Real-Time Detection of Markers in Blood.

The real-time selective detection of disease-related markers in blood using biosensors has great potential for use in the early diagnosis of diseases and infections. However, this potential has not been realized thus far due to difficulties in interfacing the sensor with blood and achieving transparent circuits that are essential for detecting of target markers (e.g., protein, ions, etc.) in a complex blood environment. Herein, we demonstrate the real-time detection of a specific protein and ion in blood without a skin incision. Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology was used to fabricate silicon micropillar array (SiMPA) electrodes with a height greater than 600 µm, and the surface of the SiMPA electrodes was functionalized with a self-assembling artificial peptide (SAP) as a receptor for target markers in blood, i.e., cholera toxin (CTX) and mercury(II) ions (Hg). The detection of CTX was investigated in both in vitro (phosphate-buffered saline and human blood serum, HBO model) and in vivo (mouse model) modes via impedance analysis. In the in vivo mode, the SiMPA pierces the skin, comes into contact with the blood system, and creates comprehensive circuits that include all the elements such as electrodes, blood, and receptors. The SiMPA achieves electrically transparent circuits and, thus, can selectively detect CTX in the blood in real time with a high sensitivity of 50 pM and 5 nM in the in vitro and in vivo modes, respectively. Mercury(II) ions can also be detected in both the in vitro and the in vivo modes by changing the SAP. The results illustrate that a robust sensor that can detect a variety of molecular species in the blood system in real time that will be helpful for the early diagnosis of disease and infections.

Effects of licochalcone A on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of nifedipine in rats: possible role of intestinal CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibition by licochalcone A.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of licochalcone A (a herbal medicine) on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine and its main metabolite, dehydronifedipine, in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of nifedipine and/or dehydronifedipine were determined after oral and intravenous administration of nifedipine to rats in the absence (control) and presence of licochalcone A (0.4, 2.0 and 10 mg/kg). The effect of licochalcone A on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 activity was also evaluated. Nifedipine was mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. Licochalcone A inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner with a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50 ) of 5.9 µm. In addition, licochalcone A significantly enhanced the cellular accumulation of rhodamine-123 in MCF-7/ADR cells overexpressing P-gp. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC) and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax ) of oral nifedipine were significantly greater and higher, respectively, with licochalcone A. The metabolite (dehydronifedipine)-parent AUC ratio (MR) in the presence of licochalcone A was significantly smaller compared with the control group. The above data could be due to an inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 and P-gp by licochalcone A. The AUCs of intravenous nifedipine were comparable without and with licochalcone A, suggesting that inhibition of hepatic CYP3A4 and P-gp was almost negligible.

Effects of myricetin, an antioxidant, on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its active metabolite, EXP-3174, in rats: possible role of cytochrome P450 3A4, cytochrome P450 2C9 and P-glycoprotein inhibition by myricetin.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of myricetin, a natural flavonoid, on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its active metabolite, EXP-3174, were investigated in rats. Losartan and myricetin interact with cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and P-glycoprotein, and the increase in the use of health supplements may result in myricetin being taken concomitantly with losartan as a combination therapy to treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: The pharmacokinetic parameters of losartan and EXP-3174 were determined after oral administration of losartan (9 mg/kg) to rats in the presence or absence of myricetin (0.4, 2 and 8 mg/kg). The effects of myricetin on P-glycoprotein as well as CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 activity were also evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: Myricetin inhibited CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 enzyme activity with a 50% inhibition concentration of 7.8 and 13.5 microm, respectively. In addition, myricetin significantly enhanced the cellular accumulation of rhodamine 123 in MCF-7/ADR cells overexpressing P-glycoprotein in a concentration-dependent manner. The pharmacokinetic parameters of losartan were significantly altered by myricetin compared with the control. The presence of myricetin (2 or 8 mg/kg) increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of losartan by 31.4-61.1% and peak plasma concentration of losartan by 31.8-50.2%. Consequently, the absolute bioavailability of losartan in the presence of myricetin increased significantly (P < 0.05, 2 mg/kg; P < 0.01, 8 mg/kg) compared with the control. There was no significant change in the time to reach the peak plasma concentration, apparent volume of distribution at steady state or terminal half-life of losartan in the presence of myricetin. Furthermore, concurrent use of myricetin (8 mg/kg) significantly decreased the metabolite-parent area under the plasma concentration-time curve ratio by 20%, implying that myricetin may inhibit the CYP-mediated metabolism of losartan to its active metabolite, EXP-3174. CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced bioavailability of losartan may be mainly due to inhibition of the CYP3A4- and CYP2C9-mediated metabolism of losartan in the small intestine or in the liver, and the P-glycoprotein efflux pump in the small intestine by myricetin.

Effects of silibinin, inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein in vitro, on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel after oral and intravenous administration in rats.

Silibinin, a flavonoid, is an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux transporters, and its oxidative metabolism is catalyzed by CYP3A4. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oral silibinin on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of orally and intravenously administered paclitaxel in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel were determined in rats after oral (40 mg/kg) or intravenous (4 mg/kg) administration in the presence and absence of silibinin (0.5, 2.5 or 10 mg/kg). The effect of silibinin on the P-gp as well as CYP3A4 activity was also evaluated. Silibinin inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with an IC(50) of 1.8 mumol/l. In addition, silibinin significantly inhibited P-gp activity. Compared to the control group, silibinin significantly (p < 0.05 by 2.5 mg/kg, p < 0.01 by 10 mg/kg) increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (65.8-101.7% higher) of oral paclitaxel. Silibinin also significantly increased (p < 0.05 by 2.5 mg/kg, 31.0% higher; p < 0.01 by 10 mg/kg, 52.9% higher) the peak plasma concentration of paclitaxel. Consequently, the absolute bioavailability of paclitaxel was increased by silibinin compared to that in the control group, and the relative bioavailability of oral paclitaxel was increased 1.15- to 2.02-fold. The intravenous pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel were not affected by the concurrent use of silibinin in contrast to the oral administration of paclitaxel. Accordingly, the enhanced oral bioavailability in the presence of silibinin could mainly be due to the increased intestinal absorption of paclitaxel via P-gp inhibition.

Effects of silybinin on the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen and its active metabolite, 4-hydroxytamoxifen in rats.

The effects of silybinin, an antioxidant, on the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen and its metabolite, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, were investigated in rats. A single dose of tamoxifen was administered intravenously (2 mg/kg) and orally (10 mg/kg) without or with silybinin (0.5, 2.5 and 10 mg/kg) to rats. Silybinin significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of orally administered tamoxifen. Compared to those in the oral control group (given tamoxifen alone), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) and the peak plasma concentration (C(max)) of tamoxifen were significantly (p<0.05 for 2.5 mg/kg, p<0.01 for 10 mg/kg) increased by 40.2-71.3% and 45.2-78.6%, respectively, with silybinin. Consequently, the absolute bioavailability (AB) of tamoxifen in the presence of silybinin (2.5 and 10 mg/kg) was 31.1-38.1%, which was significantly enhanced (p<0.05) compared to that in the oral control group (22.2%). Moreover, the relative bioavailability (RB) of tamoxifen was 1.40- to 1.72-fold greater than that in the control group. Silybinin (10 mg/kg) significantly increased the AUC(0-infinity) (p<0.05, 40.0%) of 4-hydroxytamoxifen, but the metabolite-parent ratio (MR) of 4-hydroxytamoxifen was significantly altered (p<0.05 for 10 mg/kg), implying that the formation of 4-hydroxytamoxifen was considerably affected by silybinin. The enhanced bioavailability of tamoxifen by silybinin might be due to the promotion of intestinal absorption in the small intestine and the reduction of first-pass metabolism of tamoxifen in the small intestine and in the liver. If these results are confirmed in clinical trials, the tamoxifen dosage should be adjusted when tamoxifen is administered with silybinin or silybinin-containing dietary supplements.

Effects of quercetin on the pharmacokinetics of Etoposide after oral or intravenous administration of etoposide in rats.

Etoposide [4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin-9-(4,6-O-ethylidene)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] is a substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A. This study was designed to investigate the effects of quercetin (3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavanone), a P-gp and CYP3A inhibitor, on the pharmacokinetics of etoposide in rats. Etoposide was administered to rats orally (9 mg/kg) or i.v. (3 mg/kg) without or with quercetin (1, 5 or 15 mg/kg). The plasma concentration of etoposide was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a fluorescence detector. In the presence of quercetin, the pharmacokinetic parameters of etoposide were significantly altered in the oral group, but not in the i.v. group. The presence of quercetin significantly (5 mg/kg, p<0.05; 15 mg/kg, p<0.01) increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of orally administered etoposide from 43.0 or 53.2% . The presence of 5 or 15 mg/kg of quercetin significantly (p<0.05) decreased the total body clearance (CL/F) of oral etoposide. Consequently, compared to the control group (8.87%), the presence of quercetin significantly (5 mg/kg, p<0.05; 15 mg/kg, p<0.01) increased the absolute bioavailability (AB) of etoposide to 12.7 or 13.6% . The enhanced oral bioavailability of etoposide by quercetin could mainly be due to inhibition of P-gp-mediated efflux and CYP3A-catalyzed metabolism in the intestine by quercetin. The dosage regimen of etoposide in cancer therapy should take drug interaction into consideration when etoposide is administered with quercetin or dietary supplements containing quercetin.

Enhanced bioavailability of etoposide after oral or intravenous administration of etoposide with kaempferol in rats.

This study was to investigate the effect of kaempferol on the pharmacokinetics of etoposide after oral or intravenous administration of etoposide in rats. The oral (6 mg/kg) or intravenous (2 mg/kg) etoposide was administered to rats alone or 30 min after the oral kaempferol (1, 4, or 12 mg/kg) administration. Compared to the oral control group, the presence of kaempferol significantly (4 mg/kg, P < 0.05; 12 mg/kg, P < 0.01) increased the area under the plasma concentrationtime curve (AUC) and the peak concentration (C(max)) of the oral etoposide. Kaempferol decreased significantly (4 or 12 mg/kg, P < 0.05) the total body clearance (CL/F) of oral etoposide, while there was no significant change in the terminal halflife (t(1/2)), the elimination rate constant (K(el)) and the time to reach the peak concentration (T(max)) of etoposide in the presense of kaempferol. Consequently, the absolute bioavailability (AB%) of oral etoposide with kaempferol was significantly higher (4 mg/kg, P < 0.05; 12 mg/kg, P < 0.01) than those from the control group. Compared to the intravenous control group, the presence of kaempferol enhanced the AUC of intravenously administered etoposide, however, only presence of 12 mg/kg of kaempferol significant (P < 0.05) increased AUC of etoposide. The enhanced bioavailability of oral etoposide by kaempferol could have been due to an inhibition of cytochrom P450 (CYP) 3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the intestinal or decreased total body clearance in the liver by kaempferol. The dosage regimen of etoposide should be taken into consideration for potential drug interaction when combined with kaempferol or dietary supplements containing kaempferol in patients.

Effect of resveratrol on the pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous nicardipine in rats: possible role of P-glycoprotein inhibition by resveratrol.

The present study aimed to assess the effect of resveratrol on the bioavailability of nicardipine in rats. Nicardipine was administered orally (12 mg kg(-1)) or intravenously (4 mg kg(-1)) with or without oral administration of resveratrol (0.5, 2.5 or 10 mg kg(-1)). The oral administration of 2.5 or 10 mg kg(-1) of resveratrol significantly increased both the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) (P < 0.01, 111-126%) and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) (P < 0.01, 105-121%), and significantly decreased the total body clearance (CL/F) (P < 0.01, 52.8-55.8%) of orally administered nicardipine. In contrast, resveratrol did not significantly change the pharmacokinetic parameters of i.v. nicardipine. Resveratrol significantly reduced rhodamine123 efflux via P-gp in MCF-7/ADR cells overexpressing P-gp. Resveratrol also inhibits CYP3A4, suggesting that the enhanced oral bioavailability of nicardipine by resveratrol may result from decreased P-gp-mediated efflux or inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 metabolism. Based on these results, nicardipine dosage should be adjusted when given with supplements containing resveratrol.

Effects of morin on the pharmacokinetics of nicardipine after oral and intravenous administration of nicardipine in rats.

This study investigated the effects of orally administered morin, an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), on the pharmacokinetics of orally and intravenously administered nicardipine in rats. Nicardipine is reportedly a substrate for CYP3A4 and P-gp. Nicardipine was administered orally (12 mgkg(-1)) with or without orally administered morin (1.5, 7.5 and 15 mgkg(-1)), and intravenously (4 mgkg(-1)) with or without orally administered morin (7.5 and 15 mgkg(-1)). In the presence of morin, the pharmacokinetic parameters of nicardipine were significantly altered in the oral group but not in the intravenous group, suggesting that CYP3A-mediated metabolism of nicardipine in the liver is not significantly inhibited by morin. The presence of 7.5 and 15 mgkg(-1) of morin significantly increased (P < 0.01, 67.8-112%) the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and the peak plasma concentration (P < 0.01, 53.5-93.1%) of orally administered nicardipine. The presence of 7.5 and 15 mgkg(-1) of morin significantly decreased (P < 0.01, 40.4-52.8%) the total body clearance of orally administered nicardipine compared with the control group. The enhanced oral bioavailability of nicardipine suggests that intestinal-mediated CYP3A4 metabolism and P-gp-mediated efflux of nicardipine are inhibited by morin. Based on these results, concomitant use of morin or morin-containing dietary supplements with nicardipine may require close monitoring for potential drug interactions.

Effect of genistein on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel administered orally or intravenously in rats.

As many anticancer agents paclitaxel is a substrate for ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux, and its metabolism in humans mainly catalyzed by CYP 3A4 and 2C8. Genistein, an isoflavonoid, is supposed to be an inhibitor of some ABC transporters, and its oxidative metobolism catalyzed by CYP 3A4 and 2C8. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of orally administered genistein on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel administered through oral and intravenous (i.v.) route in rats. A single dose of paclitaxel administered orally (30 mg/kg) or i.v. (3mg/kg) alone or 30 min after oral administration of genistein (3.3mg/kg or 10mg/kg). The presence of 10mg/kg genistein significantly (p<0.05) increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC, 54.7% greater) of orally administered paclitaxel, which was due to the significantly (p<0.05) decreased total plasma clearance (CL/F) of paclitaxel (35.2% lower). Genistein also increased the peak concentration (C(max)) of paclitaxel significantly (p<0.05 by 3.3mg/kg, 66.8% higher; p<0.01 by 10mg/kg, 91.8% higher). Consequently, the absolute bioavailability (F) of paclitaxel in the presence of genistein was 0.020-0.025, which was elevated more than the control group (0.016); and the relative bioavailability (Fr) of orally administered paclitaxel was increased from 1.26- to 1.55-fold. Ten milligrams per kilogram genistein also significantly (p<0.05) increased the AUC (40.5% greater) and reduced the total clearance (CLt, 30% lower) of i.v. administered paclitaxel. The presence of genistein improved the systemic exposure of paclitaxel in this study. The pharmacokinetic interaction between them should be taken into consideration when paclitaxel is used with genistein or the dietary supplements full of genistein.

Effects of morin on the pharmacokinetics of etoposide in rats.

This study investigated the effects of orally administered morin, an inhibitor of CYP isozyme and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous and orally administered etoposide in rats. It was reported that etoposide is a substrate for P-gp and metabolized mainly via CYP3A4 and to a lesser degree via CYP1A2 and 2E1. Etoposide was administered through intravenous (2 mg/kg) or oral (6 mg/kg) routes to rats with or without orally administered morin (5 or 15 mg/kg), which was administered 30 min before etoposide. The pharmacokinetic parameters of etoposide intravenously administered were not significantly different from other groups, suggesting that CYP 3A-mediated metabolism and the P-gp mediated efflux of etoposide in the liver and kidney seemed not to be markedly inhibited by orally administered morin. However, orally administered morin (15 mg/kg) significantly increased the AUC (45.8%), C(max) (32.0%) and the absolute bioavailability (35.9%) of orally administered etoposide compared with the control, which could be mainly due to inhibition of CYP isoenzyme and P-gp in the intestine by morin. The dosage regimen of etoposide should be taken into consideration for toxic reactions when combined with morin or dietary supplements containing morin in patients.

Effect of naringin pretreatment on bioavailability of verapamil in rabbits.

The aim of present study is to investigate the effect of naringin on the pharmacokinetics of verapamil and its major metabolite, norverapamil in rabbits. The pharmacokinetic parameters of verapamil and norverapamil were determined after administering verapamil (9 mg/kg) orally to rabbits in the pretreated with naringin (1.5, 7.5, and 15 mg/kg). Naringin pretreatment significantly altered the pharmacokinetic parameters of verapamil. Compared with the control group (given verapamil alone), the Ka, Cmax and AUC of verapamil were significantly (p<0.05 or p<0.01) increased in the pretreatment of naringin, However there were no significant change in Tmax and t1/2 of verapamil. Consequently, pretreatment of naringin significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) increased the AB% of verapamil significantly in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05 or p<0.01), and elevated the RB% of verapamil by 1.26- to 1.69-fold. the MR of verapamil were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the pretreatment of naringin, implying that pretreatment of naringin may effectively inhibit the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of verapamil. In conclusion, pretreatment of naringin enhanced the oral bioavailability of verapamil. Based on these results, the verapamil dosage should be adjusted when given with naringin or a naringin-containing dietary supplement.

Effects of morin pretreatment on the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem and its major metabolite, desacetyldiltiazem in rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of morin, a flavonoid, on the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem and one of its metabolites, desacetyldiltiazem in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of diltiazem and desacetyldiltiazem were determined after oral administration of diltiazem (15 mg/kg) in rats pretreated with morin (1.5, 7.5, and 15 mg/kg). Compared with the control group (given diltiazem alone), pretreatment of morin significantly increased the absorption rate constant (Ka) and peak concentration (Cmax) of diltiazem (p<0.05, p<0.01). Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of diltiazem in rats pretreated with morin were significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05, p<0.01), hence the absolute bioavailability (AB%) of diltiazem was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05, p<0.01). Relative bioavailability (RB%) of diltiazem in rats pretreated with morin was increased by 1.36- to 2.03-fold. The terminal half-life (t1/2) and time to reach the peak concentration (Tmax) of diltiazem were not altered significantly with morin pretreatment. AUC of desacetyldiltiazem was increased significantly (p<0.05) in rats pretreated with morin at doses of 7.5 and 15 mg/ kg, but metabolite-parent ratio (MR) of desacetyldiltiazem was decreased significantly (p<0.05), implying that pretreatment of morin could be effective to inhibit the CYP 3A4-mediated metabolism of diltiazem. There were no apparent changes of Tmax and t1/2 of desacetyldiltiazem with morin pretreatment. Collectively, the pretreatment of morin significantly altered pharmacokinetics of diltiazem, which can be attributed to increased intestinal absorption as well as reduced first-pass metabolism. Based on these results, dose modification should be taken into consideration when diltiazem is used concomitantly with morin or morin-containing dietary supplements in clinical setting.

Enhanced paclitaxel bioavailability after oral coadministration of paclitaxel prodrug with naringin to rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of naringin on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel after oral administration of paclitaxel or its prodrug coadministered with naringin to rats. Paclitaxel (40 mg/kg) and prodrug (280, 40 mg/kg paclitaxel equivalent) were coadministered orally to rats with naringin (1, 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg). The plasma concentrations of paclitaxel coadministered with naringin increased significantly (p<0.01 at paclitaxel, p<0.05 at prodrug) compared to the control. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the peak concentrations (C(max)) of paclitaxel with naringin significantly higher (p<0.01) than the control. The half-life (t(1/2)) was significantly (p<0.05) longer than the control. The absolute bioavailability (AB, %) of paclitaxel with naringin was significantly higher (3.5-6.8%, p<0.01) than the control (2.2%). Absorption rate constant (K(a)) of paclitaxel with naringin increased, but not significantly. The AUC of paclitaxel after coadministration of prodrug with naringin to rats was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the prodrug control. The relative bioavailability (RB, %) of paclitaxel after coadministration of prodrug with naringin was 1.35-1.69-fold higher than prodrug control. The absolute bioavailability (AB, %) of paclitaxel after coadministration of prodrug with naringin increased significantly (p<0.05) from 6.6 to 9.0% and 11.2%. The bioavailability of paclitaxel coadministered as a prodrug with or without naringin was remarkably higher than the control. Paclitaxel prodrug, a water-soluble compound concerning with its physicochemical properties, passes through the gastrointestinal mucosa more easily than paclitaxel without obstruction of P-gp and cytochrome P-450 in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Oral paclitaxel preparations which is more convenient than the IV dosage forms could be developed with a prodrug form with naringin.