Integrin α11ß1 regulates cancer stromal stiffness and promotes tumorigenicity and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Integrin α11ß1 is a stromal cell-specific receptor for fibrillar collagens and is overexpressed in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We have investigated its direct role in cancer progression by generating severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice deficient in integrin α11 (α11) expression. The growth of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and two patient-derived non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) xenografts in these α11 knockout (α11(-/-)) mice was significantly impeded, as compared with wild-type (α11(+/+)) SCID mice. Orthotopic implantation of a spontaneously metastatic NCI-H460SM cell line into the lungs of α11(-/-) and α11(+/+) mice showed significant reduction in the metastatic potential of these cells in the α11(-/-) mice. We identified that collagen cross-linking is associated with stromal α11 expression, and the loss of tumor stromal α11 expression was correlated with decreased collagen reorganization and stiffness. This study shows the role of integrin α11ß1, a receptor for fibrillar collagen in differentiation of fibroblasts into CAFs. Furthermore, our data support an important role for α11 signaling pathway in CAFs, promoting tumor growth and metastatic potential of NSCLC cells and being closely associated with collagen cross-linking and the organization and stiffness of fibrillar collagen matrices.

The influence of caffeine on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of theophylline.

During this open, two-period crossover study in eight healthy volunteers, 1200 mg anhydrous theophylline was administered as a two-stage infusion during 24 hours on day 6. During one of the 8-day periods, 300 mg caffeine, t.i.d., was administered orally. After the start of the theophylline infusion, plasma concentrations of theophylline and caffeine and urinary excretion of theophylline and four metabolites were determined frequently during 60 hours. With caffeine administration theophylline steady-state concentration and area under the curve increased by 23% and 40%, respectively, whereas the volume of distribution at steady state seemed unchanged. The cumulative urinary excretion of 1-methyluric acid and 1-methylxanthine did not reach a plateau, suggesting a capacity-limiting factor in their formation. Notwithstanding the mutual interference of theophylline and caffeine metabolism, the reduction in apparent total body clearance and elimination rate constant of theophylline by 29% and 31%, respectively, indicated a pronounced influence of concomitant administration of realistic amounts of caffeine.

Variations in the bioavailability of thiazinamium methylsulfate.

Bioavailability after oral administration of the anticholinergic drug thiazinamium methylsulfate (Multergan), a phenothiazine derivative with a quaternary ammonium group in the molecule, has been studied in patients and volunteers by measuring the drug concentrations in plasma or the excretion of the parent drug in urine. The relative bioavailability as compared to intramuscular injection seems to be of the order of 10%. Much more of the drug is absorbed, however, but is metabolized during the first liver passage. Moreover, there seems to be a substantial interindividual variation in the bioavailability of the drug. Studies in a group of eight volunteers showed that there is also a substantial intraindividual variation, but its magnitude is smaller than that of the interindividual variation.

Single-dose subcutaneous administration of recombinant human parathyroid hormone [rhPTH(1-84)] in healthy postmenopausal volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid hormone [PTH(1-84)] is intended for treatment of osteoporosis because it stimulates new bone formation of normal structure and composition. Recently, recombinant human PTH(1-84) [rhPTH(1-84)] has become available for therapeutic evaluation. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rhPTH(1-84) after single-dose subcutaneous administration of rhPTH(1-84) or placebo to 32 healthy postmenopausal volunteers (dose range, 0.02 to 5.0 micrograms.kg-1). RESULTS: In the lower dose range (0.02 to 2.0 micrograms.kg-1), serum ionized and total calcium concentrations increased dose dependently, with approximately 0.15 mmol/L for dose levels > 0.2 microgram.kg-1 and > 1.5 micrograms.kg-1, respectively, unlike the higher dose range (2.0 to 5.0 micrograms.kg-1), for which concentration-time profiles clearly exhibited a biphasic pattern. Urine evaluation revealed an increase in both calcium/ creatinine and phosphate/creatinine ratios, the former appearing in the 12- to 24-hour and 24- to 36-hour collections for doses > 2.5 micrograms.kg-1 and the latter in the 0- to 12-hour collection for doses > or = 1.5 micrograms.kg-1. Urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion was used as a biochemical marker of bone resorption, but no consistent changes were found. Urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate excretion, which is an indirect measure of PTH(1-84) action on the kidney, showed a clear increase in the 0- to 12-hour urine collection for doses > or = 1.5 micrograms.kg-1. As for ionized and total calcium, serum concentration-time curves of PTH(1-84) exhibited a double-peak profile, the first peak appearing about 5 to 10 minutes after administration and the second peak occurring about 1 1/2 to 2 hours after administration. Serum terminal half-life of PTH(1-84) was approximately 2 1/2 hours. CONCLUSION: Up to a dose of 5.0 micrograms.kg-1, rhPTH(1-84) was safe and well tolerated by healthy postmenopausal volunteers.

Pharmacokinetics of the novel antipsychotic agent risperidone and the prolactin response in healthy subjects.

The pharmacokinetics of a novel antipsychotic agent, risperidone, and the prolactin response were studied in 12 dextromethorphan-phenotyped healthy men after administration of 1 mg risperidone intravenously, intramuscularly, and orally. The formation of the equipotent major metabolite, 9-hydroxyrisperidone, exhibited CYP2D6-related polymorphism. The plasma area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity ratio of 9-hydroxyrisperidone to risperidone averaged 3 (intravenous and intramuscular) and 6 (oral administration) in the extensive metabolizers and 0.2 in the poor metabolizers. Risperidone half-life was about 3 hours in extensive metabolizers and 22 hours in poor metabolizers. Risperidone absolute oral bioavailability was 66%. The pharmacokinetics of the active moiety (risperidone plus 9-hydroxyrisperidone) varied little among subjects (mean terminal half-life, 20 +/- 2 1/2 hours; absolute oral and intramuscular bioavailability, 100%). The prolactin response correlated best with the plasma active moiety, which showed little hysteresis. It is concluded that risperidone metabolic polymorphism on increased plasma prolactin is minimal and that the active moiety is clinically relevant.

The influence of age on the pharmacokinetics of the antiepileptic agent oxcarbazepine.

The disposition of oxcarbazepine was studied in 12 young and 12 elderly healthy male and 12 young and 12 elderly healthy female volunteers, with emphasis on the influence of age. Oxcarbazepine was administered as a single dose of either 300 mg (men) or 600 mg (women), followed by multiple-dose (300 mg) administration twice a day for 7 days (men) or 6 days (women). Semilogarithmic plasma concentration-time curves showed an increasing decline at decreasing concentrations. Accumulation of the pharmacologically active metabolite monohydroxycarbamazepine was found to be more than one would anticipate on the basis of linear and unchanged pharmacokinetics. Saturation did not seem to occur at the level of renal excretion. No apparent differences between male and female volunteers were observed. A significant higher maximum concentration, higher area under the curve parameters, and a lower elimination rate constant were observed in the elderly. These observations are in line with a smaller renal clearance of monohydroxycarbamazepine in the elderly group. In a clinical situation, these age-related differences are not likely to have important implications. In general, treatment with oxcarbazepine was well tolerated.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan in healthy human subjects.

INTRODUCTION: Bosentan (Ro 47-0203) is a potent and mixed ETA-and ETB-receptor antagonist. Its activity has been studied in a variety of preclinical disease models. METHODS: Two double-blind placebo-controlled studies were performed to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of bosentan after single oral and intravenous doses in healthy volunteers; doses of 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, 600, 1200, and 2400 mg were given in a single ascending oral dose study, and doses of 10, 50, 250, 500, and 750 mg were given in a single ascending intravenous dose study (six subjects received active drug and two received placebo at each dose level). In an open-label crossover added to the second study, six subjects received a single oral dose of 600 mg and a single intravenous dose of 250 mg in randomized order. At regular intervals, blood pressure, pulse rate, and skin responses to intradermally injected endothelin-1 (ET-1) were recorded, and plasma levels of ET-1, proendothelin-1 (big ET-1), and ET-3, and drug and urinary levels of ET-1 and drug were determined. RESULTS: Systemic plasma clearance and volume of distribution decreased with increasing dose to limiting values of around 6 L/hr and 0.2 L/kg, respectively. The absolute bioavailability was 50% and appeared to decrease with doses above 600 mg. Plasma ET-1 increased maximally twofold (oral) and threefold (intravenous), and this increase was directly related to bosentan plasma concentrations according to an Emax model. Bosentan reversed the vasoconstrictor effect of ET-1 measured in the skin microcirculation. There was a tendency toward decreased blood pressure (approximately 5 mm Hg) and increased pulse rate (approximately 5 beats/min), neither was clearly dose dependent. Oral bosentan was well tolerated. Vomiting and local intolerability was observed at the higher intravenous doses. CONCLUSION: Bosentan is an orally bioavailable, well-tolerated, and active ET-1 antagonist with a low clearance and a moderate volume of distribution. Its intravenous use is limited because of local intolerability.

Food interactions with sustained-release theophylline preparations. A review.

Currently, theophylline is being used predominantly as sustained-release capsules or tablets. In the mid-seventies the first preparations for use with a dosage interval of 12 hours (twice-daily preparations) were introduced. Since 1983, theophylline preparations that can be given with an interval of 24 hours (once-daily preparations) have become available. The release of theophylline from some of these products can be influenced (either increased or decreased) by concomitant intake of food. With some preparations the composition of the meal (especially the fat content) has an influence on the degree of effect. The consequence may be an effect on the rate of absorption or on the amount absorbed, or both simultaneously. This could result in an unexpected shift of the plasma theophylline concentration. Such a shift is therapeutically undesirable, because theophylline has a fairly narrow therapeutic range. A review is given of those food interactions with the sustained-release theophylline preparations, both twice-daily and once-daily products, that are currently on the world market. Special attention is paid to the specific (bio)pharmaceutical characteristics of the different products, and to the influence of the composition and timing of the meals. For each preparation the effect of food on the following pharmacokinetic parameters is discussed: area under the plasma concentration-time curve, peak plasma drug concentration and time to reach this peak. Where possible, the results for both adults and children are discussed. There are indications that children are more susceptible to food-effects than adults. The regulatory aspects are mentioned briefly. Clinically important effects of food have been observed with the following twice-daily products: 'Theo-Dur Sprinkle', 'Theolair SR' (= 'Nuelin SR') and 'Theograd'. Pronounced effects could have an even greater impact with once-daily preparations, as the total daily dose will be given at a single time. A particularly sudden release of a major part of the dose ('dose-dumping') may result in toxic plasma concentrations. Among these products, clinically important effects in children have been reported with 'Theo-24' and 'Uniphyl'.

Pharmacokinetic drug interactions with theophylline.

Since up to 90% of a theophylline dose is biotransformed, drugs influencing microsomal enzyme systems in the liver may affect the elimination of theophylline. Other integrated mechanisms (e.g. hepatic uptake) may also be altered by concurrent administration of other drugs. Whatever the mechanism, the interaction may be sufficient to necessitate adjustment of the theophylline dosage, preferably guided by plasma theophylline determinations. Comedication with phenobarbitone may require an increase of the theophylline dose by about 30% due to increased clearance resulting from enzyme induction. Similarly, with phenytoin and carbamazepine a dose increase of about 40 to 50% may be required. In the case of rifampicin, isoniazid or sulphinpyrazone comedication, an increase of the theophylline dose by about 20 to 25% may be needed. On the other hand, other drugs decrease theophylline clearance, making a reduction in the dose of concurrent theophylline advisable: with usual doses of erythromycin, propranolol and isoprenaline (isoproterenol), a reduction of about 25% is needed; with cimetidine and oral contraceptives by about 30% or more; and with triacetyloleandomycin (troleandomycin) by about 50%. In high doses, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol can also retard theophylline elimination, and a reduction of the theophylline dose by about 20% may be advisable. Conflicting results have been reported on the influence of frusemide (furosemide) and influenza vaccines, while data regarding the effect of corticosteroids, benzodiazepines and verapamil on theophylline kinetics are not yet conclusive. Many drugs, however, appear not to significantly affect theophylline clearance. Some are from the same therapeutic group as the drugs mentioned above and offer clinical alternatives for coadministration with theophylline. Examples of drugs not found to have a significant effect on theophylline pharmacokinetics are ranitidine, josamycin, midecamycin, amoxycillin, tetracycline, cephalexin, cefaclor, orciprenaline, metoprolol, antacids, medroxyprogesterone acetate, metoclopramide and metronidazole. Most of the drugs discussed in this review appear not to affect the volume of distribution of theophylline significantly.

PIP: Since up to 90% of a theophylline dose is biotransformed, drugs influencing microsomal enzyme systems in the liver may affect the elimination of theophylline. Other integrated mechanisms (e.g., hepatic uptake) may also be altered by concurrent administration of other drugs. Whatever the mechanism, the interaction may be sufficient to necessitate adjustment of the theophylline dosage, preferably guided by plasma theophylline determinations. Comedication with phenobarbitone may require an increase in theophylline dose by about 30% due to increased clearance resulting from enzyme induction. Similarly, with phenytoin and carbamazepine, a dose increase of about 40-50% may be required. In the case of rifampicin, isoniazid, or sulphinpyrazone comedication, an increase in dose of theophylline by about 20-25% may be needed. On the other hand, other drugs decrease theophylline clearance, making a reduction in the dose of concurrent theophylline advisable; with usual doses of erythromycin, propranolol, and isoprenaline (isoproterenol), a reduction of about 25% is needed; with cimetidine and oral contraceptive by about 30% or more; and with triacetyloleandomycin (troleandomycin), by about 50%. In high doses, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol can also retard theophylline elimination, and a reduction of the theophylline dose by about 20% may be advisable. Conflicting results have been reported on the influence of frusemide (furosemide) and influenza vaccines, while data regarding the effect of corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, and verapamil on theophylline kinetics are not yet conclusive. Many drugs, however, appear not to significantly affect theophylline clearance. Some are from the same therapeutic group as the drugs mentioned above and offer clinical alternatives for coadministration with theophylline. Examples of drugs not found to have a significant effect on theophylline pharmacokinetics are ranitidine, josamycin, midecamycin, amoxycillin, tetracycline, cephalexin, cefaclor, orciprenaline, metoprolol, antacids, medroxyprogesterone acetete, metoclopramide, and metronidazole. Most of the drugs discussed in this review appear to not affect the volume of distribution of theophylline significantly.

Effect of an evening dose of regular and effervescent formulations of ranitidine or cimetidine on intragastric pH in healthy volunteers.

AIMS: To compare the effects on intragastric acidity of a single evening dose of either standard or effervescent formulations of ranitidine (300 mg) or cimetidine (800 mg). METHODS: Twelve healthy subjects were studied, using a four-period randomized cross-over design and an ambulatory intragastric pH monitoring technique. The subjects received a standard evening meal at 17.00 hours and one of the H2-receptor antagonist formulations was given at 23.00 hours. RESULTS: Both effervescent formulations caused a transient rapid increase in intragastric pH, reaching a maximum at about 3 min after ingestion. After both effervescent formulations a significantly higher pH was measured during the first 45 min after ingestion (P < 0.05), compared to the regular formulations. The onset of action of the H2-receptor antagonists was similar for both formulations of ranitidine and the effervescent cimetidine, but tended to be slower for the regular cimetidine (P = 0.06). Nocturnal intragastric pH was significantly increased by all four formulations, but more effectively so by the two ranitidine formulations. The duration of action (taken as time with pH > 4) of both ranitidine formulations was longer than that of both cimetidine formulations (P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A single evening dose of 300 mg ranitidine produces a stronger decrease of nocturnal gastric acid secretion than 800 mg cimetidine. The effervescent formulations of both drugs offer the advantage of a rapid decrease (within minutes) of intragastric acidity, with preservation of the sustained systemic effect.

Influence of moclobemide on ibuprofen-induced faecal blood loss.

In a pharmacological screen on drug-drug interactions performed in laboratory animals moclobemide potentiated at high doses the antiphlogistic/anti-inflammatory activity of ibuprofen. Therefore, a study was undertaken to determine in healthy volunteers the faecal blood loss induced by multiple doses of ibuprofen (600 mg t.i.d.) in presence and absence of steady-state concentrations of concomitantly administered moclobemide (150 mg t.i.d.). The results show that multiple doses of moclobemide do not change faecal blood loss induced by ibuprofen. Furthermore, no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction between the two drugs studied was detected.

A pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic comparison of metoprolol CR/ZOK with a conventional slow release preparation.

The plasma concentration-time profile and hemodynamic effects of metoprolol after the administration of metoprolol CR/ZOK, a multiple-unit controlled release formulation and a conventional slow release formulation, metoprolol Durules (Astra, AB Hässle, Mölndal, Sweden) once daily, were investigated in 12 healthy men. Data were collected over one 24-hour dose interval at steady state after 5 days of treatment. The study was randomized, three-way, crossover double-blind comparison of metoprolol CR/ZOK 200 mg, metoprolol Durules 200 mg and placebo. The reduction in exercise heart rate compared with placebo treatment was used as a measure of beta 1-blockade. The metoprolol plasma concentration-time profile during treatment with metoprolol CR/ZOK was smooth and uniform, showing a more constant release profile than that obtained with metoprolol Durules. This was demonstrated by the significantly longer time period during which the plasma concentration exceeded 75% of the maximum concentration (T75), for metoprolol CR/ZOK compared with metoprolol Durules (P less than .01). The Fluctuation Index of plasma metoprolol concentration was significantly smaller for metoprolol CR/ZOK than for metoprolol Durules (P less than .001). The pharmacokinetic differences between the formulations also produced differences in the time profiles of exercise heart rate. The percentage fluctuation in exercise heart rate over the dose interval tended to be smaller for metoprolol CR/ZOK. At the start and the end of the dosing interval, the CR/ZOK formulation was significantly more effective (P less than .01). These results indicate that Metoprolol CR/ZOK has a more sustained time profile of beta 1-blockade at steady state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

No influence of single intravenous doses of omeprazole on theophylline elimination kinetics.

The influence of single intravenous doses of omeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered theophylline was studied in eight healthy male volunteers. In a partially randomized three-period crossover design, an IV infusion of theophylline (400 mg over 30 min) was combined with IV omeprazole (either 40 mg over 2.5 min or 80 mg over 5 min) or with IV placebo (over 2.5 min). Theophylline and omeprazole plasma concentrations were measured over 24 hours after the start of the infusions and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The theophylline plasma concentration-time profiles after omeprazole coadministration were virtually identical to the corresponding profile after placebo administration. For each of the pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline, the 90% confidence intervals of the omeprazole coadministrations were within the 80 to 120% bioequivalence range with respect to the placebo coadministration. Omeprazole plasma concentrations indicated a biexponential decline in most subjects, with a more rapid elimination after the 40-mg than after the 80-mg dose (P less than .01). Doubling the dose caused an almost three-fold increase of AUC resulting in a difference in clearance (P less than .02), whereas the volume of distribution was similar. The results of this study indicate that the metabolism of theophylline is not affected by single intravenous doses of omeprazole. The nonlinear pharmacokinetics of omeprazole are ascribed to saturation of its main metabolizing enzyme, S-mephenytoin hydroxylase.

No pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interaction between theophylline and the leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor BAY x 1005.

An open, randomized, three-period crossover study was conducted to compare the steady-state pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability of concomitant administration of BAY x 1005 and theophylline in 12 healthy volunteers. BAY x 1005 (250 mg twice daily; treatment A) and theophylline (400 mg twice daily; treatment B), were administered alone and concomitantly (treatment C) for 6 days with a final morning dose on day 7. The treatments were separated by washout periods of at least 5 days. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived from concentrations of BAY x 1005 and theophylline as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in plasma collected before the morning dose on days 5 and 6 and at various times on day 7 of each period until 24 hours after drug administration. Adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and clinical laboratory studies were monitored as safety parameters. Levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were assessed in plasma collected on days 1 and 7. The treatments were well tolerated by all participants. The ratios of maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve for one 12-hour dosing interval (AUC tau) for treatment C versus B for theophylline on day 7 was 98% for both parameters. For BAY x 1005, the ratios of treatment C versus treatment A were 94% for Cmax and 101% for AUC tau. Plasma LTB4 remained virtually unchanged during either treatment. Steady-state concentrations of theophylline were not affected by concomitant BAY x 1005 intake, and addition of theophylline had no clinically relevant effect on steady-state plasma concentrations of BAY x 1005. The combination of theophylline and BAY x 1005 did not lead to a change in nature, intensity, or frequency of adverse events.

Steady-state pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of warfarin in the presence and absence of telmisartan in healthy male volunteers.

The effects of multiple-dose telmisartan on the steady-state pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of warfarin were assessed in 12 healthy young males in an open-label, single-period study conducted over 30 days. Subjects received loading doses of oral once-daily warfarin on days 1 to 5, which were individually adjusted at days 6 and/or 9 to attain stable predose prothrombin time values (INRpre) of between 1.2 and 1.8 by the end of medication phase 1 (day 14). From days 15 to 24 (medication phase 2), subjects received oral once-daily telmisartan 120 mg in addition to individualized oral doses of once-daily warfarin. On days 25 to 31 (medication phase 3), oral once-daily warfarin was again administered alone at individualized doses. Under steady-state conditions, INRpre remained unchanged during medication phases 1, 2, and 3. The difference between phases 1 and 3 was -0.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.7 to 0.10) and between phases 2 and 1 was 0.03 (95% CI: -0.11 to 0.10). Mean trough plasma warfarin concentrations (Cpre) were stable during medication with warfarin alone but showed a small, although statistically significant, decrease during the combined-medication phase. The point estimate of the ratio of phase 2/phase 1 was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84 to 0.95). The decrease in Cpre did not result in decreased anticoagulation. This suggests that the extent of pharmacokinetic interaction between telmisartan and warfarin is limited, and since telmisartan had no effect on INRpre and the concomitant medication was well tolerated, there is no evidence for a clinically relevant interaction between telmisartan and warfarin.

The effect of telmisartan on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of digoxin in healthy male volunteers.

A multiple-dose, open-label, two-period, crossover randomized study was conducted in 12 healthy male volunteers to investigate the effect of multiple-dose telmisartan on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of digoxin. On day 1 of a 7-day medication period, subjects received a loading dose of digoxin 0.5 mg in the morning, followed by an evening dose of digoxin 0.25 mg, either alone or together with telmisartan 120 mg administered in the morning. On the subsequent 6 days, either digoxin 0.25 mg or digoxin 0.25 mg together with telmisartan 120 mg was administered once daily in the morning. Each 7-day medication period was separated by a washout period of > or = 14 days. A steady-state plasma concentration-time profile was assessed for digoxin during each period and for telmisartan during the period with the combined treatment. Multiple-dose telmisartan administered with digoxin resulted in higher serum digoxin concentrations than those observed after digoxin given alone. Geometric mean AUC144-168, Cmax, and Cmin values for digoxin when given in combination with telmisartan were higher by 22%, 50%, and 13%, respectively, compared with values when given alone. However, the 90% confidence interval for the geometric mean of Cmin was within the predefined 80% to 125% range of no interaction. During combination medication, digoxin tmax was shorter and Cmax/AUC144-168 increased, suggesting that the rise in digoxin Cmax may be due to more rapid drug absorption. Study medications were well tolerated, with the incidence, nature, and intensity of adverse events being similar during both medication periods. Also, no changes in vital signs or clinical laboratory tests were observed during the study. Although there was some evidence for a pharmacokinetic interaction between digoxin and telmisartan found in this study, the safety and tolerability of digoxin were unaffected by concurrent administration of telmisartan in the study population. Since any symptoms of overdose are related only to steady state and not peak concentrations and due to the fact that there was a lack of effect on serum trough levels of digoxin in this study, it is unlikely that the findings have any clinical relevance. The magnitude of increase in digoxin concentrations is comparable with increases observed with administration of calcium antagonists, carvedilol, ACE inhibitors such as captopril, and antiarrhythmic drugs such as amiodarone, quinidine, and propafenone. Monitoring of serum digoxin concentrations should be considered when patients first receive telmisartan and in the event of any changes in telmisartan dose.

A comparison of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of riluzole after repeat dose administration in healthy elderly and young volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of the novel antiexcitatory agent, riluzole, were compared in 18 healthy elderly and 18 healthy gender- and weight-matched young volunteers. All participants received riluzole 50 mg twice daily (the recommended dosage for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), administered orally for 5 days. The pharmacokinetics of riluzole, determined on the morning of the 5th day of dosing, were not significantly affected by age or gender. The mean terminal elimination half-life (t1/2), however, was statistically significant between elderly and young subjects. Riluzole was well tolerated upon repeat dose administration. Headache was the most frequent adverse event reported, and there was no overt difference in the type, frequency, or severity of adverse events between elderly and young volunteers or between genders. In conclusion, these results indicate that no dosage adjustments of riluzole are required in the elderly.

Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, in healthy male volunteers.

The multiple-dose pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of oral bosentan, a selective endothelin receptor antagonist, were investigated in healthy male volunteers. In study A, an ascending-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, doses of 100, 200, 500, and 1000 mg bosentan or placebo were given once daily for 8 days as tablets (100 and 500 mg dose strength). In study B, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 500 mg tablets of bosentan or placebo tablets were given once daily for 8 days with two additional single intravenous dose administrations of 250 mg bosentan 48 hours before the first and 24 hours after the last oral dose. The drug was very well tolerated. No effects on pulse rate, ECGs, or clinical laboratory tests were observed. Marginal effects on blood pressure were seen in subjects only when standing. The oral bioavailability of bosentan was 43% to 48%, with a small interindividual variability of 20%. Doses above 500 mg did not lead to significant further increases in plasma levels of bosentan. From the first to the last day of the oral treatment phase, plasma concentrations of bosentan decreased by 30% to 40% due to a 2-fold increase in plasma clearance. Absorption and plasma protein binding did not change. The 24-hour urinary excretion of 6 beta-hydroxycortisol was increased in parallel by approximately 1.7-fold, indicating induction of cytochrome P450 3A isozymes. The two metabolites of bosentan reached plasma concentrations well below those of bosentan and will most likely not contribute to the pharmacological activity.

Absorption, metabolism, and excretion of intravenously and orally administered [14C]telmisartan in healthy volunteers.

The study was conducted in healthy male volunteers to evaluate the absorption, metabolic pattern, and mode of elimination of telmisartan, a nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist. [14C]telmisartan was administered orally in solution as a single 40 mg dose to 5 subjects. A further 5 subjects received short-term intravenous infusion of [14C]telmisartan 40 mg. Measurement of total 14C radioactivity in plasma showed that about 50% was absorbed following oral administration, with maximum plasma concentration observed after 0.5 to 1 hour. Absolute bioavailability was 43%. On average, 84% of total radioactivity in plasma reflected the parent compound. The remainder of total radioactivity could be ascribed to the glucuronide conjugate of telmisartan, which represented the only metabolite in man. About 99.5% of telmisartan was bound to plasma protein, mainly to albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. Telmisartan was reversibly distributed into erythrocytes. More than 90% of administered dose was excreted within 120 hours, and the excretion balance was complete 144 hours after dosing. Radioactivity was almost exclusively (> 98%) excreted via the feces; urinary excretion accounted for < 1% of the dose, irrespective of the route of administration. In the small fraction excreted into urine, the glucuronide conjugate of telmisartan was predominant. Although some telmisartan glucuronide was detected in plasma, only unchanged drug was identified in the feces. No changes in vital signs, electrocardiogram, or clinical laboratory tests were detected following telmisartan administration, and adverse events, predominantly unrelated to treatment and of mild intensity, were infrequent. One subject fainted and, on another occasion, reported faintness; these events were probably due to the antihypertensive action of the intravenous study medication.

Chronic brain ischemia in the monkey assessed by somatosensory evoked potentials and local blood flow measurements.

Physiological changes occurring in experimentally induced chronic ischemic areas of the brain in monkeys have been investigated by measuring local cerebral blood flow (lCBF) and recording somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to median nerve stimulation in the cortex and thalamus (VPL). Ischemia was produced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Its development was followed for weeks in the unanesthetized monkey. SEPs in VPL and cortex were shown to be useful indicators of neuronal activity in the course of brain ischemia. The most reliable parameters were found to be the amplitude of components P10, P12 and P20 of the cortical SEP, generated around the central sulcus. The relationship between the changes in spontaneous recovery of the SEPs, lCBF and behavioral signs, in the course of time, revealed characteristic patterns. Different components of the cortical SEP provide useful information on the localization of the ischemic cortical area. In addition, the amplitude of the VPL SEP may also change significantly after the occlusion of the MCA. Clear evidence for the phenomenon of diaschisis in terms of SEPs, was found in only one animal. An analysis of the relationship between lCBF and the amplitude of the SEPs showed that cortical SEPs could be measured at local CBF levels as low as 15 ml/100 g X min. The relationship between lCBF and cortical SEP amplitude was approximately linear in the range from about 60 ml/100 g X min down to 15 ml/100 g X min.