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Functional role of P-glycoprotein in limiting intestinal absorption of drugs: contribution of passive permeability to P-glycoprotein mediated efflux transport.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the quantitative contribution of passive permeability to P-glycoprotein-mediated (P-gp-mediated) efflux and the functional activity of P-gp in determining intestinal absorption of drugs, and demonstrate the relationship between efflux parameters and intestinal permeability. MDRI-MDCKII cell monolayer permeability, human intestinal absorption (HIA), and solubility data were systematically collected from the literature. Drugs were classified as a total of 63 P-gp substrates (P-gpS) and 73 nonsubstrates (NS) on the basis of efflux ratio or calcein AM inhibition and ATPase activity assays. Efflux parameters, efflux ratio (ER) and absorption quotient (AQ), were correlated to the monolayer permeability. MDRI-MDCKII cell monolayer permeability characteristics were found to be distinctly different between P-gpS and NS datasets. The ER for P-gpS was found to increase with absorptive permeability until 20 nm.s(-1), but reduced for P-gpS with high absorptive permeability. The AQ showed a linear inverse relationship with absorptive permeability. Overall, efflux parameters, ER and AQ, indicated that the transport of P-gpS with moderate passive permeability is highly attenuated by P-gp, while passive permeability overrules the P-gp-mediated efflux for high-permeability molecules. Most of the P-gpS were found towards the upper limits of molecular weight (>500) and calculated total polar surface area (>75 A(2)). This dataset indicated that unfavorable chemical features of P-gpS limit passive permeability and thus are more susceptible to P-gp-mediated efflux. In conclusion, passive permeability versus P-gp-mediated efflux determines intestinal permeability of P-gpS, where P-gp limits absorption of only moderately permeable compounds. Thus, integrating these factors with drug characteristics of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class better predicts the functional role of P-gp in limiting intestinal drug absorption.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

The effect of food on the relative bioavailability of rapidly dissolving immediate-release solid oral products containing highly soluble drugs.

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that rapidly dissolving immediate-release (IR) solid oral products containing a highly soluble and highly permeable drug [biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class I] are bioequivalent under fed conditions. Metoprolol and propranolol (BCS class I) as well as hydrochlorothiazide (BCS class III) were selected as model drugs. The relative bioavailability of two FDA approved (Orange Book AB rating) solid oral dosage forms of metoprolol and propranolol/hydrochlorothiazide (combination tablets) was evaluated in human volunteers under fed conditions using a two-way crossover design. Equal numbers of male and female volunteers were recruited, and racial and/or ethnic minorities were not excluded. The plasma concentrations of metoprolol, propranolol, and hydrochlorothiazide were determined using validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. Eighteen subjects completed the metoprolol study while 17 subjects completed the propranolol/hydrochlorothiazide combination tablet study. In the metoprolol study, the 90% confidence intervals of Cmax and AUC(inf) were 98-118% and 92-115%, respectively. For propranolol, the 90% confidence intervals of Cmax and AUC(inf) were 91-121% and 89-117%, and for hydrochlorothiazide, the 90% confidence intervals for Cmax and AUC(inf) were 96-107% and 97-106%, respectively. These study results appear to support the hypothesis that rapidly dissolving IR solid oral products containing a BCS class I drug are likely to be bioequivalent under fed conditions. In addition, BCS class III drugs may have the potential to be bioequivalent under fed conditions.

Administration, Oral↗

The suitability of an in situ perfusion model for permeability determinations: utility for BCS class I biowaiver requests.

The FDA has published recommendations for sponsors who wish to request a waiver of in vivo bioavailability (BA) or bioequivalence (BE) studies for immediate release (IR) solid oral dosage forms based on the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS). Biowaivers can be requested for IR formulations in which the active ingredient is shown to be a BCS class I drug: that is, a drug showing high permeability and high solubility over a pH range of 1-7.5. For permeability determinations, a variety of experimental methods can be used, such as the rat in situ single pass perfusion or Caco-2 cell culture models, once the suitability of the particular method is established. Following the recommended procedure for assessing the suitability of permeability determinations, we determined the permeability of 20 test drugs using the in situ single pass perfusion model in rats. The test compounds were coperfused through jejunal intestinal segments with an internal permeability reference standard (metoprolol) over a 90 min time period. Sample analysis was performed by HPLC, and the ratio of the effective permeability, Peff (cm/s), of test compound to that of metoprolol was determined. To address the question of test drug permeabilities that approach that of the internal standard, we propose that a statistical analysis such as the "0.8-1.25 rule" used for in vivo or in vitro bioequivalence studies provide guidance for permeability classification using the in situ single pass perfusion model. We developed a method using the 90% confidence interval of the permeability ratio of the test to internal reference standard in order to differentiate between high and low permeability compounds. This analysis allowed for the proper permeability classification of all of the test compounds and suggests a robust means for assessing drug permeability classification.

Animals↗

A new approach for the detection and identification of protein impurities using combinatorial solid phase ligand libraries.

We propose a novel method for detection of protein impurities present in plasma-derived and recombinant purified injectable biopharmaceuticals by enhancing the concentration of protein impurities, in essence "amplifying" their presence to detectable levels. The method is based on the capture of proteins using a combinatorial solid-phase hexapeptides ligand library previously described for the reduction of protein concentration difference in biological fluids. Three proteins have been investigated: Staphylococcus aureus Protein A, expressed in Escherichia coli and supplied as 99% pure, recombinant human albumin, expressed in Pichia pastoris and certified as 95% pure, and therapeutic albumin supplied as 96-98% pure injectable solution. In all cases, after treatment with the ligand libraries, a number of additional polypeptide chains, not visible in the control, could be detected and obtained in sufficient amounts for MS analysis. In the cases of the two recombinant proteins, it could be demonstrated that a number of these polypeptide chains were host cell proteins still present in the purified product. In addition, a substantial number of these spots were found to be cleavage products of the original recombinant DNA species. Such cleavage products were particularly abundant in the recombinant human albumin preparation. From pure injectable serum albumin, a number of human plasma protein impurities were also identified by LC-MS/MS analysis. Treatment with ligand libraries of purified proteins is thus seen as a very powerful method of capture and concentration of host proteins and cleaved products for further analysis to control better the quality of industrial biotechnology products.

Albumins↗

Cationic polymer based gene delivery systems.

Gene transfer to humans requires carriers for the plasmid DNA which can efficiently and safely carry the gene into the nucleus of the desired cells. A series of chemically different cationic polymers are currently being investigated for these purposes. Although many cationic polymers indeed condense DNA spontaneously, which is a requirement for gene transfer in most types of cells, the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical behavior of the current generation of polyplexes severely limits an efficient gene transfer in vitro and especially in vivo. This paper summarizes recent physicochemical and biological information on polyplexes and aims to provide new insights with respect to this type of gene delivery system. Firstly, the chemical structure of frequently studied cationic polymers is represented. Secondly, the parameters influencing condensation of DNA by cationic polymers are described. Thirdly, the surface properties, solubility, aggregration behavior, degradation and dissociation of polyplexes are considered. The review ends by describing the in vitro and in vivo gene transfection behavior of polyplexes.

Cations↗

Stability of human serum albumin during bioprocessing: denaturation and aggregation during processing of albumin paste.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of various bioprocessing steps on the stability of freshly precipitated human serum albumin (HSA) obtained from pooled human plasma. METHODS: After initial precipitation of HSA from plasma, the resultant paste is either (a) lyophilized or (b) washed with acetone and then air-dried in order to obtain a dry powder. The structure of HSA was examined using Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The extent of aggregation of redissolved HSA was measured using both dynamic light scattering and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). RESULTS: Both lyophilization and air-drying perturb the secondary structural composition of HSA, as detected by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Upon dissolution of dried paste, most of the protein refolds to a native-like conformation. However, a small fraction of the protein molecules form soluble aggregates that can be detected by both dynamic light scattering and SDS-PAGE. The level of aggregation is so low that it could not be detected in the bulk by either circular dichroism or IR spectroscopy. The lyophilized protein, which appears to be more unfolded in the solid state than the acetone washed/air-dried material, exhibits a higher level of aggregation upon dissolution. CONCLUSIONS: There is a direct correlation between the extent of unfolding in the solid state and the amount of soluble aggregate present after dissolution. Moreover, the presence of the aggregates persists throughout the remainder of the purification process, which includes dissolution, chromatography, sterile filtration and viral inactivation steps. Analytical methods used to monitor the stability of biopharmaceuticals in the final product can be used to assess damage inflicted during processing of protein pharmaceuticals.

Freeze Drying↗

Glycosylations versus conformational preferences of cancer associated mucin core.

Synthetic oligosaccharide vaccines based on core STn (sialyl alpha2-6 GalNAc) carbohydrate epitopes are being evaluated by a number of biopharmaceutical firms as potential immunotherapeutics in the treatment of mucin-expressing adenocarcinomas. The STn carbohydrate epitopes exist as discontinuous clusters, O-linked to proximal serine and threonine residues within the mucin sequence. In an effort to probe the structure and dynamics of STn carbohydrate clusters as they may exist on the cancer-associated mucin, we have used NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations to study the effect of O-glycosylation of adjacent serine residues in a repeating (Ser)n sequence. Three model peptides/glyco-peptides were studied: a serine trimer containing no carbohydrate groups ((Ser)3 trimer); a serine trimer containing three Tn (GalNAc) carbohydrates alpha-linked to the hydroxyls of adjacent serine sidechains ((Ser.Tn)3 trimer); and a serine trimer containing three STn carbohydrates alpha-linked to the hydroxyls of adjacent serine sidechains ((Ser.STn)3 trimer). Our results demonstrate that clustering of carbohydrates shifts the conformational equilibrium of the underlying peptide backbone into a more extended and rigid state, an arrangement that could function to optimally present the clustered carbohydrate antigen to the immune system. Steric effects appear to drive these changes since an increase in the size of the attached carbohydrate (STn versus Tn) is accompanied by a stronger shift in the equilibrium toward the extended state. In addition, NMR evidence points to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the peptide backbone NH protons and the proximal GalNAc groups in the (Ser.Tn)3 and (Ser.STn)3 trimers. The putative peptide-sugar hydrogen bonds may also play a role in influencing the conformation of the underlying peptide backbone, as well as the orientation of the O-linked carbohydrate. The significance of these results will be discussed within the framework of developing clustered STn-based vaccines, capable of targeting the clustered STn epitopes on the cancer-associated mucin.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Dissolution testing as a prognostic tool for oral drug absorption: immediate release dosage forms.

Dissolution tests are used for many purposes in the pharmaceutical industry: in the development of new products, for quality control and, to assist with the determination of bioequivalence. Recent regulatory developments such as the Biopharmaceutics Classification Scheme have highlighted the importance of dissolution in the regulation of post-approval changes and introduced the possibility of substituting dissolution tests for clinical studies in some cases. Therefore, there is a need to develop dissolution tests that better predict the in vivo performance of drug products. This could be achieved if the conditions in the gastrointestinal tract were successfully reconstructed in vitro. The aims of this article are, first, to clarify under which circumstances dissolution testing can be prognostic for in vivo performance, and second, to present physiological data relevant to the design of dissolution tests, particularly with respect to the composition, volume, flow rates and mixing patterns of the fluids in the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, brief comments are made in regard to the composition of in vitro dissolution media as well as the hydrodynamics and duration of the test.

Administration, Oral↗

Applications of the ion-pair concept to hydrophilic substances with special emphasis on peptides.

Previous investigations have shown that ionic drugs with high aqueous solubilities can be lipophilized by ion-pair formation, with appropriate counter-ions. This type of association may prove promising for several biopharmaceutical, analytical and technological applications. This review examines the ion-pair concept with special emphasis on its application to peptides. The conditions for ion-pair formation of different molecules, as well as their transfer to organic solvents, are described. The use of ion-pairs to increase the permeation of various therapeutic agents, including peptidic drugs, is also discussed. Recent uses of ion-pairs in micro- and nanoencapsulation of peptides are also commented upon.

Absorption↗

Human intestinal permeability of piroxicam, propranolol, phenylalanine, and PEG 400 determined by jejunal perfusion.

PURPOSE: To determine the human jejunal permeabilities of compounds utilizing different transport mechanisms using a regional perfusion approach and to establish a standard procedure for determining drug permeability class to be used for the establishment of drug product bioequivalence standards. METHODS: Six healthy male volunteers participated in this study. A multi-lumen perfusion tube was inserted orally and positioned in the proximal region of the jejunum. A solution containing piroxicam, phenylalanine, propranolol, PEG 400 and PEG 4000 was perfused through the intestinal segment at a rate of 3.0 ml/min. Perfusate samples were quantitatively collected every 10 minutes for two 100 minute periods with an intermediate wash out period to determine intra and intersubject variation. RESULTS: The mean P(eff) (+/-SD) of piroxicam, phenylalanine, propranolol, and PEG 400 were 10.40 +/- 5.93, 6.67 +/- 3.42, 3.59 +/- 1.60, 0.80 0.46 x 10(-4) cm/sec, respectively. The coefficient of variation for the intersubject variability, first and second perfusion periods were: piroxicam, 60.5% and 57.1%; phenylalanine, 52.8% and 57.8%; propranolol, 62.1% and 44.6%; and PEG 400, 81.7% and 42.3%, indicating a slightly lower CV for the second perfusion period in the same subject. The intrasubject CV's between the two perfusion periods were: 19.4%, 21.3%, 23.6% and 41.0% respectively, indicating a smaller intraindividual variation for all compounds studied. CONCLUSIONS: Piroxicam, a nonpolar drug exhibited the highest permeability of the compounds studied. The intrasubject CV was lower than the intersubject CV, indicating consistent permeability estimation within subjects. The methodology is useful for permeability estimation regardless of absorption mechanism and can be used to establish a consistent data base of human permeabilities for estimation of human drug absorption and for establishing the biopharmaceutic permeability class of drugs.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetic screening of o-naphthoquinone 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

The o-naphthoquinone derivative, CGS 8515 (I), is a potent inhibitor (IC50, 0.1 microM) of 5-lipoxygenase, but its therapeutic potential is compromised by a short plasma half-life (22 min) and extremely poor oral bioavailability (less than 2%). Poor biopharmaceutical properties of CGS 8515 were attributed to poor aqueous solubility and rapid in vivo hydrolysis of its methyl ester function to an inactive metabolite (IC50, 100 microM). An active amide analogue (II) was synthesized to prevent rapid hydrolysis. While analogue II appeared to be stable in vivo, its plasma half-life was also short (10 min), possibly because of rapid tissue distribution rather than metabolic elimination. Therefore, three potent analogues with increased aqueous solubilities were synthesized and compared with respect to their pharmacokinetic properties. The analogue with the highest aqueous solubility (V) demonstrated a plasma concentration vs time profile with the largest area under the curve (AUC) and the smallest distribution (alpha) phase of all the analogues studied. The percentage AUC of the terminal phase (beta) for three analogs paralleled their aqueous solubilities. The oral bioavailability of V was improved to 27%, compared to 2% for the parent compound, CGS 8515.

Administration, Oral↗

Targeted expression of human serum albumin to potato tubers.

Complementary DNA expression of mature human serum albumin was engineered into potato plants under the transcriptional control of patatin B33 promoter and potato proteinase inhibitor II terminator. Protein secretion was achieved by using the signal sequence from potato proteinase inhibitor II. Recombinant albumin accumulated up to 0.2% of total soluble tuber protein in single transformant lines, regardless of the potato cultivar used. Electrophoretic mobility and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of partially purified recombinant albumin confirmed proper processing of an immune responsive recombinant albumin, and revealed that the proteinase inhibitor II signal sequence was correctly removed. No further optimisation of these yields was obtained by HSA expression in patatin antisense plants (line Pas58). Subcellular localisation showed that recombinant protein was successfully targeted to the apoplast. Potato tubers may be used, by applying this technology, to produce other heterologous proteins of interest in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Apoptosis↗

Effects of formulation and food on the absorption of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene or amiloride from combination diuretic products.

The absorption of three combination formulations of hydrochlorothiazide and either triamterene or amiloride was studied over a 5-year period in seven separate investigations under varying conditions of food and fasting. The most widely prescribed combination, containing 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 50 mg of triamterene, demonstrated impaired absorption in the fasting state that was partially corrected by the addition of a breakfast high in fat. The increase in the fat content of the food appeared to correlate directly with the amount of both drugs absorbed from this formulation. The second formulation studied, a new combination formulation of 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 75 mg of triamterene, demonstrated acceptable absorption in the fasting state that was not altered by the concurrent administration of a high-fat breakfast. The absorption of the third formulation, a combination of 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 5 mg amiloride, was acceptable in the fasting state and demonstrated a slight reduction in the absorption of the amiloride component when administered concurrently with a high-fat meal. The clinical and biopharmaceutic implications of these observations are discussed.

Amiloride↗

Biotechnology and bone graft substitutes.

Trauma, disease, developmental deformities, and tumor resection frequently cause bone defects that seriously challenge the skills of orthopedic and maxillofacial surgeons. Currently, repairing osseous deficiencies involves various medical surgical techniques, including autogenous grafts, allografts, internal and external fixation devices, electrical stimulation, and alloplastic implants. The existing technology, though effective in many cases, still is beset with numerous difficulties and disadvantages. A critical need for improved treatment methods exists today. Biotechnology now provides access to new bone repair concepts via administration of protein growth and morphogenic factors. Implantable device and drug delivery system technologies also have advanced. The converging biopharmaceutical, device, and delivery technologies represent an opportunity to improve the quality of health care for individuals with orthopedic and maxillofacial deficiencies. This report reviews current concepts in fracture healing and bone repair and examines existing treatment modalities. It also addresses novel protein drugs that stimulate osseous regeneration and delivery systems for these drugs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural and dynamic properties of crystalline and amorphous phases in raffinose-water mixtures.

PURPOSE: To obtain an improved characterisation of the raffinose-water solid-solid and solid-liquid state diagram, and to study the thermophysical behaviour of the solid amorphous phase. This information is expected to shed light on the potential of raffinose as a pharmaceutical excipient, for stabilising labile preparations at high temperatures. METHODS: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, polarised-light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were applied to study raffinose pentahydrate and its behaviour during progressive dehydration. RESULTS: Isothermal dehydration of raffinose pentahydrate led to its gradual amorphisation, but also to minor changes in the diffractograms, suggesting the probability of lower stable hydrates. Their existence was confirmed by DSC. Anhydrous raffinose was found to be completely amorphous, and this was supported by the gradual disappearance of birefringence during dehydration. In contrast, electron micrographs, taken during the dehydration process, exhibited no changes in the original ultrastructural crystal morphology. The widths of the glass-to-fluid transitions and the absolute specific heats of crystalline and amorphous phases in the vitreous and fluid states were used to estimate some structural and relaxation characteristics of amorphous raffinose-water mixtures. CONCLUSIONS: Raffinose forms the most "fragile" glass of those pharmaceutical excipients for which data are available. In its thermomechanical properties, it is superior to trehalose and should therefore be effective as a long-term stabiliser for dried biopharmaceutical preparations at temperatures up to 65 degrees C.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Rate-limited steps of human oral absorption and QSAR studies.

PURPOSE: To classify the dissolution and diffusion rate-limited drugs and establish quantitative relationships between absorption and molecular descriptors. METHODS: Absorption consists of kinetic transit processes in which dissolution, diffusion, or perfusion processes can become the rate-limited step. The absorption data of 238 drugs have been classified into either dissolution or diffusion rate-limited based on an equilibrium method developed from solubility, dose, and percentage of absorption. A nonlinear absorption model derived from first-order kinetics has been developed to identify the relationship between percentage of drug absorption and molecular descriptors. RESULTS: Regression analysis was performed between percentage of absorption and molecular descriptors. The descriptors used were ClogP, molecular polar surface area, the number of hydrogen-bonding acceptors and donors, and Abraham descriptors. Good relationships were found between absorption and Abraham descriptors or ClogP. CONCLUSIONS: The absorption models can predict the following three BCS (Biopharmaceutics Classification Scheme) classes of compounds: class I, high solubility and high permeability; class III, high solubility and low permeability; class IV, low solubility and low permeability. The absorption models overpredict the absorption of class II, low solubility and high permeability compounds because dissolution is the rate-limited step of absorption.

Administration, Oral↗

Independence of the product of solubility and distribution coefficient of pH.

PURPOSE: The relationship between the pH, solubility, and partition coefficient was investigated to show that the product of intrinsic values of solubility and partition coefficient is equal to the product of total values of solubility and distribution coefficient at different pH. METHODS: The pH distribution profiles were obtained from the literature and the pH solubility profiles were obtained from the literature or calculated from their intrinsic solubility and pK(a). RESULTS: The pH solubility and pH distribution coefficient profiles of 25 compounds were investigated to show that the product of intrinsic solubility (S(w)) and intrinsic octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)) is equal to the product of total solubility of a partially ionized solute (ST) and its octanol-buffer distribution coefficient (K(D)) at any pH where ion pair formation and salt precipitation are not present. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that S(w) x K(ow) can be used instead of S(T) x K(D) to model the absorption of partially ionized drugs in the gastrointestinal tract has important biopharmaceutical implications.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

Absorption rate limit considerations for oral phosphate prodrugs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of phosphate ester prodrugs to significantly improve the absorptive flux of poorly soluble parent drugs. METHODS: Absorptive transport studies of parent drugs and their prodrugs were carried out in Caco-2 cells. Prodrugs of parent drugs with variable aqueous solubilities were tested: Hydrocortisone-phosphate/Hydrocortisone, Fosphenytoin/phenytoin, TAT-59/DP-TAT-59, and Entacapone phosphate/Entacapone. Additional absorption studies were carried out in rats. RESULTS: Absorptive fluxes of DP-TAT-59 and phenytoin increased 9.8 or 3.3-fold after dosing TAT-59 and 500 microM fosphenytoin, respectively. Hydrocortisone's flux did not increase with hydrocortisone-phosphate at 100 microM. Permeability of the highly lipophilic and protein bound compound, DP-TAT-59, was significantly increased with serosal albumin. No permeability increase was observed for the other drugs with albumin. Entacapone phosphate failed to improve the flux of entacapone compared to an entacapone solution, but the prodrug solution did yield higher entacapone plasma levels in rats when compared with an entacapone suspension. CONCLUSION: Ideal phosphate prodrug candidates are characterized by high permeability and low solubility (BCS Class II drugs). For low dose BCS Class II drug candidates, however, no biopharmaceutical advantage may be gained. Phosphate prodrugs of parent drugs with limited permeability may fail. When screening highly lipophilic parent drugs transport studies should be done with albumin.

Administration, Oral↗