Microsphere size influences the foreign body reaction.

Biodegradable poly-(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MSP) are attractive candidate vehicles for site-specific or systemic sustained release of therapeutic compounds. This release may be altered by the host's foreign body reaction (FBR), which is dependent on the characteristics of the implant, e.g. chemistry, shape or size. In this study, we focused on the characterisation of the influence of MSP size on the FBR. To this end we injected monodisperse MSP of defined size (small 5.8 µm, coefficient of variance (CV) 14 % and large 29.8 µm, CV 4 %) and polydisperse MSP (average diameter 34.1 µm, CV 51 %) under the skin of rats. MSP implants were retrieved at day 7, 14 and 28 after transplantation. The FBR was studied in terms of macrophage infiltration, implant encapsulation, vascularisation and extracellular matrix deposition. Although PLGA MSP of all different sizes demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, significant differences were found in the characteristics of the FBR. Small MSP were phagocytosed, while large MSP were not. Large MSP occasionally elicited giant cell formation, which was not observed after implantation of small MSP. Cellular and macrophage influx and collagen deposition were increased in small MSP implants compared to large MSP. We conclude that the MSP size influences the FBR and thus might influence clinical outcome when using MSP as a drug delivery device. We propose that a rational choice of MSP size can aid in optimising the therapeutic efficacy of microsphere-based therapies in vivo.

[Modified polyurethane foam as a local hemostatic agent after dental extractions]. / Gemodificeerd polyurethaanschuim als lokaal hemostaticumn na gebitsextracties.

In this split mouth experiment, the feasibility ofpolyurethane foam as a local hemostatic agent after dental extractions was studied. Ten healthy patients underwent 2 extractions ofa dental element in 1 treatment session. The 10 patients were subsequently randomly divided in a gelatin group and a collagen group. In the gelatin group, a polyurethane foam (PU) was applied in 1 extraction socket, while in the other socket a commercially available gelatin foam was applied. In the collagen group, a PU was applied in 1 socket, and a collagen wadding in the other. All hemostats were removed after 2 minutes, after which the degree of coagulation was measured using a thrombin/antithrombin test and a fibrinogen test. This study suggests that polyurethane foam has hemostatic capacity. Large scale clinical research is needed to confirm this finding, and should indicate whether this hemostatic capacity is clinically relevant.

The antifibrotic potential of a sustained release formulation of a PDGFß-receptor targeted rho kinase inhibitor.

Rho kinase activity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is associated with activation, transformation and contraction of these cells, leading to extracellular matrix production and portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis. Inhibition of rho kinase activity can reduce these activities, but may also lead to side effects, for instance systemic hypotension. This can be circumvented by liver-specific delivery of a rho kinase inhibitor to effector cells. Therefore, we targeted the rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 to the key pathogenic cells in liver fibrosis, i.e. myofibroblasts including activated HSCs that highly express the PDGFß-receptor, using the drug carrier pPB-MSA. This carrier consists of mouse serum albumin (MSA) covalently coupled to several PDGFßR-recognizing moieties (pPB). We aimed to create a prolonged release system of such a targeted construct, by encapsulating pPB-MSA-Y27632 in biodegradable polymeric microspheres, thereby reducing short-lasting peak concentrations and the need for frequent administrations. Firstly, we confirmed the vasodilating potency of PDGFß-receptor targeted Y27632 in vitro in a contraction assay using HSCs seeded on a collagen gel. We subsequently demonstrated the in vivo antifibrotic efficacy of pPB-MSA-Y27632-loaded microspheres in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of progressive biliary liver fibrosis. A single subcutaneous microsphere administration followed by organ harvest one week later clearly attenuated liver fibrosis progression and significantly suppressed the expression of fibrosis related genes, such as several collagens, profibrotic cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. In conclusion, we demonstrate that polymeric microspheres are suitable as drug delivery system for the sustained systemic delivery of targeted protein constructs with antifibrotic potential, such as pPB-MSA-Y27632. This formulation appears suitable for the sustained treatment of liver fibrosis and possibly other chronic diseases.

Pharmacokinetics of a sustained release formulation of PDGFß-receptor directed carrier proteins to target the fibrotic liver.

Liver fibrogenesis is associated with excessive production of extracellular matrix by myofibroblasts that often leads to cirrhosis and consequently liver dysfunction and death. Novel protein-based antifibrotic drugs show high specificity and efficacy, but their use in the treatment of fibrosis causes a high burden for patients, since repetitive and long-term parenteral administration is required as most proteins and peptides are rapidly cleared from the circulation. Therefore, we developed biodegradable polymeric microspheres for the sustained release of proteinaceous drugs. We encapsulated the drug carrier pPB-HSA, which specifically binds to the PDGFßR that is highly upregulated on activated myofibroblasts, into microspheres composed of hydrophilic multi-block copolymers composed of poly(l-lactide) and poly ethylene glycol/poly(ϵ-caprolactone), allowing diffusion-controlled release. Firstly, we estimated in mice with acute fibrogenesis induced by a single CCl4 injection the half-life of I125-labeled pPB-HSA at 40 min and confirmed the preferential accumulation in fibrotic tissue. Subsequently, we determined in the Mdr2 −/− mouse model of advanced biliary liver fibrosis how the subcutaneously injected microspheres released pPB-HSA into both plasma and fibrotic liver at 24 h after injection, which was maintained for six days. Although the microspheres still contained protein at day seven, pPB-HSA plasma and liver concentrations were decreased. This reduction was associated with an antibody response against the human albumin-based carrier protein, which was prevented by using a mouse albumin-based equivalent (pPB-MSA). In conclusion, this study shows that our polymeric microspheres are suitable as sustained release formulation for targeted protein constructs such as pPB-HSA. These formulations could be applied for the long-term treatment of chronic diseases such as liver fibrosis.

Polymeric microspheres for the sustained release of a protein-based drug carrier targeting the PDGFß-receptor in the fibrotic kidney.

Injectable sustained release drug delivery systems are an attractive alternative for the intravenous delivery of therapeutic proteins. In particular, for chronic diseases such as fibrosis, this approach could improve therapy by reducing the administration frequency while avoiding large variations in plasma levels. In fibrotic tissues the platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFßR) is highly upregulated, which provides a target for site-specific delivery of drugs. Our aim was to develop an injectable sustained release formulation for the subcutaneous delivery of the PDGFßR-targeted drug carrier protein pPB-HSA, which is composed of multiple PDGFßR-recognizing moieties (pPB) attached to human serum albumin (HSA). We used blends of biodegradable multi-block copolymers with different swelling degree to optimize the release rate using the model protein HSA from microspheres produced via a water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion evaporation process. The optimized formulation containing pPB-HSA, showed complete release in vitro within 14days. After subcutaneous administration to mice suffering from renal fibrosis pPB-HSA was released from the microspheres and distributed into plasma for at least 7days after administration. Furthermore, we demonstrated an enhanced accumulation of pPB-HSA in the fibrotic kidney. Altogether, we show that subcutaneously administered polymeric microspheres present a suitable sustained release drug delivery system for the controlled systemic delivery for proteins such as pPB-HSA.

Robust neurite extension following exogenous electrical stimulation within single walled carbon nanotube-composite hydrogels.

UNLABELLED: The use of exogenous electrical stimulation to promote nerve regeneration has achieved only limited success. Conditions impeding optimized outgrowth may arise from inadequate stimulus presentation due to differences in injury geometry or signal attenuation. Implantation of an electrically-conductive biomaterial may mitigate this attenuation and provide a more reproducible signal. In this study, a conductive nanofiller (single-walled carbon nanotubes [SWCNT]) was selected as one possible material to manipulate the bulk electrical properties of a collagen type I-10% Matrigel™ composite hydrogel. Neurite outgrowth within hydrogels (SWCNT or nanofiller-free controls) was characterized to determine if: (1) nanofillers influence neurite extension and (2) electrical stimulation of the nanofiller composite hydrogel enhances neurite outgrowth. Increased SWCNT loading (10-100-µg/mL) resulted in greater bulk conductivity (up to 1.7-fold) with no significant changes to elastic modulus. Neurite outgrowth increased 3.3-fold in 20-µg/mL SWCNT loaded biomaterials relative to the nanofiller-free control. Electrical stimulation promoted greater outgrowth (2.9-fold) within SWCNT-free control. The concurrent presentation of electrical stimulation and SWCNT-loaded biomaterials resulted in a 7.0-fold increase in outgrowth relative to the unstimulated, nanofiller-free controls. Local glia residing within the DRG likely contribute, in part, to the observed increases in outgrowth; but it is unknown which specific nanofiller properties influence neurite extension. Characterization of neuronal behavior in model systems, such as those described here, will aid the rational development of biomaterials as well as the appropriate delivery of electrical stimuli to support nerve repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Novel biomedical devices delivering electrical stimulation are being developed to mitigate symptoms of Parkinson's, treat drug-resistant depression, control movement or enhance verve regeneration. Carbon nanotubes and other novel materials are being explored for novel nano-neuro devices based on their unique properties. Neuronal growth on carbon nanotubes has been studied in 2D since the early 2000s demonstrating increased outgrowth, synapse formation and network activity. In this work, single-walled carbon nanotubes were selected as one possible electrically-conductive material, dispersed within a 3D hydrogel containing primary neurons; extending previous 2D work to 3D to evaluate outgrowth within nanomaterial composites with electrical stimulation. This is the first study to our knowledge that stimulates neurons in 3D composite nanomaterial-laden hydrogels. Examination of electrically conductive biomaterials may serve to promote regrowth following injury or in long term stimulation.

The influence of the route of administration and liposome composition on the potential of liposomes to protect tissue against local toxicity of two antitumor drugs.

The present paper reports on the influence of the route of administration and liposome stability on the protective effect of liposome encapsulation of two model antitumor agents, mitoxantrone and doxorubicin. The results demonstrate that liposome encapsulation can protect surrounding tissue from the cytotoxic effects of the drugs after subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration. The route of administration is an important factor influencing tissue damage. Liposomal mitoxantrone caused much less tissue irritation after im injection than after s.c. injection. Liposome stability is also an important factor. Liposomes composed of 'fluid-state' phospholipids only delayed the damaging effects of doxorubicin when injected sc. Liposomes with a more rigid nature were much more effective in preventing local tissue damage over a longer period of time when administered sc. Results suggest that slow release of liposome-associated drugs may eventually cause severe local tissue damage. The incorporation of the hydrophilic lipid derivative distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine-poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG-PE) had no apparent effect on the protective effect of liposomes after sc administration.

Lymphatic uptake and biodistribution of liposomes after subcutaneous injection. II. Influence of liposomal size, lipid compostion and lipid dose.

The present paper reports on the results of a systematic study on liposome variables potentially affecting lymphatic disposition and biodistribution of liposomes after sc injection. Liposomal size was found to be the most important factor influencing lymphatic uptake and lymph node localization of sc administered liposomes. Lymphatic uptake from the s.c. injection site of small liposomes (about 0.04 microm) was relatively high (76% of the injected dose (%ID)) as compared to large, non-sized liposomes, which remained almost completely at the site of injection. Small liposomes were less efficiently retained by regional lymph nodes than larger liposomes. Liposomal lipid composition did not influence lymphatic uptake with one exception: Lymphatic uptake was decreased in case of neutral liposomes composed of (DPPC). Lymph node localization was substantially enhanced by inclusion of phosphatidylserine (PS) into the liposomal bilayers. Saturation of lymphatic uptake and lymph node localization did not occur over a large liposomal lipid dose range, illustrating the efficient performance of lymph nodes in capturing s.c. administered particles.

An animal model for oroantral communications: a pilot study with Göttingen minipigs.

A pilot study was performed to investigate whether the Göttingen minipig is a suitable animal model for creating and closing oroantral communications (OACs) and to test whether these defects can be closed with a biodegradable polyurethane (PU) foam. In three adult minipigs, an OAC was created on both sides of the maxilla. The left side was closed by a standard surgical buccal flap procedure, the right side by applying a PU foam. The pigs were killed after two weeks, one month and three months, respectively. Postmortem and histological examination showed that an OAC was created in only one of six cases. In the remaining cases, the infraorbital canal was perforated instead of the floor of the maxillary sinus. It was concluded that the Göttingen minipig is not a suitable animal model for OAC investigations. As a result, the closure of OACs with a biodegradable PU could not be evaluated.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of dapsone.

Dapsone (DDS) has for about 4 decades been the most important antileprosy drug. Concentrations of dapsone and its monoacetyl metabolite, MADDS, can be determined in biological media by high-performance liquid chromatography. After oral administration, the drug is slowly absorbed, the maximum concentration in plasma being reached at about 4 hours, with an absorption half-life of about 1.1 hours. However, the extent of absorption has not been adequately determined. The elimination half-life of dapsone is about 30 hours. The drug shows linear pharmacokinetics within the therapeutic range and the time-course after oral administration fits a 2-compartment model. The concentration-time profile of dapsone after parenteral administration is reviewed. Of clinical importance is the development of a new long acting injection, which permits monthly supervised administration as recommended by the World Health Organization. Following dapsone injection in gluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue, a sufficiently sustained absorption for this purpose has been reported. Dapsone is about 70 to 90% protein bound and its monoacetylated metabolite (MADDS) is almost completely protein bound. The volume of distribution of dapsone is estimated to be 1.5 L/kg. It is distributed in most tissues, but M. leprae living in the Schwann cells of the nerves might be unaffected. Dapsone crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk and saliva. Dapsone is extensively metabolised. Dapsone, some MADDS and their hydroxylated metabolites are found in urine, partly conjugated as N-glucuronides and N-sulphates. The acetylation ratio (MADDS:dapsone) shows a genetically determined bimodal distribution and allows the definition of 'slow' and 'rapid' acetylators. As enterohepatic circulation occurs, the elimination half-life of dapsone is markedly decreased after oral administration of activated charcoal. This permits successful treatment in cases of intoxication. The daily dose of dapsone in leprosy is 50 to 100mg, but varies from 50 to 400mg in the treatment of other dermatological disorders. In malaria prophylaxis, a weekly dose of 100mg is used in combination with pyrimethamine. Side effects are mostly not serious below a daily dose of 100mg and are mainly haematological effects. The dapsone therapeutic serum concentration range can be defined as 0.5 to 5 mg/L. Alcoholic liver disease decreases the protein binding of dapsone; coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis may delay its oral absorption and severe leprosy has been reported to affect the extent of absorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of septicaemia on the plasma levels of biopterin and nitric oxide metabolites in rats and rabbits.

Live Escherichia coli decreased mean arterial blood pressure in rabbits from 67 to 20 mmHg. E. coli did not affect blood pressure in rats but did significantly increase heart rate by 29%. To related the cardiovascular effects with putative relevant biochemical pathways, the plasma levels of nitrate + nitrite (NOx) and biopterin, representing the main metabolites of nitric oxide and tetrahydrobiopterin, respectively, were determined in conscious rats and rabbits after treatment with live E. coli. In rats, E. coli induced a rapid 43% increase in the plasma level of biopterin preceding the 7- to 26-fold increase in NOx level. In rabbits, no increase in the NOx level was observed despite a 3- to 5-fold increase in the biopterin level at 6-10 hr posttreatment. It is concluded that the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin precedes nitric oxide synthesis after induction of septicaemia in the rat. After the induction of septicaemia, rabbits show a clear hypotensive response and an increase in biopterin level but no concomitant increase in NOx. Biopterin apparently represents a more appropriate biochemical marker of septic shock than does NOx.

Absorption and biodistribution of 111indium-labelled desferrioxamine (111In-DFO) after subcutaneous injection of 111In-DFO liposomes.

In the present study the kinetics of the release of desferrioxamine (DFO) from liposomes (fluid and rigid liposome type) at the subcutaneous (s.c.) injection site was studied. DFO was labelled with 111indium (111In-DFO) and the fate of s.c. administered liposomal 111In-DFO was monitored with a gamma camera. Free 111In-DFO rapidly disappeared from the s.c. injection site [90% of the injected dose (%ID) within 2 h]. After s.c. injection of the fluid liposome type, 20 %ID was released within 4 h and 50 %ID within 24 h. Approximately 25 %ID remained at the injection site 6 days after injection. With the rigid liposome type, no initial release (within 4 h) was observed. The rate of DFO release was similar to the fluid liposome type. Free drug was rapidly cleared from the bloodstream (within 2 h), while low, but detectable blood levels of 111In-DFO were maintained for 6 days after s.c. injection of liposomal drug. This resulted in higher peak levels of 111In-DFO in liver and kidney (4-6 %ID/g) compared with free drug (2-4 %ID/g), which were reached later in time. The present data point to sustained release of DFO from s.c. administered DFO-liposomes as the mechanism behind their enhanced therapeutic effect in murine malaria.

Correlation between nasal ciliary beat frequency and mucus transport rate in volunteers.

The correlation between mucus transport time (MTT) and nasal ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in human volunteers was investigated. Mucus transport was measured with the indigo carmine/saccharin sodium test. The test can be performed easily, with no need for sophisticated equipment. CBF was measured photometrically in biopsies from the ciliated epithelium of the nose. After statistical analysis with the Shapiro-Wilk test, it appeared that the logarithms of the MTTs were distributed normally. The correlation between the CBF and the log-MTT was tested with the least-square method. Correlation coefficients are r = -0.55 and r = -0.51 (n = 31) for the log-MTTs as measured with saccharin sodium and indigo carmine respectively. The results are significant at a level alpha = 0.005. The highly significant correlation between CBF and log-MTT suggests that CBF is the main factor in the nasal mucociliary clearance in healthy volunteers. The indigo carmine/saccharin sodium test appears to be useful in testing the in vivo effects of nasal drugs on mucociliary clearance.

The secretion of propranolol enantiomers in human saliva: evidence for active transport?

To study the possible transport routes which may lead to the presence of a drug in saliva, the concentration-time curves of the separate enantiomers of propranolol were measured in human saliva and plasma after oral administration of 10 mg of propranolol hydrochloride. Saliva samples were taken with the Salivette device. Plasma and saliva concentrations of the enantiomers of propranolol were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The transport of propranolol from plasma to the salivary gland appears to be not stereospecific and not saturable. Therefore, there is no indication that the transport of propranolol to the salivary gland is active. The concentrations of both enantiomers of propranolol in saliva, however, were higher than those of both enantiomers in venous plasma. In the past this phenomenon was interpreted as an indication of active transport, but it could be explained by the fact that salivary concentration more closely reflects the central compartment than that of peripheral venous blood.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of artelinic acid in rodents.

The efficacy of artelinic acid and artemisinin, orally administered at 10 and 50 mg kg-1 day-1, was compared in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Subsequently, the pharmacokinetics of artelinic acid after intravenous, intramuscular, oral and rectal administration of a 20 mg kg-1 aqueous solution to rabbits were studied in a four-way randomized cross-over experiment. After intravenous administration, artelinic acid concentrations in blood plasma were high (C0: 76 +/- 15 mg L-1), and the drug was rapidly eliminated from the central compartment, showing linear elimination kinetics with an elimination half-life of 15 +/- 3 min. A large inter-subject variation appeared in the absorption rate and the extent of absorption (2-92%) over the 120 min interval after intramuscular administration. Also, a large inter-subject variation in individual rectal bioavailability (17-100%) was shown, which was dependent on the site of absorption in the rectum. The estimated oral bioavailability was low (4.6 +/- 1.7%), probably due to a high first-pass effect and possible decomposition in the acidic gastric environment.

The parenteral controlled release of liposome encapsulated chloroquine in mice.

Free (0.6 mg), and liposome encapsulated chloroquine (0.6, 3 mg), were injected intraperitoneally, intramuscularly and subcutaneously in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of liposome-encapsulated chloroquine resulted in high and long lasting concentrations of chloroquine in the blood compared with intraperitoneal administration of free chloroquine. After administration of the liposome-encapsulated chloroquine the concentrations in the spleen were also higher, indicating that chloroquine liposomes reached the blood compartment intact after intraperitoneal administration. After intramuscular and subcutaneous administration the chloroquine liposomes acted as a local depot, giving a slower release from the subcutaneous fat layer than from the muscle depot. After the 0.6 mg dose a burst effect was found at about 7 h in most of the animals; this was not found after the 3 mg dose. This finding and the slower release after the 3 mg dose than after the 0.6 mg dose could be explained by the formation of aggregates after the injection.

The pharmacokinetics of artemisinin after oral, intramuscular and rectal administration to volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics after oral, intramuscular and rectal administration of artemisinin, a new potent antimalarial drug, to healthy volunteers has been examined. The study was set-up as a four-way cross-over design with a wash-out period of one week between the test days. In ten volunteers artemisinin concentrations in serum were monitored using a reversed phase HPLC assay with UV detection after derivatization. After oral administration, artemisinin was rapidly but incompletely absorbed, the mean absorption time was 0.78 h and the bioavailability relative to the intramuscularly injected suspension in oil 32%. The mean residence time of the latter (10.6 h) was 3 times that of the oral formulation (3.4 h). This seems to enable a twice daily dosage regimen for the intramuscular oil injection, while the oral formulation necessitates a more frequent dosing interval. After intramuscular injection and rectal administration of an aqueous suspension, very low and variable artemisinin concentrations in serum were observed, probably indicating a poor and erratic absorption.

Influence of dietary composition on the inhibition of fat absorption by orlistat.

Orlistat, a potent and selective inhibitor of gastrointestinal lipases, is designed for the treatment of obesity. The effect of orlistat on dietary fat absorption, when it was administered with diets differing in fibre content (high and low) and accessibility of fat (intra- and extracellular fat), was investigated in 32 hospitalized healthy males, according to an open, two-factorial study design. The subjects were randomly allocated to one of four parallel groups of equal size: A = intracellular fat, high fibre (28 g/day); B = extracellular fat, high fibre; C = extracellular fat, low fibre (9 g/day); or D = intracellular fat, low fibre. After a 5-day run-in period to accustom the volunteers to the standardized diet (2500 kcal and 84 g fat per day) and to establish baseline faecal fat parameters, they received 80 mg orlistat, three times daily mid-way through each meal for 8 days. Faeces were collected to measure total fat and free fatty acid excretions. The mean baseline-corrected excretion (% of dietary fat) in groups A, B, C and D, respectively, was 37.0, 30.4, 30.3 and 34.5 for total fat, and 6.5, 4.3, 2.6 and 3.9 for free fatty acids. The 95% confidence intervals for the difference between the means for high fibre and low fibre groups and for intracellular fat and extracellular fat groups, respectively, were 1.4 +/- 4.9 and 5.5 +/- 4.9 for total fat, and 2.2 +/- 3.1 and 1.9 +/- 3.1 for free fatty acids. The statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in total faecal fat between intracellular fat and extracellular fat groups, in absolute terms < 5 g fat/day, was not regarded as clinically relevant. Under the conditions of this study, dietary fibre content and accessibility of fat had no relevant effect on the inhibition of fat absorption by orlistat.

Enantioselective quantitation of (R)- and (S)-alprenolol by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in human saliva an plasma.

An enantioselective gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay is developed for alprenolol and its metabolite, 4-hydroxy-alprenolol, in saliva and plasma. The procedure is based on a two-step derivatization technique with N-heptafluorobutyryl-l-prolylchloride and N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide, followed by a gas chromatographic separation with mass spectrometric detection of the diastereomeric derivatives. A selected ion chromatogram extracted from full scan data shows that the respective enantiomers of alprenolol, 4-hydroxy-alprenolol, and the internal standard (ions at m/z 481) are well-separated in saliva and plasma. Linear and reproducible calibration curves are obtained over the concentration ranges 1.67-13.33 ng/mL and 2.50-20.00 ng/mL enantiomer in saliva and plasma, respectively. The performance of the method for alprenolol, in terms of accuracy and precision, fits well within the generally accepted criteria for validation. The enantioselective assay is successfully used in a study involving a single oral dose of alprenolol administered to two healthy volunteers. Stereoselective differences are observed in the saliva and plasma concentrations following an oral dose of 50 mg (R,S)-alprenolol hydrochloride.

The influence of the pH and osmotic pressure upon tracheal ciliary beat frequency as determined with a new photo-electric registration device.

A method for measurement of tracheal ciliary beat frequency in vitro is described. Light transmitted through the cilia is detected by a phototransistor mounted in a microscope, while the frequency is measured instantaneously and the waveform is displayed by an oscilloscope, connected to a transient recorder. Due to the magnification and the method of illumination, the movement of approximately 30 cilia is projected on the phototransistor. In Locke-Ringer solution the waveform shows a very constant amplitude. Interference arises after a noxious influence and is dependent on the frequency of the ciliary movement. The effect of pH and osmotic pressure on chicken embryo and rat tracheal ciliary beat frequency is assessed. The frequency is not influenced between pH = 7 and pH = 10, but higher and lower pH values decrease the frequency. Hypertonic NaCl solutions decrease the frequency of chicken embryo cilia as much as hypotonic NaCl solutions. Rat cilia turned out to be less sensitive for hypotonic NaCl solutions.