METTL3 Regulates Liver Homeostasis, Hepatocyte Ploidy, and Circadian Rhythm-Controlled Gene Expression in Mice.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal modifier of mRNAs installed by the methyltransferase 13 (METTL3) at the (G/A)(m6A)C motif, plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. METTL3 is essential for embryonic development, and its dysregulation is linked to various diseases. However, the role of METTL3 in liver biology is largely unknown. In this study, METTL3 function was unraveled in mice depleted of Mettl3 in neonatal livers (Mettl3fl/fl; Alb-Cre). Liver-specific Mettl3 knockout (M3LKO) mice exhibited global decrease in m6A on polyadenylated RNAs and pathologic features associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (eg, hepatocyte ballooning, ductular reaction, microsteatosis, pleomorphic nuclei, DNA damage, foci of altered hepatocytes, focal lobular and portal inflammation, and elevated serum alanine transaminase/alkaline phosphatase levels). Mettl3-depleted hepatocytes were highly proliferative, with decreased numbers of binucleate hepatocytes and increased nuclear polyploidy. M3LKO livers were characterized by reduced m6A and expression of several key metabolic transcripts regulated by circadian rhythm and decreased nuclear protein levels of the core clock transcription factors BMAL1 and CLOCK. A significant decrease in total Bmal1 and Clock mRNAs but an increase in their nuclear levels were observed in M3LKO livers, suggesting impaired nuclear export. Consistent with the phenotype, methylated (m6A) RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing and RNA sequencing revealed transcriptome-wide loss of m6A markers and alterations in abundance of mRNAs involved in metabolism in M3LKO. Collectively, METTL3 and m6A modifications are critical regulators of liver homeostasis and function.

Prognostic and biological significance of the proangiogenic factor EGFL7 in acute myeloid leukemia.

Epithelial growth factor-like 7 (EGFL7) is a protein that is secreted by endothelial cells and plays an important role in angiogenesis. Although EGFL7 is aberrantly overexpressed in solid tumors, its role in leukemia has not been evaluated. Here, we report that levels of both EGFL7 mRNA and EGFL7 protein are increased in blasts of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) compared with normal bone marrow cells. High EGFL7 mRNA expression associates with lower complete remission rates, and shorter event-free and overall survival in older (age ≥60 y) and younger (age <60 y) patients with cytogenetically normal AML. We further show that AML blasts secrete EGFL7 protein and that higher levels of EGFL7 protein are found in the sera from AML patients than in sera from healthy controls. Treatment of patient AML blasts with recombinant EGFL7 in vitro leads to increases in leukemic blast cell growth and levels of phosphorylated AKT. EGFL7 blockade with an anti-EGFL7 antibody reduced the growth potential and viability of AML cells. Our findings demonstrate that increased EGFL7 expression and secretion is an autocrine mechanism supporting growth of leukemic blasts in patients with AML.

Dysregulation of PRMT5 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia promotes progression with high risk of Richter's transformation.

Richter's Transformation (RT) is a poorly understood and fatal progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) manifesting histologically as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is implicated in lymphomagenesis, but its role in CLL or RT progression is unknown. We demonstrate herein that tumors uniformly overexpress PRMT5 in patients with progression to RT. Furthermore, mice with B-specific overexpression of hPRMT5 develop a B-lymphoid expansion with increased risk of death, and Eµ-PRMT5/TCL1 double transgenic mice develop a highly aggressive disease with transformation that histologically resembles RT; where large-scale transcriptional profiling identifies oncogenic pathways mediating PRMT5-driven disease progression. Lastly, we report the development of a SAM-competitive PRMT5 inhibitor, PRT382, with exclusive selectivity and optimal in vitro and in vivo activity compared to available PRMT5 inhibitors. Taken together, the discovery that PRMT5 drives oncogenic pathways promoting RT provides a compelling rationale for clinical investigation of PRMT5 inhibitors such as PRT382 in aggressive CLL/RT cases.

The temporal effect of food on tacrine bioavailability.

A four-way cross-over study was performed to assess the temporal effect of food on the rate and extent of tacrine (Cognex, THA) absorption after drug administration to healthy, older volunteers. Each volunteer received four single 40-mg THA doses at 1-week intervals. Doses were administered after an 8-hour overnight fast, 1 hour before a standard breakfast, 15 minutes after beginning a standard breakfast, and 2 hours after completion of a standard breakfast. Gastrointestinal side effects were most frequently reported after drug administration to fasted subjects. Mean Cmax and AUC(0-infinity) values after THA administration during breakfast (9.9 ng/mL and 70.2 ng.hr/mL) and 2 hours after breakfast (11.6 ng/mL and 74.2 ng.hour-1.mL-1) were significantly lower than values determined after administration of THA to fasting subjects (15.8 ng/mL, and 91.8 ng.hour-1.mL-1). Little effect was evident when THA was administered 1 hour before breakfast.

Pharmacokinetics of probenecid following oral doses to human volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics of probenecid were examined following single 0.5-, 1.0-, and 2.0-g oral doses to healthy male volunteers. Doses were administered following overnight fast, according to a randomized design. Plasma levels of probenecid were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), using sulfamethazine as the internal standard. Mean peak probenecid levels of 35.3, 69.6, and 148.6 micrograms/ml were obtained at 3-4 hr following the 0.5-, 1.0-, and 2.0-g doses, respectively. Probenecid levels from the 0.5- and 1.0-g doses declined in apparent monoexponential fashion, with mean elimination half-lives of 4.2 and 4.9 hr. Interpretation of the 2.0-g data by a kinetic model incorporating first-order elimination resulted in a plasma drug half-life of 8.5 hr. When first-order elimination was replaced by a Michaelis-Menten-type function, the mean value of the resulting Vm/Km ratios was 0.20, equivalent to a plasma drug half-life [0.693/(Vm/Km)] of 3.8 hr. Plasma probenecid curves from all three dosages were successfully fitted to the saturable elimination model using nonlinear regression and numerical integration routines. The results suggest that probenecid elimination may be saturable at therapeutic dose levels.

Bioavailability of hydrochlorothiazide from tablets and suspensions.

The bioavailability of hydrochlorothiazide was determined following single oral 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-mg tablet and suspension doses in 12 healthy male volunteers. Plasma and urine levels of hydrochlorothiazide were determined by HPLC. Plasma levels of hydrochlorothiazide were satisfactorily described by a triexponential function. Mean peak plasma levels, Cmax (127-135, 270-280, and 437-490 ng/mL from the 25-, 50-, and 100-mg doses, respectively) were dose proportional, as were areas under plasma profiles, AUC0----36. Mean percentage recovery of unchanged hydrochlorothiazide in 48-h urine samples accounted for 50-59, 54-55, 60-63, and 54-57% of the 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-mg doses, respectively. There were no significant differences among these values. Correlation coefficients between 48-h urinary recovery of hydrochlorothiazide and the plasma values (Cmax and AUC0----36) for the 25-, 50-, and 100-mg doses were 0.73 and 0.84. There were no differences in the net increases in electrolyte excretion among the treatments during the 0-12-h postdose period. The systematic availability of hydrochlorothiazide, unlike that of chlorothiazide, is dose proportional in the therapeutic range.

Bioavailability of hydrocortisone from commercial 20-mg tablets.

The relative bioavailability of hydrocortisone was determined from four different 20-mg tablet formulations and one suspension in 15 healthy male volunteers; results were compared with in vitro dissolution rates. Plasma levels of hydrocortisone were determined by a liquid chromatography method developed in this laboratory. Dissolution of the tablet formulations, using the official USP test, varied from 7.8 to 93.8% in 30 min. Similar plasma profiles were obtained from all tablet products, and there were no differences among tablets in the cumulative percentage of drug absorbed. There were no clear trends in any pharmacokinetic parameter values among the tablet dosages, and the four products were considered bioequivalent. The suspension dosage yielded significantly higher plasma levels compared with some of the tablet formulations during the initial 30-min postdose, significantly higher cumulative absorption at 0.5 and 1.0 h compared with one tablet formulation, and significantly higher ka and Cmax, and shorter tmax values, compared with some of the tablets.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of economically motivated adulteration in protein-containing foods.

A new analytical method was developed to determine the presence of six (6) compounds with the potential to be used in economic adulteration to enhance the nitrogen content in milk products and bulk proteins. Residues were extracted from the matrix with 2% formic acid, after which acetonitrile (ACN) was added to induce precipitation of the proteins. Extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography using a ZIC-HILIC column with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI). Single-laboratory method validation data was collected in six matrices fortified at concentrations down to 1.0 µg/g (ppm). Average recoveries and average relative standard deviations (RSD) using spiked matrix calibration standard curves were the following: cyromazine (CY) 95.9% (7.5% RSD), dicyandiamide (DC) 98.1% (5.6% RSD), urea 102.5% (8.6% RSD), biuret (BU) 97.2% (6.6% RSD), triuret (TU) 97.7% (5.7% RSD), and amidinourea (AU) 93.4% (7.4% RSD). This method provides a rapid and effective approach to proactively combat economically motivated adulteration in protein-containing products.

Comparative single dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of bevantolol in young and elderly subjects.

The pharmacokinetics of bevantolol were examined following single and repeated oral doses to young and elderly volunteers. Following administration of a single 200-mg bevantolol tablet mean maximum plasma bevantolol concentrations in young and elderly subjects were 1690 ng/ml and 1810 ng/ml, respectively. Maximum bevantolol concentrations occurred approximately 1.1 h postdose in both young and elderly subjects. There were no significant differences in mean steady state bevantolol concentrations on Day 14 between young and elderly subjects. However, disproportionate increases in Cmax, and in AUC, but not in tmax values were observed between Days 1 and 14. On Days 1 and 14, most young and elderly subjects exhibited monoexponential decline in bevantolol plasma concentrations after absorption phase. In those subjects Day 14 elimination half-lives in young and elderly were 1.9 and 2.2 h, respectively. In subjects who exhibited biexponential decline in bevantolol, an age effect in elimination became apparent, on Day 14 elimination half-lives were 5.7 and 11.2 h in young and elderly subjects, respectively. Bevantolol Metabolite III concentrations were observed in plasma of some subjects during the first 6 h after dosing. At steady-state AUC (0-ldc) values for the metabolite were less than 2% those of bevantolol. Bevantolol plasma levels accumulate to a small extent with repeated 200 mg daily doses. This is probably due to the contribution of a late and more persistent terminal elimination phase that was discernable in only certain individuals.

Probenecid: an unexplained effect on cephalosporin pharmacology.

1 The influence of probenecid on serum levels and urinary excretion of orally administered cephradine and cefaclor has been investigated. 2 Probenecid caused serum levels of both antibiotics to be increased and also prolonged. Urinary excretion of antibiotic activity was slightly but not significantly decreased by probenecid during the initial 6 h postdosing. It was significantly increased in 6-12 h urine, but only a small percentage of the doses were excreted during that period. 3 The increased serum levels of antibiotic were greater than could be accounted for by reduced elimination rate alone. Possible mechanisms to account for increased circulating levels of antibiotic in the presence of probenecid are discussed in the light of previous observations on probenecid induced changes in tissue distribution of beta-lactam antibiotics.

The pharmacokinetics of the oral cephalosporins cefaclor, cephradine and cephalexin.

The pharmacokinetics of the oral cephalosporins cefaclor, cephradine, and cephalexin were examined following single 500 mg oral doses to fasted, healthy volunteers. Absorption of the three compounds was rapid following a brief lag period and peak serum levels were obtained in 1-1.5 hours. Serum levels of cefaclor tended to be lower than those of cephradine and cephalexin during the 2-5 hour postdosing period and cefaclor was eliminated more rapidly than other cephalosporins from serum. No difference was observed in the overall bioavailability of the three antibiotics based on comparable FD/V values. Urine levels of the three cephalosporins greatly exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentrations of susceptible organisms during 0-6 hours postdosing, but were considerably reduced during the 6-12 hour collection period. Total urinary recovery of antibiotic activity accounted for almost 90 percent of dosed cephradine and cephalexin compared to 55 percent of dosed cefaclor. Lower serum levels and reduced urinary recovery of intact cefaclor are probably due primarily to its chemical instability. The reduced levels of cefaclor may be compensated for therapeutically by its greater in vitro antibacterial activity.

Arimidex (ZD1033): a selective, potent inhibitor of aromatase in postmenopausal female volunteers.

Two multiple-dose studies were conducted in healthy post-menopausal female volunteers to investigate the pharmacokinetics and effects on endocrinology of Arimidex (ZD1033). Volunteers in the first trial were dosed with 3 mg of ZD1033 daily over 10 days to assess the effects on endocrinology of ZD1033 and establish a pharmacokinetic profile. In the second trial volunteers received 14 daily doses of either 0.5 or 1.0 mg of ZD1033 to assess the pharmacokinetics of ZD1033 and the effects of low doses of ZD1033 on serum oestradiol concentrations. Following multiple dosing a significant reduction in the concentration of serum oestradiol of approximately 80% of baseline was obtained with all three doses; no recovery in oestradiol was apparent for up to 144 h after the last dose. There was no overall difference in the level of oestradiol suppression between the 0.5 or 1.0 mg doses of ZD1033. However, comparison of the number of volunteers with oestradiol concentrations below the limits of detection of the assay, 24 h after the last dose of ZD1033, suggested that 1.0 mg was the minimal dose required for maximal suppression of oestradiol. No significant effect was recorded on serum concentrations of gonadotrophins over the dosing period. Serum concentrations of a range of adrenal steroids were not affected by administration of ZD1033; furthermore, steroid response to standard adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) challenge was unimpaired by ZD1033. Together these data demonstrate the potency, tolerability and selectivity of ZD1033. The pharmacokinetic profile of ZD1033 supports its use as a once-daily treatment given orally.

Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics and safety of ciprofloxacin in normal volunteers.

The multiple-dose pharmacokinetics and safety of ciprofloxacin, a new quinoline carboxylic acid derivative, were evaluated in normal volunteers. The drug was administered orally every 12 h during successive 7-day periods at doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg. Samples of serum, urine, and saliva obtained after the first dose on days 1, 4, and 7 of each dosing period were assayed by microbiological methods. Peak concentrations of ciprofloxacin in serum were achieved generally from 1 to 1.5 h after administration. Mean peak serum levels were 1.35 to 1.42 micrograms/ml after the 250-mg dose, 2.60 to 2.89 micrograms/ml after the 500-mg dose, and 3.41 to 4.21 micrograms/ml after the 750-mg dose. Terminal serum half-lives ranged from 3.8 to 4.3, 4.5 to 4.9, and 3.9 to 6.6 h after the 250-, 500-, and 750-mg doses, respectively. Mean concentrations of ciprofloxacin in urine samples collected 0 to 2 h after dosing were 205 to 261, 255 to 518, and 243 to 846 micrograms/ml after the 250-, 500-, and 750-mg doses, respectively. Between 30 and 45% of the dose was recovered in urine 0 to 12 h after drug administration. Mean concentrations of ciprofloxacin in saliva at 2 h after dosing were 0.43, 1.23, and 1.45 micrograms/ml after the 250-, 500-, and 750-mg doses, respectively. These levels were 30 to 45% of the peak levels in serum and between 40 and 65% of the levels in serum measured 2 h after dosing. Ciprofloxacin was well tolerated.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of tacrine in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Neurochemical studies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) suggest deficiencies in the cholinergic system. We evaluated the steady-state pharmacokinetics of tacrine (Cognex), an oral cholinesterase inhibitor, in 12 patients with AD. Patients sequentially received nine doses of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg of tacrine every 6 hours. Blood samples were collected until 24 hours after the final dose. Plasma tacrine concentrations were measured using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Mean maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 5.1 ng/ml, 20.7 ng/ml, and 33.9 ng/ml following administration of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg doses, respectively. Corresponding mean values for steady-state area under the curve (AUC) were 19.7 ng/ml, 82.9 ng/ml, and 139 ng/ml.hr. Dose-normalized Cmax and AUC values after administration of the 20 mg and 30 mg doses of tacrine were comparable to each other but were significantly greater (p less than .05) than those after the 10 mg doses. The apparent elimination half-life was approximately 3.4 hours for all dosing regimens. Dose-dependent increases in Cmax and AUC values in patients with AD were similar to those previously reported in normal volunteers. The mechanism of the nonlinearity in tacrine pharmacokinetics is unknown.

A pharmacokinetic comparison of cephalexin and cefadroxil using HPLC assay procedures.

The pharmacokinetics of cephalexin and cefadroxil were compared following single 500 mg oral doses to 12 healthy male volunteers. Doses were administered after an overnight fast according to a crossover design. Plasma and urinary levels of both compounds were determined by HPLC procedures. Cephalexin was absorbed rapidly, achieving a mean peak plasma level of 17.5 micrograms ml-1 at 1 h, compared to 16 micrograms ml-1 at 1.8 h for cefadroxil. Elimination half-lives of cephalexin and cefadroxil were 0.7 and 1.1 h, respectively. The area under the cefadroxil plasma curve was significantly larger than that for cephalexin. However, after allowing for differences in elimination rate constants and assuming equal distribution volumes, plasma data indicated the compounds were equally well absorbed. Only 70 per cent of cefadroxil was recovered in urine compared to 87 per cent of cephalexin during the 12 h following drug administration. The therapeutic significance of the different pharmacokinetic characteristics of cephalexin and cefadroxil, if any, may be a function also of their pharmacologic activity and/or the sensitivity of the target organism.