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Biomedical subjects

F Bree

Publications and source records attributed to F Bree.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prednisolone and azathioprine worsen the cyclosporine A-induced oxidative phosphorylation decrease of kidney mitochondria.

We investigated the effects of cyclosporine A, prednisolone and azathioprine on respiration rates, Ca2+-induced swelling and Ca2+ fluxes of rat kidney mitochondria. The three drugs significantly decreased the succinate induced-respiration rates according to concentration-dependent processes. Each drug inhibited about 10% of the respiratory control ratio, with EC50 of 3.7 x 10(-7) M, 5.8 x 10(-9) M for cyclosporine A and azathioprine respectively. Prednisolone was the most effective (19.2%) acting by a two-step process with EC50 of 9.2 x 10(-12) M and 1.9 x 10(-8) M. The combination of the three drugs developed a higher significant decrease of respiratory control ratio than that of each drug but lower than the sum of their respective effects. Inhibitions of swelling and Ca2+ fluxes through mitochondrial membrane due to the combination were not different from those induced by cyclosporine A alone. The action mechanisms of cyclosporine A and prednisolone were total and partial Ca2+ dependent respectively. Azathioprine appears to act by a Ca2+-independent one. It is concluded that azathioprine and prednisolone may worsen cyclosporine A-induced renal mitochondrial alteration of oxidative phosphorylation.

Animals

Compared properties of trandolapril, enalapril, and their diacid metabolites.

The effects of 14-day trandolapril or enalapril treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were studied on blood pressure and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity measured ex vivo in various organs. Both ACE inhibitors caused dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure and ACE activity, trandolapril being 30- and 400- to 1,000-fold more active than enalapril on blood pressure and ACE activity, respectively. However, comparison of ACE inhibitory activities of the diacid forms of trandolapril and enalapril, i.e., trandolaprilat and enalaprilat, measured in vitro on various tissues, showed that trandolaprilat was only three- to fivefold more active than enalaprilat. To understand the reasons for such discrepancies between ex vivo effects of ACE inhibitors and in vitro actions of their diacid metabolites, we measured the lipophilicities of the compounds and investigated the possibility that trandolapril could display an ACE inhibitory effect by itself. Trandolaprilat was found to be far more lipophilic than enalaprilat, as shown by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography studies performed at pH 7.4 (log kw7.4 = 1.487 vs. 0.108). In addition, trandolapril was practically as active in vitro as its diacid metabolite (IC50 = 2.5 vs. 1.35 nM) in inhibiting ACE activity in the aorta, whereas enalapril was practically devoid of any effect (IC50 = 240 nM). Measurements of relative affinities of inhibitors or metabolites for purified human renal ACE showed that trandolapril displayed about 20% of the affinity of its diacid metabolite (IC50 = 15 vs. 3.2 nM); enalaprilat affinity (34 nM) was within the same range as those of trandolapril and trandolaprilat, whereas enalapril displayed a very low affinity for the purified enzyme (IC50 = 50 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Nimesulide binding to components within blood.

The binding of nimesulide within human serum to isolated proteins and to erythrocytes was studied by equilibrium dialysis. Within the range of therapeutic concentrations, nimesulide was 99% bound to serum involving a nonsaturated process (NKA = 91). This binding was almost identical to binding of nimesulide to serum albumin (NKA = 95). Physiological concentrations of free fatty acids did not affect binding of nimesulide to serum albumin. The retention of nimesulide by erythrocytes suspended in buffer was moderate (67%), although in whole blood no erythrocyte binding was observed because of the greater affinity of this drug for serum. Over the range of therapeutic concentrations (2.5 to 63 mumol/L), the free fraction of nimesulide in serum remains constant. Serum binding was decreased in samples obtained from patients with renal failure or hepatic cirrhosis associated with hypoalbuminaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia, respectively. At therapeutic concentrations, the binding of nimesulide was unaffected by warfarin, cefoperazone, furosemide (frusemide), glibenclamide, tamoxifen or digitoxin. However, valproic acid and fenofibrate (80 mumol/L) may displace nimesulide. 4-Hydroxy-nimesulide, the principal metabolite, significantly increased the free fraction of nimesulide. Although methotrexate had no effect on the free fraction of nimesulide, the free fraction of methotrexate was significantly increased in the presence of nimesulide. The present study also demonstrated 2 distinct nimesulide binding sites (site I and site II) on serum albumin (10 mumol/L) with different affinities: site II KA = 3.57 x 10(5) L/mol and site I KA = 1.24 x 10(5) L/mol. Interaction studies using markers that bind specifically to site I (warfarin and azapropazone) and site II (diazepam and ibuprofen) indicated that nimesulide binds to site II with higher affinity and to a lesser extent to site I.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal

Clinical pharmacology of oxicams: new insights into the mechanisms of their dose-dependent toxicity.

Six oxicams, sudoxicam, isoxicam, piroxicam, tenoxicam, meloxicam and lornoxicam, were compared in an attempt to understand why, despite close chemical structures, two of them were associated with an increased risk of toxicity in patients. Different factors have been revealed which may explain these differences. A weak association constant to human serum albumin (HSA), together with a high plasma concentration, favours a rapid increase in unbound concentration (Cu) when total plasma concentration rises (peak of absorption). Pathological states may enhance this increase when both HSA plasma concentration is decreased and free fatty acid concentrations are increased. However, the main cause of toxicity may be the existence in some subjects of HSA natural mutants whose ability to bind oxicams is markedly lower than normal.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal

Specific and high affinity binding of perindoprilat, but not of perindopril to blood ACE.

The bindings of perindopril and of its active metabolite perindoprilat to human serum, isolated proteins and to erythrocytes were studied by equilibrium dialysis. Within the therapeutic concentrations range, perindopril was 74% bound to serum involving a non-saturable process, NKa = 2.87. The main binders are serum albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. The serum binding of perindoprilat involved two successive steps. First, a saturable high-affinity binding (Ka: 2.8 x 10(9) M-1) occurred, involving probably the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). The second binding step was non-saturable with a very weak binding capacity, NKa = 0.15, quite superimposable to the HSA bound perindoprilat. Free fatty acids (FFA) did not alter the binding to HSA. The binding of both compounds to erythrocytes was low especially with perindopril, when measured in the presence of plasma. A significant correlation showed that the overall serum binding percentage of both drugs was essentially determined by HSA concentration. Serum binding was decreased in renal failure or cirrhosis, this result was principally linked to the hypoalbuminemia. Interactions with other drugs were limited to the binding of salicylate, tolbutamide and digitoxin to HSA.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

How chronically administered valproate increases chlordiazepoxide transfer through the blood-brain barrier.

Sodium valproate (VPA) is a drug widely used in the treatment of epileptics often in association with benzodiazepines. Recent animal studies have shown that the addition of valproate increases diazepam levels in the cortex and the cerebellum (Hariton et al, 1985). The aim of our study was to determine the effect of VPA on the transfer of benzodiazepines through the blood-brain barrier. They were investigated using the intracarotid injection technique in rats as described by Oldendorf (1971). Our results show that the 14C-chlordiazepoxide brain extraction is significantly higher in rats on prolonged valproate treatment than in controls. With regard to plasma protein binding effects on chlordiazepoxide transport, our data indicate that a fraction of the protein-bound chlordiazepoxide could transfer from the intracapillary space to the brain tissue space because of enhanced drug dissociation from albumin in the brain microcirculation (Kd in vitro = 74.1 microM; Kd in vivo = 793.7 microM). Two distinct mechanisms can be deduced from this study: 1) chlordiazepoxide is displaced from HSA by valproate, 2) in addition, this fatty acid could increase drug permeation through the blood brain barrier (PS/F (chlordiazepoxide) = 0.60 in controls, PS/F (chlordiazepoxide) = 0.97 in treated rats). On the contrary, the washout of the benzodiazepine from the rat brain does not seem to be modified by the addition of valproate.

Animals

Evidence for isoxicam binding to site I as a primary site and to site II as a secondary site of human serum albumin.

Isoxicam binding to HSA was studied using equilibrium dialysis and fluorescence methods. It was shown that this drug binds to or near site I (warfarin or azapropazone site) and to site II (the diazepam site) as a secondary site, although it is generally considered that their respective drug structural requirements are often exclusive. The binding parameters were calculated with different mathematical models; a site oriented model with or without fixing the number of binding sites as integer values and a stoichiometric model. The relevant results are in good agreement under the selected experimental conditions. The stoichiometric method indicates that no positive cooperativity occurred during the binding process but other interactions between the two sites cannot be excluded.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal

Blood distribution of tenoxicam in humans: a particular HSA drug interaction.

Blood binding of tenoxicam was studied in vitro by equilibrium dialysis. Isolated human plasma proteins and blood cells were checked, and the distribution of the bound form was then calculated. The results showed that tenoxicam is mainly bound to HSA and that binding percentages are not different when measured in plasma (98.4%) and in an HSA solution at physiological concentration (704 microM, 98.15%). In these conditions, within the range of 1-150 microM, the tenoxicam binding percentage remained constant, evidence of a nonsaturable process. When a lower HSA concentration (10 microM) was used, the binding parameters of the tenoxicam interaction were calculated by using the same equilibrium dialysis data, by 3 methods of analysis- a stoichiometric method and site-oriented methods, fixing or not the number of HSA binding sites (n) as integer values. The best fit was observed with the first method, suggesting that two main interactions occurred. The site-oriented method gave lesser fits, the better being observed when n was not fixed. Its value, 1.77, suggest the possibility of two binding sites, one of them not preformed. The effects of known markers of site I, warfarin and apazone, of site II, diazepam and ibuprofen and of palmitic acid showed that tenoxicam is bound simultaneously to both sites I and II. The binding capacity of site I for tenoxicam is enhanced by diazepam: as this compound alone is bound to site II, this result suggests that the two HSA binding sites are not independent.

Bilirubin

Blood binding and tissue uptake of drugs. Recent advances and perspectives.

The free drug hypothesis, which states that only the unbound moiety of drug in blood is available for tissue diffusion, is discussed according to recent investigations. In some experimental conditions, it must be assumed that part of the protein-bound drug in plasma is extracted during a single passage through the organ studied. The mechanisms underlying these observations are not unequivocal and remain hypothetical. In the liver, high-affinity binding sites for serum albumin have been demonstrated, and they would explain the high extraction by liver of endogenous and exogenous compounds. However, these experiments measure the unidirectional transfer of a drug from the vascular to the extravascular space in non-steady-state conditions. Hence, in steady-state conditions, the free drug hypothesis cannot be ruled out because it is supported by numerous pharmacokinetic studies.

Animals

Pharmacological criteria for risk-benefit evaluation of NSAIDs.

Evaluation of new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) must compare efficacy and toxicity with existing compounds. Real progress involves maintaining effectiveness while decreasing toxicity. It is relatively easy to assess the effects of NSAIDs in animal models, and to determine gastrointestinal toxicity. However, although the ratio of active and toxic doses in animals can be extrapolated to man, the approach is limited and the NSAID needs to be assessed in a clinical setting as early as possible. In France, a national survey system has reported a wide range of adverse effects related to NSAIDs and shown important differences between compounds. Overdosage may be one of the factors responsible for toxicity, therefore pharmacokinetic evaluation is useful. In some disease states e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, there is a higher possibility of saturation pharmacokinetics with some drugs. Other pharmacokinetic parameters of interest are half-life, functions limiting activity, and hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, different pharmacokinetic parameters are required for different forms of disease. In acute states, the NSAID should have a short half-life and low protein binding and vice versa in chronic states. An important goal is to develop more selective NSAIDs regarding mechanisms of action or distribution into diseased tissues.

Animals

Inhibition of (-) [125I]-iodocyanopindolol binding to rat lung beta adrenoceptors by uremic plasma ultrafiltrates.

Numerous data have suggested that beta-adrenoceptor-mediated responses were decreased in uremia and that parathormone could be implicated in this phenomenon. In a previous paper we have shown that the beta2 receptor density of mononuclear cells of uremic patients is significantly increased despite a significant increase in plasma epinephrine, suggesting that an endogenous substance could interfere and disregulate the beta 2 receptor density. In order to further evaluate this phenomenon we have firstly studied the influence of one non uremic and five uremic plasma ultrafiltrates on the binding of (-)-[125I]iodocyanopindolol using rat lung beta adrenoceptors. The results show that uremic plasma ultrafiltrates induce a decrease in the Bmax value without any variation on the Kd value. In a second step we have assessed the ability of human synthetic 1-34 and 53-84 parathormone to interact directly with beta-adrenoceptors. No variation in the (-)-[125I]iodocyanopindolol binding parameters was observed. These results suggest that an uremic endogenous substance might interfere on the beta adrenergic receptors and that the alteration in the beta-adrenergic response in uremia is probably not due to a direct action of parathormone on the beta-adrenoceptors.

Animals

The binding of agonists and antagonists to rat lung beta-adrenergic receptors as investigated by thermodynamics and structure-activity relationships.

Interaction of several agonists and antagonists with the relevant beta receptor were studied in vitro using rat lung membranes as beta-adrenergic receptor source. The influence of temperature, between 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C, on the ability of beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists to displace (-)-[125I]iodocyanopindolol from beta-adrenergic receptors was checked. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated from the Kj values thus obtained. Lipophilicity of the twenty molecules was also measured using a RP-HPLC method. The results obtained show: the density of receptors was not affected by the temperature but their affinity for the twenty agonists and antagonists increased with decreasing temperature; the binding of agonists is enthalpy driven while that of antagonists is entropy driven, with the exception of the lipophilic agonist dobutamine; a single relationship between entropy and lipophilicity exists for all twenty compounds and would suggest that molecular structure and physicochemical properties account for the thermodynamics of binding.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists

Present and future trends in drug monitoring.

The concept of drug monitoring is generally accepted for toxic drugs and for some particular pathological states. However its basis and its limits are still controversial. This paper outlines under which circumstances drug monitoring is of absolute necessity. This paper also deals with pharmacokinetics, i.e. the measurement of drug concentration as a tool in drug monitoring. Finally it tries to forecast future developments in this field using the analysis of receptors, found in blood cells, as probes of tissue receptors.

Forecasting

Beta adrenoceptors of human red blood cells, determination of their subtypes.

The characteristics of beta adrenergic receptors of human erythrocyte membranes were investigated using (-)125iodocyanopindolol as a radioligand. Inhibition of (-)125iodocyanopindolol specific binding was checked using either atenolol and metoprolol as beta 1 selective antagonists or ICI 118551 and IPS 339 as beta 2 selective antagonists. The results showed non linear Hofstee's plots suggesting that both beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptors are present. Analysis of the data yielded a beta 1/beta 2 adrenergic receptor ratio of approximately 33/67. Thus it is concluded that beta 2 subtype is predominant on human erythrocyte membranes.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists