Biomedical subjects

Pascal Vachon

Publications and source records attributed to Pascal Vachon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Development of a LC-ESI/MS/MS assay for the quantification of vanillin using a simple off-line dansyl chloride derivatization reaction to enhance signal intensity.

Vanillin is responsible for producing the familiar smell of vanilla. Vanillin has many similarities with other flavor phenolic compounds and could potentially show similar pharmacological activity. A previously published analytical method was adapted, developed and tested. Vanillin was extracted from rat plasma using protein precipitation with acetone. Prior to LC-ESI/MS/MS analysis, an aliquot of the supernatant was used to proceed to the derivatization of vanillin and the internal standard with dansyl chloride to enhance signal intensity in positive electrospray mode. The chromatography was performed on a 100 x 2.1 mm C8 column and an isocratic mobile phase composed of 75:25 acetonitrile:0.5% formic acid in water with a flow rate fixed at 500 microL/min. A linear (weighted 1/concentration) relationship was used to perform the calibration over an analytical range of 10-10,000 ng/mL. The intra-batch precision and accuracy at the limit of quantitation (10 ng/mL), medium (500 ng/mL) and high (10,000 ng/mL) concentrations were 10.7, 7.0 and 7.2% and 103.5, 108.0 and 100.1%, respectively. The observed recovery was greater than 87% and no significant ionization suppression or matrix effect was observed. This LC-ESI/MS/MS method for the determination of vanillin in rat plasma provided results within generally accepted criteria used for bioanalytical assay.

Benzaldehydes↗

PubMed2006

Adenoviral-mediated modulation of Sim1 expression in the paraventricular nucleus affects food intake.

Haploinsufficency of Sim1, which codes for a basic helix-loop-helix-PAS (PER-ARNT-SIM) transcription factor, causes hyperphagia in mice and humans, without decrease in energy expenditure. Sim1 is expressed in several areas of the brain, including the developing and postnatal paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a region of the hypothalamus that controls food intake. We have previously found that the number of PVN cells is decreased in Sim1+/- mice, suggesting that their hyperphagia is caused by a developmental mechanism. However, the possibility that Sim1 functions in the postnatal PVN to control food intake cannot be ruled out. To explore this hypothesis, we used adenoviral vectors to modulate Sim1 expression in the postnatal PVN of wild-type mice. Unilateral stereotaxic injection into the PVN of an adenoviral vector producing a short hairpin RNA directed against Sim1 resulted in a significant increase in food intake, which peaked to 22% 6 d after the procedure, compared with the injection of a control virus. In contrast, injection of an adenovirus that expresses Sim1 induced a decrease in food intake that was maximal on the seventh day after the procedure, reaching 20%. The impact of bilateral injections of these vectors into the PVN was not greater than that of unilateral injections. Together, these results strongly suggest that Sim1 functions along a physiological pathway to control food intake.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2006

Electrospray ionization suppression, a physical or a chemical phenomenon?

Mass spectrometry is a powerful qualitative and quantitative analytical technique that has been introduced in many bioanalytical and research laboratories in the last 10 years. The combination of HPLC with tandem MS yields a particularly powerful tool and it is now the method of choice for the analysis drugs, metabolites, biomarkers and proteins. However, HPLC-MS methods are not completely without problems that can compromise the quality of the results. An important phenomenon that can affect the quantitative performance of a mass detector is ion suppression. In this study, we measured the influence of the observed current (I) vs signal intensity and the variation of the observed current (I) when analyzing biological samples. Our experiment suggests that, despite the fact that it is possible for other chemicals to compete for protons in the droplets, the increase in the observed current (I) during the signal suppression is important and indicates that the conductivity of the liquid increases significantly. The salts and the charged species influence the conductivity and the surface tension of the droplets and modify the equilibrium between the two main forces involved during the electrospray process, resulting in an erratic spray behavior.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2006

Determination of eugenol in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry using a simple off-line dansyl chloride derivatization reaction to enhance signal intensity.

A rapid, selective and sensitive method was developed for the determination of eugenol concentration using an off-line dansyl chloride derivatization step to enhance signal intensity. The method consisted of a protein precipitation extraction followed by derivatization with dansyl chloride and analysis by full scan liquid chromatography electrospray quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QIT). The separation was achieved using a 100 x 2 mm C(8) analytical column combined with an isocratic mobile phase composed of 75:25 acetonitrile: 0.1% formic acid in water set at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Signal intensity of the eugenol-dansyl chloride derivative was increased up to 100-fold as compared with the underivatized eugenol in positive electrospray mode. An analytical range of 100-20,000 ng/mL was used in the calibration curve of plasma and blood samples. The LOD observed was 0.5 pg injected on column. The novel method met all requirements of specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and stability. In conclusion, a rapid and sensitive LC-ESI/MS/MS method using a derivatization agent was developed to enhance signal intensity of eugenol.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Determination of substance P in rat spinal cord by high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry.

Substance P is a neuropeptide that belongs to the tachykinin neuropeptide family. It is an 11-amino acid polypeptide with the amino acid sequence: Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met. It is synthesized as a larger protein and then enzymatically converted into the active undecapeptide. Substance P is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the central nervous system, substance P participates in various behavioral responses and in regulating neuronal survival and degeneration. In the spinal cord, substance P participates in neurotransmission of pain and modulates autonomic reflexes. A rapid and selective method was developed for the determination of substance P concentration in rat spinal cord. The method consisted of a tissue homogenization, dilution, centrifugation and analysis by full-scan liquid chromatography electrospray quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QIT). The separation was achieved using a 50 x 2.1 mm C(18) analytical column combined with a gradient mobile phase composed of methanol: 0.1% formic acid in water set at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. An analytical range of 10-500 pmol/g was tested to analyze rat spinal cord. The LOD observed was 10 fmol injected on column. The novel method met all requirements of specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and stability. In conclusion, a rapid and sensitive LC-ESI/MS/MS method was developed to identify and quantify substance P in rat spinal cord.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Case of cutaneous necrosis in African clawed frogs Xenopus laevis after the topical application of eugenol].

Case of cutaneous necrosis in African Clawed frogs Xenopus laevis after the topical application of eugenol. African Clawed frogs showed necrotic cutaneous lesions after a topical application of high concentrations of eugenol, an analgesic and anesthetic agent. Microscopically, ulceration of the epidermis, a loss of mucous and serous glands as well as an infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2005

Development of a rapid and sensitive LC-ESI/MS/MS assay for the quantification of propofol using a simple off-line dansyl chloride derivatization reaction to enhance signal intensity.

A rapid, selective and sensitive method was developed for the determination of propofol concentration using an off-line dansyl chloride derivatization step to enhance signal intensity. The method consisted of a protein precipitation extraction followed by derivatization with dansyl chloride and analysis by liquid chromatography ionspray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS). The separation was achieved using a 100 mm x 2 mm C8 analytical column combined with an isocratic mobile phase composed of 80:20 acetonitrile: 0.5% formic acid in water. Signal intensity of the propofol-dansyl chloride derivative was increased up to 200-fold as compared to the underivatized propofol in positive electrospray mode. An analytical range of 20-20,000 ng/mL was used in the calibration curve of plasma and blood samples. The novel method met all requirements of specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and stability. A pharmacokinetic study was performed in rats and the novel analytical method was used as a routine analysis to provide enhanced measurements of plasma and blood concentrations of propofol. Blood and plasma pharmacokinetic results show that a very important fraction of propofol distributes into red blood cells. In conclusion, a rapid and sensitive LC-ESI/MS/MS method using a derivatization agent was developed to enhance signal intensity of propofol. Routine analysis with the novel method provided accurate results and enhanced the detection levels of plasma and blood concentrations of propofol to better characterize the in vivo biodisposition of propofol.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Enhancing the uptake of dextromethorphan in the CNS of rats by concomitant administration of the P-gp inhibitor verapamil.

Clinical trials evaluating high doses of dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM) for the treatment of neurological disorders have resulted in numerous adverse events due to the presence of its active metabolite dextrorphan (DX). Since the uptake of drugs in the CNS can be modulated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we propose to determine whether the P-gp inhibitor verapamil can enhance the uptake of DM in the CNS. Rats (n=42) received an oral dose of DM (20 mg/kg) alone or 15 min after an intravenous dose of verapamil (1 mg/kg). Rats were euthanized at different time points over 12 h, and concentrations of DM and DX (conjugated and unconjugated) were assessed in plasma, brain and spinal cord using a LC-ESI/MS/MS method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. Verapamil treatments did not affect the biodisposition of DM in plasma. On the other hand, verapamil treatments increased the area under curve of DM in the brain (from 1221 to 2393 ng h/g) and spinal cord (from 1753 to 3221 ng h/g) by approximately 2-fold. The uptake of DX in brain and spinal cord were markedly lower than those of DM and increased by only 15% and 22% following verapamil treatments, respectively. These results suggest that the P-gp inhibitor verapamil can enhance the uptake of DM in the CNS without affecting that of DX. This change is most likely related to an inhibition of P-gp or other transporters located in the BBB since the biodisposition of DM in plasma remained unaffected by verapamil treatments.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2005

Synovial fluid levels and serum pharmacokinetics in a large animal model following treatment with oral glucosamine at clinically relevant doses.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the concentration of glucosamine in the synovial fluid and its pharmacokinetics in serum in a large animal model following dosing with glucosamine HCl at clinically relevant levels. METHODS: Eight adult female horses were studied. After an overnight fast, glucosamine HCl (20 mg/kg of body weight) was administered by either nasogastric (NG) intubation or intravenous (IV) injection. Blood samples were collected before dosing and at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360, 480, and 720 minutes after dosing. Synovial fluid samples were collected from the radiocarpal joints 48 hours before dosing and at 1 and 12 hours after dosing. Glucosamine was assayed by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. RESULTS: The maximum concentration of glucosamine in serum reached approximately 300 muM ( approximately 50 microg/ml) following IV dosing and approximately 6 microM (approximately 1 microg/ml) following NG dosing. Synovial fluid concentrations reached 9-15 microM with IV dosing and 0.3-0.7 microM with NG dosing, and remained elevated (range 0.1-0.7 microM) in most animals even at 12 hours after dosing. Following NG dosing, the median serum maximal concentration of 6.1 microM (range 4.38-7.58) was attained between 30 minutes and 4 hours postdose. The mean apparent volume of distribution was 15.4 liters/kg, the mean bioavailability was 5.9%, and the mean elimination half-life was 2.82 hours. CONCLUSION: Clinically relevant dosing of glucosamine HCl in this large monogastric animal model results in serum and synovial fluid concentrations that are at least 500-fold lower than those reported to modify chondrocyte anabolic and catabolic activities in tissue and cell culture experiments. We conclude that the apparent therapeutic benefit of dietary glucosamine on pain and joint space width in humans and animals may be secondary to its effects on nonarticular tissues, such as the intestinal lining, liver, or kidney, since these may be exposed to much high levels of glucosamine following ingestion.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

Development of an electrospray ionization mass spectrometric method for the quantification of theophylline in horse serum.

A rapid and selective method has been developed for the determination of theophylline in horse serum by LC-ESI/MS/MS. The analytical method includes a protein precipitation extraction for sample preparation, liquid chromatography separation technique and ionspray tandem mass spectrometry. The drug was extracted from serum using a protein precipitation with acetonitrile and the supernatants were analyzed using an LC-ESI/MS/MS instrument. The chromatography was performed using a 50 x 2.1 mm C(8) analytical column and an isocratic mobile phase composes of 60:40 acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid in water with a flow rate fixed at 350 microL/min. A linear (weighted 1/concentration) relationship was used to perform the calibration over an analytical range of 0.1-20 ppm. The intra-batch precision and accuracy at LLOQ, medium and high concentration were 11.7, 6.9 and 5.4% and 95.8, 107.8 and 95.8%, respectively, and the inter-batch precision and accuracy at LLOQ, medium and high concentration were 10.4, 7.9 and 7.3% and 97.3, 105.2 and 95.9%, respectively. This LC-ESI/MS/MS method for the determination of theophylline in horse serum has been proved to within generally accepted criteria used for bioanalytical assay and was used successfully during clinical investigation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Production of ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 is suppressed by trans-resveratrol in a concentration-dependent manner.

Trans-resveratrol is a biologically active compound present in certain foods that has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. These beneficial effects are derived from both the immune system and cytokines. The purpose of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effect of trans-resveratrol on the ex vivo production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Trans-resveratrol (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 microM) was added to blood samples from male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6) along with 100 U of LPS (Escherichia coli serotype, 055B5). The samples were then incubated for 4 h at 37 degrees C and centrifuged. Finally, concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 in the plasma were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The production of inflammatory (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) and anti-inflammatory (IL-6) cytokines was suppressed by trans-resveratrol in a concentration-dependent manner. These results support the hypothesis that the immunomodulatory effect of trans-resveratrol plays an important role in disease conditions that involve an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

High doses of methylprednisolone are required for the treatment of collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage in rats.

Methylprednisolone (MP) was evaluated for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of cerebral hematoma induced by subcortical injection of collagenase. At 1 and 24 h after the injection, MP was administered intraperitoneally (IP) at a concentration of 10, 35, or 100 mg/kg. Control groups received saline IP at 1 and 24 h after the intracerebral injection of collagenase (positive controls) or saline (negative controls). Motor behaviour 24 h before and 24 h and 48 h after the intracerebral injection was evaluated by means of a neurologic exam and a rotarod treadmill test. The animals were euthanized at 48 h; brain water content was determined in half of the rats, and histopathological studies were done in the other half. Compared with the positive controls, the animals with collagenase-induced hematoma performed significantly better on the neurologic exam after treatment with 100 mg/kg of MP and on the rotarod test after treatment with 35 or 100 mg/kg of MP. The hematoma volume was significantly smaller (P < 0.002) after all doses of MP; however, the smallest volume was seen with 100 mg/kg. There were significantly fewer neutrophils (P < 0.01) within the hematoma in the MP-treated animals (maximum reduction with 100 mg/kg) than in the positive controls, but the numbers of reactive astrocytes did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. The number of necrotic neurons in the penumbra did not differ between the treatment groups; however, there were significantly fewer (P < 0.005) in the cerebral cortex in the group treated with 100 mg/kg of MP compared with the positive controls. These results suggest that high doses of MP administered shortly after occurrence of a cerebral hematoma are beneficial for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Substance P and neurotensin are up-regulated in the lumbar spinal cord of animals with neuropathic pain.

Many neuropeptides have been shown to be up-regulated in response to pain. The purpose of this study was to identify pain-related peptides in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve cuff implantation. Rats were tested for touch sensitivity prior to and 7 days following cuff implantation or sham surgeries. The lumbar spinal cord was removed on the 8th day post-surgery and the lumbar enlargement was processed for the detection of selected peptides using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Only substance P (MW 1346.74) and neurotensin (MW 1673.0) were detected in the lumbar spinal cord of animals with mechanical allodynia (P < 0.01) following innocuous tactile stimulation of the affected hind paw. Therefore, substance P and neurotensin may be target candidates for the understanding and treatment of neuropathic pain.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Low doses of dexamethasone decrease brain water content of collagenase-induced cerebral hematoma.

Different doses of dexamethasone were evaluated for the treatment of cerebral trauma using a rat model of cerebral hematoma induced by intracerebral (IC) stereotaxic injections of collagenase. Control animals received an intracerebral collagenase injection followed by intraperitoneal (IP) saline injection. Sham operated animals received saline only (IC, IP). Forty-eight hours following the surgeries, the brains were removed from the euthanized animals. Cerebral hemispheres were separated and the 4 coronal sections (antero-posterior plane) were weighed. Each slice was dried for 24 h (100 degrees C) and weighed again to establish brain water content. In hematoma-induced saline treated rats, significant differences in brain water content were observed when compared to sham operated animals. Rats treated with 1 mg/kg dexamethasone had a significant brain water content decrease; however, no significant differences were observed with higher doses of dexamethasone. In conclusion, low doses of dexamethasone seem to be beneficial for the treatment of cerebral trauma.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Cyclosporin A in blood and brain tissue following intra-carotid injections in normal and stroke-induced rats.

Administration of Cyclosporin A (CsA) to rats undergoing reversible global or focal ischemia has been demonstrated to be variably neuroprotective. As CsA does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier, the variability may be due to differences in bioavailability of CsA to the ischemic brain. We have, therefore, quantitated CsA levels in blood and brain following intra-carotid injection in rats undergoing permanent right middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion using a three-vessel model of focal cerebral ischemia. After 30 min of three-vessel occlusion, CsA (10 mg/kg) was injected into the left external carotid artery followed by reversal of the left common carotid artery occlusion. At various times post-injection, blood samples were collected from the vena cava and samples of ischemic or sham-operated cortex were obtained for CsA quantitation by tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-linear mixed-effects modeling. CsA areas under the curve between normal and stroke-induced rats were not significantly different in blood (18355 vs. 19405 ng x h/ml, NS) or in brain tissue (15664 vs. 14931 ng x h/g, NS). These results demonstrate that intra-carotid injection of CsA results in high levels in brain (brain-blood ratio from 0.5 to 1). No significant differences in blood and brain exposure were observed between normal and stroke-induced rats. Therefore, reduced cerebral blood flow in the ischemic territory did not limit CsA availability to the cortex. In addition, CsA intra-carotid administration was neuroprotective following 24 h recovery as there was a significant decrease in the infarct area of the affected hemisphere compared to saline injected rats as estimated by TTC staining of viable tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Metabolism and disposition of resveratrol in rats: extent of absorption, glucuronidation, and enterohepatic recirculation evidenced by a linked-rat model.

Pharmacokinetics of trans-resveratrol in its aglycone (RES(AGL)) and glucuronide (RES(GLU)) forms were studied following intravenous (15 mg/kg i.v.) and oral (50 mg/kg p.o.) administration of trans-resveratrol in a solution of beta-cyclodextrin to intact rats. In addition, the enterohepatic recirculation of RES(AGL) and RES(GLU) was assessed in a linked-rat model. Multiple plasma and urine samples were collected and concentrations of RES(AGL) and RES(GLU) were determined using an electrospray ionization-liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method. After i.v. administration, plasma concentrations of RES(AGL) declined with a rapid elimination half-life (T(1/2), 0.13 h), followed by sudden increases in plasma concentrations 4 to 8 h after drug administration. These plasma concentrations resulted in a significant prolongation of the terminal elimination half-life of RES(AGL) (T(1/2TER), 1.31 h). RES(AGL) and RES(GLU) also displayed sudden increases in plasma concentrations 4 to 8 h after oral administration, with T(1/2TER) of 1.48 and 1.58 h, respectively. RES(AGL) bioavailability was 38% and its exposure was approximately 46-fold lower than that of RES(GLU) (AUC(inf), 7.1 versus 324.7 micromol.h/l). Enterohepatic recirculation was confirmed in the linked-rat model since significant plasma concentrations of RES(AGL) and RES(GLU) were observed in bile-recipient rats at 4 to 8 h. The percentages of the exposures of RES(AGL) and RES(GLU) that were due to enterohepatic recirculation were 24.7 and 24.0%, respectively. The fraction of drug excreted in the urine over a period of 12 h was negligible. These results confirm that RES(AGL) is bioavailable and undergoes extensive first-pass glucuronidation, and that enterohepatic recirculation contributes significantly to the exposure of RES(AGL) and RES(GLU) in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Butorphanol decreases edema following carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects and possible drug interactions of butorphanol by using carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats. We injected the right hind footpads of 64 female Sprague-Dawley rats (approximate weight, 100 g) with 50 microL of a 0.5% solution of carrageenan. Indomethacin (0, 1, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg) was administered by gavage to each of four groups 1 h prior to carrageenan injections. Half of the animals in each group received butorphanol (2 mg/kg) subcutaneously 1 h prior to carrageenan injections. Butorphanol decreased paw inflammation following carrageenan injections with or without concurrent administration of indomethacin. No drug interaction with indomethacin was observed. In conclusion, when using butorphanol for its analgesic properties, investigators should be mindful of the drug's anti-inflammatory effects, which may interfere with the experimentation.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed1999

EEG Recordings in Anesthetized Rabbits: Comparison of Ketamine-Midazolam and Telazol With or Without Xylazine.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were performed on five New Zealand White rabbits anesthetized by using four intramuscular drug combinations: 1) ketamine (30 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg), 2) ketamine (30 mg/kg), midazolam (0.2 mg/kg), and xylazine (3 mg/kg), 3) Telazol (20 mg/kg), and 4) Telazol (20 mg/kg) and xylazine (3 mg/kg). All four combinations were administered randomly to each rabbit. To evaluate anesthesia depth, response to toe pinch and various measurements from the recordings were assessed before and after injection. For each EEG recorded epoch, b/d ratios and the spectral edge frequencies (SEF) at 80% and 95% were measured. Results show that after injection of combinations without xylazine, b/d ratios and SEFs decreased only slightly; concurrently the withdrawal reflex remained present. Adding xylazine decreased the b/d ratios (p, 0.001) and the SEFs at 80% (p, 0.001) and 95% (p, 0.001). No withdrawal reflex was observed for 30 min after injection of ketamine-midazolam-xylazine and for 60 min after administration of Telazol-xylazine. Therefore, EEGs may be used to evaluate depth of anesthesia when using injectable drug combinations in rabbits.Abstract>

Journal Article↗