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Biomedical subjects

R T Coutts

Publications and source records attributed to R T Coutts.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Chronic tranylcypromine treatment induces functional alpha 2-adrenoceptor down-regulation in rats.

The effects of chronic (28 d Alzet 2002 osmotic mini-pumps) administration of antidepressant drugs on the functional sensitivity of alpha 2-adrenoceptors and on monoamine oxidase activity has been assessed. Tranylcypromine, 4-fluorotranylcypromine and clorgyline (0.5-1.0 mg kg-1) induced a decrease in the motor-suppressant effects of clonidine (50 micrograms kg-1) observed at 9-10 and 23-24 days of drug administration. These effects were associated with marked decreases in type A (clorgyline) or type A and B monoamine oxidase activity (tranylcypromine and 4-fluorotranylcypromine). The results indicate that alpha 2-adrenoceptor down-regulation is an early emergent feature of adaptive changes in noradrenaline systems induced by prolonged exposure to tranylcypromine.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Neurochemical changes in rat brain amines after short- and long-term inhibition of monoamine oxidase by a low dose of tranylcypromine.

The effects of short- and long-term administration of a low dose of tranylcypromine on brain and urine levels of several biogenic amines and on brain activity of monoamine oxidases (MAO) A and B were investigated. MAO-A and MAO-B were inhibited by greater than 85% on day 1, and this inhibition continued to increase over the course of the study (42 days). Levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine in brain continued to increase up to day 21 and did not decline from day 21 to day 42, and levels of tranylcypromine itself continued to increase up to day 42. Dopamine concentrations peaked at day 10 and were not significantly different from that value by day 42. Brain levels of tryptamine and beta-phenylethylamine showed dramatic elevations after the first dose of the drug and remained essentially unchanged from those high values throughout the course of the drug treatment. Brain and urine increases in tryptamine and beta-phenylethylamine showed similar patterns, whereas urinary 5-hydroxytryptamine excretion reached maximal levels earlier than did brain levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Microbial metabolism of phenelzine and pheniprazine.

Phenelzine and pheniprazine were used as substrates for metabolic studies with Cunninghamella echinulata and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Metabolites were identified by means of gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. 1-Acetyl-2-(2-phenylethyl)-hydrazine and 1-acetyl-2-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)hydrazine were the major products of C. echinulata metabolism of phenelzine and pheniprazine, respectively. In addition, M. smegmatis produced a second metabolite from each substrate; these metabolites were unequivocally identified as N-acetylphenylethylamine and N-acetylamphetamine from phenelzine and pheniprazine, respectively.

Amphetamines↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen enantiomers in humans following oral administration of tablets with different absorption rates.

Ibuprofen (IB) is a racemic drug and is administered as such. While activity is due mainly to the S enantiomer, pharmacokinetic interpretations, as well as criteria to assess the bioequivalence of IB formulations, are based on measurements of the total (S + R) drug concentrations. IB enantiomers possess different disposition properties mainly as a result of R-to-S isomeric bioinversion. Inversion is maximal during the absorption phase, suggesting, perhaps, involvement of a presystemic process. This concept was evaluated in healthy subjects by crossover administration of four IB tablets having different absorption rates. The plasma concentrations of the individual isomers were measured using a stereospecific gas chromatographic assay. Differences among the products were insignificant with respect to the extent to the absorption. The S:R concentration ratios rose for 4 to 6 hr and then remained relatively unchanged. This observation was consistent with equal terminal t1/2 values for the enantiomers. There were significant differences between the peak times (Tmax) of the products. The S:R ratios of the concentrations at Tmax of S and AUC also differed; significant positive correlations were found between Tmax and the S:R ratios of Cmax. Thus the extent of R-to-S inversion, and hence the potency of a racemic dose of IB, may be absorption rate dependent.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

Assay for hydralazine as its stable p-nitrobenzaldehyde hydrazone.

A new method of analysis for the antihypertensive drug, hydralazine, is introduced. The assay involves the addition of p-nitrobenzaldehyde to blood samples containing hydralazine, to form a stable Schiff's base, hydralazine p-nitrobenzaldehyde hydrazone. The derivative is extracted from the blood into hexane and the samples are dried under a nitrogen stream. The extracts are then dissolved in mobile phase and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The extracted samples can be stored for at least 7 days at room temperature or at -20 degrees C. The sensitivity of the assay is better than 300 pg/ml using 3-ml blood samples, and the range can extend to 640 ng/ml. The stability of the extracted samples plus the sensitivity and simplicity of the assay are the main advantages of the method over other selective methods for hydralazine.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Doxapram dosage regimen in apnea of prematurity based on pharmacokinetic data.

To 18 premature apneic patients refractory to theophylline, doxapram (0.5-2.5 mg/kg/h) was administered in combination with therapeutic doses of theophylline. Doxapram concentrations in serum were measured 48 h after commencement of the infusion and then in 2-hour intervals during a 6-8 h withdrawal. Total body clearance (dose/Css) of the drug ranged from 0.20 to 0.56 liter/h in 13 patients and 1.14 to 1.75 liter/h in 4 patients suggesting a binomial distribution in the disposition kinetics of the drug. Other pharmacokinetic indices, although variable, did not exhibit binomial distribution. The mean volume of distribution and half-life of doxapram were 7.33 +/- 4.55 liter/kg and 8.17 +/- 4.13 h, respectively. Based on our calculations to accelerate the attainment of a steady-state plasma concentration (Css) of approximately 1.5 mg/l, a loading dose of 5.5 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 1 mg/kg/h along with serum concentration monitoring are recommended.

Apnea↗
PubMed1988

Metabolic acetylation of phenelzine in rats.

1-Acetyl-2-(2-phenylethyl)hydrazine (N2-acetylphenelzine) is identified as an acetylated metabolite of phenelzine in the rat. One hour after intraperitoneal administration of a high dose of phenelzine sulfate to rats, the blood and brain of the animals were extracted and analyzed by combined gas chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometry in the total ion and selected ion modes. This procedure provided unequivocal proof of the presence of N2-acetylphenelzine in these tissues. The other possible monoacetylated metabolite of phenelzine, 1-acetyl-1-(2-phenylethyl)hydrazine (N1-acetylphenelzine), and the diacetylated derivative, 1,2-diacetyl-2-(2-phenylethyl)hydrazine, were sought, but were not detected.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1987

Gas chromatographic analysis of monoalkylhydrazines.

A quantitative electron-capture gas chromatographic assay procedure was developed for the analysis of monoalkylhydrazines in biological samples. Application to the analysis of phenelzine was demonstrated. Four monoalkylhydrazines were analyzed in whole blood by reaction with pentafluorobenzaldehyde to form stable hydrazone derivatives which were extracted and subsequently reacted with pentafluoropropionic anhydride to give products which were very sensitive to electron-capture detection when analyzed by gas chromatography. Methylhydrazine, benzylhydrazine, phenelzine and pheniprazine each yielded single derivatives with this procedure suggesting that the analytical procedure has a broad application to the analysis of other monoalkylated hydrazines. The method was applied to monitor whole blood levels of phenelzine in rats treated intravenously with phenelzine sulphate.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

High-performance liquid chromatography of lidocaine and nine of its metabolites in human plasma and urine.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure for quantifying lidocaine and nine of its metabolites in human plasma and urine is described. This method involves aqueous acetylation of the metabolites with acetic anhydride under mild basic conditions (pH approximately 8.5). Lidocaine and the derivatized metabolites are extracted under basic conditions with ethyl acetate. Calibration curves constructed for these compounds are linear in the concentration range studied (0.2-500 micrograms/ml). The relevance of this method is shown by measuring the plasma and urine profiles of two patients with suspected myocardial infarction.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1987

In vivo metabolism of lidocaine in the rat. Isolation of urinary metabolites as pentafluorobenzoyl derivatives and their identification by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The metabolism of a large dose (40 mg/kg intraperitoneally) of lidocaine (LIDO) in mature male Sprague-Dawley rats is described. Pentafluorobenzoyl chloride was used to derivatize the hydrolyzed urinary metabolites prior to extraction and analysis as pentafluorobenzoyl-derivatives by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total ion and selected ion current (m/z 195; C6F5CO+) traces were recorded and metabolites of LIDO were readily identified. Only one major metabolite, 3-hydroxy-N-(N-ethylglycyl)-2,6-xylidine, was excreted in urine. A new metabolite, 3-hydroxy-N-glycyl-2,6-xylidine was also present in significant amounts, as well as minor quantities of four oxygenated metabolites of N-(N-ethylglycyl)-2,6-xylidine. Other known metabolites of LIDO, including 3-hydroxylidocaine, were excreted in trace quantities. The results suggest that metabolism of LIDO in rats may be age- and/or dose-dependent.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Simultaneous extraction and quantitation of several bioactive amines in cheese and chocolate.

A method is described for simultaneous extraction and quantitation of the amines 2-phenylethylamine, tele-methylhistamine, histamine, tryptamine, m- and p-tyramine, 3-methoxytyramine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine. This method is based on extractive derivatization of the amines with a perfluoroacylating agent, pentafluorobenzoyl chloride, under basic aqueous conditions. Analysis was done on a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron-capture detector and a capillary column system. The procedure is relatively rapid and provides derivatives with good chromatographic properties. Its application to analysis of the above amines in cheese and chocolate products is described.

Amines↗
PubMed1987

Acetylation and pentafluorobenzoylation of lidocaine metabolites in aqueous solution and identification of derivatives by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Known and possible phenolic and primary and secondary amine metabolites of lidocaine were added to urine from drug-naive rats. These metabolites were derivatized in this aqueous medium by acetylation with acetic anhydride or by pentafluorobenzoylation with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride. The derivatives were simultaneously extracted into an organic solvent. The products were separated by gas chromatography (flame ionization detection for acetates and electron-capture detection for pentafluorobenzoates) and identified by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Mass spectral fragmentation pathways were readily deduced; diagnostic fragment ions were identified and were valuable for characterization purposes. Structural isomers could be distinguished on the basis of their GC retention times. Extractive derivatization using pentafluorobenzoyl chloride is an attractive analytical procedure for the identification of phenolic and dealkylated metabolites of lidocaine.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1987

Microbiological systems in organic synthesis: preparation of racemic prenalterol utilizing Cunninghamella echinulata.

The fungal microorganism Cunninghamella echinulata was utilized to para-hydroxylate the synthetic substrate (+/-)-1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-propan-2-ol (1). The resulting product, (+/-)-1-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)-3-isopropylamino-propan-2-ol, or (+/-)-prenalterol, (2) was formed in greater than 85% yield. Extracts from incubates were derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride and the concentrations of 1 and 2 were determined by GC on a fused silica methyl silicone capillary column with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. At substrate concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/L, the biotransformation proceeds with apparent first-order kinetics. With higher concentrations, the kinetics of prenalterol formation and substrate uptake appear to be nonlinear with a Km value of 427.8 micrograms/mL and a Vmax value of 232.3 micrograms/mL/d. This suggests that the biotransformation may proceed through a single-capacity limited pathway. The microbial product was isolated and identified as (+/-)-prenalterol by comparison (mp, IR, MS, 1H NMR) with an authentic specimen.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed1987

Pharmacokinetic and neurochemical studies on N-propargyl-2-phenylethylamine, a prodrug of 2-phenylethylamine.

Pharmacokinetic and neurochemical properties of N-propargyl-2-phenylethylamine, a known MAO inhibitor and a potential prodrug of the bioactive trace amine, 2-phenylethylamine, were studied in rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of N-propargyl-2-phenylethylamine produced marked elevations in 2-phenylethylamine levels in rat brain, blood and liver; these levels remained significantly above controls for more than 4 h. Neurochemical studies showed the drug to be a preferential MAO-B inhibitor at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg (i.p.). This selectivity was much more pronounced in liver than in brain. N-Propargyl-2-phenylethylamine produced a significant decrease in whole brain concentrations of noradrenaline, dopamine and DOPAC, but they returned to control values by 3 h after drug administration. Concentrations of 5-HT were unaffected, while 5-HIAA and HVA concentrations increased significantly above controls. Results indicate that N-propargyl-2-phenylethylamine is a prodrug of 2-phenylethylamine and a potentially useful pharmacological tool with which to study the functional role of 2-phenylethylamine in the mammalian central nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Neurochemical and neuropharmacological properties of 4-fluorotranylcypromine.

1. The 4-fluoro analogue of the monoamine oxidase-inhibiting antidepressant tranylcypromine was compared to the parent drug with regard to the following: inhibition of monoamine oxidases A and B in vitro and ex vivo; levels of both drugs in brain, liver, and blood after injection of equimolar doses; and effects on brain levels of the amines 2-phenylethylamine, tryptamine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine. 2. 4-Fluorotranylcypromine was found to be 10 times more potent than tranylcypromine at inhibiting monoamine oxidases A and B in vitro in rat brain homogenates. 3. After administration (0.1 mmol/kg, ip), 4-fluorotranylcypromine attained higher brain and liver levels and provided greater availability than did tranylcypromine after the injection of an equimolar amount. 4. At the dose employed, the ex vivo monoamine oxidases A and B inhibitory profiles in brain and liver over a 24-hr period following tranylcypromine and 4-fluorotranylcypromine treatment were not different from each other. 5. Although the drugs had similar effects on inhibition of brain MAO ex vivo, they differed from one another at several time intervals in the increases in concentrations of 2-phenylethylamine, tryptamine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine produced in brain. 6. In conclusion, fluorination of tranylcypromine in the 4 position of the phenyl ring produced a drug which was more potent than the parent drug at inhibiting MAO in vitro and attained higher levels in brain than did tranylcypromine itself after intraperitoneal injection of equimolar amounts of the drugs. 4-Fluorotranylcypromine increased the concentrations of trace amines, catecholamines, and 5-hydroxytryptamine in brain at most time intervals following intraperitoneal injection, and at some time intervals there were differences from tranylcypromine with regard to the amine concentrations produced.

Amines↗
PubMed1987

Analysis of the antidepressant phenelzine in brain tissue and urine using electron-capture gas chromatography.

A novel gas chromatographic method for the analysis of the antidepressant phenelzine has been developed. The procedure involves extraction with a liquid ion-pairing compound, back-extraction with HCl, basification, and derivatization with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride. The dipentafluorobenzoyl derivative (structure confirmed by mass spectrometry) is separated and analyzed on a gas chromatograph equipped with a fused silica capillary column and an electron-capture detector. The procedure has been utilized for quantitation of phenelzine in brain of phenelzine-treated rats and in urine from human subjects receiving phenelzine.

Animals↗