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Biomedical subjects

K D Haegele

Publications and source records attributed to K D Haegele.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Validation of a gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method for the determination of (E)-beta-fluoromethylene-m-tyrosine and its active metabolite in human plasma and urine.

(E)-beta-Fluoromethylene-m-tyrosine (FMMT, MDL 72394) represents a prodrug approach to site-selective, irreversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase. A sensitive and specific method for the quantification of FMMT and its active metabolite (MDL 72392) in human plasma and urine has been developed for future pharmacokinetic studies. The procedure consists of a liquid-liquid extraction of plasma and urine samples, esterification with HCl/butanol and, subsequently, N-acylation with pentafluoropropionic anhydride. This is followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry employing negative ion chemical ionization. The precision and the accuracy of the method have been optimized by using two internal standards: MDL 72661 (a methyl homologue of FMMT) for the quantification of FMMT, and MDL 72761 (a methyl homologue of MDL 72392) for the quantification of MDL 72392. The method has been validated for FMMT and MDL 72392 over the concentration range 2.5-400 pmol ml-1 with a limit of quantification for both compounds of 2.5 pmol ml-1. Sample clean-up and selected ion monitoring by mass spectrometry ensured the specificity and sensitivity required for the pharmacokinetic evaluation of FMMT and MDL 72392.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

Determination of an irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MDL 72974A) in human plasma and urine by gas chromatography-positive-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and specific assay has been developed for the quantitative measurement in human plasma and urine of the irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B [(E)-4-fluoro-beta-fluoromethylenebenzene-butanamine HCl salt] (MDL 72974A) (I). This assay is based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with ammonia as the chemical ionization reagent gas. After addition of 1-fluoro-2-(4-chlorobenzene)-ethanamine HCl salt (MDL 71946A) as the internal standard, plasma (1 ml) and urine (100 microliter) samples were extracted using an automated solid-liquid extraction procedure on CN columns. The eluent was dried with a stream of nitrogen, and the residue was derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride. Selected-ion monitoring of the [MNH4]+ ions m/z 361 (I) and 351 (internal standard) was used for quantification. The method yielded a linear response over the concentration range 0.25-100 pmol/ml in plasma with a limit of quantitation of 0.25 pmol/ml. The within-day reproducibility at a concentration of 5 pmol/ml was 4.6% and at a concentration of 50 pmol/ml was 1.3%. The day-to-day reproducibility was 5.2 and 7.0% at concentrations of 10 and 30 pmol/ml, respectively. The method was applied to the quantification of I in plasma and urine after the administration of 12-mg doses of I to a healthy male volunteer.

Allyl Compounds↗

A single-dose-finding study of the antiemetic effect and associated plasma levels of MDL 72222 in patients receiving cisplatin.

A total of 25 patients (5 groups of 5) were given single i.v. doses of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 mg MDL 72,222 (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) at 15 minutes before the commencement of a 24-h cisplatin infusion (total dose, 120-200 mg) to determine the efficacy and safety of the former in the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with such chemotherapy. All patients completed the study. The time to onset of vomiting was significantly correlated with dose. All patients vomited following doses of 5 and 10 mg (range, 1-6 episodes), with onset being noted at 5-8 h. At the 20-mg level, only one episode of vomiting was observed in 3/5 patients, with onset being observed at 18-22 h. Following doses of 40 and 60 mg, 3/10 patients did not vomit; in the remaining patients the number of episodes ranged from 1 to 6, but a significant increase occurred in the time to onset of symptoms. At the higher doses, nausea tended to be milder in nature both at onset and at the time of maximal severity. A similar dose-effect trend was seen in the time to onset of the maximal severity of nausea. The time to and requirement for escape medication was similarly extended at doses of greater than or equal to 20 mg MDL 72,222. Pain at the injection site in one patient was the only unwanted effect associated with MDL 72,222. The results suggest that the i.v. injection of 20 mg MDL 72,222 should be further explored in the control of nausea and vomiting associated with cisplatin administration.

Adult↗

In vitro metabolism of [14C]4-chlorobiphenyl and [14C]2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl by hepatic microsomes from rats and pigeons. Evidence against an obligatory arene oxide in aromatic hydroxylation reactions.

1. The catalytic activities of cytochromes P-450IA1 and P-450IIB1 in control and Aroclor 1254 treated rats and pigeons (1 mmol/kg) were assessed using [14C]4-chloro- and [14C]2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl as substrates. Treatment of rats resulted in increases of the total amount of chloroform-extractable metabolites of [14C]4-chlorobiphenyl from 37.2 (control) to 199.4 and 221.6 nmol/hr per mg microsomal protein at 48 and 120 hr post treatment. The portion of [14C]4-chloro-3',4'-dihydroxybiphenyl (M4) and of a second unidentified dihydroxylated metabolite (M3) increased during these incubations from 13.7% for controls to 53.5% at 48 hr and 69.12% at 120 hr post treatment. 2. [14C]4-chloro-3'-hydroxybiphenyl (M1) and [14C]4-chloro-4'-hydroxybiphenyl (M2) were the major metabolites formed by pigeon hepatic microsomes; however, the amounts formed were 38.7- and 29.3-fold less, respectively, than in untreated rats. Treatment of pigeons with Aroclor 1254 increased the metabolite formation from 1.0 (control) to 13.6 and 22.4 nmol/hr per mg microsomal protein at 48 hr and 120 hr post treatment respectively; however, only small amounts of metabolites M3 (0.5 nmol/hr per mg protein) and M4 (2.0 nmol/hr per mg protein) were detected. 3. Treatment of rats with Aroclor 1254 resulted in an approximately two-fold increase in the rate of metabolism of [14C]2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, and the ratio of 3- to 4-hydroxylation increased from 0.45 (control) to 0.6 and 0.8 at 48 hr and 120 hr post treatment respectively. The rate of metabolism of [14C]2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl by control and Aroclor 1254 treated pigeons was up to 23-fold lower than in rats and there was no evidence for the formation of the diol metabolite M3. However, as with rats, the ratio of meta- to para-carbon atom hydroxylation increased from 0.58 (controls) to 0.72 at 120 hr post treatment. 4. From the evidence presented, it is suggested that cytochromes P-450IA1 and P-450IIB1 may not metabolize PCB-congeneric substrates via an obligatory arene oxide intermediate.

Animals↗

A cardioselective, hydrophilic N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium alpha-tocopherol analogue that reduces myocardial infarct size.

The alpha-tocopherol analogue 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-N,N,N,2,5,7,8- heptamethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ethanaminium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (1a, MDL 73404) and its O-acetate 1b (MDL 74270) were synthesized. Compound 1a was found to be hydrophilic (log P = -0.60) and to prevent lipid autoxidation in rat brain homogenate with an IC50 of 1.7 +/- 0.9 microM. Tissue distribution studies with [14C]-1b in rats (1 mg/kg iv) showed that radioactivity accumulates in the heart (ratio 20:1 vs blood after 1 h). Infusion of 1 mg/kg per h of 1b bromide reduced infarct size by 54% in rats subjected to coronary artery occlusion for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 30 min, compared to saline-infused controls. By comparison, the tertiary amine analogue 5 was found not to accumulate in heart tissue, to be an equally effective free-radical scavenger in vitro, but to require a higher dose to reduce infarct size in rats. This shows that the cardioselectivity of compound 1 contributes to its potency in salvaging myocardial tissue in rats after ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals↗

Effect of long-term vigabatrin therapy on selected neurotransmitter concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid.

Ten patients, suffering from drug-resistant complex partial seizures were treated for a period of up to 3 years with vigabatrin (Sabril). Vigabatrin is a novel antiepileptic agent, whose action is based on the inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) aminotransferase, the enzyme responsible for the catabolism of the neurotransmitter GABA. Samples of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid were obtained from the patients prior to commencing vigabatrin therapy, and thereafter at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and up to 3 years following the initiation of vigabatrin treatment. The influence of vigabatrin on the cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of free and total GABA, homocarnosine, homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol, as well as of the drug itself, was assessed. All patients demonstrated a clinical response to vigabatrin, and the drug was well tolerated over the entire observation period. Mean (+/- SD) reduction of seizure frequency was 65% +/- 23% (range, 26% to 100%) when comparing the end of the treatment period to the previgabatrin baseline. The cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of both free and total GABA and of the dipeptide homocarnosine showed approximately 2- to 5-fold increases over baseline values, with free GABA and homocarnosine being the more sensitive variables. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol were not altered in a significant manner over the observation period. These findings support the concept that the effects of vigabatrin are restricted to an effect on GABA catabolism and do not extend to the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Clinical efficacy and elevation of GABA and homocarnosine concentration were sustained over the period of observation.

Adult↗

Effects of a standardized meal on the pharmacokinetics of the new cardiotonic agent piroximone.

The influence of food on the pharmacokinetics of piroximone (MDL 19.205, CAS 84490-12-0) was evaluated in two groups of 6 healthy male volunteers receiving either 25 or 50 mg of the drug. Single doses were administered intravenously and orally under fasting conditions or orally with a standard breakfast on 3 different days with a washout period of at least 3 days in-between doses, according to an open, 3-way crossover, randomized design. Pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, tmax, AUC, t1/2, Cl, aVd, UEx) were not affected by food administration, but significant differences were found in t1/2 calculated from the decay of plasma concentrations in response to oral administration of 25 mg and 50 mg treatment doses. The urinary excretion of piroximone was significantly reduced after oral administration, when compared with the values obtained after intravenous application. In addition, extra-renal clearance was significantly reduced in the 50 mg treatment group, when compared with the values obtained in response to 25 mg. Bioavailability of piroximone calculated from AUC data compared favorably with data obtained from urinary recovery results.

Adolescent↗

Review: Normal and abnormal central nervous system GABA metabolism in childhood.

The metabolism and function of central nervous system GABA is briefly reviewed. Hereditary disorders of the GABA metabolism presenting in childhood are discussed with particular emphasis on the recently identified succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency and GABA-transaminase deficiency, and on diseases associated with low CSF GABA which await further unravelling. Low CSF GABA concentrations are not always associated with convulsions. A separate section is devoted to the CSF as a tool in the diagnosis of these disorders. Finally, we present a few diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

[African trypanosomiasis in children treated with eflornithine. A case].

We report the case of a 14-year old African girl presenting with late-stage African T. gambiense trypanosomiasis. She was treated with eflornithine, an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor which is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamine. Polyamines are essential to the multiplication of trypanosomes. Two treatment courses were necessary to achieve an apparent cure after one year; however, a longer follow up will be required to confirm whether or not the cure is permanent. Determination of drug concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid was performed during the second treatment course. Side-effects were easily controlled.

Adolescent↗

Phase I study of methylacetylenic putrescine, an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis.

In a phase I clinical trial, nine patients with advanced malignancies not amenable to alternative therapy received alpha-methyl-delta-acetylenic putrescine (MAP), an enzyme-activated, irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). MAP was given orally in increasing doses to successive groups of three patients as follows: 375 mg, 750 mg and 1500 mg/day, given as three equally divided doses for 4 weeks. Doses of 375 and 750 mg/day were well tolerated, with no detectable toxicity. Of three patients receiving 1500 mg/day, two experienced moderate to severe myelosuppression; one of these also became anuric, requiring the discontinuation of therapy after 9 days. Both effects were reversible after treatment was stopped. No objective responses were observed, with five patients having stable disease and four, progressive disease during the study period. In the seven patients in whom it could be calculated, the plasma elimination half-life t1/2 of MAP measured on the last day of treatment was between 3.9 and 9.2 h in six patients (mean, 5.6 h) and 26.1 h in the seventh. Mean steady-state trough concentrations of MAP were 2.3 mumol after the 375 mg/day dose, 7.1 mumol after 750 mg/day and 16.6 mumol after dosing with 1500 mg/day for 4 weeks, the levels after each treatment schedule being sufficient to inhibit ODC as demonstrated by increases in the urinary excretion of decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (dc-SAM). MAP treatment was associated with mean maximal increases in the urinary excretion of dc-SAM of 2.6-, 9.3- and 17.9-fold after 375, 750 and 1500 mg/day for 4 weeks, respectively, but no consistent changes in the urinary excretion of the polyamines, putrescine, spermidine or spermine were observed. Thus, the 24-h urinary excretion of dc-SAM may be used as a conveniently accessible marker of ODC inhibition in cancer patients.

Adult↗

The effect of different vigabatrin treatment regimens on CSF biochemistry and seizure control in epileptic patients.

1. Vigabatrin, 50 mg kg-1, was administered orally as add-on therapy to 11 patients with drug-resistant complex partial epilepsy as a single dose, then once every third day for 2 months, every other day for 2 months and daily for 1 month. 2. Lumbar punctures were carried out prior to treatment and at the end of each dosage regimen and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evaluated for concentrations of free and total GABA, homocarnosine (GABA-histidine dipeptide), homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) and vigabatrin. 3. Each regimen resulted in significant increases in CSF concentrations of free and total GABA and homocarnosine compared with the immediately preceding regimen. 4. CSF concentrations of HVA significantly increased after a single vigabatrin dose but returned to pre-treatment levels with subsequent dosing schedules. In contrast, 5-HIAA concentrations also increased with the single dose but were significantly decreased, compared with pre-treatment values, following alternate day and daily vigabatrin administration. 5. Seizure frequency progressively decreased with decreasing dosing interval. Daily vigabatrin administration was associated with greater than 50% decrease in seizures in 8 of the 10 patients treated.

Adult↗

Cerebrospinal fluid parameters in healthy volunteers during serial lumbar punctures.

Lumbar punctures were performed on four occasions over a 5-day period (8:30 a.m. on days 1, 3, and 5; 2:30 p.m. on day 2) on 10 normal volunteers (five of each sex; mean age, 27.7 years) to assess, with repeated sampling, the day-to-day variation of selected CSF parameters. Two subjects abstained from the lumbar puncture on day 5 due to headache after the third puncture. Lumbar CSF was analyzed for concentrations of free and total gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), homocarnosine, homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin (Ig)G. No significant concentration differences were found between the afternoon and next morning samples. No differences were found in concentrations of free GABA, total GABA, homocarnosine, 5-HIAA, or albumin across the study. In contrast, HVA concentrations significantly increased by day 5, whereas total protein and IgG decreased during the study. The most likely explanation for these changes involves the known concentration gradients in the CSF column.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of vigabatrin: implications of creatinine clearance.

The pharmacokinetics of both enantiomers of vigabatrin after a single oral dose in healthy young subjects (mean creatinine clearance 120 ml/min) were compared with kinetics in two groups of elderly subjects, one group aged 60 to 75 years (mean creatinine clearance 86 ml/min) and one group aged 76 to 97 years (mean creatinine clearance 30 ml/min). At a dose of 1500 mg, the group with the eldest subjects and the lowest creatinine clearance values showed mean increases of 3.3-fold in the time to reach the maximum concentration, 2.7-fold in the maximum concentration, and 9.8-fold in the AUC; a twofold prolongation of the t1/2; and reduced urinary excretion of the biologically and pharmacologically active S(+)-enantiomer. Changes in the intermediate group were qualitatively similar but quantitatively less. Parallel observations were made for the inactive R(-)-enantiomer. Most of these changes can be related to decreased renal clearance of vigabatrin. No interference of either enantiomer in the renal clearance of the other was noted. A nonlinear relationship between renal clearance and creatinine clearance for both enantiomers is suggested. Knowledge of the patient's renal function and an appropriate dose adjustment will minimize side effects during vigabatrin therapy, especially in elderly patients.

Administration, Oral↗

Difluoromethylornithine, an effective new treatment of Gambian trypanosomiasis. Results in five patients.

Recent studies have shown DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (eflornithine), an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, to be curative in various Trypanosoma species infections of laboratory animals. Five patients are described with Gambian trypanosomiasis treated in Belgium with difluoromethylornithine, using various intravenous and oral dosage schedules. Three patients had late-stage and two had early-stage disease. Difluoromethylornithine treatment was associated with clearing of parasites from blood within one to four days, a trend towards normalization of all altered biologic values associated with the disease, and marked amelioration of clinical symptoms. Side effects of difluoromethylornithine, including loose stools in three patients and both anemia, and a decrease in auditory acuity in one patient, were mild, transient, and never required interruption of drug treatment. The presence of difluoromethylornithine in cerebrospinal fluid, determined in three patients, demonstrated that difluoromethylornithine penetrates into the central nervous system. In three patients, follow-up of at least 24 months after treatment demonstrated a continued healthy state without evidence of relapse. These promising, albeit preliminary, results of difluoromethylornithine therapy, even in patients with central nervous system involvement, indicate that extended clinical trials are warranted to determine the optimal dosage regimen in patients with early- and late-stage disease.

Adult↗

Decarboxylated-S-adenosylmethionine excretion: a biochemical marker of ornithine decarboxylase inhibition by alpha-difluoromethylornithine.

In an attempt to define a biochemical marker of ornithine decarboxylase inhibition in humans, alpha-difluoromethylornithine hydrochloride (DFMO), an irreversible ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, was infused i.v. in seven cancer patients over 10-day courses at doses of 10-90 g/day and 24-h urinary excretion of polyamines and decarboxylated-S-adenosylmethionine was determined before, during, and after treatment. DFMO produces marked increases in urinary decarboxylated-S-adenosylmethionine excretion, up to 84 times pretreatment values. This response appears to be time dependent, requiring several days to reach a maximum and lasting at least 4-5 days after stopping DFMO. In contrast, urinary excretion of the polyamines putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, N1-monoacetylspermidine, N8-monoacetylspermidine, and spermine, were not consistently altered by DFMO. We conclude that urinary excretion of decarboxylated-S-adenosylmethionine represents a valid biochemical indicator of ornithine decarboxylase inhibition in humans, whereas urinary polyamines are of no value.

Aged↗

Treatment of human late stage gambiense trypanosomiasis with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (eflornithine): efficacy and tolerance in 14 cases in Côte d'Ivoire.

alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO; eflornithine), an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, was used to treat 14 patients with late stage gambiense sleeping sickness, 12 cases having been previously treated with and considered refractory to melarsoprol. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine was administered intravenously at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for 14 days followed by oral treatment, 300 mg/kg/day, for 21-28 days. In all patients treatment was associated with rapid disappearance of trypanosomes from body fluids (in several cases within 24 hr) and decreased cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell counts. In all but one patient, who died of a pulmonary infection during treatment, alpha-difluoromethylornithine produced a dramatic reversal of clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. Determination of drug concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 5 patients demonstrated that alpha-difluoromethylornithine diffuses into the central nervous system with cerebrospinal fluid levels representing up to 51% of corresponding serum concentrations. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anemia were the most frequent side effects associated with therapy, but were reversible and did not necessitate discontinuation of treatment. Four patients have been followed for more than 2 years post-treatment without evidence of relapse.

Administration, Oral↗