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Biomedical subjects

P Muret

Publications and source records attributed to P Muret.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Myocardial microdialysis. Importance and potential in cardiovascular research].

The microdialysis expanded mainly in the field of the neuro- and the dermopharmacology with the study of the transmitters released in the central nervous system and derm. Since ten years, this tool gained other disciplines such as cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. Indeed, the collection and the study of the molecules released in the myocardic interstitial fluid without deteriorating it functioning made microdialysis a powerful tool in the study of the extracellular environment of the cardiomyocyte. The purpose of this study is to point out the principle of the microdialysis and to show its various uses in the field of cardiovascular pharmacology.

Animals↗

Effects of L-arginine administration before cardioplegic arrest on ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Administration of L-arginine during reperfusion or its addition to cardioplegic solution has been shown to protect myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study aimed at evaluating the role of L-arginine in ischemia-reperfusion injury when administered intraperitoneally 24 hours before cardioplegic arrest. METHODS: Two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (control, n = 10; and L-arginine, n = 10) were studied in an isolated buffer-perfused heart model. Both groups were injected intraperitoneally 24 hours before ischemia. Before experimentation blood samples were collected for cardiac troponin I and cGMP analysis. In the coronary effluents, cardiac troponin I, adenosine, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and nitric oxide metabolites were assayed. RESULTS: Before heart excision, serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were higher in the L-arginine than in the control group (0.037 +/- 0.01 versus 0.02 +/- 0.05 microg x L(-1); p < 0.05). During reperfusion, cardiac troponin I release was lower in the L-arginine than in the control group (0.04 +/- 0.01 versus 0.19 +/- 0.03 ng x min(-1); p < 0.05). The coronary flow as well as the left ventricular developed pressure were higher in the L-arginine than in the control group before ischemia and remained so throughout the experimentation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that L-arginine administered intraperitoneally 24 hours before cardioplegic arrest reduced myocardial cell injury and seems to protect myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Assessment of the water content of the stratum corneum using a sorption-desorption test.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Various instruments based on electrical properties of the skin are currently used to assess the stratum corneum (SC) hydration state or water holding capacity. However, no direct relation with the quantity of water measured is provided. The objective of the present study was to calibrate the Corneometer, a device displaying electrical-capacitance-related values (which reflect the skin hydration state), and the amount and behaviour of the water taken up by the outer part of the SC during a sorption-desorption test. METHODS: The experiment was performed on the ventral forearms of 20 healthy volunteers after a rest in an environmentally controlled room. Corneometer and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values were measured at intervals over the desorption process. The areas under the TEWL-versus-time curve provided the absolute amounts of residual sorbed water. RESULTS: The decrease kinetics of both signals after subtraction of prehydration values were very similar and bi-exponential, both showing a rapid, then a slower phase. The absolute amount of water taken up by the SC (hygroscopicity) and the two desorption rates were obtained. The Corneometer values were mono-exponentially related to the amount of water remaining within the SC. This allowed the in vivo calibration of the Corneometer in terms of absolute amount of water over the desorption range. CONCLUSION: The method may be used to calibrate in vivo other electrical devices aimed at assessing SC hydration during a sorption-desorption test. It may also provide new ways to measure SC water uptake and water holding capacity following application of products.

Absorption↗

Iron concentrations in human dermis assessed by microdialysis associated with atomic absorption spectrometry.

Until recently, the determination of metallic elements concentrations in normal skin, in vivo, was rare due to the lack of non-invasive techniques. Microdialysis has the advantage of being slightly invasive when applied to the collection in vivo of endogenous or exogenous substances from the skin. Iron is an active element in different cutaneous disorders. The aim of this work was to assess iron by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after the collection of samples by microdialysis from human dermis. A first essential step, before determining the in vivo iron concentration in human dermis, was to establish an experimental protocol applicable to ex vivo as well as in vivo conditions. For this reason, this work deals only with the assessment of iron in ex vivo human dermis. A skin microdialysis technique and a calibration method, the No Net Flux, were used to quantify basal iron concentrations in human dermis and the same method was also used to determine in vitro and ex vivo iron recoveries. No differences were detected between in vitro and ex vivo recoveries. Ex vivo basal iron dermis concentrations ranged from 3.6 to 7.7 microg/l. This study shows that non-invasive microdialysis is an efficient method for sampling iron from human skin. A sensitive and accurate AAS technique was able to assess low iron concentrations in human dermis. The strategy adopted for this work was efficient and appropriate for the determination of iron in human skin and experiments will be carried out in vivo.

Dermis↗

Psoralens percutaneous permeation across the human whole skin and the epidermis in respect to their polarity (in vitro study).

8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) and 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) are commonly used in PUVA therapy [psoralen (P) + ultraviolet light A (UVA) irradiation] to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo. In order to predict the choice of the suitable drug(s) for topical applications, with appropriate dosage, percutaneous permeation of the psoralens, in connection with their solubilities and partition coefficients in an octanol/water system, were investigated. The percutaneous penetration experiments were accomplished by the deposit of ethanolic psoralen solution onto human skin and epidermis fragments mounted on Franz cells. Six cells were employed for each psoralen solution and for the whole skin layer as well as for the epidermis. The diffused psoralens in the receptor solution (1.4%, of human serum albumin) were quantified by using high performance liquid chromatography. The solubilities and the partition coefficients (PC) were carried out in an octanol/water system, in triplicate by using spectrofluorimetry. The results demonstrated that cumulated permeated quantities (ng/cm2) over 24 h, across the whole skin and the epidermis were in the following order for the three psoralens: 8-MOP > 5-MOP > TMP. The lipophilicity, expressed via the log PC, was as follows: 1.93 +/- 0.01 (8-MOP), 2.00 +/- 0.01 (5-MOP) and 3.14 +/- 0.01 (TMP). It was inversely correlated with cumulated penetrated amounts over 24 h in both whole skin and epidermis. From these results, TMP could be predicted as the most convenient psoralen for topical applications, because of its weak penetrability. Considering the relationship between psoralens lipophilicity and permeation, only 5-MOP and 8-MOP could be used, topically or orally, especially in the case of generalised skin disorders.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

Spectrofluorimetric determination of 5-methoxypsoralen pharmacokinetic in patients' serum.

In medicine, psoriasis and vitiligo are most often treated with PUVA therapy (psoralen plus ultraviolet A). The determination of psoralen in patients' blood is necessary, as it is admitted that the therapeutic efficiency depends on drug concentration in patients' serum. The amount of UVA to administer is inversely proportional to serum peak concentration. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography are the most employed methods for determining psoralens in patients' serum. The 2 techniques are precise and very sensitive, but time consuming. The aim of this paper is to propose a suitable method which is rapid and simple. It is a spectrofluorimetric technique for 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) determination in the serum of patients treated with PUVA therapy. 5-MOP extraction was carried out with an heptane/dichloromethane mixture (4/1; v/v), according to the Stolk method (1980). A calibration curve (CC) was plotted from 5-MOP concentrations (range 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 ng/ml). The CC was linear with a good coefficient of correlation: r = 0.9971, and a suitable coefficient of variation (CV) of 7.0%. The recovery of the method ranged from 85.3 +/- 4.2 to 108 +/- 4.1%. The assay precision gave a CV ranging from 0.10 to 6.90%, with an error inferior to +/-10%. The method did not reveal any interference from serum components on the 5-MOP emission wavelength. The limit of detection of 5-MOP was 15 ng/ml. The proposed procedure was proved to be appropriate for a rapid determination of 5-MOP in patients' serum. This technique could also be employed for other psoralens used in PUVA therapy (e.g., 8-methoxypsoralen).

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

Lipophilicity determination of psoralens used in therapy through solubility and partitioning: comparison of theoretical and experimental approaches.

The aim of this study was to determine and to compare experimental and theoretical solubilities (S) as well as partition coefficients (PC) in an octanol/water system of psoralen (P), 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) and 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP). For each psoralen, experimental results were performed in triplicate with a spectrofluorimetric technique. The measurements were achieved 10 times for each solution. The obtained order of the solubilities in pure octanol was 5-MOP approximately TMP > P > 8-MOP, while in water-saturated octanol it was expressed as follows: TMP approximately 5-MOP > P > 8-MOP. However, the following order was found for hydrophobicity: TMP > 5-MOP > 8-MOP > P. The solubility ratios (SR) in pure octanol and water were assessed (mean +/- SD): 3.13 +/- 0.01 (P), 2.60 +/- 0.01 (8-MOP), 3.75 +/- 0.01 (5-MOP), and 5.11 +/- 0.01 (TMP). In saturated phases, they were 3.27 +/- 0.01, 2.63 +/- 0.01, 3.85 +/- 0.01, and 5.32 +/- 0.01, respectively. The PCs were determined with low concentrations according to the Dearden and Bresnen32 method and they were 1.67 +/- 0.01, 1.93 +/- 0.01, 2.00 +/- 0.01, and 3.14 +/- 0.01, respectively. Solubility parameters (delta), in Hildebrand unit (H) or in (cal/cm3)1/2, were evaluated. They confirmed the polarity of psoralens, previously expressed through the PC, although the positional isomers (5-MOP and 8-MOP) revealed no difference. Hildebrand's approach to the solubility of regular solutions and Yalkowsky's concept of the solubility of nonelectrolytes and weak electrolytes in an octanol/water system permitted a comparison of the theoretical and experimental results. The perspective of this work is to use the physicochemical properties of the psoralens in practice for insuring convenient experimental assays and the prediction, in vitro, of the percutaneous absorption of these compounds.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

Treatment of psoriasis with a new micronized 5-methoxypsoralen tablet and UVA radiation.

Since 1974, phototherapy with psoralen and ultraviolet A (UVA) has been used successfully for the treatment of psoriasis. However, undesirable side effects, including phototoxicity, nausea, stomach pain and headaches, have led investigators to develop new psoralen compounds. 5-Methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) has thus been introduced as an alternative to 8-MOP because of its less pronounced side effects. Since the absorption kinetics and bioactivity of 5-MOP are known to be variable, a new micronized tablet form (5-MOPm) has been developed. In an open randomized study, oral treatments with 5-MOP or 5-MOPm plus UVA radiation were compared in 22 psoriatic patients. Skin type and initial psoriasis area severity index did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Serum concentrations were significantly higher (320 vs 85.82 ng/ml) and occurred earlier (51.8 vs 229.09 min) with 5-MOPm. In addition, a reduction in PASI of more than 90% was achieved sooner (10.63 vs 17.27 treatments) and with a lower cumulative UVA dose (145.89 vs 232.11 J/cm2), in the group treated with 5-MOPm. No side effects were observed with 5-MOPm. Our data indicate that 5-MOPm has a higher bioavailability, clinical efficacy and tolerability than the commonly used 5-MOP.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

Serum free 5-methoxypsoralen fraction in health and psoriasis: relationship with human serum albumin concentration.

Human serum albumin is known to be the main carrier of 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) in serum. As hypoalbuminaemia may occur in psoriasis with inflammatory syndrome, variability of the free 5-MOP fraction in serum can be expected. The free 5-MOP fraction was determined by equilibrium dialysis in serum samples obtained from 18 psoriatic patients and 18 control subjects. The median free 5-MOP fraction was not significantly different in the psoriatic group (fu = 4.75%) than in the control group (fu = 5%). However, there was a significantly larger variability of the free fraction in the psoriatic group (2.7 to 8.6%) than in the healthy group (3.2 to 6.8%) (p = 0.002). The binding index of 5-MOP (ratio of bound to free concentrations) was correlated with human serum albumin level (r = 0.784). This work confirms that the 5-MOP fraction in human serum is principally serum albumin dependent, as has been described with in vitro models. Free drug monitoring of 5-MOP is discussed.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

Binding of 5-methoxypsoralen to blood fractions. Influence of albumin and free fatty acids: an in vitro study.

The binding of 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) to human serum and blood fractions was studied by equilibrium dialysis associated to high-performance liquid chromatography. 5-MOP serum binding was 95% and kept constant in the range of therapeutic concentrations. Albumin was the main binding protein with one class of binding sites (n = 2.05) and with a moderate affinity constant (Ka = 10,270 M-1). Free fatty acids (FFA) enhanced 5-MOP binding to albumin. Binding to other proteins, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, gamma-globulins and lipoproteins (LDL, HDL, VLDL) also occurred, but was negligible. 5-MOP bound to red blood cells (RBCs) with a binding index (ratio of intra- to extra-globular 5-MOP concentrations) of 3.84 and 1.48 in buffer and plasma, respectively. 5-MOP distribution in blood was simulated. The free fraction of 5-MOP in blood could be increased in hypoalbuminemia, unchanged in acute inflammation, and decreased by FFA.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

Effect of occlusion on in vitro percutaneous absorption of two compounds with different physicochemical properties.

It is a general rule that percutaneous absorption is increased when the site of application is occluded. In this study we compared the in vitro permeation profiles of two molecules with different physicochemical properties under occluded versus unoccluded conditions. Human abdominal skin samples were mounted on Dianorm Teflon macro 1 cells and Franz diffusion cells which represented occluded or unoccluded conditions, respectively. Our data show that occlusion increased the permeation of citropten (lipophilic compound) 1.6 times whereas that of caffeine (amphiphilic compound) remained unchanged. This lack of penetration enhancement under occluded conditions has also been observed by other authors, especially concerning hydrophilic and slightly lipophilic molecules. Our results support the view that occlusion does not necessarily increase the percutaneous absorption of a chemical.

Caffeine↗

Simple equilibrium dialysis-high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the in vitro assessment of 5-methoxypsoralen bound to human albumin.

Increasingly used in therapeutics, 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), a linear furocoumarin, associated with UVA irradiation (PUVA), is now an established treatment for skin diseases such as vitiligo, mycosis funcoides and particularly psoriasis. Successful PUVA therapy depends on a sufficiently high peak 5-MOP plasma concentration coinciding with the UVA irradiation. However, as with most drugs, only the free plasma fraction is able to enter the target cells and has a pharmacological effect. In this work, the binding of 5-MOP to human albumin was studied in vitro, using a dialysis chamber. Bound and free 5-MOP fractions were quantified by a modification of Stolk's high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Dialysis was performed at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 for 2 h, against a 4% albumin solution in phosphate buffer. The 5-MOP concentrations used were from 5 x 10(-5) to 5 x 10(-2) g/l in 1 x 10(-1) g/l steps. The 5-MOP bound strongly to human albumin in an unsaturable way. The mean 5-MOP binding to albumin was 95.3%. These results are in accordance with those published by Artuc et al. and not with those of Veronese et al., who found a lower saturable fixation (91%). These two research groups used tritiated 5-MOP. The technique used in this work is simple and inexpensive. It can be employed easily in vivo, e.g., for the assessment of 5-MOP free fractions in different therapeutic conditions.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

[Effects of nitric oxide on cardioprotection prior to ischemia-reperfusion].

This study aimed at evaluating the role of nitric oxide (NO) when generated 24 h prior to ischemia-reperfusion. Three groups were studied in an isolated buffer-perfused heart model: Control (saline = 3.3 mL/kg, n = 10), the precursor of NO, L-arginine, (500 mg/kg, n = 10) and an inhibitor of NO synthase, L-NAME, (10 mg/kg, n = 9). All groups were injected intraperitoneally 24 h before heart extraction. Nitrites, nitrates (an index of nitric oxide release) and cardiac troponine I were assayed. During the reperfusion period, there was a low release of nitric oxide and cardiac troponine I associated with improved recovery of post-ischemic myocardial function. These results indicate that in this model, the pre-treatment improved myocardial function and thus, NO could play a role as a trigger and not as a mediator of cardioprotection.

Animals↗