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Soluble interleukin 2 receptors in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.

Children with uncontrolled autoimmune chronic active hepatitis have increased numbers of activated T lymphocytes expressing interleukin 2 receptors (IL2R). A soluble form of IL2R has recently been described whose proposed role is to downregulate T cell activation by competing for interleukin 2. We investigated whether a deficiency of soluble IL2R could account for the high concentrations of IL2R positive T lymphocytes in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. Soluble IL2R was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the serum of 16 children with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, eight with chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B virus infection, seven with Wilson's disease, nine with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, and 15 healthy age matched controls. Soluble IL2R concentration was significantly higher in patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis than in healthy controls (mean (SEM) 475 (75) U/ml, 145 (8) U/ml respectively, p less than 0.01). Eleven patients who had active disease had significantly higher soluble IL2R concentrations (590 (89) U/ml) than the five cases with inactive disease (220 (36) U/ml, p less than 0.01). No difference was found between the controls and the patients with chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B infection, Wilson's disease, and alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. Percentages and absolute numbers of surface IL2R positive T cells as detected by immunofluorescence were significantly higher in the patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (11.8% (1); 274/microliters (31)) than in controls (0.2% (0.1); 5/microliters (2), p less than 0.001), the highest values being found in those with uncontrolled disease. A significantly positive correlation was observed between concentrations of soluble IL2R and the percentage of T cells expressing IL2 receptors (r=0.67, p<0.001). These results indicate that the high levels of IL2R positive T lymphocytes characteristic of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis are not due to a deficiency of soluble IL2 receptors.

Adolescent↗

Production of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors by human subcutaneous adipose tissue in vivo.

To investigate in vivo adipose tissue production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and their soluble receptors: TNF receptor type I (sTNFR-I), TNF receptor type II (sTNFR-II), and IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), we determined arteriovenous differences in their levels across abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese subjects. Subjects had a median (interquartile range) age of 44.5 (27-51.3) yr, body mass index (BMI) of 32.9 (26. 0-46.6) kg/m(2), and %body fat of 42.5 (28.5-51.2) %. Although there was not a significant difference in the arteriovenous concentrations of TNF-alpha (P = 0.073) or sTNFR-II (P = 0.18), the levels of sTNFR-I (P = 0.002) were higher in the vein compared with artery, suggesting adipose tissue production of this soluble receptor. There was a significant arteriovenous difference in IL-6 (P < 0.001) but not in its soluble receptor (P = 0.18). There was no relationship between TNF-alpha levels and adiposity indexes (r(s) = 0.12-0.22, P = not significant); however, levels of both its soluble receptor isomers correlated significantly with BMI and %body fat (sTNFR-I r(s) = 0.42-0.72, P < 0.001; sTNFR-II r(s) = 0.36-0.65, P < 0.05- <0. 001). IL-6 levels correlated significantly with both BMI and %body fat (r(s) = 0.51, P = 0.004, and r(s) = 0.63, P < 0.001), but sIL-6R did not. In conclusion, 1) soluble TNFR-I is produced by adipose tissue, and concentrations of both soluble isoforms correlate with the degree of adiposity, and 2) IL-6, but not its soluble receptor, is produced by adipose tissue and relates to adiposity.

Abdomen↗

Soluble CD40 ligand levels indicate lipid accumulation in carotid atheroma: an in vivo study with high-resolution MRI.

OBJECTIVE: The CD40/CD40 ligand pathway mediates inflammatory processes important in atherogenesis and the formation of the intraplaque lipid pool. We tested the hypothesis that plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand are elevated in patients with evidence of a lipid pool on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of carotid stenoses. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited 49 patients with evidence of carotid atherosclerosis on ultrasonography; 3 patients could not undergo carotid MRI because of claustrophobia. The remaining 46 patients underwent high-resolution MRI of the carotid arteries. Two radiologists blinded to all other data determined the presence or absence of an intraplaque lipid pool based on the loss of signal between the 20-ms echo time (TE20) and the fat-suppressed TE55 fast spin-echo images. Plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand were determined by ELISA. Baseline levels of soluble CD40 ligand were higher among patients with evidence of intraplaque lipid (n=14) than among those without it (n=32; median, 2.54 ng/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 1.85 to 3.52 vs median, 1.58 ng/mL; IQR, 1.21 to 2.39; P=0.02). In contrast, soluble CD40 ligand levels were not correlated with percent diameter stenosis (r=-0.19; P=0.21). The relative risk for intraplaque lipid associated with soluble CD40 ligand levels above the median was 6.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 31.23; P=0.03). The magnitude of this predictive effect did not substantially change after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (relative risk, 5.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 33.73; P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand may predict patients with features of high-risk atherosclerotic lesions. These data provide novel insight into the mechanism through which elevated levels of soluble CD40 ligand may reflect cardiovascular risk in humans and illustrate the potential value of interfacing high-resolution MRI with studies of vascular inflammation.

Aged↗

Co-effect of aqueous solubility of drugs and glycolide monomer on in vitro release rates from poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) discs and polymer degradation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous solubility of model drugs and glycolide monomer (GM) from poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) discs on in vitro release rates and polymer degradation. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a water-soluble compound, and dexamethasone in a water-insoluble base form were selected as model drugs. Glycolide monomer, that has moderate solubility in water, was a non-toxic and biodegradable additive as a derivative material of hydrolysis of PLGA in order to obtain desirable drugs release rates. PLGA discs with or without GM were formulated by means of compression molding method. The prepared polymeric discs were incubated at 37 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) and characterized at scheduled time points for water uptake, mass loss, diameter and morphology change, molecular weight and composition change using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), and H-NMR, respectively. The supernatants were taken out of the sample vials and were analyzed for drug release. The 5-FU release was found to be increasing in proportion to the drug loading amount with an initial burst for 5 days, while dexamethasone release showed inverse relationship with the increasing drug loading amount. However, the release behaviors of 5-FU and dexamethasone polymeric discs containing GM showed faster release rates than control discs (without GM) and did not show lag periods during the in vitro release test due to adding GM, which acted as a channeling agent that has moderate solubility in water. Polymer degradation was found to be affected by aqueous solubility of drugs and GM. In conclusion, we observed that drugs release rates were influenced by their aqueous solubility and loading amount and also GM plays a major role in controlling drug release rates regardless of solubility of drugs. This system appears to be promising for controlled drug delivery aimed at local therapy.

Dexamethasone↗

Elevated concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptors in serum samples and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in active sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder of unknown cause characterized by activation of T-lymphocytes. We here report the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) as a measure of T-cell activation in serum samples and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in 15 patients with active sarcoidosis. The geometric mean (x divided by SEM) value for soluble IL-2R in serum samples from patients with sarcoidosis was 1,110 (x divided by 1.17) versus 224 (x divided by 1.08) U/ml for normal control subjects (p less than 0.001). Detectable levels of soluble IL-2R were present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from 10 of 15 patients with sarcoidosis versus only 2 of 36 normal control subjects (p less than 0.001). Levels of soluble IL-2R in serum samples from untreated patients with sarcoidosis correlated with 67gallium lung scanning scores (p less than 0.05) but not with serum angiotensin-converting enzyme concentrations or constituents of bronchoalveolar lavage. In 5 patients, the level of soluble IL-2R in serum samples fell from 1,499 (x divided by 1.20) to 476 (x divided by 1.58) U/ml (p less than 0.05) after 6 wk of successful treatment with corticosteroids, whereas the changes in soluble IL-2R in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were more variable. These observations suggest that measurements of soluble IL-2R, particularly in serum samples, may reflect disease activity and be clinically useful in the management of patients with sarcoidosis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Specification test for the solubility and disintegration of dental cements: a critical evaluation of its meaning.

The specification test for solubility and disintegration is an essential screening test for the quality control of certain cement types. No cement fails it can be considered for use; however, the test has only a limited clinical significance because it does not give an indication of the stability of the fully hardened cement matrix either in oral fluids or water. Instead, it gives a measure of the content of the soluble reaction intermediate present in cements that are still hardening and where the matrix has not fully formed. The test relates, therefore, to early vulnerability to aqueous attack and hardening rate. The period of test is, in fact, an atypical one and the true extent of the erosion of the cement matrix is obscured by the presence of soluble reaction intermediates. Long-term extrapolations cannot be made and so test results for broadly satisfactory cements within a category cannot be used for valid comparisons of clinical excellence, and they can be used even less to compare different cement types with different setting reactions. For example, in general, the dental silicate cement has a higher solubility and distinegration figure than the zinc phosphate cement because it contains soluble sodium salt and hardens more slowly. However, it is more stable under oral conditiont an indication of the vulnerability of the forming matrix to attack. The test is not valid when applied to zinc oxide-eugenol cements because the products of decomposition are either virtually water-insoluble or volatile and therefore not measured under the conditions of the test. A method is suggested for overcoming this deficiency. The test needs to be supplemented by other tests done on fully hardened cements for longer periods of time and in mediums that can represent oral conditions. One example would be to stimulate acid conditions developed in stagnation areas. A total estimation of decomposition products, both soluble and insoluble, is called for rather than the determination of soluble materials only.

Absorption↗

Modification of soluble immunological parameters during treatment with interleukin-2.

In the present study we tested numerous soluble immunological parameters (soluble Interleukin 2 receptor, Beta 2 microglobulin, Neopterin, soluble CD8 antigen, gamma Interferon and alpha Tumor Necrosis Factor) in sera obtained from 18 advanced cancer patients during subcutaneous treatment with recombinant Interleukin 2. The treatment cycles consisted of a dose of 9 x 10(6) IU/m2 twice daily for 2 days followed by 1.8 x 10(6) IU/m2 twice daily for 5 days/week during 6 weeks. Even before therapy, neoplastic patients had higher levels of soluble Interleukin 2 receptor than a group of healthy subjects. Moreover, basal soluble CD8 antigen levels showed significant differences (p < 0.01) in patients with different clinical responses (responders and non-responders). During treatment we observed a fast increase (in the first or second week) of all parameters considered; soluble Interleukin 2 receptor and soluble CD8 antigen were the markers that were best related to the course of immunotherapy. In conclusion, monitoring recombinant Interleukin 2 immunotherapy with immunological parameters in serum seems to be of interest. However, more data are necessary to confirm the real value of the single markers.

Adult↗

Solubility of cytoskeletal proteins in immunohistochemistry and the influence of fixation.

For accurate and quantitative immunohistochemical localization of antigens it is crucial to know the solubility of tissue proteins and their degree of loss during processing. In this study we focused on the solubility of several cytoskeletal proteins in cat brain tissue at various ages and their loss during immunohistochemical procedures. We further examined whether fixation affected either solubility or immunocytochemical detectability of several cytoskeletal proteins. An assay was designed to measure the solubility of cytoskeletal proteins in cryostat sections. Quantity and quality of proteins lost or remaining in tissue were measured and analyzed by electrophoresis and immunoblots. Most microtubule proteins were found to be soluble in unfixed and alcohol fixed tissues. Furthermore, the microtubule proteins remaining in the tissue had a changed cellular distribution. In contrast, brain spectrin and all three neurofilament subunits were insoluble and remained in the tissue, allowing their immunocytochemical localization in alcohol-fixed tissue. Synapsin I, a protein associated with the spectrin cytoskeleton, was soluble, and aldehyde fixation is advised for its immunohistochemical localization. With aldehyde fixation, the immunoreactivity of some antibodies against neurofilament proteins was reduced in axons unveiling novel immunogenic sites in nuclei that may represent artifacts of fixation. In conclusion, protein solubility and the effects of fixation are influential factors in cytoskeletal immunohistochemistry, and should be considered before assessments for a quantitative distribution are made.

Animals↗

A soluble form of the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase inhibits macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells and platelet aggregation.

Membrane-bound receptors generate soluble ligand-binding domains either by proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain or alternative mRNA splicing yielding a secreted protein. Mertk (Mer) is in a receptor tyrosine kinase family with Axl and Tyro-3, and all 3 receptors share the Gas6 ligand. Mer regulates macrophage activation, promotes apoptotic cell engulfment, and supports platelet aggregation and clot stability in vivo. We have found that the membrane-bound Mer protein is cleaved in the extracellular domain via a metalloproteinase. The cleavage results in the production of a soluble Mer protein released in a constitutive manner from cultured cells. Significant amounts of the soluble Mer protein were also detected in human plasma, suggesting its physiologic relevance. Cleavage of Mer was enhanced by treatment with LPS and PMA and was specifically inhibited by a tumor necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme metalloproteinase inhibitor. As a decoy receptor for Gas6, soluble Mer prevented Gas6-mediated stimulation of membrane-bound Mer. The inhibition of Gas6 activity by soluble Mer led to defective macrophage-mediated engulfment of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, soluble Mer decreased platelet aggregation in vitro and prevented fatal collagen/epinephrine-induced thromboembolism in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic use for soluble Mer in the treatment of clotting disorders.

Animals↗

Soluble syndecan-1 promotes growth of myeloma tumors in vivo.

Syndecan-1 (CD138) is a transmembrane heparan sulfate-bearing proteoglycan expressed by most myeloma plasma cells that regulates adhesion, migration, and growth factor activity. In patients with myeloma, shed syndecan-1 accumulates in the bone marrow, and high levels of syndecan-1 in the serum are an indicator of poor prognosis. To test the effect of soluble syndecan-1 on tumor cell growth and dissemination, ARH-77 B-lymphoid cells were engineered to produce a soluble form of syndecan-1. Controls included vector only (neo)-transfected cells and cells transfected with full-length syndecan-1 complementary DNA that codes for the cell surface form of syndecan-1. Assays reveal that all 3 transfectants have similar growth rates in vitro, but cells expressing soluble syndecan-1 are hyperinvasive in collagen gels relative to controls. When injected into the marrow of human bones that were implanted in severe combined immunodeficient mice, tumors formed by cells expressing soluble syndecan-1 grow faster than tumors formed by neo-transfected cells or by cells expressing cell surface syndecan-1. In addition, cells bearing cell surface syndecan-1 exhibit a diminished capacity to establish tumors within the mice as compared with both neo- and soluble syndecan-1-transfected cells. Tumor cell dissemination to a contralateral human bone is detected significantly more often in the tumors producing soluble syndecan-1 than in controls. Thus, high levels of soluble syndecan-1 present in patients with myeloma may contribute directly to the growth and dissemination of the malignant cells and thus to poor prognosis.

Animals↗

Low solubility of unconjugated bilirubin in dimethylsulfoxide--water systems: implications for pKa determinations.

BACKGROUND: Aqueous pKa values of unconjugated bilirubin are important determinants of its solubility and transport. Published pKa data on an analog, mesobilirubin-XIIIalpha, studied by 13C-NMR in buffered solutions containing 27 and 64 vol% (C2H3)2SO because of low aqueous solubility of mesobilirubin, were extrapolated to obtain pKa values in water of 4.2 and 4.9. Previous chloroform-water partition data on bilirubin diacid led to higher estimates of its pKa, 8.12 and 8.44, and its aqueous solubility. A thermodynamic analysis, using this solubility and a published solubility in DMSO, suggested that the systems used to measure 13C-NMR shifts were highly supersaturated. This expectation was assessed by measuring the residual concentrations of bilirubin in the supernatants of comparable DMSO-buffer systems, after mild centrifugation to remove microprecipitates. RESULTS: Extensive sedimentation was observed from numerous systems, many of which appeared optically clear. The very low supernatant concentrations at the lowest pH values (4.1-5.9) were compatible with the above thermodynamic analysis. Extensive sedimentation and low supernatant concentrations occurred also at pH as high as 7.2. CONCLUSIONS: The present study strongly supports the validity of the aqueous solubility of bilirubin diacid derived from partition data, and, therefore, the corresponding high pKa values. Many of the mesobilirubin systems in the 13C-NMR studies were probably supersaturated, contained microsuspensions, and were not true solutions. This, and previously documented errors in pH determinations that caused serious errors in pKa values of the many soluble reference acids and mesobilirubin, raise doubts regarding the low pKa estimates for mesobilirubin from the 13C-NMR studies.

Bilirubin↗

Solubility prediction of anthracene in mixed solvents using a minimum number of experimental data.

Numerical methods to predict the solubility of anthracene in mixed solvents have been proposed. A minimum number of 3 solubility data points in sub-binary solvents has been employed to calculate the solvent-solute interaction terms of a well established colsolvency model, i.e. the combined nearly ideal binary solvent/Redlich-Kister model. The calculated interaction terms were used to predict the solubility in binary and ternary solvent systems. The predicted solubilities have been compared with experimental solubility data and the absolute percentage mean deviation (APMD) has been computed as a criterion of prediction capability. The overall APMD for 25 anthracene data sets in binary solvents is 0.40%. In order to provide a predictive method, which is based fully on theoretical calculations, the quantitative relationships between sub-binary interaction terms and physicochemical properties of the solvents have been presented. The overall APMD value for 41 binary data sets is 9.19%. The estimated binary interaction terms using a minimum number of data points and the quantitative relationships have then been used to predict anthracene solubility data in 30 ternary solvent systems. The produced APMD values are 3.72 and 15.79%, respectively. To provide an accurate correlation for solubility in ternary solvent systems, an extension to the combined nearly ideal multicomponenet solvent/Redlich-Kister (CNIMS/R-K) model was proposed and the corresponding overall AMPD is 0.38%.

Anthracenes↗

Purification and properties of soluble and bound gamma-glutamyltransferases from radish cotyledon.

Soluble and cell wall bound gamma-glutamyltransferases (GGTs) were purified from radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cotyledons. Soluble GGTs (GGT I and II) had the same M(r) of 63,000, and were composed of a heavy subunit (M(r), 42,000) and a light one (M(r), 21,000). The properties of GGT I and II were similar. Bound GGTs (GGT A and B) were purified to homogeneity from the pellet after the extraction of soluble GGTs. GGT A and B were monomeric proteins with an M(r) of 61,000. The properties of GGT A and B were similar. Thus, bound GGTs were distinguished from soluble GGTs. The optimal pHs of soluble and bound GGTs were about 7.5. Both soluble and bound GGTs utilized glutathione, gamma-L-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide, oxidized glutathione and the conjugate of glutathione with monobromobimane as substrates, and were inhibited by acivicin, but soluble GGTs were also distinguished from bound GGTs with regard to these properties.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Soluble interleukin 2 receptors in patients with sarcoidosis. Possible origin.

We determined levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2R) in patients with sarcoidosis and further examined their origin. Thirty-nine patients with sarcoidosis and 18 healthy control subjects were studied. Soluble IL-2R levels in serum were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in sarcoidosis than in control subjects. In sarcoidosis, levels of soluble IL-2R in serum were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in patients with active disease than those with inactive disease and were significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels. IL-2R expression on monocytes and alveolar macrophages (AMs) was significantly (p < 0.01) increased in patients with sarcoidosis as compared with control subjects. Soluble IL-2R levels in the supernatants of cultured monocytes and AMs were higher in patients with sarcoidosis than in control subjects. Those of cultured T lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected in some patients with sarcoidosis, while undetected in control subjects. Furthermore, soluble IL-2R in serum was significantly correlated with soluble IL-2R in the supernatants of cultured monocytes and AMs (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). These results demonstrate that soluble IL-2R in serum is a useful index of the disease activity of sarcoidosis and is mainly derived from monocytes and AMs.

Adult↗

Soluble guanylyl cyclase: physiological role as an NO receptor and the potential molecular target for therapeutic application.

Nitric oxide (NO) activates soluble guanylyl cyclase, which results in an increased synthesis of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation. The heme group in soluble guanylyl cyclase binds NO and allosterically activates the catalytic site. In addition, a second allosteric site that synergistically activates the enzyme has been reported. BAY 41-2272 was reported as an NO-independent activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Treatment with this compound results in anti-platelet activity, a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in survival, indicating a potential for treating cardiovascular diseases. YC-1, another NO-independent activator, activates soluble guanylyl cyclase and the activity is enhanced in the presence of NO. YC-1 relaxed tissue strips in organ bath. Consistent with its biochemical activity, YC-1 induced penile erection in a conscious rat model. Recently, we found a novel series of soluble guanylyl cyclase activators that also NO-independently activate soluble guanylyl cyclase and cause penile erection, suggesting a synergy with the endogenous NO production in vivo. Here I review the NO/cGMP signal transduction pathway and define soluble guanylyl cyclase modulators as a novel approach for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and erectile dysfunction.

Animals↗

Leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels in obese children in fasting and satiety states.

AIM: To investigate the role of soluble leptin receptors in leptin resistance in obese children. METHODS: Thirty-one obese children (16 boys and 15 girls) with a median age of 12.1 years and 15 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels were measured in fasting and satiety states. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher and soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly lower in obese children compared to controls in fasting and satiety states. In obese children, there was a high and inverse correlation between leptin levels and soluble leptin receptor levels after fasting. Prepubertal obese children had lower leptin and higher soluble leptin, receptor levels compared to pubertal children in both states. CONCLUSION: In this study, being the first to consider both fasting and satiety states, obese children were found to have higher leptin, but lower soluble leptin receptor levels, compared to controls. With these findings, it can be postulated that leptin resistance in obese children originates from a defect of soluble leptin receptor production.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of a method for high throughput solubility determination using a multi-wavelength UV plate reader.

Aqueous solubility is a critical physicochemical property and must be addressed early during drug discovery research. Due to the difficulty in accurately predicting aqueous solubility in silico, high throughput experimental determination of aqueous solubility is in great demand. This study evaluates a method using a multi-wavelength UV plate reader and disposable 96-well UV plates for fast solubility determination. It was demonstrated that this method has the sensitivity and reproducibility to effectively determine solubility as low as 1 micro M. Excellent correlation (R>0.97) was observed between the solubility determined using the UV reader method and the HPLC method over the range of 1-1000 micro M for a diverse set of pharmaceutical compounds. In addition to excellent sensitivity and reproducibility, the UV plate reader method also offers the flexibility of being able to determine thermodynamic solubility in the presence or absence of dimethyl sulfoxide, which is a solvent widely used for combinatorial compounds during high throughput screening.

Drug Evaluation, Preclinical↗

Physicochemical profiling (solubility, permeability and charge state).

About 30% of drug candidate molecules are rejected due to pharmacokinetic-related failures. When poor pharmaceutical properties are discovered in development, the costs of bringing a potent but poorly absorbable molecule to a product stage by "formulation" can become very high. Fast and reliable in vitro prediction strategies are needed to filter out problematic molecules at the earliest stages of discovery. This review will consider recent developments in physicochemical profiling used to identify candidate molecules with physical properties related to good oral absorption. Poor solubility and poor permeability account for many PK failures. FDA's Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) is an attempt to rationalize the critical components related to oral absorption. The core idea in the BCS is an in vitro transport model, centrally embracing permeability and solubility, with qualifications related to pH and dissolution. The objective of the BCS is to predict in vivo performance of drug products from in vitro measurements of permeability and solubility. In principle, the framework of the BCS could serve the interests of the earliest stages of discovery research. The BCS can be rationalized by considering Fick's first law, applied to membranes. When molecules are introduced on one side of a lipid membrane barrier (e.g., epithelial cell wall) and no such molecules are on the other side, passive diffusion will drive the molecules across the membrane. When certain simplifying assumptions are made, the flux equation in Fick's law reduces simply to a product of permeability and solubility. Many other measurable properties are closely related to permeability and solubility. Permeability (Pe) is a kinetic parameter related to lipophilicity (as indicated by the partition and distribution coefficients, log P and log D). Retention (R) of lipophilic molecules by the membrane (which is related to lipophilicity and may predict PK volumes of distribution) influences the characterization of permeability. Furthermore, strong drug interactions with serum proteins can influence permeability. The unstirred water layer on both sides of the membrane barrier can impose limits on permeability. Solubility (S) is a thermodynamic parameter, and is closely related to dissolution, a kinetic parameter. The unstirred water layer on the surfaces of suspended solids imposes limits on dissolution. Bile acids effect both solubility and dissolution, by a micellization effect. For ionizable molecules, pH plays a crucial role. The charge state that a molecule exhibits at a particular pH is characterized by the ionization constant (pKa) of the molecule. Buffers effect pH gradients in the unstirred water layers, which can dramatically affect both permeability and dissolution of ionizable molecules. In this review, we will focus on the emerging instrumental methods for the measurement of the physicochemical parameters Pe, S, pKa, R, log P, and log D (and their pH-profiles). These physicochemical profiles can be valuable tools for the medicinal chemists, aiding in the prediction of in vivo oral absorption.

Humans↗