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Standardization of method for the analysis of dextromethorphan in urine.

Dextromethorphan (DMP), an antitussive, is one of the most popular drugs among the younger generation in Korea. It usually is taken for its hallucinogenic properties and overdoses have been responsible for the fatalities that have been reported frequently. To control the abuse of DMP, the authorities restricted its use through classifying it as a controlled drug on October 2003. The purpose of this study is to provide a standard method for the analysis of DMP and its main metabolite, dextrorphan (DTP) in biological specimens. At first we established a standard operating procedure (SOP) for DMP/DTP in urine, and a method validation was performed. We also quantified DMP from 16 drug abuser's urine samples all of which were positive in the screening test for DMP. For the detection of DMP/DTP, urine samples were adjusted with 6N NaOH (pH 11) and extracted with ethylacetate. Thin layer chromatography was used as the screening test, and the final identification for DMP/DTP was used by GC/MS. The ions (m/z 271 for DMP, m/z 257 for DTP and m/z 86 for lidocaine as internal standard) were extracted from the full scan mass spectrum and were used for quantification. The selectivity, linearity of calibration, accuracy, within- and between day precision, limit of detection and quantification, recovery and stability were examined as parts of the method validation. Extracted calibration curves were linear from 100 to 2000 ng/mL for DMP and DTP with correlation coefficients better than 0.999. Limit detection was 50 ng/mL for DMP and DTP. Within-run precision (%CV) for DMP and DTP at three different concentrations (100, 500 and 1000 ng/mL) was 6.10-18.85%, and between-run precision was 1.70-7.86% for DMP and DTP. Absolute recovery for DMP and DTP was 57-74%, and relative recovery (extraction efficiency) was 80-89%. For 16 drug abuser's urine samples, the concentrations of DMP and DTP were 0.16-52.63 and 0.41-23.75 microg/mL, respectively. Method validation is an important requirement in the practice of chemical analysis, and it will be particularly useful in verifying the reliability of analytical results in the field of forensic science.

Adult↗

Sol-gel-based solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan in human plasma.

A novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method was developed for isolation of dextromethorphan (DM) and its main metabolite dextrorphan (DP) from human plasma followed by GC-MS determination. Three different polymers, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), poly(ethylenepropyleneglycol) monobutyl ether (Ucon) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were synthesized as coated fibers using sol-gel methodologies. DP was converted to its acetyl-derivative prior to extraction and subsequent determination. The porosity of coated fibers was examined by SEM technique. Effects of different parameters such as fiber coating type, extraction mode, agitation method, sample volume, extraction time, and desorption condition, were investigated and optimized. The method is rapid, simple, easy and inexpensive and offers high sensitivity and reproducibility. The limits of detection are 0.010 and 0.015 ng/ml for DM and DP, respectively. The precisions for both analytes are below 5% (n=5). The correlation coefficient was satisfactory (r(2)>0.99) for both DM and DP. Linear ranges were obtained from 0.03 ng/ml to 2 microg/ml for DM and from 0.05 ng/ml to 2 microg/ml for DP.

Dextromethorphan↗

Effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist dextromethorphan on temporal summation of pain are similar in fibromyalgia patients and normal control subjects.

UNLABELLED: Temporal summation of second pain at least partly reflects temporal summation of dorsal horn neuronal responses, and both have been termed windup (WU), a form of nociception-dependent central sensitization. Animal and human experiments have shown that both forms of WU depend on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and substance P receptor systems. WU of second pain (WU(SP)) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) is enhanced compared with normal control (NC) subjects and is followed by exaggerated WU(SP) aftersensations and prolonged WU(SP) maintenance at low stimulus frequencies. Because the enhanced WU(SP) of FM patients could be related to abnormal endogenous modulation of NDMA receptors, we tested the effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist dextromethorphan (DEX) on WU(SP) in FM and NC subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. WU(SP) was elicited by trains of 0.7-second duration thermal pulses applied to the glabrous surface of the hands or by 1-second mechanical stimuli to the adductor pollicis muscle of the hands at a frequency of 0.33 Hz. In comparison to baseline and placebo conditions, single oral doses of DEX 60 and 90 mg reduced thermal and mechanical WU(SP) in NC and FM subjects, with DEX 90 mg being most effective. These effects did not differ for male and female NC subjects. FM subjects required less thermal and mechanical stimulus intensity than NC to achieve maximal WU(SP), but the extent of WU(SP) reduction by DEX did not statistically differ between NC and FM subjects for all study conditions. Thus, central pain processing of FM subjects is not different from NC in at least one important aspect, namely their NMDA receptor system responsiveness to pharmacologic inhibition by DEX. PERSPECTIVE: Results of this study demonstrate that FM patients show abnormal WU(SP) during thermal and mechanical stimulation compared with NC. Because oral doses of the NMDA receptor antagonist DEX attenuated thermal and mechanical WU(SP) similarly in FM patients and NC, other mechanisms than WU(SP) need to be considered for the widespread pain of FM patients. These mechanisms might include tonic nociceptive input from peripheral tissues and/or enhanced descending facilitation.

Adult↗

Separation and determination of pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine in cold medicines by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis.

An easy, rapid and simple nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) method was developed for the identification and determination of four basic nitrogenous compounds, i.e. pseudoephedrine (PE), dextromethorphan (DXM), diphenhydramine (DHM) and chlorpheniramine (CLP). The most suitable running buffer was composed of 40 mM ammonium acetate, 10% acetonitrile (ACN) in methanol with a fused-silica capillary column (47 cm x 75 microm i.d.), 25 kV applied voltage and 25 degrees C capillary temperature. The calibration curves revealed linear relationships between the peak area for each analyte and its concentration (correlation coefficients: 0.9993 for PE, 0.9971 for DXM, 0.9991 for DHM, and 0.9995 for CLP, respectively). The relative standard deviations of the migration time and peak area of the four compounds were 0.37, 3.90, 0.73 and 0.68, and 2.80, 3.50, 1.60 and 3.70%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to determine the four compounds in five cold medicines, the recoveries of the four constituents ranging between 91 and 109%.

Chlorpheniramine↗

A new hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatographic (HILIC) procedure for the simultaneous determination of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSH), diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) and dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXH) in cough-cold formulations.

A new HILIC method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSH), diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) and dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXH) in cough-cold syrup. Mobile phase consists of methanol:water (containing 6.0 g of ammonium acetate and 10 mL of triethylamine per liter, pH adjusted to 5.2 with orthophosphoric acid), 95:5 (v/v). Column containing porous silica particles (Supelcosil LC-Si, 25 cm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) is used as stationary phase. Detection is carried out using a variable wavelength UV-vis detector at 254 nm for PSH and DPH, and at 280 nm for DXH. Solutions are injected into the chromatograph under isocratic condition at constant flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. Linearity range and percent recoveries for PSH, DPH and DXH were 150-600, 62.5-250, 75-300 microg/mL and 100.7%, 100.1% and 100.8%, respectively. Method is stability indicating and excipients like saccharin sodium, sodium citrate, flavour and sodium benzoate did not interfere in the analysis. Compounds elute in order of increasing ionization degree caused by cation-exchange mechanism in a run time of less than 15 min. Mobile phase pH is manipulated to regulate ionization and ion-exchange interaction and thereby retention of compounds.

Acetates↗

Simultaneous determination of dextromethorphan, dextrorphan, and guaifenesin in human plasma using semi-automated liquid/liquid extraction and gradient liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A method for the simultaneous determination of dextromethorphan (DEX), dextrorphan (DET), and guaifenesin (GG) in human plasma was developed, validated, and applied to determine plasma concentrations of these compounds in samples from six clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. Semi-automated liquid handling systems were used to perform the majority of the sample manipulation including liquid/liquid extraction (LLE) of the analytes from human plasma. Stable-isotope-labeled analogues were utilized as internal standards (ISTDs) for each analyte to facilitate accurate and precise quantification. Extracts were analyzed using gradient liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Use of semi-automated LLE with LC-MS/MS proved to be a very rugged and reliable approach for analysis of more than 6200 clinical study samples. The lower limit of quantification was validated at 0.010, 0.010, and 1.0 ng/mL of plasma for DEX, DET, and GG, respectively. Accuracy and precision of quality control (QC) samples for all three analytes met FDA Guidance criteria of +/-15% for average QC accuracy with coefficients of variation less than 15%. Data from the thorough evaluation of the method during development, validation, and application are presented to characterize selectivity, linearity, over-range sample analysis, accuracy, precision, autosampler carry-over, ruggedness, extraction efficiency, ionization suppression, and stability. Pharmacokinetic data are also provided to illustrate improvements in systemic drug and metabolite concentration-time profiles that were achieved by formulation optimization.

Administration, Oral↗

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↗

Intravenous dextromethorphan to human volunteers: relationship between pharmacokinetics and anti-hyperalgesic effect.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dextromethorphan (DM) 0.5 mg/kg administered intravenously (i.v.) on hyperalgesia and pain after a tissue injury in human volunteers, and to describe the relationship between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data. The heat-capsaicin sensitisation model, a well-established experimental hyperalgesia model was induced in 24 healthy, male volunteers aged 21-35 years. The subjects received i.v. DM 0.5 mg/kg or isotonic saline on two separate study sessions. The primary outcome measure from 0 to 3 h was reduction in area of established secondary hyperalgesia. Secondary outcome measures were reduction in area of secondary hyperalgesia in response to brief thermal stimulation, heat pain detection thresholds and painfulness after tonic heat pain. Blood samples were collected throughout the study to describe the relationship between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data. Intravenous DM 0.5 mg/kg significantly reduced areas of established secondary hyperalgesia with an average of 39% (P<0.05). Development of secondary hyperalgesia was substantially prevented by DM (P<0.05). No significant effect was seen on either heat pain detection thresholds or after tonic heat pain. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship showed a large inter-subject variation with a mean delay in effect of nearly 2 h in relation to peak serum concentration. The results strongly indicate that DM is an anti-hyperalgesic drug. The delay in effect may be explained by several mechanisms and suggests that timing of DM administration is an essential factor for using the drug in clinical settings.

Adolescent↗

The influence of dextromethorphan on morphine analgesia in Swiss Webster mice is sex-specific.

NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) antagonists are known to enhance the analgesic effects of opioids. However, virtually, all studies of this phenomenon have been done using male subjects. Here, the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist dextromethorphan (DEX) was tested over a range of doses (10-200 microg intracerebroventricularly [i.c.v.]) in male and female Swiss Webster mice in combination with 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) morphine. Males exhibited enhanced morphine analgesia following either 100 or 200 microg DEX, but there was no evidence of DEX-mediated potentiation in females at any dose. Instead, DEX attenuated morphine analgesia in females. We also evaluated the effect of 100 microg i.c.v. DEX with different doses of morphine (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg). Again, DEX significantly enhanced morphine analgesia in male mice and attenuated it in females. Next, ovariectomized (OVX) female mice were compared to males following 5 mg/kg i.p. morphine and 100 microg i.c.v. DEX. Male and OVX females exhibited equivalent maximal levels of analgesia following administration of DEX. Morphine analgesia was not enhanced by DEX in sham-treated females and OVX mice with estradiol treatment (5 microg i.p. once daily for 7 days) also did not show DEX enhancement. These experiments demonstrate that the ability of NMDA receptor antagonists to potentiate morphine analgesia is modulated by an estrogen-sensitive mechanism and suggest that sex differences may play a critical role toward a more general understanding of the potentiation of opioid-induced analgesia through NMDA receptor antagonists.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Effect of dextromethorphan, a NMDA antagonist, on DNA repair in rat photochemical thrombotic cerebral ischemia.

Photochemical thrombotic ischemia model was used to study the possible roles of excision repair cross-complementing group 6 (ERCC6), a DNA repair gene, in the neuroprotection of dextromethorphan (DM), a NMDA antagonist, in ischemic brain injury. The results showed that no obvious ERCC6 mRNA expression was found in the perifocal area of irradiated cerebral cortex before 24 h postischemia. Then, the number of ERCC6 mRNA positive cells gradually enhanced, and attained a peak value at 72 h after light irradiation, which followed a declined tendency at 7-day postlesion. These results suggest that DNA repair gene ERCC6 mRNA expression in the perifocal area may be involved in the pathophysiological processes following the photochemical thrombotic cerebral ischemia. By the administration of DM, we observed that it can significantly upregulate the expression of ERCC6 mRNA in the perifocal area at 48 h after ischemic event. The neuroprotective mechanisms of DM may be related to the upregulation of DNA repair gene ERCC6 mRNA.

Animals↗

Binding of dimemorfan to sigma-1 receptor and its anticonvulsant and locomotor effects in mice, compared with dextromethorphan and dextrorphan.

Dextromethorphan ((+)-3-methoxy-N-methylmorphinan, DM) has been shown to have both anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects. The mechanisms of these CNS effects of DM have been suggested to be associated with the low-affinity, noncompetitive, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonism of DM and/or the high-affinity DM/sigma receptors. DM is largely O-demethylated into the phencyclidine (PCP)-like compound dextrorphan (DR), which may limit its therapeutic use by producing PCP-like adverse effects, such as hyperlocomotion. Dimemorfan ((+)-3-methyl-N-methylmorphinan, DF), an analog of DM, which has been safely used as an antitussive for more than 20 years, is also known not to form DR. This study therefore characterized the binding of DF to the sigma receptors and NMDA-linked PCP sites and examined the anticonvulsant as well as locomotor effects of DF in mice in comparison with those of DM and DR. We found that DF, DM, and DR were relative high-affinity ligands at sigma-1 receptors (Ki=151, 205, 144 nM, respectively) while all of them were with low affinity at sigma-2 receptors (Ki=4-11 microM). Only DR exhibited moderate affinity for PCP sites (Ki=0.9 microM), whereas DF (Ki=17 microM) and DM (Ki=7 microM) were much less active. DF, DM and DR produced prominent anticonvulsant effects in mice as measured by the supramaximal electroshock test with comparable potency (ED50 approximately 70 micromol/kg, i.p.). At the tested doses (20-260 micromol/kg, i.p.), DM and DR exhibited biphasic effects on the locomotor activity whereas DF produced a consistent dose-dependent decrease. These results revealed that, unlike DM and DR, DF did not cause a PCP-like hyperlocomotion adverse effect that is parallel with the PCP sites binding data. Furthermore, since they have equipotent anticonvulsant effects and similar binding affinities to sigma-1 receptors, the very low affinity of DF at PCP sites may suggest that acting on the PCP sites may not be the requisite for mediating the anticonvulsant activity of these DM analogs. With the history of safety and relative less adverse effects, DF appears to be worth further studying on its CNS effects other than the antitussive effect.

Animals↗

Plasma levels of the enantiomers of thioridazine, thioridazine 2-sulfoxide, thioridazine 2-sulfone, and thioridazine 5-sulfoxide in poor and extensive metabolizers of dextromethorphan and mephenytoin.

Concentrations of total (R) + (S) and of the enantiomers (R) and (S) of thioridazine and metabolites were measured in 21 patients who were receiving 100 mg thioridazine for 14 days and who were comedicated with moclobemide (450 mg/day). Two patients were poor metabolizers of dextromethorphan and one was a poor metabolizer of mephenytoin. Cytochrome P450IID6 (CYP2D6) is involved in the formation of thioridazine 2-sulfoxide (2-SO) from thioridazine and also probably partially in the formation of thioridazine 5-sulfoxide (5-SO), but not in the formation of thioridazine 2-sulfone (2-SO2) from thioridazine 2-SO. Significant correlations between the mephenytoin enantiomeric ratio and concentrations of thioridazine and metabolites suggest that cytochrome P450IIC19 could contribute to the biotransformation of thioridazine into yet-unknown metabolites, other than thioridazine 2-SO, thioridazine 2-SO2, or thioridazine 5-SO. An enantioselectivity and a large interindividual variability in the metabolism of thioridazine have been shown: measured (R)/(S) ratios of thioridazine, thioridazine 2-SO fast eluting (FE), thioridazine 2-SO slow eluting (SE), thioridazine 2-SO (FE+SE), thioridazine 2-SO2, thioridazine 5-SO(FE), and thioridazine 5-SO(SE) were (mean +/- SD) 3.48 +/- 0 .93 (range, 2.30 to 5.80), 0.45 +/- 0.22 (range, 0.21 to 1.20), 2.27 +/- 8.1 (range, 6.1 to 40.1), 4.64 +/- 0.68 (range, 2.85 to 5.70), 3.26 +/- 0.58 (range, 2.30 to 4.30), 0.049 +/- 0.019 (range, (0.021 to 0.087), and 67.2 +/- 66.2 (range, 16.8 to 248), respectively. CYP2D6 is apparently involved in the formation of (S)-thioridazine 2-SO(FE), (R)-thioridazine 2-SO(SE), and also probably (S)-thioridazine 5-SO(FE) and (R)-thioridazine 5-SO(SE).

Adult↗

In vivo comparison of putative probes of CYP3A4/5 activity: erythromycin, dextromethorphan, and verapamil.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple in vivo CYP3A4/5 probes have been proposed. We compared verapamil clearance measures (CYP3A4/5 substrate) to the erythromycin breath test (ERBT) and the cumulative urinary dextromethorphan/3-methoxymorphinan test. METHODS: Clearance of intravenous and oral racemic verapamil and the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) ratio of norverapamil (N-demethylated metabolite) to verapamil after oral verapamil dosing, the ERBT, and the dextromethorphan urinary metabolite ratios were measured in 84 healthy nonsmoking subjects (42 men and 42 women; age, 47 +/- 23 (mean +/- SD) years; weight, 69 +/- 11 kg). Relationships between putative CYP3A4/5 probes were assessed by linear regression. RESULTS: The strongest correlation was between intravenous and oral verapamil clearance (r2 = 0.26; P = .0001). Relationships between cumulative urinary dextromethorphan/3-methoxymorphinan and (1) intravenous verapamil clearance (r2 = 0.073; P = .024), (2) oral verapamil clearance (r2 = 0.144; P = .001), and (3) plasma AUC(norverapamil)/AUC(verapamil) after oral verapamil (r2 = 0.10; P = .01) were also detected. The ERBT and intravenous verapamil clearance were weakly related (r2 = 0.04; P = .067). No relationship was detected between ERBT and dextromethorphan/3-methoxymorphinan ratios (r2 = 0.00006; P = .945), oral verapamil clearance (r2 = 0.00006; P = .94), or plasma AUC(norverapamil)/AUC(verapamil) after oral verapamil (r2 = 0.0002; P = .9). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous and oral verapamil clearance values were significantly correlated, and cumulative dextromethorphan/3-methoxymorphinan urinary ratios correlated with both plasma AUC(norverapamil)/AUC(verapamil) after oral verapamil dosing and with oral and intravenous verapamil clearance. The ERBT correlated only weakly with intravenous verapamil clearance. Results with verapamil are comparable to results with other intravenous and oral CYP3A4/5 probes. Lack of correlation between putative CYP3A4/5 probe results may be attributable to the route of administration; probe characteristics; and intersubject, intrasubject, between-day, and testing measurement variability.

Administration, Oral↗

Applicability of continuous-flow fast atom bombardment liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in bioanalysis. Dextromethorphan in plasma.

Continuous-flow fast atom bombardment (CF-FAB) is an interface for combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using FAB as the ionization method. The applicability of CF-FAB for quantitative bioanalysis was studied for a model compound, dextromethorphan, in plasma samples using conventional high-performance liquid chromatography. The flow-rate reduction was achieved either by splitting or by the phase-system switching approach. The features of both systems are discussed.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Dextromethorphan affects cocaine-mediated behavioral pattern in parallel with a long-lasting Fos-related antigen-immunoreactivity.

In order to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for the behaviors mediated by dextromethorphan (DM), we examined the effects of DM on locomotor activity and locomotor patterns in mice, and Fos-related antigen immunoreactivity (FRA-IR) of mouse brain following repeated administration of cocaine. Combined treatments (30 min prior to each cocaine administration) with DM dose-dependently decreased locomotor activity for high doses of cocaine (20 mg/kg, i.p./day x 7). DM combinations did not significantly affect hyperactivity for 10 mg cocaine/kg, i.p./day x 7. In contrast, combined treatments with DM increased the locomotor activity for 5 mg cocaine/kg, i.p./day x 7. These results were consistent with alterations in marginal activity. Repeated administration with cocaine or DM increased FRA-IR in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and striatum which lasted for at least 7 days. Our results suggest that DM exhibits biphasic effects on the locomotor stimulation induced by cocaine, and that locomotor activities are in parallel with FRA-IR of the striatal complex. However, the role of FRA-IR regulated by DM or/and cocaine remains to be further determined.

Animals↗

The effect of grapefruit juice and seville orange juice on the pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan: the role of gut CYP3A and P-glycoprotein.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of grapefruit juice and seville orange juice on dextromethorphan (DM) pharmacokinetics. Eleven healthy volunteers were studied over a 3-week period consisting of 5 study days each separated by a three-day washout. All subjects refrained from drinking caffeine containing beverages (coffee, soda, etc.) 8 h before orally taking DM (30 mg) with 200 ml water, 200 ml grapefruit juice, 200 ml water, 200 ml seville orange juice, and 200 ml water on Study Days 1 to 5. Aliquots of urine samples were assayed and analysed for DM, and the DM metabolites dextrorphan, 3-methoxymorphinan and 3-hydroxymorphinan using a validated HPLC method employing a phenyl column and a fluorescence detection. Results suggests that DM could provide some useful information on P-glycoprotein or related membrane efflux protein activity in the human gastro-intestinal tract. Bioavailability (F) of DM increased significantly with grapefruit and seville orange juice, but only returned to half the baseline value after three days of washout. This confirms that grapefruit and seville orange juice are long-lasting and perhaps irreversible inhibitors of gut CYP3A/P-glycoprotein. Grapefruit and seville orange juice appeared to have the same overall effect on DM pharmacokinetics. In addition, this paper presents a novel method of phenotyping for CYP2D6, CYP3A and P-glycoprotein using DM as a probe.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Metabolism to dextrorphan is not essential for dextromethorphan's anticonvulsant activity against kainate in mice.

The effects of dextromethorphan (DM), and its major metabolite dextrorphan (DX) on kainic acid-induced seizures in mice were examined. Intracerebroventricular DM or DX (5 or 10 microg/0.5 microl) pretreatment significantly attenuated seizures induced by kainic acid (0.07 microg/0.07 microl) in a dose-related manner. DM or DX pretreatment significantly attenuated kainic acid-induced increases in AP-1 DNA-binding activity and fos-related antigen-immunoreactivity as well as neuronal loss in the hippocampus. DM appears to be a more potent neuroprotectant than DX. Since the high-affinity DM binding sites are recognized as being identical to the sigma-1 site, we examined the role of the sigma-1 receptor on the pharmacological action mediated by DM or DX. Pretreatment with the sigma-1 receptor antagonist BD1047 (2.5 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.) blocked the neuroprotection by DM in a dose-related manner. This effect of BD 1047 was more pronounced in the animals treated with DM than in those treated with DX. Combined, our results suggest that metabolism of DM to DX is not essential for DM to exert its effect. They also suggest that DM provides neuroprotection from kainic acid via sigma-1 receptor modulation.

Animals↗

Dextromethorphan protects against cerebral injury following transient, but not permanent, focal ischemia in rats.

Dextromethorphan (DM) has been observed to afford neuroprotection in a variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental models of CNS injury. We have evaluated the neuroprotective activity of DM following both transient (2 h) and permanent focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was produced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using the intraluminal filament technique. Animals were dosed s.c with 20 mg/kg DM at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours post occlusion. Analysis of brain injury was performed 24 hours after permanent occlusion or reperfusion. Following transient MCAO, vehicle treated rats exhibited a total infarct volume of 203 +/- 33 mm3. DM produced a 61% reduction in infarct volume to 79 +/- 13 mm3. Permanent MCAO produced a larger infarct volume (406 +/- 44 mm3) which was not significantly reduced in size by treatment with DM (313 +/- 58 mm3). Infarcted hemispheric oedema was not different in vehicle treated rats following transient or permanent MCAO and was not reduced by DM in either group. Following transient MCAO, rectal temperature was elevated 1,2 and 5 hours post occlusion. While not inducing hypothermia or altering physiological parameters such as blood pressure and blood gases, DM attenuated this injury-related increase in temperature, an effect which appeared to correlate with its ability to protect neurons in temperature regulating hypothalamic centres. The DM-induced reduction in infarction demonstrated in our model of transient focal cerebral ischemia provides further support for the in vivo neuroprotective activity of this compound. Importantly, these data demonstrate the limited neuroprotective efficacy of DM when attempting to combat more severe focal ischemic injuries and imply that drug-induced hypothermia is not ultimately responsible for its protective action.

Animals↗