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Biomedical subjects

J J Lipsky

Publications and source records attributed to J J Lipsky.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Measles reimmunization in children seronegative after initial immunization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success of measles reimmunization in children without measles antibody after the initial dose of measles vaccine. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective clinical trial in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and Northern Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. SUBJECTS: A total of 130 healthy white, Innu, and Inuit schoolchildren. All subjects had received the post-1980 Moraten measles vaccine 4 to 11 years earlier. METHODS: Children previously identified as measles antibody seronegative or equivocal after 1 dose of measles vaccine were entered into the trial and reimmunized. Measles antibody was measured a minimum of 6 weeks later using a whole-virus IgG measles-specific enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). RESULTS: Of the 130 children reimmunized, 106 (81.5%) became measles antibody seropositive, but 24 children (18.5%) remained seronegative. Younger age at initial immunization (<13 months vs > or = 13 months) was significantly associated with lack of seropositive antibody levels following reimmunization (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-9.7). In addition, antibody levels after reimmunization were significantly reduced with increasing time since initial immunization (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: After 2 doses of measles vaccine, 98.2% of all subjects in this study were seropositive for measles antibody, despite the fact that almost 20% of children did not have measurable antibodies 4 to 11 years following a first dose. These findings suggest that the current public health policy recommending a 2-dose measles immunization strategy, with the second dose given at school entry, will provide high levels of immunity in the community.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase by disulfiram and its metabolite methyl diethylthiocarbamoyl-sulfoxide.

Disulfiram (DSF) is presently the only available drug used in the aversion therapy of recovering alcoholics. It acts by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), leading to high blood levels of acetaldehyde. The in vitro inhibition of ALDH by DSF and its metabolites was systematically studied by combined enzyme inhibition assay with direct molecular weight determination of the same sample using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Enzyme activity was measured after incubating yeast ALDH (yALDH) with excess concentrations of DSF, methyl diethyldithiocarbamate (MeDDC) and methyl diethylthiocarbamoyl-sulfoxide (MeDTC-SO) and then subjected to analysis by ESI-MS. Addition of DSF resulted in complete enzyme inhibition; however, ESI-MS analysis demonstrated no discernible shift in molecular weight, indicating that no intermolecular adduct was formed with the protein. Treatment of yALDH with MeDTC-SO also completely abolished yALDH activity with a concomitant increase of + approximately 100 Da in the molecular mass of the enzyme. This indicated formation of a covalent carbamoyl protein adduct. Furthermore, the effects of dithiothreitol (DTT) were examined on samples of inhibited protein in vitro. At pH 7.5, DTT completely reversed inhibition after DSF treatment. yALDH inhibited by MeDTC-SO could not be recovered by DTT at pH 7.5, but at pH 9 the enzymic activity was fully restored and a mass loss of approximately 100 Da was noted. This observations are consistent with mechanisms where inhibition of yALDH by DSF in vitro involves oxidation of the active site, whereas MeDTC-SO forms a covalent adduct with the protein in vitro resulting in cessation of enzyme activity.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗

Pharmacokinetics of nicotine tartrate after single-dose liquid enema, oral, and intravenous administration.

Ulcerative colitis is predominantly a disease of nonsmokers, and transdermal nicotine is therapeutic but often results in adverse reactions. Colonic administration of nicotine tartrate as a liquid enema could decrease systemic nicotine absorption and adverse reactions. The purpose of the current study was to determine the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of nicotine after administration by hydrophilic liquid enema (acidic and basic), hydrophobic liquid enema (acidic and basic), and by oral and intravenous routes. Thirty healthy volunteers received 45 micrograms nicotine base/kg (as nicotine tartrate) in one of five formulations (each n = 6): hydrophilic acidic liquid enema, hydrophilic basic liquid enema, hydrophobic acidic liquid enema, hydrophobic basic liquid enema, and oral solution. All participants also received 15 micrograms nicotine base/kg (as nicotine tartrate) intravenously during a separate study period. Serum concentrations of nicotine were determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The mean (+/-SD) bioavailabilities of nicotine after administration in the liquid enema formulations (hydrophilic acidic 17 +/- 18%, hydrophilic basic 16 +/- 16%, hydrophobic acidic 25 +/- 17%, hydrophobic basic 15 +/- 12%) were similar to the bioavailability of nicotine after administration by oral solution (20 +/- 25%). The bioavailabilities of nicotine for all five nonintravenous formulations were significantly less than for intravenous nicotine (100%). Serum concentrations of nicotine did not predict adverse reactions. Nicotine tartrate administered as either a liquid enema or as an oral solution had low bioavailability and was well tolerated. The therapeutic potential of nicotine tartrate liquid enemas, which can potentially limit toxicity by local (colonic) delivery of high doses of nicotine should be investigated in patients with left-sided ulcerative colitis.

Administration, Oral↗

Polymorphisms of the TAP2 gene may influence antibody response to live measles vaccine virus.

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) gene products transport peptides from the cytosol to the endoplasmic reticulum for processing by the immune system. We hypothesized that polymorphisms within the TAP genes may influence measles vaccine antigen processing and hence antibody response. TAP genotypes were determined for subjects who were measles vaccine nonresponders (n = 32) and hyper-responders (n = 28). TAP1 and TAP2 alleles were determined by PCR amplification of specific alleles (PASA). Measles vaccine nonresponders were more likely to be homozygous at TAP2 position 665 than were hyper-responders (OR = 5.0, P = 0.016). Lastly, a trend was found in the overall distribution of all TAP2 genotype frequencies between hyper-responders and nonresponders (P = 0.08). No association was found between TAP1 polymorphisms and vaccine response. These data reveal an association between TAP2 genotype and measles vaccine antibody response which may explain one mechanism behind vaccine failure.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Nicotine tartrate liquid enemas for mildly to moderately active left-sided ulcerative colitis unresponsive to first-line therapy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is predominantly a disease of non-smokers, and transdermal nicotine is therapeutic but often results in side-effects. Administration of nicotine as a liquid rectal enema results in less systemic nicotine absorption. AIM: To determine the safety and clinical response of nicotine tartrate liquid enemas for active left-side ulcerative colitis in a pilot study. METHODS: Ten non-smoking patients with mildly to moderately active left-sided ulcerative colitis unresponsive to first-line therapy were treated in an open protocol with nightly nicotine tartrate liquid enemas at a dose of 3 mg nicotine base for 1 week then 6 mg for 3 weeks. Clinical assessments were determined at baseline and 4 weeks by endoscopy, physician assessment and a patient diary of daily symptoms. Peak and trough serum nicotine and trough plasma cotinine were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, 5/7 patients (71%) showed clinical and sigmoidoscopic improvement (per protocol analysis). The other three patients discontinued therapy within 7 days because of inability to retain the liquid enemas. No patients showed histologic improvement. Six of the patients who completed the 4-week study had peak and trough serum nicotine concentration determined, only 1 of 6 patients had a detectable peak nicotine concentration (value 2.3 ng/mL), and all six patients had undetectable trough nicotine concentrations. The mean trough plasma cotinine concentration was 13 +/- 10 ng/mL. Transient and mild adverse events occurred in 4/10 patients (nausea, lightheadedness, tremor, sleep disturbance). Given the low or undetectable serum nicotine concentrations, these adverse events are not likely to be related to the nicotine enemas. CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine tartrate liquid enemas administrated at a dose of 3 mg nicotine base/day for 1 week and then 6 mg/day for 3 weeks are safe and appear to result in clinical improvement in some patients with mildly to moderately active, left-sided ulcerative colitis unresponsive to first-line therapy. Placebo-controlled trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.

Adult↗

A dose-ranging pharmacokinetic study of nicotine tartrate following single-dose delayed-release oral and intravenous administration.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is predominantly a disease of non-smokers, and transdermal nicotine is therapeutic but often results in side-effects. Administration of nicotine tartrate as a liquid enema decreases systemic nicotine absorption and may be effective for treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis. Ileocolonic delivery of nicotine tartrate via a delayed release oral capsule would be the preferred route to deliver nicotine to the colon. AIM: To determine the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of delayed-release oral nicotine tartrate capsules (Eudragit S100 coated) at doses of 3 mg and 6 mg nicotine. METHODS: Twenty healthy human subjects received delayed-release oral nicotine tartrate at one of two doses (each group n = 10): 3 mg and 6 mg nicotine. All subjects also received intravenous nicotine tartrate (at a dose of 15 micrograms nicotine base/kg) during a separate study period. Serum nicotine concentrations were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, concentrations of serum cotinine (major nicotine metabolite) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in all samples for two subjects (both given 6 mg nicotine). Adverse reactions were determined by questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean bioavailabilities of nicotine after ileocolonic nicotine tartrate administration via delayed-release oral capsules at doses 3 mg and 6 mg nicotine were 41% and 42%, respectively. The ratios (after adjusting for nicotine dose) of cotinine area under the curve (AUC) for delayed-release oral nicotine to cotinine AUC for intravenous nicotine were 1.5 and 1.6 for the two subjects undergoing cotinine pharmacokinetics, demonstrating significant first-pass metabolism. Serum nicotine concentrations did not predict adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine tartrate delivered to the ileocolon as a delayed-release oral capsule at doses of 3 mg and 6 mg nicotine considerably reduced systemic nicotine bioavailability. This reduction in bioavailability appears to be a result of first-pass hepatic metabolism rather than poor mucosal absorption of nicotine. The therapeutic potential of an ileocolonic delivery formulation of nicotine tartrate, which can potentially limit toxicity by local delivery of high doses of nicotine, should be investigated in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Administration, Oral↗

A dose-ranging study of azathioprine pharmacokinetics after single-dose administration of a delayed-release oral formulation.

6-Mercaptopurine and its prodrug azathioprine are an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, but widespread use has been limited by concern about toxicity. Ileocolonic delivery of azathioprine as a 50-mg delayed-release oral capsule has been shown to decrease bioavailability, thus potentially decreasing toxicity. This study aimed to determine the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of delayed-release oral azathioprine capsules at doses of 200 mg, 400 mg, and 600 mg relative to 100 mg of standard oral azathioprine tablets. Thirty healthy human volunteers each received delayed-release oral azathioprine at one of the three doses (n = 10 for each group). All participants also received a 100-mg tablet of standard oral azathioprine. Plasma concentrations of 6-mercaptopurine were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The relative bioavailabilities of 6-mercaptopurine after ileocolonic azathioprine administration via delayed-release oral capsules at doses of 200 mg, 400 mg, and 600 mg (means of 15%, 15%, and 12%, respectively) were all significantly less than 100% compared with standard oral azathioprine at a 100-mg dose. Ileocolonic delivery of azathioprine by a delayed-release oral capsule formulation at doses up to 600 mg considerably reduces 6-mercaptopurine bioavailability, relative to standard oral azathioprine tablets. The therapeutic potential of this ileocolonic delivery formulation, which can limit toxicity by local delivery of azathioprine, should be investigated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Administration, Oral↗

Antiretroviral drugs for AIDS.

Treatment of HIV disease with antiretroviral agents has changed considerably. We now know that monotherapy is not the best strategy in most cases to combat rapid turnover of virus and development of resistance (the exception being mother-to-child transmission) and various combination drug regimens are being explored. Apart from the main drug groups, consisting of nucleoside analogues, proteinase inhibitors, and reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, many new compounds are under development. The timing of therapy may likewise be important, and the indications of benefit from early initiation of treatment need to be confirmed in randomised trials. Overall, there is far more optimism about the use of drugs in HIV infection than there was several years ago.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Vitamin K-dependent carboxylase: mRNA distribution and effects of vitamin K-deficiency and warfarin treatment.

A cDNA encoding vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase was cloned from a human Hep G2 cDNA library. The RNA transcript of the enzyme was found to be widely distributed in various human and rat tissues with liver showing the highest level. The carboxylase transcription in liver was not affected in rats treated with a single dose of warfarin (10 mg/kg) when measured up to 48 hours after the dose, though, at 12 hours, carboxylase activity measured in liver microsomes was elevated 5.4 fold over controls (p < 0.001). In rats fasted for 72 hours there was no affect on transcription in the liver while hepatic carboxylase activity increased 4.1 fold (p < 0.001). These data suggest that the increase in activity of the liver carboxylase in warfarin treated or fasted rats was not regulated by transcription but more likely was due to a posttranscriptional mechanism.

Actins↗

Simultaneous determination of azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A specific, sensitive, single-step solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of plasma 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine concentrations is reported. Following solid-phase extraction, analytes are separated on a C18 column with mobile phase consisting of 0.8% acetonitrile in 1 mM triethylamine, pH 3.2, run on a gradient system. Quantitation limits were 5 ng/ml and 2 ng/ml for azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, respectively. Peak heights correlated linearly to known extracted standards for 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine (r = 0.999) over a range of 2-200 ng/ml. No chromatographic interferences were detected.

Administration, Oral↗

S-methyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamate sulfoxide and S-methyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamate sulfone, two candidates for the active metabolite of disulfiram.

The mechanism of action of disulfiram involves inhibition of hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Although disulfiram inhibits ALDH in vitro, it is believed that the drug is too short-lived in vivo to inhibit the enzyme directly. The ultimate inhibitor is thought to be a metabolite of disulfiram. In this study, we examined the effects of S-methyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamate (MeDTC) sulfoxide and S-methyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamate sulfone (confirmed and proposed metabolites of disulfiram, respectively) on rat liver mitochondrial low K(m) ALDH. MeDTC sulfoxide and MeDTC sulfone, in 10-min incubations with detergent-solubilized mitochondria, inhibited ALDH activity with an IC50 (mean +/- SD) of 0.93 +/- 0.04 and 0.53 +/- 0.11 microM, respectively, compared with 7.4 +/- 1.0 microM for the parent drug disulfiram. Inhibition by MeDTC sulfone and MeDTC sulfoxide, both at 0.6 microM, was time-dependent, following apparent pseudo-first-order kinetics with a t1/2 of inactivation of 3.5 and 8.8 min, respectively. Dilution of ALDH inhibited by either sulfoxide or sulfone did not restore activity, an indication of irreversible inhibition. Addition of glutathione (50 to 1000 microM) to ALDH before the inhibitors did not alter the inhibition by MeDTC sulfoxide. In contrast, the inhibition by MeDTC sulfone was decreased > 10-fold (IC50 = 6.3 microM) by 50 microM of glutathione and almost completely abolished by 500 microM of glutathione. The cofactor NAD, in a concentration-dependent manner, protected ALDH from inhibition by MeDTC sulfoxide and MeDTC sulfone. In incubations with intact mitochondria, the potency of the two compounds was reversed (IC50 of 9.2 +/- 3.6 and 0.95 +/- 0.30 microM for the MeDTC sulfone and sulfoxide, respectively). Our results suggest that MeDTC sulfone is highly reactive with normal cellular constituents (e.g., glutathione), which may protect ALDH from inhibition, unless this inhibitor is formed very near the target enzyme. In contrast, MeDTC sulfoxide is a better candidate for the ultimate active metabolite of disulfiram, because it is more likely to be sufficiently stable to diffuse from a distant site of formation, such as the endoplasmic reticulum, penetrate the mitochondria, and react with ALDH located in the mitochondrial matrix.

Alcohol Deterrents↗

Azathioprine pharmacokinetics after intravenous, oral, delayed release oral and rectal foam administration.

BACKGROUND: 6-Mercaptopurine and its prodrug azathioprine are effective medications for refractory inflammatory bowel disease. However, use of these drugs has been limited by concerns about their toxicity. Colonic delivery of azathioprine may reduce its systemic bioavailability and limit toxicity. AIM: To determine the bioavailability of 6-mercaptopurine after administration of azathioprine via three colonic delivery formulations. METHODS: Twenty four healthy human subjects each received 50 mg of azathioprine by one of four delivery formulations (each n = 6): oral; delayed release oral; hydrophobic rectal foam; and hydrophilic rectal foam. All subjects also received a 50 mg dose of intravenous azathioprine during a separate study period. Plasma concentrations of 6-mercaptopurine were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The bioavailabilities of 6-mercaptopurine after colonic azathioprine administration via delayed release oral, hydrophobic rectal foam, and hydrophilic rectal foam (7%, 5%, 1%; respectively) were significantly lower than the bioavailability of 6-mercaptopurine after oral azathioprine administration (47%) by Wilcoxon rank sum pairwise comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Azathioprine delivered to the colon by delayed release oral and rectal foam formulations considerably reduced systemic 6-mercaptopurine bioavailability. The therapeutic potential of these colonic delivery methods, which can potentially limit toxicity by local delivery of high doses of azathioprine, should be investigated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Administration, Oral↗

S-methylation of diethyldithiocarbamic acid in rat liver microsomes.

1. Human hepatic thiol methyltransferase (TMT) is a microsomal enzyme known to catalyse the in vitro S-methylation of diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DDC) to form diethyldithiocarbamic acid methyl ester (methyl DDC). In vivo data are needed to investigate further the biotransformation of DDC to methyl DDC. Thus, we have characterized the in vitro conversion of DDC to methyl DDC using rat liver microsomes with the ultimate goal of establishing an animal model. 2. Formation of methyl DDC in rat liver microsomes was confirmed by hplc analysis. 3. Rat liver microsomes catalysed methylation of DDC with low and high Km's of 5 +/- 6 and 260 +/- 80 microM respectively and with corresponding Vmax's of 0.09 +/- 0.05 and 0.59 +/- 0.04 nmol/min/mg protein. 4. Rat liver TMT activity was maximally inhibited by 57 +/- 6% by 1000 microM 2,3-dichloro-alpha-methylbenzylamine (DCMB), whereas human TMT was completely inhibited. The concentration of half maximal inhibition of rat TMT for DCMB was 2 microM. 5. Incomplete inhibition of rat TMT activity by DCMB suggests a possible alternative pathway of methylation.

Animals↗

The influence of the HLA-DRB1*13 allele on measles vaccine response.

BACKGROUND: Measles remains a public health threat in the United States with over 50,000 cases being reported from 1989 through 1991 with continued smaller outbreaks. Measles vaccine failure is in part to blame for these large-scale outbreaks. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are important determinants of immune response to measles virus and vaccine. To examine the influence that HLA polymorphisms may have on measles vaccine antibody response, we compared the distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles between measles vaccine nonresponders and hyper-responders. METHODS: We determined the seroprevalence of measles antibody in 881 school children immunized with measles-mumps-rubella-II at age 15 months using a whole virus IgG EIA. We performed class II HLA-DR typing by PCR with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) on 81 nonresponders (IgG seronegative) and 65 hyper-responders (from the upper 10th percentile of IgG levels of all subjects). We then compared the distribution of alleles between nonresponders and hyper-responders. RESULTS: The distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles among nonresponders compared to hyper-responders was significantly different (p = 0.014). Nonresponders were significantly less likely to carry the HLA-DRB1*13 alleles than were hyper-responders (7.4% vs 16.2%;p = 0.02). Nonresponders also had an excess of HLA-DRB1*07 alleles (15.4% vs 6.2%; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of HLA-DRB1*13 alleles is associated with measles vaccine nonresponse. The absence of this allele has also been associated with susceptibility to other infectious diseases. The role of this gene in the immunogenetic response to infectious diseases requires further study.

Alleles↗

Microtiter plate-based determination of multiple concentration-inhibition relationships.

The microtiter plate reader has been used to obtain data on the inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase over a wide range of inhibitor concentrations. Multiple reactions can be run simultaneously and assayed rapidly with repetitive determinations of enzyme activity using this technique. The microplate reader allows for the efficient generation of concentration-inhibition curves of excellent precision, using only small amounts of material under uniform experimental conditions. The microplate reader can be very useful for pharmacologic studies which make use of spectrophotometric assays.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗