Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulates degranulation in human eosinophils.

Degranulation from eosinophils in response to secretagogue stimulation is a regulated process that involves exocytosis of granule proteins through specific signalling pathways. One potential pathway is dependent on cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and its effector molecules, p35 and p39, which play a central role in neuronal cell exocytosis by phosphorylating Munc18, a regulator of SNARE binding. Emerging evidence suggests a role for Cdk5 in exocytosis in immune cells, although its role in eosinophils is not known. We sought to examine the expression of Cdk5 and its activators in human eosinophils, and to assess the role of Cdk5 in eosinophil degranulation. We used freshly isolated human eosinophils and analysed the expression of Cdk5, p35, p39 and Munc18c by Western blot, RT-PCR, flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation. Cdk5 kinase activity was determined following eosinophil activation. Cdk5 inhibitors were used (roscovitine, AT7519 and small interfering RNA) to determine its role in eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) secretion. Cdk5 was expressed in association with Munc18c, p35 and p39, and phosphorylated following human eosinophil activation with eotaxin/CCL11, platelet-activating factor, and secretory IgA-Sepharose. Cdk5 inhibitors (roscovitine, AT7519) reduced EPX release when cells were stimulated by PMA or secretory IgA. In assays using small interfering RNA knock-down of Cdk5 expression in human eosinophils, we observed inhibition of EPX release. Our findings suggest that in activated eosinophils, Cdk5 is phosphorylated and binds to Munc18c, resulting in Munc18c release from syntaxin-4, allowing SNARE binding and vesicle fusion, with subsequent eosinophil degranulation. Our work identifies a novel role for Cdk5 in eosinophil mediator release by agonist-induced degranulation.

An essential role for Rab27a GTPase in eosinophil exocytosis.

Eosinophil degranulation has been implicated in inflammatory processes associated with allergic asthma. Rab27a, a Rab-related GTPase, is a regulatory intracellular signaling molecule expressed in human eosinophils. We postulated that Rab27a regulates eosinophil degranulation. We investigated the role of Rab27a in eosinophil degranulation within the context of airway inflammation. Rab27a expression and localization in eosinophils were investigated by using subcellular fractionation combined with Western blot analysis, and the results were confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis of Rab27a and the granule membrane marker CD63. To determine the function of eosinophil Rab27a, we used Ashen mice, a strain of Rab27a-deficient animals. Ashen eosinophils were tested for degranulation in response to PAF and calcium ionophore by measuring released EPX activity. Airway EPX release was also determined by intratracheal injection of eosinophils into mice lacking EPX. Rab27a immunoreactivity colocalized with eosinophil crystalloid granules, as determined by subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence analysis. PAF induced eosinophil degranulation in correlation with redistribution of Rab27a(+) structures, some of which colocalized with CD63(+) crystalloid granules at the cell membrane. Eosinophils from mice had significantly reduced EPX release compared with normal WT eosinophils, both in vitro and in vivo. In mouse models, Ashen mice demonstrated reduced EPX release in BAL fluid. These findings suggest that Rab27a has a key role in eosinophil degranulation. Furthermore, these findings have implications for Rab27a-dependent eosinophil degranulation in airway inflammation.

Encapsulation of P-glycoprotein inhibitors by polymeric micelles can reduce their pharmacokinetic interactions with doxorubicin.

Co-administration of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors such as cyclosporine A (CyA) and its analogue valspodar with doxorubicin (DOX) can result in diminished clearance of DOX, leading to accentuated toxicity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the effect of these P-gp inhibitors on the pharmacokinetics of DOX can be avoided through their encapsulation in polymeric micelles. Cyclosporine A or valspodar was physically encapsulated in methoxypoly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) micelles using co-solvent evaporation method. The commercially available DOX was administered as a single dose of 5mg/kg intravenously to Sprague-Dawley rats either alone or 30min following a single intravenous dose (10mg/kg) of either CyA or valspodar as part of conventional or polymeric micellar formulation. Co-administration of DOX with either Sandimmune® or valspodar in the conventional Cremophor EL-based formulation was associated with greater than 50% reduction in DOX clearance (CL). Although there was nearly 40% reduction in the CL of DOX with the polymeric micellar formulation of CyA, there was only 6% reduction in CL of DOX upon co-administration with the polymeric micellar formulation of valspodar. In conclusion, encapsulation of cyclosporines, particularly valspodar, in polymeric micelles was shown to reduce their effects on the pharmacokinetics of DOX in rat.

Activation of antigen-specific T cell-responses by mannan-decorated PLGA nanoparticles.

PURPOSE: Mannosylation of vaccines is a promising strategy to selectively target vaccine antigens to the mannose receptor expressed on dendritic cells (DCs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mannan (MN) chemically conjugated to poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) on antigen-specific T-cell responses elicited by a model antigen (ovalbumin, OVA) loaded in PLGA-NPs. METHODS: In vitro T-cell proliferation assay was done to assess the ability of DCs treated with OVA-NPs (±MN decoration) to induce antigen-specific T-cell activation. The efficacy of this vaccination strategy was further evaluated in vivo, where T-cell proliferation was performed to evaluate activation of T-cell responses in lymph nodes and spleens isolated from the vaccinated mice. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that MN-decorated antigen-loaded PLGA-NPs simultaneously enhanced antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses compared to non-decorated NPs. CONCLUSIONS: MN decoration of PLGA-NPs is a promising strategy for enhancing antigen-specific T-cell responses.

The immunosuppressive activity of polymeric micellar formulation of cyclosporine A: in vitro and in vivo studies.

We have previously developed micelles of methoxy poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) as vehicles for the solubilization and delivery of cyclosporine A (CsA). These micelles were able to reduce the renal uptake and nephrotoxicity of CsA. The purpose of the current study was to test the efficacy of polymeric micellar formulation of CsA (PM-CsA) in suppressing immune responses by either T cells or dendritic cells (DCs). The performance of PM-CsA was compared to that of the commercially available formulation of CsA (Sandimmune®). Our results demonstrate that PM-CsA could exert a potent immunosuppressive effect similar to that of Sandimmune® both in vitro and in vivo. Both formulations inhibited phenotypic maturation of DCs and impaired their allostimulatory capacity. Furthermore, both PM-CsA and Sandimmune® have shown similar dose-dependent inhibition of in vitro T cell proliferative responses. A similar pattern was observed in the in vivo study, where T cells isolated from both PM-CsA-treated and Sandimmune®-treated mice have shown impairment in their proliferative response and IFN-γ production at similar levels. These results highlight the potential of polymeric micelles to serve as efficient vehicles for the delivery of CsA.

Overexpression of CYP2J2 provides protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Human cytochrome P-450 (CYP)2J2 is abundant in heart and active in biosynthesis of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Recently, we demonstrated that these eicosanoid products protect myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study utilized transgenic (Tr) mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of human CYP2J2 to investigate protection toward toxicity resulting from acute (0, 5, or 15 mg/kg daily for 3 days, followed by 24-h recovery) or chronic (0, 1.5, or 3.0 mg/kg biweekly for 5 wk, followed by 2-wk recovery) doxorubicin (Dox) administration. Acute treatment resulted in marked elevations of serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase levels that were significantly greater in wild-type (WT) than CYP2J2 Tr mice. Acute treatment also resulted in less activation of stress response enzymes in CYP2J2 Tr mice (catalase 750% vs. 300% of baseline, caspase-3 235% vs. 165% of baseline in WT vs. CYP2J2 Tr mice). Moreover, CYP2J2 Tr hearts exhibited less Dox-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis (measured by TUNEL) compared with WT hearts. After chronic treatment, comparable decreases in body weight were observed in WT and CYP2J2 Tr mice. However, cardiac function, assessed by measurement of fractional shortening with M-mode transthoracic echocardiography, was significantly higher in CYP2J2 Tr than WT hearts after chronic Dox treatment (WT 37 +/- 2%, CYP2J2 Tr 47 +/- 1%). WT mice also had larger increases in beta-myosin heavy chain and cardiac ankryin repeat protein compared with CYP2J2 Tr mice. CYP2J2 Tr hearts had a significantly higher rate of Dox metabolism than WT hearts (2.2 +/- 0.25 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.50 ng.min(-1).100 microg protein(-1)). In vitro data from H9c2 cells demonstrated that EETs attenuated Dox-induced mitochondrial damage. Together, these data suggest that cardiac-specific overexpression of CYP2J2 limited Dox-induced toxicity.

Effects of intestinal constituents and lipids on intestinal formation and pharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone formed from amiodarone.

To model the impact of intestinal components associated with a high fat meal on metabolism of amiodarone, rat everted intestinal sacs were evaluated for their ability to metabolize the drug to its active metabolite (desethylamiodarone) under a variety of conditions. The preparations were obtained from fasted rats or rats pretreated with 1% cholesterol in peanut oil. After isolation of the tissues, the intestinal segments were immersed in oxygenated Krebs Henseleit buffer containing varying concentrations of bile salts, cholesterol, lecithin and lipase with or without soybean oil emulsion as a source of triglycerides. Amiodarone uptake was similar between the five 10-cm segments isolated distally from the stomach. Desethylamiodarone was measurable in all segments. Based on the metabolite-to-drug concentration ratio within the tissues, there was little difference in metabolic efficiency between segments for any of the treatments. Between treatments, however, it appeared that the lowest level of metabolism was noted in rats pretreated with 1% cholesterol in peanut oil. This reduction in metabolic efficiency was not observed in gut sacs from the fasted rats to which soybean oil emulsion was directly added to the incubation media. Despite the apparent reduction in intestinal metabolism, there was no apparent change in the ratio of metabolite-to-drug area under the plasma concentration versus time ratios of fasted rats and those given 1% cholesterol in peanut oil, suggesting that the intestinal presystemic formation of desethylamiodarone is not substantial.

The impact of experimental hyperlipidemia on the distribution and metabolism of amiodarone in rat.

The tissue distribution and hepatic microsomal metabolism of amiodarone were studied in a hyperlipidemic rat model. Rats were rendered hyperlipidemic by the intraperitoneal injection of poloxamer 407. Other normolipidemic animals given saline in place of poloxamer 407 were used as control animals. After single intravenous injection of amiodarone HCl (25mg/kg) rats were anesthetized and plasma and tissue specimens were obtained. Liver microsomal protein was harvested and used to measure velocity of desethylamiodarone formation from amiodarone and cytochrome P450 (CYP) protein expression. Hyperlipidemia caused large increases in plasma concentrations of amiodarone. In tissues, however, concentrations of drug selectively increased, decreased or did not change. In heart, the site of action of the drug, as well as liver and spleen, amiodarone concentrations increased. In other tissues such as kidney, lung and brain, concentrations decreased. No changes were seen in fat or thyroid. Decreases were observed in liver metabolic efficiency, and expression of CYP3A1/2 and 2C11. No changes were seen in CYP2B1/2, 2C6, 2D1 or 1A2. This experimental hyperlipidemia caused a complex pattern of changes in tissue distribution of AM. In addition, there are decreases in the expression of some important rat CYP isoenzymes.

Pharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone in the rat after its administration as the preformed metabolite, and after administration of amiodarone.

The pharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone (DEA), the active metabolite of amiodarone (AM), were studied in the rat after administration of AM or preformed metabolite. Rats received 10 mg/kg of either intravenous or oral AM HCl or DEA base. Blood samples were obtained via a surgically implanted jugular vein cannula. Plasma concentrations were measured by a validated LC/MS method. In all AM treated rats, AM plasma concentrations greatly exceeded those of the formed DEA. The fraction of AM converted to DEA after i.v. administration was 14%. Amiodarone had a significantly lower (approximately 50%) clearance than DEA, although the volume of distribution and terminal phase half-life did not differ significantly. The hepatic extraction ratio of DEA was 0.48, similar to that of AM (0.51). Oral AM demonstrated higher plasma AUC (5.6 fold) and higher C(max) (6.1 fold) than oral DEA and oral bioavailability of AM (46%) was greater than DEA (17%). The estimated fraction of the oral dose of AM converted to DEA was 4.5 fold higher than after i.v. administration, suggesting first-pass formation of DEA from AM. Amiodarone and DEA differed in their pharmacokinetic characteristics mostly due to a higher CL of DEA. With oral dosing, AM appeared to undergo significant presystemic first-pass metabolism within the intestinal tract.

High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of curcumin in rat plasma: application to pharmacokinetics of polymeric micellar formulation of curcumin.

A simple, rapid and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed and validated for the determination of curcumin in rat plasma. Plasma was precipitated with acetonitrile after addition of the internal standard (IS), 4-hydroxybenzophenone. Separation was achieved on a Waters muBondapak C(18) column (3.9 x 300 mm, 5 microm) using acetonitrile (55%) and citric buffer, pH 3.0 (45%) as the mobile phase (flow rate = 1.0 mL/min). The UV detection wavelength was 300 and 428 nm for IS and curcumin, respectively. The extraction efficiencies were 97.08, 95.69 and 94.90% for 50, 200 and 1000 ng/mL of curcumin in rat plasma, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the range 0.02-1 microg/mL with a correlation coefficient of r(2) > 0.999. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were less than 13%, and mean intra- and inter-day errors were less than +/-6% at 50, 200 and 1000 ng/mL of curcumin. This assay was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of both solubilized curcumin and its polymeric micellar formulation in rats. It was found that polymeric micelles increased the half-life of curcumin 162-fold that of solubilized curcumin and increased the volume of distribution (Vd(ss)) by 70-fold.

The influence of hyperlipoproteinemia on in vitro distribution of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone in human and rat plasma.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of hyperlipoproteinemia on in vitro distribution of amiodarone (AM) and its prevalent metabolite desethylamiodarone (DEA) in human and rat plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human and rat normolipidemic (NL) and hyperlipidemic (HL) plasma were spiked with AM and DEA. The fractions (high and low density lipoproteins, triglyceride rich lipoproteins and lipoprotein deficient plasma) were separated using ultracentrifugation. RESULTS: Human and rat displayed similar patterns in terms of association of AM and DEA in NL plasma, in which the highest and lowest associations were observed in lipoprotein deficient (LPDP) and triglyceride (TRL) rich plasma fractions, respectively. In HL a substantial shift was observed in partitioning of AM and DEA mostly to TRL. The shift of AM and DEA into TRL fraction of HL plasma was more drastic for rat than human. In HL, association of AM with rat LPDP and HDL fractions were 10 and 26-fold lower than in the corresponding human fractions, respectively. The DEA:AM ratio in rat, but not human, was significantly affected by HL. CONCLUSION: HL caused a major shift of AM and DEA to TRL fraction in both species. The findings were consistent with the higher AM concentrations previously noted in HL rats given the drug.

Induction of cytochrome P450 1A1 by ketoconazole and itraconazole but not fluconazole in murine and human hepatoma cell lines.

Azole antifungal agents are widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of systemic fungal infections; however, since their introduction into the market, increasing evidences of hepatotoxicity have been reported. Therefore, we examined here the ability of three structurally different antifungal drugs, ketoconazole (KTZ), itraconazole (ITZ), and fluconazole (FLZ) to induce the CYP1A1, an enzyme known to play an important role in chemical activation of xenobiotics to toxic metabolites. KTZ and ITZ, but not FLZ, induced the CYP1A1 in murine Hepa 1c1c7 and human HepG2 hepatoma cells at the mRNA, protein and activity levels in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The increases in Cyp1a1 mRNA levels mediated by KTZ and ITZ were completely blocked by the RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D, whereas the level of existing mRNA was not altered, implying a requirement of de novo RNA synthesis through a transcriptional mechanism. The ability of these drugs to directly activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transformation and hence xenobiotic responsive element's binding was strongly correlated with their abilities to induce luciferase activity. Inhibition studies showed that KTZ and ITZ, in addition to being CYP1A1 inducers, are substrates and competitive inhibitors. This study provides the first evidence for the ability of KTZ and ITZ to induce the CYP1A1 gene expression through an AhR-dependent mechanism, and suggests a novel mechanism of the KTZ- and ITZ-mediated toxicities.

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay method for simultaneous determination of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone in rat specimens.

A liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) assay method was developed for the determination of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone in rat specimens. Analytes were extracted using liquid-liquid extraction in hexane. The LC/MS system consisted of a Waters Micromass ZQtrade mark 4000 spectrometer with an autosampler and pump. A C(18) 3.5 microm (2.1 x 50 mm) column heated to 45 degrees C was used for separation. The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 0.2% aqueous formic acid pumped at 0.2 mL/min as a linear gradient. Components eluted within 12 min. The concentrations of ethopropazine (internal standard), desethylamiodarone and amiodarone were monitored for m/z of 313.10, combination of 546.9 and 617.73, and 645.83, respectively. In plasma (0.1 mL), linearity was achieved between the peak area ratios and concentrations over the range of 2.5-1000 ng/mL for both amiodarone and desethylamiodarone (r(2) > 0.999). The intraday and interday CV were equal or less than 18%, and mean error was <12%. Similarly, in homogenates containing 0.1 g of rat tissue, linearity was observed in standards ranging from 5 to 5000 ng/g. The method was successfully used to measure tissue and plasma concentrations of drug. The validated lower limit of quantitation was 2.5 ng/mL for drug and metabolite, based on 0.1 mL of plasma.

The stereoselective metabolism of halofantrine to desbutylhalofantrine in the rat: evidence of tissue-specific enantioselectivity in microsomal metabolism.

The pharmacokinetics of the antimalarial drug (+/-)-halofantrine are stereoselective in humans and rats. To better understand the stereoselective metabolism of the drug to its primary metabolite, desbutylhalofantrine (DHF), a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were undertaken in the rat. Formation of (-)-DHF exceeded that of (+)-DHF in liver microsomes [(-):(+) ratio of intrinsic formation clearances = 1.4]. In contrast, in intestinal microsomes no significant stereoselectivity was noted in the formation of the DHF enantiomers. Intestinal microsomes were also less efficient at producing the DHF enantiomers than were liver microsomes. Based on kinetic analysis of the DHF formation, there appeared to be more than one enzyme involved in the biotransformation. (+/-)-Ketoconazole (KTZ) effectively inhibited the formation of both DHF enantiomers by both liver and intestinal microsomes, although the reduction was more marked in liver microsomes. Through a combination of the use of CYP antibodies and recombinant CYP isoenzymes, the involvement of CYP 2B1/2, 3A1, 3A2, 1A1, 2C11, 2C6, 2D1, and 2D2 were implicated in the metabolism of halofantrine to DHF. Of these, CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C11 appeared to be the primary isoenzymes involved, although CYP2C11 showed greater (+)-DHF than (-)-DHF formation, whereas for CYP3A1 it was similar to the isolated rat liver microsomes. In vivo, oral (+/-)-KTZ caused significant increases in plasma halofantrine and decreases in DHF enantiomer plasma concentrations.

Development of a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the quantification of cucurbitacin I (JSI-124) in rat plasma.

PURPOSE: To develop a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the quantitative analysis of cucurbitacin I (JSI-124), an anti-cancer inhibitor of the janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway, in rat plasma samples. METHODS: Standard samples of cucurbitacin I were prepared from a stock solution (1 mg/mL) in methanol. Internal standard (I.S.) was 4-hydroxybenzophenone. Extraction of cucurbitacin I and I.S. from rat plasma was performed using acetonitrile/dichloromethane. LC-MS analyses were performed using a Waters Micromass ZQ 4000 spectrometer, and chromatographic separation was achieved using a Waters XTerraMSC18 3.5 microm (2.1 x 50 mm) column as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile: water containing 1% formic acid with initial ratio of 20:80, employing a linear gradient to a final ratio of 40:60 v/v over 13 minutes, was delivered at a constant flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was operated in negative ionization mode and analytes were quantified with single ion recording (SIR) at m/z 559 for cucurbitacin I and m/z 196.8 for I.S. RESULTS: Calibration curves with r2 > 0.999 were constructed over the concentration range of 5-10000 ng/mL for the solution of cucurbitacin I in methanol and 10-1000 ng/mL for rat plasma samples. The extraction recoveries were 86 and 98% for 50 ng/mL and 1000 ng/mL plasma concentration of cucurbitacin I, respectively. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were less than 15%, and mean intraday errors were less than 10% at plasma concentration extending from 10-1000 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: The developed assay is sensitive, specific, reproducible and reliable for quantitative analysis of cucurbitacin I. Application in a pharmacokinetic assessment was proven in the rats given the drug.

Determination of the enzyme(s) involved in the metabolism of amiodarone in liver and intestine of rat: the contribution of cytochrome P450 3A isoforms.

In humans, cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A4) is a major enzyme involved in the metabolism of amiodarone (AM) to its major metabolite, desethylamiodarone (DEA). In rat, a commonly used animal model, metabolism of AM has not been well studied. To determine whether DEA is formed by CYP3A isoenzymes in the rat, microsomal protein was harvested from liver and intestine of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The metabolism of AM in each tissue was assessed utilizing chemical and immunological inhibitors. Ketoconazole, a presumed inhibitor of CYP3A1/2, significantly inhibited formation of DEA by hepatic and intestinal microsomes. However, based on the DEA formation kinetics in both microsomal preparations, it appeared that more than one cytochrome P450 enzyme was involved in the process. Coincubation of AM with microsomes and anti-CYP3A2 confirmed the role of CYP3A2 in the metabolism of AM in liver. DEA was also formed by rat recombinant CYP1A1 and CYP3A1, and was inhibited by ketoconazole; hence the participation of these enzymes in the intestinal DEA formation is likely. However, anti-CYP2B1/2 or -CYP1A2 antibodies had no effect on DEA formation. In rats given oral or intravenous AM, oral ketoconazole caused significant increases in area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) of oral and i.v. treated rats and greater than 50% decreases in the total body clearance and Vdss of i.v. treated rats. Although low to undetectable concentrations of DEA were a limitation for determination of AUC of DEA in vivo, it was confirmed that ketoconazole could cause a significant increase in AM concentrations in rat.

A sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatographic assay for milrinone in rat and human plasma using a commercially available internal standard and low sample volume.

PURPOSE: To develop an alternate high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) for the analysis of the positive inotropic agent, milrinone, in rat and human plasma. METHODS: To plasma samples (0.1 mL), containing milrinone and the commercially available internal standard, amrinone, were added 0.15 mL of water and 0.35 mL of acetonitrile. Tubes were briefly vortex-mixed and centrifuged. The supernatant was transferred to clean tubes and 3 mL of methanol: diethyl ether (5:95) was added. The tubes were vortex mixed, centrifuged, and reconstituted with the mobile phase and injected into the HPLC. Separation was accomplished using a reverse phase chromatography using C18 analytical column, and detection was afforded by monitoring the eluent at an ultraviolet wavelength of 326 nm. RESULTS: Standard curves were highly linear over the range 10 to 10000 ng/mL (r2 >0.99). Recovery ranged from 52-69% over a 40-fold range of plasma concentrations from 50 to 2000 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day coefficient of variation and mean error in were less than 20% at plasma concentrations ranging from 10 to 1000 ng/mL. The utility of the assay was demonstrated in a pharmacokinetic evaluation of milrinone in two rats given intravenous bolus doses. CONCLUSION: The developed assay was sensitive, specific and appropriate for monitoring milrinone in rat or human plasma samples.

Pharmacokinetics of Amiodarone in hyperlipidemic and simulated high fat-meal rat models.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a high fat meal and hyperlipidemia on the pharmacokinetic behavior of amiodarone. To evaluate these effects, single doses of amiodarone were administered to rats i.v. (25 mg/kg) or orally (50 mg/kg). Some rats were rendered hyperlipidemic by intraperitoneal doses of poloxamer 407 followed by amiodarone i.v. In other normolipidemic rats, amiodarone was administered i.v. in a fasted state or after the administration of 1% cholesterol in peanut oil. Amiodarone plasma concentrations were considerably (>11-fold) increased in hyperlipidemia. Substantial decreases were noted in the clearance, volume of distribution and unbound fraction (11.6, 23 and 24.7-fold, respectively) in plasma of hyperlipidemic rats. Oral lipid caused a significant increase in plasma AUC(0-infinity) (1.38-fold) and a significant decrease in clearance (1.5-fold) of amiodarone after intravenous doses. Oral consumption of 1% cholesterol in peanut oil significantly increased the plasma AUC (1.83-fold) and bioavailability of amiodarone (1.31-fold) after oral doses. In determining oral bioavailability of lipophilic drugs such as amiodarone in food effect studies, in addition to the increase in absorption of drugs, other factors such as a decrease in clearance due to increases in lipoprotein levels should be taken into account.