a model of the isolated perfused rat small intestine where all of these symptoms can be studied simultaneously. Here we used this model to study the role of eicosanoids, steroids and quinidine in platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced intestinal disorders. A vascular bolus of PAF (0.5 nmol) triggered release of thromboxane and peptidoleukotrienes into the vascular bed (peak concentration 35 nM and 0.8 nM) and reproduced all symptoms of intestinal failure: mesenteric vasoconstriction, translocation of fluid and macromolecules from the vasculature to the lumen and lymphatics, intestinal edema formation, loss of intestinal peristalsis and decreased galactose uptake. All effects of PAF were abolished by the PAF-receptor antagonist ABT491 (2.5 μM). The COX and LOX inhibitors ASA and AA861 (500 μM, 10 μM) did not exhibit barrier-protective effects and the eicosanoid antagonists SQ29548 and MK571 (10 μM, each) only moderately attenuated the loss of vascular fluid, the redistribution to the lumen and the transfer of FITC dextran to the lumen. The steroid dexamethasone (10 μM) showed no barrier-protective properties and failed to prevent edema formation. Quinidine (100 μM) inhibited the increase in arterial pressure, stabilized all the intestinal barriers, and reduced lymph production and the transfer of FITC dextran to the lymph. While quinidine by itself reduced peristalsis, it also obviated paralysis, preserved intestinal functions and prevented edema formation. We conclude that quinidine exerts multiple protective effects against vasoconstriction, edema formation and paralysis in the intestine. The therapeutic use of quinidine for intestinal ailments deserves further study. PMID:25793535

  18. Chemotherapy of Rodent Malaria. Part 1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-10-01

    to produce exaggerated resistance factors (I 90 values). For example, the ED of chloroquine against the artemisinin 90 resistant ART strain...primaquine, quinine, cinchonine, quinidine, mefloquine, halofantrine, artemisinin , pyronaridine, mepacrine and Mannich bases (such as WR 228258). It is...RC. It is markedly resistant to primaquine and possesses slight cross-resistance to quinidine, mefloquine, artemisinin . There is also a marked cross

  19. A HECT Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase as a Novel Candidate Gene for Altered Quinine and Quinidine Responses in Plasmodium falciparum

    PubMed Central

    Sanchez, Cecilia P.; Cyrklaff, Marek; Mu, Jianbing; Ferdig, Michael T.; Stein, Wilfred D.; Lanzer, Michael

    2014-01-01

    The emerging resistance to quinine jeopardizes the efficacy of a drug that has been used in the treatment of malaria for several centuries. To identify factors contributing to differential quinine responses in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, we have conducted comparative quantitative trait locus analyses on the susceptibility to quinine and also its stereoisomer quinidine, and on the initial and steady-state intracellular drug accumulation levels in the F1 progeny of a genetic cross. These data, together with genetic screens of field isolates and laboratory strains associated differential quinine and quinidine responses with mutated pfcrt, a segment on chromosome 13, and a novel candidate gene, termed MAL7P1.19 (encoding a HECT ubiquitin ligase). Despite a strong likelihood of association, episomal transfections demonstrated a role for the HECT ubiquitin-protein ligase in quinine and quinidine sensitivity in only a subset of genetic backgrounds, and here the changes in IC50 values were moderate (approximately 2-fold). These data show that quinine responsiveness is a complex genetic trait with multiple alleles playing a role and that more experiments are needed to unravel the role of the contributing factors. PMID:24830312

  20. Mechanism of inhibition of mouse Slo3 (KCa 5.1) potassium channels by quinine, quinidine and barium.

    PubMed

    Wrighton, David C; Muench, Stephen P; Lippiat, Jonathan D

    2015-09-01

    The Slo3 (KCa 5.1) channel is a major component of mammalian KSper (sperm potassium conductance) channels and inhibition of these channels by quinine and barium alters sperm motility. The aim of this investigation was to determine the mechanism by which these drugs inhibit Slo3 channels. Mouse (m) Slo3 (KCa 5.1) channels or mutant forms were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and currents recorded with 2-electrode voltage-clamp. Gain-of-function mSlo3 mutations were used to explore the state-dependence of the inhibition. The interaction between quinidine and mSlo3 channels was modelled by in silico docking. Several drugs known to block KSper also affected mSlo3 channels with similar levels of inhibition. The inhibition induced by extracellular barium was prevented by increasing the extracellular potassium concentration. R196Q and F304Y mutations in the mSlo3 voltage sensor and pore, respectively, both increased channel activity. The F304Y mutation did not alter the effects of barium, but increased the potency of inhibition by both quinine and quinidine approximately 10-fold; this effect was not observed with the R196Q mutation. Block of mSlo3 channels by quinine, quinidine and barium is not state-dependent. Barium inhibits mSlo3 outside the cell by interacting with the selectivity filter, whereas quinine and quinidine act from the inside, by binding in a hydrophobic pocket formed by the S6 segment of each subunit. Furthermore, we propose that the Slo3 channel activation gate lies deep within the pore between F304 in the S6 segment and the selectivity filter. © 2015 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Pharmacological Society.

  1. Dextromethorphan and Quinidine Combination for Heroin Detoxification

    PubMed Central

    Akerele, Evaristo; Bisaga, Adam; Sullivan, Maria A.; Garawi, Fatima; Comer, Sandra D.; Thomas, Anil A.; Nunes, Edward V.; Kleber, Herbert D.

    2015-01-01

    Dextromethorphan (DM) is a low-affinity, non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist that has shown promise in pre-clinical and preliminary clinical studies for the reduction of opioid withdrawal symptoms, but when used at higher doses, it is associated with deleterious side effects attributed to its metabolite, dextrorphan. A clinical trial was therefore conducted to test the withdrawal-suppressant effect of a combination of dextromethorphan with quinidine (DM/Q). Quinidine inhibits the metabolism of dextromethorphan, reducing dextrorphan levels. Opioid-dependent patients were admitted to an inpatient unit, stabilized for three days on morphine (25 mg, sc, every six hours), and randomly assigned on day 2 to DM/Q (30 mg/30 mg, twice a day) (n = 22) or matching placebo (n = 9) prior to the discontinuation of morphine on day 4. Withdrawal symptoms, measured with the Modified Himmelsbach Opioid Withdrawal Scale (MHOWS), increased significantly on days 4 and 5 (Z = 3.70, p = .0002), and by day 6, 90% of the sample (28/31) had dropped out of the study. There were no differences between treatment groups on either outcome measure. The combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine appears ineffective as a primary treatment for opioid withdrawal. Future studies should examine dextromethorphan as an adjunct to other anti-withdrawal medications and focus more on the relationship between dextrorphan levels and withdrawal suppression. PMID:18463993

  2. Inhibition of UV-B induced apoptosis in corneal epithelial cells by potassium channel modulators.

    PubMed

    Ubels, John L; Schotanus, Mark P; Bardolph, Susan L; Haarsma, Loren D; Koetje, Leah R; Louters, Julienne R

    2010-02-01

    The goal of this study was to determine whether prevention of K(+) loss can protect human corneal-limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells from UV-B induced apoptosis. Immunostaining for activated caspase-3 of HCLE cells exposed to 150-200 mJ/cm(2) UV-B demonstrated induction of apoptosis 6 h after exposure. The number of apoptotic cells was decreased by incubation in medium with 25 or 100 mM K(+). If this protection is due to a reduction of UV-induced K(+) loss then K(+) channel blockers should also protect HCLE cells from UV-B. Caspase-8 activity induced by exposure to UV-B at 150 mJ/cm(2) was significantly reduced when the cells were incubated in 0.3 microM BDS-I or 0.05-1 mM quinidine. Caspase-3 was also activated by UV-B and a reduction in activity was observed after incubation in 0.1-0.3 microM BDS-I and 0.1-1 mM quinidine. Induction of DNA fragmentation, as measured by the TUNEL assay, was decreased by treatment with 0.3 microM BDS-I and 0.01-0.05 mM quinidine. Patch-clamp recording showed activation of K(+) channels after exposure to UV-B and a decrease in outward K(+) current was observed following application of BDS-I. Quinidine did not block K(+) currents in HCLE cells, suggesting that the protective effect of quinidine occurs by a mechanism other than via K(+) channels. The effect of the K(+) channel blocker BDS-1 on HCLE cells exposed to UV-B confirms that preventing K(+) efflux protects corneal epithelial cells from apoptosis. This suggests the elevated [K(+)] in tears may protect the corneal epithelium from effects of ambient UV-B. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Inhibition of UV-B Induced Apoptosis in Corneal Epithelial Cells by Potassium Channel Modulators

    PubMed Central

    Ubels, John L.; Schotanus, Mark P.; Bardolph, Susan L.; Haarsma, Loren D.; Koetje, Leah R.; Louters, Julienne R.

    2009-01-01

    The goal of this study was to determine whether prevention of K+ loss can protect human corneal-limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells from UV-B induced apoptosis. Immunostaining for activated caspase-3 of HCLE cells exposed to 150 – 200 mJ/cm2 UV-B demonstrated induction of apoptosis 6 hrs after exposure. The number of apoptotic cells was decreased by incubation in medium with 25 or 100 mM K+. If this protection is due to a reduction of UV induced K+ loss then K+ channel blockers should also protect HCLE cells from UV-B. Caspase-8 activity induced by exposure to UV-B at 150 mJ/cm2 was significantly reduced when the cells were incubated in 0.3 µM BDS-I or 0.05–1 mM quinidine. Caspase-3 was also activated by UV-B and a reduction in activity was observed after incubation in 0.1–0.3 µM BDS-I and 0.1–1mM quinidine. Induction of DNA fragmentation, as measured by the TUNEL assay, was decreased by treatment with 0.3 µM BDS-I and 0.01–0.05 mM quinidine. Patch-clamp recording showed activation of K+ channels after exposure to UV-B and a decrease in outward K+ current was observed following application of BDS-I. Quinidine did not block K+ currents in HCLE cells, suggesting that the protective effect of quinidine occurs by a mechanism other than via K+ channels. The effect of the K+ channel blocker BDS-1 on HCLE cells exposed to UV-B confirms that preventing K+ efflux protects corneal epithelial cells from apoptosis. This suggests the elevated [K+] in tears may protect the corneal epithelium from effects of ambient UV-B. PMID:19874821

  4. Evaluating the safety and efficacy of dextromethorphan/quinidine in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect

    PubMed Central

    Schoedel, Kerri A; Morrow, Sarah A; Sellers, Edward M

    2014-01-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a common manifestation of brain pathology associated with many neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. PBA is defined by involuntary and uncontrollable expressed emotion that is exaggerated and inappropriate, and also incongruent with the underlying emotional state. Dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q) is a combination product indicated for the treatment of PBA. The quinidine component of DM/Q inhibits the cytochrome P450 2D6-mediated metabolic conversion of dextromethorphan to its active metabolite dextrorphan, thereby increasing dextromethorphan systemic bioavailability and driving the pharmacology toward that of the parent drug and away from adverse effects of the dextrorphan metabolite. Three published efficacy and safety studies support the use of DM/Q in the treatment of PBA; significant effects were seen on the primary end point, the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale, as well as secondary efficacy end points and quality of life. While concentration–effect relationships appear relatively weak for efficacy parameters, concentrations of DM/Q may have an impact on safety. Some special safety concerns exist with DM/Q, primarily because of the drug interaction and QT prolongation potential of the quinidine component. However, because concentrations of dextrorphan (which is responsible for many of the parent drug’s side effects) and quinidine are lower than those observed in clinical practice with these drugs administered alone, some of the perceived safety issues may not be as relevant with this low dose combination product. However, since patients with PBA have a variety of other medical problems and are on numerous other medications, they may not tolerate DM/Q adverse effects, or may be at risk for drug interactions. Some caution is warranted when initiating DM/Q treatment, particularly in patients with underlying risk factors for torsade de pointes and in those receiving medications that may interact with DM/Q. PMID:25061302

  5. Evaluating the safety and efficacy of dextromethorphan/quinidine in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Schoedel, Kerri A; Morrow, Sarah A; Sellers, Edward M

    2014-01-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a common manifestation of brain pathology associated with many neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury. PBA is defined by involuntary and uncontrollable expressed emotion that is exaggerated and inappropriate, and also incongruent with the underlying emotional state. Dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q) is a combination product indicated for the treatment of PBA. The quinidine component of DM/Q inhibits the cytochrome P450 2D6-mediated metabolic conversion of dextromethorphan to its active metabolite dextrorphan, thereby increasing dextromethorphan systemic bioavailability and driving the pharmacology toward that of the parent drug and away from adverse effects of the dextrorphan metabolite. Three published efficacy and safety studies support the use of DM/Q in the treatment of PBA; significant effects were seen on the primary end point, the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale, as well as secondary efficacy end points and quality of life. While concentration-effect relationships appear relatively weak for efficacy parameters, concentrations of DM/Q may have an impact on safety. Some special safety concerns exist with DM/Q, primarily because of the drug interaction and QT prolongation potential of the quinidine component. However, because concentrations of dextrorphan (which is responsible for many of the parent drug's side effects) and quinidine are lower than those observed in clinical practice with these drugs administered alone, some of the perceived safety issues may not be as relevant with this low dose combination product. However, since patients with PBA have a variety of other medical problems and are on numerous other medications, they may not tolerate DM/Q adverse effects, or may be at risk for drug interactions. Some caution is warranted when initiating DM/Q treatment, particularly in patients with underlying risk factors for torsade de pointes and in those receiving medications that may interact with DM/Q.

  6. Functional expression of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Vba2p in the vacuolar membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Pongcharoen, Pongsanat; Kawano-Kawada, Miyuki; Iwaki, Tomoko; Sugimoto, Naoko; Sekito, Takayuki; Akiyama, Koichi; Takegawa, Kaoru; Kakinuma, Yoshimi

    2013-01-01

    A vacuolar membrane protein, Vba2p of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, is involved in basic amino acid uptake by intact cells. Here we found evidence that Vba2p mediated ATP-dependent lysine uptake by vacuolar membrane vesicles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Vba2p was also responsible for quinidine sensitivity, and the addition of lysine improved cell growth on quinidine-containing media. These findings should be useful for further characterization of Vba2p.

  7. Dextromethorphan/quinidine for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Patatanian, Edna; Casselman, Jessica

    2014-04-01

    To evaluate the role of dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q; Nuedexta™) in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). A literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed (January 1966-June 2013) was conducted using search terms pseudobulbar affect, pathological laughing and/or crying, emotional lability, dextromethorphan, and quinidine. English language clinical trials and case reports evaluating the safety and efficacy of DM/Q in PBA were included for review. Bibliographies of all relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations. PBA, a poorly understood disorder, is characterized by involuntary crying and/or laughing. In the past, antidepressants and antiepileptics have been used off-label with mixed results. Four clinical trials have evaluated the use of DM/Q for the treatment of PBA. Although the therapeutic outcomes with DM/Q have been positive, interpretation of the published evidence is limited by small sample size and short treatment duration. Based on the data available, DM/Q may be a viable, short-term treatment alternative for PBA. Long-term safety and efficacy data are lacking.

  8. IMMUNOREACTIONS INVOLVING PLATELETS

    PubMed Central

    Shulman, N. Raphael

    1958-01-01

    Quantitative aspects of platelet agglutination and inhibition of clot retraction by the antibody of quinidine purpura were described. The reactions appeared to depend on formation of types of antibody-quinidine-platelet complexes which could fix complement but complement was not necessary for these reactions. Complement fixation was at least 10 times more sensitive than platelet agglutination or inhibition of clot retraction for measurement and detection of antibody activity. Although it has been considered that antibodies of drug purpura act as platelet lysins in the presence of complement and that direct lysis of platelets accounts for development of thrombocytopenia in drug purpura, the present study suggests that attachment of antibody produces a change in platelets which is manifested in vitro only by increased susceptibility to non-specific factors which can alter the stability of platelets in the absence of antibody. The attachment of antibody to platelets in vivo may only indirectly affect platelet survival. In contrast to human platelets, dog, rabbit, and guinea pig platelets, and normal or trypsin-treated human red cells did not agglutinate, fix complement, or adsorb antibody; and intact human endothelial cells did not fix complement or adsorb antibody. Rhesus monkey platelets were not agglutinated by the antibody but did adsorb antibody and fix complement although their activity in these reactions differed quantitatively from that of human platelets. Cinchonine could be substituted for quinidine in agglutination and inhibition of clot retraction reactions but quinine and cinchonidine could not. Attempts to cause passive anaphylaxis in guinea pigs with the antibody of quinidine purpura were not successful. PMID:13525580

  9. Chloroquine, quinine, procaine, quinidine, tricyclic antidepressants, and methylxanthines as prostaglandin agonists and antagonists.

    PubMed

    Manku, M S; Horrobin, D F

    1976-11-20

    Chloroquine, quanine, procaine, quinidine, clomipramine, theophylline, and caffeine have been shown to be strong prostaglandin antagonists and weak agonists. The antagonist effect is clearly demonstrable at concentrations reached in human plasma when the drugs are used therapeutically. This suggests that prostaglandins are important in several situations in which their role has hitherto been unsuspected. New approaches to the development of prostaglandin antagonists and new uses for established drugs are indicated. In a preliminary study chloroquine has been successfully used to close patent ductus arteriosus in three infants.

  10. Ferrocene-cinchona hybrids with triazolyl-chalcone linkers act as pro-oxidants and sensitize human cancer cell lines to paclitaxel.

    PubMed

    Podolski-Renić, Ana; Bősze, Szilvia; Dinić, Jelena; Kocsis, László; Hudecz, Ferenc; Csámpai, Antal; Pešić, Milica

    2017-08-16

    Recently, we demonstrated that ferrocene-containing compounds with a cinchona moiety displayed marked anticancer activity. Here we report on the effects of the most promising isomers encompassing quinine- (compounds 4 and 5) and quinidine-epimers (compounds 6 and 7) - synthesized using improved methods providing controlled diastereoselectivity - in three different human multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines and their sensitive counterparts (non-small cell lung carcinoma NCI-H460/R/NCI-H460, colorectal carcinoma DLD1-TxR/DLD1 and glioblastoma U87-TxR/U87). We observed that the presence of the MDR phenotype did not diminish the activity of the compounds suggesting that ferrocene quinine- and quinidine-epimers are not substrates for P-glycoprotein, which has been indicated as a major mechanism of MDR in the cell lines used. Considering that metal-based anticancer agents mainly act by increasing ROS production, we investigated the potential of ferrocene-quinidine epimers to generate ROS. We found that 6 and 7 more readily increased ROS production and induced mitochondrial damage in MDR cancer cells. According to cell death analysis, 6 and 7 were more active against MDR cancer cells showing collateral sensitivity. In addition, our data suggest that these compounds could act as inhibitors of autophagy. Importantly, simultaneous treatments of 6 and 7 with paclitaxel (PTX) increased the sensitivity of MDR cancer cells to PTX. In conclusion, the ferrocene-quinidine epimers, besides being selective towards MDR cancer cells, could also possess potential to overcome PTX resistance.

  11. A simplified protocol employing elacridar in rodents: a screening model in drug discovery to assess P-gp mediated efflux at the blood brain barrier.

    PubMed

    Kallem, Rajareddy; Kulkarni, Chetan P; Patel, Dakshay; Thakur, Megha; Sinz, Michael; Singh, Sheelendra P; Mahammad, S Shahe; Mandlekar, Sandhya

    2012-06-01

    In the present study we have developed a simple, time, and cost effective in vivo rodent protocol to screen the susceptibility of a test compound for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated efflux at the blood brain barrier (BBB) during early drug discovery. We used known P-gp substrates as test compounds (quinidine, digoxin, and talinolol) and elacridar (GF120918) as a chemical inhibitor to establish the model. The studies were carried out in both mice and rats. Elacridar was dosed intravenously at 5 mg/kg, 0.5 h prior to probe substrate administration. Plasma and brain samples were collected and analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. In the presence of elacridar, the ratio of brain to plasma area under the curve (B/P) in mouse increased 2, 4, and 38-fold, respectively, for talinolol, digoxin, and quinidine; whereas in rat, a 70-fold increase was observed for quinidine. Atenolol, a non P-gp substrate, exhibited poor brain penetration in the presence or absence of elacridar in both species (B/P ratio ~ 0.1). Elacridar had no significant effect on the systemic clearance of digoxin or quinidine; however, a trend towards increasing volume of distribution and half life was observed. Our results support the utility of elacridar in evaluation of the influence of P-gp mediated efflux on drug distribution to the brain. Our protocol employing a single intravenous dose of elacridar and test compound provides a cost effective alternative to expensive P-gp knockout mice models during early drug discovery.

  12. Assessments of the QT/QRS restitution in perfused guinea-pig heart can discriminate safe and arrhythmogenic drugs.

    PubMed

    Osadchii, Oleg E

    2017-09-01

    Drug-induced arrhythmia remains a matter of serious clinical concern, partly due to low prognostic value of currently available arrhythmic biomarkers. This study examined whether arrhythmogenic risks can be predicted through assessments of the rate adaptation of QT interval, ventricular effective refractory period (ERP), or the QT/QRS ratio, in perfused guinea-pig hearts. When the maximum restitution slope was taken as a metric of proarrhythmia, neither QT interval nor ERP measurements at progressively increased pacing rates were found to fully discriminate arrhythmogenic drugs (dofetilide, quinidine, flecainide, and procainamide) from those recognized as safe antiarrhythmics (lidocaine and mexiletine). For example, the slope of QT restitution was increased by dofetilide and quinidine, but remained unchanged by flecainide, procainamide, lidocaine, and mexiletine. With ERP rate adaptation, even though the restitution slope was increased by dofetilide, all class I agents reduced the slope value independently of their safety profile. The QRS measurements revealed variable drug effects, ranging from significant use-dependent conduction slowing (flecainide, quinidine, and procainamide) to only modest increase in QRS (lidocaine and mexiletine), or no change at all (dofetilide). However, with the QT/QRS rate adaptation, the restitution slope was significantly increased by all agents which have been reported to produce proarrhythmic effects (dofetilide, quinidine, flecainide, and procainamide), but not changed by lidocaine and mexiletine. These findings suggest that the slope of the QT/QRS rate adaptation can be considered as a novel electrophysiological biomarker in predicting potential arrhythmic risks associated with pharmacotherapy in cardiac patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. KCNT1 gain-of-function in two epilepsy phenotypes is reversed by quinidine

    PubMed Central

    Milligan, Carol J.; Li, Melody; Gazina, Elena V.; Heron, Sarah E.; Nair, Umesh; Trager, Chantel; Reid, Christopher A.; Venkat, Anu; Younkin, Donald P.; Dlugos, Dennis J.; Petrovski, Slavé; Goldstein, David B.; Dibbens, Leanne M.; Scheffer, Ingrid E.; Berkovic, Samuel F; Petrou, Steven

    2014-01-01

    Objective Mutations in KCNT1 have been implicated in autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) and epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS). More recently, a whole exome sequencing study of epileptic encephalopathies identified an additional de novo mutation in one proband with EIMFS. We aim to investigate the electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of hKCNT1 mutations and examine developmental expression levels. Methods Here we use a Xenopus laevis oocyte based automated two-electrode voltage-clamp assay. The effects of quinidine (100 and 300 µM) are also tested. Using quantitative RT-PCR, the relative levels of mouse brain mKcnt1 mRNA expression are determined. Results We demonstrate that KCNT1 mutations implicated in epilepsy cause a marked increase in function. Importantly, there was a significant group difference in gain-of-function between mutations associated with ADNFLE and EIMFS. Finally, exposure to quinidine significantly reduces this gain-of-function for all mutations studied. Interpretation These results establish direction for a targeted therapy and potentially exemplify a translational paradigm for in vitro studies informing novel therapies in a neuropsychiatric disease. PMID:24591078

  14. Intravenous Artesunate for the Treatment of Severe and Complicated Malaria in the United States: Clinical Use Under an Investigational New Drug Protocol.

    PubMed

    Twomey, Patrick S; Smith, Bryan L; McDermott, Cathy; Novitt-Moreno, Anne; McCarthy, William; Kachur, S Patrick; Arguin, Paul M

    2015-10-06

    Quinidine gluconate, the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for life-threatening malaria in the United States, has a problematic safety profile and is often unavailable in hospitals. To assess the safety and clinical benefit of intravenous artesunate as an alternative to quinidine. Retrospective case series. U.S. hospitals. 102 patients aged 1 to 72 years (90% adults; 61% men) with severe and complicated malaria. Patients received 4 weight-based doses of intravenous artesunate (2.4 mg/kg) under a treatment protocol implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between January 2007 and December 2010. At baseline, 35% had evidence of cerebral malaria, and 17% had severe hepatic impairment. Eligibility required the presence of microscopically confirmed malaria, need for intravenous treatment, and an impediment to quinidine. Clinical and laboratory data from each patient's hospital records were abstracted retrospectively, including information from baseline through a maximum 7-day follow-up, and presented before a physician committee to evaluate safety and clinical benefit outcomes. 7 patients died (mortality rate, 6.9%). The most frequent adverse events were anemia (65%) and elevated hepatic enzyme levels (49%). All deaths and most adverse events were attributed to the severity of malaria. Patients' symptoms generally improved or resolved within 3 days, and the median time to discharge from the intensive care unit was 4 days, even for patients with severe liver disease or cerebral malaria. More than 100 concomitant medications were used, with no documented drug-drug interactions. Potential late-presenting safety issues might occur outside the 7-day follow-up. Artesunate was a safe and clinically beneficial alternative to quinidine.

  15. Consequences of daily corticosteroid dosing with or without pre-treatment with quinidine on the in vivo cytochrome P450 2D (CYP2D) enzyme in rats: effect on O-demethylation activity of dextromethorphan and expression levels of CYP2D1 mRNA.

    PubMed

    Giri, Poonam; Delvadia, Prashant; Gupta, Laxmikant; Patel, Nirmal; Trivedi, Priyal; Lad, Krishna; Patel, Hiren M; Srinivas, Nuggehally R

    2018-01-01

    1. Present investigation was carried out in rats to study influence of corticosteroids after repeated dosing with/without pre-treatment with CYP2D inhibitor quinidine on the CYP2D1 mRNA levels and CYP2D enzyme activity using dextromethorphan as probe substrate. 2. CYP2D1 mRNA was measured in liver homogenate using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [qRT-PCR] and enzymatic reaction was studied ex vivo in liver S-9 fractions of rats treated with oral 10 mg/kg dexamethasone or prednisolone for five days or pre-treated with quinidine and followed by treatment with oral 10 mg/kg corticosteroids for five days. 3. Five days repeat dosing of dexamethasone or prednisolone decreased the activity of the rat liver CYP2D by 37% and 34%, at 30 min incubation and decreased CYP2D1 mRNA levels by 62% and 61%, respectively. 4. Pre-treatment of quinidine decreased the enzymatic activity of rat CYP2D by 58% and did not potentiate CYP2D inhibition by corticosteroids. This observation was further complemented by qRT-PCR data. 5. Corticosteroids caused CYP2D inhibition in rats vs. literature evidence of CYP2D induction in human hepatocytes/pregnant humans demonstrating lack of concordance. In vivo inhibition should be factored for interpretation of pharmacokinetic data of CYP2D substrates when treated with corticosteroids in rats.

  16. Cellular mechanism underlying hypothermia-induced ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in the setting of early repolarization and the protective effect of quinidine, cilostazol, and milrinone.

    PubMed

    Gurabi, Zsolt; Koncz, István; Patocskai, Bence; Nesterenko, Vladislav V; Antzelevitch, Charles

    2014-02-01

    Hypothermia has been reported to induce ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) in patients with early repolarization (ER) pattern. This study examines the cellular mechanisms underlying VT/VF associated with hypothermia in an experimental model of ER syndrome and examines the effectiveness of quinidine, cilostazol, and milrinone to prevent hypothermia-induced arrhythmias. Transmembrane action potentials were simultaneously recorded from 2 epicardial and 1 endocardial site of coronary-perfused canine left ventricular wedge preparations, together with a pseudo-ECG. A combination of NS5806 (3-10 μmol/L) and verapamil (1 μmol/L) was used to pharmacologically model the genetic mutations responsible for ER syndrome. Acetylcholine (3 μmol/L) was used to simulate increased parasympathetic tone, which is known to promote ER. In controls, lowering the temperature of the coronary perfusate to induce mild hypothermia (32°C-34°C) resulted in increased J-wave area on the ECG and accentuated epicardial action potential notch but no arrhythmic activity. In the setting of ER, hypothermia caused further accentuation of the epicardial action potential notch, leading to loss of the action potential dome at some sites but not others, thus creating the substrate for development of phase 2 reentry and VT/VF. Addition of the transient outward current antagonist quinidine (5 μmol/L) or the phosphodiesterase III inhibitors cilostazol (10 μmol/L) or milrinone (5 μmol/L) diminished the ER manifestations and prevented the hypothermia-induced phase 2 reentry and VT/VF. Hypothermia leads to VT/VF in the setting of ER by exaggerating repolarization abnormalities, leading to development of phase 2 reentry. Quinidine, cilostazol, and milrinone suppress the hypothermia-induced VT/VF by reversing the repolarization abnormalities.

  17. Cellular Mechanism Underlying Hypothermia-Induced VT/VF in the Setting of Early Repolarization and the Protective Effect of Quinidine, Cilostazol and Milrinone

    PubMed Central

    Gurabi, Zsolt; Koncz, István; Patocskai, Bence; Nesterenko, Vladislav V.; Antzelevitch, Charles

    2014-01-01

    Background Hypothermia has been reported to induce ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) in patients with early repolarization (ER) pattern. This study examines the cellular mechanisms underlying VT/VF associated with hypothermia in an experimental model of ER syndrome (ERS) and examines the effectiveness of quinidine, cilostazol and milrinone to prevent hypothermia-induced arrhythmias. Method and Results Transmembrane action potentials (AP) were simultaneously recorded from 2 epicardial and 1 endocardial site of coronary-perfused canine left-ventricular wedge preparations, together with a pseudo-ECG. A combination of NS5806 (3–10 µM) and verapamil (1µM) was used to pharmacologically model the genetic mutations responsible for ERS. Acetylcholine (3µM) was used to simulate increased parasympathetic tone, which is known to promote ER. In control, lowering the temperature of the coronary perfusate to induce mild hypothermia (32°C-34°C) resulted in increased J wave area on the ECG and accentuated epicardial AP notch but no arrhythmic activity. In the setting of ER, hypothermia caused further accentuation of the epicardial AP notch, leading to loss of the AP dome at some sites but not others, thus creating the substrate for development of phase-2-reentry and VT/VF. Addition of the Ito antagonist quinidine (5 µM) or the phosphodiesterase III inhibitors cilostazol (10 µM) or milrinone (5 µM), diminished the ER manifestations and prevented the hypothermia-induced phase 2 reentry and VT/VF. Conclusions Hypothermia leads to VT/VF in the setting of ER by exaggerating repolarization abnormalities, leading to development of phase-2-reentry. Quinidine, cilostazol and milrinone suppress the hypothermia-induced VT/VF by reversing the repolarization abnormalities. PMID:24429494

  18. Role of voltage-gated K(+) channels in regulating Ca(2+) entry in rat cortical astrocytes.

    PubMed

    Wu, King-Chuen; Kuo, Chang-Shin; Chao, Chia-Chia; Huang, Chieh-Chen; Tu, Yuan-Kun; Chan, Paul; Leung, Yuk-Man

    2015-03-01

    Astrocytes have multiple functions such as provision of nourishment and mechanical support to the nervous system, helping to clear extracellular metabolites of neurons and modulating synaptic transmission by releasing gliotransmitters. In excitable cells, voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channels serve to repolarize during action potentials. Astrocytes are considered non-excitable cells since they are not able to generate action potentials. There is an abundant expression of various Kv channels in astrocytes but the functions of these Kv channels remain unclear. We examined whether these astrocyte Kv channels regulate astrocyte "excitability" in the form of cytosolic Ca(2+) signaling. Electrophysiological examination revealed that neonatal rat cortical astrocytes possessed both delayed rectifier type and A-type Kv channels. Pharmacological blockade of both delayed rectifier Kv channels by TEA and A-type Kv channels by quinidine significantly suppressed store-operated Ca(2+) influx; however, TEA alone or quinidine alone did not suffice to cause such suppression. TEA and quinidine together dramatically enhanced current injection-triggered membrane potential overshoot (depolarization); either drug alone caused much smaller enhancements. Taken together, the results suggest both delayed rectifier and A-type Kv channels regulate astrocyte Ca(2+) signaling via controlling membrane potential.

  19. A study of potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between dextromethorphan/quinidine and memantine in healthy volunteers.

    PubMed

    Pope, Laura E; Schoedel, Kerri A; Bartlett, Cynthia; Sellers, Edward M

    2012-08-01

    Dextromethorphan/quinidine (DMQ) is the first agent indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect. Dextromethorphan, the active ingredient, is a low-affinity, uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. This study evaluated the potential for a drug-drug interaction (DDI) of DMQ with memantine, which is also an NMDA receptor antagonist. This open-label, randomized, parallel-group study enrolled healthy adults who were randomized into one of two treatment groups. Group 1 subjects were administered memantine at a starting dose of 5 mg once daily, which was titrated over a 3-week period to a dose of 10 mg twice daily (every 12 hours) and continued for another 11 days to attain steady state; DMQ 30 mg (dextromethorphan 30 mg/quinidine 30 mg) every 12 hours was then added for a further 8 days. Group 2 subjects received DMQ 30 mg every 12 hours for 8 days to attain steady state; memantine was then added, titrated on the same schedule as in group 1, and continued at 10 mg every 12 hours for an additional 11 days. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling was performed to assess the primary endpoints of the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the geometric mean ratios of the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUCs) for memantine, dextromethorphan, dextrorphan - the dextromethorphan metabolite - and quinidine during concomitant therapy versus monotherapy. Safety/tolerability and pharmacodynamic variables were also assessed. A total of 52 subjects were randomized. In both group 1 (n = 23) and group 2 (n = 29), the 90% CIs for the ratios of the AUCs during concomitant therapy versus monotherapy were within the predefined range to indicate similarity (0.8-1.25) for memantine, dextromethorphan and dextrorphan, indicating no pharmacokinetic DDI. The 90% CI for the AUC ratio for quinidine was slightly above the predefined range; however, the mean AUC increased by only 25%. In both groups, incidence of adverse events was similar, and pharmacodynamic variables were either similar or slightly improved with DMQ added to memantine and memantine added to DMQ, compared to monotherapy with either agent. Minimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions were observed between memantine and DMQ, suggesting they can be coadministered without dose adjustment.

  20. Modulating effect of polyethylene glycol on the intestinal transport and absorption of prednisolone, methylprednisolone and quinidine in rats by in-vitro and in-situ absorption studies.

    PubMed

    Shen, Qi; Li, Wenji; Lin, Yulian; Katsumi, Hidemasa; Okada, Naoki; Sakane, Toshiyasu; Fujita, Takuya; Yamamoto, Akira

    2008-12-01

    The effects of polyethylene glycol 20000 (PEG 20000) on the intestinal absorption of prednisolone, methylprednisolone and quinidine, three P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates, across the isolated rat intestinal membranes were examined by an in-vitro diffusion chamber system. The serosal-to-mucosal (secretory) transport of these P-gp substrates was greater than their mucosal-to-serosal (absorptive) transport, indicating that their net movement across the intestinal membranes was preferentially in the secretory direction. The polarized secretory transport of these drugs was remarkably diminished and their efflux ratios decreased in the presence of PEG 20000. In addition, PEG 20000 did not affect the transport of Lucifer yellow, a non-P-gp substrate. The intestinal membrane toxicity of PEG 20000 was evaluated by measuring the release of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and protein from the intestinal membranes. The release of ALP and protein was enhanced in the presence of 20 mM sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), a positive control, while these biological parameters did not change in the presence of 0.1-5% (w/v) PEG 20000. These findings indicated that the intestinal membrane damage caused by PEG 20000 was not a main reason for the enhanced absorptive transport of these P-gp substrates in the presence of PEG 20000. Furthermore, the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of rat jejunal membranes in the presence or absence of PEG 20000 was measured by a diffusion chamber method. PEG 20000 (0.1-5.0 % w/v) did not change the TEER values of the rat jejunal membranes, indicating that the increase in the absorptive transport of these P-gp substrates might not be due to the increased transport of these P-gp substrates via a paracellular pathway caused by PEG 20000. Finally, the effect of PEG 20000 on the intestinal absorption of quinidine was examined by an in-situ closed-loop method. The intestinal absorption of quinidine was significantly enhanced in the presence of 0.1-1.0% (w/v) PEG 20000. These findings suggest that PEG 20000 might be a useful excipient to improve the intestinal absorption of quinidine, which is mainly secreted by a P-gp-mediated efflux system in the intestine.

  1. Evaluation of the reinforcing and subjective effects of heroin in combination with dextromethorphan and quinidine

    PubMed Central

    Vosburg, Suzanne K.; Sullivan, Maria A.; Comer, Sandra D.

    2015-01-01

    Objective Studies have suggested that the N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist dextromethorphan may be useful in the treatment of opioid dependence. Design This double-blinded, placebo-controlled inpatient study evaluated the effects of 0, 30, and 60 mg of dextromethorphan and quinidine (DMQ) on the reinforcing and subjective effects of heroin in recently detoxified heroin abusers. Participants Nine heroin-dependent participants were admitted and then detoxified from heroin over the course of several days. Interventions Participants were subsequently stabilized on 0, 30, or 60 mg of DMQ. Each dose of DMQ was administered for two consecutive weeks, and the effects of heroin (0, 12.5, and 50 mg) were studied under each DMQ maintenance dose condition. DMQ and heroin dose were administered in random order both within and between participants. Results Planned comparisons revealed statistically significant increases in progressive ratio breakpoint values and positive subjective ratings as a function of heroin dose. There were no consistent changes in any of the responses as a function of DMQ maintenance dose, other than a modest reduction in craving. Conclusions In summary, results from this study suggest that maintenance on dextromethorphan in combination with quinidine has a limited role in the treatment of opioid dependence. PMID:22320027

  2. 48 CFR 25.104 - Nonavailable articles.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    .... Bananas. Bauxite. Beef, corned, canned. Beef extract. Bephenium hydroxynapthoate. Bismuth. Books, trade..., or cast bars. Pyrethrum flowers. Quartz crystals. Quebracho. Quinidine. Quinine. Rabbit fur felt...

  3. 48 CFR 25.104 - Nonavailable articles.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    .... Bananas. Bauxite. Beef, corned, canned. Beef extract. Bephenium hydroxynapthoate. Bismuth. Books, trade..., or cast bars. Pyrethrum flowers. Quartz crystals. Quebracho. Quinidine. Quinine. Rabbit fur felt...

  4. 48 CFR 25.104 - Nonavailable articles.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    .... Bananas. Bauxite. Beef, corned, canned. Beef extract. Bephenium hydroxynapthoate. Bismuth. Books, trade..., or cast bars. Pyrethrum flowers. Quartz crystals. Quebracho. Quinidine. Quinine. Rabbit fur felt...

  5. 48 CFR 25.104 - Nonavailable articles.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    .... Bananas. Bauxite. Beef, corned, canned. Beef extract. Bephenium hydroxynapthoate. Bismuth. Books, trade..., or cast bars. Pyrethrum flowers. Quartz crystals. Quebracho. Quinidine. Quinine. Rabbit fur felt...

  6. 48 CFR 25.104 - Nonavailable articles.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... Bananas. Bauxite. Beef, corned, canned. Beef extract. Bephenium hydroxynapthoate. Bismuth. Books, trade..., or cast bars. Pyrethrum flowers. Quartz crystals. Quebracho. Quinidine. Quinine. Rabbit fur felt...

  7. The crystal structure of halofantrine-ferriprotoporphyrin IX and the mechanism of action of arylmethanol antimalarials.

    PubMed

    de Villiers, Katherine A; Marques, Helder M; Egan, Timothy J

    2008-08-01

    The crystal structure of the complex formed between the antimalarial drug halofantrine and ferriprotoporphyrin IX (Fe(III)PPIX) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure shows that halofantrine coordinates to the Fe(III) center through its alcohol functionality in addition to pi-stacking of the phenanthrene ring over the porphyrin. The length of the Fe(III)-O bond is consistent with an alkoxide and not an alcohol coordinating group. The iron porphyrin is five coordinate and monomeric. Changes in the electronic spectrum of Fe(III)PPIX upon addition of halofantrine base in acetonitrile solution are almost identical to those observed upon addition of quinidine free base in the same solvent. This suggests homologous binding. Molecular mechanics modeling of Fe(III)PPIX complexes of quinidine, quinine, 9-epiquinine and 9-epiquinidine based on this homology suggests that the antimalarially active quinidine and quinine can readily adopt conformations that permit formation of an intramolecular salt bridge between the protonated quinuclidine tertiary amino group and unprotonated heme propionate group, while the inactive epimers 9-epiquinidine and 9-epiquinine have to adopt high energy conformations in order to accommodate such salt bridge formation. We propose that salt bridge formation may interrupt formation of the hemozoin precursor dimer formed during the heme detoxification pathway and so account for the strong activity of the two active isomers.

  8. Absorption enhancement studies of clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate in rat everted gut sacs.

    PubMed

    Lassoued, Mohamed Ali; Sfar, Souad; Bouraoui, Abderrahman; Khemiss, Fathia

    2012-04-01

    Clopidogrel, a thienopyridine antiplatelet agent, is a poor aqueous soluble compound and a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump substrate. These two factors are responsible for its incomplete intestinal absorption. In this study, we have attempted to enhance the absorption of clopidogrel by improving its solubility and by inhibiting intestinal P-gp activity.   Solubility enhancement was achieved by preparing solid dispersions. Quinidine and naringin were selected as P-gp inhibitors, whilst tartaric acid was selected as the intestinal absorption enhancer. Absorption studies were performed using the everted gut sac model prepared from rat jejunum. The determination of clopidogrel was performed by high performance liquid chromatography. We noticed an enhancement of clopidogrel absorption by improving its solubility or by inhibiting the P-gp activity. The greatest results were obtained for solid dispersions in the presence of P-gp inhibitors at their highest concentrations, with an absorption improvement of 3.41- and 3.91-fold for naringin (15mg/kg) and quinidine (200µm), respectively. However, no clopidogrel absorption enhancement occurred in the presence of tartaric acid. Naringin, a natural compound which has no undesirable side effects as compared with quinidine, could be used as a pharmaceutical excipient in the presence of clopidogrel solid dispersions to increase clopidogrel intestinal absorption and therefore its oral bioavailability. © 2011 The Authors. JPP © 2011 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

  9. Bioactivities examination of Cinchona leaves ethanol extracts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Artanti, Nina; Udin, Linar Z.; Hanafi, M.; Jamilah, Kurniasih, Ida Rahmi; Primahana, Gian; Anita, Yulia; Sundowo, Andini; Kandace, Yoice Sri

    2017-01-01

    Cinchona species especially the barks are commonly known for commercial production of quinine as antimalarial. Although it is also reported for treatment of depurative, whooping cough, influenza and dysentery. In this paper we reported in vitro examination of other bioactivities (antidiabetes, antioxidant and in vitro cytotoxicity) of 70% ethanol extract of Cinchona ledgeriana and C. succirubra leaves as well as qunine, quinidine, and cinchonine the major alkaloids found in Cinchona species. Antidiabetes was conducted using α-glucosidase inhibitory activity assay. Antioxidant was conducted using DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay. In vitro cytotoxic activity was concucted by microscopic observation on growth of breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The results showed that at concentration of 100 µg/ml, C. ledgeriana leaves ethanol extracts showed the best activity as antidiabetes (98% inhibitory of α-glucosidase activity) and antioxidant (92% DPPH free radical scavenging activity), whereas at the same concentration C. succirubra, quinine, quinidine and cinchonine showed very low activities of antidiabetes and antioxidant. Microscopic observation of in vitro cytotoxicity showed that C. ledgeriana also has excellent cytotoxicity to breast cancer cell line MCF-7 which better than quinine, quinidine and cinchonine, whereas C. succirubra showed low cytotoxicity. These results suggest that cinchona species have many potential as the source of drugs discovery and development other than just for malaria treatment. Therefore it is important to conduct further studies and to maintain the available Cinchona plantation in Indonesia.

  10. Sodium Bicarbonate

    MedlinePlus

    ... conditions.This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. ... like medicines, benzodiazepines, flecainide (Tambocor), iron, ketoconazole (Nizoral), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), methenamine (Hiprex, Urex), methotrexate, quinidine, sulfa- ...

  11. De novo gain-of-function variants in KCNT2 as a novel cause of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

    PubMed

    Ambrosino, Paolo; Soldovieri, Maria Virginia; Bast, Thomas; Turnpenny, Peter D; Uhrig, Sabine; Biskup, Saskia; Döcker, Miriam; Fleck, Thilo; Mosca, Ilaria; Manocchio, Laura; Iraci, Nunzio; Taglialatela, Maurizio; Lemke, Johannes R

    2018-05-08

    Variants in several potassium channel genes have been found in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE). We report two females with de novo variants in KCNT2 with West syndrome followed by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or with DEE with migrating focal seizures. After in vitro analysis suggested quinidine-responsive gain-of-function effects, we treated one of the girls with quinidine add-on therapy and achieved marked clinical improvements. This suggests that the new spectrum of KCNT2-related disorders do not only share similar phenotypic and in vitro functional and pharmacological features with previously known KCNT1-related disorders but also represents a further example for possible precision medicine approaches. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2018 American Neurological Association.

  12. Dextromethorphan and Quinidine

    MedlinePlus

    ... is in a class of medications called central nervous system agents. The way it works in the brain ... ever had myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness), a history of street ...

  13. Therapeutic Approach of a High Functioning Individual With Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Emotional Volatility With Features of Pathological Laughter and Crying With Dextromethorphan/Quinidine.

    PubMed

    Garcia-Baran, Dynela; Johnson, Thomas M; Wagner, Joyce; Shen, Joann; Geers, Michelle

    2016-03-01

    Pathological laughing and crying, or pseudobulbar affect (PBA), has been described in patients with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) since the 19th century (Schiffer 2005). The syndrome is characterized by inappropriate episodes of laughing or crying after minor stimuli. It was first coined a disinhibition of cortical control by Kinnier Wilson in 1924. It was observed in brain disease and seen with mild TBI. It can impair social and occupational function and is largely underrecognized in clinical settings. PBA is usually treated with antidepressants and dopaminergic agents. In this case we treated a military recruit with TBI with Nuedexta-a dextromethorphan/Quinidine derivative with a subsequent decrease in his episodes.

  14. Therapeutic Approach of a High Functioning Individual With Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Emotional Volatility With Features of Pathological Laughter and Crying With Dextromethorphan/Quinidine

    PubMed Central

    Garcia-Baran, Dynela; Johnson, Thomas M.; Wagner, Joyce; Shen, Joann; Geers, Michelle

    2016-01-01

    Abstract Pathological laughing and crying, or pseudobulbar affect (PBA), has been described in patients with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) since the 19th century (Schiffer 2005). The syndrome is characterized by inappropriate episodes of laughing or crying after minor stimuli. It was first coined a disinhibition of cortical control by Kinnier Wilson in 1924. It was observed in brain disease and seen with mild TBI. It can impair social and occupational function and is largely underrecognized in clinical settings. PBA is usually treated with antidepressants and dopaminergic agents. In this case we treated a military recruit with TBI with Nuedexta—a dextromethorphan/Quinidine derivative with a subsequent decrease in his episodes. PMID:27015166

  15. Analysis of Species-Selectivity of Human, Mouse and Rat Cytochrome P450 1A and 2B Subfamily Enzymes using Molecular Modeling, Docking and Dynamics Simulations.

    PubMed

    Karthikeyan, Bagavathy Shanmugam; Suvaithenamudhan, Suvaiyarasan; Akbarsha, Mohammad Abdulkader; Parthasarathy, Subbiah

    2018-06-01

    Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A and 2B subfamily enzymes are important drug metabolizing enzymes, and are highly conserved across species in terms of sequence homology. However, there are major to minor structural and macromolecular differences which provide for species-selectivity and substrate-selectivity. Therefore, species-selectivity of CYP1A and CYP2B subfamily proteins across human, mouse and rat was analyzed using molecular modeling, docking and dynamics simulations when the chiral molecules quinine and quinidine were used as ligands. The three-dimensional structures of 17 proteins belonging to CYP1A and CYP2B subfamilies of mouse and rat were predicted by adopting homology modeling using the available structures of human CYP1A and CYP2B proteins as templates. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations of quinine and quinidine with CYP1A subfamily proteins revealed the existence of species-selectivity across the three species. On the other hand, in the case of CYP2B subfamily proteins, no role for chirality of quinine and quinidine in forming complexes with CYP2B subfamily proteins of the three species was indicated. Our findings reveal the roles of active site amino acid residues of CYP1A and CYP2B subfamily proteins and provide insights into species-selectivity of these enzymes across human, mouse, and rat.

  16. Pharmacology of dextromethorphan: Relevance to dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta®) clinical use.

    PubMed

    Taylor, Charles P; Traynelis, Stephen F; Siffert, Joao; Pope, Laura E; Matsumoto, Rae R

    2016-08-01

    Dextromethorphan (DM) has been used for more than 50years as an over-the-counter antitussive. Studies have revealed a complex pharmacology of DM with mechanisms beyond blockade of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and inhibition of glutamate excitotoxicity, likely contributing to its pharmacological activity and clinical potential. DM is rapidly metabolized to dextrorphan, which has hampered the exploration of DM therapy separate from its metabolites. Coadministration of DM with a low dose of quinidine inhibits DM metabolism, yields greater bioavailability and enables more specific testing of the therapeutic properties of DM apart from its metabolites. The development of the drug combination DM hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate (DM/Q), with subsequent approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for pseudobulbar affect, led to renewed interest in understanding DM pharmacology. This review summarizes the interactions of DM with brain receptors and transporters and also considers its metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties. To assess the potential clinical relevance of these interactions, we provide an analysis comparing DM activity from in vitro functional assays with the estimated free drug DM concentrations in the brain following oral DM/Q administration. The findings suggest that DM/Q likely inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also blocks NMDA receptors with rapid kinetics. Use of DM/Q may also antagonize nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, particularly those composed of α3β4 subunits, and cause agonist activity at sigma-1 receptors. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Effects of anti-malarial drugs on the electrocardiographic QT interval modelled in the isolated perfused guinea pig heart system

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Background Concern over the potential cardiotoxicity of anti-malarial drugs inducing a prolonged electrocardiographic QT interval has resulted in the almost complete withdrawal from the market of one anti-malarial drug - halofantrine. The effects on the QT interval of four anti-malarial drugs were examined, using the guinea pig heart. Methods The guinea pig heart was isolated, mounted on a Langendorff apparatus, and was then perfused with pyruvate-added Klebs-Henseleit solutions containing graded concentrations of the four agents such as quinidine (0.15 - 1.2 μM), quinine (0.3 - 2.4 μM), halofantrine (0.1 - 2.0 μM) and mefloquine (0.1 - 2.0 μM). The heart rate-corrected QaTc intervals were measured to evaluate drug-induced QT prolongation effects. Results Quinidine, quinine, and halofantrine prolonged the QaTc interval in a dose-dependent manner, whereas no such effect was found with mefloquine. The EC50 values for the QaTc prolongation effects, the concentration that gives a half-maximum effect, were quinidine < quinine ≈ halofantrine. Conclusions In this study, an isolated, perfused guinea pig heart system was constructed to assess the cardiotoxic potential of anti-malarial drugs. This isolated perfused guinea pig heart system could be used to test newly developed anti-malarial drugs for their inherent QT lengthening potential. More information is required on the potential variation in unbound drug concentrations in humans, and their role in cardiotoxicity. PMID:21067575

  18. 77 FR 35691 - Notice of Withdrawal of Certain Unapproved Abbreviated New Drug Applications

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-14

    ... Tripelennamine hydrochloride. 85419 Quinidine sulfate. 85439 Butalbital; aspirin; phenacetin; caffeine. 85442.... 86286 Butalbital; aspirin; phenacetin; caffeine. 86288 Amitriptyline hydrochloride. 86316 Orphenadrine...; aspirin; phenacetin; caffeine. 86327 Trifluoperazine hydrochloride. 86334 Hydrocortisone. [[Page 35697...

  19. Chloroquine, quinine, procaine, quinidine and clomipramine are prostaglandin agonists and antagonists.

    PubMed

    Manku, M S; Horrobin, D F

    1976-11-01

    Chloroquine, quinine, procaine, quinidine and clomipramine behave as prostaglandin (PG) antagonists in a rat mesenteric vascular bed preparation. The ID50 concentrations were within the range of therapeutically effective human plasma levels in each case. Antagonism to PGE2 was studied in detail and seemed to be at least in part competitive. The drugs also antagonized the effects of PGs A1, A2, F2alpha and E1. Each drug also had weak prostaglandin agonist activity but only over a very narrow range of concentrations. It is possible that some of the clinical actions of these drugs may depend on blockade or imitation of natural PG effects. The findings suggest new approaches to the search for PG antagonists, a new screening technique for anti-inflammatory drugs and possible new uses for these established drugs. A preliminary study suggests that chloroquine may be successful in closing a patent ductus arteriosus in infants.

  20. [Prevention of ventricular fibrillation with the aid of protopine in animal experiments].

    PubMed

    Burtsev, V N; Dormidontov, E N; Saliaev, V N

    1978-04-01

    The anti-arrhythmic activity of protopin, quinidine and novocainamide infused intravenously as a preventive and relieving measure was studied in acute experiments on rats with calcium chloride and aconitic arrhythmia. In myocardial fibrillation induced by calcium chloride the contents in the rat heart of adrenalin, noradrenaline, dopa and dopamine were studied by spectrofluorimetry before and after the use of protopin. It was established that in the size of its minimum effective doses which arrest or prevent calcium chloride and aconitic arrhythmias in rats protopin is two to three times more potent than quinidine and novocainamide. The mechanism of the anti-arrhythmic effect of protopin in calcium chloride and aconitic arrhythmias is complex and is due to the suppression of the foci of heterotopic stimulation, decrease in excitability of the myocardial cells and normalization of the catecholamine content in the myocardium.

  1. Detecting drug-induced prolongation of the QRS complex: New insights for cardiac safety assessment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cros, C., E-mail: caroline.cros@hotmail.co.uk; Skinner, M., E-mail: Matthew.Skinner@astrazeneca.com; Moors, J.

    Background: Drugs slowing the conduction of the cardiac action potential and prolonging QRS complex duration by blocking the sodium current (I{sub Na}) may carry pro-arrhythmic risks. Due to the frequency-dependent block of I{sub Na}, this study assesses whether activity-related spontaneous increases in heart rate (HR) occurring during standard dog telemetry studies can be used to optimise the detection of class I antiarrhythmic-induced QRS prolongation. Methods: Telemetered dogs were orally dosed with quinidine (class Ia), mexiletine (class Ib) or flecainide (class Ic). QRS duration was determined standardly (5 beats averaged at rest) but also prior to and at the plateau ofmore » each acute increase in HR (3 beats averaged at steady state), and averaged over 1 h period from 1 h pre-dose to 5 h post-dose. Results: Compared to time-matched vehicle, at rest, only quinidine and flecainide induced increases in QRS duration (E{sub max} 13% and 20% respectively, P < 0.01–0.001) whereas mexiletine had no effect. Importantly, the increase in QRS duration was enhanced at peak HR with an additional effect of + 0.7 ± 0.5 ms (quinidine, NS), + 1.8 ± 0.8 ms (mexiletine, P < 0.05) and + 2.8 ± 0.8 ms (flecainide, P < 0.01) (calculated as QRS at basal HR-QRS at high HR). Conclusion: Electrocardiogram recordings during elevated HR, not considered during routine analysis optimised for detecting QT prolongation, can be used to sensitise the detection of QRS prolongation. This could prove useful when borderline QRS effects are detected. Analysing during acute increases in HR could also be useful for detecting drug-induced effects on other aspects of cardiac function. -- Highlights: ► We aimed to improve detection of drug-induced QRS prolongation in safety screening. ► We used telemetered dogs to test class I antiarrhythmics at low and high heart rate. ► At low heart rate only quinidine and flecainide induced an increase in QRS duration. ► At high heart rate the effects of two out of three antiarrhythmics were enhanced. ► Detection of a drug-induced prolongation of QRS was improved at high heart rate.« less

  2. Cardiac transient outward potassium current: a pulse chemistry model of frequency-dependent properties.

    PubMed

    Liu, L; Krinsky, V I; Grant, A O; Starmer, C F

    1996-01-01

    Recent voltage-clamp studies of isolated myocytes have demonstrated widespread occurrence of a transient outward current (I(to)) carried by potassium ions. In the canine ventricle, this current is well developed in epicardial cells but not in endocardial cells. The resultant spatial dispersion of refractoriness is potentially proarrhythmic and may be amplified by channel blockade. The inactivation and recovery time constants of this channel are in excess of several hundred milliseconds, and consequently channel availability is frequency dependent at physiological stimulation rates. When the time constants associated with transitions between different channel conformations are rapid relative to drug binding kinetics, the interactions between drugs and an ion channel can be approximated by a sequence of first-order reactions, in which binding occurs in pulses in response to pulse train stimulation (pulse chemistry). When channel conformation transition time constants do not meet this constraint, analytical characterizations of the drug-channel interaction must then be modified to reflect the channel time-dependent properties. Here we report that the rate and steady-state amount of frequency-dependent inactivation of I(to) are consistent with a generalization of the channel blockade model: channel availability is reduced in a pulsatile exponential pattern as the stimulation frequency is increased, and the rate of reduction is a linear function of the pulse train depolarizing and recovery intervals. I(to) was reduced in the presence of quinidine. After accounting for the use-dependent availability of I(to) channels, we found little evidence of an additional use-dependent component of block after exposure to quinidine, suggesting that quinidine reacts with both open and closed I(to) channels as though the binding site is continuously accessible. The model provides a useful tool for assessing drug-channel interactions when the reaction cannot be continuously monitored.

  3. Efficacy and safety of dextromethorphan/quinidine at two dosage levels for diabetic neuropathic pain: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.

    PubMed

    Shaibani, Aziz I; Pope, Laura E; Thisted, Ronald; Hepner, Adrian

    2012-02-01

    To evaluate dextromethorphan coadministered with quinidine as treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. In a 13-week, phase 3, randomized controlled trial, 379 adults with daily symmetric diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) leg pain for ≥3 months received double-blind placebo, dextromethorphan/quinidine (DMQ) 45/30 mg, or DMQ 30/30 mg, administered once daily for 7 days and twice daily thereafter. Efficacy measures included four pain rating scales applied daily using patient diaries, and another two applied at five clinic visits. On all six scales, DMQ 45/30 mg was significantly superior to placebo, including the primary efficacy analysis, which utilized mixed-effects modeling to test all scores on an 11-point numerical Pain Rating Scale (P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analyses gave consistent results. Efficacy vs placebo was also seen for diary ratings of present pain intensity, and pain interference with sleep and with activities (all P < 0.0001). Among clinic visit assessments, DMQ 45/30 mg demonstrated greater leg pain relief (P = 0.0002) and greater reduction of leg pain intensity (P = 0.0286) vs placebo. The efficacy of DMQ 30/30 mg was numerically less than for 45/30 mg but for most outcomes remained significantly greater vs placebo. Adverse events were mostly mild or moderate and of expected types. Discontinuation for adverse events in the DMQ groups was at least twice as common as placebo. Throughout a 13-week trial, DMQ was effective, with an acceptable safety profile, for treatment of DPN pain. Other fixed-dose combinations of DMQ should be studied to improve overall tolerability while maintaining significant efficacy. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. Pharmacological treatments for alleviating agitation in dementia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Kongpakwattana, Khachen; Sawangjit, Ratree; Tawankanjanachot, Itthipol; Bell, J Simon; Hilmer, Sarah N; Chaiyakunapruk, Nathorn

    2018-04-10

    To determine the most efficacious and acceptable treatments of agitation in dementia. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL and clinicaltrials.gov were searched up to 7 February 2017. Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of treatments to alleviate agitation in people with all-types dementia. Data were extracted using standardized forms and study quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs. Data were pooled using meta-analysis. The primary outcome, efficacy, was 8-week response rates defined as a 50% reduction in baseline agitation score. The secondary outcome was treatment acceptability defined as treatment continuation for 8 weeks. Thirty-six RCTs comprising 5585 participants (30.9% male; mean ± standard deviation age, 81.8 ± 4.9 years) were included. Dextromethorphan/quinidine [odds ratio (OR) 3.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.63-5.66], risperidone (OR 1.96; 95% CI, 1.49-2.59) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as a class (OR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.02-2.53) were found to be significantly more efficacious than placebo. Haloperidol appeared less efficacious than nearly all comparators. Most treatments had noninferior treatment continuation compared to placebo, except oxcarbazepine, which was inferior. Findings were supported by subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Risperidone, serotonin reuptake inhibitors as a class and dextromethorphan/quinidine demonstrated evidence of efficacy for agitation in dementia, although findings for dextromethorphan/quinidine were based on a single RCT. Our findings do not support prescribing haloperidol due to lack of efficacy, or oxcarbazepine due to lack of acceptability. The decision to prescribe should be based on comprehensive consideration of the benefits and risks, including those not evaluated in this meta-analysis. © 2018 The British Pharmacological Society.

  5. Autoregulation of apical membrane Na+ permeability of tight epithelia. Noise analysis with amiloride and CGS 4270

    PubMed Central

    1985-01-01

    Noise analysis of the Na+ channels of the apical membranes of frog skin bathed symmetrically in a Cl-HCO3 Ringer solution was done with amiloride and CGS 4270. Tissues were studied in their control states and after inhibition of transepithelial Na+ transport (Isc) by addition of quinine or quinidine to the apical solution. A critical examination of the amiloride-induced noise indicated that the single channel Na+ currents (iNa) were decreased by quinine and quinidine, probably because of depolarization of apical membrane voltage. Despite considerable statistical uncertainty in the methods of estimation of the Na+ channel density with amiloride-induced noise (NA, see text), the striking observation was a large increase of NA with amiloride inhibition of the rate of Na+ entry into the cells. NA was increased to 406% of control, whereas Isc was inhibited to 8.6% of control by 6 microM amiloride. Studies were done also with the Na+ channel blocker CGS 4270. Noise analysis with this compound was advantageous, permitting iCGSNa and NCGS to be measured in individual tissues with a relatively small inhibition of Isc. As with amiloride, inhibition of Isc with CGS 4270 caused large increases of the Na+ channel density (approximately 200% at approximately 35% inhibition of the Isc). Quinine and quinidine caused an approximately 50% increase of Na+ channel density while inhibiting iNa by approximately 60-70%. As inhibition of Na+ entry leads to an increase of Na+ channel density, a mechanism of autoregulation appears to be a major factor in adjusting the apical membrane Na+ permeability of the cells. PMID:2409219

  6. Current concepts in the pharmacotherapy of pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Pioro, Erik P

    2011-06-18

    Arising in settings of CNS insult, pseudobulbar affect (PBA) consists of uncontrollable episodes of crying or laughter incongruent to the patient's mood. The syndrome has been described by a plethora of names, including pathological laughing and crying, emotional lability, emotionalism and emotional incontinence, which hampers efforts to survey published assessments of pharmacological intervention. Still, until quite recently, all treatment has unavoidably been off-label, chiefly involving antidepressants. Using PBA and other syndrome names as search terms, a PubMed search for English-language case reports and therapeutic trials involving at least five patients identified 22 such publications from 1980 through to 2010. Among the seven randomized, double-blind, antidepressant studies with placebo control, two trials assessed 106 and 123 subjects, respectively. However, the other five assessed only 12-28 subjects, and only one of these seven trials (with 28 subjects) measured change in syndrome severity using a validated scale. The three randomized, double-blind studies of dextromethorphan plus quinidine assessed 129, 150 and 326 subjects. Among these studies, two were placebo-controlled and all three used a validated severity scale. Across all placebo-controlled trials, response to active treatment - either an antidepressant or dextromethorphan/quinidine - has in general been significantly greater than response to placebo, but placebo response has sometimes been substantial, suggesting caution in interpreting uncontrolled findings. In October 2010, dextromethorphan/quinidine received approval from the US FDA as first-in-class PBA pharmacotherapy. Advocates of a continuing role for antidepressants, notably selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can point to numerous positive case reports and trials, the potential benefit of attempting to treat PBA and concomitant depression without using multiple drugs, and the ever-present need to tailor treatment to the individual patient.

  7. Crying and suicidal, but not depressed. Pseudobulbar affect in multiple sclerosis successfully treated with valproic acid: Case report and literature review.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Bridgette; Nichols, Scott

    2015-12-01

    Pseudobulbar affect/emotional incontinence is a potentially disabling condition characterized by expressions of affect or emotions out of context from the normal emotional basis for those expressions. This condition can result in diagnostic confusion and unrelieved suffering when clinicians interpret the emotional expressions at face value. In addition, the nomenclature, etiology, and treatment for this condition remain unclear in the medical literature. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis who was referred to an inpatient psychiatry unit with complaints of worsening depression along with hopelessness, characterized by unrelenting crying. Our investigation showed that her symptoms were caused by pseudobulbar affect/emotional incontinence stemming from multiple sclerosis. The patient's history of multiple sclerosis and the fact that she identified herself as depressed only because of her incessant crying suggested that her symptoms might be due to the multiple sclerosis rather than to a depressive disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a new plaque consistent with multiple sclerosis lateral to her corpus callosum. Her symptoms resolved completely within three days on valproic acid but returned after she was cross-tapered to dextromethorphan plus quinidine, which is the FDA-approved treatment for this condition. This case provides important additional information to the current literature on pseudobulbar affect/emotional incontinence. The existing literature suggests a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta) as first-line treatments; however, our patient was taking an SSRI at the time of presentation without appreciable benefit, and her symptoms responded to valproic acid but not to the dextromethorphan/quinidine. In addition, the case and the literature review suggest that the current nomenclature for this constellation of symptoms can be misleading.

  8. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection. Vol. 47/No. RR-4.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-04-17

    antihista- mines (e.g., astemizole or terfenadine); sedative-hypnotics (e.g., alprazolam , midazolam, or triazolam); calcium channel blockers (e.g...acetate, propafenone, or quinidine); ergot alkaloid derivatives; cisapride; sedative-hypnotics (e.g., alprazolam , clorazepate, diazepam, estazo- lam

  9. Bitter-sensitive gustatory receptor neuron responds to chemically diverse insect repellents in the common malaria mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparks, Jackson T.; Dickens, Joseph C.

    2016-06-01

    Female mosquitoes feed on blood from animal hosts to obtain nutritional resources used for egg production. These contacts facilitate the spread of harmful human diseases. Chemical repellents are used to disrupt mosquito host-seeking and blood-feeding behaviors; however, little is known about the gustatory sensitivity of mosquitoes to known repellents. Here, we recorded electrical responses from gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) housed within the labellar sensilla of female Anopheles quadrimaculatus to N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), picaridin, IR3535, 2-undecanone, p-menthane-3,8-diol, geraniol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, quinine, and quinidine. A bitter-sensitive GRN responded to all tested repellents and quinine, a known feeding deterrent. Responses of the bitter-sensitive neuron to quinine and an isomer, quinidine, did not differ. Delayed bursts of electrical activity were observed in response to continuous stimulation with synthetic repellents at high concentrations. Electrophysiological recordings from bitter-sensitive GRNs associated with mosquito gustatory sensilla represent a convenient model to evaluate candidate repellents.

  10. Bitter-sensitive gustatory receptor neuron responds to chemically diverse insect repellents in the common malaria mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus.

    PubMed

    Sparks, Jackson T; Dickens, Joseph C

    2016-06-01

    Female mosquitoes feed on blood from animal hosts to obtain nutritional resources used for egg production. These contacts facilitate the spread of harmful human diseases. Chemical repellents are used to disrupt mosquito host-seeking and blood-feeding behaviors; however, little is known about the gustatory sensitivity of mosquitoes to known repellents. Here, we recorded electrical responses from gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) housed within the labellar sensilla of female Anopheles quadrimaculatus to N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), picaridin, IR3535, 2-undecanone, p-menthane-3,8-diol, geraniol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, quinine, and quinidine. A bitter-sensitive GRN responded to all tested repellents and quinine, a known feeding deterrent. Responses of the bitter-sensitive neuron to quinine and an isomer, quinidine, did not differ. Delayed bursts of electrical activity were observed in response to continuous stimulation with synthetic repellents at high concentrations. Electrophysiological recordings from bitter-sensitive GRNs associated with mosquito gustatory sensilla represent a convenient model to evaluate candidate repellents.

  11. Charge-transfer interaction of drug quinidine with quinol, picric acid and DDQ: Spectroscopic characterization and biological activity studies towards understanding the drug-receptor mechanism.

    PubMed

    Eldaroti, Hala H; Gadir, Suad A; Refat, Moamen S; Adam, Abdel Majid A

    2014-04-01

    Investigation of charge-transfer (CT) complexes of drugs has been recognized as an important phenomenon in understanding of the drug-receptor binding mechanism. Structural, thermal, morphological and biological behavior of CT complexes formed between drug quinidine (Qui) as a donor and quinol (QL), picric acid (PA) or dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) as acceptors were reported. The newly synthesized CT complexes have been spectroscopically characterized via elemental analysis; infrared (IR), Raman, 1 H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy; powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD); thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the obtained complexes are nanoscale, semi-crystalline particles, thermally stable and spontaneous. The molecular composition of the obtained complexes was determined using spectrophotometric titration method and was found to be 1:1 ratios (donor:acceptor). Finally, the biological activities of the obtained CT complexes were tested for their antibacterial activities. The results obtained herein are satisfactory for estimation of drug Qui in the pharmaceutical form.

  12. High Blood Pressure: Medicines to Help You

    MedlinePlus

    ... Blockers: What You Should Know Warnings Do not use calcium channel blockers if you have a heart condition or if you are taking nitrates, quinidine, or fentanyl. People who have liver or kidney problems should talk to their doctor about the specific risks of using any Calcium Channel Blocker. Women ...

  13. Apical Membrane Potassium Conductance in Guinea Pig Gallbladder Epithelial Cells

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-12-01

    did block the accompanying der short-circuit conditions except for brief periods (300 change in fR.. TEA was ineffective when added to the ms) during...toad skin. Biochim. 29. RICHARDS, N. W., AND D. C. DAWSON. Single potassium channelsBiophys. Acta 728: 455-459, 1983. blocked by lidocaine and quinidine

  14. The Mysterious Death: An HPLC Lab Experiment. An Undergraduate Forensic Lab

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Beussman, Douglas J.

    2007-01-01

    A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) laboratory experiment based on the separation of four prescription drugs (disopyramide, lidocaine, procainamide, and quinidine) is presented. The experiment is set within the forensic science context of the discovery of a patient's mysterious death where a drug overdose is suspected. Each lab group…

  15. Rapid and green analytical method for the determination of quinoline alkaloids from Cinchona succirubra based on Microwave-Integrated Extraction and Leaching (MIEL) prior to high performance liquid chromatography.

    PubMed

    Fabiano-Tixier, Anne-Sylvie; Elomri, Abdelhakim; Blanckaert, Axelle; Seguin, Elisabeth; Petitcolas, Emmanuel; Chemat, Farid

    2011-01-01

    Quinas contains several compounds, such as quinoline alkaloids, principally quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cichonidine. Identified from barks of Cinchona, quinine is still commonly used to treat human malaria. Microwave-Integrated Extraction and Leaching (MIEL) is proposed for the extraction of quinoline alkaloids from bark of Cinchona succirubra. The process is performed in four steps, which ensures complete, rapid and accurate extraction of the samples. Optimal conditions for extraction were obtained using a response surface methodology reached from a central composite design. The MIEL extraction has been compared with a conventional technique soxhlet extraction. The extracts of quinoline alkaloids from C. succirubra obtained by these two different methods were compared by HPLC. The extracts obtained by MIEL in 32 min were quantitatively (yield) and qualitatively (quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, cinchonidine) similar to those obtained by conventional Soxhlet extraction in 3 hours. MIEL is a green technology that serves as a good alternative for the extraction of Cinchona alkaloids.

  16. Rapid and Green Analytical Method for the Determination of Quinoline Alkaloids from Cinchona succirubra Based on Microwave-Integrated Extraction and Leaching (MIEL) Prior to High Performance Liquid Chromatography

    PubMed Central

    Fabiano-Tixier, Anne-Sylvie; Elomri, Abdelhakim; Blanckaert, Axelle; Seguin, Elisabeth; Petitcolas, Emmanuel; Chemat, Farid

    2011-01-01

    Quinas contains several compounds, such as quinoline alkaloids, principally quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cichonidine. Identified from barks of Cinchona, quinine is still commonly used to treat human malaria. Microwave-Integrated Extraction and Leaching (MIEL) is proposed for the extraction of quinoline alkaloids from bark of Cinchona succirubra. The process is performed in four steps, which ensures complete, rapid and accurate extraction of the samples. Optimal conditions for extraction were obtained using a response surface methodology reached from a central composite design. The MIEL extraction has been compared with a conventional technique soxhlet extraction. The extracts of quinoline alkaloids from C. succirubra obtained by these two different methods were compared by HPLC. The extracts obtained by MIEL in 32 min were quantitatively (yield) and qualitatively (quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, cinchonidine) similar to those obtained by conventional Soxhlet extraction in 3 hours. MIEL is a green technology that serves as a good alternative for the extraction of Cinchona alkaloids. PMID:22174637

  17. Permeability of blood-brain barrier in macaque model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson disease.

    PubMed

    Thiollier, Thibaud; Wu, Caisheng; Contamin, Hugues; Li, Qin; Zhang, Jinlan; Bezard, Erwan

    2016-06-01

    Brain bioavailability of drugs developed to address central nervous system diseases is classically documented through cerebrospinal fluid collected in normal animals, i.e., through an approximation as there are fundamental differences between cerebrospinal fluid and tissue contents. The fact that disease might affect brain availability of drugs is almost never considered at this stage although several conditions are associated with blood-brain barrier damage. Building upon our expertise in Parkinson's disease translational research, the present study addressed this gap comparing plasma and cerebrospinal fluid bioavailability of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, carbamazepine, quinidine, lovastatin, and simvastatin, in healthy and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated macaques, the gold standard model of Parkinson's disease. The drugs were selected based upon their differential transport across the blood-brain barrier. Interestingly, brain bioavailability of quinidine was decreased while others were unaffected. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics experiments of drugs addressing Parkinson's disease might thus be performed in healthy animals unless the drugs are known to interact with the organic cation transporter. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Deuterated (d6)-dextromethorphan elicits antidepressant-like effects in mice.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Linda; Scandinaro, Anna L; Matsumoto, Rae R

    2017-10-01

    The over-the-counter antitussive dextromethorphan (DM) may have rapid antidepressant actions based on its overlapping pharmacology with ketamine, which has shown fast antidepressant effects but whose widespread use remains limited by problematic side effects. We have previously shown that DM produces antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) that are mediated in part through α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic (AMPA) and sigma-1 receptors, two protein targets associated with a faster onset of antidepressant efficacy. To utilize DM clinically, however, a major challenge that must be addressed is its rapid first-pass metabolism. Two strategies to inhibit metabolism of DM and maintain stable therapeutic blood levels are 1) chemically modifying DM and 2) adding quinidine, an inhibitor of the primary metabolizer of DM, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 enzyme. The purpose of this study was to determine if modified DM (deuterated (d6)-DM) elicits antidepressant-like effects and if AMPA and sigma-1 receptors are involved. Furthermore, d6-DM was tested in conjunction with quinidine to determine if further slowing the metabolism of d6-DM affects its antidepressant-like actions. In the FST and TST, d6-DM produced antidepressant-like effects. Upon further investigation in the FST, the most validated animal model for predicting antidepressant efficacy, d6-DM produced antidepressant-like effects both in the absence and presence of quinidine. However, pretreatment with neither an AMPA receptor antagonist (NBQX) nor sigma-1 receptor antagonists (BD1063, BD1047) significantly attenuated the antidepressant-like effects. The data suggest d6-DM has antidepressant-like effects, though it may be recruiting different molecular targets and/or acting through a different mix or ratio of metabolites from regular DM. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Functional characterization of the organic cation transporters (OCTs) in human airway pulmonary epithelial cells.

    PubMed

    Ingoglia, Filippo; Visigalli, Rossana; Rotoli, Bianca Maria; Barilli, Amelia; Riccardi, Benedetta; Puccini, Paola; Dall'Asta, Valeria

    2015-07-01

    Organic cation transporters (OCT1-3) mediate the transport of organic cations including inhaled drugs across the cell membrane, although their role in lung epithelium hasn't been well understood yet. We address here the expression and functional activity of OCT1-3 in human airway epithelial cells A549, Calu-3 and NCl-H441. Kinetic and inhibition analyses, employing [(3)H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) as substrate, and the compounds quinidine, prostaglandine E2 (PGE2) and corticosterone as preferential inhibitors of OCT1, OCT2, and OCT3, respectively, have been performed. A549 cells present a robust MPP+ uptake mediated by one high-affinity component (Km~50μM) which is identifiable with OCT3. Corticosterone, indeed, completely inhibits MPP+ transport, while quinidine and PGE2 are inactive and SLC22A3/OCT3 silencing with siRNA markedly lowers MPP+ uptake. Conversely, Calu-3 exhibits both a high (Km<20μM) and a low affinity (Km>0.6mM) transport components, referable to OCT3 and OCT1, respectively, as demonstrated by the inhibition analysis performed at proper substrate concentrations and confirmed by the use of specific siRNA. These transporters are active also when cells are grown under air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions. Only a very modest saturable MPP+ uptake is measurable in NCl-H441 cells and the inhibitory effect of quinidine points to OCT1 as the subtype functionally involved in this model. Finally, the characterization of MPP+ transport in human bronchial BEAS-2B cells suggests that OCT1 and OCT3 are operative. These findings could help to identify in vitro models to be employed for studies concerning the specific involvement of each transporter in drug transportation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Action potential-based MEA platform for in vitro screening of drug-induced cardiotoxicity using human iPSCs and rat neonatal myocytes.

    PubMed

    Jans, Danny; Callewaert, Geert; Krylychkina, Olga; Hoffman, Luis; Gullo, Francesco; Prodanov, Dimiter; Braeken, Dries

    2017-09-01

    Drug-induced cardiotoxicity poses a negative impact on public health and drug development. Cardiac safety pharmacology issues urged for the preclinical assessment of drug-induced ventricular arrhythmia leading to the design of several in vitro electrophysiological screening assays. In general, patch clamp systems allow for intracellular recordings, while multi-electrode array (MEA) technology detect extracellular activity. Here, we demonstrate a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based MEA system as a reliable platform for non-invasive, long-term intracellular recording of cardiac action potentials at high resolution. Quinidine (8 concentrations from 10 -7 to 2.10 -5 M) and verapamil (7 concentrations from 10 -11 to 10 -5 M) were tested for dose-dependent responses in a network of cardiomyocytes. Electrophysiological parameters, such as the action potential duration (APD), rates of depolarization and repolarization and beating frequency were assessed. In hiPSC, quinidine prolonged APD with EC 50 of 2.2·10 -6 M. Further analysis indicated a multifactorial action potential prolongation by quinidine: (1) decreasing fast repolarization with IC 50 of 1.1·10 -6 M; (2) reducing maximum upstroke velocity with IC 50 of 2.6·10 -6 M; and (3) suppressing spontaneous activity with EC 50 of 3.8·10 -6 M. In rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, verapamil blocked spontaneous activity with EC 50 of 5.3·10 -8 M and prolonged the APD with EC 50 of 2.5·10 -8 M. Verapamil reduced rates of fast depolarization and repolarization with IC 50 s of 1.8 and 2.2·10 -7 M, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed action potential-based MEA platform offers high quality and stable long-term recordings with high information content allowing to characterize multi-ion channel blocking drugs. We anticipate application of the system as a screening platform to efficiently and cost-effectively test drugs for cardiac safety. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Use of Compounded Dextromethorphan-Quinidine Suspension for Pseudobulbar Affect in Hospice Patients.

    PubMed

    Wahler, Robert G; Reiman, Alfred T; Schrader, Joshua V

    2017-03-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) consists of unprovoked and uncontrollable episodes of laughing and/or crying. In end-of-life situations, PBA symptoms can be especially distressing to family and friends during an already heightened emotional time. Although a commercial product combining dextromethorphan and quinidine (DMQ) is FDA approved for use in PBA, many hospice patients are unable to swallow any solids or semisolids. An alternative formulation for these patients is needed. We present here two cases in which we used a compounded DMQ suspension successfully to treat PBA symptoms in the weeks before the patients' death. A retrospective chart review was completed on the two cases where the DMQ suspension was used. A description of the DMQ suspension formula is described. Both patients were under the care of a hospice program; one in home care and one in a skilled nursing facility. Episodes of PBA symptoms were summarized in a narrative of the patients' symptom relief. Both patients tolerated the administration of the DMQ suspension and there were noted improvements in PBA symptoms. DMQ suspension is an effective alternative for PBA symptoms in patients who cannot swallow oral solid medication.

  2. The Procerebrum Is Necessary for Odor-Aversion Learning in the Terrestrial Slug "Limax Valentianus"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kasai, Yoko; Watanabe, Satoshi; Kirino, Yutaka; Matsuo, Ryota

    2006-01-01

    The terrestrial slug "Limax" has a highly developed ability to associate the odor of some foods (e.g., carrot juice) with aversive stimuli such as the bitter taste of quinidine solution. The procerebrum (PC) is a part of the slug's brain thought to be involved in odor-aversion learning, but direct evidence is still lacking. Here, the authors…

  3. Highly Enantioselective Three-Component Direct Mannich Reactions of Unfunctionalized Ketones Catalyzed by Bifunctional Organocatalysts

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Qunsheng; Zhao, John Cong-Gui

    2013-01-01

    A highly stereoselective three-component direct Mannich reaction between aromatic aldehydes, p-toluenesulfonamide, and unfunctionalized ketones was achieved through an enolate mechanism for the first time with a bifunctional quinidine thiourea catalyst. The corresponding N-tosylated β-aminoketones were obtained in high yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 dr and >99% ee). PMID:23343472

  4. United States Air Force Summer Research Program -- 1993. Volume 7. Armstrong Laboratory

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-12-01

    formulation, absorption, plasma binding affinity, biomembrane barriers, and relative extraction by the specific organ of the body concerned with...simultaneously administered or a drug may "interact" with itself. The concomitant administration of phenobarbital and warfarin results in lower plasma ... plasma protein which binds to basic lipophilic drugs including propranolol, meperidine, quinidine, and chlorpromazine. If a variation in the plasma

  5. Potassium Channels Mediate Killing by Human Natural Killer Cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schlichter, Lyanne; Sidell, Neil; Hagiwara, Susumu

    1986-01-01

    Human natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood spontaneously recognize and kill a wide variety of target cells. It has been suggested that ion channels are involved in the killing process because there is a Ca-dependent stage and because killing by presensitized cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which in many respects resembles NK killing, is associated with changes in K and Na transport in the target cell. However, no direct evidence exists for ion channels in NK cells or in their target cells. Using the whole-cell variation of the patch-clamp technique, we found a voltage-dependent potassium (K+) current in NK cells. The K+ current was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the K-channel blockers 4-aminopyridine and quinidine and by the traditional Ca-channel blockers verapamil and Cd2+. We tested the effects of ion-channel blockers on killing of two commonly used target cell lines: K562, which is derived from a human myeloid leukemia, and U937, which is derived from a human histiocytic leukemia. Killing of K562 target cells, determined in a standard 51Cr-release assay, was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by verapamil, quinidine, Cd2+, and 4-aminopyridine at concentrations comparable to those that blocked the K+ current in NK cells. In K562 target cells only a voltage-dependent Na+ current was found and it was blocked by concentrations of tetrodotoxin that had no effect on killing. Killing of U937 target cells was also inhibited by the two ion-channel blockers tested, quinidine and verapamil. In this cell line only a small K+ current was found that was similar to the one in NK cells. We could not find any evidence of a Ca2+ current in target cells or in NK cells; therefore, our results cannot explain the Ca dependence of killing. Our findings show that there are K channels in NK cells and that these channels play a necessary role in the killing process. In contrast, the endogenous channel type in the target cell is probably not a factor in determining target cell sensitivity to natural killing.

  6. Inhibitors of alprazolam metabolism in vitro: effect of serotonin-reuptake-inhibitor antidepressants, ketoconazole and quinidine.

    PubMed Central

    von Moltke, L L; Greenblatt, D J; Cotreau-Bibbo, M M; Harmatz, J S; Shader, R I

    1994-01-01

    1. The biotransformation of the triazolobenzodiazepine alprazolam (ALP) to its hydroxylated metabolites (4-OH-ALP and alpha-OH-ALP) was evaluated in human, monkey, rat, and mouse liver microsomes. 2. In all species 4-OH-ALP was the principal metabolite, accounting for 84% of clearance in human microsomes compared with 16% for alpha-OH-ALP. 3. Among the serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine (FLU) and sertraline (SERT), and their respective demethylated metabolites norfluoxetine (NOR) and desmethylsertraline (DES), NOR was the most potent inhibitor (mean Ki for 4-OH-ALP formation in humans: 11 microM), FLU the weakest (Ki = 83 microM), with SERT and DES falling in between (Ki = 24 and 20 microM). 4. The in vitro data predict 29% inhibition of ALP clearance at mean FLU and NOR plasma concentrations of 77 ng ml-1 and 72 ng ml-1, respectively, after correction for liver:water partition ratios in the range of 12-14. The observed mean degree of inhibition in a previous in vivo study was 21%. 5. Ketoconazole was a potent inhibitor of ALP metabolism in vitro (Ki = 0.046 microM), suggesting that ALP hydroxylation is mediated by the cytochrome P450-3A sub-family. Quinidine was a weak inhibitor (Ki = 626 microM). PMID:7946933

  7. Menadione serves as a substrate for P-glycoprotein: implication in chemosensitizing activity.

    PubMed

    Oh, Seok-Jeong; Han, Hyo-Kyung; Kang, Keon-Wook; Lee, Young-Joo; Lee, Moo-Yeol

    2013-04-01

    Based on its chemosensitizing effect, we questioned whether menadione is an inhibitor or a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). To test this hypothesis, we assessed the effect of menadione on P-gp activity and examined the P-gp-dependency of cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of menadione as well. Treatment with menadione resulted in the concentration-dependent increase of rhodamine 123 (Rh123) accumulation in P-gp-overexpressing MDCKII/MDR1 and NCI/ADR-RES cells, suggesting that menadione inhibits Rh123 extrusion by P-gp. Compared with MDCKII or MCF-7, intracellular distribution of [(3)H]-menadione was significantly lower in MDCKII/MDR1 or NCI/ADR-RES cells, which could be restored by the P-gp inhibitors, verapamil and quinidine. Consistent with these results, MDCKII/MDR1 or NCI/ADR-RES cells were more resistant to the cytotoxicity of menadione than MDCKII or MCF-7 cells, respectively. Such resistance was abolished by the combined treatment of verapamil and quinidine in NCI/ADR-RES cells. Our study identified menadione as a substrate of P-gp, which presumably, acts as the mechanism for the chemosensitizing effect. Menadione may be a promising chemotherapeutic enhancer by its ability of circumventing drug resistance, in addition to its own anti-cancer activity.

  8. Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Cell Sheets Expressing Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicator for Pharmacological and Arrhythmia Studies.

    PubMed

    Shaheen, Naim; Shiti, Assad; Huber, Irit; Shinnawi, Rami; Arbel, Gil; Gepstein, Amira; Setter, Noga; Goldfracht, Idit; Gruber, Amit; Chorna, Snizhanna V; Gepstein, Lior

    2018-06-05

    Fulfilling the potential of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes for studying conduction and arrhythmogenesis requires development of multicellular models and methods for long-term repeated tissue phenotyping. We generated confluent hiPSC-derived cardiac cell sheets (hiPSC-CCSs), expressing the genetically encoded voltage indicator ArcLight. ArcLight-based optical mapping allowed generation of activation and action-potential duration (APD) maps, which were validated by mapping the same hiPSC-CCSs with the voltage-sensitive dye, Di-4-ANBDQBS. ArcLight mapping allowed long-term assessment of electrical remodeling in the hiPSC-CCSs and evaluation of drug-induced conduction slowing (carbenoxolone, lidocaine, and quinidine) and APD prolongation (quinidine and dofetilide). The latter studies also enabled step-by-step depiction of drug-induced arrhythmogenesis ("torsades de pointes in the culture dish") and its prevention by MgSO 4 and rapid pacing. Phase-mapping analysis allowed biophysical characterization of spiral waves induced in the hiPSC-CCSs and their termination by electrical cardioversion and overdrive pacing. In conclusion, ArcLight mapping of hiPSC-CCSs provides a powerful tool for drug testing and arrhythmia investigation. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Stability of Acetazolamide, Baclofen, Dipyridamole, Mebeverine Hydrochloride, Propylthiouracil, Quinidine Sulfate, and Topiramate Oral Suspensions in SyrSpend SF PH4.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, Anderson de Oliveira; Polonini, Hudson; da Silva, Sharlene Loures; Aglio, Natália Cristina Buzinari; Abreu, Jordana; Fernandes, Brandão Marcos Antônio

    2017-01-01

    The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of 7 commonly used active pharmaceutical ingredients compounded in oral suspensions using an internationally used suspending vehicle (SyrSpend SF PH4): acetazolamide 25.0 mg/mL, baclofen 10.0 mg/mL, dipyridamole 10.0 mg/mL, mebeverine hydrochloride 10.0 mg/mL, propylthiouracil 5.0 mg/mL, quinidine sulfate 10.0 mg/mL, and topiramate 5.0 mg/mL. All suspensions were stored both at controlled refrigerated (2°C to 8°C) and room temperature (20°C to 25°C). Stability was assessed by measuring the percentage recovery at varying time points throughout a 90-day period. Active pharmaceutical ingredient quantification was performed by ultraviolet (UV) high-performance liquid chromatography, via a stability-indicating method. Given the percentage of recovery of the active pharmaceutical ingredients within the suspensions, the beyond-use date of the final products (active pharmaceutical ingredient + vehicle) was at least 90 days for all suspensions with regards to both temperatures. This suggests that SyrSpend SF PH4 is suitable for compounding active pharmaceutical ingredients from different pharmacological classes. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.

  10. An open-label study to assess safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of dextromethorphan/quinidine for pseudobulbar affect in dementia: PRISM II results.

    PubMed

    Doody, Rachelle S; D'Amico, Stephen; Cutler, Andrew J; Davis, Charles S; Shin, Paul; Ledon, Fred; Yonan, Charles; Siffert, João

    2016-12-01

    Dextromethorphan (DM)/quinidine (Q) is an approved treatment for pseudobulbar affect (PBA) based on trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis. PRISM II evaluated DM/Q effectiveness and tolerability for PBA secondary to dementia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury; dementia cohort results are reported. This was an open-label, multicenter, 90 day trial; patients received DM/Q 20/10 mg twice daily. Primary outcome was change in Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) score. Secondary outcomes included PBA episode count and Clinical and Patient/Caregiver Global Impression of Change scores with respect to PBA (CGI-C/PGI-C). 134 patients were treated. CNS-LS improved by a mean (SD) of 7.2 (6.0) points at Day 90/Endpoint (P<.001) vs. baseline. PBA episodes were reduced 67.7% (P<.001) vs. baseline; global measures showed 77.5% CGI-C and 76.5% PGI-C "much"/"very much" improved. Adverse events included headache (7.5%), urinary tract infection (4.5%), and diarrhea (3.7%); few patients dropped out for adverse events (10.4%). DM/Q significantly reduced PBA symptoms in patients with dementia; reported adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of DM/Q. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01799941.

  11. Randomized, controlled trial of dextromethorphan/quinidine for pseudobulbar affect in multiple sclerosis.

    PubMed

    Panitch, Hillel S; Thisted, Ronald A; Smith, Richard A; Wynn, Daniel R; Wymer, James P; Achiron, Anat; Vollmer, Timothy L; Mandler, Raul N; Dietrich, Dennis W; Fletcher, Malcolm; Pope, Laura E; Berg, James E; Miller, Ariel

    2006-05-01

    To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DM/Q (capsules containing dextromethorphan [DM] and quinidine [Q]) compared with placebo, taken twice daily, for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect over a 12-week period in multiple sclerosis patients. A total of 150 patients were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess pseudobulbar affect with the validated Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale. Each patient also recorded the number of episodes experienced between visits, estimated quality of life and quality of relationships on visual analog scales, and completed a pain rating scale. Patients receiving DM/Q had greater reductions in Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale scores than those receiving placebo (p < 0.0001) at all clinic visits (days 15, 29, 57, and 85). All secondary end points also favored DM/Q, including the number of crying or laughing episodes (p

  12. Dextromethorphan/Quinidine in Migraine Prophylaxis: An Open-label Observational Clinical Study.

    PubMed

    Berkovich, Regina R; Sokolov, Alexey Y; Togasaki, Daniel M; Yakupova, Aida A; Cesar, Paul-Henry; Sahai-Srivastava, Soma

    This study aimed to assess potential efficacy and safety of dextromethorphan/quinidine (DMQ) in prophylactic treatment of migraine in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with superimposed pseudobulbar affect (PBA). Multiple sclerosis patients with superimposed PBA and comorbid migraine were enrolled into this open-label observational study at the University of Southern California Comprehensive MS Center. The baseline characteristics included, among other data, frequency and severity of acute migraine attacks and use of migraine relievers. The DMQ was used exclusively per its primary indication - PBA symptoms control - 20/10 mg orally, twice a day for the mean of 4.5 months (the shortest exposure registered was 3 months and the longest, 6 months). To determine whether treatment caused an effect on migraine frequency and severity, the baseline and posttreatment values were compared using nonparametric sign test. Thirty-three MS subjects with PBA, who also suffered from migraines, were identified. Twenty-nine subjects had improvement in headache frequency, 4 had no change, and none had worsening (P < 0.001 as compared with the baseline). Twenty-eight subjects had improvement in headache severity, 5 had no change, and none had worsening (P < 0.001). Our pilot study results provide evidence that DMQ shows promise as a candidate for larger clinical studies evaluating its efficacy for the prevention of migraine headaches.

  13. Effects of Na+ channel blockers on the restitution of refractory period, conduction time, and excitation wavelength in perfused guinea-pig heart.

    PubMed

    Osadchii, Oleg E

    2017-01-01

    Na+ channel blockers flecainide and quinidine can increase propensity to ventricular tachyarrhythmia, whereas lidocaine and mexiletine are recognized as safe antiarrhythmics. Clinically, ventricular fibrillation is often precipitated by transient tachycardia that reduces action potential duration, suggesting that a critical shortening of the excitation wavelength (EW) may contribute to the arrhythmic substrate. This study examined whether different INa blockers can produce contrasting effects on the rate adaptation of the EW, which would explain the difference in their safety profile. In perfused guinea-pig hearts, effective refractory periods (ERP), conduction times, and EW values were determined over a wide range of cardiac pacing intervals. All INa blockers tested were found to flatten the slope of ERP restitution, indicating antiarrhythmic tendency. However, with flecainide and quinidine, the beneficial changes in ERP were reversed owing to the use-dependent conduction slowing, thereby leading to significantly steepened restitution of the EW. In contrast, lidocaine and mexiletine had no effect on ventricular conduction, and therefore reduced the slope of the EW restitution, as expected from their effect on ERP. These findings suggest that the slope of the EW restitution is an important electrophysiological determinant which can discriminate INa blockers with proarrhythmic and antiarrhythmic profile.

  14. Review of Dextromethorphan 20 mg/Quinidine 10 mg (NUEDEXTA(®)) for Pseudobulbar Affect.

    PubMed

    Pioro, Erik P

    2014-06-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a dysfunction of emotional expression characterized by involuntary outbursts of crying or laughing disproportionate or unrelated to mood, occurring in patients with various underlying neurologic disorders. This review describes the clinical data supporting dextromethorphan (DM) hydrobromide combined with quinidine sulfate (Q) as treatment of PBA and briefly surveys the ongoing debates concerning the terminology for dysfunction of emotional expression, as well as the ongoing searches for its brain substrates. Until recently, pharmacologic intervention consisted chiefly of off-label antidepressants. In October 2010, however, DM/Q at 20/10 mg twice daily received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for PBA in any setting, and in June 2013, dosages of 20/10 and 30/10 mg twice daily (labeled as 15/9 and 23/9 mg, respectively, DM/Q base) received approval from the European Medicines Agency. DM is an uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist, a sigma-1 receptor agonist, and a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. To block DM hepatic metabolism, thereby increasing DM bioavailability, Quinidine, a cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitor, is coadministered at a dosage well below those for treating cardiac arrhythmia. Three large-scale DM/Q trials have utilized PBA-episode counts and the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS), a validated PBA rating scale, to measure efficacy. In a 4-week study of patients with PBA in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), DM/Q 30/30 mg was superior to its component drugs. A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of DM/Q 30/30 mg showed similar efficacy in patients with PBA in multiple sclerosis (MS). A subsequent 12-week study of patients with PBA and ALS or MS showed superiority to placebo for the 20/10 and 30/10 mg doses. Efficacy was maintained during a 12-week, open-label extension (30/10 mg dose), with further improvement of mean CNS-LS scores. Across these studies, DM/Q was generally safe and well tolerated, with no evidence of clinically relevant cardiac or respiratory effects. DM/Q is being studied (currently unapproved) for conditions including agitation in autism and in dementia.

  15. Treatment of pseudobulbar affect with citalopram in a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopthy.

    PubMed

    King, R R; Reiss, J P

    2012-01-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) manifests in a variety of neurologic illnesses suggesting a heterogeneous pathophysiology with common underpinnings. We report successful treatment of PBA with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in a 54-year-old woman following progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). In light of recent focus on dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q) for the treatment of PBA, the clinician is reminded of the effectiveness of SSRIs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Combined use of [TBA][L-ASP] and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as selectors for separation of Cinchona alkaloids by capillary electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yu; Yu, Haixia; Wu, Yujiao; Zhao, Wenyan; Yang, Min; Jing, Huanwang; Chen, Anjia

    2014-10-01

    In this paper, a new capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation and detection method was developed for the chiral separation of the four major Cinchona alkaloids (quinine/quinidine and cinchonine/cinchonidine) using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and chiral ionic liquid ([TBA][L-ASP]) as selectors. Separation parameters such as buffer concentrations, pH, HP-β-CD and chiral ionic liquid concentrations, capillary temperature, and separation voltage were investigated. After optimization of separation conditions, baseline separation of the three analytes (cinchonidine, quinine, cinchonine) was achieved in fewer than 7 min in ammonium acetate background electrolyte (pH 5.0) with the addition of HP-β-CD in a concentration of 40 mM and [TBA][L-ASP] of 14 mM, while the baseline separation of cinchonine and quinidine was not obtained. Therefore, the first-order derivative electropherogram was applied for resolving overlapping peaks. Regression equations revealed a good linear relationship between peak areas in first-order derivative electropherograms and concentrations of the two diastereomer pairs. The results not only indicated that the first-order derivative electropherogram was effective in determination of a low content component and of those not fully separated from adjacent ones, but also showed that the ionic liquid appeared to be a very promising chiral selector in CE. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Properties of the cromakalim-induced potassium conductance in smooth muscle cells isolated from the rabbit portal vein.

    PubMed Central

    Beech, D. J.; Bolton, T. B.

    1989-01-01

    1. Single smooth muscle cells were isolated freshly from the rabbit portal vein and membrane currents were recorded by the whole-cell or excised patch configurations of the patch-clamp technique at room temperature. 2. Cromakalim (Ckm, 10 microM) induced a potassium current (ICkm) that showed no pronounced voltage-dependence and had low current noise. 3. This current, ICkm, was inhibited by (in order of potency): phencyclidine greater than quinidine greater than 4-aminopyridine greater than tetraethylammonium ions (TEA). These drugs inhibited the delayed rectifier current, IdK, which is activated by depolarization of the cell, with the same order of potency. 4. Large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (LKCa) in isolated membrane patches were blocked by (in order of potency) quinidine greater than TEA approximately phencyclidine. 4-Aminopyridine was ineffective. A similar order of potency was found for block of spontaneous transient outward currents thought to represent bursts of openings of LKCa channels. 5. The low current noise of ICkm at positive potentials, and its susceptibility to inhibitors indicated that it was not carried by LKCa channels, and that it may be carried by channels which underlie IdK. It was observed that when ICkm was activated, IdK was reduced. However, in two experiments, ICkm was much more susceptible to glibenclamide than IdK; possible reasons for this are discussed. PMID:2590772

  18. Dextromethorphan plus ultra low-dose quinidine reduces pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Pioro, Erik P; Brooks, Benjamin Rix; Cummings, Jeffrey; Schiffer, Randolph; Thisted, Ronald A; Wynn, Daniel; Hepner, Adrian; Kaye, Randall

    2010-11-01

    To evaluate dextromethorphan combined with ultra low-dose quinidine (DMq) for treating pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS). In a 12-week randomized, double-blind trial, ALS and MS patients with clinically significant PBA (a baseline score ≥13 on the Center for Neurologic Studies-Lability Scale [CNS-LS]) were maintained, twice daily, on placebo, DMq at 30/10mg (DMq-30), or DMq at 20/10mg (DMq-20). In 326 randomized patients (of whom 283, or 86.8%, completed the study), the PBA-episode daily rate was 46.9% (p < 0.0001) lower for DMq-30 than for placebo and 49.0% (p < 0.0001) lower for DMq-20 than for placebo by longitudinal negative binomial regression, the prespecified primary analysis. Mean CNS-LS scores decreased by 8.2 points for DMq-30 and 8.2 for DMq-20, vs 5.7 for placebo (p= 0.0002 and p= 0.0113, respectively). Other endpoints showing statistically significant DMq benefit included, for both dosage levels, the likelihood of PBA remission during the final 14 days and, for the higher dosage, improvement on measures of social functioning and mental health. Both dosages were safe and well tolerated. DMq markedly reduced PBA frequency and severity, decreasing the condition's detrimental impact on a patient's life, with satisfactory safety and high tolerability. The findings expand the clinical evidence that DMq may be an important treatment for patients suffering from the socially debilitating symptoms of PBA.

  19. The role of CYP2D6 in primary and secondary oxidative metabolism of dextromethorphan: in vitro studies using human liver microsomes.

    PubMed Central

    Kerry, N L; Somogyi, A A; Bochner, F; Mikus, G

    1994-01-01

    1. The enzyme kinetics of dextromethorphan O-demethylation in liver microsomes from three extensive metabolisers (EM) with respect to CYP2D6 indicated high (Km1 2.2-9.4 microM) and low (Km2 55.5-307.3 microM) affinity sites whereas microsomes from two poor metabolisers (PM) indicated a single site (Km 560 and 157 microM). Similar differences were shown for 3-methoxymorphinan O-demethylation to 3-hydroxymorphinan (Km 6.9-9.6 microM in EM subjects; Km 307 and 213 microM in PM subjects). 2. Dextromethorphan O-demethylation was inhibited competitively by quinidine (Ki 0.1 microM), rac-perhexiline (Ki 0.4 microM), dextropropoxyphene (Ki 6 microM), rac-methadone (Ki 8 microM), and 3-methoxymorphinan (Ki 15 microM). These compounds were also potent inhibitors of 3-methoxymorphinan O-demethylation with IC50 values ranging from 0.02-12 microM. Anti-LKM1 serum inhibited both dextromethorphan and 3-methoxymorphinan O-demethylations in a titre-dependent manner. 3. The Michaelis-Menten constant for dextromethorphan N-demethylation to 3-methoxymorphinan (Km 632-977 microM) and dextrorphan N-demethylation to 3-hydroxymorphinan (Km 1571-4286 microM) did not differ between EM and PM microsomes. These N-demethylation reactions were not inhibited by quinidine and rac-methadone or LKM1 antibodies. 4. Dextromethorphan and 3-methoxymorphinan are metabolised by the same P450 isoform, CYP2D6, whereas the N-demethylation reactions are not carried out by CYP2D6. PMID:7826826

  20. Grapefruit juice and its constituents augment colchicine intestinal absorption: potential hazardous interaction and the role of p-glycoprotein.

    PubMed

    Dahan, Arik; Amidon, Gordon L

    2009-04-01

    To investigate the potential interaction between grapefruit juice (GFJ) and the oral microtubule polymerization inhibitor colchicine, a P-gp and CYP3A4 substrate. Colchicine intestinal epithelial transport was investigated across Caco-2 cell monolayers in both AP-BL and BL-AP directions, in the absence/presence of known P-gp inhibitors (verapamil and quinidine). The concentration-dependent effects of GFJ and its major constituents (6'-7'-dihydroxybergamottin, naringin and naringenin) on colchicine Caco-2 mucosal secretion were examined. The effect of GFJ on colchicine intestinal-permeability was then investigated in-situ in the rat perfusion model, in both jejunum and ileum. Colchicine exhibited 20-fold higher BL-AP than AP-BL Caco-2 permeability, indicative of net mucosal secretion, which was reduced by verapamil/quinidine. Colchicine AP-BL permeability was increased and BL-AP was decreased by GFJ in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50) values of 0.75% and 0.46% respectively), suggesting inhibition of efflux transport, rather than metabolizing enzyme. Similar effects obtained following pre-experiment incubation with GFJ, even though the juice was not present throughout the transepithelial study. 6'-7'-Dihydroxybergamottin, naringin and naringenin displayed concentration-dependent inhibition on colchicine BL-AP secretion (IC(50) values of 90, 592 and 11.6 microM respectively). Ten percent GFJ doubled colchicine rat in-situ ileal permeability, and increased 1.5-fold jejunal permeability. The data suggest that GFJ may augment colchicine oral bioavailability. Due to colchicine narrow therapeutic-index and severely toxic side-effects, awareness of this interaction is prudent.

  1. Cardiotoxicity screening with simultaneous optogenetic pacing, voltage imaging and calcium imaging.

    PubMed

    Dempsey, Graham T; Chaudhary, Khuram W; Atwater, Nicholas; Nguyen, Cuong; Brown, Barry S; McNeish, John D; Cohen, Adam E; Kralj, Joel M

    2016-01-01

    The Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) initiative seeks an in vitro test to accurately predict clinical Torsades de Pointes (TdP). We developed a cardiotoxicity assay incorporating simultaneous measurement of the action potential (AP) waveform and Ca(2+) transient (CT) in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs). Concurrent optogenetic pacing provided a well-controlled electrophysiological background. We used the Optopatch platform for all-optical electrophysiology (Hochbaum et al., 2014). In a monolayer culture, a subset of cells expressed a genetically encoded, calcium and voltage reporter, CaViar (Hou, Kralj, Douglass, Engert, & Cohen, 2014), while others expressed a channelrhodopsin variant, CheRiff. Optical pacing of CheRiff-expressing cells synchronized the syncytium. We screened 12 compounds (11 acute, 1 chronic) to identify electrophysiological (AP rise time, AP50, AP90, beat rate) and CT effects in spontaneously beating and paced cultures (1Hz, 2Hz). CaViar reported spontaneous and paced APs and CTs with high signal-to-noise ratio and low phototoxicity. Quinidine, flecainide, E-4031, digoxin and cisapride prolonged APs, while verapamil and nifedipine shortened APs. Early after depolarizations (EADs) were elicited by quinidine, flecainide and cisapride. All but four compounds (amiodarone, chromanol, nifedipine, verapamil) prolonged AP rise time. Nifedipine and verapamil decreased CT amplitude, while digoxin increased CT amplitude. Pentamidine prolonged APs after chronic exposure. The Optopatch platform provides a robust assay to measure APs and CTs in hiPSC-CMs. This addresses the CiPA mandate and will facilitate comparisons of cell-based assays to human clinical data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Habara, Y.; Williams, J.A.; Hootman, S.R.

    Chloroquine inhibited carbachol-induced amylase release in a dose-dependent fashion in rat pancreatic acini; cholecystokinin- and bombesin-induced secretory responses were almost unchanged by the antimalarial drug. The inhibition of carbachol-induced amylase release by chloroquine was competitive in nature with a K/sub i/ of 11.7 ..mu..M. Chloroquine also inhibited (/sup 3/H)N-methylscopolamine binding to acinar muscarinic receptors. The IC/sub 50/ for chloroquine inhibition of (/sup 3/H)N-methylscopolamine binding was lower than that for carbachol or the other antimalarial drugs, quinine and quinidine. These results demonstrate that chloroquine is a muscarinic receptor antagonist in the exocrine pancreas.

  3. Dextromethorphan/quinidine sulfate (Zenvia) for Pseudobulbar Affect

    PubMed Central

    Rosen, Howard

    2010-01-01

    SUMMARY A new agent containing a combination of Dextromethorphan and Quinidine is currently under development for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA is a disorder of emotional regulation, characterized by uncontrollable outbursts of laughing and/or crying that are disproportionate to the emotions being experienced. The pathophysiology of PBA is currently unknown, although the disorder is thought to occur exclusively in the setting of neurological disease. The most influential theory on PBA posits that emotional outbursts are being generated in the brainstem autonomously due to loss of regulatory control by the frontal lobes. Although rarely life-threatening, PBA can have significant impact on patients’ quality of life and thus merits treatment. There are currently no approved treatments for PBA. Several agents have been found to be effective in small placebo-controlled trials and case series, with the most commonly used agents being tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Both these treatments are inexpensive and relatively low-risk, although the quality and quantity of the available data on their efficacy are not optimal. DM has several pharmacological mechanisms of action relevant to the brain. It is an NMDA-receptor antagonist, which prompted investigators to study its potential for slowing progression in ALS, where glutamate toxicity is thought to be a factor. The combination agent DM/Q was developed to slow the metabolism of DM by P450 2D6 enzymes in the liver. DM/Q was not effective in slowing ALS progression, but patients noted that it helped to control their emotional outbursts, suggesting it might be useful as a treatment for PBA. DM is also a sigma1 receptor agonist. These receptors are widely distributed in the brain, but probably most heavily in the limbic system, suggesting that DM may exert its emotion-controlling effects via these receptors. The endogenous ligands for sigma1 receptors are not altogether known, although they appear to include gonadal steroids. DM/Q was recently shown to be effective in reducing the severity of PBA in two large studies of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which are probably the most common neurological settings. These are the largest treatment studies of PBA ever done. The agent was safe and relatively well tolerated. Further studies are being conducted to see if efficacy can be maintained with lower doses of quinidine. If DM/Q is approved by the FDA for treatment of PBA, this would be the first agent approved for this purpose. Currently, the antidepressants are probably the most attractive pharmacologic options for treatment of PBA. The choice of whether to use DM/Q in this setting will likely depend on individual patient factors, as well as cost. PMID:19137121

  4. Involvement of sigma-1 receptors in the antidepressant-like effects of dextromethorphan.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Linda; Robson, Matthew J; Healy, Jason R; Scandinaro, Anna L; Matsumoto, Rae R

    2014-01-01

    Dextromethorphan is an antitussive with a high margin of safety that has been hypothesized to display rapid-acting antidepressant activity based on pharmacodynamic similarities to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine. In addition to binding to NMDA receptors, dextromethorphan binds to sigma-1 (σ1) receptors, which are believed to be protein targets for a potential new class of antidepressant medications. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dextromethorphan elicits antidepressant-like effects and the involvement of σ1 receptors in mediating its antidepressant-like actions. The antidepressant-like effects of dextromethorphan were assessed in male, Swiss Webster mice using the forced swim test. Next, σ1 receptor antagonists (BD1063 and BD1047) were evaluated in conjunction with dextromethorphan to determine the involvement of σ receptors in its antidepressant-like effects. Quinidine, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibitor, was also evaluated in conjunction with dextromethorphan to increase the bioavailability of dextromethorphan and reduce exposure to additional metabolites. Finally, saturation binding assays were performed to assess the manner in which dextromethorphan interacts at the σ1 receptor. Our results revealed dextromethorphan displays antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test that can be attenuated by pretreatment with σ1 receptor antagonists, with BD1063 causing a shift to the right in the dextromethorphan dose response curve. Concomitant administration of quinidine potentiated the antidepressant-like effects of dextromethorphan. Saturation binding assays revealed that a Ki concentration of dextromethorphan reduces both the Kd and the Bmax of [(3)H](+)-pentazocine binding to σ1 receptors. Taken together, these data suggest that dextromethorphan exerts some of its antidepressant actions through σ1 receptors.

  5. The utility of the combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine in the treatment of bipolar II and bipolar NOS.

    PubMed

    Kelly, Tammas Frederick; Lieberman, Daniel Z

    2014-01-01

    Dextromethorphan is an over-the-counter antitussive agent that may be a rapidly acting treatment for bipolar depression. Like ketamine, it is an NMDA receptor antagonist. We conducted a retrospective chart review of depressed patients with treatment resistant bipolar II or bipolar NOS disorder who were treated with the combination of dextromethorphan 20 mg and quinidine 10 mg (DMQ). One pill of DMQ taken once or twice a day was added to participants׳ drug regimen. No changes were made to the pre-existing drug regimen during the course of treatment with DMQ. The primary outcome measure was the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) score after 90 days of treatment. Seventy-seven participants met the inclusion criteria. All had been experiencing depressive symptoms for at least two years, and the mean number of failed medication trials was 21.2. The average CGI-I score at day 90 was 1.66 (1=slightly improved, 2=much improved). Some patients reported improvement within 1-2 days of starting DMQ. Nineteen patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects, chiefly nausea. Because this was a retrospective chart review with no control group, conclusions about causation cannot be made. Nevertheless, the duration of depressive symptoms prior to starting DMQ makes spontaneous recovery less likely. DMQ, an NMDA antagonist, may be effective in the treatment of bipolar depression. Because its putative mechanism does not depend on the monoaminergic system, it may be appropriate for patients who have not responded to other medications. Unlike ketamine, DMQ does not require i.v. administration. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Dextromethorphan/quinidine pharmacotherapy in patients with treatment resistant depression: A proof of concept clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Murrough, James W; Wade, Elizabeth; Sayed, Sehrish; Ahle, Gabriella; Kiraly, Drew D; Welch, Alison; Collins, Katherine A; Soleimani, Laili; Iosifescu, Dan V; Charney, Dennis S

    2017-08-15

    At least one-third of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have treatment-resistant depression (TRD), defined as lack of response to two or more adequate antidepressant trials. For these patients, novel antidepressant treatments are urgently needed. The current study is a phase IIa open label clinical trial examining the efficacy and tolerability of a combination of dextromethorphan (DM) and the CYP2D6 enzyme inhibitor quinidine (Q) in patients with TRD. Dextromethorphan acts as an antagonist at the glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, in addition to other pharmacodynamics properties that include activity at sigma-1 receptors. Twenty patients with unipolar TRD who completed informed consent and met all eligibility criteria we enrolled in an open-label study of DM/Q up to 45/10mg by mouth administered every 12h over the course of a 10-week period, and constitute the intention to treat (ITT) sample. Six patients discontinued prior to study completion. There was no treatment-emergent suicidal ideation, psychotomimetic or dissociative symptoms. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score was reduced from baseline to the 10-week primary outcome (mean change: -13.0±11.5, t 19 =5.0, p<0.001), as was QIDS-SR score (mean change: -5.9±6.6, t 19 =4.0, p<0.001). The response and remission rates in the ITT sample were 45% and 35%, respectively. Open-label, proof-of-concept design. Herein we report acceptable tolerability and preliminary efficacy of DM/Q up to 45/10mg administered every 12h in patients with TRD. Future larger placebo controlled randomized trials in this population are warranted. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Involvement of Sigma-1 Receptors in the Antidepressant-like Effects of Dextromethorphan

    PubMed Central

    Nguyen, Linda; Robson, Matthew J.; Healy, Jason R.; Scandinaro, Anna L.; Matsumoto, Rae R.

    2014-01-01

    Dextromethorphan is an antitussive with a high margin of safety that has been hypothesized to display rapid-acting antidepressant activity based on pharmacodynamic similarities to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine. In addition to binding to NMDA receptors, dextromethorphan binds to sigma-1 (σ1) receptors, which are believed to be protein targets for a potential new class of antidepressant medications. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dextromethorphan elicits antidepressant-like effects and the involvement of σ1 receptors in mediating its antidepressant-like actions. The antidepressant-like effects of dextromethorphan were assessed in male, Swiss Webster mice using the forced swim test. Next, σ1 receptor antagonists (BD1063 and BD1047) were evaluated in conjunction with dextromethorphan to determine the involvement of σ receptors in its antidepressant-like effects. Quinidine, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibitor, was also evaluated in conjunction with dextromethorphan to increase the bioavailability of dextromethorphan and reduce exposure to additional metabolites. Finally, saturation binding assays were performed to assess the manner in which dextromethorphan interacts at the σ1 receptor. Our results revealed dextromethorphan displays antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test that can be attenuated by pretreatment with σ1 receptor antagonists, with BD1063 causing a shift to the right in the dextromethorphan dose response curve. Concomitant administration of quinidine potentiated the antidepressant-like effects of dextromethorphan. Saturation binding assays revealed that a Ki concentration of dextromethorphan reduces both the Kd and the Bmax of [3H](+)-pentazocine binding to σ1 receptors. Taken together, these data suggest that dextromethorphan exerts some of its antidepressant actions through σ1 receptors. PMID:24587167

  8. Intravenous dextromethorphan/quinidine inhibits activity of dura-sensitive spinal trigeminal neurons in rats.

    PubMed

    Sokolov, A Y; Lyubashina, O A; Berkovich, R R; Panteleev, S S

    2015-09-01

    Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by episodes of throbbing headaches. Practically all medications currently used in migraine prophylaxis have a number of substantial disadvantages and use limitations. Therefore, the further search for principally new prophylactic antimigraine agents remains an important task. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of a fixed combination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulphate (DM/Q) on activity of the spinal trigeminal neurons in an electrophysiological model of trigemino-durovascular nociception. The study was performed in 15 male Wistar rats, which were anaesthetized with urethane/α-chloralose and paralysed using pipecuronium bromide. The effects of cumulative intravenous infusions of DM/Q (three steps performed 30 min apart, 15/7.5 mg/kg of DM/Q in 0.5 mL of isotonic saline per step) on ongoing and dural electrical stimulation-induced neuronal activities were tested in a group of eight rats over 90 min. Other seven animals received cumulative infusion of equal volumes of saline and served as control. Cumulative administration of DM/Q produced steady suppression of both the ongoing activity of the spinal trigeminal neurons and their responses to electrical stimulation of the dura mater. It is evident that the observed DM/Q-induced suppression of trigeminal neuron excitability can lead to a reduction in nociceptive transmission from meninges to higher centres of the brain. Since the same mechanism is believed to underlie the pharmacodynamics of many well-known antimigraine drugs, results of the present study enable us to anticipate the potential efficacy of DM/Q in migraine. © 2014 European Pain Federation - EFIC®

  9. Multiple oral dosing of ketoconazole influences pharmacokinetics of quinidine after intravenous and oral administration in beagle dogs.

    PubMed

    Kuroha, M; Shirai, Y; Shimoda, M

    2004-10-01

    In this study, we investigated the effect of multiple oral dosing of ketoconazole (KTZ) on pharmacokinetics of quinidine (QN), a CYP3A substrate with low hepatic clearance, after i.v. and oral administration in beagle dogs. Four dogs were given p.o. KTZ for 20 days (200 mg, b.i.d.). QN was administered either i.v. (1 mg/kg) or p.o. (100 mg) 10 and 20 days before the KTZ treatment and 10 and 20 days after start of KTZ treatment. Multiple oral dosing of KTZ decreased significantly alpha and beta, whereas increased t(1/2beta), V(1), and k(a). The KTZ treatment also decreased significantly both total body clearance (Cl(tot)) and oral clearance (Cl(oral)). No significant change in bioavailability was observed in the presence of KTZ. Co-administration of KTZ increased C(max) of QN to about 1.5-fold. Mean resident time after i.v. administration (MRT(i.v.)), and after oral administration (MRT(p.o.)) of QN were prolonged to about twofold, whereas mean absorption time (MAT) was decreased to 50%. Volume of distribution at steady state (V(d(ss))) of QN was unchanged in the presence of KTZ. These alterations may be because of a decrease in metabolism of QN by inhibition of KTZ on hepatic CYP3A activity. In conclusion, multiple oral dosing of KTZ affected largely pharmacokinetics of QN after i.v. and oral administration in beagle dogs. Therefore, KTZ at a clinical dosing regimen may markedly change the pharmacokinetics of drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A with low hepatic clearance in dogs. In clinical use, much attention should be paid to concomitant administration of KTZ with the drug when given either p.o. or i.v.

  10. Clinical and molecular characterization of KCNT1-related severe early-onset epilepsy

    PubMed Central

    Nair, Umesh; Malhotra, Sony; Meyer, Esther; Trump, Natalie; Gazina, Elena V.; Papandreou, Apostolos; Ngoh, Adeline; Ackermann, Sally; Ambegaonkar, Gautam; Appleton, Richard; Desurkar, Archana; Eltze, Christin; Kneen, Rachel; Kumar, Ajith V.; Lascelles, Karine; Montgomery, Tara; Ramesh, Venkateswaran; Samanta, Rajib; Scott, Richard H.; Tan, Jeen; Whitehouse, William; Poduri, Annapurna; Scheffer, Ingrid E.; Chong, W.K. “Kling”; Cross, J. Helen; Topf, Maya; Petrou, Steven

    2018-01-01

    Objective To characterize the phenotypic spectrum, molecular genetic findings, and functional consequences of pathogenic variants in early-onset KCNT1 epilepsy. Methods We identified a cohort of 31 patients with epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS) and screened for variants in KCNT1 using direct Sanger sequencing, a multiple-gene next-generation sequencing panel, and whole-exome sequencing. Additional patients with non-EIMFS early-onset epilepsy in whom we identified KCNT1 variants on local diagnostic multiple gene panel testing were also included. When possible, we performed homology modeling to predict the putative effects of variants on protein structure and function. We undertook electrophysiologic assessment of mutant KCNT1 channels in a xenopus oocyte model system. Results We identified pathogenic variants in KCNT1 in 12 patients, 4 of which are novel. Most variants occurred de novo. Ten patients had a clinical diagnosis of EIMFS, and the other 2 presented with early-onset severe nocturnal frontal lobe seizures. Three patients had a trial of quinidine with good clinical response in 1 patient. Computational modeling analysis implicates abnormal pore function (F346L) and impaired tetramer formation (F502V) as putative disease mechanisms. All evaluated KCNT1 variants resulted in marked gain of function with significantly increased channel amplitude and variable blockade by quinidine. Conclusions Gain-of-function KCNT1 pathogenic variants cause a spectrum of severe focal epilepsies with onset in early infancy. Currently, genotype-phenotype correlations are unclear, although clinical outcome is poor for the majority of cases. Further elucidation of disease mechanisms may facilitate the development of targeted treatments, much needed for this pharmacoresistant genetic epilepsy. PMID:29196579

  11. The hyperthermic and neurotoxic effects of 'Ecstasy' (MDMA) and 3,4 methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in the Dark Agouti (DA) rat, a model of the CYP2D6 poor metabolizer phenotype.

    PubMed Central

    Colado, M. I.; Williams, J. L.; Green, A. R.

    1995-01-01

    1. The effect of administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or 'Ecstasy') and its N-demethylated product, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) on both rectal temperature and long term neurotoxic loss of cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has been studied in male and female Dark Agouti (DA) rats. The female metabolizes debrisoquine more slowly than the male and its use has been suggested as a model of the human debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase poor metabolizer phenotype. 2. A novel h.p.l.c. method was developed and used to measure plasma MDMA and MDA concentrations in the DA rats. 3. The hyperthermic response following MDMA was enhanced in female rats. Plasma MDMA concentrations were also 57% higher than in males 45 min post-injection, while plasma concentrations of MDA were 48% lower. 4. Plasma concentrations of MDMA and MDA in male rats were unaffected by pretreatment with proadifen (15 mg kg-1) or quinidine (60 mg kg-1), but the hyperthermic response to MDMA (10 mg kg-1, i.p.) was enhanced by quinidine pretreatment. 5. The hyperthermic response following MDA was greater in male DA rats, despite plasma drug concentrations being 40% higher in females 60 min after injection. 6. Seven days after a single dose of MDMA (10 mg kg-1, i.p.) there was a substantial loss in the concentration of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIA) in cortex and hippocampus. [3H]-paroxetine binding was also decreased by 27% in the cortex, indicating that the amine loss reflected a neurodegenerative change. MDMA (5 mg kg-1, i.p.) was without effect on brain 5-HT content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:7582557

  12. Screening drug-induced arrhythmia [corrected] using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and low-impedance microelectrode arrays.

    PubMed

    Navarrete, Enrique G; Liang, Ping; Lan, Feng; Sanchez-Freire, Verónica; Simmons, Chelsey; Gong, Tingyu; Sharma, Arun; Burridge, Paul W; Patlolla, Bhagat; Lee, Andrew S; Wu, Haodi; Beygui, Ramin E; Wu, Sean M; Robbins, Robert C; Bers, Donald M; Wu, Joseph C

    2013-09-10

    Drug-induced arrhythmia is one of the most common causes of drug development failure and withdrawal from market. This study tested whether human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) combined with a low-impedance microelectrode array (MEA) system could improve on industry-standard preclinical cardiotoxicity screening methods, identify the effects of well-characterized drugs, and elucidate underlying risk factors for drug-induced arrhythmia. hiPSC-CMs may be advantageous over immortalized cell lines because they possess similar functional characteristics as primary human cardiomyocytes and can be generated in unlimited quantities. Pharmacological responses of beating embryoid bodies exposed to a comprehensive panel of drugs at 65 to 95 days postinduction were determined. Responses of hiPSC-CMs to drugs were qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the reported drug effects in literature. Torsadogenic hERG blockers, such as sotalol and quinidine, produced statistically and physiologically significant effects, consistent with patch-clamp studies, on human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes hESC-CMs. False-negative and false-positive hERG blockers were identified accurately. Consistent with published studies using animal models, early afterdepolarizations and ectopic beats were observed in 33% and 40% of embryoid bodies treated with sotalol and quinidine, respectively, compared with negligible early afterdepolarizations and ectopic beats in untreated controls. We found that drug-induced arrhythmias can be recapitulated in hiPSC-CMs and documented with low impedance MEA. Our data indicate that the MEA/hiPSC-CM assay is a sensitive, robust, and efficient platform for testing drug effectiveness and for arrhythmia screening. This system may hold great potential for reducing drug development costs and may provide significant advantages over current industry standard assays that use immortalized cell lines or animal models.

  13. The consequence of regional gradients of P-gp and CYP3A4 for drug-drug interactions by P-gp inhibitors and the P-gp/CYP3A4 interplay in the human intestine ex vivo.

    PubMed

    Li, Ming; de Graaf, Inge A M; van de Steeg, Evita; de Jager, Marina H; Groothuis, Geny M M

    2017-04-01

    Intestinal P-gp and CYP3A4 work coordinately to reduce the intracellular concentration of drugs, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) based on this interplay are of clinical importance and require pre-clinical investigation. Using precision-cut intestinal slices (PCIS) of human jejunum, ileum and colon, we investigated the P-gp/CYP3A4 interplay and related DDIs with P-gp inhibitors at the different regions of the human intestine with quinidine (Qi), dual substrate of P-gp and CYP3A4, as probe. All the P-gp inhibitors increased the intracellular concentrations of Qi by 2.1-2.6 fold in jejunum, 2.6-3.8 fold in ileum but only 1.2-1.3 fold in colon, in line with the different P-gp expression in these intestinal regions. The selective P-gp inhibitors (CP100356 and PSC833) enhanced 3-hydroxy-quinidine (3OH-Qi) in jejunum and ileum, while dual inhibitors of P-gp and CYP3A4 (verapamil and ketoconazole) decreased the 3OH-Qi production, despite of the increased intracellular Qi concentration, due to inhibition of CYP3A4. The outcome of DDIs based on P-gp/CYP3A4 interplay, shown as remarkable changes in the intracellular concentration of both the parent drug and the metabolite, varied among the intestinal regions, probably due to the different expression of P-gp and CYP3A4, and were different from those found in rat PCIS, which may have important implications for the disposition and toxicity of drugs and their metabolites. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Human ex-vivo action potential model for pro-arrhythmia risk assessment.

    PubMed

    Page, Guy; Ratchada, Phachareeya; Miron, Yannick; Steiner, Guido; Ghetti, Andre; Miller, Paul E; Reynolds, Jack A; Wang, Ken; Greiter-Wilke, Andrea; Polonchuk, Liudmila; Traebert, Martin; Gintant, Gary A; Abi-Gerges, Najah

    2016-01-01

    While current S7B/E14 guidelines have succeeded in protecting patients from QT-prolonging drugs, the absence of a predictive paradigm identifying pro-arrhythmic risks has limited the development of valuable drug programs. We investigated if a human ex-vivo action potential (AP)-based model could provide a more predictive approach for assessing pro-arrhythmic risk in man. Human ventricular trabeculae from ethically consented organ donors were used to evaluate the effects of dofetilide, d,l-sotalol, quinidine, paracetamol and verapamil on AP duration (APD) and recognized pro-arrhythmia predictors (short-term variability of APD at 90% repolarization (STV(APD90)), triangulation (ADP90-APD30) and incidence of early afterdepolarizations at 1 and 2Hz to quantitatively identify the pro-arrhythmic risk. Each drug was blinded and tested separately with 3 concentrations in triplicate trabeculae from 5 hearts, with one vehicle time control per heart. Electrophysiological stability of the model was not affected by sequential applications of vehicle (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide). Paracetamol and verapamil did not significantly alter anyone of the AP parameters and were classified as devoid of pro-arrhythmic risk. Dofetilide, d,l-sotalol and quinidine exhibited an increase in the manifestation of pro-arrhythmia markers. The model provided quantitative and actionable activity flags and the relatively low total variability in tissue response allowed for the identification of pro-arrhythmic signals. Power analysis indicated that a total of 6 trabeculae derived from 2 hearts are sufficient to identify drug-induced pro-arrhythmia. Thus, the human ex-vivo AP-based model provides an integrative translational assay assisting in shaping clinical development plans that could be used in conjunction with the new CiPA-proposed approach. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Effect of genetic polymorphism on the inhibition of dopamine formation from p-tyramine catalyzed by brain cytochrome P450 2D6.

    PubMed

    Niwa, Toshiro; Shizuku, Marina; Yamano, Kaori

    2017-04-15

    The inhibitory effects of steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids such as cortisol, and related compounds on dopamine formation from p-tyramine, catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6.2 (Arg296Cys, Ser486Thr) and CYP2D6.10 (Pro34Ser, Ser486Thr) were compared with the effects of those catalyzed by CYP2D6.1 (wild type), to investigate the effect of a CYP2D6 polymorphism on neuroactive amine metabolism in the brain. Inhibition constants (K i ) or 50% inhibitory concentrations of six steroid hormones (cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and pregnenolone) and quinidine and quinine-typical potent inhibitors of the human CYP2D6 and rat CYP2D subfamily, respectively-toward dopamine formation catalyzed by CYP2D6.1, CYP2D6.2, and CYP2D6.10 expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli were compared. Although most steroid hormones had no or minor inhibitory effects on the dopamine formation by all CYP2D6 variants, progesterone inhibited the metabolism and K i value against CYP2D6.10 was approximately twice that for CYP2D6.1 and CYP2D6.2. Quinidine exhibited stronger inhibition than quinine; however, these two compounds inhibited the CYP2D6.10-mediated reaction more weakly than the CYP2D6.1 and CYP2D6.2 reactions. These results suggest that CYP2D6 polymorphism would affect drug interaction through dopamine formation in the brain. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. CYP3A4 substrate selection and substitution in the prediction of potential drug-drug interactions.

    PubMed

    Galetin, Aleksandra; Ito, Kiyomi; Hallifax, David; Houston, J Brian

    2005-07-01

    The complexity of in vitro kinetic phenomena observed for CYP3A4 substrates (homo- or heterotropic cooperativity) confounds the prediction of drug-drug interactions, and an evaluation of alternative and/or pragmatic approaches and substrates is needed. The current study focused on the utility of the three most commonly used CYP3A4 in vitro probes for the prediction of 26 reported in vivo interactions with azole inhibitors (increase in area under the curve ranged from 1.2 to 24, 50% in the range of potent inhibition). In addition to midazolam, testosterone, and nifedipine, quinidine was explored as a more "pragmatic" substrate due to its kinetic properties and specificity toward CYP3A4 in comparison with CYP3A5. Ki estimates obtained in human liver microsomes under standardized in vitro conditions for each of the four probes were used to determine the validity of substrate substitution in CYP3A4 drug-drug interaction prediction. Detailed inhibitor-related (microsomal binding, depletion over incubation time) and substrate-related factors (cooperativity, contribution of other metabolic pathways, or renal excretion) were incorporated in the assessment of the interaction potential. All four CYP3A4 probes predicted 69 to 81% of the interactions with azoles within 2-fold of the mean in vivo value. Comparison of simple and multisite mechanistic models and interaction prediction accuracy for each of the in vitro probes indicated that midazolam and quinidine in vitro data provided the best assessment of a potential interaction, with the lowest bias and the highest precision of the prediction. Further investigations with a wider range of inhibitors are required to substantiate these findings.

  17. Preparation of surfactant-free nanoparticles of methacrylic acid copolymers used for film coating.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Cung An; Konan-Kouakou, Yvette Niamien; Allémann, Eric; Doelker, Eric; Quintanar-Guerrero, David; Fessi, Hatem; Gurny, Robert

    2006-07-28

    The aim of the present study was to prepare surfactant-free pseudolatexes of various methacrylic acid copolymers. These aqueous colloidal dispersions of polymeric materials for oral administration are intended for film coating of solid dosage forms or for direct manufacturing of nanoparticles. Nanoparticulate dispersions were produced by an emulsification-diffusion method involving the use of partially water-miscible solvents and the mutual saturation of the aqueous and organic phases prior to the emulsification in order to reduce the initial thermodynamic instability of the emulsion. Because of the self-emulsifying properties of the methacrylic acid copolymers, it was possible to prepare aqueous dispersions of colloidal size containing up to 30% wt/vol of Eudragit RL, RS, and E using 2-butanone or methyl acetate as partially water-miscible solvents, but without any surfactant. However, in the case of the cationic Eudragit E, protonation of the tertiary amine groups by acidification of the aqueous phase was necessary to improve the emulsion stability in the absence of surfactant and subsequently to prevent droplet coalescence during evaporation. In addition, a pseudolatex of Eudragit E was used to validate the coating properties of the formulation for solid dosage forms. Film-coated tablets of quinidine sulfate showed a transparent glossy continuous film that was firmly attached to the tablet. The dissolution profile of quinidine sulfate from the tablets coated with the Eudragit E pseudolatex was comparable to that of tablets coated with an acetonic solution of Eudragit E. Furthermore, both types of coating ensured similar taste masking. The emulsification-evaporation method used was shown to be appropriate for the preparation of surfactant-free colloidal dispersions of the 3 types of preformed methacrylic acid copolymers; the dispersions can subsequently be used for film coating of solid dosage forms.

  18. Electrical storm in patients with brugada syndrome is associated with early repolarization.

    PubMed

    Kaneko, Yoshiaki; Horie, Minoru; Niwano, Shinichi; Kusano, Kengo F; Takatsuki, Seiji; Kurita, Takashi; Mitsuhashi, Takeshi; Nakajima, Tadashi; Irie, Tadanobu; Hasegawa, Kanae; Noda, Takashi; Kamakura, Shiro; Aizawa, Yoshiyasu; Yasuoka, Ryobun; Torigoe, Katsumi; Suzuki, Hiroshi; Ohe, Toru; Shimizu, Akihiko; Fukuda, Keiichi; Kurabayashi, Masahiko; Aizawa, Yoshifusa

    2014-12-01

    Electrical storms (ESs) in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) are rare though potentially lethal. We studied 22 men with BrS and ES, defined as ≥3 episodes/d of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and compared their characteristics with those of 110 age-matched, control men with BrS without ES. BrS was diagnosed by a spontaneous or drug-induced type 1 pattern on the ECG in the absence of structural heart disease. Early repolarization (ER) was diagnosed by J waves, ie, >0.1 mV notches or slurs of the terminal portion of the QRS complex. The BrS ECG pattern was provoked with pilsicainide. A spontaneous type I ECG pattern, J waves, and horizontal/descending ST elevation were found, respectively, in 77%, 36%, and 88% of patients with ES, versus 28% (P<0.0001), 9% (P=0.003), and 60% (P=0.06) of controls. The J-wave amplitude was significantly higher in patients with than without ES (P=0.03). VF occurred during undisturbed sinus rhythm in 14 of 19 patients (74%), and ES were controlled by isoproterenol administration. All patients with ES received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and over a 6.0±5.4 years follow-up, the prognosis of patients with ES was significantly worse than that of patients without ES. Bepridil was effective in preventing VF in 6 patients. A high prevalence of ER was found in a subgroup of patients with BrS associated with ES. ES appeared to be suppressed by isoproterenol or quinidine, whereas bepridil and quinidine were effective in the long-term prevention of VF in the highest-risk patients. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

  19. Effects of dextromethorphan/quinidine on auditory event-related potentials in multiple sclerosis patients with pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Haiman, Guy; Pratt, Hillel; Miller, Ariel

    2009-10-01

    The purpose of this study was to characterize the brain activity and associated cortical structures involved in pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition characterized by uncontrollable episodes of laughing and/or crying in patients with multiple sclerosis before and after treatment with dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q). Behavioral responses and event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to subjectively significant and neutral verbal stimuli were recorded from 2 groups: 6 multiple sclerosis patients with PBA before (PBA-preTx) and after (PBA-DM/Q) treatment with DM/Q and 6 healthy control (HC) subjects. Statistical nonparametric mapping comparisons of ERP source current density distributions between groups were conducted for subjectively significant and neutral stimuli separately before and after treatment with DM/Q. Treatment with DM/Q had a normalizing effect on the behavioral responses of PBA patients. Event-related potential waveform comparisons of PBA-preTx and PBA-DM/Q with HC, for both neutral and subjectively significant stimuli, revealed effects on early ERP components. Comparisons between PBA-preTx and HC, in response to subjectively significant stimuli, revealed both early and late effects. Source analysis comparisons between PBA-preTx and PBA-DM/Q indicated distinct activations in areas involved in emotional processing and high-level and associative visual processing in response to neutral stimuli and in areas involved in emotional, somatosensory, primary, and premotor processing in response to subjectively significant stimuli. In most cases, stimuli evoked higher current density in PBA-DM/Q compared with the other groups. In conclusion, differences in brain activity were observed before and after medication. Also, DM/Q administration resulted in normalization of behavioral and electrophysiological measures.

  20. AVP-923, a combination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect and neuropathic pain.

    PubMed

    Olney, Nicholas; Rosen, Howard

    2010-04-01

    AVANIR Pharmaceuticals Inc, under license from Irisys Research & Development, is developing AVP-923 (Zenvia, Neurodex) for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA; in collaboration with Medison Pharma Ltd) and neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. PBA, the main indication of AVP-923, is a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable and unpredictable episodes of laughing and/or crying. AVP-923 consists of a combination of the NMDA antagonist/sigma1 receptor agonist dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM) and the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme inhibitor quinidine sulfate (Q). DM has been under investigation for several years as a neuroprotective agent in stroke, neurosurgery and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); however, it is rapidly metabolized by CYP2D6, reducing the drug's bioavailability at neuronal targets. The inclusion of Q inhibits the rapid first-pass metabolism of DM to increase systemic concentrations of the drug in the plasma and, in theory, increase the potential efficacy. The initial clinical data for AVP-923 in the treatment of PBA demonstrated the combination was effective, but exhibited significant side effects. Of particular concern to the FDA were increased QTc intervals reported in patients dosed with a 30-/30-mg dose of DM/Q. A subsequent phase III clinical trial assessing a lower dose of AVP-923 (20 or 30 mg DM/10 mg Q) for the treatment of PBA in patients with ALS or multiple sclerosis was implemented by AVANIR and demonstrated a favorable safety profile of AVP-923 while maintaining efficacy. Pending approval of the data from the FDA, AVP-923 would be the first FDA-approved treatment for PBA.

  1. Treatment of pseudobulbar affect in ALS with dextromethorphan/quinidine: a randomized trial.

    PubMed

    Brooks, B R; Thisted, R A; Appel, S H; Bradley, W G; Olney, R K; Berg, J E; Pope, L E; Smith, R A

    2004-10-26

    Patients with ALS commonly exhibit pseudobulbar affect. The authors conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel, three-arm study to test a defined combination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM) and quinidine sulfate (Q) (AVP-923) for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect in ALS. Q inhibits the rapid first-pass metabolism of DM. The effects of AVP-923 (30 mg of DM plus 30 mg of Q) given twice daily for 28 days were compared with those of its components. Patients were evaluated on days 1, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy variable was the change from baseline in the Center for Neurologic Study Lability Scale (CNS-LS) score. Secondary efficacy variables were laughing/crying episode rates and changes in Visual Analog Scales for Quality of Life (QOL) and Relationships (QOR). Efficacy was evaluated in intention-to-treat subjects who were not poor metabolizers of DM (n = 65 for AVP-923, n = 30 for DM, and n = 34 for Q). Safety was assessed in all randomized subjects (n = 140). AVP-923 patients experienced 3.3-point greater improvements in CNS-LS than DM patients (p = 0.001) and 3.7-point greater improvements than Q patients (p < 0.001). AVP-923 patients exhibited lower overall episode rates, improved QOL scores, and improved QOR scores (p < 0.01 for all endpoints). Adverse effects were mostly mild or moderate; treatment-related discontinuation was 24% for AVP-923, 6% for DM, and 8% for Q. AVP-923 palliates pseudobulbar affect in ALS. Overall benefits of treatment are reflected in fewer episodes of crying and laughing and improvements in overall quality of life and quality of relationships.

  2. Human ex-vivo action potential model for pro-arrhythmia risk assessment

    PubMed Central

    Page, Guy; Ratchada, Phachareeya; Miron, Yannick; Steiner, Guido; Ghetti, Andre; Miller, Paul E; Reynolds, Jack A; Wang, Ken; Greiter-Wilke, Andrea; Polonchuk, Liudmila; Traebert, Martin; Gintant, Gary A; Abi-Gerges, Najah

    2016-01-01

    While current S7B/E14 guidelines have succeeded in protecting patients from QT-prolonging drugs, the absence of a predictive paradigm identifying pro-arrhythmic risks has limited the development of valuable drug programs. We investigated if a human ex-vivo action potential (AP)-based model could provide a more predictive approach for assessing pro-arrhythmic risk in man. Human ventricular trabeculae from ethically consented organ donors were used to evaluate the effects of dofetilide, d,l-sotalol, quinidine, paracetamol and verapamil on AP duration (APD) and recognized pro-arrhythmia predictors (short-term variability of APD at 90% repolarization (STV(APD90)), triangulation (ADP90-APD30) and incidence of early afterdepolarizations at 1 and 2 Hz to quantitatively identify the pro-arrhythmic risk. Each drug was blinded and tested separately with 3 concentrations in triplicate trabeculae from 5 hearts, with one vehicle time control per heart. Electrophysiological stability of the model was not affected by sequential applications of vehicle (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide). Paracetamol and verapamil did not significantly alter anyone of the AP parameters and were classified as devoid of pro-arrhythmic risk. Dofetilide, d,l-sotalol and quinidine exhibited an increase in the manifestation of pro-arrhythmia markers. The model provided quantitative and actionable activity flags and the relatively low total variability in tissue response allowed for the identification of pro-arrhythmic signals. Power analysis indicated that a total of 6 trabeculae derived from 2 hearts are sufficient to identify drug-induced pro-arrhythmia. Thus, the human ex-vivo AP-based model provides an integrative translational assay assisting in shaping clinical development plans that could be used in conjunction with the new CiPA-proposed approach. PMID:27235787

  3. Dextromethorphan/quinidine sulfate for pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Rosen, Howard

    2008-09-01

    A new agent containing a combination of dextromethorphan (DM) and quinidine (Q) is currently under development for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA is a disorder of emotional regulation, characterized by uncontrollable outbursts of laughing and/or crying that are disproportionate to the emotions being experienced. The pathophysiology of PBA is currently unknown, although the disorder is thought to occur exclusively in the setting of neurological disease. The most influential theory on PBA posits that emotional outbursts are being generated autonomously in the brain stem due to loss of regulatory control by the frontal lobe. Although rarely life-threatening, PBA can have significant impact on patient quality of life, and thus merits treatment. There are currently no approved treatments for PBA. Several agents have been found to be effective in small placebo-controlled trials and case series, with the most commonly used agents being tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Both these treatments are inexpensive and relatively low-risk, although the quality and quantity of data available on their efficacy are not optimal. DM has several pharmacological mechanisms of action relevant to the brain. It is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, which prompted investigators to study its potential for slowing progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where glutamate toxicity is thought to be a factor. The combination agent DM/Q was developed to slow the metabolism of DM by P450 2D6 enzymes in the liver. DM/Q was not effective in slowing ALS progression, but patients noted that it helped to control their emotional outbursts, suggesting it might be useful as a treatment for PBA. DM is also a sigma-1 receptor agonist. These receptors are widely distributed in the brain, but probably most heavily in the limbic system, suggesting that DM may exert its emotion-controlling effects via these receptors. The endogenous ligands for sigma-1 receptors are not altogether known, although they appear to include gonadal steroids. DM/Q was recently shown to be effective in reducing the severity of PBA in two large studies of ALS and multiple sclerosis, which are probably the most common neurological settings. These are the largest treatment studies of PBA ever done. The agent was safe and relatively well tolerated. Further studies are being conducted to see if efficacy can be maintained with lower doses of quinidine. If DM/Q is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of PBA, it would be the first agent approved for this purpose. Currently, the antidepressants are probably the most attractive pharmacologic options for treatment of PBA. The choice of whether to use DM/Q in this setting will likely depend on individual patient factors as well as cost. Copyright 2008 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved.

  4. Inhibition of vincristine binding to plasma membrane vesicles from daunorubicin-resistant Ehrlich ascites cells by multidrug resistance modulators.

    PubMed Central

    Sehested, M.; Jensen, P. B.; Skovsgaard, T.; Bindslev, N.; Demant, E. J.; Friche, E.; Vindeløv, L.

    1989-01-01

    The multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype is presumed to be mostly dependent on changes in the resistant cell plasma membrane, notably the emergence of a 170 kDa glycoprotein called P-glycoprotein, which facilitate increased drug efflux. We have previously demonstrated that ATP-enhanced binding of vincristine (VCR) to plasma membrane vesicles is much greater in MDR than in wild type cells. The present study has shown that VCR binding to MDR Ehrlich ascites tumour cell plasma membrane vesicles is inhibited 50% most efficiently by quinidine (0.5 microM) followed by verapamil (4.1 microM) and trifluoperazine (23.2 microM). This is the reverse order of the effect on whole cells where a ranking of efficiency in terms of enhancement of VCR accumulation, inhibition of VCR efflux, DNA perturbation and modulation of resistance in a clonogenic assay, was trifluoperazine greater than or equal to verapamil much greater than quinidine. The detergent Tween 80 inhibited VCR binding to plasma membrane vesicles at 0.001% v/v which agreed with the level which modulated resistance and increased VCR accumulation in whole cells. No effect was observed on daunorubicin binding to MDR plasma membrane vesicles after incubation with either Tween 80 (up to 0.1% v/v) or verapamil (up to 25 microM). We conclude that the effect of a modulating drug in reversing resistance to VCR correlates with its ability to raise intracellular VCR levels but not with its capability to inhibit VCR binding to the plasma membrane. Thus, enhancement of VCR accumulation in MDR cells is hardly solely due to competition for a drug binding site on P-glycoprotein. Furthermore, the lack of a demonstrable effect on daunorubicin binding to the plasma membrane by modulators points to transport mechanisms which do not utilise specific drug binding to the plasma membrane. PMID:2605092

  5. Characterization of the cytochrome P450 enzymes and enzyme kinetic parameters for metabolism of BVT.2938 using different in vitro systems.

    PubMed

    Baranczewski, Pawel; Edlund, Per Olof; Postlind, Hans

    2006-03-18

    An important step in the drug development process is identification of enzymes responsible for metabolism of drug candidates and determination of enzyme kinetic parameters. These data are used to increase understanding of the pharmacokinetics and possible metabolic-based drug interactions of drug candidates. The aim of the present study was to characterize the cytochrome P450 enzymes and enzyme kinetic parameters for metabolism of BVT.2938 [1-(3-{2-[(2-ethoxy-3-pyridinyl)oxy]ethoxy}-2-pyrazinyl)-2(R)-methylpiperazine], a potent and selective 5HT2c-receptor agonist. The enzyme kinetic parameters were determined for formation of three main metabolites of BVT.2938 using human liver microsomes and expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms. The major metabolite was formed by hydroxylation of the pyridine ring (CL(int)=27 microl/mgmin), and was catalysed by both CYP2D6*1 and CYP1A1, with K(m) values corresponding to 1.4 and 2.7 microM, respectively. The results from enzyme kinetic studies were confirmed by incubation of BVT.2938 in the presence of the chemical inhibitor of CYP2D6*1, quinidine. Quinidine inhibited the formation of the major metabolite by approximately 90%. Additionally, studies with recombinant expressed CYP isoforms from rat indicated that formation of the major metabolite of BVT.2938 was catalysed by CYP2D2. This result was further confirmed by experiments with liver slices from different rat strains, where the formation of the metabolite correlated with phenotype of CYP2D2 isoform (Sprague-Dawley male, extensive; Dark Agouti male, intermediate; Dark Agouti female, poor metabolizer). The present study showed that the major metabolite of BVT.2938 is formed by hydroxylation of the pyridine ring and catalysed by CYP2D6*1. CYP1A1 is also involved in this reaction and its role in extra-hepatic metabolism of BVT.2938 might be significant.

  6. In vitro and in vivo evaluations of the P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux of dibenzoylhydrazines

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Miyata, Ken-ichi, E-mail: Miyata.Kenichi@otsuka.jp; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokushima 771-0182; Nakagawa, Yoshiaki

    2016-05-01

    P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family. It actively transports a wide variety of compounds out of cells to protect humans from xenobiotics. Thus, determining whether chemicals are substrates and/or inhibitors of P-gp is important in risk assessments of pharmacokinetic interactions among chemicals because P-gp-mediated transport processes play a significant role in their absorption and disposition. We previously reported that dibenzoylhydrazines (DBHs) such as tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide (agrochemicals) stimulated P-gp ATPase activity. However, it currently remains unclear whether these derivatives are transport substrates of P-gp and inhibit transport of other chemicals by P-gp. In the presentmore » study, in order to evaluate the interactions of DBHs with other chemicals in humans, we determined whether DBHs are P-gp transport substrates using both the in vitro bidirectional transport assay and the in vivo study of rats. In the in vivo study, we investigated the influence of P-gp inhibitors on the brain to plasma ratio of methoxyfenozide in rats. We also examined the inhibitory effects of DBHs on quinidine (a P-gp substrate) transport by P-gp in order to ascertain whether these derivatives are inhibitors of P-gp. Based on the results, DBHs were concluded to be weak P-gp transport substrates and moderate P-gp inhibitors. However, the risk of DBHs caused by interaction with other chemicals including drugs was considered to be low by considering the DBHs' potential as the substrates and inhibitors of P-gp as well as their plasma concentrations as long as DBHs are properly used. - Highlights: • Transport of DBHs by P-gp was not detected in in vitro bidirectional transport assay. • DBHs were weak P-gp transport substrates based on in vivo studies in rats. • The in vivo studies are useful methods for evaluating P-gp transport substrates. • DBHs inhibit quinidine transport by P-gp in in vitro bidirectional transport assay.« less

  7. Practice Parameter update: The care of the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Multidisciplinary care, symptom management, and cognitive/behavioral impairment (an evidence-based review)

    PubMed Central

    Miller, R G.; Jackson, C E.; Kasarskis, E J.; England, J D.; Forshew, D; Johnston, W; Kalra, S; Katz, J S.; Mitsumoto, H; Rosenfeld, J; Shoesmith, C; Strong, M J.; Woolley, S C.

    2009-01-01

    Objective: To systematically review evidence bearing on the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: The authors analyzed studies from 1998 to 2007 to update the 1999 practice parameter. Topics covered in this section include breaking the news, multidisciplinary clinics, symptom management, cognitive and behavioral impairment, communication, and palliative care for patients with ALS. Results: The authors identified 2 Class I studies, 8 Class II studies, and 30 Class III studies in ALS, but many important areas have been little studied. More high-quality, controlled studies of symptomatic therapies and palliative care are needed to guide management and assess outcomes in patients with ALS. Recommendations: Multidisciplinary clinic referral should be considered for managing patients with ALS to optimize health care delivery and prolong survival (Level B) and may be considered to enhance quality of life (Level C). For the treatment of refractory sialorrhea, botulinum toxin B should be considered (Level B) and low-dose radiation therapy to the salivary glands may be considered (Level C). For treatment of pseudobulbar affect, dextromethorphan and quinidine should be considered if approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (Level B). For patients who develop fatigue while taking riluzole, withholding the drug may be considered (Level C). Because many patients with ALS demonstrate cognitive impairment, which in some cases meets criteria for dementia, screening for cognitive and behavioral impairment should be considered in patients with ALS (Level B). Other management strategies all lack strong evidence. GLOSSARY ALS = amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; ALS-FTD = amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a dementia meeting the Neary criteria for frontotemporal dementia; ALSbi = amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with behavioral impairment; ALSci = amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with cognitive impairment; BTxA = botulinum toxin type A; BTxB = botulinum toxin type B; DM = dextromethorphan; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; FTD = frontotemporal dementia; NIV = noninvasive ventilation; PEG = percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; Q = quinidine. PMID:19822873

  8. An open-label multicenter study to assess the safety of dextromethorphan/quinidine in patients with pseudobulbar affect associated with a range of underlying neurological conditions.

    PubMed

    Pattee, Gary L; Wymer, James P; Lomen-Hoerth, Catherine; Appel, Stanley H; Formella, Andrea E; Pope, Laura E

    2014-11-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is associated with neurological disorders or injury affecting the brain, and characterized by frequent, uncontrollable episodes of crying and/or laughing that are exaggerated or unrelated to the patient's emotional state. Clinical trials establishing dextromethorphan and quinidine (DM/Q) as PBA treatment were conducted in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS). This trial evaluated DM/Q safety in patients with PBA secondary to any neurological condition affecting the brain. To evaluate the safety and tolerability of DM/Q during long-term administration to patients with PBA associated with multiple neurological conditions. Fifty-two-week open-label study of DM/Q 30/30 mg twice daily. Safety measures included adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests, electrocardiograms (ECGs), vital signs, and physical examinations. #NCT00056524. A total of 553 PBA patients with >30 different neurological conditions enrolled; 296 (53.5%) completed. The most frequently reported treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were nausea (11.8%), dizziness (10.5%), headache (9.9%), somnolence (7.2%), fatigue (7.1%), diarrhea (6.5%), and dry mouth (5.1%). TRAEs were mostly mild/moderate, generally transient, and consistent with previous controlled trials. Serious AEs (SAEs) were reported in 126 patients (22.8%), including 47 deaths, mostly due to ALS progression and respiratory failure. No SAEs were deemed related to DM/Q treatment by investigators. ECG results suggested no clinically meaningful effect of DM/Q on myocardial repolarization. Differences in AEs across neurological disease groups appeared consistent with the known morbidity of the primary neurological conditions. Study interpretation is limited by the small size of some disease groups, the lack of a specific efficacy measure and the use of a DM/Q dose higher than the eventually approved dose. DM/Q was generally well tolerated over this 52 week trial in patients with PBA associated with a wide range of neurological conditions.

  9. Fitting the Elementary Rate Constants of the P-gp Transporter Network in the hMDR1-MDCK Confluent Cell Monolayer Using a Particle Swarm Algorithm

    PubMed Central

    Agnani, Deep; Acharya, Poulomi; Martinez, Esteban; Tran, Thuy Thanh; Abraham, Feby; Tobin, Frank; Ellens, Harma; Bentz, Joe

    2011-01-01

    P-glycoprotein, a human multidrug resistance transporter, has been extensively studied due to its importance to human health and disease. In order to understand transport kinetics via P-gp, confluent cell monolayers overexpressing P-gp are widely used. The purpose of this study is to obtain the mass action elementary rate constants for P-gp's transport and to functionally characterize members of P-gp's network, i.e., other transporters that transport P-gp substrates in hMDR1-MDCKII confluent cell monolayers and are essential to the net substrate flux. Transport of a range of concentrations of amprenavir, loperamide, quinidine and digoxin across the confluent monolayer of cells was measured in both directions, apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical. We developed a global optimization algorithm using the Particle Swarm method that can simultaneously fit all datasets to yield accurate and exhaustive fits of these elementary rate constants. The statistical sensitivity of the fitted values was determined by using 24 identical replicate fits, yielding simple averages and standard deviations for all of the kinetic parameters, including the efflux active P-gp surface density. Digoxin required additional basolateral and apical transporters, while loperamide required just a basolateral tranporter. The data were better fit by assuming bidirectional transporters, rather than active importers, suggesting that they are not MRP or active OATP transporters. The P-gp efflux rate constants for quinidine and digoxin were about 3-fold smaller than reported ATP hydrolysis rate constants from P-gp proteoliposomes. This suggests a roughly 3∶1 stoichiometry between ATP hydrolysis and P-gp transport for these two drugs. The fitted values of the elementary rate constants for these P-gp substrates support the hypotheses that the selective pressures on P-gp are to maintain a broad substrate range and to keep xenobiotics out of the cytosol, but not out of the apical membrane. PMID:22028772

  10. Cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme neuroprotects against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium toxicity in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells

    PubMed Central

    Mann, Amandeep; Tyndale, Rachel F.

    2016-01-01

    Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 is an enzyme that is expressed in liver and brain. It can inactivate neurotoxins such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and β-carbolines. Genetically slow CYP2D6 metabolizers are at higher risk for developing Parkinson’s disease, a risk that increases with exposure to pesticides. The goal of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective role of CYP2D6 in an in-vitro neurotoxicity model. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells express CYP2D6 as determined by western blotting, immunocytochemistry and enzymatic activity. CYP2D6 metabolized 3-[2-(N,N-diethyl-N-methylammonium)ethyl]-7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin and the CYP2D6-specific inhibitor quinidine (1 μM) blocked 96 ± 1% of this metabolism, indicating that CYP2D6 is functional in this cell line. Treatment of cells with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propanolol, metoprolol or timolol) at varying concentrations significantly increased the neurotoxicity caused by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) at 10 and 25 μM by between 9 ± 1 and 22 ± 5% (P < 0.01). We found that CYP3A is also expressed in SH-SY5Y cells and inhibiting CYP3A with ketoconazole significantly increased the cell death caused by 10 and 25 μM of MPP+ by between 8 ± 1 and 30 ± 3% (P < 0.001). Inhibiting both CYP2D6 and CYP3A showed an additive effect on MPP+ neurotoxicity. These data further support a possible role for CYP2D6 in neuroprotection from Parkinson’s disease-causing neurotoxins, especially in the human brain where expression of CYP2D6 is high in some regions (e.g. substantia nigra). PMID:20345925

  11. Arrhythmogenic drugs can amplify spatial heterogeneities in the electrical restitution in perfused guinea-pig heart: An evidence from assessments of monophasic action potential durations and JT intervals

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    Non-uniform shortening of the action potential duration (APD90) in different myocardial regions upon heart rate acceleration can set abnormal repolarization gradients and promote arrhythmia. This study examined whether spatial heterogeneities in APD90 restitution can be amplified by drugs with clinically proved proarrhythmic potential (dofetilide, quinidine, procainamide, and flecainide) and, if so, whether these effects can translate to the appropriate changes of the ECG metrics of ventricular repolarization, such as JT intervals. In isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart preparations, monophasic action potentials and volume-conducted ECG were recorded at progressively increased pacing rates. The APD90 measured at distinct ventricular sites, as well as the JTpeak and JTend values were plotted as a function of preceding diastolic interval, and the maximum slopes of the restitution curves were determined at baseline and upon drug administration. Dofetilide, quinidine, and procainamide reverse rate-dependently prolonged APD90 and steepened the restitution curve, with effects being greater at the endocardium than epicardium, and in the right ventricular (RV) vs. the left ventricular (LV) chamber. The restitution slope was increased to a greater extent for the JTend vs. the JTpeak interval. In contrast, flecainide reduced the APD90 restitution slope at LV epicardium without producing effect at LV endocardium and RV epicardium, and reduced the JTpeak restitution slope without changing the JTend restitution. Nevertheless, with all agents, these effects translated to the amplified epicardial-to-endocardial and the LV-to-RV non-uniformities in APD90 restitution, paralleled by the increased JTend vs. JTpeak difference in the restitution slope. In summary, these findings suggest that arrhythmic drug profiles are partly attributable to the accentuated regional heterogeneities in APD90 restitution, which can be indirectly determined through ECG assessments of the JTend vs. JTpeak dynamics at variable pacing rates. PMID:29352276

  12. Arrhythmogenic drugs can amplify spatial heterogeneities in the electrical restitution in perfused guinea-pig heart: An evidence from assessments of monophasic action potential durations and JT intervals.

    PubMed

    Osadchii, Oleg E

    2018-01-01

    Non-uniform shortening of the action potential duration (APD90) in different myocardial regions upon heart rate acceleration can set abnormal repolarization gradients and promote arrhythmia. This study examined whether spatial heterogeneities in APD90 restitution can be amplified by drugs with clinically proved proarrhythmic potential (dofetilide, quinidine, procainamide, and flecainide) and, if so, whether these effects can translate to the appropriate changes of the ECG metrics of ventricular repolarization, such as JT intervals. In isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart preparations, monophasic action potentials and volume-conducted ECG were recorded at progressively increased pacing rates. The APD90 measured at distinct ventricular sites, as well as the JTpeak and JTend values were plotted as a function of preceding diastolic interval, and the maximum slopes of the restitution curves were determined at baseline and upon drug administration. Dofetilide, quinidine, and procainamide reverse rate-dependently prolonged APD90 and steepened the restitution curve, with effects being greater at the endocardium than epicardium, and in the right ventricular (RV) vs. the left ventricular (LV) chamber. The restitution slope was increased to a greater extent for the JTend vs. the JTpeak interval. In contrast, flecainide reduced the APD90 restitution slope at LV epicardium without producing effect at LV endocardium and RV epicardium, and reduced the JTpeak restitution slope without changing the JTend restitution. Nevertheless, with all agents, these effects translated to the amplified epicardial-to-endocardial and the LV-to-RV non-uniformities in APD90 restitution, paralleled by the increased JTend vs. JTpeak difference in the restitution slope. In summary, these findings suggest that arrhythmic drug profiles are partly attributable to the accentuated regional heterogeneities in APD90 restitution, which can be indirectly determined through ECG assessments of the JTend vs. JTpeak dynamics at variable pacing rates.

  13. [Comparative observation on inhibition of hemozoin formation and their in vitro and in vivo anti-schistosome activity displayed by 7 antimalarial drugs].

    PubMed

    Xue, Jian; Jiang, Bin; Liu, Cong-Shan; Sun, Jun; Xiao, Shu-Hua

    2013-06-01

    To observe and compare the inhibition of hemozoin formation and the in vitro as well as in vivo antischistosomal activity induced by seven antimalarial drugs. Inhibition of hemozoin formation displayed by chloroquine phosphate, quinine hydrochloride, quinidine, mefloquine hydrochloride, pyronaridine phosphate and lumefantrine at 25 micromol/L, and artemether at 100 micromol/L was performed by assay of inhibition of beta-hematin formation in 1 mol/L sodium acetate buffers containing hematin with various pH of 4.0, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, and 5.0. In in vitro antischistosomal study, the medium of RPMI 1640 supplemented by 10% calf serum was used to maintain the adult Schistosoma japonicum, and the 50% and 95% lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC95) to kill the adult worms of each drug were then determined. Meanwhile, the interaction of quinine, pyronaridine and chloroquine combined with hemin against adult schistosomes was also undertaken. As to in vivo test, the efficacy of seven antimalarial drugs administered orally or intraperitoneally to mice infected with adult schistosomes was observed. In the acidic acetate-hematin solution, 25 micromol/L pyronaridine showed significant inhibition of beta-hematin formation at pH 4.4-5.0 with inhibition rates of 81.3%-97.0%. At pH 4.6, the inhibition rates of beta-hematin formation in acetate-hematin solution induced by mefloquine, chloroquine or quinine at concentration of 25 beta mol/L were 79.7%, 72.8% or 65.8%, respectively, and the beta-hematin formation was continually inhibited by these 3 antimalarial drugs at pH 4.8 and 5.0 with inhibition rates of 83.1%-90.6%, 41.9%-49.0% or 53.2-62.0%. The inhibition rates of beta-hematin formation at pH 4.6 and 4.8-5.0 induced by lumefantrine 25 micromol/L were 74.3% and 40.4%-40.5%, respectively. While under the same concentration of quinidine, 53.4% and 50.9% inhibition rates of beta-hematin formation were observed at pH 4.8 and 5.0. As to artemether, higher concentration of 100 micromol/L only showed light inhibition of beta-hematin formation at pH 4.4-4.8 with inhibition rates of 16.6%-25.0%. As regard to in vitro test, the LC50 and LC95 of mefloquine, pyronaridine, quinine and quinidine were 4.93 and 6.123 microg/ml, 37.278 and 75.703 microg/ml, 93.688 and 134.578 microg/ml, as well as 101.534 and 129.957 microg/ml, respectively. When adult schistosomes were exposed to the medium containing chloroquine, lumefantrine or artemether at higher concentrations of 100 or 120 microg/ml for 72 h, no or only individual worms died. Hence the LC50 and LC95 of these 3 drugs could not be determined. In other in vitro test, adult schistosomes exposed to quinine 50 micromol/L (20 microg/ml) in combination with 153.4 micromol/L (100 microg/ml) hemin, all worms died within 72 h post incubation. While the worms exposed to 50 micromol/L (26 microg/ml) chloroquine combined with the same concentration of hemin, only 18.8%(3/16) of worm died at 72 h post exposure. Unexpectedly, in schistosomes exposed to pyronaridine at a toxic concentrations of 50 micromol/L (46 microg/ml) in combination with 153.4 mol/L (100 microg/ml) hemin for 72 h, all of the worms were protected from the toxic action induced by pyronaridine, which revealed in normal motor activity and appearance of morphology in majority of the worms. In in vivo test, mice infected with adult schistosomes were treated orally with chloroquine, pyronaridine or lumefantrine at a daily dose of 400 mg/kg for 3 days, or intraperitoneally with chloroquine or pyronaridine at a daily dose of 100 mg/kg for 2 or 3 days, no apparent efficacy was seen. When mefloquine, quinine, quinidine or artemether were administered orally to infected mice at a single dose of 400 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg (mefloquine), all groups of mice treated showed moderate or higher efficacy with worm burden reductions of 61.1%-98.1%. Among the seven antimalarial drugs tested, their inhibitions of hemozoin (beta-hematin) exhibit no definite correlation to their in vitro and in vivo antischistosomal activity. Quinine in combination with hemin shows synergistic effect against schistosomes in vitro. While antagonist effect is observed in pyronaridine combined with hemin.

  14. Quinine-induced thrombocytopenia following intravenous use of heroin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Christie, D.J.; Walker, R.H.; Kolins, M.D.

    1983-06-01

    Profound thrombocytopenia developed in a 22-year-old man after intravenous use of heroin. A high-titer, quinine-dependent, platelet-specific antibody was detected in his serum using lysis of normal platelets labeled with chromium 51 and an electroimmunoassay for measurement of platelet-associated IgG. The antibody was specific for quinine and failed to react with platelets in the presence of quinidine hydrochloride or two structural analogues of heroin. Quinine, a common adulterant found in heroin, was detected in the patient's blood and urine. On the basis of these observations, the patient was judged to have quinine-induced immunologic thrombocytopenia. To our knowledge, this report is themore » first to confirm that quinine used as an adulterant can induce immunologic thrombocytopenia following an injection of heroin.« less

  15. Anti-Yo Mediated Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Associated with Pseudobulbar Affect in a Patient with Breast Cancer.

    PubMed

    Martin, Allison N; Dillon, Patrick M; Jones, David E; Brenin, David R; Lapides, David A

    2017-01-01

    Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare anti-Yo mediated paraneoplastic syndromes rarely that is infrequently associated with breast cancer. We present a case of a 52-year-old female presenting with diplopia, gait instability, dysarthria, dysphagia, nystagmus, and, most notably, new onset paroxysmal episodes of uncontrollable crying concerning for pseudobulbar affect (PBA). Serologic testing showed anti-Yo antibodies. The patient was found to have stage IIIA breast cancer as the inciting cause of the paraneoplastic syndrome. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, modified radical mastectomy, adjuvant Herceptin, and pertuzumab. She was given IVIG for paraneoplastic syndrome, antidepressants, and dextromethorphan-quinidine (Nuedexta), the first FDA-approved therapy for PBA. With multimodality therapy, she demonstrated significant improvement in neurologic and mood symptoms associated with PCD and PBA.

  16. Antiarrhythmics for maintaining sinus rhythm after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

    PubMed

    Lafuente-Lafuente, Carmelo; Valembois, Lucie; Bergmann, Jean-François; Belmin, Joël

    2015-03-28

    Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation frequently recurs after restoration of normal sinus rhythm. Antiarrhythmic drugs have been widely used to prevent recurrence, but the effect of these drugs on mortality and other clinical outcomes is unclear. This is an update of a review previously published in 2008 and 2012. To determine in patients who have recovered sinus rhythm after having atrial fibrillation, the effects of long-term treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs on death, stroke, embolism, drug adverse effects and recurrence of atrial fibrillation. We updated the searches of CENTRAL in The Cochrane Library (2013, Issue 12 of 12), MEDLINE (to January 2014) and EMBASE (to January 2014). The reference lists of retrieved articles, recent reviews and meta-analyses were checked. Two independent authors selected randomised controlled trials comparing any antiarrhythmic drug with a control (no treatment, placebo, drugs for rate control) or with another antiarrhythmic drug in adults who had atrial fibrillation and in whom sinus rhythm was restored. Post-operative atrial fibrillation was excluded. Two authors independently assessed quality and extracted data. Studies were pooled, if appropriate, using Peto odds ratio (OR). All results were calculated at one year of follow-up. In this update three new studies, with 534 patients, were included making a total of 59 included studies comprising 21,305 patients. All included studies were randomised controlled trials. Allocation concealment was adequate in 17 trials, it was unclear in the remaining 42 trials. Risk of bias was assessed in all domains only in the trials included in this update.Compared with controls, class IA drugs quinidine and disopyramide (OR 2.39, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.03 to 5.59, number needed to treat to harm (NNTH) 109, 95% CI 34 to 4985) and sotalol (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.50, NNTH 169, 95% CI 60 to 2068) were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Other antiarrhythmics did not seem to modify mortality, but our data could be underpowered to detect mild increases in mortality for several of the drugs studied.Several class IA (disopyramide, quinidine), IC (flecainide, propafenone) and III (amiodarone, dofetilide, dronedarone, sotalol) drugs significantly reduced recurrence of atrial fibrillation (OR 0.19 to 0.70, number needed to treat to beneft (NNTB) 3 to 16). Beta-blockers (metoprolol) also significantly reduced atrial fibrillation recurrences (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.88, NNTB 9).All analysed drugs increased withdrawals due to adverse affects and all but amiodarone, dronedarone and propafenone increased pro-arrhythmia. Only 11 trials reported data on stroke. None of them found any significant difference with the exception of a single trial than found less strokes in the group treated with dronedarone compared to placebo. This finding was not confirmed in others studies on dronedarone.We could not analyse heart failure and use of anticoagulation because few original studies reported on these measures. Several class IA, IC and III drugs, as well as class II drugs (beta-blockers), are moderately effective in maintaining sinus rhythm after conversion of atrial fibrillation. However, they increase adverse events, including pro-arrhythmia, and some of them (disopyramide, quinidine and sotalol) may increase mortality. Possible benefits on clinically relevant outcomes (stroke, embolism, heart failure) remain to be established.

  17. Segmental dependent transport of low permeability compounds along the small intestine due to P-glycoprotein: the role of efflux transport in the oral absorption of BCS class III drugs.

    PubMed

    Dahan, Arik; Amidon, Gordon L

    2009-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of P-gp efflux in the in vivo intestinal absorption process of BCS class III P-gp substrates, i.e. high-solubility low-permeability drugs. The in vivo permeability of two H (2)-antagonists, cimetidine and famotidine, was determined by the single-pass intestinal perfusion model in different regions of the rat small intestine, in the presence or absence of the P-gp inhibitor verapamil. The apical to basolateral (AP-BL) and the BL-AP transport of the compounds in the presence or absence of various efflux transporters inhibitors (verapamil, erythromycin, quinidine, MK-571 and fumitremorgin C) was investigated across Caco-2 cell monolayers. P-gp expression levels in the different intestinal segments were confirmed by immunoblotting. Cimetidine and famotidine exhibited segmental dependent permeability through the gut wall, with decreased P(eff) in the distal ileum in comparison to the proximal regions of the intestine. Coperfusion of verapamil with the drugs significantly increased the permeability in the ileum, while no significant change in the jejunal permeability was observed. Both drugs exhibited significantly greater BL-AP than AP-BL Caco-2 permeability, indicative of net mucosal secretion. Concentration dependent decrease of this secretion was obtained by the P-gp inhibitors verapamil, erythromycin and quinidine, while no effect was evident by the MRP2 inhibitor MK-571 and the BCRP inhibitor FTC, indicating that P-gp is the transporter mediates the intestinal efflux of cimetidine and famotidine. P-gp levels throughout the intestine were inversely related to the in vivo permeability of the drugs from the different segments. The data demonstrate that for these high-solubility low-permeability P-gp substrates, P-gp limits in vivo intestinal absorption in the distal segments of the small intestine; however P-gp plays a minimal role in the proximal intestinal segments due to significant lower P-gp expression levels in this region.

  18. An open-label multicenter study to assess the safety of dextromethorphan/quinidine in patients with pseudobulbar affect associated with a range of underlying neurological conditions

    PubMed Central

    Pattee, Gary L.; Wymer, James P.; Lomen-Hoerth, Catherine; Appel, Stanley H.; Formella, Andrea E.; Pope, Laura E.

    2014-01-01

    Abstract Background: Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is associated with neurological disorders or injury affecting the brain, and characterized by frequent, uncontrollable episodes of crying and/or laughing that are exaggerated or unrelated to the patient’s emotional state. Clinical trials establishing dextromethorphan and quinidine (DM/Q) as PBA treatment were conducted in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS). This trial evaluated DM/Q safety in patients with PBA secondary to any neurological condition affecting the brain. Objective: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of DM/Q during long-term administration to patients with PBA associated with multiple neurological conditions. Methods: Fifty-two-week open-label study of DM/Q 30/30 mg twice daily. Safety measures included adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests, electrocardiograms (ECGs), vital signs, and physical examinations. Clinical trial registration: #NCT00056524. Results: A total of 553 PBA patients with >30 different neurological conditions enrolled; 296 (53.5%) completed. The most frequently reported treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were nausea (11.8%), dizziness (10.5%), headache (9.9%), somnolence (7.2%), fatigue (7.1%), diarrhea (6.5%), and dry mouth (5.1%). TRAEs were mostly mild/moderate, generally transient, and consistent with previous controlled trials. Serious AEs (SAEs) were reported in 126 patients (22.8%), including 47 deaths, mostly due to ALS progression and respiratory failure. No SAEs were deemed related to DM/Q treatment by investigators. ECG results suggested no clinically meaningful effect of DM/Q on myocardial repolarization. Differences in AEs across neurological disease groups appeared consistent with the known morbidity of the primary neurological conditions. Study interpretation is limited by the small size of some disease groups, the lack of a specific efficacy measure and the use of a DM/Q dose higher than the eventually approved dose. Conclusions: DM/Q was generally well tolerated over this 52 week trial in patients with PBA associated with a wide range of neurological conditions. PMID:25062507

  19. Quantitation of pilsicainide in microscale samples of human biological fluids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Shimizu, Mikiko; Hashiguchi, Masayuki; Shiga, Tsuyoshi; Nakamura, Koichi; Tamura, Hiro-omi; Mochizuki, Mayumi

    2015-03-15

    This paper describes a sensitive, reliable method to determine pilsicainide (PLC) levels in microscale sample volumes of human biological fluids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). PLC and quinidine as an internal standard were extracted with diethylether from 0.1mL of alkalinized biological fluids. The extract was injected into an analytical column (l-column 2 ODS, 75mm×2.1mm i.d.). The mobile phase for separation consisted of 5mM ammonium acetate (pH 4.5)/methanol (4:1, v/v) and was delivered at a flow rate of 0.2mL/min. The drift voltage was 100V. The sampling aperture was heated at 120°C and the shield temperature was 260°C. The ion transitions used to monitor analytes were m/z 273→m/z 110 for PLC and m/z 325→m/z 79 for quinidine. The total time for chromatographic separation was less than 8min. The validated concentration ranges of this method for PLC were 5-2000ng/mL in plasma, 5-500ng/mL in ultrafiltered plasma solution, and 25-2000ng/mL in urine. Mean recoveries of PLC in plasma, ultrafiltered plasma solution, and urine were 93.2-99.7%, 91.4-100.6%, and 93.9-104.7%, respectively. Intra- and interday coefficients of variation for PLC were less than 6.0% and 4.3% in plasma, 6.1% and 3.7% in ultrafiltered plasma solution, and 5.4% and 2.5% in urine at the above concentration ranges, respectively. The lower limit of quantification for PLC in plasma, ultrafiltered plasma solution, and urine were 5ng/mL, 5ng/mL, and 25ng/mL, respectively. This method can be applied to pharmacokinetic study and therapeutic drug monitoring in special populations such as neonates, infants, and the elderly by making effective use of residual samples used for general clinical laboratory testing. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Cardiotoxicity evaluation using human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Qi; Wang, Xijie; Wang, Shuyan; Song, Zheng; Wang, Jiaxian; Ma, Jing

    2017-03-09

    Cardiotoxicity remains an important concern in drug discovery. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) have become an attractive platform to evaluate cardiotoxicity. However, the consistency between human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in prediction of cardiotoxicity has yet to be elucidated. Here we screened the toxicities of four representative drugs (E-4031, isoprenaline, quinidine, and haloperidol) using both hESC-CMs and hiPSC-CMs, combined with an impedance-based bioanalytical method. It showed that both hESC-CMs and hiPSC-CMs can recapitulate cardiotoxicity and identify the effects of well-characterized compounds. The combined platform of hPSC-CMs and an impedance-based bioanalytical method could improve preclinical cardiotoxicity screening, holding great potential for increasing drug development accuracy.

  1. Anti-Yo Mediated Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Associated with Pseudobulbar Affect in a Patient with Breast Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Martin, Allison N.; Jones, David E.; Brenin, David R.; Lapides, David A.

    2017-01-01

    Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare anti-Yo mediated paraneoplastic syndromes rarely that is infrequently associated with breast cancer. We present a case of a 52-year-old female presenting with diplopia, gait instability, dysarthria, dysphagia, nystagmus, and, most notably, new onset paroxysmal episodes of uncontrollable crying concerning for pseudobulbar affect (PBA). Serologic testing showed anti-Yo antibodies. The patient was found to have stage IIIA breast cancer as the inciting cause of the paraneoplastic syndrome. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, modified radical mastectomy, adjuvant Herceptin, and pertuzumab. She was given IVIG for paraneoplastic syndrome, antidepressants, and dextromethorphan-quinidine (Nuedexta), the first FDA-approved therapy for PBA. With multimodality therapy, she demonstrated significant improvement in neurologic and mood symptoms associated with PCD and PBA. PMID:28377827

  2. Pseudobulbar affect: the spectrum of clinical presentations, etiologies and treatments.

    PubMed

    Miller, Ariel; Pratt, Hillel; Schiffer, Randolph B

    2011-07-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) consists of uncontrollable outbursts of laughter or crying inappropriate to the patient's external circumstances and incongruent with the patient's internal emotional state. Recent data suggest disruption of cortico-pontine-cerebellar circuits, reducing the threshold for motor expression of emotion. Disruption of the microcircuitry of the cerebellum itself may likewise impair its ability to act as a gate-control for emotional expression. Current evidence also suggests that serotonergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission play key roles. Although antidepressants have shown benefit, the supportive clinical data have often derived from small numbers of patients and unvalidated measures of PBA severity. Dextromethorphan/quinidine, the first FDA-approved PBA medication, is a novel therapy with antiglutamatergic actions. As life expectancy lengthens and the neurologic settings of PBA become more common, the need for treatment can be expected to increase.

  3. Review of pseudobulbar affect including a novel and potential therapy.

    PubMed

    Schiffer, Randolph; Pope, Laura E

    2005-01-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is an affective disinhibition syndrome associated with various neuropathologies, which is characterized by involuntary and inappropriate outbursts of laughter and/or crying. The PBA syndrome can be socially and occupationally disabling, and it is largely unrecognized in clinical settings. Validated instruments to distinguish PBA from other disorders of affective regulation exist and could be used to improve recognition of the disorder. There is no pharmacological therapy with a Food and Drug Administration indication for PBA, although antidepressants and dopaminergic agents have been reported to show varying levels of treatment success. Recent evidence suggests that treatment with a fixed combination of dextromethorphan and the cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme inhibitor, quinidine, can improve PBA. This review describes the clinical and neuropathological features of PBA, and presents an overview of current and future treatment approaches.

  4. Antinociceptive effect of purine nucleotides.

    PubMed

    Mello, C F; Begnini, J; De-La-Vega, D D; Lopes, F P; Schwartz, C C; Jimenez-Bernal, R E; Bellot, R G; Frussa-Filho, R

    1996-10-01

    The antinociceptive effect of purine nucleotides administered systematically (sc) was determined using the formalin and writhing tests in adult male albino mice. The mechanisms underlying nucleotide-induced antinociception were investigated by preinjecting the animals (sc) with specific antagonists for opioid (naloxone, 1 mg/kg), purinergic P1 (caffeine, 5, 10, of 30 mg/kg); theophylline, 10 mg/kg) or purinergic P2 receptors (suramin, 100 mg/kg; Coomassie blue, 30-300 mg/kg; quinidine, 10 mg/kg). Adenosine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), diphosphate (ADP) and triphosphate (ATP) caused a reduction in the number of writhes and in the time of licking the formalin-injected paw. Naloxone had no effect on adenosine- or adenine nucleotide-induced antinociception. Caffeine (30 mg/kg) and theophylline (10 mg/kg) reversed the antinociceptive action of adenosine and adenine nucleotide derivatives in both tests. P2 antagonists did not reverse adenine nucleotide-induced antinociception. These results suggest that antinociceptive effect of adenine nucleotides is mediated by adenosine.

  5. A real reason for patients with pseudobulbar affect to smile.

    PubMed

    Rosen, Howard J; Cummings, Jeffrey

    2007-02-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a dramatic disorder of emotional expression and regulation characterized by uncontrollable episodes of laughing and crying that often cause embarrassment, curtailment of social activities, and reduction in quality of life. The disorder occurs in patients with brain injury caused by many types of neurological disease, including stroke, tumors, and neurodegenerative gray and white matter disorders. Although the pathophysiology is unknown, PBA may relate to release of brainstem emotional control centers from regulation by the frontal lobes. Diagnosis of PBA can be difficult and relies on careful characterization of episodes and differentiation from depression. Although there are no US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for PBA, several agents have been shown to be effective, including tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and a new agent containing dextromethorphan and quinidine. The growing number of treatment options, some of great benefit to patients, highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis of this disorder.

  6. Common Genetic Variant Risk Score Is Associated With Drug-Induced QT Prolongation and Torsade de Pointes Risk: A Pilot Study.

    PubMed

    Strauss, David G; Vicente, Jose; Johannesen, Lars; Blinova, Ksenia; Mason, Jay W; Weeke, Peter; Behr, Elijah R; Roden, Dan M; Woosley, Ray; Kosova, Gulum; Rosenberg, Michael A; Newton-Cheh, Christopher

    2017-04-04

    Drug-induced QT interval prolongation, a risk factor for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, is a potential side effect of many marketed and withdrawn medications. The contribution of common genetic variants previously associated with baseline QT interval to drug-induced QT prolongation and arrhythmias is not known. We tested the hypothesis that a weighted combination of common genetic variants contributing to QT interval at baseline, identified through genome-wide association studies, can predict individual response to multiple QT-prolonging drugs. Genetic analysis of 22 subjects was performed in a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of 3 QT-prolonging drugs with 15 time-matched QT and plasma drug concentration measurements. Subjects received single doses of dofetilide, quinidine, ranolazine, and placebo. The outcome was the correlation between a genetic QT score comprising 61 common genetic variants and the slope of an individual subject's drug-induced increase in heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) versus drug concentration. The genetic QT score was correlated with drug-induced QTc prolongation. Among white subjects, genetic QT score explained 30% of the variability in response to dofetilide ( r =0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.81; P =0.02), 23% in response to quinidine ( r =0.48; 95% confidence interval, -0.03 to 0.79; P =0.06), and 27% in response to ranolazine ( r =0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.80; P =0.03). Furthermore, the genetic QT score was a significant predictor of drug-induced torsade de pointes in an independent sample of 216 cases compared with 771 controls ( r 2 =12%, P =1×10 -7 ). We demonstrate that a genetic QT score comprising 61 common genetic variants explains a significant proportion of the variability in drug-induced QT prolongation and is a significant predictor of drug-induced torsade de pointes. These findings highlight an opportunity for recent genetic discoveries to improve individualized risk-benefit assessment for pharmacological therapies. Replication of these findings in larger samples is needed to more precisely estimate variance explained and to establish the individual variants that drive these effects. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01873950. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  7. The Consequence of Drug-Drug Interactions Influencing the Interplay between P-Glycoprotein and Cytochrome P450 3a: An Ex Vivo Study with Rat Precision-Cut Intestinal Slices.

    PubMed

    Li, Ming; de Graaf, Inge A M; Siissalo, Sanna; de Jager, Marina H; van Dam, Annie; Groothuis, Geny M M

    2016-05-01

    P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) are differentially expressed along the intestine and work coordinately to reduce the intracellular concentration of xenobiotics and the absorption of orally taken drugs. Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) based on P-gp/CYP3A interplay are of clinical importance and require preclinical investigation. We investigated the P-gp/Cyp3a interplay and related DDIs with different P-gp inhibitors in the various regions of the rat intestine ex vivo using precision-cut intestinal slices (PCIS) with quinidine (Qi), a dual substrate of P-gp and Cyp3a, as the probe. The results showed that P-gp efflux was the main factor limiting the intracellular Qi content at concentrations below 5µM, whereas both efflux and metabolism were saturated at [Qi] > 50µM. The selective P-gp inhibitors CP100356 [N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-4-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2[1H]-yl)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-2-amine] and PSC833 [valspodar, 6-[(2S,4R,6E)-4-methyl-2-(methylamino)-3-oxo-6-octenoic acid]-7-l-valine-cyclosporin A] enhanced the Qi accumulation in slices in line with the different P-gp expression in the intestinal regions and, as a result, also enhanced metabolism in the jejunum and ileum. Dual inhibitors of both P-gp and Cyp3a (verapamil and ketoconazole) increased the concentration of Qi in the jejunum and ileum, but less 3-hydroxy-quinidine was produced due to inhibition of Cyp3a. The results indicate that the P-gp/Cyp3a interplay depends on the concentration of the drug and on the intestinal region under study. Furthermore, due to the P-gp/Cyp3a interplay, DDIs can lead to remarkable changes in the intracellular concentration of both the parent drug and the metabolite, which varies among the intestinal regions and depends on the selectivity of the inhibitors, with potentially important implications for disposition and toxicity of drugs and their metabolites. Copyright © 2016 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

  8. Relative to Quinine and Quinidine, Their 9-Epimers Exhibit Decreased Cytostatic Activity and Altered Heme Binding but Similar Cytocidal Activity versus Plasmodium falciparum

    PubMed Central

    Gorka, Alexander P.; Sherlach, Katy S.; de Dios, Angel C.

    2013-01-01

    The 9-epimers of quinine (QN) and quinidine (QD) are known to exhibit poor cytostatic potency against P. falciparum (Karle JM, Karle IL, Gerena L, Milhous WK, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 36:1538–1544, 1992). We synthesized 9-epi-QN (eQN) and 9-epi-QD (eQD) via Mitsunobu esterification-saponification and evaluated both cytostatic and cytocidal antimalarial activities. Relative to the cytostatic activity of QN and QD, we observed a large decrease in cytostatic activity (higher 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50s]) against QN-sensitive strain HB3, QN-resistant strain Dd2, and QN-hypersensitive strain K76I, consistent with previous work. However, we observed relatively small changes in cytocidal activity (the 50% lethal dose), similar to observations with chloroquine (CQ) analogues with a wide range of IC50s (see the accompanying paper [A. P. Gorka, J. N. Alumasa, K. S. Sherlach, L. M. Jacobs, K. B. Nickley, J. P. Brower, A. C. de Dios, and P. D. Roepe, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 57:356–364, 2013]). Compared to QN and QD, the 9-epimers had significantly reduced hemozoin inhibition efficiency and did not affect pH-dependent aggregation of ferriprotoporphyrin IX (FPIX) heme. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that the 9-epimers perturb FPIX monomer-dimer equilibrium in favor of monomer, and UV-visible (VIS) titrations showed that eQN and eQD bind monomer with similar affinity relative to QN and QD. However, unique ring proton shifts in the presence of zinc(II) protoporphyrin IX (ZnPIX) indicate that binding of the 9-epimers to monomeric heme is via a distinct geometry. We isolated eQN- and eQD-FPIX complexes formed under aqueous conditions and analyzed them by mass, fluorescence, and UV-VIS spectroscopies. The 9-epimers produced low-fluorescent adducts with a 2:1 stoichiometry (drug to FPIX) which did not survive electrospray ionization, in contrast to QN and QD complexes. The data offer important insight into the relevance of heme interactions as a drug target for cytostatic versus cytocidal dosages of quinoline antimalarial drugs and further elucidate a surprising structural diversity of quinoline antimalarial drug-heme complexes. PMID:23114754

  9. Sotalol: An important new antiarrhythmic.

    PubMed

    Anderson, J L; Prystowsky, E N

    1999-03-01

    Sotalol, the most recently approved oral antiarrhythmic drug, has a unique pharmacologic profile. Its electrophysiology is explained by nonselective beta-blocking action as well as class III antiarrhythmic activity (including fast-activating cardiac membrane-delayed rectifier current blockade), which leads to increases in action potential duration and refractory period throughout the heart and in QT interval on the surface electrocardiogram. Its better hemodynamic tolerance than other beta-blockers may be a result of enhanced inotropy associated with class III activity. Sotalol's ability to suppress ventricular ectopy is similar to that of class I agents and better than that of standard beta-blockers. Unlike class I agents, its use in a postinfarction trial was not associated with increased mortality rate. Therapeutically, it has shown superior efficacy for prevention of recurrent ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, which was the basis for its approval. In a randomized study, the Electrophysiologic Study Versus Electrocardiographic Monitoring (ESVEM) trial, sotalol was associated with an increased in-hospital efficacy prediction rate (by Holter monitor or electrophysiologic study), reduced long-term arrhythmic recurrence rate with superior tolerance, and lower mortality rate than class I ("standard") antiarrhythmic drugs. Sotalol was 1 of 2 drugs selected for comparison with implantable defibrillators in the recent National Institutes of Health Antiarrhythmics versus Implantable Defibrillator (AVID) study. Sotalol appears to be a preferred drug for use with implantable defibrillators; unlike some other agents (eg, amiodarone) it does not elevate and, indeed, may lower defibrillation threshold. Although unapproved for this use, sotalol is active against atrial arrhythmias. It has shown efficacy equivalent to propafenone and quinidine in preventing atrial fibrillation recurrence, but it is better tolerated than quinidine and provides excellent rate control during recurrence. Sotalol's major side effects are related to beta-blockade and the risk of torsades de pointes (acceptably small if appropriate precautions are taken). Unlike several other antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone), it has no pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions, is not metabolized, and is entirely renally excreted. Initial dose is 80 mg twice daily, with gradual titration to 240 to 360 mg/day as needed. The daily dose must be reduced in renal failure. On the basis of favorable clinical trials and practice experience, sotalol has shown a steadily growing impact on the treatment of arrhythmias during its 5 years of market availability, a trend that is likely to continue.

  10. Surgical treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: epicardial approach without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

    PubMed

    Graffigna, A; Pagani, F; Vigano, M

    1993-03-01

    Epicardial dissection without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was performed in 88 patients (56 males and 32 females, mean age 31.9 years). With intraoperative epicardial mapping, 101 accessory pathways were detected, with multiple pathways in 11 patients. CPB was avoided in all but one patient due to frequent onset of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate. Surgical ablation was successful in 86 patients (97.6%). Three patients required multiple surgical procedures because of persistence of conduction along a component of the original pathway. All but two patients were discharged without antiarrhythmic medication; these two patients were given quinidine therapy because of atrial fibrillation, but had normal early and late electrophysiological studies. Surgical ablation of Kent bundles by the epicardial approach for the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can be achieved without the use of CPB. Optimal and steady exposure of the area are mandatory for the procedure, and dissection is eased by avoidance of heparin required for CPB.

  11. IMMUNOREACTIONS INVOLVING PLATELETS

    PubMed Central

    Shulman, N. Raphael

    1958-01-01

    A steric and kinetic model for the sequence and mechanism of reactions leading to formation of a complex from an antibody, a haptene (quinidine), and a cell membrane (platelets), and to fixation of complement by the complex was deduced from the effects of varying the initial concentration of each component of the complex on the amount of complement fixed, from kinetic aspects of the sequential reactions, and from other chemical and physical properties of the various components involved. Theoretical results calculated using equations based on the model, which were derived by Dr. Terrell L. Hill, were similar in all respects to experimental results. Results of this study were consistent with the possibilities that the protein moiety of a haptenic antigen involved in development of an antibody which attaches to a cell is not necessarily a component of the cell, and that the cell reacts with the antibody by virtue of having a surface favorable for non-specific adsorption of certain haptene-antibody complexes. PMID:13525578

  12. Application of solid-phase microextraction in the investigation of protein binding of pharmaceuticals.

    PubMed

    Theodoridis, Georgios

    2006-01-18

    Protein-drug interactions of seven common pharmaceuticals were studied using solid-phase microextraction (SPME). SPME can be used in such investigations on the condition that no analyte depletion occurs. In multi-compartment systems (e.g. a proteinaceous matrix) only the free portion of the analyte is able to partition into the SPME fiber. In addition if no sample depletion occurs, the bound drug-free drug equilibria are not disturbed. In the present study seven pharmaceuticals (quinine, quinidine, naproxen, ciprofloxacin, haloperidol, paclitaxel and nortriptyline) were assayed by SPME. For quantitative purposes SPME was validated first in the absence of proteins. Calibration curves were constructed for each drug by HPLC-fluorescence and HPLC-UV analysis. SPME was combined to HPLC off-line, desorption occurring in HPLC inserts filled with 200 microL methanol. Binding of each drug to human serum albumin was studied independently. Experimental results were in agreement with literature data and ultrafiltration experiments, indicating the feasibility of the method for such bioanalytical purposes.

  13. Patterns of Weakness, Classification of Motor Neuron Disease & Clinical Diagnosis of Sporadic ALS

    PubMed Central

    Statland, Jeffrey M.; Barohn, Richard J.; McVey, April L.; Katz, Jonathan; Dimachkie, Mazen M.

    2015-01-01

    Synopsis When approaching the patient with suspected motor neuron disease (MND) the pattern of weakness on exam helps distinguish MND from other diseases of peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction, or muscle. MND is a clinical diagnosis supported by findings on electrodiagnostic testing, in the absence of other abnormalities on neuroimaging or serological testing. MNDs exist on a spectrum: from a pure lower motor neuron; to mixed upper and lower motor neuron; to a pure upper motor neuron variant in addition to regional variants restricted to the arms, legs or bulbar region. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive mixed upper and lower motor neuron disorder, most commonly sporadic (~85%), which is invariably fatal. The only FDA approved treatments for ALS are riluzole, which prolongs life by about 3 months, and dextromethorphan/quinidine which provides symptomatic relief for pseudobulbar affect (inappropriate bouts of laughter or crying). Here we describe a pattern approach to identifying motor neuron disease, and clinical features of sporadic ALS. PMID:26515618

  14. Reactions of hexadehydro-Diels-Alder benzynes with structurally complex multifunctional natural products

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ross, Sean P.; Hoye, Thomas R.

    2017-06-01

    An important question in organic chemistry concerns the extent to which benzynes—one of the classical reactive intermediates in organic chemistry—can react in discriminating fashion with trapping reagents. In particular, whether these species can react selectively with substrates containing multiple functional groups and possible sites of reactivity has remained unanswered. Natural products comprise a palette of multifunctional compounds with which to address this question. Here, we show that benzynes produced by the hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA) reaction react with many secondary metabolites with a preference for one among several pathways. Examples demonstrating such selectivity include reactions with: phenolics, through dearomatizing ortho-substitution; alkaloids, through Hofmann-type elimination; tropolone and furan, through cycloaddition; and alkaloids, through three-component fragmentation-coupling reactions. We also demonstrate that the cinchona alkaloids quinidine and quinine give rise to products (some in as few as three steps) that enable subsequent and rapid access to structurally diverse polyheterocyclic compounds. The results show that benzynes are quite discriminating in their reactivity—a trait perhaps not broadly enough appreciated.

  15. The effect of ferricyanide with iodoacetate in calcium-free solution on passive cation permeability in human red blood cells: comparison with the Gardos-effect and with the influence of PCMBS on passive cation permeability.

    PubMed

    Fuhrmann, G F; Fehlau, R; Schneider, H; Knauf, P A

    1989-08-07

    Freshly prepared human red blood cells incubated with 5 mM ferricyanide, 0.2 mM iodoacetate and 2 mM adenosine in the presence of 5 mM EGTA demonstrate comparable increases in Na+ and K+ permeability (ferricyanide effect). This effect is unrelated to the Ca2+-activated K+ channel (Gardos effect) since influx of Ca2+ from outside the cell is excluded. Also this effect is different from the non-specific Na+ and K+ permeability change elicited by PCMBS. These differences become obvious by using various reagents. For example, A23187 and quinidine exert opposite effects in Gardos and ferricyanide experiments, where A23187 and atebrin react oppositely in the latter and in PCMBS experiments. The ferricyanide effect described here does not involve formation of nonspecific channels. The change in Na+ permeability separately from K+ permeability under certain circumstances suggests a more specific effect.

  16. Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of atropisomeric biaryls by a cation-directed O-alkylation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jolliffe, John D.; Armstrong, Roly J.; Smith, Martin D.

    2017-06-01

    Axially chiral biaryls, as exemplified by 1,1‧-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL), are key components of catalysts, natural products and medicines. These materials are synthesized conventionally in enantioenriched form through metal-mediated cross coupling, de novo construction of an aromatic ring, point-to-axial chirality transfer or an atropselective transformation of an existing biaryl. Here, we report a highly enantioselective organocatalytic method for the synthesis of atropisomeric biaryls by a cation-directed O-alkylation. Treatment of racemic 1-aryl-2-tetralones with a chiral quinidine-derived ammonium salt under basic conditions in the presence of an alkylating agent leads to atropselective O-alkylation with e.r. up to 98:2. Oxidation with DDQ gives access to C2-symmetric and non-symmetric BINOL derivatives without compromising e.r. We propose that the chiral ammonium counterion differentiates between rapidly equilibrating atropisomeric enolates, leading to highly atropselective O-alkylation. This dynamic kinetic resolution process offers a general approach to the synthesis of enantioenriched atropisomeric materials.

  17. Case Report: A Case of Severe Cerebral Malaria Managed with Therapeutic Hypothermia and Other Modalities for Brain Edema.

    PubMed

    Gad, AbdAllah; Ali, Sajjad; Zahoor, Talal; Azarov, Nick

    2018-04-01

    Malarial infections are uncommon in the United States and almost all reported cases stem from recent travelers coming from endemic countries. Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe form of the disease usually affecting children and individuals with limited immunity. Despite proper management, mortality from CM can reach up to 25%, especially when it is associated with brain edema. Inefficient management of the edema may result in brain herniation and death. Uniform guidelines for management of CM-associated brain edema are lacking. In this report, we present a case of CM with associated severe brain edema that was successfully managed using a unique combination of therapeutic hypothermia, hypertonic saline, mannitol, and hyperventilation along with the antimalarial drugs quinidine and doxycycline. Our use of hypothermia was based on its proven benefit for improving neurological outcomes in post-cardiac arrest patients and previous in vitro research, suggesting its potential inhibitory role on malaria growth.

  18. Safety, Tolerability, and Effectiveness of Dextromethorphan/Quinidine for Pseudobulbar Affect Among Study Participants With Traumatic Brain Injury: Results From the PRISM-II Open Label Study.

    PubMed

    Hammond, Flora M; Sauve, William; Ledon, Fred; Davis, Charles; Formella, Andrea E

    2018-02-23

    Dextromethorphan 20 mg / quinidine 10 mg (DM/Q) was approved to treat pseudobulbar affect (PBA) based on phase 3 trials conducted in participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis. PRISM II evaluated DM/Q effectiveness, safety, and tolerability for PBA following stroke, dementia, or traumatic brain injury (TBI). To report results from the TBI cohort of PRISM II, including a TBI-specific functional scale. Open-label trial evaluating twice-daily DM/Q over 90 days. Adults (n = 120) with a clinical diagnosis of PBA secondary to nonpenetrating TBI; stable psychiatric medications were allowed. PRISM II was an open-label, 12-week trial enrolling adults with PBA secondary to dementia, stroke, or TBI. All study participants received DM/Q 20/10 mg twice daily. Study visits occurred at baseline and at day 30 and day 90. 150 U.S. centers. Primary endpoint was change in Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) score from baseline to day 90. Secondary outcomes included PBA episode count, Clinical and Patient Global Impression of Change (CGI-C; PGI-C), Quality of Life-Visual Analog Scale (QOL-VAS), treatment satisfaction, Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory (NFI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). DM/Q-treated participants showed significant mean (SD) reductions in CNS-LS from baseline (day 30, -5.6 [5.2]; day 90, -8.5 [5.2]; both, P<.001). Compared with baseline, PBA episodes were reduced by 61.3% and 78.5% at days 30 and 90 (both, P<.001). At day 90, 78% and 73% of study participants had "much improved" or "very much improved" on the CGI-C and PGI-C. QOL-VAS scores were significantly reduced from baseline (-3.7 [3.3], P<.001). Mean (SD) PHQ-9 scores improved compared to baseline at day 30 (-3.2 [5.3], P<.001) and 90 (-5.2 [6.4], P<.001). NFI T scores were significantly improved (P<.001), whereas MMSE scores were unchanged. Adverse events (AEs) were consistent with the known DM/Q safety profile; the most common AE was diarrhea (8.3%). DM/Q was well tolerated, and it significantly reduced PBA episodes in study participants with TBI. Changes in CNS-LS and PBA episode count were similar to changes with DM/Q in phase 3 trials. Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Genomics-Guided Precise Anti-Epileptic Drug Development.

    PubMed

    Delanty, Norman; Cavallleri, Gianpiero

    2017-07-01

    Traditional antiepileptic drug development approaches have yielded many important clinically valuable anti-epileptic drugs. However, the screening of promising compounds has been naturally agnostic to epilepsy etiology in individual human patients. Now, genomic medicine is changing the way we view human disease. International collaborations are unraveling the many molecular genetic causes of the epilepsies, including the early onset epileptic encephalopathies, and some of the familial focal epilepsies. Further advances in precision diagnostics will be facilitated by ongoing large collaborations and the wider availability of whole exome and whole genome sequencing in clinical practice. Securing a precise molecular diagnosis in some individual patients will pave the way for the advent of precision therapeutics of new and re-purposed compounds in the treatment of the epilepsies. This new approach is already beginning, e.g., with the use of everolimus in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (and perhaps other mTORopathies), the use of quinidine in some children with KCNT1 mutations, and the use of the ketogenic diet in individuals with GLUT-1 deficiency. This article explores the promise of genomics guided drug development as an approach to complement the more traditional model.

  20. Do evacuated blood collection tubes interfere with therapeutic drug monitoring?

    PubMed

    Janknegt, R; Lohman, J J; Hooymans, P M; Merkus, F W

    1983-12-16

    The influence of various brands of evacuated blood collection systems (the old type, red stoppered Vacutainer; the new type, blue stoppered Vacutainer; Monoject and Venoject) on therapeutic drug monitoring was investigated. No interferences were found in the assay of ethosuximide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid, digitoxin, digoxin, procainamide, gentamicin and theophylline. Using Monoject and old type Vacutainer tubes, lower levels were found in the disopyramide assay: 91.3 +/- 4.6% (p less than 0.05) and 91.7 +/- 7.0% (not significant) respectively, and in the quinidine assay: 82.8 +/- 6.7% (p less than 0.02) and 83.9 +/- 4.4% (p less than 0.001) respectively as compared with glass tubes. In the carbamazepine assay a decrease was found in the Monoject tubes only: 93.7 +/- 1.7% (p less than 0.01). The stoppers of Monoject tubes and the old type Vacutainer tubes contained the plasticizer tris-(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBEP), which has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of the binding of several drugs to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. Using the new type Vacutainer and the Venoject, no interferences were found.

  1. Identification of pseudobulbar affect symptoms in the nursing home setting: Development and assessment of a screening tool.

    PubMed

    Allen, Carrie; Zarowitz, Barbara; O'Shea, Terrence; Peterson, Edward; Yonan, Charles; Waterman, Fanta

    Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) is a neurologic condition characterized by involuntary outbursts of crying and/or laughing disproportionate to patient mood or social context. Although an estimated 9% of nursing home residents have symptoms suggestive of PBA, they are not routinely screened. Our goal was to develop an electronic screening tool based upon characteristics common to nursing home residents with PBA identified through medical record data. Nursing home residents with PBA treated with dextromethorphan hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate (n = 140) were compared to age-, gender-, and dementia-diagnosis-matched controls without PBA or treatment (n = 140). Comparative categories included diagnoses, medication use and symptom documentation. Using a multivariable regression and best decision rule analysis, we found PBA in nursing home residents was associated with chart documentation of uncontrollable crying, presence of a neurologic disorder (e.g., Parkinson's disease), or by the documented presence of at least 2 of the following: stroke, severe cognitive impairment, and schizophrenia. Based on these risk factors, an electronic screening tool was created. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Therapeutic use of dextromethorphan: key learnings from treatment of pseudobulbar affect.

    PubMed

    Miller, Ariel; Panitch, Hillel

    2007-08-15

    A variety of neurological conditions and disease states are accompanied by pseudobulbar affect (PBA), an emotional disorder characterized by uncontrollable outbursts of laughing and crying. The causes of PBA are unclear but may involve lesions in neural circuits regulating the motor output of emotional expression. Several agents used in treating other psychiatric disorders have been applied in the treatment of PBA with some success but data are limited and these agents are associated with unpleasant side effects due to nonspecific activity in diffuse neural networks. Dextromethorphan (DM), a widely used cough suppressant, acts at receptors in the brainstem and cerebellum, brain regions implicated in the regulation of emotional output. The combination of DM and quinidine (Q), an enzyme inhibitor that blocks DM metabolism, has recently been tested in phase III clinical trials in patients with multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and was both safe and effective in palliating PBA symptoms. In addition, clinical studies pertaining to the safety and efficacy of DM/Q in a variety of neurological disease states are ongoing.

  3. Pseudobulbar affect in multiple sclerosis: toward the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

    PubMed

    Miller, Ariel

    2006-06-15

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition involving involuntary and uncontrollable episodes of crying and/or laughing, occurs frequently in patients with a variety of neurological disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia including Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS). Although PBA results in considerable distress for patients and caretakers, it is underrecognized and undertreated. Agents used to treat psychiatric disorders--particularly tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors--are useful in alleviating PBA, but act on diffuse neural networks rather than targeting those involved in emotional motor expression. As a result of their nonspecific activity, these agents are associated with a range of unwanted effects that preclude many patients from using them. Dextromethorphan, a common cough suppressant, specifically targets sigma(1) receptors concentrated in the brainstem and cerebellum, thus providing the possibility of targeting regions implicated in emotional expression. When administered in a fixed combination with quinidine, dextromethorphan is effective in treating PBA in patients with ALS, and preliminary results suggest that this therapy also is effective in treating MS-related PBA.

  4. Macromolecular crowding-assisted fabrication of liquid-crystalline imprinted polymers.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Chen; Zhang, Jing; Huang, Yan-Ping; Liu, Zhao-Sheng

    2015-04-01

    A macromolecular crowding-assisted liquid-crystalline molecularly imprinted monolith (LC-MIM) was prepared successfully for the first time. The imprinted stationary phase was synthesized with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polystyrene (PS) as the crowding agent, 4-cyanophenyl dicyclohexyl propylene (CPCE) as the liquid-crystal monomer, and hydroquinidine as the pseudo-template for the chiral separation of cinchona alkaloids in HPLC. A low level of cross-linker (26%) has been found to be sufficient to achieve molecular recognition on the crowding-assisted LC-MIM due to the physical cross-linking of mesogenic groups in place of chemical cross-linking, and baseline separation of quinidine and quinine could be achieved with good resolution (R(s) = 2.96), selectivity factor (α = 2.16), and column efficiency (N = 2650 plates/m). In contrast, the LC-MIM prepared without crowding agents displayed the smallest diastereoselectivity (α = 1.90), while the crowding-assisted MIM with high level of cross-linker (80%) obtained the greatest selectivity factor (α = 7.65), but the lowest column efficiency (N = 177 plates/m).

  5. Determination of low intrinsic clearance in vitro: the benefit of a novel internal standard in human hepatocyte incubations.

    PubMed

    Zanelli, Ugo; Michna, Thomas; Petersson, Carl

    2018-03-26

    1. A novel method utilizing an internal standard in hepatocytes incubations has been developed and demonstrated to decrease the variability in the determination of intrinsic clearance (CL int ) in this system. The reduced variability was shown to allow differentiation of lower elimination rate constants from noise. 2. The suggested method was able to compensate for a small but systematic error (0.5 µL/min/10 6 cells) caused by an evaporation of approximately 15% of the volume during the incubation time. 3. The approach was validated using six commercial drugs (ketoprofen, tolbutamide, phenacetin, etodolac and quinidine) which were metabolized by different pathways. 4. The suggested internal standard, MSC1815677, was extensively characterized and the acquired data suggest that it fulfills the requirements of an internal standard present during the incubation. The proposed internal standard was stable during the incubation and showed a low potential to inhibit drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. With MSC1815677 we propose a novel simple, robust and cost-effective method to address the challenges in the estimation of low clearance in hepatocyte incubations.

  6. PRISM II: an open-label study to assess effectiveness of dextromethorphan/quinidine for pseudobulbar affect in patients with dementia, stroke or traumatic brain injury.

    PubMed

    Hammond, Flora M; Alexander, David N; Cutler, Andrew J; D'Amico, Stephen; Doody, Rachelle S; Sauve, William; Zorowitz, Richard D; Davis, Charles S; Shin, Paul; Ledon, Fred; Yonan, Charles; Formella, Andrea E; Siffert, Joao

    2016-06-09

    Phase 3 trials supporting dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q) use as a treatment for pseudobulbar affect (PBA) were conducted in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS). The PRISM II study provides additional DM/Q experience with PBA secondary to dementia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants in this open-label, multicenter, 90-day trial received DM/Q 20/10 mg twice daily. The primary outcome was the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS), assessing change in PBA episode frequency and severity. The CNS-LS final visit score was compared to baseline (primary analysis) and to the response in a previously conducted placebo-controlled trial with DM/Q in patients with ALS or MS. Secondary outcomes included change in PBA episode count and Clinical Global Impression of Change with respect to PBA as rated by a clinician (CGI-C) and by the patient or caregiver (PGI-C). The study enrolled 367 participants with PBA secondary to dementia, stroke, or TBI. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) CNS-LS score improved significantly from 20.4 (4.4) at baseline to 12.8 (5.0) at Day 90/Final Visit (change, -7.7 [6.1]; P < .001, 95 % CI: -8.4, -7.0). This magnitude of improvement was consistent with DM/Q improvement in the earlier phase-3, placebo-controlled trial (mean [95 % CI] change from baseline, -8.2 [-9.4, -7.0]) and numerically exceeds the improvement seen with placebo in that study (-5.7 [-6.8, -4.7]). Reduction in PBA episode count was 72.3 % at Day 90/Final Visit compared with baseline (P < .001). Scores on CGI-C and PGI-C showed that 76.6 and 72.4 % of participants, respectively, were "much" or "very much" improved with respect to PBA. The most frequently occurring adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (5.4 %), headache (4.1 %), urinary tract infection (2.7 %), and dizziness (2.5 %); 9.8 % had AEs that led to discontinuation. Serious AEs were reported in 6.3 %; however, none were considered treatment related. DM/Q was shown to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for PBA secondary to dementia, stroke, or TBI. The magnitude of PBA improvement was similar to that reported in patients with PBA secondary to ALS or MS, and the adverse event profile was consistent with the known safety profile of DM/Q. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01799941, registered on 25 February 2013.

  7. Incessant atrial tachycardias in a dog with tricuspid dysplasia. Clinical management and electrophysiology.

    PubMed

    de Madron, E; Kadish, A; Spear, J F; Knight, D H

    1987-01-01

    In a dog, tricuspid regurgitation due to congenital tricuspid dysplasia resulted in extreme right heart enlargement and right heart failure. Incessant supraventricular tachycardias were present, requiring the intravenous administration of verapamil to reduce the ventricular rate. Oral therapy using a combination of verapamil and quinidine was partially effective in controlling the ventricular rate during the following week. At that time, electrophysiologic studies were performed. They revealed that a succession of several atrial tachycardias with different cycle lengths, including one episode of atrial flutter, was present. Atrial activity was spanning the majority of the cycle length in all these arrhythmias. Epicardial mapping was performed during the atrial flutter. This enabled the detection of a depolarization wave-front traveling counterclockwise from the dorsolateral right atrium toward the right appendage, following the tricuspid valve annulus. No areas of abnormal conduction were detected. Because programmed electric stimulation maneuvers could not be performed, definitive conclusions about the mechanism of the arrhythmia could not be drawn. The two most likely possibilities were circus movement using part of the dilated tricuspid valve annulus as an anatomic barrier or a leading circle type of re-entry.

  8. Contribution of a Sodium Ion Gradient to Energy Conservation during Fermentation in the Cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima CS-328 ▿ †

    PubMed Central

    Carrieri, Damian; Ananyev, Gennady; Lenz, Oliver; Bryant, Donald A.; Dismukes, G. Charles

    2011-01-01

    Sodium gradients in cyanobacteria play an important role in energy storage under photoautotrophic conditions but have not been well studied during autofermentative metabolism under the dark, anoxic conditions widely used to produce precursors to fuels. Here we demonstrate significant stress-induced acceleration of autofermentation of photosynthetically generated carbohydrates (glycogen and sugars) to form excreted organic acids, alcohols, and hydrogen gas by the halophilic, alkalophilic cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima CS-328. When suspended in potassium versus sodium phosphate buffers at the start of autofermentation to remove the sodium ion gradient, photoautotrophically grown cells catabolized more intracellular carbohydrates while producing 67% higher yields of hydrogen, acetate, and ethanol (and significant amounts of lactate) as fermentative products. A comparable acceleration of fermentative carbohydrate catabolism occurred upon dissipating the sodium gradient via addition of the sodium-channel blocker quinidine or the sodium-ionophore monensin but not upon dissipating the proton gradient with the proton-ionophore dinitrophenol (DNP). The data demonstrate that intracellular energy is stored via a sodium gradient during autofermentative metabolism and that, when this gradient is blocked, the blockage is compensated by increased energy conversion via carbohydrate catabolism. PMID:21890670

  9. Advancements in the treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's disease.

    PubMed

    Antonsdottir, Inga M; Smith, Jessica; Keltz, Melanie; Porsteinsson, Anton P

    2015-01-01

    Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with significant negative outcomes for patients and their caregivers. Agitation, one of the most distressing NPS, lacks well-established long-term interventions that are both effective and safe. While non-pharmacological interventions are the suggested first-line treatment, it isn't effective in managing symptoms for every patient. In such cases, clinicians turn to the use of pharmacological interventions. Traditionally, these interventions consist of off-label use of antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine and antidepressants, where the efficacy doesn't necessarily outweigh the associated risks. Gains made in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying agitation have fueled several recent clinical trials. A comprehensive literature search for published articles evaluating pharmacologic interventions for agitation in AD was done. A review of some of these clinical trials was completed: dextromethorphan/quinidine, scyllo-inositol, brexpiprazole, prazosin, cannabinoids, dronabinol and citalopram show promise in treating agitation. Neurobiological findings and enhanced trial designs have re-ignited the area of pharmacological treatment of NPS. Although further research is needed to fully determine the safety, tolerability and efficacy of these treatments, the mission to finding effective treatments for NPS such as agitation in patients with dementia is well underway.

  10. [Effects of liensinine on haemodynamics in rats and the physiologic properties of isolated rabbit atria].

    PubMed

    Wang, J L; Nong, Y; Jing, M X

    1992-01-01

    Liensinine(Lien), an alkaloid extracted from the green seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, has been shown to have anti-arrhythmic action, its mechanism may be related to blockade of Ca2+, Na+ influx. Lien 3 mg/kg i.v. may temporarily inhibit all parameters of haemodynamics in anesthetized or pithed rats. The inhibitory effects on LVP, +dp/dtmax and SAP in anesthetized rats are slightly stronger than those of quinidine (Qui) 3 mg/kg. Lien 1-30 mg/kg dose-dependently produced these actions. Lien and Qui 12 mg/kg lowered LVP, +dp/dtmax and SAP by 33%, 37%, 29% and 9%, 12%, 9% respectively. While both of them inhibited the other parameters of haemodynamics with nearly equal degrees. The degrees of inhibitory effect of Lien 12 mg/kg on all haemodynamic parameters nearly corresponded to these of verapamil 1 mg/kg. Lien 1-100 mumol/L reduced the contractile force of isolated left atria and the spontaneously beating rate of isolated right atria of rabbits in concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the properties of the effect of Lien on haemodynamics may be similar to those of verapamil and different from those of Qui.

  11. Mechanism of sodium channel block by local anesthetics, antiarrhythmics, and anticonvulsants

    PubMed Central

    Tikhonov, Denis B.

    2017-01-01

    Local anesthetics, antiarrhythmics, and anticonvulsants include both charged and electroneutral compounds that block voltage-gated sodium channels. Prior studies have revealed a common drug-binding region within the pore, but details about the binding sites and mechanism of block remain unclear. Here, we use the x-ray structure of a prokaryotic sodium channel, NavMs, to model a eukaryotic channel and dock representative ligands. These include lidocaine, QX-314, cocaine, quinidine, lamotrigine, carbamazepine (CMZ), phenytoin, lacosamide, sipatrigine, and bisphenol A. Preliminary calculations demonstrated that a sodium ion near the selectivity filter attracts electroneutral CMZ but repels cationic lidocaine. Therefore, we further docked electroneutral and cationic drugs with and without a sodium ion, respectively. In our models, all the drugs interact with a phenylalanine in helix IVS6. Electroneutral drugs trap a sodium ion in the proximity of the selectivity filter, and this same site attracts the charged group of cationic ligands. At this position, even small drugs can block the permeation pathway by an electrostatic or steric mechanism. Our study proposes a common pharmacophore for these diverse drugs. It includes a cationic moiety and an aromatic moiety, which are usually linked by four bonds. PMID:28258204

  12. Binding of anti-prion agents to glycosaminoglycans: Evidence from electronic absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zsila, Ferenc; Gedeon, Gabor

    2006-08-11

    The polyanionic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are intimately involved in the pathogenesis of protein conformational disorders such as amyloidosis and prion diseases. Several cationic agents are known to exhibit anti-prion activity but their mechanism of action is poorly understood. In this study, UV absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the interaction between heparin and chondroitin-6-sulfate and anti-prion drugs including acridine, quinoline, and phenothiazine derivatives. UV band hypochromism of ({+-})-quinacrine, ({+-})-primaquine, tacrine, quinidine, chlorpromazine, and induced CD spectra of ({+-})-quinacrine upon addition of GAGs provided evidence for the GAG binding of these compounds. The association constants ({approx}10{sup 6}-10{supmore » 7} M{sup -1}) estimated from the UV titration curves show high-affinity drug-heparin interactions. Ionic strength-dependence of the absorption spectra suggested that the interaction between GAGs and the cationic drugs is principally electrostatic in nature. Drug binding differences of heparin and chondroitin-6-sulfate were attributed to their different negative charge density. These results call the attention to the alteration of GAG-prion/GAG-amyloid interactions by which these compounds might exert their anti-prion/anti-amyloidogenic activities.« less

  13. Pseudobulbar affect: prevalence and management

    PubMed Central

    Ahmed, Aiesha; Simmons, Zachary

    2013-01-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) may occur in association with a variety of neurological diseases, and so may be encountered in the setting of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, extrapyramidal and cerebellar disorders, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and brain tumors. The psychological consequences and the impact on social interactions may be substantial. Although it is most commonly misidentified as a mood disorder, particularly depression or a bipolar disorder, there are characteristic features that can be recognized clinically or assessed by validated scales, resulting in accurate identification of PBA, and thus permitting proper management and treatment. Mechanistically, PBA is a disinhibition syndrome in which pathways involving serotonin and glutamate are disrupted. This knowledge has permitted effective treatment for many years with antidepressants, particularly tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A recent therapeutic breakthrough occurred with the approval by the Food and Drug Administration of a dextromethorphan/quinidine combination as being safe and effective for treatment of PBA. Side effect profiles and contraindications differ for the various treatment options, and the clinician must be familiar with these when choosing the best therapy for an individual, particularly elderly patients and those with multiple comorbidities and concomitant medications. PMID:24348042

  14. Pseudobulbar affect: prevalence and management.

    PubMed

    Ahmed, Aiesha; Simmons, Zachary

    2013-01-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) may occur in association with a variety of neurological diseases, and so may be encountered in the setting of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, extrapyramidal and cerebellar disorders, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and brain tumors. The psychological consequences and the impact on social interactions may be substantial. Although it is most commonly misidentified as a mood disorder, particularly depression or a bipolar disorder, there are characteristic features that can be recognized clinically or assessed by validated scales, resulting in accurate identification of PBA, and thus permitting proper management and treatment. Mechanistically, PBA is a disinhibition syndrome in which pathways involving serotonin and glutamate are disrupted. This knowledge has permitted effective treatment for many years with antidepressants, particularly tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A recent therapeutic breakthrough occurred with the approval by the Food and Drug Administration of a dextromethorphan/quinidine combination as being safe and effective for treatment of PBA. Side effect profiles and contraindications differ for the various treatment options, and the clinician must be familiar with these when choosing the best therapy for an individual, particularly elderly patients and those with multiple comorbidities and concomitant medications.

  15. Geneva cocktail for cytochrome p450 and P-glycoprotein activity assessment using dried blood spots.

    PubMed

    Bosilkovska, M; Samer, C F; Déglon, J; Rebsamen, M; Staub, C; Dayer, P; Walder, B; Desmeules, J A; Daali, Y

    2014-09-01

    The suitability of the capillary dried blood spot (DBS) sampling method was assessed for simultaneous phenotyping of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) using a cocktail approach. Ten volunteers received an oral cocktail capsule containing low doses of the probes bupropion (CYP2B6), flurbiprofen (CYP2C9), omeprazole (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), midazolam (CYP3A), and fexofenadine (P-gp) with coffee/Coke (CYP1A2) on four occasions. They received the cocktail alone (session 1), and with the CYP inhibitors fluvoxamine and voriconazole (session 2) and quinidine (session 3). In session 4, subjects received the cocktail after a 7-day pretreatment with the inducer rifampicin. The concentrations of probes/metabolites were determined in DBS and plasma using a single liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the drugs were comparable in DBS and plasma. Important modulation of CYP and P-gp activities was observed in the presence of inhibitors and the inducer. Minimally invasive one- and three-point (at 2, 3, and 6 h) DBS-sampling methods were found to reliably reflect CYP and P-gp activities at each session.

  16. Geneva Cocktail for Cytochrome P450 and P-Glycoprotein Activity Assessment Using Dried Blood Spots

    PubMed Central

    Bosilkovska, M; Samer, C F; Déglon, J; Rebsamen, M; Staub, C; Dayer, P; Walder, B; Desmeules, J A; Daali, Y

    2014-01-01

    The suitability of the capillary dried blood spot (DBS) sampling method was assessed for simultaneous phenotyping of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) using a cocktail approach. Ten volunteers received an oral cocktail capsule containing low doses of the probes bupropion (CYP2B6), flurbiprofen (CYP2C9), omeprazole (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), midazolam (CYP3A), and fexofenadine (P-gp) with coffee/Coke (CYP1A2) on four occasions. They received the cocktail alone (session 1), and with the CYP inhibitors fluvoxamine and voriconazole (session 2) and quinidine (session 3). In session 4, subjects received the cocktail after a 7-day pretreatment with the inducer rifampicin. The concentrations of probes/metabolites were determined in DBS and plasma using a single liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the drugs were comparable in DBS and plasma. Important modulation of CYP and P-gp activities was observed in the presence of inhibitors and the inducer. Minimally invasive one- and three-point (at 2, 3, and 6 h) DBS-sampling methods were found to reliably reflect CYP and P-gp activities at each session. PMID:24722393

  17. Multiple Drugs Compete for Transport via the Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine Resistance Transporter at Distinct but Interdependent Sites*

    PubMed Central

    Bellanca, Sebastiano; Summers, Robert L.; Meyrath, Max; Dave, Anurag; Nash, Megan N.; Dittmer, Martin; Sanchez, Cecilia P.; Stein, Wilfred D.; Martin, Rowena E.; Lanzer, Michael

    2014-01-01

    Mutations in the “chloroquine resistance transporter” (PfCRT) are a major determinant of drug resistance in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We have previously shown that mutant PfCRT transports the antimalarial drug chloroquine away from its target, whereas the wild-type form of PfCRT does not. However, little is understood about the transport of other drugs via PfCRT or the mechanism by which PfCRT recognizes different substrates. Here we show that mutant PfCRT also transports quinine, quinidine, and verapamil, indicating that the protein behaves as a multidrug resistance carrier. Detailed kinetic analyses revealed that chloroquine and quinine compete for transport via PfCRT in a manner that is consistent with mixed-type inhibition. Moreover, our analyses suggest that PfCRT accepts chloroquine and quinine at distinct but antagonistically interacting sites. We also found verapamil to be a partial mixed-type inhibitor of chloroquine transport via PfCRT, further supporting the idea that PfCRT possesses multiple substrate-binding sites. Our findings provide new mechanistic insights into the workings of PfCRT, which could be exploited to design potent inhibitors of this key mediator of drug resistance. PMID:25378409

  18. Mechanism of sodium channel block by local anesthetics, antiarrhythmics, and anticonvulsants.

    PubMed

    Tikhonov, Denis B; Zhorov, Boris S

    2017-04-03

    Local anesthetics, antiarrhythmics, and anticonvulsants include both charged and electroneutral compounds that block voltage-gated sodium channels. Prior studies have revealed a common drug-binding region within the pore, but details about the binding sites and mechanism of block remain unclear. Here, we use the x-ray structure of a prokaryotic sodium channel, NavMs, to model a eukaryotic channel and dock representative ligands. These include lidocaine, QX-314, cocaine, quinidine, lamotrigine, carbamazepine (CMZ), phenytoin, lacosamide, sipatrigine, and bisphenol A. Preliminary calculations demonstrated that a sodium ion near the selectivity filter attracts electroneutral CMZ but repels cationic lidocaine. Therefore, we further docked electroneutral and cationic drugs with and without a sodium ion, respectively. In our models, all the drugs interact with a phenylalanine in helix IVS6. Electroneutral drugs trap a sodium ion in the proximity of the selectivity filter, and this same site attracts the charged group of cationic ligands. At this position, even small drugs can block the permeation pathway by an electrostatic or steric mechanism. Our study proposes a common pharmacophore for these diverse drugs. It includes a cationic moiety and an aromatic moiety, which are usually linked by four bonds. © 2017 Tikhonov and Zhorov.

  19. Quantitative determination of major alkaloids in Cinchona bark by Supercritical Fluid Chromatography.

    PubMed

    Murauer, Adele; Ganzera, Markus

    2018-06-15

    Chinoline alkaloids found in Cinchona bark still play an important role in medicine, for example as antimalarial and antiarrhythmic drugs. For the first time Supercritical Fluid Chromatography has been utilized for their separation. Six respective derivatives (dihydroquinidine, dihydroquinine, quinidine, quinine, cinchonine and cinchonidine) could be resolved in less than 7 min, and three of them quantified in crude plant extracts. The optimum stationary phase showed to be an Acquity UPC 2 Torus DEA 1.7 μm column, the mobile phase comprised of CO 2 , acetonitrile, methanol and diethylamine. Method validation confirmed that the procedure is selective, accurate (recovery rates from 97.2% to 103.7%), precise (intra-day ≤2.2%, inter-day ≤3.0%) and linear (R 2  ≥ 0.999); at 275 nm the observed detection limits were always below 2.5 μg/ml. In all of the samples analyzed cinchonine dominated (1.87%-2.30%), followed by quinine and cinchonidine. Their total content ranged from 4.75% to 5.20%. These values are in good agreement with published data, so that due to unmatched speed and environmental friendly character SFC is definitely an excellent alternative for the analysis of these important natural products. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Phytochemical screening, total phenolic, total flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity of cinchona ledgeriana leaves ethanol extract

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sundowo, Andini; Artanti, Nina; Hanafi, M.; Minarti, Primahana, Gian

    2017-11-01

    C ledgeriana is a medicinal plant that contains alkaloids, especially on the barks for commercial production of quinine as antimalarial. The main alkaloids in this plant are cinchonine, cinchonidine, quinine and quinidine. Besides for antiamalarial this plant is also commonly used to treat whooping cough, influenza and dysentery. Compare to other medicinal plants, nowadays only very few studies were conducted in Cinchona species. Our current study aims to determine the content of phytochemical, total phenol and total flavonoids from C. ledgeriana leaves 70% ethanol extract. The extraction was performed by maceration method using 70% ethanol solvent and then fractionated into hexane, ethylacetate and butanol. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine the content of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins and saponins. Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and alumunium chloride colorimetric methods using gallic acid and quercetin as standards. The antioxidant activity was determined by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The results of phytochemical screening showed that the 70% ethanol extract of C. ledgeriana leaves contained alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins and saponins. The total phenol and total flavonoids analysis showed that ethyl acetate fraction had the highest total phenol (40.23%) and total flavonoids (65.34%).

  1. Simulation and Prediction of the Drug-Drug Interaction Potential of Naloxegol by Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling.

    PubMed

    Zhou, D; Bui, K; Sostek, M; Al-Huniti, N

    2016-05-01

    Naloxegol, a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation, is a substrate for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4/3A5 and the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter. By integrating in silico, preclinical, and clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) findings, minimal and full physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were developed to predict the drug-drug interaction (DDI) potential for naloxegol. The models reasonably predicted the observed changes in naloxegol exposure with ketoconazole (increase of 13.1-fold predicted vs. 12.9-fold observed), diltiazem (increase of 2.8-fold predicted vs. 3.4-fold observed), rifampin (reduction of 76% predicted vs. 89% observed), and quinidine (increase of 1.2-fold predicted vs. 1.4-fold observed). The moderate CYP3A4 inducer efavirenz was predicted to reduce naloxegol exposure by ∼50%, whereas weak CYP3A inhibitors were predicted to minimally affect exposure. In summary, the PBPK models reasonably estimated interactions with various CYP3A modulators and can be used to guide dosing in clinical practice when naloxegol is coadministered with such agents. © 2016 The Authors CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

  2. Effect of P-glycoprotein on flavopiridol sensitivity

    PubMed Central

    Boerner, S A; Tourne, M E; Kaufmann, S H; Bible, K C

    2001-01-01

    Flavopiridol is the first potent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to enter clinical trials. Little is known about mechanisms of resistance to this agent. In order to determine whether P-glycoprotein (Pgp) might play a role in flavopiridol resistance, we examined flavopiridol sensitivity in a pair of Chinese hamster ovary cell lines differing with respect to level of Pgp expression. The IC 50 s of flavopiridol in parental AuxB1 (lower Pgp) and colchicine-selected CHRC5 (higher Pgp) cells were 90.2 ± 6.6 nM and 117 ± 2.3 nM, respectively (P< 0.01), suggesting that Pgp might have a modest effect on flavopiridol action. Consistent with this hypothesis, pretreatment with either quinidine or verapamil (inhibitors of Pgp-mediated transport) sensitized CHRC5 cells to the antiproliferative effects of flavopiridol. Because of concern that colony forming assays might not accurately reflect cytotoxicity, we also examined flavopiridol-treated cells by trypan blue staining and flow cytometry. These assays confirmed that flavopiridol was less toxic to cells expressing higher levels of Pgp. Further experiments revealed that flavopiridol inhibited the binding of [3H]-azidopine to Pgp in isolated membrane vesicles, but only at high concentrations. Collectively, these results identify flavopiridol as a weak substrate for Pgp. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign www.bjcancer.com PMID:11355953

  3. Synergistic effects on enantioselectivity of zwitterionic chiral stationary phases for separations of chiral acids, bases, and amino acids by HPLC.

    PubMed

    Hoffmann, Christian V; Pell, Reinhard; Lämmerhofer, Michael; Lindner, Wolfgang

    2008-11-15

    In an attempt to overcome the limited applicability scope of earlier proposed Cinchona alkaloid-based chiral weak anion exchangers (WAX) and recently reported aminosulfonic acid-based chiral strong cation exchangers (SCX), which are conceptionally restricted to oppositely charged solutes, their individual chiral selector (SO) subunits have been fused in a combinatorial synthesis approach into single, now zwitterionic, chiral SO motifs. The corresponding zwitterionic ion-exchange-type chiral stationary phases (CSPs) in fact combined the applicability spectra of the parent chiral ion exchangers allowing for enantioseparations of chiral acids and amine-type solutes in liquid chromatography using polar organic mode with largely rivaling separation factors as compared to the parent WAX and SCX CSPs. Furthermore, the application spectrum could be remarkably expanded to various zwitterionic analytes such as alpha- and beta-amino acids and peptides. A set of structurally related yet different CSPs consisting of either a quinine or quinidine alkaloid moiety as anion-exchange subunit and various chiral or achiral amino acids as cation-exchange subunits enabled us to derive structure-enantioselectivity relationships, which clearly provided strong unequivocal evidence for synergistic effects of the two oppositely charged ion-exchange subunits being involved in molecular recognition of zwitterionic analytes by zwitterionic SOs driven by double ionic coordination.

  4. Increments to chiral recognition facilitating enantiomer separations of chiral acids, bases, and ampholytes using Cinchona-based zwitterion exchanger chiral stationary phases.

    PubMed

    Wernisch, Stefanie; Pell, Reinhard; Lindner, Wolfgang

    2012-07-01

    The intramolecular distances of anion and cation exchanger sites of zwitterionic chiral stationary phases represent potential tuning sites for enantiomer selectivity. In this contribution, we investigate the influence of alkanesulfonic acid chain length and flexibility on enantiomer separations of chiral acids, bases, and amphoteric molecules for six Cinchona alkaloid-based chiral stationary phases in comparison with structurally related anion and cation exchangers. Employing polar-organic elution conditions, we observed an intramolecular counterion effect for acidic analytes which led to reduced retention times but did not impair enantiomer selectivities. Retention of amphoteric analytes is based on simultaneous double ion pairing of their charged functional groups with the acidic and basic sites of the zwitterionic selectors. A chiral center in the vicinity of the strong cation exchanger site is vital for chiral separations of bases. Sterically demanding side chains are beneficial for separations of free amino acids. Enantioseparations of free (un-derivatized) peptides were particularly successful in stationary phases with straight-chain alkanesulfonic acid sites, pointing to a beneficial influence of more flexible moieties. In addition, we observed pseudo-enantiomeric behavior of quinine and quinidine-derived chiral stationary phases facilitating reversal of elution orders for all analytes. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. Factors associated with positive direct antiglobulin tests in pretransfusion patients: a case-control study.

    PubMed

    Toy, P T; Chin, C A; Reid, M E; Burns, M A

    1985-01-01

    During routine pretransfusion testing, the presence of IgG on patient red cells is suggested by a positive autocontrol and confirmed by a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) using monospecific anti-IgG sera. Most IgG on patient red cells detected in this manner are of unknown etiology. We recently showed an association between elevated serum globulin levels and positive DAT with unreactive eluate in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In the present study, we wished to determine whether elevated serum globulin levels contribute to some of the positive DAT encountered in pretransfusion testing of patients without AIDS. 76 patients with positive DAT were compared with 90 controls without IgG detected on their red cells during pretransfusion testing. The rate of elevated serum globulin levels was 75% in positive DAT cases versus 29% in controls (p less than 0.001); the odds ratio was 7.6. Elevated blood urea nitrogen levels occurred in 42% of cases versus 19% of controls (p less than 0.025); the odds ratio was 3.1. Cases and controls were not significantly different with regard to age, sex, race, quinidine usage, or hyperalimentation. Elevated serum globulin and blood urea nitrogen levels are significantly associated with a positive DAT with unreactive eluate in pretransfusion patients.

  6. ECG telemetry in conscious guinea pigs.

    PubMed

    Ruppert, Sabine; Vormberge, Thomas; Igl, Bernd-Wolfgang; Hoffmann, Michael

    2016-01-01

    During preclinical drug development, monitoring of the electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important part of cardiac safety assessment. To detect potential pro-arrhythmic liabilities of a drug candidate and for internal decision-making during early stage drug development an in vivo model in small animals with translatability to human cardiac function is required. Over the last years, modifications/improvements regarding animal housing, ECG electrode placement, and data evaluation have been introduced into an established model for ECG recordings using telemetry in conscious, freely moving guinea pigs. Pharmacological validation using selected reference compounds affecting different mechanisms relevant for cardiac electrophysiology (quinidine, flecainide, atenolol, dl-sotalol, dofetilide, nifedipine, moxifloxacin) was conducted and findings were compared with results obtained in telemetered Beagle dogs. Under standardized conditions, reliable ECG data with low variability allowing largely automated evaluation were obtained from the telemetered guinea pig model. The model is sensitive to compounds blocking cardiac sodium channels, hERG K(+) channels and calcium channels, and appears to be even more sensitive to β-blockers as observed in dogs at rest. QT interval correction according to Bazett and Sarma appears to be appropriate methods in conscious guinea pigs. Overall, the telemetered guinea pig is a suitable model for the conduct of early stage preclinical ECG assessment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Species differences in metabolism of EPZ015666, an oxetane-containing protein arginine methyltransferase-5 (PRMT5) inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Rioux, Nathalie; Duncan, Kenneth W; Lantz, Ronald J; Miao, Xiusheng; Chan-Penebre, Elayne; Moyer, Mikel P; Munchhof, Michael J; Copeland, Robert A; Chesworth, Richard; Waters, Nigel J

    2016-01-01

    1. Metabolite profiling and identification studies were conducted to understand the cross-species differences in the metabolic clearance of EPZ015666, a first-in-class protein arginine methyltransferase-5 (PRMT5) inhibitor, with anti-proliferative effects in preclinical models of Mantle Cell Lymphoma. EPZ015666 exhibited low clearance in human, mouse and rat liver microsomes, in part by introduction of a 3-substituted oxetane ring on the molecule. In contrast, a higher clearance was observed in dog liver microsomes (DLM) that translated to a higher in vivo clearance in dog compared with rodent. 2. Structure elucidation via high resolution, accurate mass LC-MS(n) revealed that the prominent metabolites of EPZ015666 were present in hepatocytes from all species, with the highest turnover rate in dogs. M1 and M2 resulted from oxidative oxetane ring scission, whereas M3 resulted from loss of the oxetane ring via an N-dealkylation reaction. 3. The formation of M1 and M2 in DLM was significantly abrogated in the presence of the specific CYP2D inhibitor, quinidine, and to a lesser extent by the CYP3A inhibitor, ketoconazole, corroborating data from human recombinant isozymes. 4. Our data indicate a marked species difference in the metabolism of the PRMT5 inhibitor EPZ015666, with oxetane ring scission the predominant metabolic pathway in dog mediated largely by CYP2D.

  8. Ligand binding modes from low resolution GPCR models and mutagenesis: chicken bitter taste receptor as a test-case.

    PubMed

    Di Pizio, Antonella; Kruetzfeldt, Louisa-Marie; Cheled-Shoval, Shira; Meyerhof, Wolfgang; Behrens, Maik; Niv, Masha Y

    2017-08-15

    Bitter taste is one of the basic taste modalities, warning against consuming potential poisons. Bitter compounds activate members of the bitter taste receptor (Tas2r) subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The number of functional Tas2rs is species-dependent. Chickens represent an intriguing minimalistic model, because they detect the bitter taste of structurally different molecules with merely three bitter taste receptor subtypes. We investigated the binding modes of several known agonists of a representative chicken bitter taste receptor, ggTas2r1. Because of low sequence similarity between ggTas2r1 and crystallized GPCRs (~10% identity, ~30% similarity at most), the combination of computational approaches with site-directed mutagenesis was used to characterize the agonist-bound conformation of ggTas2r1 binding site between TMs 3, 5, 6 and 7. We found that the ligand interactions with N93 in TM3 and/or N247 in TM5, combined with hydrophobic contacts, are typically involved in agonist recognition. Next, the ggTas2r1 structural model was successfully used to identify three quinine analogues (epiquinidine, ethylhydrocupreine, quinidine) as new ggTas2r1 agonists. The integrated approach validated here may be applicable to additional cases where the sequence identity of the GPCR of interest and the existing experimental structures is low.

  9. In vitro metabolism and interaction of cilostazol with human hepatic cytochrome P450 isoforms.

    PubMed

    Abbas, R; Chow, C P; Browder, N J; Thacker, D; Bramer, S L; Fu, C J; Forbes, W; Odomi, M; Flockhart, D A

    2000-03-01

    1. Cilostazol (OPC-13013) undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism. The hydroxylation of the quinone moiety of cilostazol to OPC-13326 was the predominant route in all the liver preparations studies. The hydroxylation of the hexane moiety to OPC-13217 was the second most predominant route in vitro. 2. Ketoconazole (1 microM) was the most potent inhibitor of both quinone and hexane hydroxylation. Both the CYP2D6 inhibitor quinidine (0.1 microM) and the CYP2C19 inhibitor omeprazole (10 microM) failed to consistently inhibit metabolism of cilostazol via either of these two predominant routes. 3. Data obtained from a bank of pre-characterized human liver microsomes demonstrated a stronger correlation (r2=0.68, P < 0.01) between metabolism of cilostazol to OPC-13326 and metabolism of felodipine, a CYP3A probe, that with probes for any other isoform. Cimetidine demonstrated concentration-dependent competitive inhibition of the metabolism of cilostazol by both routes. 4. Kinetic data demonstrated a Km value of 101 microM for cilostazol, suggesting a relatively low affinity of cilostazol for CYP3A. While recombinant CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 were also able to catalyze formation of specific cilostazol metabolites, they did not appear to contribute significantly to cilostazol metabolism in whole human liver microsomes.

  10. An infrared optical pacing system for screening cardiac electrophysiology in human cardiomyocytes.

    PubMed

    McPheeters, Matthew T; Wang, Yves T; Werdich, Andreas A; Jenkins, Michael W; Laurita, Kenneth R

    2017-01-01

    Human cardiac myocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells (hCM) have invigorated interest in genetic disease mechanisms and cardiac safety testing; however, the technology to fully assess electrophysiological function in an assay that is amenable to high throughput screening has lagged. We describe a fully contactless system using optical pacing with an infrared (IR) laser and multi-site high fidelity fluorescence imaging to assess multiple electrophysiological parameters from hCM monolayers in a standard 96-well plate. Simultaneous multi-site action potentials (FluoVolt) or Ca2+ transients (Fluo4-AM) were measured, from which high resolution maps of conduction velocity and action potential duration (APD) were obtained in a single well. Energy thresholds for optical pacing were determined for cell plating density, laser spot size, pulse width, and wavelength and found to be within ranges reported previously for reliable pacing. Action potentials measured using FluoVolt and a microelectrode exhibited the same morphology and rate of depolarization. Importantly, we show that this can be achieved accurately with minimal damage to hCM due to optical pacing or fluorescence excitation. Finally, using this assay we demonstrate that hCM exhibit reproducible changes in repolarization and impulse conduction velocity for Flecainide and Quinidine, two well described reference compounds. In conclusion, we demonstrate a high fidelity electrophysiological screening assay that incorporates optical pacing with IR light to control beating rate of hCM monolayers.

  11. A primary fish gill cell culture model to assess pharmaceutical uptake and efflux: Evidence for passive and facilitated transport

    PubMed Central

    Stott, Lucy C.; Schnell, Sabine; Hogstrand, Christer; Owen, Stewart F.; Bury, Nic R.

    2015-01-01

    The gill is the principle site of xenobiotic transfer to and from the aqueous environment. To replace, refine or reduce (3Rs) the large numbers of fish used in in vivo uptake studies an effective in vitro screen is required that mimics the function of the teleost gill. This study uses a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) primary gill cell culture system grown on permeable inserts, which tolerates apical freshwater thus mimicking the intact organ, to assess the uptake and efflux of pharmaceuticals across the gill. Bidirectional transport studies in media of seven pharmaceuticals (propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol, formoterol, terbutaline, ranitidine and imipramine) showed they were transported transcellularly across the epithelium. However, studies conducted in water showed enhanced uptake of propranolol, ranitidine and imipramine. Concentration-equilibrated conditions without a concentration gradient suggested that a proportion of the uptake of propranolol and imipramine is via a carrier-mediated process. Further study using propranolol showed that its transport is pH-dependent and at very low environmentally relevant concentrations (ng L−1), transport deviated from linearity. At higher concentrations, passive uptake dominated. Known inhibitors of drug transport proteins; cimetidine, MK571, cyclosporine A and quinidine inhibited propranolol uptake, whilst amantadine and verapamil were without effect. Together this suggests the involvement of specific members of SLC and ABC drug transporter families in pharmaceutical transport. PMID:25544062

  12. Molecular identification and functional characterization of rabbit MATE1 and MATE2-K.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiaohong; Cherrington, Nathan J; Wright, Stephen H

    2007-07-01

    An electroneutral organic cation (OC)/proton exchanger in the apical membrane of proximal tubules mediates the final step of renal OC excretion. Two members of the multidrug and toxin extrusion family, MATE1 and MATE2-K, were recently identified in human and rodent kidney and proposed to be the molecular basis of renal OC/H(+) exchange. To take advantage of the comparative value of the large database on the kinetic and selectivity characteristics of OC/H(+) exchange that exists for rabbit kidney, we cloned rbMATE1 and rbMATE2-K. The rabbit homologs have 75% (MATE1) and 74% (MATE2-K) amino acid identity to their human counterparts (and 51% identity with each other). rbMATE1 and rbMATE2-K exhibited H(+) gradient-dependent uptake and efflux of tetraethylammonium (TEA) when expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Both transporters displayed similar affinities for selected compounds [IC(50) values within 2-fold for TEA, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, and quinidine] and very different affinities for others (IC(50) values differing by 8- to 80-fold for choline and cimetidine, respectively). These results indicate that rbMATE1 and rbMATE2-K are multispecific OC/H(+) exchangers with similar, but distinct, functional characteristics. Overall, the selectivity of MATE1 and MATE2-K correlated closely with that observed in rabbit renal brush-border membrane vesicles.

  13. A primary fish gill cell culture model to assess pharmaceutical uptake and efflux: evidence for passive and facilitated transport.

    PubMed

    Stott, Lucy C; Schnell, Sabine; Hogstrand, Christer; Owen, Stewart F; Bury, Nic R

    2015-02-01

    The gill is the principle site of xenobiotic transfer to and from the aqueous environment. To replace, refine or reduce (3Rs) the large numbers of fish used in in vivo uptake studies an effective in vitro screen is required that mimics the function of the teleost gill. This study uses a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) primary gill cell culture system grown on permeable inserts, which tolerates apical freshwater thus mimicking the intact organ, to assess the uptake and efflux of pharmaceuticals across the gill. Bidirectional transport studies in media of seven pharmaceuticals (propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol, formoterol, terbutaline, ranitidine and imipramine) showed they were transported transcellularly across the epithelium. However, studies conducted in water showed enhanced uptake of propranolol, ranitidine and imipramine. Concentration-equilibrated conditions without a concentration gradient suggested that a proportion of the uptake of propranolol and imipramine is via a carrier-mediated process. Further study using propranolol showed that its transport is pH-dependent and at very low environmentally relevant concentrations (ng L(-1)), transport deviated from linearity. At higher concentrations, passive uptake dominated. Known inhibitors of drug transport proteins; cimetidine, MK571, cyclosporine A and quinidine inhibited propranolol uptake, whilst amantadine and verapamil were without effect. Together this suggests the involvement of specific members of SLC and ABC drug transporter families in pharmaceutical transport. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Involvement of AMPA receptors in the antidepressant-like effects of dextromethorphan in mice.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Linda; Matsumoto, Rae R

    2015-12-15

    Dextromethorphan (DM) is an antitussive with rapid acting antidepressant potential based on pharmacodynamic similarities to ketamine. Building upon our previous finding that DM produces antidepressant-like effects in the mouse forced swim test (FST), the present study aimed to establish the antidepressant-like actions of DM in the tail suspension test (TST), another well-established model predictive of antidepressant efficacy. Additionally, using the TST and FST, we investigated the role of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors in the antidepressant-like properties of DM because accumulating evidence suggests that AMPA receptors play an important role in the pathophysiology of depression and may contribute to the efficacy of antidepressant medications, including that of ketamine. We found that DM displays antidepressant-like effects in the TST similar to the conventional and fast acting antidepressants characterized by imipramine and ketamine, respectively. Moreover, decreasing the first-pass metabolism of DM by concomitant administration of quinidine (CYP2D6 inhibitor) potentiated antidepressant-like actions, implying DM itself has antidepressant efficacy. Finally, in both the TST and FST, pretreatment with the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX (2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide) significantly attenuated the antidepressant-like behavior elicited by DM. Together, the data show that DM exerts antidepressant-like actions through AMPA receptors, further suggesting DM may act as a safe and effective fast acting antidepressant drug. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Identification of human drug-metabolizing enzymes involved in the metabolism of SNI-2011.

    PubMed

    Washio, T; Arisawa, H; Kohsaka, K; Yasuda, H

    2001-11-01

    In vitro studies were conducted to identify human drug-metabolizing enzymes involved in the metabolism of SNI-2011 ((+/-)-cis-2-methylspiro [1,3-oxathiolane-5,3'-quinuclidine] monohydrochloride hemihydrate, cevimeline hydrochloride hydrate). When 14C-SNI-2011 was incubated with human liver microsomes, SNI-2011 trans-sulfoxide and cis-sulfoxide were detected as major metabolites. These oxidations required NADPH, and were markedly inhibited by SKF-525A, indicating that cytochrome P450 (CYP) was involved. In a chemical inhibition study, metabolism of SNI-2011 in liver microsomes was inhibited (35-65%) by CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole and troleandomycin) and CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine and chlorpromazine). Furthermore, using microsomes containing cDNA-expressed CYPs, it was found that high rates of sulfoxidation activities were observed with CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. On the other hand, when 14C-SNI-2011 was incubated with human kidney microsomes, SNI-2011 N-oxide was identified as a major metabolite. This N-oxidation required NADPH, and was completely inhibited by thiourea, indicating that flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) was involved. In addition, microsomes containing cDNA-expressed FMO1, a major isoform in human kidney, mainly catalyzed N-oxidation of SNI-2011, but microsomes containing FMO3, a major isoform in adult human liver, did not. These results suggest that SNI-2011 is mainly catalyzed to sulfoxides and N-oxide by CYP2D6/3A4 in liver and FMOI in kidney, respectively.

  16. Cytochrome P-450 isoforms involved in carboxylic acid ester cleavage of Hantzsch pyridine ester of pranidipine.

    PubMed

    Kudo, S; Okumura, H; Miyamoto, G; Ishizaki, T

    1999-02-01

    Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoforms responsible for the cleavage of Hantzsch pyridine ester at the 3-position of pranidipine were studied in vitro using cDNA-expressed human CYP enzymes. CYP1A1, 1A2, 2D6, and 3A4 cleaved the ester with a catalytic activity of 5.5, 0. 93, 13.1, and 22.4 nmol/30 min/nmol P-450, respectively. CYP2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, and 2E1 were not involved in the de-esterification. The Km and Vmax values for the de-esterification were 11.8 microM and 0.47 nmol/min/nmol P-450 in the CYP2D6-catalyzed reaction and 8. 7 microM and 0.84 nmol/min/nmol P-450 in the CYP3A4-catalyzed reaction. The intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) of the de-esterification by CYP3A4 was 2-fold greater than that by CYP2D6. Quinidine almost completely inhibited the CYP2D6-mediated de-esterification at the concentration of 1 x 10(-6) M. Ketoconazole and troleandomycin inhibited the CYP3A4-mediated reaction in a dose-related manner. The results indicate that although the multiple CYP isoforms can catalyze the de-esterification, CYP3A4 and 2D6 are the major isoforms.

  17. Identification of human cytochrome P450 2D6 as major enzyme involved in the O-demethylation of the designer drug p-methoxymethamphetamine.

    PubMed

    Staack, Roland F; Theobald, Denis S; Paul, Liane D; Springer, Dietmar; Kraemer, Thomas; Maurer, Hans H

    2004-04-01

    p-Methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) is a new designer drug, listed in many countries as a controlled substance. Several fatalities have been attributed to the abuse of this designer drug. Previous in vivo studies using Wistar rats had shown that PMMA was metabolized mainly by O-demethylation. The aim of the study presented here was to identify the human hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes involved in the biotransformation of PMMA to p-hydroxymethamphetamine. Baculovirus-infected insect cell microsomes, pooled human liver microsomes (pHLMs), and CYP2D6 poor-metabolizer genotype human liver microsomes (PM HLMs) were used for this purpose. Only CYP2D6 catalyzed O-demethylation. The apparent K(m) and V(max) values in baculovirus-infected insect cell microsomes were 4.6 +/- 1.0 microM and 92.0 +/- 3.7 pmol/min/pmol P450, respectively, and 42.0 +/- 4.0 microM and 412.5 +/- 10.8 pmol/min/mg protein in pHLMs. Inhibition studies with 1 microM quinidine showed significant inhibition of the metabolite formation (67.2 +/- 0.6%; p < 0.0001), and comparison of the metabolite formation between pHLMs and PM HLMs revealed significantly lower metabolite formation in the incubations with PM HLMs (87.3 +/- 1.1%; p < 0.0001). According to these studies, CYP2D6 is the major P450 involved in O-demethylation of PMMA.

  18. [Neurology of laughter and humour: pathological laughing and crying].

    PubMed

    Arias, Manuel

    2011-10-01

    Laughter, which is usually a healthy biological phenomenon, may be also a symptom of several severe brain pathologies. To review the neurobiological bases of laughter and humour, as well as those of pathological laughing and crying syndrome. At the mesencephalic-pontine junction there is a central coordinator of the nuclei that innervate the muscles involved in laughter (facial expression, respiratory and phonatory). This centre receives connections from three systems: inhibitory (pre-motor and motor cortex), excitatory (temporal cortex, amygdala, hypothalamus) and modulator (cerebellum). Humour is a complex phenomenon with a range of components: the perception of the unexpected incongruence (occipitotemporal area, prefrontal cortex), emotional (reward circuit) and volitional (temporal and frontal cortex). Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies do not reveal a markedly prominent role of the right frontal lobe in processing humour, as had been suggested in the classical studies. The causes of pathological laughing and crying syndrome can be classified in two groups: altered behaviour with unmotivated happiness (Angelman syndrome, schizophrenia, manias, dementia) and interference with the inhibitory/excitatory mechanisms (gelastic epilepsy, fou rire prodromique in strokes, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Parkinson-plus, traumatic injuries, tumours). Serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors, levodopa, lamotrigine and the association of dextromethorphan/quinidine can be effective in certain cases of pathological laughing and crying. As human neurobiological phenomena, laughter and humour also belong to the field of clinical neurology; their processing is affected in a number of different diseases and, in certain cases, effective treatment can be established.

  19. Features of the adsorption of naproxen enantiomers on weak chiral anion-exchangers in nonlinear chromatography

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Asnin, Leonid; Kaczmarski, Krzysztof; Guiochon, Georges A

    The retention mechanism of the enantiomers of naproxen on a Pirkle-type chiral stationary phase (CSP) was studied. This CSP is made of a porous silica grafted with quinidine carbamate. It can interact with the weak organic electrolyte naproxen either by adsorbing it or by ion-exchange. Using frontal chromatography, we explored the adsorption equilibrium under such experimental conditions that naproxen dissociates or cannot dissociate. Under conditions preventing ionic dissociation, the adsorption isotherms were measured, the adsorption energy distributions determined, and the chromatographic profiles calculated. Three different types of the adsorption sites were found for both enantiomers. The density and the bindingmore » energy of these sites depend on the nature of the organic modifier. Different solute species, anions, neutral molecules, solvent-ion associates, and solute dimers can coexist in solution, giving rise to different forms of adsorption. This study showed the unexpected occurrence of secondary steps in the breakthrough profiles of S-naproxen in the adsorption mode at high concentrations. Being enantioselective, this phenomenon was assumed to result from the association of solute molecules involving a chiral selector moiety. A multisite Langmuir adsorption model was used to calculate band profiles. Although this model accounts excellently for the experimental adsorption isotherms, it does not explain all the features of the breakthrough profiles. A comparison between the calculated and experimental profiles allowed useful conclusions concerning the effects of the adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate-solvent interactions on the adsorption mechanism.« less

  20. Sodium-dependent potassium channels of a Slack-like subtype contribute to the slow afterhyperpolarization in lamprey spinal neurons

    PubMed Central

    Wallén, Peter; Robertson, Brita; Cangiano, Lorenzo; Löw, Peter; Bhattacharjee, Arin; Kaczmarek, Leonard K; Grillner, Sten

    2007-01-01

    The slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) following the action potential is the main determinant of spike frequency regulation. The sAHP after single action potentials in neurons of the lamprey locomotor network is largely due to calcium-dependent K+ channels (80%), activated by calcium entering the cell during the spike. The residual (20%) component becomes prominent during high level activity (50% of the sAHP). It is not Ca2+ dependent, has a reversal potential like that of potassium, and is not affected by chloride injection. It is not due to rapid activation of Na+/K+-ATPase. This non-KCa-sAHP is reduced markedly in amplitude when sodium ions are replaced by lithium ions, and is thus sodium dependent. Quinidine also blocks this sAHP component, further indicating an involvement of sodium-dependent potassium channels (KNa). Modulators tested do not influence the KNa-sAHP amplitude. Immunofluorescence labelling with an anti-Slack antibody revealed distinct immunoreactivity of medium-sized and large neurons in the grey matter of the lamprey spinal cord, suggesting the presence of a Slack-like subtype of KNa channel. The results strongly indicate that a KNa potassium current contributes importantly to the sAHP and thereby to neuronal frequency regulation during high level burst activity as during locomotion. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of a functional role for the Slack gene in contributing to the slow AHP. PMID:17884929

  1. Evidence-based guideline: Assessment and management of psychiatric disorders in individuals with MS

    PubMed Central

    Minden, Sarah L.; Feinstein, Anthony; Kalb, Rosalind C.; Miller, Deborah; Mohr, David C.; Patten, Scott B.; Bever, Christopher; Schiffer, Randolph B.; Gronseth, Gary S.; Narayanaswami, Pushpa

    2014-01-01

    Objective: To make evidence-based recommendations for screening, diagnosing, and treating psychiatric disorders in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: We reviewed the literature (1950 to August 2011) and evaluated the available evidence. Results and recommendations: Clinicians may consider using the Center for Neurologic Study Emotional Lability Scale to screen for pseudobulbar affect (Level C). Clinicians may consider the Beck Depression Inventory and a 2-question tool to screen for depressive disorders and the General Health Questionnaire to screen for broadly defined emotional disturbances (Level C). Evidence is insufficient to support/refute the use of other screening tools, the possibility that somatic/neurovegetative symptoms affect these tools' accuracy, or the use of diagnostic instruments or clinical evaluation procedures for identifying psychiatric disorders in MS (Level U). Clinicians may consider a telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy program for treating depressive symptoms (Level C). Although pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies are widely used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders in individuals with MS, evidence is insufficient to support/refute the use of the antidepressants and individual and group therapies reviewed herein (Level U). For pseudobulbar affect, a combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine may be considered (Level C). Evidence is insufficient to determine the psychiatric effects in individuals with MS of disease-modifying and symptomatic therapies and corticosteroids; risk factors for suicide; and treatment of psychotic disorders (Level U). Research is needed on the effectiveness in individuals with MS of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments frequently used in the non-MS population. PMID:24376275

  2. The causes and treatment of pseudobulbar affect in ischemic stroke.

    PubMed

    Balakrishnan, Preethi; Rosen, Howard

    2008-06-01

    Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a disorder of emotional regulation characterized by uncontrollable outbursts of laughing and/or crying that are disproportionate to the emotions being experienced. The pathophysiology of PBA is currently unknown, although the disorder is thought to occur exclusively in the setting of neurologic disease, including stroke. The most influential theory on PBA posits that emotional outbursts are being generated in the brainstem autonomously due to loss of regulatory control by the frontal lobes. Although rarely life threatening, PBA can have significant impact on patients' quality of life and thus merits treatment. Although currently there are no treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PBA, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used. Both these treatments are inexpensive and relatively low risk, although the quality of the available data on their efficacy is not optimal. Recently, a new agent containing dextromethorphan and quinidine (DM/Q) demonstrated efficacy in treating PBA in two large clinical trials--one in patients with multiple sclerosis and the other in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Further studies are being conducted. If DM/Q is approved for PBA treatment, it will be the first agent approved by the FDA for this purpose. The choice of whether to use DM/Q in this setting will likely depend on individual patient factors. Currently, the antidepressants are probably the most attractive pharmacologic options for treating PBA. Although nonpharmacologic therapies have not been studied systematically, they should be explored in cognitively intact patients.

  3. Comparison of electrophysiological data from human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to functional preclinical safety assays.

    PubMed

    Harris, Kate; Aylott, Mike; Cui, Yi; Louttit, James B; McMahon, Nicholas C; Sridhar, Arun

    2013-08-01

    Human-induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are a potential source to develop assays for predictive electrophysiological safety screening. Published studies show that the relevant physiology and pharmacology exist but does not show the translation between stem cell cardiomyocyte assays and other preclinical safety screening assays, which is crucial for drug discovery and safety scientists and the regulators. Our studies are the first to show the pharmacology of ion channel blockade and compare them with existing functional cardiac electrophysiology studies. Ten compounds (a mixture of pure hERG [E-4031 and Cisapride], hERG and sodium [Flecainide, Mexiletine, Quinidine, and Terfenadine], calcium channel blockers [Nifedipine and Verapamil], and two proprietary compounds [GSK A and B]) were tested, and results from hiPSC-CMs studied on multielectrode arrays (MEA) were compared with other preclincial models and clinical drug concentrations and effects using integrated risk assessment plots. All ion channel blockers produced (1) functional effects on repolarization and depolarization around the IC25 and IC50 values and (2) excessive blockade of hERG and/or blockade of sodium current precipitated arrhythmias. Our MEA data show that hiPSC-CMs demonstrate relevant pharmacology and show excellent correlations to current functional cardiac electrophysiological studies. Based on these results, MEA assays using iPSC-CMs offer a reliable, cost effective, and surrogate to preclinical in vitro testing, in addition to the 3Rs (refine, reduce, and replace animals in research) benefit.

  4. Safety considerations in the pharmacological management of atrial fibrillation.

    PubMed

    Camm, A John

    2008-07-21

    The pharmacological management of atrial fibrillation (AF) requires careful consideration from a safety perspective. This article focuses primarily on maintenance therapy using antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). The foremost safety issue for AADs is the propensity of class IA and III agents to cause torsade de pointes arrhythmias. Class IA drugs, particularly quinidine, can induce torsade de pointes at low or subtherapeutic doses, but higher doses are not necessarily associated with an increased incidence. 'Pure' class III drugs such as dofetilide induce torsade de pointes in a dose-related manner, but some class III agents with more complex actions such as amiodarone have a markedly lower potential to cause this arrhythmia. The risk of torsade de pointes precludes the use of class IA and 'pure' class III agents in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and bradycardia. Class IC agents may cause sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardias and are generally precluded in ischaemic and structural heart disease. Advanced heart failure patients may be treated with amiodarone or dofetilide, but most other AADs are unsuitable. The most important extracardiac toxicities occurring with AADs are those of amiodarone. Drug interactions are a significant safety issue in the management of AF, including pharmacokinetic interactions in which plasma levels of the AAD are raised - increasing the risk of proarrhythmia - and concomitant use of drugs that prolong the QT interval. Notwithstanding these considerations, most patients with AF can be considered for rhythm control, provided there is adequate pre-treatment assessment and protocols for initiation, dosing and monitoring are followed with care.

  5. Establishment of optimized MDCK cell lines for reliable efflux transport studies.

    PubMed

    Gartzke, Dominik; Fricker, Gert

    2014-04-01

    Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells transfected with human MDR1 gene (MDCK-MDR1) encoding for P-glycoprotein (hPgp, ABCB1) are widely used for transport studies to identify drug candidates as substrates of this efflux protein. Therefore, it is necessary to rely on constant and comparable expression levels of Pgp to avoid false negative or positive results. We generated a cell line with homogenously high and stable expression of hPgp through sorting single clones from a MDCK-MDR1 cell pool using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). To obtain control cell lines for evaluation of cross-interactions with endogenous canine Pgp (cPgp) wild-type cells were sorted with a low expression pattern of cPgp in comparison with the MDCK-MDR1. Expression of other transporters was also characterized in both cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Pgp function was investigated applying the Calcein-AM assay as well as bidirectional transport assays using (3) H-Digoxin, (3) H-Vinblastine, and (3) H-Quinidine as substrates. Generated MDCK-MDR1 cell lines showed high expression of hPgp. Control MDCK-WT cells were optimized in showing a comparable expression level of cPgp in comparison with MDCK-MDR1 cell lines. Generated cell lines showed higher and more selective Pgp transport compared with parental cells. Therefore, they provide a significant improvement in the performance of efflux studies yielding more reliable results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

  6. Monkey liver cytochrome P450 2C9 is involved in caffeine 7-N-demethylation to form theophylline.

    PubMed

    Utoh, Masahiro; Murayama, Norie; Uno, Yasuhiro; Onose, Yui; Hosaka, Shinya; Fujino, Hideki; Shimizu, Makiko; Iwasaki, Kazuhide; Yamazaki, Hiroshi

    2013-12-01

    Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a phenotyping substrate for human cytochrome P450 1A2. 3-N-Demethylation of caffeine is the main human metabolic pathway, whereas monkeys extensively mediate the 7-N-demethylation of caffeine to form pharmacological active theophylline. Roles of monkey P450 enzymes in theophylline formation from caffeine were investigated using individual monkey liver microsomes and 14 recombinantly expressed monkey P450 enzymes, and the results were compared with those for human P450 enzymes. Caffeine 7-N-demethylation activity in microsomes from 20 monkey livers was not strongly inhibited by α-naphthoflavone, quinidine or ketoconazole, and was roughly correlated with diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation activities. Monkey P450 2C9 had the highest activity for caffeine 7-N-demethylation. Kinetic analysis revealed that monkey P450 2C9 had a high Vmax/Km value for caffeine 7-N-demethylation, comparable to low Km value for monkey liver microsomes. Caffeine could dock favorably with monkey P450 2C9 modeled for 7-N-demethylation and with human P450 1A2 for 3-N-demethylation. The primary metabolite theophylline was oxidized to 8-hydroxytheophylline in similar ways by liver microsomes and by recombinant P450s in both humans and monkeys. These results collectively suggest a high activity for monkey liver P450 2C9 toward caffeine 7-N-demethylation, whereas, in humans, P450 1A2-mediated caffeine 3-N-demethylation is dominant.

  7. Validation of an immortalized human (hBMEC) in vitro blood-brain barrier model.

    PubMed

    Eigenmann, Daniela Elisabeth; Jähne, Evelyn Andrea; Smieško, Martin; Hamburger, Matthias; Oufir, Mouhssin

    2016-03-01

    We recently established and optimized an immortalized human in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model based on the hBMEC cell line. In the present work, we validated this mono-culture 24-well model with a representative series of drug substances which are known to cross or not to cross the BBB. For each individual compound, a quantitative UHPLC-MS/MS method in Ringer HEPES buffer was developed and validated according to current regulatory guidelines, with respect to selectivity, precision, and reliability. Various biological and analytical challenges were met during method validation, highlighting the importance of careful method development. The positive controls antipyrine, caffeine, diazepam, and propranolol showed mean endothelial permeability coefficients (P e) in the range of 17-70 × 10(-6) cm/s, indicating moderate to high BBB permeability when compared to the barrier integrity marker sodium fluorescein (mean P e 3-5 × 10(-6) cm/s). The negative controls atenolol, cimetidine, and vinblastine showed mean P e values < 10 × 10(-6) cm/s, suggesting low permeability. In silico calculations were in agreement with in vitro data. With the exception of quinidine (P-glycoprotein inhibitor and substrate), BBB permeability of all control compounds was correctly predicted by this new, easy, and fast to set up human in vitro BBB model. Addition of retinoic acid and puromycin did not increase transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) values of the BBB model.

  8. Functional characteristics of a renal H+/lipophilic cation antiport system in porcine LLC-PK1 cells and rats.

    PubMed

    Matsui, Ryutaro; Hattori, Ryutaro; Usami, Youhei; Koyama, Masumi; Hirayama, Yuki; Matsuba, Emi; Hashimoto, Yukiya

    2018-02-01

    We have recently found an H + /quinidine (a lipophilic cation, QND) antiport system in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the H + /lipophilic cation antiport system is expressed in porcine LLC-PK 1 cells. That is, we investigated uptake and/or efflux of QND and another cation, bisoprolol, in LLC-PK 1 cells. In addition, we studied the renal clearance of bisoprolol in rats. Uptake of QND into LLC-PK 1 cells was decreased by acidification of the extracellular pH or alkalization of the intracellular pH. Cellular uptake of QND from the apical side was much greater than from the basolateral side. In addition, apical efflux of QND from LLC-PK 1 cells was increased by acidification of the extracellular pH. Furthermore, lipophilic cationic drugs significantly reduced uptake of bisoprolol in LLC-PK 1 cells. Renal clearance of bisoprolol in rats was approximately 7-fold higher than that of creatinine, and was markedly decreased by alkalization of the urine pH. The present study suggests that the H + /lipophilic cation antiport system is expressed in the apical membrane of LLC-PK 1 cells. Moreover, the H + /lipophilic cation antiport system may be responsible for renal tubular secretion of bisoprolol in rats. Copyright © 2017 The Japanese Society for the Study of Xenobiotics. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein reverses cocaine-induced sodium channel blockade in cardiac myocytes.

    PubMed

    Ma, Yu-Ling; Peters, Nicholas S; Henry, John A

    2006-03-01

    Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) is an acute phase protein capable of binding basic drugs. This action explains its reversal of sodium channel blockade by drugs such as amitriptyline and quinidine. We report here the reversal of cocaine-induced sodium channel blockade by AAG. The sodium channel blocking property of cocaine is a major mechanism behind cocaine-induced sudden cardiac death, since sodium channels play a key role in the initiation and regulation of the heart beat. Voltage-gated sodium current (I(Na)) was recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Guinea-pig cardiac ventricular myocytes were isolated and continuously perfused at room temperature with physiological solutions. At concentrations ranging from 5 to 320 microM cocaine showed a dose-dependent and reversible blockade of I(Na) with an IC50 of 45.9 microM. The addition of equimolar amounts of AAG to cocaine produced almost complete reversal of cocaine's effects, suggesting a single binding site for cocaine on the AAG molecule. With changes of peak I(Na) normalized against control as 1, cocaine at 20 and 40 microM reduced I(Na) to 0.62+/-0.042 (n = 6) and 0.57+/-0.052 (n = 9), respectively, and the addition of an equimolar concentration of AAG reversed I(Na) to 0.86+/-0.022 and 0.91+/-0.060, respectively. AAG reverses cocaine-induced sodium channel blockade in a dose-dependent manner, indicating a therapeutic potential to reverse acute cocaine cardiac toxicity.

  10. Identification of two immortalized cell lines, ECV304 and bEnd3, for in vitro permeability studies of blood-brain barrier

    PubMed Central

    Mei, Shenghui; Jin, Hong; Zhu, Bin; Tian, Yue; Huo, Jiping; Cui, Xu; Guo, Anchen; Zhao, Zhigang

    2017-01-01

    To identify suitable cell lines for a mimetic system of in vivo blood-brain barrier (BBB) for drug permeability assessment, we characterized two immortalized cell lines, ECV304 and bEnd3 in the respect of the tightness, tight junction proteins, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function and discriminative brain penetration. The ECV304 monoculture achieved higher transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and lower permeability to Lucifer yellow than bEnd3. However, co-culture with rat glioma C6 cells impaired the integrity of ECV304 and bEnd3 cell layers perhaps due to the heterogeneity among C6 cells in inducing BBB characteristics. The immunostaining of ZO-1 delivered distinct bands along cell borders on both cell lines while those of occludin and claudin-5 were diffused and weak. P-gp functionality was only proved in bEnd3 by Rhodamine 123 (R123) uptake assay. A permeability test of reference compounds displayed a similar rank order (digoxin < R123 < quinidine, verapamil < propranolol) in ECV304 and bEnd3 cells. In comparison with bEnd3, ECV304 developed tighter barrier for the passage of reference compounds and higher discrimination between transcellular and paracellular transport. However, the monoculture models of ECV304 and bEnd3 fail to achieve the sufficient tightness of in vitro BBB permeability models with high TEER and evident immunostaining of tight junction proteins. Further strategies to enhance the paracellular tightness of both cell lines to mimic in vivo BBB tight barrier deserve to be conducted. PMID:29059256

  11. Identification of two immortalized cell lines, ECV304 and bEnd3, for in vitro permeability studies of blood-brain barrier.

    PubMed

    Yang, Shu; Mei, Shenghui; Jin, Hong; Zhu, Bin; Tian, Yue; Huo, Jiping; Cui, Xu; Guo, Anchen; Zhao, Zhigang

    2017-01-01

    To identify suitable cell lines for a mimetic system of in vivo blood-brain barrier (BBB) for drug permeability assessment, we characterized two immortalized cell lines, ECV304 and bEnd3 in the respect of the tightness, tight junction proteins, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function and discriminative brain penetration. The ECV304 monoculture achieved higher transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and lower permeability to Lucifer yellow than bEnd3. However, co-culture with rat glioma C6 cells impaired the integrity of ECV304 and bEnd3 cell layers perhaps due to the heterogeneity among C6 cells in inducing BBB characteristics. The immunostaining of ZO-1 delivered distinct bands along cell borders on both cell lines while those of occludin and claudin-5 were diffused and weak. P-gp functionality was only proved in bEnd3 by Rhodamine 123 (R123) uptake assay. A permeability test of reference compounds displayed a similar rank order (digoxin < R123 < quinidine, verapamil < propranolol) in ECV304 and bEnd3 cells. In comparison with bEnd3, ECV304 developed tighter barrier for the passage of reference compounds and higher discrimination between transcellular and paracellular transport. However, the monoculture models of ECV304 and bEnd3 fail to achieve the sufficient tightness of in vitro BBB permeability models with high TEER and evident immunostaining of tight junction proteins. Further strategies to enhance the paracellular tightness of both cell lines to mimic in vivo BBB tight barrier deserve to be conducted.

  12. Antagonism of immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides by quinacrine, chloroquine, and structurally related compounds.

    PubMed

    Macfarlane, D E; Manzel, L

    1998-02-01

    Phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG (CpG-ODN) activate immune responses. We report that quinacrine, chloroquine, and structurally related compounds completely inhibit the antiapoptotic effect of CpG-ODN on WEHI 231 murine B lymphoma cells and inhibit CpG-ODN-induced secretion of IL-6 by WEHI 231. They also inhibit IL-6 synthesis and thymidine uptake by human unfractionated PBMC induced by CpG-ODN. The compounds did not inhibit LPS-induced responses. Half-maximal inhibition required 10 nM quinacrine or 100 nM chloroquine. Inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to CpG-ODN. Quinine, quinidine, and primaquine were much less powerful. Quinacrine was effective even when added after the CpG-ODN. Near-toxic concentrations of ammonia plus bafilomycin A1 (used to inhibit vesicular acidification) did not reduce the efficacy of the quinacrine, but the effects of both quinacrine and chloroquine were enhanced by inhibition of the multidrug resistance efflux pump by verapamil. Agents that bind to DNA, including propidium iodide, Hoechst dye 33258, and coralyne chloride did not inhibit CpG-ODN effect, nor did 4-bromophenacyl bromide, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2. Examination of the structure-activity relationship of seventy 4-aminoquinoline and 9-aminoacridine analogues reveals that increased activity was conferred by bulky hydrophobic substituents on positions 2 and 6 of the quinoline nucleus. No correlation was found between published antimalarial activity and ability to block CpG-ODN-induced effects. These results are discussed in the light of the ability of quinacrine and chloroquine to induce remission of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.

  13. Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide and Efflux Transporter-Mediated Hepatic Uptake and Biliary Excretion of Cilostazol and Its Metabolites in Rats and Humans.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chong; Huo, Xiaokui; Wang, Changyuan; Meng, Qiang; Liu, Zhihao; Sun, Pengyuan; Cang, Jian; Sun, Huijun; Liu, Kexin

    2017-09-01

    Cilostazol undergoes extensive liver metabolism. However, the transporter-mediated hepatic disposition of cilostazol remains unknown. The present study was performed to investigate the hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of cilostazol and its metabolites (OPC-13015 and OPC-13213) using rat liver and human transporter-transfected cells in vitro. Cilostazol uptake by rat liver slices and isolated rat hepatocytes exhibited time-, concentration-, and temperature dependency and was decreased by Oatp inhibitors, which suggested that Oatp was involved in the hepatic uptake of cilostazol. Cilostazol uptake in rat hepatocytes, OATP1B1-, and OATP1B3-HEK293 cells indicated a saturable process with K m values of 2.7 μM, 17.7 μM, and 2.7 μM, respectively. Epigallocatechin gallate, cyclosporin A, rifampicin, and telmisartan inhibited cilostazol uptake in OATP1B1/1B3-HEK293 cells with K i values close to their clinical plasma concentration, which suggested possible drug-drug interactions in humans via OATP1B1/1B3. Moreover, the cumulative biliary excretion of cilostazol and OPC-13015 was significantly decreased by quinidine, bilirubin, and novobiocin in perfused rat liver, but OPC-13213 biliary excretion was only inhibited by novobiocin, which suggested that the efflux transporters Mrp2, Bcrp, and P-gp were involved in the biliary excretion of cilostazol and its metabolites. Our findings indicated that multiple transporters were involved in the hepatic disposition of cilostazol and its metabolites. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Evidence-based guideline: assessment and management of psychiatric disorders in individuals with MS: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.

    PubMed

    Minden, Sarah L; Feinstein, Anthony; Kalb, Rosalind C; Miller, Deborah; Mohr, David C; Patten, Scott B; Bever, Christopher; Schiffer, Randolph B; Gronseth, Gary S; Narayanaswami, Pushpa

    2014-01-14

    To make evidence-based recommendations for screening, diagnosing, and treating psychiatric disorders in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). We reviewed the literature (1950 to August 2011) and evaluated the available evidence. Clinicians may consider using the Center for Neurologic Study Emotional Lability Scale to screen for pseudobulbar affect (Level C). Clinicians may consider the Beck Depression Inventory and a 2-question tool to screen for depressive disorders and the General Health Questionnaire to screen for broadly defined emotional disturbances (Level C). Evidence is insufficient to support/refute the use of other screening tools, the possibility that somatic/neurovegetative symptoms affect these tools' accuracy, or the use of diagnostic instruments or clinical evaluation procedures for identifying psychiatric disorders in MS (Level U). Clinicians may consider a telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy program for treating depressive symptoms (Level C). Although pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies are widely used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders in individuals with MS, evidence is insufficient to support/refute the use of the antidepressants and individual and group therapies reviewed herein (Level U). For pseudobulbar affect, a combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine may be considered (Level C). Evidence is insufficient to determine the psychiatric effects in individuals with MS of disease-modifying and symptomatic therapies and corticosteroids; risk factors for suicide; and treatment of psychotic disorders (Level U). Research is needed on the effectiveness in individuals with MS of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments frequently used in the non-MS population.

  15. Hepatic drug clearance following traumatic injury.

    PubMed

    Slaughter, R L; Hassett, J M

    1985-11-01

    Trauma is a complex disease state associated with physiologic changes that have the potential to alter hepatic drug clearance mechanisms. These responses include alterations in hepatic blood flow, reduction in hepatic microsomal activity, reduction in hepatic excretion processes, and changes in protein binding. Hepatic blood flow is influenced by sympathomimetic activity. Both animal and human studies demonstrate an initial reduction and subsequent increase in hepatic blood flow, which coincides with an observed increase and subsequent return to normal in serum catecholamine concentrations. Unfortunately, there are no human studies that address the importance these findings may have to the clearance processes of high intrinsic clearance compounds. Animal studies of trauma indicate that hepatic microsomal activity is depressed during the post-traumatic period. Reduction in the hepatic clearance of antipyrine, a model low intrinsic compound, has also been demonstrated in animal models of trauma. In addition to these effects, hepatic excretion of substances such as indocyanine green and bilirubin have been demonstrated to be impaired in both traumatized animals and humans. Finally, substantial increases in the serum concentration of the binding protein alpha 1-acid glycoprotein occur in trauma patients. This has been reported to be associated with subsequent decreases in the free fraction of lidocaine and quinidine. In addition to changing serum drug concentration/response relationships, the pharmacokinetic behavior of drugs bound to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein should also change. Preliminary observations in our laboratory in a dog model of surgically-induced trauma have shown a reduction in the total clearance of lidocaine and reduction in free lidocaine concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  16. Brugada Syndrome. Clinical, Genetic, Molecular, Cellular and Ionic Aspects

    PubMed Central

    Antzelevitch, Charles; Patocskai, Bence

    2015-01-01

    The Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndrome first described as a new clinical entity in 1992. Electrocardiographically characterized by distinct coved type ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads, the syndrome is associated with a high risk for sudden cardiac death in young adults, and less frequently in infants and children. The ECG manifestations of the BrS are often concealed and may be unmasked or aggravated by sodium channel blockers, a febrile state, vagotonic agents, as well as by tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the most widely accepted approach to therapy. Pharmacological therapy is designed to produce an inward shift in the balance of currents active during the early phases of the right ventricular action potential and can be used to abort electrical storms or as an adjunct or alternative to device therapy when use of an ICD is not possible. Isoproterenol, cilostazol and milrinone boost calcium channel current and drugs like quinidine, bepridil and the Chinese herb extract Wenxin Keli inhibit the transient outward current, acting to diminish the action potential (AP) notch and thus to suppress the substrate and trigger for VT/VF. Radiofrequency ablation of the right ventricular outflow tract epicardium of BrS patients has recently been shown to reduce arrhythmia-vulnerability and the ECG-manifestation of the disease, presumably by destroying the cells with more prominent AP notch. This review provides an overview of the clinical, genetic, molecular and cellular aspects of the BrS as well as the approach to therapy. PMID:26671757

  17. Cationic uremic toxins affect human renal proximal tubule cell functioning through interaction with the organic cation transporter.

    PubMed

    Schophuizen, Carolien M S; Wilmer, Martijn J; Jansen, Jitske; Gustavsson, Lena; Hilgendorf, Constanze; Hoenderop, Joost G J; van den Heuvel, Lambert P; Masereeuw, Rosalinde

    2013-12-01

    Several organic cations, such as guanidino compounds and polyamines, have been found to accumulate in plasma of patients with kidney failure due to inadequate renal clearance. Here, we studied the interaction of cationic uremic toxins with renal organic cation transport in a conditionally immortalized human proximal tubule epithelial cell line (ciPTEC). Transporter activity was measured and validated in cell suspensions by studying uptake of the fluorescent substrate 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium-iodide (ASP(+)). Subsequently, the inhibitory potencies of the cationic uremic toxins, cadaverine, putrescine, spermine and spermidine (polyamines), acrolein (polyamine breakdown product), guanidine, and methylguanidine (guanidino compounds) were determined. Concentration-dependent inhibition of ASP(+) uptake by TPA, cimetidine, quinidine, and metformin confirmed functional endogenous organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) expression in ciPTEC. All uremic toxins tested inhibited ASP(+) uptake, of which acrolein required the lowest concentration to provoke a half-maximal inhibition (IC50 = 44 ± 2 μM). A Dixon plot was constructed for acrolein using three independent inhibition curves with 10, 20, or 30 μM ASP(+), which demonstrated competitive or mixed type of interaction (K i = 93 ± 16 μM). Exposing the cells to a mixture of cationic uremic toxins resulted in a more potent and biphasic inhibitory response curve, indicating complex interactions between the toxins and ASP(+) uptake. In conclusion, ciPTEC proves a suitable model to study cationic xenobiotic interactions. Inhibition of cellular uptake transport was demonstrated for several uremic toxins, which might indicate a possible role in kidney disease progression during uremia.

  18. Two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatographic method to assay p-hydroxyphenylphenylhydantoin enantiomers in biological fluids and stereoselectivity of enzyme induction in phenytoin metabolism.

    PubMed

    Hsieh, C Y; Huang, J D

    1992-03-13

    A two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed to assay the enantiomers of a major phenytoin metabolite, p-hydroxyphenylphenylhydantoin (p-HPPH). Racemic p-HPPH was first separated from phenytoin and other interfering peaks by a reversed-phase column and monitored by an ultraviolet detector. At the retention time of p-HPPH, the racemic p-HPPH peak was automatically transferred to a chiral ligand-exchange column to separate R-p-HPPH and S-p-HPPH by a time-programmed column-switching valve. The ratio of enantiomers was measured by a second ultraviolet detector. The method can be used to assay R- and S-p-HPPH enantiomers with reasonable sensitivity and reproducibility. By using this method, the stereoselectivity of enzyme induction and inhibition of phenytoin metabolism was investigated. Male rats were treated with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, acetone, Aroclor 1254, pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile, dexamethasone and isosafrole. Microsomes were prepared from the rat liver and phenytoin hydroxylation was measured. Pretreatment with phenobarbital, pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile or acetone induced phenytoin metabolism non-stereoselectively. Pretreatment with dexamethasone decreased R-p-HPPH formation without affecting the formation of S-p-HPPH. Liver microsomes from female rats showed a higher S-p-HPPH formation, whereas R-p-HPPH formation remained the same. Various inhibitors were added to inhibit phenytoin metabolism by control microsomes. Sulphaphenazole, ketoconazole, 4,4-di(p-methoxyphenyl)hydantoin, cimetidine and diazepam inhibited the formation of R- and S-p-HPPH. Quinidine, tolbutamide and mephenytoin showed no significant inhibitory activity. None of these inhibitors showed stereoselectivity.

  19. Assessing the properties of internal standards for quantitative matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of small molecules.

    PubMed

    Sleno, Lekha; Volmer, Dietrich A

    2006-01-01

    Growing interest in the ability to conduct quantitative assays for small molecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) has been the driving force for several recent studies. This present work includes the investigation of internal standards for these analyses using a high-repetition rate MALDI triple quadrupole instrument. Certain physicochemical properties are assessed for predicting possible matches for internal standards for different small molecules. The importance of similar molecular weight of an internal standard to its analyte is seen through experiments with a series of acylcarnitines, having a fixed charge site and growing alkyl chain length. Both acetyl- and hexanoyl-carnitine were systematically assessed with several other acylcarnitine compounds as internal standards. The results clearly demonstrate that closely matched molecular weights between analyte and internal standard are essential for acceptable quantitation results. Using alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid as the organic matrix, the similarities between analyte and internal standard remain the most important parameter and not necessarily their even distribution within the solid sample spot. Several 4-quinolone antibiotics as well as a diverse group of pharmaceutical drugs were tested as internal standards for the 4-quinolone, ciprofloxacin. Quantitative results were shown using the solution-phase properties, log D and pKa, of these molecules. Their distribution coefficients, log D, are demonstrated as a fundamental parameter for similar crystallization patterns of analyte and internal standard. In the end, it was also possible to quantify ciprofloxacin using a drug from a different compound class, namely quinidine, having a similar log D value as the analyte. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  20. Memantine transport by a proton-coupled organic cation antiporter in hCMEC/D3 cells, an in vitro human blood-brain barrier model.

    PubMed

    Higuchi, Kei; Kitamura, Atsushi; Okura, Takashi; Deguchi, Yoshiharu

    2015-04-01

    Memantine is clinically used for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease and is highly distributed to the brain. The aim of this study is to characterize memantine transport at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using hCMEC/D3 cells, a human BBB model. The initial uptake velocity of memantine in hCMEC/D3 cells was concentration-dependent, and was reduced by metabolic inhibitors, but was independent of extracellular sodium ion and membrane potential. Intracellular alkalization and intracellular acidification markedly reduced and enhanced the uptake, respectively. The uptake was strongly inhibited by quinidine, pyrilamine and verapamil, and was moderately inhibited by TEA (substrate of OCTs and OCTNs) and l-carnitine (substrate of OCTN2), but was not inhibited by MPP(+) (substrate of OCTs and PMAT) or ergothioneine (substrate of OCTN1). Although relatively abundant expression of OCTN2 gene has been observed in hCMEC/D3 cells, knockdown of OCTN2 with siRNA did not decrease memantine uptake. Memantine and diphenhydramine each showed inhibition of the other's uptake in a competitive manner. Thus, proton-coupled organic cation antiporter(s) appears to be involved in the transport of memantine in hCMEC/D3 cells, at least in part. Our results indicate that the in vivo BBB permeability of memantine in humans can be predicted from the in vitro uptake clearance in hCMEC/D3 cells. Copyright © 2014 The Japanese Society for the Study of Xenobiotics. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Multivariate analyses of salt stress and metabolite sensing in auto- and heterotroph Chenopodium cell suspensions.

    PubMed

    Wongchai, C; Chaidee, A; Pfeiffer, W

    2012-01-01

    Global warming increases plant salt stress via evaporation after irrigation, but how plant cells sense salt stress remains unknown. Here, we searched for correlation-based targets of salt stress sensing in Chenopodium rubrum cell suspension cultures. We proposed a linkage between the sensing of salt stress and the sensing of distinct metabolites. Consequently, we analysed various extracellular pH signals in autotroph and heterotroph cell suspensions. Our search included signals after 52 treatments: salt and osmotic stress, ion channel inhibitors (amiloride, quinidine), salt-sensing modulators (proline), amino acids, carboxylic acids and regulators (salicylic acid, 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid). Multivariate analyses revealed hirarchical clusters of signals and five principal components of extracellular proton flux. The principal component correlated with salt stress was an antagonism of γ-aminobutyric and salicylic acid, confirming involvement of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) in salt stress sensing. Proline, short non-substituted mono-carboxylic acids (C2-C6), lactic acid and amiloride characterised the four uncorrelated principal components of proton flux. The proline-associated principal component included an antagonism of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid and a set of amino acids (hydrophobic, polar, acidic, basic). The five principal components captured 100% of variance of extracellular proton flux. Thus, a bias-free, functional high-throughput screening was established to extract new clusters of response elements and potential signalling pathways, and to serve as a core for quantitative meta-analysis in plant biology. The eigenvectors reorient research, associating proline with development instead of salt stress, and the proof of existence of multiple components of proton flux can help to resolve controversy about the acid growth theory. © 2011 German Botanical Society and The Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.

  2. Characterization of the human cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of dihydrocodeine

    PubMed Central

    Kirkwood, L. C.; Nation, R. L.; Somogyi, A. A.

    1997-01-01

    Aims Using human liver microsomes from donors of the CYP2D6 poor and extensive metabolizer genotypes, the role of individual cytochromes P-450 in the oxidative metabolism of dihydrocodeine was investigated. Methods The kinetics of formation of N- and O-demethylated metabolites, nordihydrocodeine and dihydromorphine, were determined using microsomes from six extensive and one poor metabolizer and the effects of chemical inhibitors selective for individual P-450 enzymes of the 1A, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E and 3A families and of LKM1 (anti-CYP2D6) antibodies were studied. Results Nordihydrocodeine was the major metabolite in both poor and extensive metabolizers. Kinetic constants for N-demethylation derived from the single enzyme Michaelis-Menten model did not differ between the two groups. Troleandomycin and erythromycin selectively inhibited N-demethylation in both extensive and poor metabolizers. The CYP3A inducer, α-naphthoflavone, increased N-demethylation rates. The kinetics of formation of dihydromorphine in both groups were best described by a single enzyme Michaelis-Menten model although inhibition studies in extensive metabolizers suggested involvement of two enzymes with similar Km values. The kinetic constants for O-demethylation were significantly different in extensive and poor metabolizers. The extensive metabolizers had a mean intrinsic clearance to dihydromorphine more than ten times greater than the poor metabolizer. The CYP2D6 chemical inhibitors, quinidine and quinine, and LKM1 antibodies inhibited O-demethylation in extensive metabolizers; no effect was observed in microsomes from a poor metabolizer. Conclusions CYP2D6 is the major enzyme mediating O-demethylation of dihydrocodeine to dihydromorphine. In contrast, nordihydrocodeine formation is predominantly catalysed by CYP3A. PMID:9431830

  3. Drug interactions with neuromuscular blockers.

    PubMed

    Feldman, S; Karalliedde, L

    1996-10-01

    Drugs administered to patients undergoing anaesthesia may complicate the use of the neuromuscular blockers that are given to provide good surgical conditions. The various sites of interaction include actions on motor nerve conduction and spinal reflexes, acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis, mobilisation and release, sensitivity of the motor end plate to ACh and the ease of propagation of the motor action potential. In addition, many drugs affect the pharmacokinetics of neuromuscular blockers, especially as most drugs depend to a greater or lesser extent upon renal excretion. The clinically significant interaction between nondepolarisers and depolarisers may be due to blockade of the pre-synaptic nicotinic receptors by the depolarisers, leading to decreased ACh mobilisation and release. Synergism between nondepolarisers probably results from post-synaptic receptor mechanisms. Volatile anaesthetic agents affect the sensitivity of the motor end-plate (post-synaptic receptor blockade) in addition to having effects on pre-synaptic nicotinic function. The effects of nondepolarisers are likely to be potentiated and their action prolonged by large doses of local anaesthetics due to depression of nerve conduction, depression of ACh formation, mobilisation and release, decreases in post-synaptic receptor channel opening times and reductions in muscular contraction. Most antibacterials have effects on pre-synaptic mechanisms. Procainamide and quinidine principally block nicotinic receptor channels. Magnesium has a marked inhibitory effect on ACh release. Calcium antagonists could theoretically interfere with neurotransmitter release and muscle contractility. Phenytoin and lithium decrease ACh release, whilst corticosteroids and furosemide (frusemide) tend to increase the release of the transmitter. Ecothiopate, tacrine, organophosphates, propanidid, metoclopramide and bambuterol depress cholinesterase activity and prolong the duration of the neuromuscular block. The probability of clinically significant interactions increases in patients receiving several drugs with possible effects on neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction.

  4. Electrophysiological characteristics and pharmacological sensitivity of two lines of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes coming from two different suppliers.

    PubMed

    Goineau, Sonia; Castagné, Vincent

    Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are increasingly used as preclinical tool for predicting drug-induced QT prolongation and arrhythmias. This study was conducted to assess the electrophysiological characteristics and the pharmacological sensitivity of two commercialized hiPSC-CMs. The baseline electrophysiological characteristics measured with a multi-electrode array (MEA) technology differ between Cor.4U and iCell 2 : higher beat rate (+32bpm) and shorter field potential duration (FPD, -201ms) for Cor.4U. The FPD lengthening after cisapride (100nM: +65% versus +18%), quinidine (10μM: +65% versus +31%), sotalol (30μM: +90% versus +47%) or flecainide (3μM: +76% versus +22%) application appeared earlier in iCell 2 as compared to Cor.4U. Arrhythmia occurrence also appeared earlier in iCell 2 as compared to Cor.4U for the 3 substances mentioned above. The FPD shortening recorded after verapamil or nifedipine application was similar in both hiPSC-CMs. In conclusion, Cor.4U and iCell 2 hiPSC-CMs are both sensitive enough to detect drug-induced delayed or shortened repolarization and arrhythmia and can provide useful predictive cardiac electrophysiology data. Arrhythmias occurred at concentrations higher than clinical free maximum plasma concentrations with an overestimation of the risk with cisapride. However, quantitative differences of baseline electrophysiological characteristics or pharmacological sensitivity of both cell types have to be considered with caution during the interpretation of data. The new chemical entities included within a given drug development program should be evaluated in hiPSC-CMs coming from a single supplier. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Use of Subcutaneous and Intraperitoneal Administration Methods to Facilitate Cassette Dosing in Microdialysis Studies in Rats.

    PubMed

    Durk, Matthew R; Deshmukh, Gauri; Valle, Nicole; Ding, Xiao; Liederer, Bianca M; Liu, Xingrong

    2018-07-01

    Microdialysis is a powerful technique allowing for real-time measurement of unbound drug concentrations in brain interstitial fluid in conscious animals. Use of microdialysis in drug discovery is limited by high resource requirement and low throughput, but this may be improved by cassette dosing. Administering multiple compounds intravenously of diverse physiochemical properties, it is often very challenging and time consuming to identify a vehicle that can dissolve all of the compounds. To overcome this limitation, the present study explores the possibility of administering a cassette dose of nine diverse compounds (carbamazepine, citalopram, desmethylclozapine, diphenhydramine, gabapentin, metoclopramide, naltrexone, quinidine, and risperidone) in suspension, rather than in solution, by intraperitoneal and subcutaneous routes, and determining if this is a viable option for assessing blood-brain barrier penetration in microdialysis studies. Repeated hourly subcutaneous dosing during the 6-hour microdialysis study allowed for the best attainment of distributional equilibrium between brain and plasma, resulting in less than a 2-fold difference in the unbound brain to unbound plasma concentration ratio for the cassette dosing method versus discrete dosing. Both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal repeated dosing can provide a more practical substitute for intravenous dosing in determining brain penetration of a cassette of diverse compounds in brain microdialysis studies. The results from the present study demonstrate that dosing compounds in suspension represents a practical approach to eliminating the technical challenge and labor-intensive step of preparation of solutions of a mixture of compounds and will enable the use of the cassette brain microdialysis method in a central nervous system drug discovery setting. Copyright © 2018 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

  6. Cost-effectiveness of cardioversion and antiarrhythmic therapy in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

    PubMed

    Catherwood, E; Fitzpatrick, W D; Greenberg, M L; Holzberger, P T; Malenka, D J; Gerling, B R; Birkmeyer, J D

    1999-04-20

    Physicians managing patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation must consider the risks, benefits, and costs of treatments designed to restore and maintain sinus rhythm compared with those of rate control with antithrombotic prophylaxis. To compare the cost-effectiveness of cardioversion, with or without antiarrhythmic agents, with that of rate control plus warfarin or aspirin. A Markov decision-analytic model was designed to simulate long-term health and economic outcomes. Published literature and hospital accounting information. Hypothetical cohort of 70-year-old patients with different baseline risks for stroke. 3 months. Societal. Therapeutic strategies using different combinations of cardioversion alone, cardioversion plus amiodarone or quinidine therapy, and rate control with antithrombotic treatment. Expected costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness. Strategies involving cardioversion alone were more effective and less costly than those not involving this option. For patients at high risk for ischemic stroke (5.3% per year), cardioversion alone followed by repeated cardioversion plus amiodarone therapy on relapse was most cost-effective ($9300 per QALY) compared with cardioversion alone followed by warfarin therapy on relapse. This strategy was also preferred for the moderate-risk cohort (3.6% per year), but the benefit was more expensive ($18,900 per QALY). In the lowest-risk cohort (1.6% per year), cardioversion alone followed by aspirin therapy on relapse was optimal. The choice of optimal strategy and incremental cost-effectiveness was substantially influenced by the baseline risk for stroke, rate of stroke in sinus rhythm, efficacy of warfarin, and costs and utilities for long-term warfarin and amiodarone therapy. Cardioversion alone should be the initial management strategy for persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. On relapse of arrhythmia, repeated cardioversion plus low-dose amiodarone is cost-effective for patients at moderate to high risk for ischemic stroke.

  7. Insulin increases excitability via a dose-dependent dual inhibition of voltage-activated K+ currents in differentiated N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells.

    PubMed

    Lima, Pedro A; Vicente, M Inês; Alves, Frederico M; Dionísio, José C; Costa, Pedro F

    2008-04-01

    A role in the control of excitability has been attributed to insulin via modulation of potassium (K(+)) currents. To investigate insulin modulatory effects on voltage-activated potassium currents in a neuronal cell line with origin in the sympathetic system, we performed whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in differentiated N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells. Two main voltage-activated K(+) currents were identified: (a) a relatively fast inactivating current (I(fast) - time constant 50-300 ms); (b) a slow delayed rectifying K(+) current (I(slow) - time constant 1-4 s). The kinetics of inactivation of I(fast), rather than I(slow), showed clear voltage dependence. I(fast) and I(slow) exhibited different activation and inactivation dependence for voltage, and have different but nevertheless high sensitivities to tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine and quinidine. In differentiated cells - rather than in non-differentiated cells - application of up to 300 nm insulin reduced I(slow) only (IC(50) = 6.7 nm), whereas at higher concentrations I(fast) was also affected (IC(50) = 7.7 microm). The insulin inhibitory effect is not due to a change in the activation or inactivation current-voltage profiles, and the time-dependent inactivation is also not altered; this is not likely to be a result of activation of the insulin-growth-factor-1 (IGF1) receptors, as application of IGF1 did not result in significant current alteration. Results suggest that the current sensitive to low concentrations of insulin is mediated by erg-like channels. Similar observations concerning the insulin inhibitory effect on slow voltage-activated K(+) currents were also made in isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons, suggesting a widespread neuromodulator role of insulin on K(+) channels.

  8. Development, validation and utility of an in vitro technique for assessment of potential clinical drug-drug interactions involving P-glycoprotein.

    PubMed

    Keogh, John P; Kunta, Jeevan R

    2006-04-01

    Regulatory interest is increasing for drug transporters generally and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in particular, primarily in the area of drug-drug interactions. To aid in both identifying and discharging the potential liabilities associated with drug-transporter interactions, the pharmaceutical industry has a growing requirement for routine and robust non-clinical assays. An assay was designed, optimised and validated to determine the in vitro inhibitory potency of new chemical entities (NCEs) towards human Pgp-mediated transport. [3H]-Digoxin was established as a suitable probe substrate by investigating its characteristics in the in vitro system (MDCKII-MDR1 cells grown in 24-multiwell inserts). The inhibitory potencies (apparent IC50) of known Pgp inhibitors astemizole, GF120918, ketoconazole, itraconazole, quinidine, verapamil and quinine were determined over at least a 1000-fold concentration range. Validation was carried out using manual and automatic techniques. [3H]-Digoxin was found to be stable and have good mass balance in the system. In contrast to [A-->B] transport, [3H]-digoxin [B-->A] transport rates were readily measured with good reproducibility. There was no evidence of saturation of transport up to 10 microM digoxin and 30 nM digoxin was selected for routine assay use, reflecting clinical therapeutic concentrations. IC50 values ranged over approximately 100-fold with excellent reproducibility. Results from manual and automated versions were in close agreement. This method is suitable for routine use to assess the in vitro inhibitory potency of NCEs on Pgp-mediated digoxin transport. Comparison of IC50 values against clinical interaction profiles for the probe inhibitors indicated the in vitro assay is predictive of clinical digoxin-drug interactions mediated via Pgp.

  9. The quantitative determination of cilostazol and its four metabolites in human liver microsomal incubation mixtures by high-performance liquid chromatography.

    PubMed

    Tata, P N; Fu, C H; Browder, N J; Chow, P C; Bramer, S L

    1998-11-01

    A high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) method for the quantitation of cilostazol and four of its principal metabolites (i.e. OPC-13015, OPC-13213, OPC-13217 and OPC-13326) in human liver microsomal solutions was developed and validated. Cilostazol, its metabolites, and the internal standard (OPC-3930), were analyzed by protein precipitation followed by reverse-phase HPLC separation on a TSK-Gel ODS-80TM (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column and a Cosmil C-18 column (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) in tandem and UV detection at 254 nm. An 80 min gradient elution of mobile phase acetonitrile in acetate buffer (pH = 6.50) was used to obtain quality chromatography and peak resolution. All the analytes were separated from each other, with the resolution being 2.43-17.59. The components of liver microsomal incubation mixture and five metabolic inhibitor probes (quinidine sulfate, diethyl dithiocarbamate (DEDTC), omeprazole, ketoconazole and furafylline) did not interfere with this analytical method. The LOQ was 1000 ng ml(-1) for cilostazol and 100 ng ml(-1) for each of the metabolites. This method has been validated for linear ranges of 100-4000 ng ml(-1) for OPC-13213, OPC-13217 and OPC-13326; 100-2000 ng ml(-1) for OPC-13015; and 1000-20000 ng ml(-1) for cilostazol. The percent relative recovery of this method was established to be 81.2-101.0% for analytes, with the precision (% coefficient of variation (CV)) being 2.8-7.7%. The autosampler stability of the analytes was evaluated and it was found that all analytes were stable at room temperature for a period of at least 17 h. This assay has been shown to be precise, accurate and reproducible.

  10. Cost-effective differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells using small molecules.

    PubMed

    Tasnim, Farah; Phan, Derek; Toh, Yi-Chin; Yu, Hanry

    2015-11-01

    Significant efforts have been invested into the differentiation of stem cells into functional hepatocyte-like cells that can be used for cell therapy, disease modeling and drug screening. Most of these efforts have been concentrated on the use of growth factors to recapitulate developmental signals under in vitro conditions. Using small molecules instead of growth factors would provide an attractive alternative since small molecules are cell-permeable and cheaper than growth factors. We have developed a protocol for the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells using a predominantly small molecule-based approach (SM-Hep). This 3 step differentiation strategy involves the use of optimized concentrations of LY294002 and bromo-indirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) for the generation of definitive endoderm; sodium butyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for the generation of hepatoblasts and SB431542 for differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells. Activin A is the only growth factor required in this protocol. Our results showed that SM-Hep were morphologically and functionally similar or better compared to the hepatocytes derived from the growth-factor induced differentiation (GF-Hep) in terms of expression of hepatic markers, urea and albumin production and cytochrome P450 (CYP1A2 and CYP3A4) activities. Cell viability assays following treatment with paradigm hepatotoxicants Acetaminophen, Chlorpromazine, Diclofenac, Digoxin, Quinidine and Troglitazone showed that their sensitivity to these drugs was similar to human primary hepatocytes (PHHs). Using SM-Hep would result in 67% and 81% cost reduction compared to GF-Hep and PHHs respectively. Therefore, SM-Hep can serve as a robust and cost effective replacement for PHHs for drug screening and development. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Effect of hemoglobin- and Perflubron-based oxygen carriers on common clinical laboratory tests.

    PubMed

    Ma, Z; Monk, T G; Goodnough, L T; McClellan, A; Gawryl, M; Clark, T; Moreira, P; Keipert, P E; Scott, M G

    1997-09-01

    Polymerized hemoglobin solutions (Hb-based oxygen carriers; HBOCs) and a second-generation perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsion (Perflubron) are in clinical trials as temporary oxygen carriers ("blood substitutes"). Plasma and serum samples from patients receiving HBOCs look markedly red, whereas those from patients receiving PFC appear to be lipemic. Because hemolysis and lipemia are well-known interferents in many assays, we examined the effects of these substances on clinical chemistry, immunoassay, therapeutic drug, and coagulation tests. HBOC concentrations up to 50 g/L caused essentially no interference for Na, K, Cl, urea, total CO2, P, uric acid, Mg, creatinine, and glucose values determined by the Hitachi 747 or Vitros 750 analyzers (or both) or for immunoassays of lidocaine, N-acetylprocainamide, procainamide, digoxin, phenytoin, quinidine, or theophylline performed on the Abbott AxSym or TDx. Gentamycin and vancomycin assays on the AxSym exhibited a significant positive and negative interference, respectively. Immunoassays for TSH on the Abbott IMx and for troponin I on the Dade Stratus were unaffected by HBOC at this concentration. Tests for total protein, albumin, LDH, AST, ALT, GGT, amylase, lipase, and cholesterol were significantly affected to various extents at different HBOC concentrations on the Hitachi 747 and Vitros 750. The CK-MB assay on the Stratus exhibited a negative interference at 5 g/L HBOC. HBOC interference in coagulation tests was method-dependent-fibrometer-based methods on the BBL Fibro System were free from interference, but optical-based methods on the MLA 1000C exhibited interferences at 20 g/L HBOC. A 1:20 dilution of the PFC-based oxygen carrier (600 g/L) caused no interference on any of these chemistry or immunoassay tests except for amylase and ammonia on the Vitros 750 and plasma iron on the Hitachi 747.

  12. A polyspecific drug/proton antiporter mediates diphenhydramine and clonidine transport at the mouse blood-retinal barrier

    PubMed Central

    Chapy, Hélène; André, Pascal; Declèves, Xavier; Scherrmann, Jean-Michel; Cisternino, Salvatore

    2015-01-01

    Background and Purpose Transporters at the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), as at the blood–brain barrier (BBB), regulate the distribution of compounds into the neural parenchyma. However, the expression of BRB transporters and their quantitative impact in vivo are still poorly understood. Experimental Approach Clonidine and diphenhydramine are substrates of a novel BBB drug/proton-antiporter. We evaluated their transport at the BRB by in situ carotid perfusion in wild-type or knocked-out mice for Oct1-3 (Slc22a1-3). Key Results At pharmacological exposure levels, carrier-mediated BRB influx was 2 and 12 times greater than the passive diffusion rate for clonidine and diphenhydramine, respectively. Functional identification demonstrated the involvement of a high-capacity potassium- and sodium-independent proton-antiporter that shared the features of the previously characterized clonidine, diphenhydramine and cocaine BBB transporter. The functional characterization suggests that SLC transporters Oct1-3, Mate1 (Slc47a1) and Octn1-2 (Slc22a4-5) are not involved. Melanin/retinal toxic drugs like antimalarials (amodiaquine, quinine), quinidine and tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine) acted as inhibitors of this proton-antiporter. The endogenous indole derivative tryptamine inhibited the transporter, unlike 5-HT (serotonin), dopamine or L-DOPA. Trans-stimulation experiments with [3H]-clonidine at the BRB indicated that diphenhydramine, nicotine, oxycodone, naloxone, tramadol, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), heroin, methadone and verapamil are common substrates. Conclusions and Implications A proton-antiporter is physiologically involved in the transport of clonidine and diphenhydramine and is quantitatively more important than their passive diffusion flux at the mouse BRB. The features of this molecularly unidentified transporter highlight its importance in regulating drug delivery at the retina and suggest that it has the capacity to handle several drugs. PMID:26177775

  13. Molecular Features Underlying Selectivity in Chicken Bitter Taste Receptors.

    PubMed

    Di Pizio, Antonella; Shy, Nitzan; Behrens, Maik; Meyerhof, Wolfgang; Niv, Masha Y

    2018-01-01

    Chickens sense the bitter taste of structurally different molecules with merely three bitter taste receptors ( Gallus gallus taste 2 receptors, ggTas2rs), representing a minimal case of bitter perception. Some bitter compounds like quinine, diphenidol and chlorpheniramine, activate all three ggTas2rs, while others selectively activate one or two of the receptors. We focus on bitter compounds with different selectivity profiles toward the three receptors, to shed light on the molecular recognition complexity in bitter taste. Using homology modeling and induced-fit docking simulations, we investigated the binding modes of ggTas2r agonists. Interestingly, promiscuous compounds are predicted to establish polar interactions with position 6.51 and hydrophobic interactions with positions 3.32 and 5.42 in all ggTas2rs; whereas certain residues are responsible for receptor selectivity. Lys 3.29 and Asn 3.36 are suggested as ggTas2r1-specificity-conferring residues; Gln 6.55 as ggTas2r2-specificity-conferring residue; Ser 5.38 and Gln 7.42 as ggTas2r7-specificity conferring residues. The selectivity profile of quinine analogs, quinidine, epiquinidine and ethylhydrocupreine, was then characterized by combining calcium-imaging experiments and in silico approaches. ggTas2r models were used to virtually screen BitterDB compounds. ~50% of compounds known to be bitter to human are likely to be bitter to chicken, with 25, 20, 37% predicted to be ggTas2r1, ggTas2r2, ggTas2r7 agonists, respectively. Predicted ggTas2rs agonists can be tested with in vitro and in vivo experiments, contributing to our understanding of bitter taste in chicken and, consequently, to the improvement of chicken feed.

  14. Insights into drug metabolism by cytochromes P450 from modelling studies of CYP2D6-drug interactions

    PubMed Central

    Maréchal, J-D; Kemp, C A; Roberts, G C K; Paine, M J I; Wolf, C R; Sutcliffe, M J

    2008-01-01

    The cytochromes P450 (CYPs) comprise a vast superfamily of enzymes found in virtually all life forms. In mammals, xenobiotic metabolizing CYPs provide crucial protection from the effects of exposure to a wide variety of chemicals, including environmental toxins and therapeutic drugs. Ideally, the information on the possible metabolism by CYPs required during drug development would be obtained from crystal structures of all the CYPs of interest. For some years only crystal structures of distantly related bacterial CYPs were available and homology modelling techniques were used to bridge the gap and produce structural models of human CYPs, and thereby obtain useful functional information. A significant step forward in the reliability of these models came seven years ago with the first crystal structure of a mammalian CYP, rabbit CYP2C5, followed by the structures of six human enzymes, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, and a second rabbit enzyme, CYP2B4. In this review we describe as a case study the evolution of a CYP2D6 model, leading to the validation of the model as an in silico tool for predicting binding and metabolism. This work has led directly to the successful design of CYP2D6 mutants with novel activity—including creating a testosterone hydroxylase, converting quinidine from inhibitor to substrate, creating a diclofenac hydroxylase and creating a dextromethorphan O-demethylase. Our modelling-derived hypothesis-driven integrated interdisciplinary studies have given key insight into the molecular determinants of CYP2D6 and other important drug metabolizing enzymes. PMID:18026129

  15. Electrical storm in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation is associated with early repolarization.

    PubMed

    Aizawa, Yoshifusa; Chinushi, Masaomi; Hasegawa, Kanae; Naiki, Nobu; Horie, Minoru; Kaneko, Yoshiaki; Kurabayashi, Masahiko; Ito, Shogo; Imaizumi, Tsutomu; Aizawa, Yoshiyasu; Takatsuki, Seiji; Joo, Kunitake; Sato, Masahito; Ebe, Katsuya; Hosaka, Yukio; Haissaguerre, Michel; Fukuda, Keiichi

    2013-09-10

    This study sought to characterize patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) who develop electrical storms. Some IVF patients develop ventricular fibrillation (VF) storms, but the characteristics of these patients are poorly known. Ninety-one IVF patients (86% male) were selected after the exclusion of structural heart diseases, primary electrical diseases, and coronary spasm. Electrocardiogram features were compared between the patients with and without electrical storms. A VF storm was defined as VF occurring ≥3 times in 24 h and J waves >0.1 mV above the isoelectric line in contiguous leads. Fourteen (15.4%) patients had VF storms occurring out-of-hospital at night or in the early morning. J waves were more closely associated with VF storms compared to patients without VF storms: 92.9% versus 36.4% (p < 0.0001). VF storms were controlled by intravenous isoproterenol, which attenuated the J-wave amplitude. After the subsidence of VF storms, the J waves decreased to the nondiagnostic level during the entire follow-up period. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy was administered to all patients during follow-up. Quinidine therapy was limited, but the patients on disopyramide (n = 3), bepridil (n = 1), or isoprenaline (n = 1) were free from VF recurrence, while VF recurred in 5 of the 9 patients who were not given antiarrhythmic drugs. The VF storms in the IVF patients were highly associated with J waves that showed augmentation prior to the VF onset. Isoproterenol was effective in controlling VF and attenuated the J waves, which diminished to below the diagnostic level during follow-up. VF recurred in patients followed up without antiarrhythmic agents. Copyright © 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Acute and chronic management in patients with Brugada syndrome associated with electrical storm of ventricular fibrillation.

    PubMed

    Ohgo, Takeshi; Okamura, Hideo; Noda, Takashi; Satomi, Kazuhiro; Suyama, Kazuhiro; Kurita, Takashi; Aihara, Naohiko; Kamakura, Shiro; Ohe, Tohru; Shimizu, Wataru

    2007-06-01

    Some patients with Brugada syndrome experience an electrical storm of ventricular fibrillation (VF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiologic characteristics, acute and subsequent chronic treatment, and follow-up data of patients with Brugada syndrome associated with electrical storm of VF. Sixty-seven patients with Brugada syndrome (65 men and 2 women, age 46 +/- 14 years) were divided into three groups: 7 patients with a history of electrical storm of VF (group I), 39 symptomatic patients with documented VF and/or syncope (group II), and 21 asymptomatic patients (group III). Electrical storm was defined as three or more episodes of VF per day recorded by the memory of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. No significant differences were observed among the three groups with regard to clinical (age at diagnosis, familial history of sudden cardiac death), laboratory (SCN5A mutation and serum potassium level), electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics, and follow-up duration after diagnosis. However, arrhythmic events during follow-up after diagnosis and number of arrhythmic events per patient were significantly higher in group I compared with groups II and III. Isoproterenol infusion (0.003 +/- 0.003 microg/kg/min for 24 +/- 13 days) completely suppressed electrical storm of VF in all five patients treated and was successfully replaced with oral medications, including denopamine, quinidine, isoproterenol, cilostazol, and bepridil alone or in combination. No specifically clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiologic characteristics were recognized in patients with Brugada syndrome associated with electrical storm of VF. Isoproterenol infusion was effective as an acute treatment in suppressing electrical storm of VF and was successfully replaced with chronic oral medications.

  17. Application of a novel liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of antazoline in human plasma: Result of ELEPHANT-I [ELEctrophysiological, pharmacokinetic and hemodynamic effects of PHenazolinum (ANTazoline mesylate)] human pharmacokinetic study.

    PubMed

    Giebułtowicz, Joanna; Piotrowski, Roman; Baran, Jakub; Kułakowski, Piotr; Wroczyński, Piotr

    2016-05-10

    Antazoline is a first-generation antihistaminic agent with antiarrhythmic quinidine-like properties. In some countries, it is widely used for termination of cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation (AF). However, no human pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted with intravenous antazoline. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a novel liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of antazoline in human plasma: the ELEPHANT-I [ELEctrophysiological, pharmacokinetic and hemodynamic effects of PHenazolinum (ANTazoline mesylate)] human pharmacokinetic study. Antazoline was extracted from plasma using liquid-liquid extraction. The concentration of the analyte was measured by LC-MS/MS with xylometazoline as an internal standard. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, stability (freeze/thaw stability, stability in autosampler, short and long term stability), dilution integrity and matrix effect. The analyzed validation criteria were fulfilled. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study involving 10 healthy volunteers. Following a single intravenous dose of antazoline mesylate (100 mg), the plasma concentration profile showed a relative fast elimination with a terminal elimination half-life of 2.29 h. A relatively high volume of distribution was observed (Vss=315 L). The values of mean residence time (MRT∞), area under the curve (AUC∞) and clearance were 3.45 h, 0.91 mg h L(-1) and 80.5 L h(-1), respectively. One volunteer showed significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters. In conclusion, the proposed new LC-MS/MS method was successfully used for the first time for the determination of antazoline in human plasma. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Memantine may affect pseudobulbar affect in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

    PubMed

    Prokšelj, Tatjana; Jerin, Aleš; Kogoj, Aleš

    2013-12-01

    Behavioural symptoms are common in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are improved by memantine with the most pronounced effect on agitation/aggression. Dextromethorphan in combination with quinidine is the only drug approved by US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) on the basis of efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of memantine on PBA in patients with AD. In a prospective, double-blind, case-control study to assess PBA with pathological laughter and crying scale patients were administered memantine (final dose of 20 mg daily) or citalopram (20 mg once daily), each for 10 weeks. The number of episodes of involuntary emotional expression, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Overt Aggression Scale-Modified (OAS-M) total scores were also recorded. Furthermore, the platelet serotonin (5-HT) concentration was measured. Although memantine had beneficial effects on PBA, it also had a crucial impact on behavioural symptoms, especially aggression and agitation (to an average of 3.5 times higher end-point scores on OAS-M and increase of NPI total scores for an average of 114% of initial value). Therefore, the study was prematurely stopped. In addition, we had evidenced a drop of platelet 5-HT concentration (to an average of 73% of initial value). Surprisingly, our research showed the opposite action of memantine on neuropsychiatric symptoms as expected. In a limited number of AD patients with PBA, memantine had a beneficial effect on involuntary emotional expression, but it potentiated agitation/aggression, irritability and caused a crucial drop of the platelet 5-HT concentration.

  19. Cross-Site Reliability of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Cardiomyocyte Based Safety Assays using Microelectrode Arrays: Results from a Blinded CiPA Pilot Study.

    PubMed

    Millard, Daniel; Dang, Qianyu; Shi, Hong; Zhang, Xiaou; Strock, Chris; Kraushaar, Udo; Zeng, Haoyu; Levesque, Paul; Lu, Hua-Rong; Guillon, Jean-Michel; Wu, Joseph C; Li, Yingxin; Luerman, Greg; Anson, Blake; Guo, Liang; Clements, Mike; Abassi, Yama A; Ross, James; Pierson, Jennifer; Gintant, Gary

    2018-04-27

    Recent in vitro cardiac safety studies demonstrate the ability of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to detect electrophysiologic effects of drugs. However, variability contributed by unique approaches, procedures, cell lines and reagents across laboratories makes comparisons of results difficult, leading to uncertainty about the role of hiPSC-CMs in defining proarrhythmic risk in drug discovery and regulatory submissions. A blinded pilot study was conducted to evaluate the electrophysiologic effects of eight well-characterized drugs on four cardiomyocyte lines using a standardized protocol across three microelectrode array (MEA) platforms (18 individual studies). Drugs were selected to define assay sensitivity of prominent repolarizing currents (E-4031 for IKr, JNJ303 for IKs) and depolarizing currents (nifedipine for ICaL, mexiletine for INa) as well as drugs affecting multi-channel block (flecainide, moxifloxacin, quinidine, and ranolazine). Inclusion criteria for final analysis was based on demonstrated sensitivity to IKr block (20% prolongation with E-4031) and L-type calcium current block (20% shortening with nifedipine). Despite differences in baseline characteristics across cardiomyocyte lines, multiple sites and instrument platforms, 10 of 18 studies demonstrated adequate sensitivity to IKr block with E-4031 and ICaL block with nifedipine for inclusion in the final analysis. Concentration-dependent effects on repolarization were observed with this qualified dataset consistent with known ionic mechanisms of single and multi-channel blocking drugs. hiPSC-CMs can detect repolarization effects elicited by single and multi-channel blocking drugs after defining pharmacologic sensitivity to IKr and ICaL block, supporting further validation efforts using hiPSC-CMs for cardiac safety studies.

  20. Cross-functioning between the extraneuronal monoamine transporter and multidrug resistance protein 1 in the uptake of adrenaline and export of 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline in rat cardiomyocytes.

    PubMed

    Costa, Vera Marisa; Ferreira, Lusa Maria; Branco, Paula Srio; Carvalho, Flix; Bastos, Maria Lourdes; Carvalho, Rui Albuquerque; Carvalho, Mrcia; Remio, Fernando

    2009-01-01

    Isolated heart cells are highly susceptible to the toxicity of catecholamine oxidation products, namely, to catecholamine-glutathione adducts. Although cellular uptake and/or efflux of these products may constitute a crucial step, the knowledge about the involvement of transporters is still very scarce. This work aimed to contribute to the characterization of membrane transport mechanisms, namely, extraneuronal monoamine transporter (EMT), the multidrug resistant protein 1 (MRP1), and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in freshly isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rats. These transporters may be accountable for uptake and/or efflux of adrenaline and an adrenaline oxidation product, 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline, in cardiomyocyte suspensions. Our results showed that 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline efflux was mediated by MRP1. Additionally, we demonstrated that the adduct formation occurs within the cardiomyocytes, since EMT inhibition reduced the intracellular adduct levels. The classical uptake2 transport in rat myocardial cells was inhibited by the typical EMT inhibitor, corticosterone, and surprisingly was also inhibited by low concentrations of another drug, a well-known P-gp inhibitor, GF120918. The P-gp activity was absent in the cells since P-gp-mediated efflux of quinidine was not blocked by GF120918. In conclusion, this work showed that freshly isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rats constitute a good model for the study of catecholamines and catecholamines metabolites membrane transport. The cardiomyocytes maintain EMT and MRP1 fully active, and these transporters contribute to the formation and efflux of 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline. In the present experimental conditions, P-gp activity is absent in the isolated cardiomyocytes.

  1. Flavonoid Dimers as Bivalent Modulators for Pentamidine and Sodium Stiboglucanate Resistance in Leishmania▿

    PubMed Central

    Wong, Iris L. K.; Chan, Kin-Fai; Burkett, Brendan A.; Zhao, Yunzhe; Chai, Yi; Sun, Hongzhe; Chan, Tak Hang; Chow, Larry M. C.

    2007-01-01

    Drug resistance by overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is an impediment in the treatment of leishmaniasis. Flavonoids are known to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in Leishmania and mammalian cancers by inhibiting ABC transporters. Here, we found that synthetic flavonoid dimers with three (compound 9c) or four (compound 9d) ethylene glycol units exhibited a significantly higher reversing activity than other shorter or longer ethylene glycol-ligated dimers, with ∼3-fold sensitization of pentamidine and sodium stibogluconate (SSG) resistance in Leishmania, respectively. This modulatory effect was dosage dependent and not observed in apigenin monomers with the linker, suggesting that the modulatory effect is due to its bivalent nature. The mechanism of reversal activity was due to increased intracellular accumulation of pentamidine and total antimony in Leishmania. Compared to other MDR modulators such as verapamil, reserpine, quinine, quinacrine, and quinidine, compounds 9c and 9d were the only agents that can reverse SSG resistance. In terms of reversing pentamidine resistance, 9c and 9d have activities comparable to those of reserpine and quinacrine. Modulators 9c and 9d exhibited reversal activity on pentamidine resistance among LeMDR1−/−, LeMDR1+/+, and LeMDR1-overexpressed mutants, suggesting that these modulators are specific to a non-LeMDR1 pentamidine transporter. The LeMDR1 copy number is inversely related to pentamidine resistance, suggesting that it might be involved in importing pentamidine into the mitochondria. In summary, bivalency could be a useful strategy for the development of more potent ABC transporter modulators and flavonoid dimers represent a promising reversal agent for overcoming pentamidine and SSG resistance in parasite Leishmania. PMID:17194831

  2. The influence of chemical agents on the level of ionized [Ca2+] in squid axons

    PubMed Central

    1985-01-01

    Squid giant axons injected with either aequorin or arsenazo III and bathed in 3 mM Ca (Na) seawater were transferred to 3 mM Ca (K) seawater and the response of the aequorin light or the change in the absorbance of arsenazo III was followed. These experimental conditions were chosen because they measure the change in the rate of Na/Ca exchange in introducing Ca into the axon upon depolarization; [Ca]o is too low to effect a channel-based system of Ca entry. This procedure was applied to axons treated with a variety of compounds that have been implicated as inhibitors of Na/Ca exchange. The result obtained was that the substances tested could be placed in three groups. (a) Substances that were without effect on Ca entry effected by Na/Ca exchange were: D600 at 10-100 microM, nitrendipine at 1-5 microM, Ba2+ and Mg2+ at concentrations of 10-50 mM, lidocaine at 0.1-10 mM, cyanide at 2 mM, adriamycin at a concentration of 3 microM, chloradenosine at 35 microM, 2,4-diaminopyridine at 1 mM, Cs+ at 45-90 mM, and tetrodotoxin at 10(-7). (b) Substances that had a significant inhibitory effect on Na/Ca exchange were: Mn2+, Cd2+, and La3+ at 1-50 mM, and quinidine at 50 microM. (c) There were also blocking agents and biochemical inhibitors whose action appeared to be the inhibition of nonmitochondrial Ca buffering in axoplasm rather than an inhibition of Na/Ca exchange. These were the general anesthetic l-octanol at 0.1 mM and 1 mM orthovanadate plus apyrase. PMID:2410536

  3. Interaction potential of Trigonella foenum graceum through cytochrome P450 mediated inhibition

    PubMed Central

    Ahmmed, Sk Milan; Mukherjee, Pulok K.; Bahadur, Shiv; Kar, Amit; Mukherjee, Kakali; Karmakar, Sanmoy; Bandyopadhyay, Arun

    2015-01-01

    Objective: The seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) (family: Leguminosae) are widely consumed both as a spice in food and Traditional Medicine in India. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the inhibitory effect of standardized extract of TFG and its major constituent trigonelline (TG) on rat liver microsome (RLM) and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) drug metabolizing isozymes (CYP3A4 and CYP2D6), which may indicate the possibility of a probable unwanted interaction. Materials and Methods: Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography method was developed to standardize the hydroalcoholic seed extract with standard TG. The inhibitory potential of the extract and TG was evaluated on RLM and CYP isozymes using CYP450-carbon monoxide (CYP450-CO) complex assay and fluorescence assay, respectively. Results: The content of TG in TFG was found to be 3.38% (w/w). The CYP-CO complex assay showed 23.32% inhibition on RLM. Fluorescence study revealed that the extract and the biomarker had some inhibition on CYP450 isozymes e.g. CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 (IC50 values of the extract: 102.65 ± 2.63–142.23 ± 2.61 µg/ml and TG: 168.73 ± 4.03–180.90 ± 2.49 µg/ml) which was very less compared to positive controls ketoconazole and quinidine. Inhibition potential of TFG was little higher than TG but very less compared to positive controls. Conclusions: From the present study, we may conclude that the TFG or TG has very less potential to inhibit the CYP isozymes (CYP3A4, CYP2D6), so administration of this plant extract or its biomarker TG may be safe. PMID:26600643

  4. The electro-mechanical window in anaesthetized guinea pigs: a new marker in screening for Torsade de Pointes risk

    PubMed Central

    Guns, P-J; Johnson, DM; Van Op den bosch, J; Weltens, E; Lissens, J

    2012-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE QT prolongation is commonly used as a surrogate marker for Torsade de Pointes (TdP) risk of non-cardiovascular drugs. However, use of this indirect marker often leads to misinterpretation of the realistic TdP risk, as tested compounds may cause QT prolongation without evoking TdP in humans. A negative electro-mechanical (E-M) window has recently been proposed as an alternative risk marker for TdP in a canine LQT1 model. Here, we evaluated the E-M window in anaesthetized guinea pigs as a screening marker for TdP in humans. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of various reference drugs and changes in body temperature on the E-M window were assessed in instrumented guinea pigs. The E-M window was defined as the delay between the duration of the electrical (QT interval) and mechanical (QLVPend) systole. KEY RESULTS Drugs with known TdP liability (quinidine, haloperidol, domperidone, terfenadine, thioridazine and dofetilide), but not those with no TdP risk in humans (salbutamol and diltiazem) consistently decreased the E-M window. Interestingly, drugs with known clinical QT prolongation, but with low risk for TdP (amiodarone, moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin) did not decrease the E-M window. Furthermore, the E-M window was minimally affected by changes in heart rate or body temperature. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS A decreased E-M window was consistently observed with drugs already known to have high TdP risk, but not with drugs with low or no TdP risk. These results suggest that the E-M window in anaesthetized guinea pigs is a risk marker for TdP in humans. PMID:22122450

  5. A novel O2-sensing mechanism in rat glossopharyngeal neurones mediated by a halothane-inhibitable background K+ conductance.

    PubMed

    Campanucci, Verónica A; Fearon, Ian M; Nurse, Colin A

    2003-05-01

    Modulation of K+ channels by hypoxia is a common O2-sensing mechanism in specialised cells. More recently, acid-sensitive TASK-like background K+ channels, which play a key role in setting the resting membrane potential, have been implicated in O2-sensing in certain cell types. Here, we report a novel O2 sensitivity mediated by a weakly pH-sensitive background K+ conductance in nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurones of the glossopharyngeal nerve (GPN). This conductance was insensitive to 30 mM TEA, 5 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and 200 microM Cd2+, but was reversibly inhibited by hypoxia (O2 tension (PO2) = 15 mmHg), 2-5 mM halothane, 10 mM barium and 1 mM quinidine. Notably, the presence of halothane occluded the inhibitory effect of hypoxia. Under current clamp, these agents depolarised GPN neurones. In contrast, arachidonic acid (5-10 microM) caused membrane hyperpolarisation and potentiation of the background K+ current. This pharmacological profile suggests the O2-sensitive conductance in GPN neurones is mediated by a class of background K+ channels different from the TASK family; it appears more closely related to the THIK (tandem pore domain halothane-inhibited K+) subfamily, or may represent a new member of the background K+ family. Since GPN neurones are thought to provide NO-mediated efferent inhibition of the carotid body (CB), these channels may contribute to the regulation of breathing during hypoxia via negative feedback control of CB function, as well as to the inhibitory effect of volatile anaesthetics (e.g. halothane) on respiration.

  6. Regio- and Stereo-Selective Oxidation of a Cardiovascular Drug, Metoprolol, Mediated by Cytochrome P450 2D and 3A Enzymes in Marmoset Livers.

    PubMed

    Uehara, Shotaro; Ishii, Sakura; Uno, Yasuhiro; Inoue, Takashi; Sasaki, Erika; Yamazaki, Hiroshi

    2017-08-01

    A β -blocker, metoprolol, is one of the in vivo probes for human cytochrome P450 (P450) 2D6. Investigation of nonhuman primate P450 enzymes helps to improve the accuracy of the extrapolation of pharmacokinetic data from animals into humans. Common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ) are a potential primate model for preclinical research, but the detailed roles of marmoset P450 enzymes in metoprolol oxidation remain unknown. In this study, regio- and stereo-selectivity of metoprolol oxidations by a variety of P450 enzymes in marmoset and human livers were investigated in vitro. Although liver microsomes from cynomolgus monkeys and rats preferentially mediated S -metoprolol O -demethylation and R -metoprolol α -hydroxylation, respectively, those from humans, marmosets, minipigs, and dogs preferentially mediated R -metoprolol O -demethylation, in contrast to the slow rates of R - and S -metoprolol oxidation in mouse liver microsomes. R - and S -metoprolol O -demethylation activities in marmoset livers were strongly inhibited by quinidine and ketoconazole, and were significantly correlated with bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation activities and also with P450 2D and 3A4 contents, which is different from the case in human livers that did not have any correlations with P450 3A-mediated midazolam 1'-hydroxylation. Recombinant human P450 2D6 enzyme and marmoset P450 2D6/3A4 enzymes effectively catalyzed R -metoprolol O -demethylation, comparable to the activities of human and marmoset liver microsomes, respectively. These results indicated that the major roles of P450 2D enzymes for the regio- and stereo-selectivity of metoprolol oxidation were similar between human and marmoset livers, but the minor roles of P450 3A enzymes were unique to marmosets. Copyright © 2017 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

  7. Systemic exposure of Paracetamol (acetaminophen) was enhanced by quercetin and chrysin co-administration in Wistar rats and in vitro model: risk of liver toxicity.

    PubMed

    Pingili, Ravindra Babu; Pawar, A Krishnamanjari; Challa, Siva R

    2015-01-01

    Intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) play an important role in the first-pass-metabolism (FPM) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of majority of drugs. Paracetamol is primarily metabolized by conjugation reactions and a little amount (∼15%) undergoes cytochrome P450 (CYP2E1)-mediated oxidative metabolism produces a hepatotoxic metabolite, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinonimine (NAPQI). Quercetin and chrysin are naturally occurring flavonoids, reported as modulators of P-gp and DMEs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of quercetin and chrysin on the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol using rats and non-everted gut sacs in vitro. Paracetamol was given orally (100 mg/kg) to rats alone and in combination with quercetin (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) and chrysin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) once daily for 21 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected on the 1st day in single dose pharmacokinetic study (SDS) and on the 21st day in multiple pharmacokinetic studies (MDS). The plasma concentrations of paracetamol were determined by HPLC and PK parameters were calculated by using Kinetica (Version 5.1). The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC0-12) of paracetamol was significantly increased by quercetin and chrysin co-administration in SDS and MDS. In non-everted rat gut sac method, the absorption of paracetamol was increased by presence of P-gp inhibitors (verapamil, quinidine and ketoconazole), quercetin and chrysin (50 μg/mL). Our findings suggested that the quercetin and chrysin might be inhibited the P-gp and metabolism of paracetamol; thereby increased the systemic exposure of paracetamol. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether the quercetin or chrysin are involved in the formation of NAPQI by CYP2E1 or not on isolated rat hepatocytes or using cell lines.

  8. Cytochrome P450-mediated hepatic metabolism of new fluorescent substrates in cats and dogs.

    PubMed

    van Beusekom, C D; Schipper, L; Fink-Gremmels, J

    2010-12-01

    This study aimed to investigate the biotransformation of cat liver microsomes in comparison to dogs and humans using a high throughput method with fluorescent substrates and classical inhibitors specific for certain isozymes of the human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme family. The metabolic activities associated with CYP1A, CYP2B, CYP2C, CYP2D, CYP2E and CYP3A were measured. Cat liver microsomes metabolized all substrates selected for the assessment of cytochrome P450 activity. The activities associated with CYP3A and CYP2B were higher than the activities of the other measured CYPs. Substrate selectivity could be demonstrated by inhibition studies with α-naphthoflavone (CYP1A), tranylcypromine/quercetine (CYP2C), quinidine (CYP2D), diethyldithiocarbamic acid (CYP2E) and ketoconazole (CYP3A) respectively. Other prototypical inhibitors used for characterization of human CYP activities such as furafylline (CYP1A), tranylcypromine (CYP2B) and sulfaphenazole (CYP2C) did not show significant effects in cat and dog liver microsomes. Moreover, IC50-values of cat CYPs differed from dog and human CYPs underlining the interspecies differences. Gender differences were observed in the oxidation of 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (CYP2B) and 3-[2-(N, N-diethyl-N-methylamino)ethyl]-7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin (CYP2D), which were significantly higher in male cats than in females. Conversely, oxidation of the substrates dibenzylfluorescein (CYP2C) and 7-methoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (CYP2E) showed significant higher activities in females than in male cats. Overall CYP-activities in cat liver microsomes were lower than in those from dogs or humans, except for CYP2B. The presented difference between feline and canine CYP-activities are useful to establish dose corrections for feline patients of intensively metabolized drugs licensed for dogs or humans. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  9. IGF-1 activates hEAG K(+) channels through an Akt-dependent signaling pathway in breast cancer cells: role in cell proliferation.

    PubMed

    Borowiec, Anne-Sophie; Hague, Frédéric; Harir, Noria; Guénin, Stéphanie; Guerineau, François; Gouilleux, Fabrice; Roudbaraki, Morad; Lassoued, Kaiss; Ouadid-Ahidouch, Halima

    2007-09-01

    Previous work from our laboratory has shown that human ether à go-go (hEAG) K(+) channels are crucial for breast cancer cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. In this study, we investigated the regulation of hEAG channels by an insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is known to stimulate cell proliferation. Acute applications of IGF-1 increased K(+) current-density and hyperpolarized MCF-7 cells. The effects of IGF-1 were inhibited by hEAG inhibitors. Moreover, IGF-1 increased mRNA expression of hEAG in a time-dependent manner in parallel with an enhancement of cell proliferation. The MCF-7 cell proliferation induced by IGF-1 is inhibited pharmacologically by Astemizole or Quinidine or more specifically using siRNA against hEAG channel. Either mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) are known to mediate IGF-1 cell proliferative signals through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk 1/2) and Akt, respectively. In MCF-7 cells, IGF-1 rapidly stimulated Akt phosphorylation, whereas IGF-1 had little stimulating effect on Erk 1/2 which seems to be constitutively activated. The application of wortmannin was found to block the effects of IGF-1 on K(+) current. Moreover, the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation by the application of wortmannin or by a specific reduction of Akt kinase activity reduced the hEAG mRNA levels. Taken together, our results show, for the first time, that IGF-1 increases both the activity and the expression of hEAG channels through an Akt-dependent pathway. Since a hEAG channel is necessary for cell proliferation, its regulation by IGF-1 may thus play an important role in IGF-1 signaling to promote a mitogenic effect in breast cancer cells.

  10. Possible involvement of cationic-drug sensitive transport systems in the blood-to-brain influx and brain-to-blood efflux of amantadine across the blood-brain barrier.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Toyofumi; Fukami, Toshiro; Tomono, Kazuo

    2015-03-01

    The purpose of this study was to characterize the brain-to-blood efflux transport of amantadine across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The apparent in vivo efflux rate constant for [(3) H]amantadine from the rat brain (keff ) was found to be 1.53 × 10(-2) min(-1) after intracerebral microinjection using the brain efflux index method. The efflux of [(3) H]amantadine was inhibited by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+) ), a cationic neurotoxin, suggesting that amantadine transport from the brain to the blood across the BBB potentially involves the rat plasma membrane monoamine transporter (rPMAT). On the other hand, other selected substrates for organic cation transporters (OCTs) and organic anion transporters (OATs), as well as inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), did not affect the efflux transport of [(3) H]amantadine. In addition, in vitro studies using an immortalized rat brain endothelial cell line (GPNT) showed that the uptake and retention of [(3) H]amantadine by the cells was not changed by the addition of cyclosporin, which is an inhibitor of P-gp. However, cyclosporin affected the uptake and retention of rhodamine123. Finally, the initial brain uptake of [(3) H]amantadine was determined using an in situ mouse brain perfusion technique. Notably, the brain uptake clearance for [(3) H]amantadine was significantly decreased with the co-perfusion of quinidine or verapamil, which are cationic P-gp inhibitors, while MPP(+) did not have a significant effect. It is thus concluded that while P-gp is not involved, it is possible that rPMAT and the cationic drug-sensitive transport system participate in the brain-to-blood efflux and the blood-to-brain influx of amantadine across the BBB, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  11. Functional and molecular identification of a TASK-1 potassium channel regulating chloride secretion through CFTR channels in the shark rectal gland: implications for cystic fibrosis

    PubMed Central

    Telles, Connor J.; Decker, Sarah E.; Motley, William W.; Peters, Alexander W.; Mehr, Ali Poyan; Frizzell, Raymond A.

    2016-01-01

    In the shark rectal gland (SRG), apical chloride secretion through CFTR channels is electrically coupled to a basolateral K+ conductance whose type and molecular identity are unknown. We performed studies in the perfused SRG with 17 K+ channel inhibitors to begin this search. Maximal chloride secretion was markedly inhibited by low-perfusate pH, bupivicaine, anandamide, zinc, quinidine, and quinine, consistent with the properties of an acid-sensitive, four-transmembrane, two-pore-domain K+ channel (4TM-K2P). Using PCR with degenerate primers to this family, we identified a TASK-1 fragment in shark rectal gland, brain, gill, and kidney. Using 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR and genomic walking, we cloned the full-length shark gene (1,282 bp), whose open reading frame encodes a protein of 375 amino acids that was 80% identical to the human TASK-1 protein. We expressed shark and human TASK-1 cRNA in Xenopus oocytes and characterized these channels using two-electrode voltage clamping. Both channels had identical current-voltage relationships (outward rectifying) and a reversal potential of −90 mV. Both were inhibited by quinine, bupivicaine, and acidic pH. The pKa for current inhibition was 7.75 for shark TASK-1 vs. 7.37 for human TASK-1, values similar to the arterial pH for each species. We identified this protein in SRG by Western blot and confocal immunofluorescent microscopy and detected the protein in SRG and human airway cells. Shark TASK-1 is the major K+ channel coupled to chloride secretion in the SRG, is the oldest 4TM 2P family member identified, and is the first TASK-1 channel identified to play a role in setting the driving force for chloride secretion in epithelia. The detection of this potassium channel in mammalian lung tissue has implications for human biology and disease. PMID:27653983

  12. Cytochrome P450 dependent metabolism of the new designer drug 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP). In vivo studies in Wistar and Dark Agouti rats as well as in vitro studies in human liver microsomes.

    PubMed

    Staack, Roland F; Paul, Liane D; Springer, Dietmar; Kraemer, Thomas; Maurer, Hans H

    2004-01-15

    1-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) is a designer drug with serotonergic properties. Previous studies with male Wistar rats (WI) had shown, that TFMPP was metabolized mainly by aromatic hydroxylation. In the current study, it was examined whether this reaction may be catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP)2D6 by comparing TFMPP vs. hydroxy TFMPP ratios in urine from female Dark Agouti rats, a model of the human CYP2D6 poor metabolizer phenotype (PM), male Dark Agouti rats, an intermediate model, and WI, a model of the human CYP2D6 extensive metabolizer phenotype. Furthermore, the human hepatic CYPs involved in TFMPP hydroxylation were identified using cDNA-expressed CYPs and human liver microsomes. Finally, TFMPP plasma levels in the above mentioned rats were compared. The urine studies suggested that TFMPP hydroxylation might be catalyzed by CYP2D6 in humans. Studies using human CYPs showed that CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 catalyzed TFMPP hydroxylation, with CYP2D6 being the most important enzyme accounting for about 81% of the net intrinsic clearance, calculated using the relative activity factor approach. The hydroxylation was significantly inhibited by quinidine (77%) and metabolite formation in poor metabolizer genotype human liver microsomes was significantly lower (63%) compared to pooled human liver microsomes. Analysis of the plasma samples showed that female Dark Agouti rats exhibited significantly higher TFMPP plasma levels compared to those of male Dark Agouti rats and WI. Furthermore, pretreatment of WI with the CYP2D inhibitor quinine resulted in significantly higher TFMPP plasma levels. In conclusion, the presented data give hints for possible differences in pharmacokinetics in human PM and human CYP2D6 extensive metabolizer phenotype subjects relevant for risk assessment.

  13. Negative electro-mechanical windows are required for drug-induced Torsades de Pointes in the anesthetized guinea pig.

    PubMed

    Guns, P-J; Johnson, D M; Weltens, E; Lissens, J

    2012-09-01

    Assessment of the propensity of novel drugs to cause proarrhythmia is essential in the drug development process. It is increasingly recognized, however, that QT prolongation alone is an imperfect surrogate marker for Torsades de Pointes (TdP) arrhythmia prediction. In the present study we investigated the behavior of a novel surrogate marker for TdP, the electro-mechanical (E-M) window, prior to triggering of TdP episodes with sympathetic stimulation after administration of a number of reference compounds. Experiments were carried out in closed chest pentobarbital anesthetized guinea pigs. Test compounds were administered intravenously together with a specific I(Ks) blocker (JNJ303; 0.2 mgkg(-1)min(-1) for 3 min) and adrenaline (0.06 mgkg(-1)min(-1) for 2 min) was applied to trigger TdP. ECG, blood- and left ventricular pressure signals were measured continuously throughout the experiments. The E-M window i.e. the duration of the mechanical systole (QLVP(end) interval) minus the duration of the electrical activity (QT interval) was assessed for individual beats. Drugs with documented TdP liability (quinidine, haloperidol, domperidone, terfenadine, moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin and dofetilide) produced TdP in the protocol after adrenaline infusion, whereas negative control compounds (verapamil, ranolazine, amiodarone and saline) did not cause TdP arrhythmia, even though increases in repolarization times were observed. TdP were typically preceded by large (greater than -50 ms) negative electro-mechanical windows and were accompanied by aftercontractions. The present study in anesthetized guinea pigs indicates that negative E-M windows are a prerequisite for sympathetically-driven TdP induction after the administration of various agents with known proarrhythmic potential. These data are a first step in the validation of this novel protocol; however we believe that this proarrhythmia model in small animals might be a valuable additional tool in the prediction of TdP risk of new chemical entities at the early stages of drug discovery. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Application of Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis to Refine the Prediction of Potential Digoxin Drug Interactions

    PubMed Central

    Ellens, Harma; Deng, Shibing; Coleman, JoAnn; Bentz, Joe; Taub, Mitchell E.; Ragueneau-Majlessi, Isabelle; Chung, Sophie P.; Herédi-Szabó, Krisztina; Neuhoff, Sibylle; Palm, Johan; Balimane, Praveen; Zhang, Lei; Jamei, Masoud; Hanna, Imad; O’Connor, Michael; Bednarczyk, Dallas; Forsgard, Malin; Chu, Xiaoyan; Funk, Christoph; Guo, Ailan; Hillgren, Kathleen M.; Li, LiBin; Pak, Anne Y.; Perloff, Elke S.; Rajaraman, Ganesh; Salphati, Laurent; Taur, Jan-Shiang; Weitz, Dietmar; Wortelboer, Heleen M.; Xia, Cindy Q.; Xiao, Guangqing; Yamagata, Tetsuo

    2013-01-01

    In the 2012 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft guidance on drug-drug interactions (DDIs), a new molecular entity that inhibits P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may need a clinical DDI study with a P-gp substrate such as digoxin when the maximum concentration of inhibitor at steady state divided by IC50 ([I1]/IC50) is ≥0.1 or concentration of inhibitor based on highest approved dose dissolved in 250 ml divide by IC50 ([I2]/IC50) is ≥10. In this article, refined criteria are presented, determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis, using IC50 values generated by 23 laboratories. P-gp probe substrates were digoxin for polarized cell-lines and N-methyl quinidine or vinblastine for P-gp overexpressed vesicles. Inhibition of probe substrate transport was evaluated using 15 known P-gp inhibitors. Importantly, the criteria derived in this article take into account variability in IC50 values. Moreover, they are statistically derived based on the highest degree of accuracy in predicting true positive and true negative digoxin DDI results. The refined criteria of [I1]/IC50 ≥ 0.03 and [I2]/IC50 ≥ 45 and FDA criteria were applied to a test set of 101 in vitro-in vivo digoxin DDI pairs collated from the literature. The number of false negatives (none predicted but DDI observed) were similar, 10 and 12%, whereas the number of false positives (DDI predicted but not observed) substantially decreased from 51 to 40%, relative to the FDA criteria. On the basis of estimated overall variability in IC50 values, a theoretical 95% confidence interval calculation was developed for single laboratory IC50 values, translating into a range of [I1]/IC50 and [I2]/IC50 values. The extent by which this range falls above the criteria is a measure of risk associated with the decision, attributable to variability in IC50 values. PMID:23620486

  15. Achiral-chiral two-dimensional chromatography of free amino acids in milk: A promising tool for detecting different levels of mastitis in cows.

    PubMed

    Ianni, Federica; Sardella, Roccaldo; Lisanti, Antonella; Gioiello, Antimo; Cenci Goga, Beniamino Terzo; Lindner, Wolfgang; Natalini, Benedetto

    2015-12-10

    In two-dimensional HPLC (2D-HPLC) "heart-cut" applications, two columns are connected in series via a switching valve and volume fractions from the "primary" column are re-injected on the "secondary" column. The heart-cut 2D-HPLC system here described was implemented by connecting a reversed-phase (RP) column (first dimension) to a chiral column (second dimension) containing a quinidine-based chiral stationary phase. The system was used to evaluate the change in the enantiomeric excess value of dansylated (Dns) amino acids (AAs) in milk samples from two cows with different "California Mastitis Test" scores: negative test for sample 1, positive for sample 2. Apart from the co-elution of Dns-Arg/Dns-Gly and the reduced chemoselectivity for Dns-Leu/Dns-allo-Ile, the optimized achiral RP method distinguished the remaining standard Dns-AAs. Dns-AAs were identified in the chromatograms of the real samples, and in higher concentration Dns-Ala, Dns-Arg, Dns-Asp, Dns-Glu, Dns-Ile, Dns-Leu, Dns-Phe and Dns-Val. Except Dns-Arg, the chiral column enabled the RP enantioseparation of all the other compounds (α and RS values up to 1.65 and 8.63, respectively, for Dns-Phe). In sample 2, the amounts of Dns-d-AAs were rather elevated, in particular for Dns-Ala and Dns-Asp. Instead, for sample 1, D-isomers were detected for Dns-Ala, Dns-Glu and Dns-Leu. The proposed 2D-HPLC method could be useful for the identification of clinical mastitis difficult to be diagnosed. Moreover, the eventual progressive reduction of D-AAs levels with the degree of sub-clinical mastitis could allow the building of mathematical models to use for the diagnosis of early stages of mastitis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. The H2 receptor antagonist nizatidine is a P-glycoprotein substrate: characterization of its intestinal epithelial cell efflux transport.

    PubMed

    Dahan, Arik; Sabit, Hairat; Amidon, Gordon L

    2009-06-01

    The aim of this study was to elucidate the intestinal epithelial cell efflux transport processes that are involved in the intestinal transport of the H(2) receptor antagonist nizatidine. The intestinal epithelial efflux transport mechanisms of nizatidine were investigated and characterized across Caco-2 cell monolayers, in the concentration range 0.05-10 mM in both apical-basolateral (AP-BL) and BL-AP directions, and the transport constants of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux activity were calculated. The concentration-dependent effects of various P-gp (verapamil, quinidine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, and cyclosporine A), multidrug resistant-associated protein 2 (MRP2; MK-571, probenecid, indomethacin, and p-aminohipuric acid), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP; Fumitremorgin C) inhibitors on nizatidine bidirectional transport were examined. Nizatidine exhibited 7.7-fold higher BL-AP than AP-BL Caco-2 permeability, indicative of net mucosal secretion. All P-gp inhibitors investigated displayed concentration-dependent inhibition on nizatidine secretion in both directions. The IC(50) of verapamil on nizatidine P-gp secretion was 1.2 x 10(-2) mM. In the absence of inhibitors, nizatidine displayed concentration-dependent secretion, with one saturable (J(max) = 5.7 x 10(-3) nmol cm(-2) s(-1) and K(m) = 2.2 mM) and one nonsaturable component (K(d) = 7 x 10(-4) microL cm(-2) s(-1)). Under complete P-gp inhibition, nizatidine exhibited linear secretory flux, with a slope similar to the nonsaturable component. V(max) and K(m) estimated for nizatidine P-gp-mediated secretion were 4 x 10(-3) nmol cm(-2) s(-1) and 1.2 mM, respectively. No effect was obtained with the MRP2 or the BCRP inhibitors. Being a drug commonly used in pediatrics, adults, and elderly, nizatidine susceptibility to efflux transport by P-gp revealed in this paper may be of significance in its absorption, distribution, and clearance, as well as possible drug-drug interactions.

  17. Inhibitory Effect of Flavonoids on the Efflux of N-Acetyl 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Intracellularly Formed in Caco-2 Cells

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Yoshimura; Kentaro, Kawano; Ryusuke, Matsumura; Narumi, Sugihara; Koji, Furuno

    2009-01-01

    N-acetyl 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-AcASA) that was intracellularly formed from 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) at 200 μM was discharged 5.3, 7.1, and 8.1-fold higher into the apical site than into the basolateral site during 1, 2, and 4-hour incubations, respectively, in Caco-2 cells grown in Transwells. The addition of flavonols (100 μM) such as fisetin and quercetin with 5-ASA remarkably decreased the apically directed efflux of 5-AcASA. When 5-ASA (200 μM) was added to Caco-2 cells grown in tissue culture dishes, the formation of 5-AcASA decreased, and, in addition, the formed 5-AcASA was found to be accumulated within the cells in the presence of such flavonols. Thus, the decrease in 5-AcASA efflux by such flavonols was attributed not only to the inhibition of N-acetyl-conjugation of 5-ASA but to the predominant cellular accumulation of 5-AcASA. Various flavonoids also had both of the effects with potencies that depend on their specific structures. The essential structure of flavonoids was an absence of a hydroxyl substitution at the C5 position on the A-ring of flavone structure for the inhibitory effect on the N-acetyl-conjugation of 5-ASA, and a presence of hydroxyl substitutions at the C3′ or C4′ position on the B-ring of flavone structure for the promoting effect on the cellular accumulation of 5-AcASA. Both the decrease in 5-AcASA apical efflux and the increase in 5-AcASA cellular accumulation were also caused by MK571 and indomethacin, inhibitors of MRPs, but not by quinidine, cyclosporin A, P-glycoprotein inhibitors, and mitoxantrone, a BCRP substrate. These results suggest that certain flavonoids suppress the apical efflux of 5-AcASA possibly by inhibiting MRPs pumps located on apical membranes in Caco-2 cells. PMID:19688110

  18. Identification of phase-I metabolites and chronic toxicity study of the Kv1.3 blocker PAP-1 (5-(4-phenoxybutoxy)psoralen) in the rat.

    PubMed

    Hao, B; Chen, Z-W; Zhou, X-J; Zimin, P I; Miljanich, G P; Wulff, H; Wang, Y-X

    2011-03-01

    1. PAP-1 (5-(4-phenoxybutoxy)psoralen), a potent small-molecule blocker of the voltage-gated potassium Kv1.3 channel, is currently in preclinical development for psoriasis. This study was undertaken to identify the major phase I metabolites of PAP-1 in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. 2. Five phase I metabolites, that is 5-(oxybutyric-acid)psoralen (M1), 5-[4-(4-hydroxybutoxy)]psoralen (M2), 5-[4-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)butoxy]psoralen (M3), 5-[4-(3-hydroxyphenoxy)butoxy]psoralen (M4), and 8-hydroxyl-5-(4-phenoxybutoxy)psoralen (M5), were isolated from the bile of rats and identified by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The last four metabolites are new compounds. 3. Incubation of PAP-1 with SD rat liver microsomes rendered the same five major metabolites in a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent manner suggesting that cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are involved in PAP-1 metabolism. Inhibitors of rat CYP1A1/2 (alpha-naphthoflavone) and CYP3A (ketoconazole) but not CYP2D6 (quinidine), CYP2E (diethyldithiocarbamate), or CYP2C9 (sulphaphenazole) blocked the metabolism of PAP-1 in rat microsomes. 4. Of the five metabolites M3, M4, and M5 were found to inhibit Kv1.3 currents with nanomolar IC50s, while M1 and M2 were inactive. Our results identified the Kv1.3-inactive M1 as the major phase I metabolite, and suggest that hydroxylation and O-dealkylation are the major pathways of PAP-1 metabolism. 5. We further conducted a 6-month repeat-dose toxicity study with PAP-1 at 50 mg/kg in both male and female Lewis rats and did not observe any toxic effects.

  19. The Effects of Physiological and Environmental Factors on Hepatic Perfusion and First-Pass Metabolism.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Modi, Marlene Woodruff

    The interaction of three important parameters; hepatic blood flow (Q_{rm H} ), plasma protein binding (f), and hepatic intrinsic clearance (CL_{rm int}) determines the disposition of agents undergoing extensive first-pass metabolism. This collection of studies focuses on the interaction of these parameters in man and the rat in the presence and absence of a given physiological and environmental perturbation. Potential mechanisms implicated in the "Food Effect" phenomenon whereby concomitant food intake increases the bioavailability a basic lipophilic drug are examined. These investigations provide insight as to the physiological response of the liver in the face of nutritional, pharmacological and physiological perturbations. The measurement of hepatic blood flow is a necessary endeavor before and understanding of the hepatic circulation or hepatic clearance concepts can be realized. Preliminary studies were performed to improve our understanding of the factors affecting the interpretation of hepatic blood flow estimates. It has been postulated that this food effect is caused at least in part by a transient increase in Q _{rm H} with its associated decrease in hepatic first-pass metabolism. Posture was manipulated in such a manner as to simulate the hepatic blood flow pattern observed in postprandial subjects. Although transient changes in Q_{rm H } comparable in magnitude and duration to those encountered after food consumption were observed, the AUC _{rm oral} for propanolol was not affected. It is important to assess the free concentration being presented to the organ which is highly extracting the drug. Single macronutrient feedings of glucose and vitamin-free casein to male Sprague-Dawley rats did not produce significant changes in the serum protein binding of a model basic lipophilic drug (quinidine) in systemic or hepatic blood. It has been postulated that food intake may have a greater influence on the bioavailability of metoprolol (a high clearance drug) in extensive metabolizers of the drug. After a population of extensive and poor metabolizers of metoprolol were identified, the effect of chronic food intake on steady-state concentrations of metoprolol was examined in these two groups.

  20. Development of a quantitative LC-MS/MS analytical method coupled with turbulent flow chromatography for digoxin for the in vitro P-gp inhibition assay.

    PubMed

    Smalley, James; Marino, Anthony M; Xin, Baomin; Olah, Timothy; Balimane, Praveen V

    2007-07-01

    Caco-2 cells, the human colon carcinoma cells, are typically used for screening compounds for their permeability characteristics and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) interaction potential during discovery and development. The P-gp inhibition of test compounds is assessed by performing bi-directional permeability studies with digoxin, a well established P-gp substrate probe. Studies performed with digoxin alone as well as digoxin in presence of test compounds as putative inhibitors constitute the P-gp inhibition assay used to assess the potential liability of discovery compounds. Radiolabeled (3)H-digoxin is commonly used in such studies followed by liquid scintillation counting. This manuscript describes the development of a sensitive, accurate, and reproducible LC-MS/MS method for analysis of digoxin and its internal standard digitoxin using an on-line extraction turbulent flow chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometric detection that is amendable to high throughput with use of 96-well plates. The standard curve for digoxin was linear between 10 nM and 5000 nM with regression coefficient (R(2)) of 0.99. The applicability and reliability of the analysis method was evaluated by successful demonstration of efflux ratio (permeability B to A over permeability A to B) greater than 10 for digoxin in Caco-2 cells. Additional evaluations were performed on 13 marketed compounds by conducting inhibition studies in Caco-2 cells using classical P-gp inhibitors (ketoconazole, cyclosporin, verapamil, quinidine, saquinavir etc.) and comparing the results to historical data with (3)H-digoxin studies. Similarly, P-gp inhibition studies with LC-MS/MS analytical method for digoxin were also performed for 21 additional test compounds classified as negative, moderate, and potent P-gp inhibitors spanning multiple chemo types and results compared with the historical P-gp inhibition data from the (3)H-digoxin studies. A very good correlation coefficient (R(2)) of 0.89 between the results from the two analytical methods affords an attractive LC-MS/MS analytical option for labs that need to conduct the P-gp inhibition assay without using radiolabeled compounds.

  1. Transport inhibition of digoxin using several common P-gp expressing cell lines is not necessarily reporting only on inhibitor binding to P-gp.

    PubMed

    Lumen, Annie Albin; Li, Libin; Li, Jiben; Ahmed, Zeba; Meng, Zhou; Owen, Albert; Ellens, Harma; Hidalgo, Ismael J; Bentz, Joe

    2013-01-01

    We have reported that the P-gp substrate digoxin required basolateral and apical uptake transport in excess of that allowed by digoxin passive permeability (as measured in the presence of GF120918) to achieve the observed efflux kinetics across MDCK-MDR1-NKI (The Netherlands Cancer Institute) confluent cell monolayers. That is, GF120918 inhibitable uptake transport was kinetically required. Therefore, IC50 measurements using digoxin as a probe substrate in this cell line could be due to inhibition of P-gp, of digoxin uptake transport, or both. This kinetic analysis is now extended to include three additional cell lines: MDCK-MDR1-NIH (National Institute of Health), Caco-2 and CPT-B2 (Caco-2 cells with BCRP knockdown). These cells similarly exhibit GF120918 inhibitable uptake transport of digoxin. We demonstrate that inhibition of digoxin transport across these cell lines by GF120918, cyclosporine, ketoconazole and verapamil is greater than can be explained by inhibition of P-gp alone. We examined three hypotheses for this non-P-gp inhibition. The inhibitors can: (1) bind to a basolateral digoxin uptake transporter, thereby inhibiting digoxin's cellular uptake; (2) partition into the basolateral membrane and directly reduce membrane permeability; (3) aggregate with digoxin in the donor chamber, thereby reducing the free concentration of digoxin, with concomitant reduction in digoxin uptake. Data and simulations show that hypothesis 1 was found to be uniformly acceptable. Hypothesis 2 was found to be uniformly unlikely. Hypothesis 3 was unlikely for GF120918 and cyclosporine, but further studies are needed to completely adjudicate whether hetero-dimerization contributes to the non-P-gp inhibition for ketoconazole and verapamil. We also find that P-gp substrates with relatively low passive permeability such as digoxin, loperamide and vinblastine kinetically require basolateral uptake transport over that allowed by +GF120918 passive permeability, while highly permeable P-gp substrates such as amprenavir, quinidine, ketoconazole and verapamil do not, regardless of whether they actually use the basolateral transporter.

  2. The Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Responsible for the Production of (Z)-Norendoxifen in vitro.

    PubMed

    Ma, Jianli; Chu, Zhong; Lu, Jessica Bo Li; Liu, Jinzhong; Zhang, Qingyuan; Liu, Zhaoliang; Tang, Dabei

    2018-01-01

    Norendoxifen, an active metabolite of tamoxifen, is a potent aromatase inhibitor. Little information is available regarding production of norendoxifen in vitro. Here, we conducted a series of kinetic and inhibition studies in human liver microsomes (HLMs) and expressed P450s to study the metabolic disposition of norendoxifen. To validate that norendoxifen was the metabolite of endoxifen, metabolites in HLMs incubates of endoxifen were measured using a HPLC/MS/MS method. To further probe the specific isoforms involved in the metabolic route, endoxifen was incubated with recombinant P450s (CYP 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4, 3A5 and CYP4A11). Formation rates of norendoxifen were evaluated in the absence and presence of P450 isoform specific inhibitors using HLMs. The peak of norendoxifen was found in the incubations consisting of endoxifen, HLMs, and cofactors. The retention times of norendoxifen, endoxifen, and the internal standard (diphenhydramine) were 7.81, 7.97, and 5.86 min, respectively. The K m (app) and V max (app) values of norendoxifen formation from endoxifen in HLM was 47.8 μm and 35.39 pmol min -1 mg -1 . The apparent hepatic intrinsic clearances of norendoxifen formation were 0.74 μl mg -1 min. CYP3A5 and CYP2D6 were the major enzymes capable of norendoxifen formation from endoxifen with the rates of 0.26 and 0.86 pmol pmol -1 P450 × min. CYP1A2, 3A2, 2C9, and 2C19 also contributed to norendoxifen formation, but the contributions were at least 6-fold lower. One micromolar ketoconazole (CYP3A inhibitor) showed an inhibitory effect on the rates of norendoxifen formation by 45%, but 1 μm quinidine (CYP2D6 inhibitor) does not show any inhibitory effect. Norendoxifen, metabolism from endoxifen by multiple P450s that including CYP3A5. © 2018 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

  3. Pharmacologic conversion of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review of available evidence.

    PubMed

    Slavik, R S; Tisdale, J E; Borzak, S

    2001-01-01

    This report reviews the efficacy of currently available antiarrhythmic agents for conversion of atrial fibrilation (AF) to normal sinus rhythm (NSR). A systematic search of literature in the English language was done on computerized databases, such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Current Contents, in reference lists, by manual searching, and in contact with expert informants. Published studies involving humans that described the use of antiarrhythmic therapy for conversion of AF to NSR were considered and only studies that examined the use of agents currently available in the United States were included. Studies exclusively describing antiarrhythmic therapy for conversion of postsurgical AF were excluded. The methodology and results of each trial were assessed and attempts were made to acquire additional information from investigators when needed. Assessment of methodological quality was incorporated into a levels-of-evidence scheme. Eighty-eight trials were included, of which 34 (39%) included a placebo group (level I data). We found in recent-onset AF of less than 7 days, intravenous (i.v.) procainamide, high-dose i.v. or high-dose combination i.v. and oral amiodarone, oral quinidine, oral flecainide, oral propafenone, and high-dose oral amiodarone are more effective than placebo for converting AF to NSR. In recent-onset AF of less than 90 days, i.v. ibutilide is more effective than placebo and i.v. procainamide. In chronic AF, oral dofetilide converts AF to NSR within 72 hours, and oral propafenone and amiodarone are effective after 30 days of therapy. We conclude than for conversion of recent-onset AF of less than 7 days, procainamide may be considered a preferred i.v. agent and propafenone a preferred oral agent. For conversion of recent-onset AF of longer duration (less than 90 days), i.v. ibutilide may be considered a preferred agent. For patients with chronic AF and left ventricular dysfunction, direct current cardioversion is the preferred conversion method. Larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials with clinically important endpoints in specific populations of AF patients are needed. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company

  4. Involvement of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance associated protein 1 in the transport of tanshinone IIB, a primary active diterpenoid quinone from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, across the blood-brain barrier.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Zhi-Wei; Chen, Xiao; Liang, Jun; Yu, Xi-Yong; Wen, Jing-Yuan; Zhou, Shu-Feng

    2007-08-01

    Tanshinone IIB (TSB) is a major constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza, which is widely used in treatment of cardiovascular and central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. This study aimed to investigate the role of various drug transporters in the brain penetration of TSB using several in vitro and in vivo mouse and rat models. The uptake and efflux of TSB in rat primary microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVECs) were ATP-dependent and significantly altered in the presence of a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) or multidrug resistance associated protein (Mrp1/2) inhibitor. A polarized transport of TSB was found in RBMVEC monolayers with facilitated efflux from the abluminal to luminal side. Addition of a P-gp inhibitor (e.g. verapamil) in both abluminal and luminal sides attenuated the polarized transport. In an in situ rat brain perfusion model, TSB crossed the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier at a greater rate than that for sucrose, and the brain penetration was increased in the presence of a P-gp or Mrp1/2 inhibitor. The brain levels of TSB were only about 30% of that in the plasma and it could be increased to up to 72% of plasma levels when verapamil, quinidine, or probenecid was co-administered in rats. The entry of TSB to CNS increased by 67-97% in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion or treatment with the neurotoxin, quinolinic acid, compared to normal rats. Furthermore, The brain levels of TSB in mdr1a(-/-) and mrp1(-/-) mice were 28- to 2.6-fold higher than those in the wild-type mice. TSB has limited brain penetration through the BBB due to the contribution of P-gp and to a lesser extent of Mrp1 in rodents. Further studies are needed to confirm whether these corresponding transporters in humans are involved in limiting the penetration of TSB across the BBB and the clinical relevance.

  5. Transport Inhibition of Digoxin Using Several Common P-gp Expressing Cell Lines Is Not Necessarily Reporting Only on Inhibitor Binding to P-gp

    PubMed Central

    Lumen, Annie Albin; Li, Libin; Li, Jiben; Ahmed, Zeba; Meng, Zhou; Owen, Albert; Ellens, Harma; Hidalgo, Ismael J.; Bentz, Joe

    2013-01-01

    We have reported that the P-gp substrate digoxin required basolateral and apical uptake transport in excess of that allowed by digoxin passive permeability (as measured in the presence of GF120918) to achieve the observed efflux kinetics across MDCK-MDR1-NKI (The Netherlands Cancer Institute) confluent cell monolayers. That is, GF120918 inhibitable uptake transport was kinetically required. Therefore, IC50 measurements using digoxin as a probe substrate in this cell line could be due to inhibition of P-gp, of digoxin uptake transport, or both. This kinetic analysis is now extended to include three additional cell lines: MDCK-MDR1-NIH (National Institute of Health), Caco-2 and CPT-B2 (Caco-2 cells with BCRP knockdown). These cells similarly exhibit GF120918 inhibitable uptake transport of digoxin. We demonstrate that inhibition of digoxin transport across these cell lines by GF120918, cyclosporine, ketoconazole and verapamil is greater than can be explained by inhibition of P-gp alone. We examined three hypotheses for this non-P-gp inhibition. The inhibitors can: (1) bind to a basolateral digoxin uptake transporter, thereby inhibiting digoxin's cellular uptake; (2) partition into the basolateral membrane and directly reduce membrane permeability; (3) aggregate with digoxin in the donor chamber, thereby reducing the free concentration of digoxin, with concomitant reduction in digoxin uptake. Data and simulations show that hypothesis 1 was found to be uniformly acceptable. Hypothesis 2 was found to be uniformly unlikely. Hypothesis 3 was unlikely for GF120918 and cyclosporine, but further studies are needed to completely adjudicate whether hetero-dimerization contributes to the non-P-gp inhibition for ketoconazole and verapamil. We also find that P-gp substrates with relatively low passive permeability such as digoxin, loperamide and vinblastine kinetically require basolateral uptake transport over that allowed by +GF120918 passive permeability, while highly permeable P-gp substrates such as amprenavir, quinidine, ketoconazole and verapamil do not, regardless of whether they actually use the basolateral transporter. PMID:23976943

  6. The Elementary Mass Action Rate Constants of P-gp Transport for a Confluent Monolayer of MDCKII-hMDR1 Cells

    PubMed Central

    Tran, Thuy Thanh; Mittal, Aditya; Aldinger, Tanya; Polli, Joseph W.; Ayrton, Andrew; Ellens, Harma; Bentz, Joe

    2005-01-01

    The human multi-drug resistance membrane transporter, P-glycoprotein, or P-gp, has been extensively studied due to its importance to human health and disease. Thus far, the kinetic analysis of P-gp transport has been limited to steady-state Michaelis-Menten approaches or to compartmental models, neither of which can prove molecular mechanisms. Determination of the elementary kinetic rate constants of transport will be essential to understanding how P-gp works. The experimental system we use is a confluent monolayer of MDCKII-hMDR1 cells that overexpress P-gp. It is a physiologically relevant model system, and transport is measured without biochemical manipulations of P-gp. The Michaelis-Menten mass action reaction is used to model P-gp transport. Without imposing the steady-state assumptions, this reaction depends upon several parameters that must be simultaneously fitted. An exhaustive fitting of transport data to find all possible parameter vectors that best fit the data was accomplished with a reasonable computation time using a hierarchical algorithm. For three P-gp substrates (amprenavir, loperamide, and quinidine), we have successfully fitted the elementary rate constants, i.e., drug association to P-gp from the apical membrane inner monolayer, drug dissociation back into the apical membrane inner monolayer, and drug efflux from P-gp into the apical chamber, as well as the density of efflux active P-gp. All three drugs had overlapping ranges for the efflux active P-gp, which was a benchmark for the validity of the fitting process. One novel finding was that the association to P-gp appears to be rate-limited solely by drug lateral diffusion within the inner monolayer of the plasma membrane for all three drugs. This would be expected if P-gp structure were open to the lipids of the apical membrane inner monolayer, as has been suggested by recent structural studies. The fitted kinetic parameters show how P-gp efflux of a wide range of xenobiotics has been maximized. PMID:15501934

  7. Functional and molecular identification of a TASK-1 potassium channel regulating chloride secretion through CFTR channels in the shark rectal gland: implications for cystic fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Telles, Connor J; Decker, Sarah E; Motley, William W; Peters, Alexander W; Mehr, Ali Poyan; Frizzell, Raymond A; Forrest, John N

    2016-12-01

    In the shark rectal gland (SRG), apical chloride secretion through CFTR channels is electrically coupled to a basolateral K + conductance whose type and molecular identity are unknown. We performed studies in the perfused SRG with 17 K + channel inhibitors to begin this search. Maximal chloride secretion was markedly inhibited by low-perfusate pH, bupivicaine, anandamide, zinc, quinidine, and quinine, consistent with the properties of an acid-sensitive, four-transmembrane, two-pore-domain K + channel (4TM-K2P). Using PCR with degenerate primers to this family, we identified a TASK-1 fragment in shark rectal gland, brain, gill, and kidney. Using 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR and genomic walking, we cloned the full-length shark gene (1,282 bp), whose open reading frame encodes a protein of 375 amino acids that was 80% identical to the human TASK-1 protein. We expressed shark and human TASK-1 cRNA in Xenopus oocytes and characterized these channels using two-electrode voltage clamping. Both channels had identical current-voltage relationships (outward rectifying) and a reversal potential of -90 mV. Both were inhibited by quinine, bupivicaine, and acidic pH. The pKa for current inhibition was 7.75 for shark TASK-1 vs. 7.37 for human TASK-1, values similar to the arterial pH for each species. We identified this protein in SRG by Western blot and confocal immunofluorescent microscopy and detected the protein in SRG and human airway cells. Shark TASK-1 is the major K + channel coupled to chloride secretion in the SRG, is the oldest 4TM 2P family member identified, and is the first TASK-1 channel identified to play a role in setting the driving force for chloride secretion in epithelia. The detection of this potassium channel in mammalian lung tissue has implications for human biology and disease. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  8. Sodium-dependent magnesium uptake by ferret red cells.

    PubMed Central

    Flatman, P W; Smith, L M

    1991-01-01

    1. Magnesium uptake can be measured in ferret red cells incubated in media containing more than 1 mM-magnesium. Uptake is substantially increased if the sodium concentration in the medium is reduced. 2. Magnesium uptake is half-maximally activated by 0.37 mM-external magnesium when the external sodium concentration is 5 mM. Increasing the external sodium concentration increases the magnesium concentration needed to activate the system. 3. Magnesium uptake is increased by reducing the external sodium concentration. Uptake is half-maximum at sodium concentrations of 17, 22 and 62 nM when the external magnesium concentrations are 2, 5 and 10 mM respectively. 4. Replacement of external sodium with choline does not affect the membrane potential of ferret red cells over a 45 min period. 5. Magnesium uptake from media containing 5 mM-sodium is inhibited by amiloride, quinidine and imipramine. It is not affected by ouabain or bumetanide. Vanadate stimulates magnesium uptake but has no effect on magnesium efflux. 6. When cell ATP content is reduced to 19 mumol (1 cell)-1 by incubating cells for 3 h with 2-deoxyglucose, magnesium uptake falls by 50% in the presence of 5 mM-sodium and is completely abolished in the presence of 145 mM-sodium. Some of the inhibition may be due to the increase in intracellular ionized magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]i) from 0.7 to 1.0 mM which occurs under these conditions. 7. Magnesium uptake can be driven against a substantial electrochemical gradient if the external sodium concentration is reduced sufficiently. 8. These findings are discussed in terms of several possible models for magnesium transport. It is concluded that the majority of magnesium uptake observed in low-sodium media is via sodium-magnesium antiport. A small portion of uptake is through a parallel leak pathway. It is believed that the antiport is responsible for maintaining [Mg2+]i below electrochemical equilibrium in these cells at physiological external sodium concentration. Thus in ferret red cells the direction of magnesium transport can be reversed by reversing the sodium gradient. PMID:1822527

  9. Quantification of Transporter and Receptor Proteins in Dog Brain Capillaries and Choroid Plexus: Relevance for the Distribution in Brain and CSF of Selected BCRP and P-gp Substrates.

    PubMed

    Braun, Clemens; Sakamoto, Atsushi; Fuchs, Holger; Ishiguro, Naoki; Suzuki, Shinobu; Cui, Yunhai; Klinder, Klaus; Watanabe, Michitoshi; Terasaki, Tetsuya; Sauer, Achim

    2017-10-02

    Transporters at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) play a pivotal role as gatekeepers for efflux or uptake of endogenous and exogenous molecules. The protein expression of a number of them has already been determined in the brains of rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans using quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP). The dog is an important animal model for drug discovery and development, especially for safety evaluations. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the relevance of the transporter protein expression for drug distribution in the dog brain and CSF. We used QTAP to examine the protein expression of 17 selected transporters and receptors at the dog BBB and BCSFB. For the first time, we directly linked the expression of two efflux transporters, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), to regional brain and CSF distribution using specific substrates. Two cocktails, each containing one P-gp substrate (quinidine or apafant) and one BCRP substrate (dantrolene or daidzein) were infused intravenously prior to collection of the brain. Transporter expression varied only slightly between the capillaries of different brain regions and did not result in region-specific distribution of the investigated substrates. There were, however, distinct differences between brain capillaries and choroid plexus. Largest differences were observed for BCRP and P-gp: both were highly expressed in brain capillaries, but no BCRP and only low amounts of P-gp were detected in the choroid plexus. K p,uu,brain and K p,uu,CSF of both P-gp substrates were indicative of drug efflux. Also, K p,uu,brain for the BCRP substrates was low. In contrast, K p,uu,CSF for both BCRP substrates was close to unity, resulting in K p,uu,CSF /K p,uu,brain ratios of 7 and 8, respectively. We conclude that the drug transporter expression profiles differ between the BBB and BCSFB in dogs, that there are species differences in the expression profiles, and that CSF is not a suitable surrogate for unbound brain concentrations of BCRP substrates in dogs.

  10. The algorithmic performance of J-Tpeak for drug safety clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Chien, Simon C; Gregg, Richard E

    The interval from J-point to T-wave peak (JTp) in ECG is a new biomarker able to identify drugs that prolong the QT interval but have different ion channel effects. If JTp is not prolonged, the prolonged QT may be associated with multi ion channel block that may have low torsade de pointes risk. From the automatic ECG measurement perspective, accurate and repeatable measurement of JTp involves different challenges than QT. We evaluated algorithm performance and JTp challenges using the Philips DXL diagnostic 12/16/18-lead algorithm. Measurement of JTp represents a different use model. Standard use of corrected QT interval is clinical risk assessment on patients with cardiac disease or suspicion of heart disease. Drug safety trials involve a very different population - young healthy subjects - who commonly have J-waves, notches and slurs. Drug effects include difficult and unusual morphology such as flat T-waves, gentle notches, and multiple T-wave peaks. The JTp initiative study provided ECGs collected from 22 young subjects (11 males and females) in randomized testing of dofetilide, quinidine, ranolazine, verapamil and placebo. We compare the JTp intervals between DXL algorithm and the FDA published measurements. The lead wise, vector-magnitude (VM), root-mean-square (RMS) and principal-component-analysis (PCA) representative beats were used to measure JTp and QT intervals. We also implemented four different methods for T peak detection for comparison. We found that JTp measurements were closer to the reference for combined leads RMS and PCA than individual leads. Differences in J-point location led to part of the JTp measurement difference because of the high prevalence of J-waves, notches and slurs. Larger differences were noted for drug effect causing multiple distinct T-wave peaks (Tp). The automated algorithm chooses the later peak while the reference was the earlier peak. Choosing among different algorithmic strategies in T peak measurement results in the tradeoff between stability and the accurate detection of calcium or sodium channel block. Measurement of JTp has different challenges than QT measurement. JTp measurement accuracy improved with combined leads RMS and PCA over lead II or V5. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. A KCNQ1 mutation contributes to the concealed type 1 long QT phenotype by limiting the Kv7.1 channel conformational changes associated with protein kinase A phosphorylation.

    PubMed

    Bartos, Daniel C; Giudicessi, John R; Tester, David J; Ackerman, Michael J; Ohno, Seiko; Horie, Minoru; Gollob, Michael H; Burgess, Don E; Delisle, Brian P

    2014-03-01

    Type 1 long QT syndrome (LQT1) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the KCNQ1-encoded Kv7.1 channel that conducts the slowly activating component of the delayed rectifier K(+) current (IKs). Clinically, the diagnosis of LQT1 is complicated by variable phenotypic expressivity, whereby approximately 25% of genotype-positive individuals present with concealed LQT1 (resting corrected QT [QTc] interval ≤460 ms). To determine whether a specific molecular mechanism contributes to concealed LQT1. We identified a multigenerational LQT1 family whereby 79% of the patients genotype-positive for p.Ile235Asn-KCNQ1 (I235N-Kv7.1) have concealed LQT1. We assessed the effect I235N-Kv7.1 has on IKs and the ventricular action potential (AP) by using in vitro analysis and computational simulations. Clinical data showed that all 10 patients with I235N-Kv7.1 have normal resting QTc intervals but abnormal QTc interval prolongation during the recovery phase of an electrocardiographic treadmill stress test. Voltage-clamping HEK293 cells coexpressing wild-type Kv7.1 and I235N-Kv7.1 (to mimic the patients' genotypes) showed that I235N-Kv7.1 generated relatively normal functioning Kv7.1 channels but were insensitive to protein kinase A (PKA) activation. Phosphomimetic and quinidine sensitivity studies suggest that I235N-Kv7.1 limits the conformational changes in Kv7.1 channels, which are necessary to upregulate IKs after PKA phosphorylation. Computational ventricular AP simulations predicted that the PKA insensitivity of I235N-Kv7.1 is primarily responsible for prolonging the AP with β-adrenergic stimulation, especially at slower cycle lengths. KCNQ1 mutations that generate relatively normal Kv7.1 channels, but limit the upregulation of IKs by PKA activation, likely contribute to concealed LQT1. Copyright © 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Transport of cryptotanshinone, a major active triterpenoid in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge widely used in the treatment of stroke and Alzheimer's disease, across the blood-brain barrier.

    PubMed

    Yu, Xi-Yong; Lin, Shu-Guang; Chen, Xiao; Zhou, Zhi-Wei; Liang, Jun; Duan, Wei; Chowbay, Balram; Wen, Jing-Yuan; Chan, Eli; Cao, Jie; Li, Chun-Guang; Zhou, Shu-Feng

    2007-05-01

    Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a major constituent from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), is widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, stroke and less commonly Alzheimer's disease. Our recent study indicates that CTS is a substrate for P-glycoprotein (PgP/MDR1/ABCB1). This study has investigated the nature of the brain distribution of CTS across the brain-blood barrier (BBB) using several in vitro and in vivo rodent models. A polarized transport of CTS was found in rat primary microvascular endothelial cell (RBMVEC) monolayers, with facilitated efflux from the abluminal side to luminal side. Addition of a PgP (e.g. verapamil and quinidine) or multi-drug resistance protein 1/2 (MRP1/2) inhibitor (e.g. probenecid and MK-571) in both luminal and abluminal sides attenuated the polarized transport. In a bilateral in situ brain perfusion model, the uptake of CTS into the cerebrum increased from 0.52 +/- 0.1% at 1 min to 11.13 +/- 2.36 ml/100 g tissue at 30 min and was significantly greater than that of sucrose. Co-perfusion of a PgP/MDR1 (e.g. verapamil) or MRP1/2 inhibitor (e.g. probenecid) significantly increased the brain distribution of CTS by 35.1-163.6%. The brain levels of CTS were only about 21% of those in plasma, and were significantly increased when coadministered with verapamil or probenecid in rats. The brain levels of CTS in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and rats treated with quinolinic acid (a neurotoxin) were about 2- to 2.5-fold higher than the control rats. Moreover, the brain levels in mdr1a(-/-) and mrp1(-/-) mice were 10.9- and 1.5-fold higher than those in the wild-type mice, respectively. Taken collectively, these findings indicate that PgP and Mrp1 limit the brain penetration of CTS in rodents, suggesting a possible role of PgP and MRP1 in limiting the brain penetration of CTS in patients and causing drug resistance to Danshen therapy and interactions with conventional drugs that are substrates of PgP and MRP1. Further studies are needed to explore the role of other drug transporters in restricting the brain penetration of CTS and the clinical relevance.

  13. Gateways to clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Bayés, M; Rabasseda, X; Prous, J R

    2006-10-01

    Gateways to Clinical Trials are a guide to the most recent clinical trials in current literature and congresses. The data the following tables have been retrieved from the Clinical Trials Knowledge Area of Prous Science Integrity, the drug discovery and development portal, http://integrity.prous.com. This issues focuses on the following selection of drugs: (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-gossypol, 2-deoxyglucose, 3,4-DAP, 7-monohydroxyethylrutoside; Ad5CMV-p53, adalimumab, adefovir dipivoxil, ADH-1, alemtuzumab, aliskiren fumarate, alvocidib hydrochloride, aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride, aminolevulinic acid methyl ester, amrubicin hydrochloride, AN-152, anakinra, anecortave acetate, antiasthma herbal medicine intervention, AP-12009, AP-23573, apaziquone, aprinocarsen sodium, AR-C126532, AR-H065522, aripiprazole, armodafinil, arzoxifene hydrochloride, atazanavir sulfate, atilmotin, atomoxetine hydrochloride, atorvastatin, avanafil, azimilide hydrochloride; Bevacizumab, biphasic insulin aspart, BMS-214662, BN-83495, bortezomib, bosentan, botulinum toxin type B; Caspofungin acetate, cetuximab, chrysin, ciclesonide, clevudine, clofarabine, clopidogrel, CNF-1010, CNTO-328, CP-751871, CX-717, Cypher; Dapoxetine hydrochloride, darifenacin hydrobromide, dasatinib, deferasirox, dextofisopam, dextromethorphan/quinidine sulfate, diclofenac, dronedarone hydrochloride, drotrecogin alfa (activated), duloxetine hydrochloride, dutasteride; Edaravone, efaproxiral sodium, emtricitabine, entecavir, eplerenone, epratuzumab, erlotinib hydrochloride, escitalopram oxalate, etoricoxib, ezetimibe, ezetimibe/simvastatin; Finrozole, fipamezole hydrochloride, fondaparinux sodium, fulvestrant; Gabapentin enacarbil, gaboxadol, gefitinib, gestodene, ghrelin (human); Human insulin, human papillomavirus vaccine; Imatinib mesylate, immunoglobulin intravenous (human), indiplon, insulin detemir, insulin glargine, insulin glulisine, intranasal insulin, istradefylline, i.v. gamma-globulin, ivabradine hydrochloride, ixabepilone; LA-419, lacosamide, landiolol, lanthanum carbonate, lidocaine/prilocaine, liposomal cisplatin, lutropin alfa; Matuzumab, MBP(82-98), mecasermin, MGCD-0103, MMR-V, morphine hydrochloride, mycophenolic acid sodium salt; Natalizumab, NCX-4016, neridronic acid, nesiritide, nilotinib, NSC-330507; O6-benzylguanine, olanzapine/fluoxetine hydrochloride, omalizumab; Panitumumab, parathyroid hormone (human recombinant), parecoxib sodium, PEG-filgrastim, peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, pegvisomant, pemetrexed disodium, perospirone hydrochloride, pexelizumab, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine, posaconazole, pramiconazole, prasugrel, pregabalin, prilocaine; rAAV-GAD65, raclopride, rasagiline mesilate, retapamulin, rosuvastatin calcium, rotigotine, rufinamide; SarCNU, SB-743921, SHL-749, sirolimus-eluting stent, sitaxsentan sodium, sorafenib; TachoSil, tadalafil, talampanel, Taxus, tegaserod maleate, telithromycin, telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, temsirolimus, tenatoprazole, teriflunomide, tetrathiomolybdate, ticilimumab, timcodar dimesilate, tipifarnib, tirapazamine, TPI, tramiprosate, trifluridine/TPI, trimethoprim; Ularitide, Urocortin 2; Valdecoxib, valganciclovir hydrochloride, valproate magnesium, valspodar, vardenafil hydrochloride hydrate, vitespen, vofopitant hydrochloride, volociximab, vorinostat; Yttrium 90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan; Ziprasidone hydrochloride, zotarolimus, zotarolimus-eluting stent.

  14. Gateways to clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Bayes, M; Rabasseda, X; Prous, J R

    2005-01-01

    Gateways to Clinical Trials are a guide to the most recent clinical trials in current literature and congresses. The data in the following tables have been retrieved from the Clinical Trials Knowledge Area of Prous Science Integrity, the drug discovery and development portal, http://integrity.prous.com. This issue focuses on the following selection of drugs: (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate; ACP-103, Ad.Egr.TNF.11 D, adalimumab, AF-IL 12, AIDSVAX gp120 B/B, alefacept, alemtuzumab, a-Galactosylceramide, ALVAC vCP 1452, alvimopan hydrate, alvocidib hydrochloride, aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride, aminolevulinic acid methyl ester, anakinra, anidulafungin, antarelix, aprepitant, aripiprazole, arsenic sulfide, asoprisnil, atazanavir sulfate, atomoxetine hydrochloride; Bevacizumab, bimatoprost, BMS-184476, bortezomib, bosentan, botulinum toxin type B, BrachySil, brivudine; Caffeine, calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate, cannabidiol, capsaicin for injection, caspofungin acetate, CC-4047, cetuximab, CGP-36742, clofazimine, CpG-7909, Cypher; Darbepoetin alfa, dextromethorphan/quinidine sulfate, dimethylfumarate, dronabinol/cannabidiol, drotrecogin alfa (activated), duloxetine hydrochloride, dutasteride; Ecogramostim, efalizumab, eletriptan, emtricitabine, enfuvirtide, eplerenone, esomeprazole magnesium, estradiol acetate, eszopiclone, etoricoxib, exenatide, ezetimibe, ezetimibe/simvastatin; Fampridine, fondaparinux sodium, fosamprenavir calcium; Gefitinib, GPI-0100; hA 20, HTU-PA, human insulin, HuOKT 3 gamma 1(Ala 234-Ala 235), hyaluronic acid; Icatibant, imatinib mesylate, Indiplon, INKP-100, INKP-102, iodine (I131) tositumomab, istradefylline, IV gamma-globulin, ivabradine hydrochloride, ixabepilone; Lacosamide, landiolol, lanthanum carbonate, lasofoxifene tartrate, LB-80380, lenalidomide, lidocaine/tetracaine, linezolid, liposomal doxorubicin, liposomal vincristine sulfate, lopinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, lumiracoxib, lurtotecan; Maribavir, morphine glucuronide, MVA-5 T 4; NBI-56418, NCX-4016, nesiritide, nicotine conjugate vaccine, NSC-330507; Oglufanide, omalizumab, oxipurinol; Palifermin, palonosetron hydrochloride, parecoxib sodium, PEG-filgrastim, peginterferon alfa-2a, peginterferon alfa-2b, peginterferon alfa-2b/ribavirin, PEGylated interferon alfacon-1, perospirone hydrochloride, pimecrolimus, pixantrone maleate, plerixafor hydrochloride, PowderJect lidocaine, pradefovir mesylate, prasterone, pregabalin, Prostvac VF, PT-141, PTC-124, pyridoxamine; QS-21, quercetin; R-126638, R-411, ralfinamide, rasagiline mesilate, rF-PSA, RG-2077, rhThrombin, rimonabant hydrochloride, rofecoxib, rosuvastatin calcium, rotigotine hydrochloride, rV-PSA; S-18886, S-303, seocalcitol, SGN-40, sitaxsentan sodium, SPP-301, St. John's Wort extract; Tadalafil, taxus, telithromycin, tenatoprazole, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, testosterone MDTS, testosterone transdermal patch, tgAAC-09, TH-9507, thioacetazone, tipifarnib, TQ-1011, trabectedin, travoprost, trimethoprim; Valdecoxib, valganciclovir hydrochloride, valopicitabine, voriconazole; Xcellerated T cells. (c) 2005 Prous Science. All rights reserved.

  15. The impact of CYP2C8 polymorphism and grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide

    PubMed Central

    Bidstrup, Tanja Busk; Damkier, Per; Olsen, Anette Kristensen; Ekblom, Marianne; Karlsson, Anders; Brøsen, Kim

    2006-01-01

    Aims The primary aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of the CYP2C8 3 allele and of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide. Furthermore, the impact of a single dose of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide in relation to dose. Methods Thirty-six healthy male subjects, genotyped for CYP2C8 3 (11 genotyped as CYP2C8 1/ 3, one as CYP2C8 3/ 3 and 24 as CYP2C8 1/ 1), participated in a randomized, cross-over trial. In the two phases, the subjects drank 300 mL water or 300 mL grapefruit juice, in randomized order, 2 h before administration of a single dose of either 0.25 mg or 2 mg repaglinide. Results Neither the mean AUC0−∞ (geometric mean ratio: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.93–1.1, P = 0.88) nor the mean Cmax (geometric mean ratio: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.94–1.2, P = 0.35) of repaglinide were statistically significantly different in the group carrying the CYP2C8 3 mutant allele compared with wild-types. Grapefruit juice caused a 19% decrease in the geometric mean ratio of the 3-hydroxyquinidine to quinidine ratio (difference: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.75–0.87, P < 0.0001), which was used as an index of CYP3A4 activity, and an increase in the mean AUC0−∞ of repaglinide (geometric mean ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04–1.2, P = 0.0048), but had no statistically significant effect on the t1/2. There was no statistically significant difference in blood glucose concentration in subjects who had or had not ingested grapefruit juice. The effect was more pronounced at the low dose of repaglinide (0.25 mg) than at the therapeutic dose of 2 mg. Conclusions The pharmacokinetics of repaglinide in subjects carrying the CYP2C8*3 mutant allele did not differ significantly from those in the wild-types. Grapefruit juice increased the bioavailability of repaglinide, suggesting significant intestinal elimination of the drug which was assumed to be primarily mediated by CYP3A4 in the gut. PMID:16390351

  16. The impact of CYP2C8 polymorphism and grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide.

    PubMed

    Bidstrup, Tanja Busk; Damkier, Per; Olsen, Anette Kristensen; Ekblom, Marianne; Karlsson, Anders; Brøsen, Kim

    2006-01-01

    The primary aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of the CYP2C8*3 allele and of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide. Furthermore, the impact of a single dose of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide in relation to dose. Thirty-six healthy male subjects, genotyped for CYP2C8*3 (11 genotyped as CYP2C8*1/*3, one as CYP2C8*3/*3 and 24 as CYP2C8*1/*1), participated in a randomized, cross-over trial. In the two phases, the subjects drank 300 mL water or 300 mL grapefruit juice, in randomized order, 2 h before administration of a single dose of either 0.25 mg or 2 mg repaglinide. Neither the mean AUC(0-infinity) (geometric mean ratio: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.93-1.1, P = 0.88) nor the mean C(max) (geometric mean ratio: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.94-1.2, P = 0.35) of repaglinide were statistically significantly different in the group carrying the CYP2C8*3 mutant allele compared with wild-types. Grapefruit juice caused a 19% decrease in the geometric mean ratio of the 3-hydroxyquinidine to quinidine ratio (difference: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.75-0.87, P < 0.0001), which was used as an index of CYP3A4 activity, and an increase in the mean AUC(0-infinity) of repaglinide (geometric mean ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04-1.2, P = 0.0048), but had no statistically significant effect on the t(1/2). There was no statistically significant difference in blood glucose concentration in subjects who had or had not ingested grapefruit juice. The effect was more pronounced at the low dose of repaglinide (0.25 mg) than at the therapeutic dose of 2 mg. The pharmacokinetics of repaglinide in subjects carrying the CYP2C8*3 mutant allele did not differ significantly from those in the wild-types. Grapefruit juice increased the bioavailability of repaglinide, suggesting significant intestinal elimination of the drug which was assumed to be primarily mediated by CYP3A4 in the gut.

  17. Guanfu base A, an antiarrhythmic alkaloid of Aconitum coreanum, Is a CYP2D6 inhibitor of human, monkey, and dog isoforms.

    PubMed

    Sun, Jianguo; Peng, Ying; Wu, Hui; Zhang, Xueyuan; Zhong, Yunxi; Xiao, Yanan; Zhang, Fengyi; Qi, Huanhuan; Shang, Lili; Zhu, Jianping; Sun, Yue; Liu, Ke; Liu, Jinghan; A, Jiye; Ho, Rodney J Y; Wang, Guangji

    2015-05-01

    Guanfu base A (GFA) is a novel heterocyclic antiarrhythmic drug isolated from Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) rapaics and is currently in a phase IV clinical trial in China. However, no study has investigated the influence of GFA on cytochrome P450 (P450) drug metabolism. We characterized the potency and specificity of GFA CYP2D inhibition based on dextromethorphan O-demethylation, a CYP2D6 probe substrate of activity in human, mouse, rat, dog, and monkey liver microsomes. In addition, (+)-bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation was used as a CYP2D6 probe for the recombinant form (rCYP2D6), 2D1 (rCYP2D1), and 2D2 (rCYP2D2) activities. Results show that GFA is a potent noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP2D6, with inhibition constant Ki = 1.20 ± 0.33 μM in human liver microsomes (HLMs) and Ki = 0.37 ± 0.16 μM for the human recombinant form (rCYP2D6). GFA is also a potent competitive inhibitor of CYP2D in monkey (Ki = 0.38 ± 0.12 μM) and dog (Ki = 2.4 ± 1.3 μM) microsomes. However, GFA has no inhibitory activity on mouse or rat CYP2Ds. GFA did not exhibit any inhibition activity on human recombinant CYP1A2, 2A6, 2C8, 2C19, 3A4, or 3A5, but showed slight inhibition of 2B6 and 2E1. Preincubation of HLMs and rCYP2D6 resulted in the inactivation of the enzyme, which was attenuated by GFA or quinidine. Beagle dogs treated intravenously with dextromethorphan (2 mg/ml) after pretreatment with GFA injection showed reduced CYP2D metabolic activity, with the Cmax of dextrorphan being one-third that of the saline-treated group and area under the plasma concentration-time curve half that of the saline-treated group. This study suggests that GFA is a specific CYP2D6 inhibitor that might play a role in CYP2D6 medicated drug-drug interaction. Copyright © 2015 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

  18. Brugada syndrome in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case report.

    PubMed

    Battineni, Anusha; Gummi, Rohit; Mullaguri, Naresh; Govindarajan, Raghav

    2017-07-14

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive death of the upper and lower motor neurons in the central nervous system. Patients with this disease die mostly as a result of respiratory failure; however, owing to prolonged survival through assisted ventilation, cardiovascular causes are increasingly responsible for mortality. We report what is to the best of our knowledge the first case of type 2 Brugada syndrome causing ventricular tachyarrhythmia and cardiac arrest in a patient with upper limb onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A 48-year-old Caucasian woman with a significant past medical history of papillary thyroid carcinoma status postresection, pulmonary embolism on anticoagulation, and a recent diagnosis of right upper limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis presented to the emergency department of our hospital with acute on chronic shortness of breath. On further evaluation, she was found to have hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure and was placed on bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation. Her 12-lead electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with J-point elevation, saddle-shaped ST segment elevation, predominantly in V1 and V2 with no significant QTc prolongation. No troponin elevation was noted in her laboratory workup. Because she was unable to protect her airway, a decision was made to intubate her. After 1 minute of induction with etomidate and succinylcholine, she went into pulseless ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation requiring three cycles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with high-quality chest compressions, three doses of epinephrine, and a loading dose of amiodarone prior to return of spontaneous circulation. She was further evaluated by cardiology services and was diagnosed with type 2 Brugada syndrome, for which she was started on quinidine. Her respiratory failure and the drugs she received for intubation likely caused her ventricular tachycardia to occur in conjunction with an underlying Brugada pattern seen on an electrocardiogram. The results of evaluation of her genetic panel for Brugada syndrome were negative. She was subsequently discharged to home in stable condition after a 10-day hospital stay. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neuromuscular disorder with significant mortality. Respiratory failure is the leading cause of death, but lately, owing to increased survival associated with early tracheostomy and positive pressure ventilation, there has been an increasing trend in the identification of cardiovascular causes of mortality, especially arrhythmias, that may need periodic electrocardiographic surveillance.

  19. Studying the Inhibitory Effect of Quercetin and Thymoquinone on Human Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Activities.

    PubMed

    Elbarbry, Fawzy; Ung, Aimy; Abdelkawy, Khaled

    2018-01-01

    Quercetin (QR) and thymoquinone (TQ) are herbal remedies that are currently extensively used by the general population to prevent and treat various chronic conditions. Therefore, investigating the potential of pharmacokinetic interactions caused by the concomitant use of these herbal remedies and conventional medicine is warranted to ensure patient safety. This study was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of QR and TQ, two commonly used remedies, on the activities of selected cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes that play an important role in drug metabolism and/or toxicology. The in vitro studies were conducted using fluorescence-based high throughput assays using human c-DNA baculovirus expressed CYP enzymes. For measuring CYP2E1 activity, a validated High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was utilized to measure the formation of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone. The obtained half-maximum inhibitory concentration values with known positive control inhibitors of this study were comparable to the published values indicating accurate experimental techniques. Although QR did not show any significant effect on CYP1A2 and CYP2E1, it exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against CYP2D6 and a moderate effect against CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. On the other hand, TQ demonstrated a strong and a moderate inhibitory effect against CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, respectively. The findings of this study may indicate that consumption of QR or TQ, in the form of food or dietary supplements, with drugs that are metabolized by CYP2C19, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4 may cause significant herb-drug interactions. Neither QR nor TQ has any significant inhibitory effect on the activity of CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 enzymesBoth QR and TQ have a moderate to strong inhibitory effect on CYP3A4 activityQR has a moderate inhibitory effect on CYP2C19 and a strong inhibitory effect on CYP2D6Both QR and TQ are moderate inhibitors of the CYP2C9 activity. Abbreviations used: ABT: Aminobenztriazole, BZF: 7,8 Benzoflavone, CYP: Cytochrome P450, GB: Gingko Biloba, IC 50 : Half-maximum inhibitory concentration, KTZ: Ketoconazole, QND: Quinidine, QR: Quercetin, TCP: Tranylcypromine, TQ: Thymoquinone.

  20. Functional studies of P-glycoprotein in inside-out plasma membrane vesicles derived from murine erythroleukemia cells overexpressing MDR 3. Properties and kinetics of the interaction of vinblastine with P-glycoprotein and evidence for its active mediated transport.

    PubMed

    Schlemmer, S R; Sirotnak, F M

    1994-12-09

    Active [3H]vinblastine (VBL) transport (efflux) was documented for inside-out plasma membrane vesicles from murine erythroleukemia cells (MEL/VCR-6) resistant to vinca alkaloids and overexpressing MDR 3 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) 80-fold. Uptake of [3H]VBL at 37 degrees C by these inside-out vesicles, but not rightside-out vesicles or inside-out vesicles from wild-type cells, was obtained in the form of a rapid, initial phase (0-1 min) and a slower, later phase (> 1 min). The rapidity of each phase correlated with relative P-gp content among different MEL/VCR cell lines. The initial MDR-specific phase was temperature- and pH-dependent (optimum at pH 7), osmotically insensitive, and did not require ATP. The second MDR-specific phase was temperature-dependent, osmotically sensitive, and strictly dependent upon the presence of ATP (Km = 0.37 +/- 0.04 mM). Although other triphosphate nucleotides were partially effective in replacing ATP, the nonhydrolyzable analogue ATP gamma S (adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate)) was ineffective. This time course appears to represent tandem binding of [3H]VBL by P-gp and its mediated transport, with the latter process representing the rate-limiting step. In support of this conclusion, both binding and transport were inhibited by verapamil, quinidine, and reserpine, all known to be inhibitors of photoaffinity labeling of P-gp, but only transport was inhibited by C219 anti-P-gp antibody or orthovanadate. Although the rate of transport of [3H]VBL was 7-7.5-fold lower than the rate of binding (Vmax = 104 +/- 15 pmol/min/mg protein, Kon = 1.5 - 2 x 10(5) mol-1 s-1) to P-gp, each phase exhibited saturation kinetics and values for apparent Km and KD for each process were approximately the same (215 +/- 35 and 195 +/- 30 nM). Intravesicular accumulation of [3H]VBL was almost completely eliminated by high concentrations of nonradioactive VBL, suggesting that simple diffusion does not contribute appreciably to total accumulation of [3H]VBL in this vesicle system. This could be at least partially explained by the fact that these inside-out vesicles under the conditions employed did not maintain a P-gp mediated pH gradient. However, ATP-dependent, intravesicular accumulation of osmotically sensitive [3H]VBL occurred against a substantial permeant concentration gradient in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner consistent with an active, saturable process.

  1. Human reductive halothane metabolism in vitro is catalyzed by cytochrome P450 2A6 and 3A4.

    PubMed

    Spracklin, D K; Thummel, K E; Kharasch, E D

    1996-09-01

    The anesthetic halothane undergoes extensive oxidative and reductive biotransformation, resulting in metabolites that cause hepatotoxicity. Halothane is reduced anaerobically by cytochrome P450 (P450) to the volatile metabolites 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethene (CDE) and 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CTE). The purpose of this investigation was to identify the human P450 isoform(s) responsible for reductive halothane metabolism. CDE and CTE formation from halothane metabolism by human liver microsomes was determined by GC/MS analysis. Halothane metabolism to CDE and CTE under reductive conditions was completely inhibited by carbon monoxide, which implicates exclusively P450 in this reaction. Eadie-Hofstee plots of both CDE and CTE formation were nonlinear, suggesting multiple P450 isoform involvement. Microsomal CDE and CTE formation were each inhibited 40-50% by P450 2A6-selective inhibitors (coumarin and 8-methoxypsoralen) and 55-60% by P450 3A4-selective inhibitors (ketoconazole and troleandomycin). P450 1A-, 2B6-, 2C9/10-, and 2D6-selective inhibitors (7,8-benzoflavone, furafylline, orphenadrine, sulfaphenazole, and quinidine) had no significant effect on reductive halothane metabolism. Measurement of product formation catalyzed by a panel of cDNA-expressed P450 isoforms revealed that maximal rates of CDE formation occurred with P450 2A6, followed by P450 3A4. P450 3A4 was the most effective catalyst of CTE formation. Among a panel of 11 different human livers, there were significant linear correlations between the rate of CDE formation and both 2A6 activity (r = 0.64, p < 0.04) and 3A4 activity (r = 0.64, p < 0.03). Similarly, there were significant linear correlations between CTE formation and both 2A6 activity (r = 0.55, p < 0.08) and 3A4 activity (r = 0.77, p < 0.005). The P450 2E1 inhibitors 4-methylpyrazole and diethyldithiocarbamate inhibited CDE and CTE formation by 20-45% and 40-50%, respectively; however, cDNA-expressed P450 2E1 did not catalyze significant amounts of CDE or CTE production, and microsomal metabolite formation was not correlated with P450 2E1 activity. This investigation demonstrated that human liver microsomal reductive halothane metabolism is catalyzed predominantly by P450 2A6 and 3A4. This isoform selectivity for anaerobic halothane metabolism contrasts with that for oxidative human halothane metabolism, which is catalyzed predominantly by P450 2E1.

  2. The influence of CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genotypes on the formation of the potent antioestrogen Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen in human liver.

    PubMed

    Coller, Janet K; Krebsfaenger, Niels; Klein, Kathrin; Endrizzi, Karin; Wolbold, Renzo; Lang, Thomas; Nüssler, Andreas; Neuhaus, Peter; Zanger, Ulrich M; Eichelbaum, Michel; Mürdter, Thomas E

    2002-08-01

    To investigate in a large panel of 50 human liver samples the contribution of CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 to the overall formation of the potent antioestrogen Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen, and how various genotypes affect its formation from tamoxifen. The formation of Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen from 10 microm tamoxifen was studied in human liver microsomes (n=50), characterized for CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 expression, and CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genotype. The effect of chemical and monoclonal antibody inhibitors, and the formation in supersomes expressing recombinant CYP isoforms was also investigated. Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen was quantified using LC-MS analysis. Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen was formed by supersomes expressing CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6, but not CYP3A4. In agreement with these data, the mean formation of Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen was inhibited 49% by sulphaphenazole (P=0.001), 38% by quinidine (P<0.05) and 13% by monoclonal antibody against CYP2B6 (MAB-2B6, P<0.05). Furthermore, Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen formation significantly correlated with both CYP2C9 expression (r(s)=0.256, P<0.05) and CYP2D6 expression (r(s)=0.309, P<0.05). Genotypes of CYP2D6, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 had an effect on metabolite formation in such a way that samples with two nonfunctional CYP2D6, or two variant CYP2C9 or CYP2B6 alleles, showed lower enzyme activity compared with those with two functional or wild-type alleles, (5.0 vs 9.9 pmol mg(-1) protein min(-1), P=0.046, 5.1 vs 9.9 pmol mg(-1) protein min(-1), P=0.053, and 6.8 vs 9.4 pmol mg(-1) protein min(-1), P=0.054, respectively). CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 contribute on average 45 and 46%, respectively, to the overall formation of Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genotypes all affected Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen formation and can predict individual ability to catalyse this reaction.

  3. Pyranone natural products as inspirations for catalytic reaction discovery and development.

    PubMed

    McDonald, Benjamin R; Scheidt, Karl A

    2015-04-21

    Natural products continue to provide a wealth of opportunities in the areas of chemical and therapeutic development. These structures are effective measuring sticks for the current state of chemical synthesis as a field and constantly inspire new approaches and strategies. Tetrahydropryans and tetrahydropyran-4-ones are found in numerous bioactive marine natural products and medicinal compounds. Our interest in exploring the therapeutic potential of natural products containing these motifs provided the impetus to explore new methods to access highly functionalized, chiral pyran molecules in the most direct and rapid fashion possible. This goal led to exploration and development of a Lewis acid-mediated Prins reaction between a chiral β-hydroxy-dioxinone and aldehyde to produce a pyran-dioxinone fused product that can be processed in a single pot operation to the desired tetrahydropyran-4-ones in excellent yield and stereoselectivity. Although the Prins reaction is a commonly employed approach toward pyrans, this method uniquely provides a 3-carboxy-trisubstituted pyran and utilizes dioxinones in a manner that was underexplored at the time. The 3-carboxy substituent served as a key synthetic handhold when this method was applied to the synthesis of highly functionalized pyrans within the macrocyclic natural products neopeltolide, okilactiomycin, and exiguolide. When employed in challenging macrocyclizations, this tetrahydropyranone forming reaction proved highly stereoselective and robust. Another major thrust in our lab has been the synthesis of benzopyranone natural products, specifically flavonoids, because this broad and diverse family of compounds possesses an equally broad range of biological and medicinal applications. With the goal of developing a broad platform toward the synthesis of enantioenriched flavonoid analogs and natural products, a biomimetic, asymmetric catalytic approach toward the synthesis of 2-aryl benzopyranones was developed. A bifunctional hydrogen bonding/Brønstead base catalyst was ultimately found to enable this transformation in analogous manner to the biosynthesis via the enzyme chalcone isomerase. Employing thiourea catalysts derived from the pseudoenantiomeric quinine and quinidine, alkylidene β-ketoesters can be isomerized to 3-carboxy flavanones and decarboxylated in a single pot operation to stereodivergently provide highly enantioenriched flavanones in excellent yield. This method was applied to the synthesis of the abyssinone family of natural products, as well as the rotenoid, deguelin. An analogous method to isomerize chalcones was developed and applied to the synthesis of isosilybin A. In both of these related endeavors, the need for novel enabling methodologies toward the efficient creation of targeted molecular complexity drove the discovery, development and deployment of these stereoselective catalytic transformations.

  4. Identification of human cytochrome P450 and flavin-containing monooxygenase enzymes involved in the metabolism of lorcaserin, a novel selective human 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C agonist.

    PubMed

    Usmani, Khawja A; Chen, Weichao G; Sadeque, Abu J M

    2012-04-01

    Lorcaserin, a selective serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptor agonist, is being developed for weight management. The oxidative metabolism of lorcaserin, mediated by recombinant human cytochrome P450 (P450) and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzymes, was examined in vitro to identify the enzymes involved in the generation of its primary oxidative metabolites, N-hydroxylorcaserin, 7-hydroxylorcaserin, 5-hydroxylorcaserin, and 1-hydroxylorcaserin. Human CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and FMO1 are major enzymes involved in N-hydroxylorcaserin; CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 are enzymes involved in 7-hydroxylorcaserin; CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 are enzymes involved in 5-hydroxylorcaserin; and CYP3A4 is an enzyme involved in 1-hydroxylorcaserin formation. In 16 individual human liver microsomal preparations (HLM), formation of N-hydroxylorcaserin was correlated with CYP2B6, 7-hydroxylorcaserin was correlated with CYP2D6, 5-hydroxylorcaserin was correlated with CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, and 1-hydroxylorcaserin was correlated with CYP3A4 activity at 10.0 μM lorcaserin. No correlation was observed for N-hydroxylorcaserin with any P450 marker substrate activity at 1.0 μM lorcaserin. N-Hydroxylorcaserin formation was not inhibited by CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 inhibitors at the highest concentration tested. Furafylline, quinidine, and ketoconazole, selective inhibitors of CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4, respectively, inhibited 5-hydroxylorcaserin (IC(50) = 1.914 μM), 7-hydroxylorcaserin (IC(50) = 0.213 μM), and 1-hydroxylorcaserin formation (IC(50) = 0.281 μM), respectively. N-Hydroxylorcaserin showed low and high K(m) components in HLM and 7-hydroxylorcaserin showed lower K(m) than 5-hydroxylorcaserin and 1-hydroxylorcaserin in HLM. The highest intrinsic clearance was observed for N-hydroxylorcaserin, followed by 7-hydroxylorcaserin, 5-hydroxylorcaserin, and 1-hydroxylorcaserin in HLM. Multiple human P450 and FMO enzymes catalyze the formation of four primary oxidative metabolites of lorcaserin, suggesting that lorcaserin has a low probability of drug-drug interactions by concomitant medications.

  5. The cell line NCl-H441 is a useful in vitro model for transport studies of human distal lung epithelial barrier.

    PubMed

    Salomon, Johanna J; Muchitsch, Viktoria E; Gausterer, Julia C; Schwagerus, Elena; Huwer, Hanno; Daum, Nicole; Lehr, Claus-Michael; Ehrhardt, Carsten

    2014-03-03

    The lack of a well characterized, continuously growing in vitro model of human distal lung epithelial phenotype constitutes a serious limitation in the area of inhalation biopharmaceutics, particularly in the context of transepithelial transport studies. Here, we investigated if a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, NCl-H441, has potential to serve as an in vitro model of human distal lung epithelium. The development of barrier properties was studied by immunocytochemistry (ICC) against the junction proteins zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1) and E-cadherin and measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Moreover, transport studies with the paracellular marker compounds fluorescein sodium and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextrans of molecular weights ranging from 4 to 70 kDa were carried out. The expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp; ABCB1) and organic cation transporters (OCT/Ns; SLC22A1-A5) was investigated by ICC and immunoblot. P-gp function was assessed by monolayer release and bidirectional transport studies using rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and the inhibitors verapamil and LY335979. Uptake of 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide (ASP(+)) was measured, in order to assess organic cation transporter function in vitro. Furthermore, the inhibitory potential of several organic cations on ASP(+) uptake was studied. NCl-H441 cells, when grown under liquid-covered conditions, formed confluent, electrically tight monolayers with peak TEER values of approximately 1000 Ω·cm(2), after 8-12 days in culture. These monolayers were able to differentiate paracellularly transported substrates according to their molecular weight. Presence of P-gp, OCT1, OCT2, OCT3, OCTN1, and OCTN2 was confirmed by Western blot and ICC and was similar to data from freshly isolated human alveolar epithelial cells in primary culture. Rh123 release from NCI-H441 monolayers was time-dependent and showed low, albeit significant attenuation by both inhibitors. In transport studies, Rh123 exhibited net secretion, which again was inhibitable by bona fide P-gp modulators. The uptake of ASP(+) was time- and temperature-dependent with Km = 881.2 ± 195.3 μM and Vmax = 2.07 ± 0.26 nmol/min/mg protein. TEA, amantadine, quinidine, and verapamil significantly inhibited ASP(+) uptake into NCl-H441 cells, whereas the effect of d- and l-carnitine and ergothioneine, two OCTN substrates, was less pronounced. NCl-H441 cells are the first cell line of human distal lung epithelial origin with the ability to form monolayers with appreciable barrier properties. Moreover, drug transporter expression and activity in NCl-H441 cells was consistent with what has been reported for human alveolar epithelial cells in primary culture.

  6. An extension of hypotheses regarding rapid-acting, treatment-refractory, and conventional antidepressant activity of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan.

    PubMed

    Lauterbach, Edward C

    2012-06-01

    It was previously hypothesized that dextromethorphan (DM) and dextrorphan (DX) may possess antidepressant properties, including rapid and conventional onsets of action and utility in treatment-refractory depression, based on pharmacodynamic similarities to ketamine. These similarities included sigma-1 (σ(1)) agonist and NMDA antagonist properties, calcium channel blockade, muscarinic binding, serotonin transporter (5HTT) inhibition, and μ receptor potentiation. Here, six specific hypotheses are developed in light of additional mechanisms and evidence. Comparable potencies to ketamine for DM and DX are detailed for σ(1) (DX>DM>ketamine), NMDA PCP site (DX>ketamine>DM), and muscarinic (DX>ketamine>DM) receptors, 5HTT (DM>DX≫ketamine), and NMDA antagonist potentiation of μ receptor stimulation (DM>ketamine). Rapid acting antidepressant properties of DM include NMDA high-affinity site, NMDR-2A, and functional NMDR-2B receptor antagonism, σ(1) stimulation, putative mTOR activation (by σ(1) stimulation, μ potentiation, and 5HTT inhibition), putative AMPA receptor trafficking (by mTOR activation, PCP antagonism, σ(1) stimulation, μ potentiation, and 5HTT inhibition), and dendritogenesis, spinogenesis, synaptogenesis, and neuronal survival by NMDA antagonism and σ(1) and mTOR signaling. Those for dextrorphan include NMDA high-affinity site and NMDR-2A antagonism, σ(1) stimulation, putative mTOR activation (by σ(1) stimulation and ß adrenoreceptor stimulation), putative AMPA receptor trafficking (by mTOR activation, PCP antagonism, σ(1) stimulation, ß stimulation, and μ antagonism), and dendritogenesis, spinogenesis, synaptogenesis, and neuronal survival by NMDA antagonism and σ(1) and mTOR signaling. Conventional antidepressant properties for dextromethorphan and dextrorphan include 5HTT and norepinephrine transporter inhibition, σ(1) stimulation, NMDA and PCP antagonism, and possible serotonin 5HT1b/d receptor stimulation. Additional properties for dextromethorphan include possible presynaptic α(2) adrenoreceptor antagonism or postsynaptic α(2) stimulation and, for dextrorphan, ß stimulation and possible muscarinic and μ antagonism. Treatment-refractory depression properties include increased serotonin and norepinephrine availability, PCP, NMDR-2B, presynaptic alpha-2 antagonism, and the multiplicity of other antidepressant receptor mechanisms. Suggestions for clinical trials are provided for oral high-dose dextromethorphan and Nuedexta (dextromethorphan combined with quinidine to block metabolism to dextrorphan, thereby increasing dextromethorphan plasma concentrations). Suggestions include exclusionary criteria, oral dosing, observation periods, dose-response approaches, and safety and tolerability are considered. Although oral dextromethorphan may be somewhat more likely to show efficacy through complementary antidepressant mechanisms of dextrorphan, a clinical trial will be more logistically complex than one of Nuedexta due to high doses and plasma level variability. Clinical trials may increase our therapeutic armamentarium and our pharmacological understanding of treatment-refractory depression and antidepressant onset of action. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Ionic channel mechanisms mediating the intrinsic excitability of Kenyon cells in the mushroom body of the cricket brain.

    PubMed

    Inoue, Shigeki; Murata, Kaoru; Tanaka, Aiko; Kakuta, Eri; Tanemura, Saori; Hatakeyama, Shiori; Nakamura, Atsunao; Yamamoto, Chihiro; Hasebe, Masaharu; Kosakai, Kumiko; Yoshino, Masami

    2014-09-01

    Intrinsic neurons within the mushroom body of the insect brain, called Kenyon cells, play an important role in olfactory associative learning. In this study, we examined the ionic mechanisms mediating the intrinsic excitability of Kenyon cells in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. A perforated whole-cell clamp study using β-escin indicated the existence of several inward and outward currents. Three types of inward currents (INaf, INaP, and ICa) were identified. The transient sodium current (INaf) activated at -40 mV, peaked at -26 mV, and half-inactivated at -46.7 mV. The persistent sodium current (INaP) activated at -51 mV, peaked at -23 mV, and half-inactivated at -30.7 mV. Tetrodotoxin (TTX; 1 μM) completely blocked both INaf and INaP, but 10nM TTX blocked INaf more potently than INaP. Cd(2+) (50 μM) potently blocked INaP with little effect on INaf. Riluzole (>20 μM) nonselectively blocked both INaP and INaf. The voltage-dependent calcium current (ICa) activated at -30 mV, peaked at -11.3 mV, and half-inactivated at -34 mV. The Ca(2+) channel blocker verapamil (100 μM) blocked ICa in a use-dependent manner. Cell-attached patch-clamp recordings showed the presence of a large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channel, and the activity of this channel was decreased by removing the extracellular Ca(2+) or adding verapamil or nifedipine, and increased by adding the Ca(2+) agonist Bay K8644, indicating that Ca(2+) entry via the L-type Ca(2+) channel regulates BK channel activity. Under the current-clamp condition, membrane depolarization generated membrane oscillations in the presence of 10nM TTX or 100 μM riluzole in the bath solution. These membrane oscillations disappeared with 1 μM TTX, 50 μM Cd(2+), replacement of external Na(+) with choline, and blockage of Na(+)-activated K(+) current (IKNa) with 50 μM quinidine, indicating that membrane oscillations are primarily mediated by INaP in cooperation with IKNa. The plateau potentials observed either in Ca(2+)-free medium or in the presence of verapamil were eliminated by blocking INaP with 50 μM Cd(2+). Taken together, these results indicate that INaP and IKNa participate in the generation of membrane oscillations and that INaP additionally participates in the generation of plateau potentials and initiation of spontaneous action potentials. ICa, through L-type Ca(2+) channels, was also found to play a role in the rapid membrane repolarization of action potentials by functional coupling with BK channels. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Ionic currents of outer hair cells isolated from the guinea-pig cochlea.

    PubMed

    Housley, G D; Ashmore, J F

    1992-03-01

    1. Whole-cell currents were measured in outer hair cells isolated from each turn of the organ of Corti of the guinea-pig. 2. The slope input conductances at -70 mV of the cells ranged from 3.6 to 51 nS depending on the length of the cell. Shorter cells from the basal turns of the cochlea had the highest values. The membrane time constant of the cells varied from 3 to 0.2 ms from the apex to the base. 3. Irrespective of the position of the cells along the cochlea, three distinct currents were found. Each type of current was found in approximately the same proportion in all cells. 4. An outward K+ current was present which activated at potentials more positive than -35 mV. The current was sensitive to tetraethylammonium (30 mM), quinidine (100 microM) and nifedipine (50 microM). It could be removed by replacing external Ca2+ with Ba2+ or Mg2+. The current was also removed by substituting Nai+ or Csi+ for Ki+ pipette solution. This outwardly rectifying current appears similar to the calcium-activated K+ current described in other hair cells. 5. The main current present at membrane potentials from -90 mV to -50 mV was a second voltage-activated K+ current. It was 50% activated at -80 mV, and relaxed with a time constant of 20-40 ms on hyperpolarization to -120 mV. Near rest the kinetics were essentially time-dependent , but depended upon the external K+ concentration. The current was blocked by 5 mM external Cs+. 6. This current was highly selective for K+. Measured from reversal of the tail currents, the permeability ratio PK:PNa was approximately 30:1. Depolarization of the cell, presumed to lead to an elevation of intracellular calcium, produced a prolonged activation of the current. 7. A third current found in the cells was a cation current. By external ion replacement, the selectivity sequence was determined to be Ca2+ greater than Na+ approximately equal to K+ greater than choline+ greater than NMDG+ (respective permeabilities relative to Na: 2.9, 1.0, 0.99, 0.63 and 0.37). This current was reduced by external Ba2+ (3 mM) and by nifedipine (50 microM). The activation of this current appeared to depend upon raised levels of Cai2+. 8. These currents account for reported in vivo properties of cochlear outer hair cells as cells permeable to potassium at large negative resting potentials. The consequences for sound detection in the cochlea are briefly discussed.

  9. The luminal K+ channel of the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop.

    PubMed

    Bleich, M; Schlatter, E; Greger, R

    1990-01-01

    In vitro perfused rat thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop (TAL) were used (n = 260) to analyse the conductance properties of the luminal membrane applying the patch-clamp technique. Medullary (mTAL) and cortical (cTAL) tubule segments were dissected and perfused in vitro. The free end of the tubule was held and immobilized at one edge by a holding pipette kept under continuous suction. A micropositioner was used to insert a patch pipette into the lumen, and a gigaohm seal with the luminal membrane was achieved in 455 instances out of considerably more trials. In approximately 20% of all gigaohm seals recordings of single ionic channels were obtained. We have identified only one single type of K+ channel in these cell-attached and cell-excised recordings. In the cell-attached configuration with KCl or NaCl in the pipette, the channel had a conductance of 60 +/- 6 pS (n = 24) and 31 +/- 7 pS (n = 4) respectively. In cell-free patches with KCl either in the patch pipette or in the bath and with a Ringer-type solution (NaCl) on the opposite side the conductance was 72 +/- 4 pS (n = 37) at a clamp voltage of 0 mV. The permeability was 0.33 +/- 0.02 . 10(-12) cm3/s. The selectivity sequence of this channel was: K+ = Rb+ = NH4+ = Cs+ greater than Li+ much greater than Na+ = 0; the conductance sequence was K+ much greater than Li+ much greater than Rb+ = Cs+ = NH4+ = Na+ = 0. In excised patches Rb+, Cs+ and NH4+ when present in the bath at 145 mmol/l all inhibited K+ currents out of the pipette. The channel kinetics were described by one open (9.5 +/- 1.5 ms, n = 18) and by two closed (1.4 +/- 0.1 and 14 +/- 2 ms) time constants. The open probability of this channel was increased by depolarization. The channel open probability was reduced voltage dependently by Ba2+ (half maximal inhibition at 0 mV: 0.07 mmol/l) from the cytosolic side. Verapamil, diltiazem, quinine and quinidine inhibited at approximately 1 mumol/l -0.1 mmol/l from either side. Similarly, the amino cations lidocaine, tetraethylammonium and choline inhibited at 10-100 mmol/l. The channel was downregulated in its open probability by cytosolic Ca2+ activities greater than 10(-7) mol/l and by adenosine triphosphate greater than or equal to 10(-4) mol/l. The open probability was downregulated by decreasing cytosolic pH (2-fold by a decrease in pH by less than or equal to 0.2 units).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

  10. Identification of cytochrome P450 2E1 as the predominant enzyme catalyzing human liver microsomal defluorination of sevoflurane, isoflurane, and methoxyflurane.

    PubMed

    Kharasch, E D; Thummel, K E

    1993-10-01

    Renal and hepatic toxicity of the fluorinated ether volatile anesthetics is caused by biotransformation to toxic metabolites. Metabolism also contributes significantly to the elimination pharmacokinetics of some volatile agents. Although innumerable studies have explored anesthetic metabolism in animals, there is little information on human volatile anesthetic metabolism with respect to comparative rates or the identity of the enzymes responsible for defluorination. The first purpose of this investigation was to compare the metabolism of the fluorinated ether anesthetics by human liver microsomes. The second purpose was to test the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 2E1 is the specific P450 isoform responsible for volatile anesthetic defluorination in humans. Microsomes were prepared from human livers. Anesthetic metabolism in microsomal incubations was measured by fluoride production. The strategy for evaluating the role of P450 2E1 in anesthetic defluorination involved three approaches: for a series of 12 human livers, correlation of microsomal defluorination rate with microsomal P450 2E1 content (measured by Western blot analysis), correlation of defluorination rate with microsomal P450 2E1 catalytic activity using marker substrates (para-nitrophenol hydroxylation and chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation), and chemical inhibition by P450 isoform-selective inhibitors. The rank order of anesthetic metabolism, assessed by fluoride production at saturating substrate concentrations, was methoxyflurane > sevoflurane > enflurane > isoflurane > desflurane > 0. There was a significant linear correlation of sevoflurane and methoxyflurane defluorination with antigenic P450 2E1 content (r = 0.98 and r = 0.72, respectively), but not with either P450 1A2 or P450 3A3/4. Comparison of anesthetic defluorination with either para-nitrophenol or chlorzoxazone hydroxylation showed a significant correlation for sevoflurane (r = 0.93, r = 0.95) and methoxyflurane (r = 0.78, r = 0.66). Sevoflurane defluorination was also highly correlated with that of enflurane (r = 0.93), which is known to be metabolized by human P450 2E1. Diethyldithiocarbamate, a selective inhibitor of P450 2E1, produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of sevoflurane, methoxyflurane, and isoflurane defluorination. No other isoform-selective inhibitor diminished the defluorination of sevoflurane, whereas methoxyflurane defluorination was inhibited by the selective P450 inhibitors furafylline (P450 1A2), sulfaphenazole (P450 2C9/10), and quinidine (P450 2D6) but to a much lesser extent than by diethyldithiocarbamate. These results demonstrate that cytochrome P450 2E1 is the principal, if not sole human liver microsomal enzyme catalyzing the defluorination of sevoflurane. P450 2E1 is the principal, but not exclusive enzyme responsible for the metabolism of methoxyflurane, which also appears to be catalyzed by P450s 1A2, 2C9/10, and 2D6. The data also suggest that P450 2E1 is responsible for a significant fraction of isoflurane metabolism. Identification of P450 2E1 as the major anesthetic metabolizing enzyme in humans provides a mechanistic understanding of clinical fluorinated ether anesthetic metabolism and toxicity.

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