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P Lees

Publications and source records attributed to P Lees.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of tolfenamic acid and marbofloxacin in goats.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties in goats of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug tolfenamic acid (TA), administered both alone and in combination with the fluoroquinolone marbofloxacin (MB), were established in a tissue cage model of acute inflammation. Both drugs were injected intramuscularly at a dose rate of 2 mg kg(-1). After administration of TA alone and TA+MB pharmacokinetic parameters of TA (mean values) were Cmax=1.635 and 1.125 microg ml(-1), AUC=6.451 and 3.967 microgh ml(-1), t1/2K10=2.618 and 2.291 h, Vdarea/F=1.390 and 1.725Lkg(-1), and ClB/F=0.386 and 0.552 L kg(-1) h(-1), respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. Tolfenamic acid inhibited prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthesis in vivo in inflammatory exudate by 53-86% for up to 48 h after both TA treatments. Inhibition of synthesis of serum thromboxane (Tx)B2 ex vivo ranged from 16% to 66% up to 12h after both TA and TA+MB, with no significant differences between the two treatments. From the pharmacokinetic and eicosanoid inhibition data for TA, pharmacodynamic parameters after dosing with TA alone for serum TxB2 and exudate PGE2 expressing efficacy (Emax=69.4 and 89.7%), potency (IC50=0.717 and 0.073 microg ml(-1)), sensitivity (N=3.413 and 1.180) and equilibration time (t1/2Ke0=0.702 and 16.52 h), respectively, were determined by PK-PD modeling using an effect compartment model. In this model TA was a preferential inhibitor of COX-2 (COX-1:COX-2 IC50 ratio=12:1). Tolfenamic acid, both alone and co-administered with MB, did not affect leucocyte numbers in exudate, transudate or blood. Compared to placebo significant attenuation of skin temperature rise over inflamed tissue cages was obtained after administration of TA and TA+MB with no significant differences between the two treatments. Marbofloxacin alone did not significantly affect serum TxB2 and exudate PGE2 concentrations or rise in skin temperature over exudate tissue cages. These data provide a basis for the rational use of TA in combination with MB in goat medicine.

Animals↗

Influence of marbofloxacin on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tolfenamic acid in calves.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of tolfenamic acid (TA) in calves were determined in serum and fluids of inflamed (carrageenan administered) and non-inflamed subcutaneously implanted tissue cages after intramuscular administration both alone and in combination with marbofloxacin (MB). MB significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of TA: mean values were Cmax = 2.14 and 1.64 microg/mL, AUC = 27.38 and 16.80 microg.h/mL, Vd(area)/F = 0.87 and 1.17 L/kg, and ClB/F = 0.074 and 0.128 L/kg/h, respectively, after administration of TA alone and TA + MB. T(1/2)K10 and MRT were not significantly different for the two treatments. The pharmacodynamic properties of TA were not influenced by MB co-administration, in spite of the alterations in some TA pharmacokinetic parameters. TA inhibited prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in vivo in inflammatory exudate by 50-88% for up to 48 h after both TA treatments. Inhibition of synthesis of serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) ex vivo ranged from 40 to 85% up to 24 h after both TA and TA + MB. From the derived pharmacokinetic and eicosanoid inhibition data for TA, pharmacodynamic parameters for serum TxB2 and exudate PGE2 inhibition expressing efficacy (Emax = 78.1 and 97.5%), potency (IC50 = 0.256 and 0.265 microg/mL), sensitivity (N = 1.96 and 2.29) and the pharmacokinetic parameter equilibration time (t(1/2)K(e0) = 0.695 and 24.0 h), respectively, were determined. In this model TA was a nonselective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) (COX-1:COX-2 IC50 ratio = 1.37). TA, both alone and co-administered with MB, did not affect leucocyte numbers in exudate, transudate or blood. Partial attenuation of skin temperature rise over inflamed tissue cages and reduction of zymosan-induced skin swelling were recorded after administration of TA and TA + MB with no significant differences between the two treatments. These data provide a basis for the rational use of TA in combination with MB in calf medicine.

Animals↗

Development and validation of a new model of inflammation in the cat and selection of surrogate endpoints for testing anti-inflammatory drugs.

In laboratory animals many models of inflammation have been developed for preclinical evaluation of the pharmacological profiles of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In contrast, in species of veterinary interest, including the cat, NSAIDs have been studied mainly using dose-titration or dose-confirmation studies in clinical subjects. This is due to the scarcity of appropriate animal models and to the associated lack of quantitative validated endpoints describing the magnitude and time course of drug response. Determination of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships provides a powerful approach for the selection of effective and safe dosage regimens. In this study, a paw inflammation model in the cat was developed for the preclinical evaluation of NSAIDs using PK/PD modelling. Subcutaneous injection of 500 mg kaolin in the paw produced a well-defined and reproducible inflammatory response that lasted 4-5 days. Several endpoints were assessed for their clinical relevance and for their metrological performance (accuracy and reproducibility). Body temperature, lameness scoring, locomotion tests and possibly skin temperature were the most appropriate endpoints for testing the antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs in the cat.

Animals↗

Integration and modelling of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data to optimize dosage regimens in veterinary medicine.

In veterinary drug development procedures, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data have generally been established in separate, parallel studies to assist in the design of dosage schedules for subsequent evaluation in clinical trials. This review introduces the concept of PK/PD modelling, an approach in which PK and PD data are generated in the same study, and used to derive numerical values for PD parameters based on drug plasma concentrations. The PD parameters define the efficacy, potency and slope (sensitivity) of the concentration-effect relationship. It is proposed that the parameters derived from PK/PD modelling may be used as an alternative and preferred approach to dose titration studies for selecting rational dosage regimens (both dose and dosing interval) for further evaluation in clinical trials. In PK/PD modelling, the explicative variable for effect is the plasma concentration profile. The PK/PD approach provides several advantages over dose-titration studies, including determination of a projected dosage regimen by investigation of a single dose, in contrast to dose-ranging studies which by definition require testing of multiple dosage. Implementation of PK/PD modelling in the veterinary drug development process is currently constrained by the limited number of veterinary studies performed to date, and the consequently limited understanding of PK/PD concepts and their absence from regulatory authority guidelines. Nevertheless, PK/PD modelling has major potential for rational dosage regimen determination, as it considers and quantifies the two main sources of interspecies variability (PK and PD). It is therefore applicable to interspecies extrapolation and to multiple species drug development. As well as the currently limited appreciation of PK/PD principles in the veterinary scientific community, a further constraint in implementing PK/PD modelling is the need to validate PK/PD approaches and thereby gain confidence in its value by pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities.

Animals↗

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in species of veterinary interest.

This review summarises selected aspects of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is not intended to be comprehensive, in that it covers neither minor species nor several important aspects of NSAID PD. The limited objective of the review is to summarise those aspects of NSAID PK and PD, which are important to an understanding of PK-PD integration and PK-PD modelling (the subject of the next review in this issue). The general features of NSAID PK are: usually good bioavailability from oral, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration routes (but with delayed absorption in horses and ruminants after oral dosing), a high degree of binding to plasma protein, low volumes of distribution, limited excretion of administered dose as parent drug in urine, marked inter-species differences in clearance and elimination half-life and ready penetration into and slow clearance from acute inflammatory exudate. The therapeutic effects of NSAIDs are exerted both locally (at peripheral inflammatory sites) and centrally. There is widespread acceptance that the principal mechanism of action (both PD and toxicodynamics) of NSAIDs at the molecular level comprises inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme in the arachidonic acid cascade, which generates inflammatory mediators of the prostaglandin group. However, NSAIDs possess also many other actions at the molecular level. Two isoforms of COX have been identified. Inhibition of COX-1 is likely to account for most of the side-effects of NSAIDs (gastrointestinal irritation, renotoxicity and inhibition of blood clotting) but a minor contribution also to some of the therapeutic effects (analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions) cannot be excluded. Inhibition of COX-2 accounts for most and possibly all of the therapeutic effects of NSAIDs. Consequently, there has been an intensive search to identify and develop drugs with selectivity for inhibition of COX-2. Whole blood in vitro assays are used to investigate quantitatively the three key PD parameters (efficacy, potency and sensitivity) for NSAID inhibition of COX isoforms, providing data on COX-1:COX-2 inhibition ratios. Limited published data point to species differences in NSAID-induced COX inhibition, for both potency and potency ratios. Members of the 2-arylpropionate sub-groups of NSAIDs exist in two enantiomeric forms [R-(-) and S-(+)] and are licensed as racemic mixtures. For these drugs there are marked enantiomeric differences in PK and PD properties of individual drugs in a given species, as well as important species differences in both PK and PD properties.

Animals↗

PK-PD integration and PK-PD modelling of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: principles and applications in veterinary pharmacology.

Much useful information relevant to elucidation of mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the molecular level can be obtained from integrating pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data, such data being obtained usually, although not necessarily, in separate studies. Integrating PK and PD data can also provide a basis for selecting clinically relevant dosing schedules for subsequent evaluation in disease models and clinical trials. The principles underlying and uses of PK-PD integration are illustrated in this review for phenylbutazone in the horse and cow, carprofen and meloxicam in the horse, carprofen and meloxicam in the cat and nimesulide in the dog. In the PK-PD modelling approach for NSAIDs, the PK and PD data are generated (usually though not necessarily) in vivo in the same investigation and then modelled in silico, usually using the integrated effect compartment or indirect response models. Drug effect is classically modelled with the sigmoidal E(max) (Hill) equation to derive PD parameters which define efficacy, potency and sensitivity. The PK-PD modelling approach for NSAIDs can be undertaken at the molecular level using surrogates of inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms (or indeed other enzymes e.g. 5-lipoxygenase). Examples are provided of the generation of PD parameters for several NSAIDs (carprofen, ketoprofen, vedaprofen, flunixin and tolfenamic acid) in species of veterinary interest (horse, calf, sheep and goat), which indicate that all drugs investigated except vedaprofen were non-selective for COX-1 and COX-2 in the four species investigated under the experimental conditions used, vedaprofen being a COX-1 selective NSAID. In these studies, plasma concentration was linked to COX inhibitory action in the biophase using an effect compartment model. Data for S-(+)-ketoprofen have been additionally subjected to inter-species modelling and allometric scaling of both PK and PD parameters. For several species values of four PK parameters were highly correlated with body weight, whilst values for PD parameters based on COX inhibition lacked allometric relationship with body weight. PK-PD modelling of NSAIDs has also been undertaken using clinical end-points and surrogates for clinical end-points in disease models. By measurement of clinically relevant indices in clinically relevant models, data generated for PD parameters have been used to set dosages and dose intervals for evaluation and confirmation in clinical trials. PK-PD modelling of NSAIDs is likely to prove superior to conventional dose titration studies for dosage schedule determination, as it sweeps the whole of the concentration-effect relationship for all animals and therefore permits determination of genuine PD parameters. It also introduces time as a second independent variable thus allowing prediction of dosage interval. Using indirect response models and clinically relevant indices, PD data have been determined for flunixin, phenylbutazone and meloxicam in the horse, nimesulide in the dog and meloxicam in the cat.

Animals↗

Principles of pharmacodynamics and their applications in veterinary pharmacology.

Pharmacodynamics (PDs) is the science of drug action on the body or on microorganisms and other parasites within or on the body. It may be studied at many organizational levels--sub-molecular, molecular, cellular, tissue/organ and whole body--using in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro methods and utilizing a wide range of techniques. A few drugs owe their PD properties to some physico-chemical property or action and, in such cases, detailed molecular drug structure plays little or no role in the response elicited. For the great majority of drugs, however, action on the body is crucially dependent on chemical structure, so that a very small change, e.g. substitution of a proton by a methyl group, can markedly alter the potency of the drug, even to the point of loss of activity. In the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century recognition of these facts by Langley, Ehrlich, Dale, Clarke and others provided the foundation for the receptor site hypothesis of drug action. According to these early ideas the drug, in order to elicit its effect, had to first combine with a specific 'target molecule' on either the cell surface or an intracellular organelle. It was soon realized that the 'right' chemical structure was required for drug-target site interaction (and the subsequent pharmacological response). In addition, from this requirement, for specificity of chemical structure requirement, developed not only the modern science of pharmacology but also that of toxicology. In relation to drug actions on microbes and parasites, for example, the early work of Ehrlich led to the introduction of molecules selectively toxic for them and relatively safe for the animal host. In the whole animal drugs may act on many target molecules in many tissues. These actions may lead to primary responses which, in turn, may induce secondary responses, that may either enhance or diminish the primary response. Therefore, it is common to investigate drug pharmacodynamics (PDs) in the first instance at molecular, cellular and tissue levels in vitro, so that the primary effects can be better understood without interference from the complexities involved in whole animal studies. When a drug, hormone or neurotransmitter combines with a target molecule, it is described as a ligand. Ligands are classified into two groups, agonists (which initiate a chain of reactions leading, usually via the release or formation of secondary messengers, to the response) and antagonists (which fail to initiate the transduction pathways but nevertheless compete with agonists for occupancy of receptor sites and thereby inhibit their actions). The parameters which characterize drug receptor interaction are affinity, efficacy, potency and sensitivity, each of which can be elucidated quantitatively for a particular drug acting on a particular receptor in a particular tissue. The most fundamental objective of PDs is to use the derived numerical values for these parameters to classify and sub-classify receptors and to compare and classify drugs on the basis of their affinity, efficacy, potency and sensitivity. This review introduces and summarizes the principles of PDs and illustrates them with examples drawn from both basic and veterinary pharmacology. Drugs acting on adrenoceptors and cardiovascular, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs are considered briefly to provide a foundation for subsequent reviews in this issue which deal with pharmacokinetic (PK)-PD modelling and integration of these drug classes. Drug action on receptors has many features in common with enzyme kinetics and gas adsorption onto surfaces, as defined by Michaelis-Menten and Langmuir absorption equations, respectively. These and other derived equations are outlined in this review. There is, however, no single theory which adequately explains all aspects of drug-receptor interaction. The early 'occupation' and 'rate' theories each explain some, but not all, experimental observations. From these basic theories the operational model and the two-state theory have been developed. For a discussion of more advanced theories see Kenakin (1997).

Animals↗

Hair analysis as a novel investigative tool for the detection of historical drug use/misuse in the horse: a pilot study.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Analysis of human hair for drug residues is being used increasingly as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of drug use and abuse. Hair analysis is complementary to urine/blood testing in that it can provide an extensive historical record of drug use, is noninvasive, impersonal and can facilitate retesting. However, the technique has not been studied in horses. HYPOTHESIS: That the systemic administration of drugs in horses could be identified by the detection of drug residues in hair. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hair analysis as a potential retrospective diagnostic test for drug administration in horses by studying the deposition of systemically administered drugs in tail hair. METHODS: Tail hairs (n = 40-50) from 4 horses with known drug histories were washed, chopped into 3-5 mm fragments and extracted overnight, in 0.1 mol/l hydrochloric acid, prior to solid-phase extraction and analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Horse 1, a 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt (gastric ulcer), was treated for 14 days with omeprazole; Horse 2, a 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt (anaerobic infection), was treated for 5 days with metronidazole; Horse 3, an 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (sinusitis), was treated for 10 days with trimethoprim/sulphadiazine; and Horse 4, a 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt (respiratory infection), was treated for 5 days with procaine benzylpenicillin. RESULTS: Omeprazole was not detected in tail hair. Metronidazole was detected in tail hair at a concentration of 0.57 ng/mg, trimethoprim and sulphadiazine at concentrations of 9.14 and 2.26 ng/mg, respectively, and procaine at a concentration of 1.66 ng/mg. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest that hair analysis may become a useable technique for the retrospective detection of drug administration in horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This technique could ultimately be used as part of a prepurchase veterinary examination to identify misuse of anti-inflammatory and sedative drugs, in an in-training testing programme to identify use of anabolic agents, or to provide evidence to support post race blood or urine test results. Clearly, more extensive research will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique over a much broader range of drugs.

Animals↗

The effect of link peptide on proteoglycan synthesis in equine articular cartilage.

The basal rate of in vitro proteoglycan (PG) synthesis in explants of equine articular cartilage was subject to considerable variation in animals of the same age but was greater in younger than older animals. Synthesis of PGs in explant cultures was stimulated by a synthetic link peptide, identical in sequence to the N-terminus of the link protein (LP) of PG aggregates, in a similar manner to that demonstrated previously for human articular cartilage [Biochem. Soc. Trans. 25 (1997) 427; Arthritis Rheum. 41 (1998) 157]. Stimulation occurred in tissue from animals ranging from 1 to 30 years old but older animals required higher concentrations of peptide to produce a measurable response. Synthesis of PGs increased in a concentration-dependent manner and was paralleled by increases in the ability of aggrecan monomers to form aggregates with hyaluronan (HA). In addition to its effect on synthesis of PGs, link peptide also increased synthesis of both aggrecan and LP mRNA. Cartilage explant and chondrocyte cultures secreted small amounts of biologically active interleukin 1 (IL 1) and secretion of this cytokine was reduced considerably by the addition of link peptide. Reduction in the activity of this catabolic cytokine coupled with the increased synthesis of mRNA for aggrecan and link peptide may be the mechanism by which link peptide exerts its positive effect on the rate of PG synthesis in articular cartilage.

Age Factors↗

Tissue chamber model of acute inflammation in farm animal species.

A tissue chamber model of acute inflammation for use in comparative studies in calves, sheep, goats and pigs has been established and validated. Tissue chambers were prepared from silicon rubber tubing, of inner diameter 12.7 mm, length 115 mm and volume 15 ml, with 10 holes, each of 6mm diameter, at each end. In each animal two or four chambers were inserted at subcutaneous sites. Six weeks after implantation an acute inflammatory reaction in a single cage was generated by the intracaveal injection of 0.5 ml of 1% carrageenan solution. Serial samples of exudate (injected chamber), transudate (non-injected chamber) and blood were collected for measurement of exudate and transudate leucocyte count, prostaglandin (PG)E(2) concentration in exudate and serum thromboxane (Tx)B(2) concentration. In addition, skin temperature changes over exudate and transudate chambers were recorded. In all four species, carrageenan induced an acute inflammatory response, indicated by increases to peak values followed by return towards baseline in skin temperature, leucocyte count and PGE(2) concentration. For each of these variables in calves, sheep and goats the increases were significantly greater for exudate than for transudate. The degree of intra-species variation in each variable was acceptable. Marked inter-species differences were recorded: skin temperature rise was greatest in calves and least in sheep and goats; exudate PGE(2) concentration was increased in the order sheep>goat>pig>calf; serum TxB(2) concentration was increased in the order calf>goat>sheep>pig and exudate leucocyte count was increased to a greater extent in the pig than in the three ruminant species. The model has advantages over some previously described tissue chamber models of inflammation and will be suitable for use in comparative studies of inflammatory mechanisms and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Acute Disease↗

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic integration of danofloxacin in the calf.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of danofloxacin were studied in calves after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration, at a dose of 1.25 mg/kg in a two period cross-over study, using tissue cages to monitor aspects of extravascular distribution. Danofloxacin had a high volume of distribution (3.90 L/kg) and relatively rapid clearance (1.02 L/kgh) after IV dosing. Terminal half-life was 2.65 and 4.03 h, respectively, after IV and IM administration. Danofloxacin penetrated slowly into and was cleared slowly from tissue cage fluid (transudate), elimination half-life (10.2 h after IV and 8.9 h after IM dosing) being greater than for serum. The antibacterial actions of danofloxacin against the pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica 3575 were established in vitro in Mueller Hinton Broth, serum and transudate. These data were used together with in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters, C(max) and AUC to determine the surrogate markers of antimicrobial activity, C(max)/MIC, AUC/MIC and T>MIC. The antibacterial actions of danofloxacin were also determined ex vivo in serum and transudate samples harvested at pre-determined times after IM danofloxacin dosing. Ex vivo AUC/MIC data were integrated with ex vivo bacterial count to establish values producing a bacteriostatic action, inhibition of bacterial count by 50%, reduction in bacterial count by 99.9% (bactericidal action) and elimination of bacteria. Mean values were, respectively, 15.9, 16.7, 18.15 and 33.5h for serum and 15.0, 16.34, 17.8 and 30.7 h for transudate. The AUC/MIC-effect relationships for serum may be regarded as representative of a shallow compartment of blood and well perfused tissues, whilst AUC/MIC-effect relationships for transudate may be considered to represent a deep peripheral compartment of poorly perfused tissues. A novel approach to selecting antimicrobial drug dosage for evaluation in clinical trials, using AUC/MIC values producing either bactericidal activity or elimination of bacteria together with MIC(90) values for calf pathogens, is proposed. This approach can be expected to optimise efficacy and minimise the development of resistance.

Animals↗

Ketoprofen in the cat: pharmacodynamics and chiral pharmacokinetics.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen (KTP) was administered as the racemate to cats intravenously (IV) and orally at clinically recommended dose rates of 2 and 1 mg/kg, respectively, to establish its chiral pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. After IV dosing, clearance was more than five times greater and elimination half-life and mean residence time were approximately three times shorter for R(-) KTP than for S(+) KTP. Absorption of both S(+) and R(-) enantiomers was rapid after oral dosing and enantioselective pharmacokinetics was demonstrated by the predominance of S(+) KTP, as indicated by plasma AUC of 20.25 (S(+)KTP) and 4.09 (R(-)KTP) microg h/mL after IV and 6.36 (S(+)KTP) and 1.83 (R(-)KTP) microg h/mL after oral dosing. Bioavailability after oral dosing was virtually complete. Reduction in ex vivo serum thromboxane (TX)B(2) concentrations indicated marked inhibition of platelet cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-1 for 24 h after both oral and IV dosing and inhibition was statistically significant for 72 h after IV dosing. Both oral and IV rac-KTP failed to affect wheal volume produced by intradermal injection of the mild irritant carrageenan but wheal skin temperature was significantly inhibited by IV rac-KTP at some recording times. Possible reasons for the disparity between marked COX-1 inhibition and the limited effect on the cardinal signs of inflammation are considered. In a second experiment, the separate enantiomers of KTP were administered IV, each at the dose rate of 1mg/kg. S(+)KTP again predominated in plasma and there was unidirectional chiral inversion of R(-) to S(+)KTP. Administration of both enantiomers again produced marked and prolonged inhibition of platelet COX-1 and, in the case of R(-)KTP, this was probably attributable to S(+)KTP formed by chiral inversion.

Administration, Oral↗

Pharmacokinetics and PK-PD modelling of danofloxacin in camel serum and tissue cage fluids.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of danofloxacin were studied in the camel in a two period cross-over study. After intravenous (i.v.) administration at a dose rate of 1.25 mg/kg, the pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin indicated a high volume of distribution (V(d(area))=3.43 L/kg), relatively rapid clearance (0.44 L/kg/h) and half-life of 5.37 h. After intramuscular (i.m.) dosing absorption was complete (F=114.5) and rapid (T((1/2)abs)=0.12 h) and terminal half-life was 5.71 h. Danofloxacin penetrated fairly slowly into both inflamed (exudate) and non-inflamed (transudate) tissue cage fluids and was cleared slowly from these fluids, elimination half-life being at least twice that for serum for both exudate and transudate after both i.v. and i.m. dosing. The antibacterial actions of danofloxacin against the camel pathogen Escherichia coli 0157-H7 were determined by measurement of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in vitro (single measurement) and ex vivo measurements of bacterial count at nine times between one and 48 h after i.m. dosing in each of the fluids, serum, exudate, and transudate. Using in vitro MIC data and in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters, the surrogate markers of antimicrobial activity, C(max)/MIC, AUC/MIC and T>MIC, were determined for all three fluids. The ex vivo serum AUC(24 h)/MIC data were integrated with reduction in bacterial count to provide values producing a bacteriostatic action (no change in bacterial count), inhibition of bacterial count by 50%, reduction in bacterial count by 99.9% (bactericidal action) and elimination of bacteria. Mean AUC(24h)/MIC values were 17.20, 20.07, 21.24, and 68.37 h, respectively. To describe the latter, the introduction of a new term to supplement MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) is proposed, namely minimum elimination concentration (MEC). A novel means of designing antimicrobial drug dosage schedules for evaluation in clinical trials is proposed, using ex vivo AUC(24h)/MIC values for bactericidal activity and elimination of bacteria together with MIC(90) data for camel pathogens.

Absorption↗

In vitro and ex vivo effects of the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, rolipram, on thromboxane production in equine blood.

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors have been shown to inhibit equine neutrophil function in vitro and may be of benefit in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), an allergy-based respiratory disease characterized by inflammatory cell recruitment and activation within the lungs following exposure of susceptible horses to allergens in mouldy hay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the PDE4 inhibitor, rolipram, in an in vitro assay of thromboxane (Tx) production. The assay was then used to monitor the activity of this compound in vivo in normal and RAO-affected horses. Rolipram and the structurally distinct PDE4 inhibitor, denbufylline, attenuated both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced and unstimulated Tx production in blood from normal horses. Thromboxane production appeared to involve a calcium-dependent interaction between leucocytes and platelets (LPS-induced Tx production = 2.3 +/- 0.4, 4.5 +/- 1.1 and 20.8 +/- 3.6 ng/mL for platelets, leucocytes and blood, respectively) and rolipram-inhibited Tx production via an effect on leucocytes. Inhibition of ex vivo LPS induced Tx production was detected after intravenous administration of rolipram (5 microg/kg) to normal ponies. This dose did not significantly affect either lung function or neutrophil accumulation when administered to three horses with clinical signs of RAO. This study suggests that inhibition of Tx production in equine blood can be used to measure PDE4 activity. However, PDE4 inhibitors with improved therapeutic profiles are required for evaluation in RAO.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Pharmacodynamics, chiral pharmacokinetics and PK-PD modelling of ketoprofen in the goat.

There have been few studies of the pharmacodynamics of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) using PK-PD modelling, yet this approach offers the advantage of defining the whole concentration-effect relationship, as well as its time course and sensitivity. In this study, ketoprofen (KTP) was administered intravenously to goats as the racemate (3.0 mg/kg total dose) and as the single enantiomers, S(+) KTP and R(-) KTP (1.5 mg/kg of each). The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of KTP were investigated using a tissue cage model of acute inflammation. The pharmacokinetics of both KTP enantiomers was characterized by rapid clearance, short mean residence time (MRT) and low volume of distribution. The penetration of R(-) KTP into inflamed (exudate) and noninflamed (transudate) tissue cage fluids was delayed but area under the curve values were only slightly less than those in plasma, whereas MRT was much longer. The S(+) enantiomer of KTP penetrated less readily into exudate and transudate. Unidirectional inversion of R(-) to S(+) KTP occurred. Both rac-KTP and the separate enantiomers produced marked inhibition of serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) synthesis (ex vivo) and moderate inhibition of exudate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis (in vivo); pharmacodynamic variables for S(+) KTP were Emax (%) = 94 and 100; IC50 (microg/mL) = 0.0033 and 0.0030; N = 0.45 and 0.58, respectively, where Emax is the maximal effect, IC50 the plasma drug concentration producing 50% of Emax and N the slope of log concentration/effect relationship. The IC50 ratio, serum TxB2:exudate PGE2 was 1.10. Neither rac-KTP nor the individual enantiomers suppressed skin temperature rise at, or leucocyte infiltration into, the site of acute inflammation. These data illustrate for KTP shallow concentration-response relationships, probable nonselectivity of KTP for cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibition and lack of measurable effect on components of inflammation.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and PK-PD integration of danofloxacin in sheep biological fluids.

The fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug danofloxacin was administered to sheep intravenously (i.v.) and intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 1.25 mg/kg of body weight in a two-period crossover study. The pharmacokinetic properties of danofloxacin in serum, inflamed tissue cage fluid (exudate), and noninflamed tissue cage fluid (transudate) were established by using a tissue cage model. The in vitro and ex vivo activities of danofloxacin in serum, exudate, and transudate against a pathogenic strain of Mannheimia haemolytica were established. Integration of in vivo pharmacokinetic data with the in vitro MIC provided mean values for the area under the curve (AUC)/MIC for serum, exudate, and transudate of 60.5, 85.6, and 45.7 h, respectively, after i.v. dosing and 55.9, 77.9, and 49.1 h, respectively, after i.m. dosing. After i.m. dosing, the maximum concentration/MIC ratios for serum, exudate, and transudate were 10.8, 3.0, and 1.6, respectively. The ex vivo growth inhibition data after i.m. dosing were fitted to the inhibitory sigmoid E(max) equation to provide the values of AUC/MIC required to produce bacteriostasis, bactericidal activity, and elimination of bacteria. The respective values for serum were 17.8, 20.2, and 28.7 h, and slightly higher values were obtained for transudate and exudate. It is proposed that use of these data might provide a novel approach to the rational design of dosage schedules.

Animals↗