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Biomedical subjects

S Awazu

Publications and source records attributed to S Awazu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Correlation of phenol sulphotransferase activities in the liver and platelets of rat.

Phenol sulphotransferase (PST) activity in rat platelet cytosol for p-nitrophenol (PNP) sulphation was found to have a similar dependence on PNP concentration and thermostability to that in rat liver cytosol. The activities of PST isoenzyme for the sulphation in the microM range of PNP in rat platelets and rat liver were significantly correlated. Thus, measurement of PST activity in platelets could be a useful and practical method for predicting this activity in liver.

Animals

Prediction of glycyrrhizin disposition in rat and man with liver failure by a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model.

Two physiologically based pharmacokinetic models A and B incorporating enterohepatic recycling, which succeeded previously in predicting the disposition of glycyrrhizin (GLZ) in normal rats and subjects, were applied to predict GLZ disposition in plasma and tissues of chronically CCl4-intoxicated rats, and serum of humans with hepatitis after i.v. dosing. The prediction by model A with the direct excretion of GLZ from liver into gut lumen gave fairly good agreement with the observed time courses of GLZ concentrations in blood and tissues in the intoxicated rats. The human serum disposition was predicted by model B, to which was added a gallbladder for the excretion from liver into gut lumen to model A by assuming continuous delaying transfer from the gallbladder. An attempt to predict the serum dispositions in five human subjects by considering individual differences in serum free fraction, biliary excretion ratio, and intestinal absorption clearance was successful in model B. Thus, scale-up of the disposition kinetics of GLZ from rat to man with liver failure was successful.

Animals

Prediction of glycyrrhizin disposition in rat and man by a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model.

Three physiologically based pharmacokinetic models A--C, incorporating enterohepatic recycling, were developed to predict glycyrrhizin (GLZ) disposition in rat plasma and tissues, and human serum. Model A, which included fourteen compartments (artery, vein, tissues except brain, and gut lumen) with the assumption of direct excretion of GLZ from the liver into the gut lumen gave fairly good agreement between the observed and predicted disposition profiles in rat, but was unsuitable in man, where elimination is very rapid. Models B and C for man were obtained by adding a gallbladder compartment (drug storage organ) for the excretion from the liver into the gut lumen and by assuming continuous transfer from the storage compartment or instantaneous emptying from it during meal ingestion as the excretion process from the gallbladder into the gut lumen, respectively. The agreement between the observed and predicted serum concentration time-course profiles was better with model C than model B, especially in the terminal elimination phase, where secondary peaks appeared. However, it was thought that the observed serum disposition can be sufficiently well predicted by model B. In conclusion, prediction in rat was successful in all compartments except the brain, which shows a negligible distribution. Scale-up of the disposition kinetics of GLZ from rat to man was also successful.

Animals

Vitamin A protects the small intestine from methotrexate-induced damage in rats.

A protective effect of vitamin A (VA) against cytotoxic antitumor drug-induced damage of rat small intestine was found. Oral administration of methotrexate (MTX) for the small intestinal mucosa of rats resulted in a severe histological change, whereas rats coadministered VA with MTX showed a histological status similar to that of control rats. The p.o. administration of MTX led to a decrease in the amounts of membrane proteins and lipids in rat small intestine and its brush border membrane. When administered p.o. with VA, this decrease failed to occur. The brush border membrane of MTX plus VA-treated rats, when monitored by the fluorescence of cationic safranin O and anionic 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, was found to resemble that from control rats rather than that from MTX-treated rats. The in vitro permeation of MTX in the small intestine of MTX plus VA-treated rats was enhanced, in contrast with the decrease noted for MTX-treated rats. However, that of untreated rats was not affected by the presence of VA. Thus, VA is unlikely to affect the transport process of MTX directly. When administered p.o. with VA, MTX was absorbed effectively to the same or a slightly greater extent than when administered by itself. Consequently, it has been shown histologically, biochemically, physicochemically and physiologically that VA protects the small intestine from the damage induced by MTX.

Administration, Oral

Genetic polymorphism of human urine deoxyribonuclease I.

A genetic polymorphism of human urine deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) has been detected by the technique of polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (IEF-PAGE) followed by immunoblotting with anti-DNase I antibody. Family studies showed that the three common phenotypes - DNASE1 1, 1-2, and 2 - and the other four rare phenotypes - DNASE1 1-3, 2-3, 2-4, and 3-4 - represent homozygosity or heterozygosity for four autosomal codominant alleles, DNASE1*1, *2, *3, and *4. The frequencies of the DNASE1*1, DNASE1*2, DNASE1*3, and DNASE1*4 alleles in a studied Japanese population were 0.5453, 0.4396, 0.0117, and 0.0034, respectively.

Deoxyribonuclease I

Time dependent changes occurring in rat liver microsomes upon lipid peroxidation.

Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene and n-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acids (n = 2,12) in rat liver microsomes showed a marked increase in the early stages of enzymatically or non-enzymatically induced lipid peroxidation. The changes in fluorescence anisotropy occurred in parallel with the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Parallel to these changes, the fluorescence emitted from peroxidized microsomes increased markedly in the early stages of lipid peroxidation. In contrast to the changes in the fluorescence anisotropy and in the formation of TBA-RS, the fluorescence showed a continuing increase over the three hr period of lipid peroxidation. Glucose-6-phosphatase was inactivated in the early stages of lipid peroxidation, whereas NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase underwent a slow deactivation over three hr. The apparently slow deactivation of the peripheral protein may be explained by the formation of fluorescent substances.

Animals

Protection of liver microsomal membranes from lipid peroxidation by garlic extract.

Garlic extract, the ethanol-soluble fraction of garlic, prevented formation of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances and fluorescent substances during lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes. Lipid peroxidation increased the fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene labelled to the microsomes while this increase was prevented by the garlic extract. It thus seems probable that the garlic extract serves to maintain membrane fluidity. These effects were dependent on its concentration and particularly prominent on exceeding a certain concentration of garlic extract. These results suggest its possible role of protecting the membranes from lipid peroxidation.

Animals

Change in small intestinal brush border membranes of rats following methotrexate administration.

Change in small intestinal brush border membranes of rats following methotrexate administration was monitored by the fluorescence spectra and polarization of the cationic fluorescent probe, safranin 0. Total protein content of brush border membranes of treated rats was less than that of control rats, whereas no significant difference in total sialic acid content of brush border membranes was observed between them. Thus, an apparent increase in the electronegative charge of brush border membrane vesicles per unit of membrane protein following methotrexate administration may possibly cause the change in fluorescence spectra and polarization of safranin 0.

Animals

Effect of serum on dose- and temperature-dependent hepatic uptake of multilamellar vesicles (MLV).

Effects of the addition of serum to the perfusate on hepatic uptake of multilamellar vesicles (MLV) were examined in recirculating perfused rat liver. MLV was labelled with both membrane lipid marker ([14C]cholesteryl oleate) and aqueous phase marker ([3H]inulin or 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF)). The uptake rates of [14C]cholesteryl oleate and CF at 37 degrees C coincided well, indicating both markers to be taken up as MLV. Inulin was released from MLV at 37 degrees C but its uptake rate tended to approach that of [14C]cholesteryl oleate at 4 degrees C or at high MLV dose. Some factor in serum promoted MLV uptake at 37 degrees C, but its effect was inhibited at 4 degrees C. The promoting effect was indicated to be possibly due to activation of adsorption of MLV to the hepatic Kupffer cell surface and/or that of phagocytosis by the cells. The saturation of MLV uptake was observed with increase in MLV dose, suggesting the saturation of MLV adsorption to the hepatic cell or the consumption of serum factor which promotes MLV uptake.

Animals

Paracellular channel characterized by non-electrolyte permeation through the colonic membrane of the rat.

The mucosa-to-serosa permeability of non-electrolytes through the stripped colonic rat mucosa was examined in a Ussing-type chamber. The permeation clearances for inulin (12-15 A radius) to erythritol (3.2 A radius) increased linearly with the increase in their free diffusion coefficients. On the other hand, the clearances of glycerol, thiourea and urea of less than 3 A radius increased in excess of what would be expected considering the above linearity. This suggests that there are large pores that do not restrict diffusive flow and small pores of 3 A radius or greater that restricted diffusion in the paracellular channel. The transcellular permeation also occurred in a tracer efflux experiment with urea preloaded in colonic stripped mucosa. It was not ruled out that the higher permeability of the nonelectrolytes less than 3 A in radius was due to a transcellular route in parallel with the paracellular one.

Alcohols

Binding of glycyrrhizin to human serum and human serum albumin.

The binding of glycyrrhizin (GLZ) to human serum and human serum albumin (HSA) was examined by an ultrafiltration technique. Specific and nonspecific bindings were observed in both human serum and HSA. The association constants (K) for the specific bindings were very similar: 1.31 x 10(5) M-1 in human serum and 3.87 x 10(5) M-1 in HSA. The number of binding sites (n) and the linear binding coefficient (phi) in HSA were 1.95 and 3.09 x 10(3) M-1, respectively. When the human serum protein concentration was assumed to be 4.2% (equal to the measured serum albumin concentration), n in human serum was 3.09, which is similar to the n value in HSA, and phi in human serum was 0.71 x 10(3) M-1, which is reasonably close to that for HSA. The binding pattern of GLZ with human serum protein on Sephadex G-200 column chromatography showed that GLZ binds to only the albumin fraction. It was concluded that the GLZ-binding sites in human serum exist mainly on albumin and GLZ binds to specific and nonspecific binding sites at lower and higher concentrations than approximately 2 mM, respectively.

Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Pharmacokinetics of glycyrrhetic acid, a major metabolite of glycyrrhizin, in rats.

The pharmacokinetics of glycyrrhetic acid (GLA) was examined in rats after bolus i.v. injection at a dose of 2, 5, or 12 mg/kg. The decline in plasma concentration was generally biexponential at each dose, but the terminal disposition became much slower with increase of dose. A greater than proportional increase in plasma GLA concentration was observed with increase of dose, suggesting a dose-dependency of GLA disposition. Apparent total body clearance decreased significantly with increase of dose. On the other hand, the apparent steady-state distribution volume after i.v. administration was unaffected by dose. The plasma disposition at each dose fitted well to a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with Michaelis-Menten elimination. It was concluded that the pharmacokinetics of GLA in the rat is dose-dependent owing to a saturable elimination rate. The plasma level of GLA after glycyrrhizin (GLZ) i.v. dosing (100 mg/kg) in the control rats (without biliary fistulization) sustained the concentration range of 1.5-3 micrograms/ml during 1-48 h, but that in the rats with biliary fistulization declined with time. It was suggested that the sustained plasma level of GLA is accounted for by the intestinal reabsorption of GLA produced from GLZ and GLA-conjugates during the enterohepatic recycling of both.

Animals

Fluorescence study of the membrane-perturbing action of sodium caprylate as related to promotion of drug absorption.

The medium-chain fatty acid sodium caprylate released 6-carboxyfluorescein (CF), a model compound of water-soluble drugs, from the rat small intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) vesicles and liposomes containing CF. Caprylate caused a decrease in the fluorescence polarization of dansyl chloride, fluorescein isothiocyanate, and eosin maleimide covalently labeled to BBM. This indicates a perturbation of the BBM. However, no change in the fluorescence polarization of lipid-soluble fluorescent probes (2-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid, 12-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid, and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) labeled to BBM was produced by caprylate. These findings indicate that caprylate can increase the permeability of the plasma membranes through the perturbation of the membranes. These actions of caprylate on membranes are considered one possible mechanism by which it promotes the absorption of water-soluble and poorly absorbed drugs.

Animals

Fluorescence emitted from microsomal membranes by lipid peroxidation.

The fluorescence emitted from rat liver microsomal membranes which had undergone enzymatic and nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation was detected directly. This fluorescence produced in peroxidized membranes increased progressively with peroxidation reaction time, and the fluorescent substances produced were retained in the membranes without being released into the aqueous phase. Extracts of the peroxidized membranes with organic solvents (chloroform/methanol) emitted fluorescence which was also dependent on the peroxidation reaction time. The generation profiles of fluorescence emitted from both the peroxidized membranes and their extracted membrane lipids differed essentially from that of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances which reached a plateau at a relatively early stage of peroxidation reaction. These results indicate that lipid peroxidation induces stepwise chemical and physical changes in membranes and that the fluorescence from peroxidized membranes will be useful in studying such changes occurring in biological membranes.

Animals

Enhancement of colonic drug absorption by the transcellular permeation route.

The effects of sodium caprate and sodium caprylate on transcellular permeation routes were examined in rats. The release of membrane phospholipids was significantly increased only by caprate, while protein release did not change from the control in the presence of caprate or caprylate, indicating that the extent of membrane disruption was insufficient to account for enhanced permeation. Using brush border membrane (BBM) vesicles prepared from colon, with their protein and lipid component labeled by fluorescent probes, the perturbing actions of caprate and caprylate toward the membrane were examined by fluorescence polarization. Caprate interacted with membrane protein and lipids, and caprylate mainly with protein, causing perturbation to the membrane. The release of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein previously included in BBM vesicles was increased by caprate but not by caprylate. These results suggest that caprate enhances permeability via the transcellular route through membrane perturbation.

Animals

Enhancement of colonic drug absorption by the paracellular permeation route.

Colonic absorption of poorly absorbable cefmetazole was shown to increase considerably by the addition of 1% sodium caprate, sodium laurate, and mixed micelles composed of sodium oleate and sodium taurocholate. At 0.25%, their effects were weaker but still significant. Colonic absorption of inulin was also increased by the promoters at a concentration of 0.25%. These results suggest that there is a common route between inulin and cefmetazole absorption, i.e., the paracellular route. Sodium taurocholate, sodium caprylate, and EDTA disodium salts (EDTA-2Na) at 1% enhanced cefmetazole absorption less than caprate, laurate, or mixed micelles, but no such effect was found at 0.25%. The colonic pore radius was determined from the equivalent pore theory using an everted sac procedure. Caprate, laurate, and mixed micelles at 0.25% caused this radius to increase significantly, thus making it possible for inulin to permeate the everted sac from the mucosal to the serosal side. The effects of taurocholate, caprylate, and EDTA-2Na for increasing colonic pore sizes and the degree of inulin permeation were less than those of caprate, laurate, or mixed micelles. The change in the paracellular route is thus considered to result from the increase in pore size.

Animals

The use of a perfluorochemical emulsion as a vascular perfusate in drug absorption.

In-vitro simultaneous luminal and vascular perfusion using the perfluorochemical emulsion, FC-43 emulsion, as a vascular perfusate, was examined for drug absorption in rat jejunum. The intestinal membrane in this system was found to retain its normal barrier functions for drug transport, as evident from the following: (i) stable absorption clearance of tritiated water and salicylic acid at steady-state, (ii) agreement of this clearance with that by in-situ single-pass luminal perfusion, (iii) active transport of D-glucose and its inhibition by phloridzin and (iv) normal glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity in the intestinal mucosa. FC-43 emulsion gave a more normal absorption site blood flow than the usual vascular perfusate containing erythrocytes and albumin in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer solution. Consequently, this emulsion was useful for examining the contribution of blood flow resistance toward drug absorption. The rate-limiting steps of absorption of tritiated water, antipyrine and salicylic acid were examined by perfusion using FC-43 emulsion. The absorption of tritiated water was almost completely blood flow-limited and its absorption clearance may possibly be an approximated absorption site blood flow. The contribution of blood flow resistance to total resistance for antipyrine absorption exceeded that for salicylic acid absorption.

Animals

Conformational change in plasma albumin due to interaction with isolated rat hepatocyte.

The electron spin resonance spectroscopy of 4-isothiocyanato-tempo labeled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the absorption spectroscopy of eosin maleimide labeled to BSA in the isolated rat hepatocyte suspension indicate conformational change occurring in the albumin molecule during interaction with the hepatocellular membrane. The conformational change in the albumin molecule may possibly accelerate the dissociation of albumin-organic anion complexes at the surface of the liver cell. The conformational change in the albumin molecule may explain in part the mechanism of albumin-mediated hepatic transport.

Animals