Anticoagulant pharmacodynamics of tinzaparin following 175 iu/kg subcutaneous administration to healthy volunteers.

Tinzaparin, a sodium salt of a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) produced via heparinase digestion, is used for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism in conjunction with warfarin for the prevention of DVT in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, and as an anticoagulant in hemodialysis circuits. Its average molecular weight ranges between 5500 and 7500 daltons (Da); the percentage of chains with molecular weight lower than 2000 Da is not more than 10% in the marketed tinzaparin formulation. While this fraction is generally considered pharmacologically inactive, this has never been evaluated in vivo. The importance of the < 2000 Da fraction on the anticoagulant pharmacodynamics of tinzaparin assessed by anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity was studied in a two-way crossover trial. In this trial, 30 healthy volunteers received a single 175 IU/kg subcutaneous administration of tinzaparin containing approximately 3.5% of the < 2000 Da fraction and a tinzaparin-like LMWH containing 18.3% of the < 2000 Da fraction. The anti-Xa/anti-IIa ratios of the drug substances were comparable at 1.5 and 1.7 for tinzaparin and the tinzaparin-like LMWH, respectively. Both formulations were safe and well tolerated. Mean maximum plasma anti-Xa activity (A(max)) was approximately 0.818 IU/ml at 4 h following tinzaparin injection. Mean maximum plasma anti-IIa activity was 0.308 IU/ml at 5 h postdose. Intersubject variation was lower (< 18% for both anti-Xa and anti-IIa metrics) than in previous fixed-dose administration studies. There was no correlation between anti-Xa or anti-IIa AUC or A(max) and bodyweight in the present study supporting the weight-adjusted dosing regimen. Individual anti-Xa and anti-IIa profiles following the single 175 IU/kg subcutaneous administration of the tinzaparin-like LMWH were similar to that obtained with tinzaparin. Based on average equivalence criteria, the two LMWH preparations were determined to be bioequivalent using either anti-Xa or anti-IIa activity as biomarkers. The calculated intrasubject variabilities were low (< 14% for anti-Xa activity and < 18% for anti-IIa activity) yielding little evidence for a significant Subject x Formulation interaction. In summary, anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity following a single subcutaneous administration of tinzaparin 175 IU/kg to healthy volunteers yielded activity consistent with targeted therapeutic levels derived from previous trials in adult DVT patients. Weight-based dosing for the treatment of DVT appears rational based on the reduction in anti-Xa and anti-IIa variability consistent with the recommendation derived from earlier fixed-dose pharmacokinetic studies. Furthermore, differences in the percentage of molecules in the < 2000 Da molecular weight fraction of tinzaparin do not translate into differences in anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity in vivo.

Linopirdine reduces stimulus intensity threshold for induction of long-term potentiation in the Schaffer collateral/CA1 pathway in rat hippocampal slices.

Linopirdine, a putative cognition enhancing agent, increases neurotransmitter release and blocks M-current in rat brain. Its effects on long-term potentiation (LTP) in the Schaffer collateral/CA1 pathway were investigated using standard, extracellular recording techniques in rat hippocampal slice preparation. When using a half maximal stimulus intensity for tetanic stimulation, a 30 min exposure to 3 or 10 microM linopirdine exerted no significant effect on excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) slope, post-tetanic potentiation or LTP. In contrast, when a weak stimulus was employed, linopirdine enhanced the incidence and amplitude of LTP in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that linopirdine reduced stimulus intensity threshold for induction of LTP, an effect which may be mediated by its ability to enhance presynaptic glutamate release and cause CA1 membrane depolarization.

Effect of polyethylene glycol 400 on the penetration of drugs through human cadaver skin in vitro.

The effect of polyethylene glycol 400 on the penetration of drugs through human cadaver skin is reported. Polyethylene glycol 400 was used in various concentrations in the donor and the receptor compartments. It was observed that polyethylene glycol 400 had significant effects on the penetration rates of compounds, both when used in the donor as well as in the receptor solutions. These effects were barrier specific and are related to the alteration of the skin structure and the mass flow of water.