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Biomedical subjects

A Baruzzi

Publications and source records attributed to A Baruzzi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Hormonal and metabolic changes induced by flunarizine therapy: preliminary results.

The effect of 30-days of flunarizine (5 mg/day) therapy on pituitary, B-pancreatic, gonadic and adrenal function was studied in five adolescents with common migraine. Baseline concentration of growth hormone was significantly reduced after flunarizine therapy. The response of prolactin to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone was significantly increased after flunarizine therapy. The percentages of HbA1 and HbA1c were significantly higher after flunarizine therapy. The drug had no apparent effect on gonadic and adrenal function. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect of flunarizine on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and glucose tolerance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Time-dependent interaction between phenytoin and valproic acid.

The diurnal variation in total and free plasma phenytoin (PHT) concentration at steady state was examined in eight epileptic patients receiving combination therapy with tid valproic acid (VPA) as sodium salt. Eight patients treated with PHT, but not with VPA, were studied for comparison purposes. In the absence of VPA coadministration, total and free PHT concentrations did not change significantly during the day and showed only minor intrapatient fluctuations (14 and 13%, respectively). In patients receiving VPA, the mean total PHT did not change significantly, whereas the free PHT increased during the day (p less than 0.05). The fluctuations in total and free PHT in these patients were 16 and 17% on average. In the presence of VPA, the free PHT fraction was higher than in controls (13.9 +/- 2.3% versus 8.3 +/- 1.9%; p less than 0.01) and fluctuated to a greater extent (29 versus 14% in controls; p less than 0.01), mainly as a result of combined opposite swings in both total and free concentration. The diurnal changes in free PHT concentration and fraction correlated positively with the changes in plasma VPA. An inverse relationship between total PHT concentration and plasma VPA was found in some patients. These data demonstrate that the displacement interaction between PHT and VPA is subject to diurnal variation, probably as a result of the fluctuation in plasma VPA. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Propranolol plasma binding and serum lipids during chronic therapy in migraine patients.

Plasma protein binding of propranolol (PROP) was determined in 18 migraine patients chronically treated with different doses (from 60 to 240 mg/day) of the drug. In 9 patients serum lipids and PROP binding were determined before and during the therapy. Free fractions of PROP ranged from 4.7 to 13.3% and they were similar to those found in vitro in healthy volunteers. Total and free concentrations were highly correlated (r = 0.929; p less than 0.001); correlations between daily doses (in mg/kg) and free and total concentrations were very similar: r = 0.76 and r = 0.73 respectively. Changes in binding and serum lipids during the therapy were insignificant and unrelated.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Lateral gaze nystagmus in carbamazepine-treated epileptic patients: correlation with total and free plasma concentrations of parent drug and its 10,11-epoxide metabolite.

The incidence of lateral gaze nystagmus and its correlation with free and total plasma concentrations of carbamazepine (CBZ) and carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide (CBZ-E) were examined in 97 epileptic patients receiving chronic treatment with CBZ alone (n = 54) or in combination with phenobarbital (PB) (n = 43). All patients had plasma CBZ concentrations within the clinically optimal range (less than 50 mumol/L). Nystagmus was seen in 26% of patients receiving monotherapy and in 33% receiving combination therapy. Within each group, however, nystagmus was much more frequent among patients with higher CBZ concentrations. For patients receiving PB in combination the CBZ levels above which nystagmus was particularly frequent appeared to be lower than in the monotherapy patients--a finding that could not be attributed to differences in plasma PB concentrations. The correlation of CBZ-E levels (or the sum of CBZ + CBZ-E) with the occurrence of nystagmus was no better than that observed with CBZ levels alone. Free drug levels did not appear to be superior to total levels in discriminating between patients with or without nystagmus. These results indicate that the occurrence of nystagmus is concentration-dependent within the therapeutic plasma CBZ concentration range and suggest that the threshold at which this neurological sign appears is reduced in the presence of PB, possibly as a result of a pharmacodynamic interaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Mechanism of altered drug binding to serum proteins in pregnant women: studies with valproic acid.

The mechanism underlying the impaired serum protein binding of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnancy was examined in samples collected from 24 healthy women in the last 3 weeks of gestation and 15 age-matched nonpregnant female controls. Experiments were performed in vitro using a rapid equilibrium dialysis technique free from in vitro alterations in free fatty acids (FFA). At a total drug concentration of approximately 420 mumol/L, the free VPA fraction was 10.2 +/- 2.9% (SD) in pregnant women and 4.8 +/- 1.0% in controls (p less than 0.001). Pregnancy was associated with a marked reduction in serum albumin levels but with only a slight, nonsignificant elevation in FFA. Free VPA fraction was negatively correlated with serum albumin levels. A positive correlation between free VPA fraction and FFA was observed in the pregnant group but not in the controls. The only sample collected during labour showed a striking elevation of both free VPA fraction and FFA, in spite of a normal albumin concentration. Scatchard's plots showed VPA bound to two classes of binding sites on the albumin molecule. The number of primary (n1) and secondary (n2) binding sites in pregnant women (n1 = 2.0; n2 = 10.7) was virtually identical to that observed in the controls (n1 = 1.9; n2 = 9.8). The association constants of the primary (k1) and secondary (k2) sites were lower in pregnant women (15.9 X 10(3) and 0.19 X 10(3) L/mol, respectively, vs. 22.6 X 10(3) and 0.33 X 10(3) L/mol in controls) but the difference was not significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Valproic acid binding to human serum albumin and human plasma: effects of pH variation and buffer composition in equilibrium dialysis.

The binding of valproic acid (VPA) to human serum albumin (HSA) and to pooled human plasma has been investigated by using equilibrium dialysis with three different dialysis solutions: phosphate buffer (solution I), Krebs solution (solution II), and Krebs solution without calcium (solution III). The effect of pH variation from 6.4 to 8.2 has been also investigated. VPA free fraction increased by increasing pH with all the dialysis solutions (from 4.1% at pH 6.4 to 9.4% at pH 8.2 with solution I, from 8.1% to 11.3% with solution II, and from 10.6% to 14.3% with solution III, in plasma). At each pH value, free fraction obtained with solution III was the highest and that obtained with solution I was the lowest. Data in plasma and HSA solution were similar. In a separate experiment we compared (at pH 7.4, with plasma) the three more frequently used dialysis solutions: phosphate buffer, phosphate buffer with NaCl, and Krebs solution. They gave, respectively, a mean VPA free fraction of 7.8, 10.3, and 12.7%. These findings can explain the wide range of VPA free fraction values reported in the literature. Researchers intending to determine VPA free concentration by equilibrium dialysis should take into account these methodological aspects.

Buffers↗
PubMed1984

Free and total plasma concentrations of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in epileptic patients: diurnal fluctuations and relationship with side effects.

The diurnal fluctuations in free and total plasma levels of carbamazepine (CBZ) and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E) and their relationship with intermittent side effects were examined in 10 epileptic patients stabilized on chronic CBZ therapy alone or in combination with phenobarbital (PB). With a t.i.d. or q.i.d. dosing schedule, total plasma levels of CBZ and CBZ-E fluctuated to a similar extent (average 34% and 29%, respectively). The diurnal changes in free levels of both compounds mirrored closely those of the total levels. Free fraction values ranged from 13 to 26% for CBZ and from 24 to 66% for CBZ-E. Owing to the lower protein binding of the metabolite, CBZ-E/CBZ ratios were higher in plasma water (0.49) than in whole plasma (0.22). A good correlation was found between both total and free CBZ levels and dose-related side effects (diplopia, nystagmus). On the other hand, no apparent relationship was found between side effects and either total or free plasma CBZ-E. The correlation with the presence of neurological signs of toxicity for the sum of CBZ + CBZ-E levels was no better than that observed for CBZ levels alone. These data do not support the hypothesis that CBZ-E contributes significantly to the development of dose-related side effects in CBZ-treated patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Differential transplacental binding of valproic acid: influence of free fatty acids.

The unbound fraction of valproic acid (VPA) was found to be significantly lower in cord serum (6.0 +/- 0.8%) than in maternal serum collected before oxytocin (12.2 +/- 2.7%) or after delivery (9.9 +/- 2.3%). The difference was probably due to the concentration of free fatty acids (acting as displacing agents) being higher in maternal serum. The transplacental binding gradient explains the clinical observation that total VPA levels at delivery are higher in the newborn than in the mother.

Dialysis↗
PubMed1984

Stereoselective binding of propranolol enantiomers to human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and human plasma.

The binding of propranolol enantiomers to human albumin (ALB), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) and plasma was studied. (-) propranolol is more bound than (+)propranolol to alpha 1-AGP (P less than 0.001) and to plasma (P less than 0.05). In solutions containing ALB at a constant concentration (580 mumol/l) and alpha 1-AGP at increasing concentrations, the binding of both isomers increases but the stereo selectivity is evident throughout the alpha 1-AGP concentration range examined (25-100 mumol/l).

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Diurnal fluctuations in free and total steady-state plasma levels of carbamazepine and correlation with intermittent side effects.

The relationship between diurnal fluctuations in free (unbound) and total plasma carbamazepine levels and the appearance of intermittent side effects was investigated in nine epileptic patients receiving chronic therapy with carbamazepine, alone or in combination with phenobarbital. On a three-times-daily or four-times-daily dosing schedule, both total and free carbamazepine levels fluctuated considerably (on an average, 41 and 45%, respectively, around the mean). Side effects (particularly diplopia and nystagmus) were observed in five patients and showed an intermittent pattern in four. Side effects were never found at total carbamazepine levels less than 34 mumol/L but invariably appeared at levels greater than 38 mumol/L. At levels between 34 and 38 mumol/L adverse effects were inconsistently observed. The correlation between plasma carbamazepine levels and manifestations of toxicity was slightly stronger when free rather than total levels were considered. Side effects were always apparent at free levels greater than 7.2 mumol/L. These data underline the limitations of relying on a single drug level determination during the monitoring of carbamazepine therapy and emphasize the necessity of carefully adjusting the dosing schedule, to minimize the appearance of intermittent adverse effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Hyperammonemia in asterixis induced by carbamazepine: two case reports.

Two patients developed asterixis while they were taking carbamazepine at "therapeutic" levels. The only laboratory abnormality was slight hyperammonemia. It occurred with normal hepatic function as a dose-related effect. In fact, the blood ammonia level decreased and asterixis ceased when carbamazepine was stopped or reduced in dosage. The relationship between asterixis and hyperammonemia during carbamazepine therapy is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Phenytoin-induced increase in growth hormone response to levodopa in adult males.

Growth hormone and prolactin response to levodopa were evaluated before and after long-term phenytoin treatment in five men with previously untreated partial epilepsy. After phenytoin treatment, growth hormone response to levodopa increased. There was a close relationship between growth hormone response to levodopa and plasma phenytoin concentrations. These findings suggest a phenytoin-induced dopaminergic activity at the hypothalamic-pituitary level in adult males.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Acute changes of blood ammonia may predict short-term adverse effects of valproic acid.

Valproic acid (VPA) was given to 24 epileptic patients who were already being treated with other antiepileptic drugs. A standardized loading dose of VPA was administered, and venous blood was sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. Ammonia (NH3) was higher in patients who, during continuous therapy, complained of drowsiness (7 patients) than in those who were symptom-free (17 patients), although VPA plasma levels were similar in both groups. By measuring VPA-induced changes of blood NH3 content, it may be possible to identify patients at higher risk of obtundation when VPA is given chronically.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Plasma concentrations of propranolol and 4-hydroxy-propranolol at steady-state in neurological patients: intersubject and intrasubject correlations with dose.

Plasma concentrations of propranolol (PROP) and its active 4-hydroxymetabolite were determined in neurological patients receiving chronic therapy with relatively low PROP doses (40-240 mg/day). Plasma PROP concentrations determined before the morning dose were much lower than, but significantly correlated (r = 0.91) with the drug level two hours after dosing. 4-hydroxypropranolol (4-OH-P) was often undetectable (less than 1 ng/ml) in the early morning samples. Plasma concentrations of both parent drug and metabolite determined two hours after the morning dose correlated weakly with the prescribed daily dose. The intrapatient dose-concentration relationship, on the other hand, was strong, particularly for the parent drug. The ratio between 4-OH-P and PROP in plasma was inversely related to the PROP concentration, at least over the lower PROP concentration range (0-100 ng/ml). The usefulness of determining the concentration of the metabolite in the evaluation of the pharmacological action of low doses of PROP is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Diurnal fluctuations in free and total plasma concentrations of valproic acid at steady state in epileptic patients.

The diurnal fluctuations in free and total plasma concentrations of valproic acid (VPA) were determined by taking serial blood samples at 2-h intervals in six epileptic patients receiving maintenance therapy with sodium valproate (9.6-24.0 mg/kg in three divided daily doses). Both the free and the total concentrations fluctuated markedly during the period examined (0800-1800 h). The fluctuation of the free drug was about twice as great as that of the total drug (79 +/- 27% versus 47 +/- 21%, p less than 0.01). There was a considerable inter- and intrapatient variability in free VPA fraction. In at least four of six patients the free fraction increased in proportion to the increase in total concentration. These findings are in line with available evidence that the binding of VPA to plasma proteins is saturable within the clinically occurring concentration range. The changing and unpredictable relationship between total and free concentration suggests that VPA therapy can be monitored more rationally by measuring the free drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Valproic acid free fraction in epileptic children under chronic monotherapy.

The total and free (nonprotein-bound) concentration of valproic acid (VPA) was determined in plasma samples collected at two different times of the day (before the morning dose and 3 h later) in 62 epileptic children receiving maintenance single-drug therapy with sodium valproate. Both the total and the free concentrations were lower in the early than in the late morning samples (total VPA: 394.4 +/- 150.0 vs. 556.9 +/- 175.2 mumol/L; free VPA: 20.1 +/- 11.1 vs. 31.3 +/- 17.4 mumol/L). The average free fraction of the drug was also lower in the early morning (4.8 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.6%, p less than 0.001). At both sampling times, the free fraction was positively correlated (p less than 0.01) with the total concentration. Evidence is presented that, at equal total plasma VPA concentration, the free fraction of the drug is significantly (p = 0.01) higher in the early than in the late morning samples. The rise in plasma free fatty acids (acting as displacing agents) after the overnight fast is probably responsible for this difference in free fraction. The implications of these findings with respect to the monitoring of free plasma VPA levels are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Free fraction of valproic acid: in vitro time-dependent increase and correlation with free fatty acid concentration in human plasma and serum.

The effect of sample incubation and storage on the protein binding of the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) and on the concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) was investigated in serum and plasma collected from four normal volunteers. Both the free fraction of VPA and the concentration of FFA increased progressively with time when samples were incubated at 4 to 37 degrees C. These effects occurred to the same extent in both serum and heparinized plasma. At 4 degrees C and at room temperature, the increase in free drug fraction was relatively small (18 and 25% respectively at 24 h), whereas at 37 degrees C it was quite considerable (24% at 8 h and 40% at 24 h). At room temperature, FFA rose on average by 22% at 4 h, 34% at 8 h, and 86% at 24 h, whereas at 37 degrees C the increases at the same incubation times were 59, 90, and 160%, respectively. There was a strong positive relationship between changes in free VPA fraction and FFA content of the samples. The time-dependent changes in VPA binding capacity described in this study may lead to overestimation of the actual free concentration in vivo, especially when this is estimated by equilibrium dialysis or ultracentrifugation techniques requiring long incubation (centrifugation) times at 37 degrees C.

Adult↗