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Biomedical subjects

I L Smith

Publications and source records attributed to I L Smith.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Simultaneous monitoring of bemoradan pharmacokinetics and hemodynamics in mongrel dogs.

This study was designed to determine the relationship between the hemodynamic responses to bemoradan, a novel cardiotonic agent, and its plasma levels after single administration of an oral dose or a 15 minute i.v. infusion to mongrel dogs, and to demonstrate that the clinical capsule formulation of bemoradan elicits a pharmacological response in the dog. Four conscious, instrumented mongrel dogs received each of four bemoradan treatments (30 micrograms kg-1 i.v., 100 micrograms kg-1 i.v., 100 micrograms kg-1 suspension p.o., or 1 mg capsule p.o.) in a Latin square cross-over design. Plasma levels of bemoradan up to 24 h post-dosing were determined by HPLC. Cardiac contractility (dP/dt), heart rate, and arterial blood pressure were continuously monitored for 8 h and again at 24 h. Results of the study indicate that there was a significant correlation between bemoradan plasma levels and dP/dt. The 1 mg clinical capsule formulation was well absorbed when compared to an oral suspension and an i.v. dose. Peak increases in dP/dt of 64 per cent at 15 min for the suspension and 53 per cent at 1 h for the capsule were observed.

Administration, Oral↗

Evidence that the herpes simplex virus immediate early protein ICP27 acts post-transcriptionally during infection to regulate gene expression.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) immediate early protein ICP27 is a regulatory protein which is essential for virus replication. The phenotype of temperature-sensitive and deletion mutants in ICP27 includes overexpression of some immediate early and early gene products and greatly reduced levels of late gene products. To determine whether regulation by ICP27 occurs primarily at the transcriptional level, we have studied the expression of two immediate early products (ICP4 and ICP27) and two late gene products (glycoprotein B and glycoprotein C) at the level of transcription initiation, accumulation of steady state mRNA, and protein synthesis in an ICP27 temperature-sensitive mutant tsLG4, compared to wild-type HSV-1. At the nonpermissive temperature in tsLG4-infected cells, the two immediate early gene products ICP4 and ICP27 were overexpressed both at the mRNA and protein level although synthesis of these transcripts as measured by nuclear runoff assays was reduced relative to the wild-type HSV-1 infections. The transcription of late gene products glycoprotein B (gB) and glycoprotein C (gC) was lower in runoff assays from tsLG4 infections suggesting that the reduction in the level of late products occurred at the transcriptional level. However, temperature shift experiments in which tsLG4-infected cells were shifted to the nonpermissive temperature at various times after infection showed that the synthesis of late transcripts was not altered 2 hr after the shift whereas both the accumulation of leaky late and late mRNA and the incorporation of [35S]methionine into newly synthesized gB and gC was reduced by 2 hr after the shift to nonpermissive temperature. Therefore, while the synthesis of new transcripts continued, the accumulation of late mRNAs and their translation into protein was reduced when ICP27 was defective, whereas, the converse was found for immediate early products. That is, the synthesis of new transcripts was reduced yet mRNA and protein accumulated to high levels. These results suggest that ICP27 acts at least in part post-transcriptionally to regulate the expression of immediate early and late gene products.

Animals↗

Inhibition of PAF-induced activation of human platelets by verapamil.

Verapamil, an inhibitor of calcium channels, was shown to inhibit PAF-induced platelet activation. In the presence of 50 microM Verapamil both thromboxane (Tx) formation and release of ATP from dense granules induced by 100 nM PAF was completely inhibited. This concentration of Verapamil only produced partial inhibition of PAF-induced aggregation. It also reduced the size of the PAF-induced calcium (Ca2+) transient demonstrated in Fura-2 loaded platelets. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, following chelation by EGTA, PAF was still able to induce a Ca2+ transient confirming the requirement of both intra and extracellular Ca2+ for PAF-induced platelet activation. 100 microM Verapamil was able to completely abolish the calcium transient induced by low doses of PAF. These results further suggest that Verapamil is able to inhibit PAF-induced platelet activation by mechanisms apart from blocking Ca2+ channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mutations in the activation region of herpes simplex virus regulatory protein ICP27 can be trans dominant.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early protein ICP27 is an essential regulatory protein which is required for virus replication. Transfection experiments have demonstrated that ICP27 along with the HSV-1 transactivators ICP4 and ICP0 can positively regulate the expression of some late HSV-1 target plasmids and can negatively regulate the expression of some immediate-early and early target plasmids. We previously showed that mutants defective in the activation of a late target plasmid mapped to the carboxy-terminal half of the protein, whereas mutants defective in the repression of an early target plasmid mapped within the C-terminal 78 amino acids of ICP27 (M. A. Hardwicke, P. J. Vaughan, R. E. Sekulovich, R. O'Conner, and R. M. Sandri-Goldin, J. Virol. 63:4590-4602, 1989). In this study, we cotransfected ICP27 activator and repressor mutants along with wild-type ICP27 plasmid to determine whether these mutants could interfere with the wild-type activities. Mutants which were defective only in the activation function were dominant to the wild-type protein and inhibited the activation of the late target plasmid pVP5-CAT, whereas mutants defective in the repressor function did not inhibit either the activation of pVP5-CAT or the repression of the early target plasmid pTK-CAT. Furthermore, cell lines which stably carried three different activator mutants were impaired in their ability to support the growth of wild-type HSV-1 strain KOS, resulting in virus yields 5- to 40-fold lower than in control cells. The defect in virus replication appeared to stem from a decrease in the expression of HSV-1 late gene products during infection as measured by steady-state mRNA levels and by immunoprecipitation analysis of specific polypeptides. These results indicate that ICP27 activator mutations specifically interfere with the activation function of the protein both in transfection and during infection. Moreover, these results suggest that the repressor region may be important for binding of the polypeptide, since mutations in this region did not interfere with the activities of wild-type ICP27 and therefore presumably could not compete for binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pharmacokinetics and effects of recombinant human erythropoietin after intravenous and subcutaneous injections in healthy volunteers.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the pharmacokinetics and safety of multiple doses of recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEPO 150 or 300 U/kg either by intravenous (IV) bolus or subcutaneously (SC)] in normal male subjects demonstrated that rHuEPO had a dose-related effect on the hematocrit independent of the route of administration and that multiple doses of rHuEPO had no direct pressor effects. When rHuEPO was injected IV, a monoexponential decrease in serum EPO level was evident for 18 to 24 hours postdose. Absorption of SC injected rHuEPO occurred more slowly, with relatively low serum EPO levels being maintained for 48 hours. All rHuEPO antibody titer determinations were negative. With the exception of significant increases in hemoglobin and hematocrit, no clinically significant changes occurred. No hypertensive, convulsive, or thrombotic events were observed. Of the adverse experiences observed in 10 subjects, none was considered clinically significant, and none of the subjects dropped out because of adverse experiences.

Adult↗

The effects of very low fat diets enriched with fish or kangaroo meat on cold-induced vasoconstriction and platelet function.

Eighteen healthy volunteers consumed very low fat diets (less than 7% of daily energy) enriched with different sources of long chain (C20 and C22) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Three diets provided 500 g/day of fish caught in the tropical waters of Australia (rich in arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), fish caught in the southern waters of Australia (rich in docosahexaenoic acid), or kangaroo meat (rich in linoleic and arachidonic acids). The fourth diet was vegetarian, similarly low in fat but containing no 20- and 22-carbon PUFA. An increase in the percentage of a particular C20 or C22 PUFA in the plasma phospholipid fraction in subjects consuming these low fat diets corresponded to the dietary PUFA composition. This study examined the effect of dietary modification of the level of arachidonic acid in plasma phospholipids on both traditional measures of platelet function and on cold-induced vasoconstriction. The cold pressor response, measured by venous occlusion plethysmography, was depressed in diets which elevated the levels of arachidonic acid in plasma lipids (kangaroo and tropical fish), enhanced after subjects consumed a diet which increased the levels of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (southern fish diet), and was unchanged by the low fat vegetarian diet. There was no effect on bleeding time or platelet responsiveness.

Adult↗

Age-related differences in erythropoietic response to recombinant human erythropoietin: comparison in adult and infant rhesus monkeys.

Human recombinant erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) was given i.v. to rhesus monkeys to compare its safety, erythropoietic effects, and pharmacokinetics in healthy adult and infant animals. Eighteen adult and 18 infant (9- to 15-d-old) monkeys were divided into three groups each of six animals. One group was given 250 U/kg twice weekly, another was given 100 U/kg twice weekly, and a control group was given the drug vehicle for 6 wk. All animals were healthy throughout this period, and for 10 wk after that. Administration of r-HuEPO at these dosages did not produce any changes in leukocytes, platelets, urea nitrogen, bilirubin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine amino transferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and blood pressure in either age group. At 6 wk, both adult treatment groups had statistically significant increases in Hb concentration. The same dosages that produced these increases in Hb concentration in adults produced no changes in Hb concentration in infant monkeys. Despite active erythropoiesis, as determined by reticulocytosis and increased total body Hb, Hb concentration decreased similarly in the infant treatment and control groups. Pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained at 5 wk of dosing. One h after administration, both doses of r-HuEPO produced significantly lower serum r-HuEPO concentration in the infant monkeys compared with the adults. These differences appeared to be due to a larger volume of distribution of r-HuEPO in the infant monkeys. The t1/2 of r-HuEPO in circulation was the same in both age groups.

Age Factors↗

Lack of effect of gliclazide on platelet aggregation in insulin-treated and non-insulin-treated diabetes: a two-year controlled study.

Previous studies have suggested that the sulphonylurea hypoglycaemic agent gliclazide has specific effects in inhibiting platelet aggregation, and other haemorrheological effects that could be beneficial in preventing diabetic microangiopathy. A double-blind trial of the effect of gliclazide on platelet aggregatory responses was performed in 51 diabetic patients. Insulin- and non-insulin-treated diabetics were assessed during an initial 12-month placebo period, and in a subsequent 24-month active period after randomisation into placebo and gliclazide groups in insulin-treated patients or to glibenclamide and gliclazide groups in non-insulin-treated patients. Platelet-rich plasma was obtained from patients at intervals of at least 6 months during the trial. Circulating platelet aggregates were estimated, platelet aggregation was studied in response to three concentrations of adrenaline, ADP and collagen and thromboxane B2 produced by platelets exposed to collagen was measured. No significant effect of gliclazide was demonstrated on any parameter of platelet function evaluated.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Evidence that transcriptional control is the major mechanism of regulation for the glycoprotein D gene in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells.

In this report, we demonstrate a close correlation between the levels of steady-state mRNA, polysome-associated RNA, and the rate of protein synthesis for glycoprotein D, a beta-gamma product of herpes simplex virus type 1, and for the model beta (ICP8), beta-gamma (glycoprotein B), and gamma (glycoprotein C) gene products included in this study as controls. No evidence was found for posttranscriptional control of expression of these products. We conclude from these results that the major regulatory control for these genes during herpes simplex virus type 1 infection is transcriptional.

Animals↗

Treatment with aztreonam or tobramycin in critical care patients with nosocomial gram-negative pneumonia.

During the course of one year, 47 critical care patients with gram-negative bacillary pneumonia at Millard Fillmore Hospital were randomly assigned to aztreonam or tobramycin therapy (two to one). Of these, 40 were fully evaluable for microbiologic and clinical response. All evaluable patients had gram-negative organisms in tracheal aspirate culture specimens and confirmed susceptibility of the organism to both study drugs. There was no difference between the two groups with respect to the percentage of patients who received concurrent antibiotics for gram-positive organisms. More than 60 percent of the patients received mechanical ventilation. Essentially, all had new lung infiltrates as shown by chest radiography, leukocytosis, recent onset of fever, and increased volume of purulent secretions. Half had multilobar pulmonary infiltrates. Their mean age was 73 years, with none under age 50. Most had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, or both. By the prognostic nutritional index criteria, over 70 percent were nutritionally deficient at entry. The majority of infections were caused by Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli. Aztreonam eradicated 92 percent of the causative gram-negative organisms, compared with 57 percent for tobramycin (p less than 0.05). Aztreonam produced a favorable clinical response (cure or improvement) in 93 percent of patients, compared with 50 percent for tobramycin (p less than 0.05). There were no differences in the minor adverse effects observed in the two treatment groups. Overall, aztreonam was superior to tobramycin for treatment of pneumonia due to susceptible gram-negative bacteria in these critical care patients.

Aged↗

A rapid, universal TI-59 model-independent pharmacokinetic analysis program based on statistical moment theory.

A model-independent program for pharmacokinetic analyses based on statistical moment theory is presented and demonstrated. The program uses an inexpensive and portable TI-59; a PC-100A printer adds convenience but is optional. The program may be used in analysis of blood, serum, or plasma concentration vs. time curves originating from iv, im, po, sl, or sc administration. Drug input can be zero or first order; both single-dose and multiple-dose steady-state conditions can be evaluated. A comparison between results generated using moment analysis and traditional two-compartment nonlinear regression showed excellent agreement.

Computers↗

Role for dual individualization with cefmenoxime.

Cefmenoxime concentration/effect relationships were retrospectively explored for gram-negative bacteria isolated from 14 critical care patients treated for nosocomial pneumonia. The effects of cefmenoxime concentrations on in vitro growth kinetics of 21 isolated pathogens were studied using the Abbott MS-2 Research System, from which a dynamic response concentration was derived. Serum pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained in each patient. These data were used to calculate the in vivo total area under the curve over dynamic response concentration and the time that cefmenoxime concentrations exceeded the dynamic response concentration for each bacteria. The same determinations were made in 18 patients prospectively treated, except that dosage was optimized on the basis of previous mathematical relations to achieve bacterial eradication in four days. This method of dosage optimization is termed dual individualization. Serial cultures of infected tissues were evaluated to determine the number of days to the eradication of bacteria, and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variables were used to describe the bacteriologic response of the original pathogen isolated in pretreatment culture. Bacterial eradication rates could be described from cefmenoxime pharmacokinetics in the patient and from the relation between concentration and bacterial inhibition. Patients who were prospectively treated using these retrospectively derived relationships had a predictable day of bacterial eradication. This, in turn, was associated with a shorter duration of treatment (p less than 0.05). The success of prospective dual individualization is encouraging and suggests that more precise optimization of antibiotic dosage can yield a predictable rate of bacterial eradication from the infection site.

Aged↗