Pharmacokinetics of Brexpiprazole, Quetiapine, Risperidone, and Its Active Metabolite Paliperidone in a Postpartum Woman and Her Baby.

BACKGROUND: Brexpiprazole is a second-generation antipsychotic approved in Japan in 2018; however, information on placental passage and breast milk transfer remains limited. In this report, the patient, a 30-year-old pregnant woman with schizophrenia, was medicated with brexpiprazole, risperidone, and quetiapine. METHODS: The study used high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine the concentrations of brexpiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone, and its active metabolite (paliperidone) in maternal and neonatal plasma, cord venous plasma, and breast milk. Maternal plasma samples were obtained approximately 2 and 8 hours after the last administration of antipsychotics on the day of delivery and at the estimated drugs' trough time on days 1, 3, and 5 after delivery. RESULTS: The maternal plasma concentrations of brexpiprazole, quetiapine, and paliperidone increased by approximately 3.5-fold on the fifth day compared with those on the day of delivery, whereas the risperidone concentration remained almost constant. Moreover, the neonatal plasma concentrations of the 4 drugs immediately after birth were indistinguishable from the umbilical cord concentrations and gradually decreased, except for risperidone. Relative infant doses of these compounds were below 1.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy status notably alters the pharmacokinetic properties of antipsychotics. Therefore, close and careful monitoring of clinical symptoms should be considered during pregnancy and after delivery. Although brexpiprazole is transferred to neonates through the placenta, breastfeeding is still possible because the relative infant dose value of this drug was much less than 10%.

Humanized UGT2 and CYP3A transchromosomic rats for improved prediction of human drug metabolism.

Although "genomically" humanized animals are invaluable tools for generating human disease models as well as for biomedical research, their development has been mainly restricted to mice via established transgenic-based and embryonic stem cell-based technologies. Since rats are widely used for studying human disease and for drug efficacy and toxicity testing, humanized rat models would be preferred over mice for several applications. However, the development of sophisticated humanized rat models has been hampered by the difficulty of complex genetic manipulations in rats. Additionally, several genes and gene clusters, which are megabase range in size, were difficult to introduce into rats with conventional technologies. As a proof of concept, we herein report the generation of genomically humanized rats expressing key human drug-metabolizing enzymes in the absence of their orthologous rat counterparts via the combination of chromosome transfer using mouse artificial chromosome (MAC) and genome editing technologies. About 1.5 Mb and 700 kb of the entire UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 2 and cytochrome P450 family 3 subfamily A genomic regions, respectively, were successfully introduced via the MACs into rats. The transchromosomic rats were combined with rats carrying deletions of the endogenous orthologous genes, achieved by genome editing. In the "transchromosomic humanized" rat strains, the gene expression, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism observed in humans were well reproduced. Thus, the combination of chromosome transfer and genome editing technologies can be used to generate fully humanized rats for improved prediction of the pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions in humans, and for basic research, drug discovery, and development.

[Performing integrative transcriptomic and chemical screening to identify patient-specific vulnerabilities in poor-prognosis acute myeloid leukemia].

Genetic complexity and heterogeneity have made drug discovery difficult in human malignancies. In the past few years, we aimed to find vulnerabilities in therapy-resistant and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) through integrative analyses of genomic data, clinical information, and results from in vivo/in vitro cell biological assays. Through analyses, we found that the cells of patients with AML show distinct sensitivity/resistance to small inhibiting molecules for anti-apoptosis and cell cycle/division. In particular, AML cells harboring the IDH1/2 mutations were highly sensitive to BCL-2 inhibition, while inhibition of IAP proteins resulted in efficient elimination of AML cells with varied FLT3, NRAS, and CBL mutations. Linking AML-initiating events with appropriate therapeutic strategies through cellular and genomic analyses might be further translated into nonmyeloid malignancies and solid tumors in the future.

Relationship of oral conditions to the incidence of infective endocarditis in periodontitis patients with valvular heart disease: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening infectious disease, but the pathogenesis of the disease remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to examine whether oral infectious conditions are associated with the occurrence of IE in valvular heart disease (VHD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 119 periodontitis (P) patients with or without VHD were enrolled, and cross-sectional analyses were performed. Patients were classified as follows: (1) mild-to-moderate P without VHD, (2) mild-to-moderate P with VHD, (3) severe P without VHD, or (4) severe P with VHD. A total of 78 VHD patients were classified as (1) VHD without IE or (2) VHD with IE. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to compute the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between patients with or without VHD in oral conditions. A significant increase in the percentage of alveolar bone loss in VHD patients with IE was observed compared with that of patients without IE. The ratio of both Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) IgG titer > 1.68 and Pg fimA type II genotype in patients with IE was significantly higher than in patients without IE. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of IE and clinical oral findings (number of remaining teeth: OR, 0.17; rate of alveolar bone loss > 40%: OR, 11.8). CONCLUSIONS: VHD patients with IE might have severe periodontitis compared with patients without IE, although further investigation will be needed because this is based on only 7 VHD patients with IE. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The patients with IE had fewer remaining teeth, more advanced bone resorption compared with those of patients without IE. These findings suggest a possible association between the occurrence of IE and periodontal infection.

Evaluation for optimal dosing of vancomycin in patients with different physical types.

The sufficient dose to obtain an optimal trough concentration of vancomycin (VCM) in patients with non-standard physical types remains controversial. In this study, we examined the relationship between the dose and physical type in patients in whom an optimal trough concentration was obtained among VCM-treated patients. We retrospectively investigated the dose of VCM and physical type in patients treated with VCM between January 2012 and January 2017 at two medical institutions (n = 272). The physical type was classified using the body mass index (BMI). Patients with a BMI of <18.5 kg/m2 were assigned to the lean group, those with a BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 were assigned to the standard group, and those with a BMI of ≥25 kg/m2 were assigned to the obesity group. The mean doses of VCM per time (mg/kg) to achieve the target trough concentration of VCM, 15-20 µg/mL, were 19.8 ± 4.3, 16.5 ± 3.7, and 13.7 ± 2.7 mg/kg in the lean, standard, and obesity groups, respectively. The dose per time to achieve the target trough concentration decreased significantly in association with an increase of BMI. The upper limit of the recommended dose (15-20 mg/kg) or higher in lean patients, and the lower dose in obese patients than the recommended dose might be appropriate to achieve the target trough concentration when we calculated the dose per time based on actual body weight.

Postmortem angiography revealing traumatic rupture of the intracranial internal carotid artery.

Diagnosis of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), although relatively rare, is important in forensic medicine. It is mostly associated with rupture of the vertebrobasilar artery. Traumatic aneurysm of the intracranial part of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is also rare but has been reported in several studies. It is thought that the intracranial ICA is injured by blunt force to the head, neck, and chest. However, traumatic SAH with fatal acute course resulting from rupture of the ICA is especially uncommon: only two fatal cases without an associated aneurysm have been reported in the English-language literature. Although detecting the arterial lesion is required to make a precise diagnosis, this is sometimes impossible by macroscopic examination at autopsy or by investigation after formalin-fixation according to the position of the lesion. We report a rare case of fatal traumatic SAH associated with intracranial ICA rupture. Postmortem computed tomography angiography was useful to confirm the lesion.

Differentiated HASTR/ci35 cells: A promising in vitro human astrocyte model for facilitating CNS drug development studies.

Astrocytes have shown longstanding promise as therapeutic targets for various central nervous system diseases. To facilitate drug development targeting astrocytes, we have recently developed a new conditionally immortalized human astrocyte cell line, termed HASTR/ci35 cells. In this study, in order to further increase their chances to contribute to various astrocyte studies, we report on the development of a culture method that improves HASTR/ci35 cell differentiation status and provide several proofs related to their astrocyte characteristics. The culture method is based on the simultaneous elimination of serum effects and immortalization signals. The results of qPCR showed that the culture method significantly enhanced several astrocyte marker gene expression levels. Using the differentiated HASTR/ci35, we examined their response profiles to nucleotide treatment and inflammatory stimuli, along with their membrane fatty acid composition. Consequently, we found that they responded to ADP or UTP treatment with a transient increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and that they could show reactive response to interleukin-1ß treatments. Furthermore, the membrane phospholipids of the cells were enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids. To summarize, as a unique human astrocyte model carrying the capability of a differentiation induction properties, HASTR/ci35 cells are expected to contribute substantially to astrocyte-oriented drug development studies.

Frequency and influencing factors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation-related injuries during implementation of the American Heart Association 2010 Guidelines: a retrospective study based on autopsy and postmortem computed tomography.

AIM: To determine the frequency of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-related injuries and factors involved in their occurrence, data based on forensic autopsy and postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) during implementation of the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR were studied. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data on adult patients with non-traumatic deaths who had undergone manual CPR and autopsy from January 2012 to December 2014. CPR-related injuries were analyzed on autopsy records and PMCT images and compared with results of previous studies. RESULTS: In total, 180 consecutive cases were analyzed. Rib fractures and sternal fractures were most frequent (overall frequency, 66.1 and 52.8%, respectively), followed by heart injuries (12.8%) and abdominal visceral injuries (2.2%). Urgently life-threatening injuries were rare (2.8%). Older age was an independent risk factor for rib fracture [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.08; p < 0.001], ≥ 3 rib fractures (AOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09; p = 0.002), and sternal fracture (AOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.05; p < 0.001). Female sex was significantly associated with sternal fracture (AOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.02-4.25; p = 0.04). Chest compression only by laypersons was inversely associated with rib and sternal fractures. Body mass index and in-hospital cardiac arrest were not significantly associated with any complications. The frequency of thoracic skeletal injuries was similar to that in recent autopsy-based studies. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the 2010 Guidelines had little impact on the frequency of CPR-related thoracic skeletal injuries or urgently life-threatening complications. Older age was the only independent factor related to thoracic skeletal injuries.

Regulation of gene expression by CAR: an update.

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a well-known xenosensor that regulates hepatic drug metabolism and detoxification. CAR activation can be elicited by a large variety of xenobiotics, including phenobarbital (PB) which is not a directly binding CAR ligand. The mechanism of CAR activation is complex and involves translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, followed by further activation steps in the nucleus. Recently, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been identified as a PB-responsive receptor, and PB activates CAR by inhibiting the EGFR signaling. In addition to regulation of drug metabolism, activation of CAR has multiple biological end points such as modulation of xenobiotic-elicited liver injury, and the role of CAR in endobiotic functions such as glucose metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis is increasingly recognized. Thus, investigations on the molecular mechanism of CAR activation are critical for the real understanding of CAR-mediated processes. Here, we summarize the current understanding of mechanisms by which CAR activators regulate gene expression through cellular signaling pathways and the roles of CAR on xenobiotic-elicited hepatocellular carcinoma, liver injury, glucose metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis.

Effectiveness of locomotion training in a home visit preventive care project: one-group pre-intervention versus post-intervention design study.

BACKGROUND: Locomotion training in a home visit-type preventive-care program has been reported elsewhere. However, continuation of appropriate exercises in a home setting is difficult, and few reports are available on locomotion training in a home setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of locomotion training over 3 months in a home visit-type preventive-care program for improvement of motor function among elderly people. METHODS: Nine hundred and fifty-eight elderly people in Tendo City in Japan who were not currently attending any preventive-care program were invited to participate in the study, and 87 were enrolled. In the pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments, we administered an interview survey (the Kihon Checklist), the timed one-leg standing test with eyes open and the sit-to-stand test, at the participants' homes. The intervention involved one set of training exercises with the participants standing on each leg for 1 min and squatting five or six times. The participants were asked to repeat one set of the exercises three times a day at home. In addition, the participants were regularly asked over the telephone about their performance of the exercises. RESULTS: Physical strength, cognitive function, and total scores of the Kihon Checklist were significantly lower after the intervention than before. In addition, the one-leg standing test time was significantly longer after the intervention (mean ± SD, 23.9 ± 35.4) than before (15.7 ± 20.5), and the sit-to-stand test time was significantly shorter after the intervention (13.0 ± 6.2) than before (14.8 ± 8.3). CONCLUSION: Locomotion training in a home-visit preventive-care program with telephone support effectively improved the motor function of elderly people who were not currently attending any preventive-care program organized by the long-term care insurance system.

Knockout of mouse Cyp3a gene enhances synthesis of cholesterol and bile acid in the liver.

Here, we studied the effects of cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A deficiency on the mRNA expression of genes encoding regulators of hepatic cholesterol levels using Cyp3a-knockout (Cyp3a(-/-)) mice. The mRNA expression levels of genes encoding enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis in the livers of Cyp3a(-/-) mice were higher than those of wild-type (WT) mice. Nuclear levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), which enhances cholesterol biosynthesis, were also higher in the livers of Cyp3a(-/-) mice. Binding of SREBP-2 to the Hmgcs1 gene promoter was more abundant in the livers of Cyp3a(-/-) mice. These results suggest that deficiency of CYP3A enzymes enhances transcription of genes encoding enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis via activation of SREBP-2. On the other hand, hepatic cholesterol levels in Cyp3a(-/-) mice were 20% lower than those in WT mice. The mRNA expression levels of genes encoding enzymes involved in bile acid synthesis, plasma levels of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and hepatic levels of total bile acid were significantly higher in Cyp3a(-/-) mice than in WT mice. These findings suggest that reduction of hepatic total cholesterol in Cyp3a(-/-) mice would be the consequence of enhanced bile acid synthesis. Therefore, CYP3A enzymes appear to play roles in the synthesis of cholesterol and bile acid in vivo.

An unusual case of fatal hypothermia involving topical diphenhydramine.

PURPOSE: Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine drug widely used to alleviate symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold. Diphenhydramine-involved fatalities have been reported in the past but usually involving overdose by ingestion. We report a peculiar case of fatal hypothermia during non-winter season involving topical diphenhydramine. METHODS: A 23-year-old male with no known preexisting medical conditions was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment with a small amount of running water on his back. Postmortem examinations and toxicological analysis on blood and urine were performed. RESULTS: Color difference was apparent between the right and left cardiac blood. Wischnewski spots were observed in the gastric mucosa. Histological examination revealed no obvious findings that could attribute to serious cardiovascular events. Drug screening by gas chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) detected diphenhydramine in blood and urine. Further quantification revealed the postmortem concentrations to be 0.44 µg/mL in blood and 2500 µg/mL in urine. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of death was determined to be hypothermia. Diphenhydramine-induced drowsiness and possible intrinsic cardiac factor may have led to prolonged impaired consciousness, preventing his ability to escape from the running cold water leading to hypothermia and death.

[Feasibility study of locomotion training in a home-visit preventive care program].

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of locomotion training (single-leg standing and squats) in a home-visit preventive care program for the elderly. METHODS: We invited 246 people who were not attending any preventive care programs within the long-term care insurance system. Among these, 60 participated in the current program. We administered a hearing survey, measured the single-leg stance time with eyes open, and subjects underwent locomotion training. Each participant was asked to repeat 1 set of training exercises 3 times per day at home. One set consists of standing on each leg for 1 minute and squatting 5 to 6 times. We telephoned the participants regularly during the 3 month program (locomo call). At the end of the program, we visited the participants and measured the single-leg stance time with eyes open. RESULTS: A total of 60 elderly adults participated in the program (15 men, 45 women). Among subjects secondary prevention of musculoskeletal (n=313), 67 were participating in site-visit preventive care programs conducted by the local authorities (21.4%). Among these 313, 127 were participating in site-visit preventive care programs or locomotion training (40.6%). It shows the increasing of the participation rate 21.4% to 40.6%. The continuance rate was 91.7%. The single-leg stance time improved for both men (16.2±17.7 sec, p<0.05) and women (57.2±79.7 sec, p<0.01) compared to the baseline. Similarly, improvement was observed in the single-leg stance time for both the young-old (62.2±67.9 sec, p<0.01) and the old-old (39.2±73.8 sec, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We consider that the locomotion training program which we introduced in the current home-visit preventive care program was effective and highly feasible for the elderly who have not previously responded conventional site-visit preventive care programs.

Local Variation and Age-Related Change in Atrial and Ventricular Myocardial Contiguity at the Atrioventricular Junction in Human Hearts.

Background: We explored the histologic patterns of and age-related changes in atrial and ventricular myocardial contiguity at the left and right atrioventricular (AV) junction that could be a target site for catheter ablation. Methods and Results: Twenty-three structurally normal adult hearts obtained at autopsy were studied. The 2 AV annuli were divided into 13 clinically recognized portions in which we measured distance between the atrial and ventricular myocardium at the AV junction. Overall, measured distance was less on the right than left side (mean [±SD] 0.74±0.59 vs. 1.15±0.78 mm, respectively), and distance increased gradually with age. The gap was smallest at the anterolateral portion on the right side and posterolateral portion on the left side. Three specific features were noted, namely extension of the ventricular myocardium (coarse trabeculae) towards the atrium on the right side of the AV junction, extension of the atrial myocardium onto the AV valve leaflets, and a collection of small myocardial cells, perhaps including specialized cells, in the right anterolateral portion. No concealed AV muscular connections were found. Conclusions: Contiguity and separation of the myocardium at the AV junction have specific patterns, and myocardial proximity is influenced by age. These histologic features of the AV junction may prove to be informative for catheter ablation of tachyarrhythmias related to the AV junction.

High-throughput identification and determination of aminoglycoside antibiotics in human plasma using UPLC-Q-ToF-MS.

Aminoglycosides are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics with several clinical uses. Owing to the ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity of aminoglycosides, therapeutic drug monitoring is required. This study aimed to devise a high-throughput method for identification and quantitative determination of aminoglycoside antibiotics in human plasma samples using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-ToF-MS). Plasma samples (100 µL) spiked with five aminoglycosides (streptomycin, spectinomycin, amikacin, kanamycin, and gentamycin) and an internal standard (ribostamycin) were diluted and centrifuged in aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile. The clear supernatant extract was evaporated and reconstituted in the mobile phase, of which 4 µL was subjected to UPLC-Q-ToF-MS. Prominent peaks were observed for the drugs within 3 min. The recoveries of five aminoglycosides from plasma samples were 92.6-120%. The regression equations showed excellent linearity (0.9999 ≥ r2 ≥ 0.9987) within the range of 1.0-100 µg/mL, and detection limits of 0.5-2.0 µg/mL. The coefficients of the intra- and inter-day variations for five drugs were less than 11.8%, while the accuracy of quantitation was in the range of 89-111%. In this study, a novel method was presented for identification and determination of aminoglycosides in human plasma samples using UPLC-Q-ToF-MS analysis. This method can be applied to high-throughput analysis used for clinical and environmental purposes.

Targeting critical kinases and anti-apoptotic molecules overcomes steroid resistance in MLL-rearranged leukaemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with mixed lineage leukaemia gene rearrangement (MLL-ALL) frequently affects infants and is associated with a poor prognosis. Primary refractory and relapsed disease due to resistance to glucocorticoids (GCs) remains a substantial hurdle to improving clinical outcomes. In this study, we aimed to overcome GC resistance of MLL-ALL. METHODS: Using leukaemia patient specimens, we performed bioinformatic analyses to identify target genes/pathways. To test inhibition of target pathways in vivo, we created pre-clinical therapeutic mouse patient-derived xenograft (PDX)-models by transplanting human MLL-ALL leukaemia initiating cells (LIC) into immune-deficient NSG mice. Finally, we conducted B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) homology domain 3 (BH3) profiling to identify BH3 peptides responsible for treatment resistance in MLL-leukaemia. FINDINGS: Src family kinases (SFKs) and Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) signaling pathway were over-represented in MLL-ALL cells. PDX-models of infant MLL- ALL recapitulated GC-resistance in vivo but RK-20449, an inhibitor of SFKs and FLT3 eliminated human MLL-ALL cells in vivo, overcoming GC-resistance. Further, we identified BCL-2 dependence as a mechanism of treatment resistance in MLL-ALL through BH3 profiling. Furthermore, MLL-ALL cells resistant to RK-20449 treatment were dependent on the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 protein for their survival. Combined inhibition of SFKs/FLT3 by RK-20449 and of BCL-2 by ABT-199 led to substantial elimination of MLL-ALL cells in vitro and in vivo. Triple treatment combining GCs, RK-20449 and ABT-199 resulted in complete elimination of MLL-ALL cells in vivo. INTERPRETATION: SFKs/FLT3 signaling pathways are promising targets for treatment of treatment-resistant MLL-ALL. Combined inhibition of these kinase pathways and anti-apoptotic BCL-2 successfully eliminated highly resistant MLL-ALL and demonstrated a new treatment strategy for treatment-resistant poor-outcome MLL-ALL. FUNDING: This study was supported by RIKEN (RIKEN President's Discretionary Grant) for FI, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (the Basic Science and Platform Technology Program for Innovative Biological Medicine for FI and by NIH CA034196 for LDS. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation nor writing of the report.

Combined inhibition of XIAP and BCL2 drives maximal therapeutic efficacy in genetically diverse aggressive acute myeloid leukemia.

Aggressive therapy-resistant and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has an extremely poor outcome. By analyzing a large number of genetically complex and diverse, primary high-risk poor-outcome human AML samples, we identified specific pathways of therapeutic vulnerability. Through drug screens followed by extensive in vivo validation and genomic analyses, we found inhibition of cytosolic and mitochondrial anti-apoptotic proteins XIAP, BCL2 and MCL1, and a key regulator of mitosis, AURKB, as a vulnerability hub based on patient-specific genetic aberrations and transcriptional signatures. Combinatorial therapeutic inhibition of XIAP with an additional patient-specific vulnerability eliminated established AML in vivo in patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) bearing diverse genetic aberrations, with no signs of recurrence during off-treatment follow-up. By integrating genomic profiling and drug-sensitivity testing, this work provides a platform for a precision-medicine approach for treating aggressive AML with high unmet need.

Potentially harmful excipients in neonatal medications: a multicenter nationwide observational study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: A multicenter investigation of neonate exposure to potentially harmful excipients (PHEs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Japan has not been conducted. METHODS: A multicenter nationwide observational study was conducted. Neonate patient demographic data and information on all medicines prescribed and administered during hospitalization on 1 day between November 2019 and March 2021 were extracted from the medical records. Nine PHEs, paraben, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, benzoates, saccharin sodium, sorbitol, ethanol, benzalkonium chloride, and aspartame, were selected. PHEs were identified from the package insert and the Interview Form. The quantitative daily exposure was calculated if quantitative data were available for each product containing the PHE. RESULTS: Prescription data was collected from 22 NICUs in Japan. In total, 343 neonates received 2360 prescriptions for 426 products containing 228 active pharmaceutical ingredients. PHEs were found in 52 (12.2%) products in 646 (27.4%) prescriptions for 282 (82.2%) neonates. Benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoates, and parabens were the most common PHEs in parenteral, enteral, and topical formulations, respectively. Quantitative analysis showed that 10 (10%), 38 (42.2%), 37 (94.9%), and 9 (39.1%) neonates received doses exceeding the acceptable daily intake of benzyl alcohol, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, and sorbitol, respectively. However, due to the lack of quantitative information for all enteral and topical products, accurate daily PHE exposure could not be quantified. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates admitted to NICUs in Japan were exposed to PHEs, and several of the most commonly prescribed medicines in daily clinical practice in NICUs contained PHEs. Neonate PHE exposure could be reduced by replacing these medicines with available PHE-free alternatives.

Pharmacokinetic assessment of alprazolam-induced neonatal abstinence syndrome using physiologically based pharmacokinetic model.

Sustained benzodiazepine use during pregnancy can induce neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). In this study, the association between NAS and plasma alprazolam concentration was examined using the measured neonatal concentrations in the time series as well as simulated plasma concentrations of pregnant woman and neonate by physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. A neonate born to a mother taking alprazolam daily throughout pregnancy exhibited symptoms such as apnea and vomiting from 9 h to 4 days after birth. Finnegan score was 7 at birth and decreased to 0 by day 4. Apnea improved by 24 h post-delivery and gastrointestinal symptoms disappeared by day 4. The plasma alprazolam concentration in the neonate was 15.2 ng/mL immediately after birth and gradually decreased over 3 days. Measured neonate and estimated maternal plasma alprazolam concentrations were within the 90% prediction intervals of each concentration by PBPK simulation using "pregnancy" and "pediatrics" population parameters including in Simcyp population-based ADME simulator. In conclusion, NAS symptoms such as apnea and digestive events disappeared in parallel with the decrease of the neonate's plasma alprazolam concentrations. Moreover, PBPK modeling and simulation is a useful methodology for toxicological assessment in special characteristics populations lacking specific experimental data.

Detection of Chemical Engagement of Solute Carrier Proteins by a Cellular Thermal Shift Assay.

Solute carriers (SLCs) are transmembrane proteins that transport various nutrients, metabolites, and drugs across cellular membranes. Despite the relevance of SLCs to cell homeostasis, metabolism, and disease states, for the majority of SLCs we lack experimental evidence regarding the nature of the cognate ligands, whether endobiotic or xenobiotic. Moreover, even for the roughly 20 SLCs for which inhibitors have been characterized, engagement assays in cells are limited to the accessibility of radiolabeled or fluorescent probes. The cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) has been introduced as a powerful method to assess target engagement by monitoring ligand-induced changes in the thermal stability of cellular proteins. We addressed the question of whether CETSA could be modified to become routinely applicable to membrane transporters such as SLCs. We used SLC16A1 (MCT1) and SLC1A2 (EAAT2) as targets to establish robust conditions by which chemical engagement of SLCs can be detected. Using immunoblotting, we demonstrate that treatment with the SLC16A1 inhibitors AZD3965 and AR-C155858 stabilized endogenous SLC16A1 in HEK293 cell lysates as well as intact cells. In addition, the high-affinity ligand of SLC16A1, l-lactate, and the low-affinity ligand, formate, resulted in strong and weak stabilization of SLC16A1, respectively. Moreover, we observed stabilization of SLC1A2 upon treatment with the selective inhibitor WAY-213613. We propose that the experimental approach presented here should be generally and easily applicable for monitoring the engagement of chemical ligands by SLCs in cellular settings and thus assisting in their deorphanization.