A novel approach in distinguishing between role of hydrodynamics and mechanical stresses similar to contraction forces of GI tract on drug release from modified release dosage forms.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of mechanical stresses simulating gastrointestinal contraction forces of 2.0 N (stomach) and 1.2 N (intestine) on the gel properties and drug release characteristics from sustained release swelling and eroding hydrophilic matrices during dissolution studies. Two batches of tetracycline-sustained release tablets containing hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) were manufactured and subjected to USP apparatus II (pH 2.2 buffer) dissolution studies. Hydrated tablets were periodically removed, placed in a petri dish, and multiple times (six cycle) compressed with a flat-ended probe (diameter 1.3 cm) on a texture analyzer at preprogrammed force of either 2.0 or 1.2 N to determine force-distance profiles and changes in drug release rate. The calculated similarity factor values showed dissimilar dissolution profiles using standard dissolution profile as a reference. The similarity factor (f2) values were especially lower than 50 at 2.0 N and, when profiles between the two batches compressed at 1.2 and 2.0 N, were compared with each other. The changes in dissolution pattern and release rate were significantly different after 4 h of dissolution. At 8 h, tablets were fully hydrated and no force could be detected by the probe, indicating a very soft gel matrix. It appears that the contraction forces in the stomach and intestine are capable of altering drug release from modified release hydrophilic matrices during transit in the human GI tract. Accounting for these forces during dissolution can enhance predictions of in vivo drug release, achieve better in vitro and in vivo correlation, introduce improvement in dissolution methods, and better understand the critical quality attributes (CQAs) and factors in quality by design (QbD) during the product development process.

Adsorption of doxorubicin on poly(methyl methacrylate)-chitosan-heparin-coated activated carbon beads.

Extracorporeal filter cartridges, filled with an activated carbon bead (ACB) adsorbent, have been used for removal of overdosed cancer drugs from the blood. Coatings on adsorbent matrices, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/activated carbon bead and PMMA/chitosan/heparin/ACB composites, were tested to improve their biocompatibility and blood compatibility. PMMA coating on ACBs was accomplished in a straightforward manner using a PMMA solution in ethyl acetate. A one-step hybrid coating of ACBs with PMMA-anticoagulant heparin required the use of acetone and water co-solvents. Multilayer coatings with three components, PMMA, chitosan, and heparin, involved three steps: PMMA was first coated on ACBs; chitosan was then coated on the PMMA-coated surface; and finally, heparin was covalently attached to the chitosan coating. Surface morphologies were studied by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the -SO(3)(-) group. Adsorption, of a chemotherapy drug (doxorubicin) from both water and phosphate-buffered saline, by the coated ACBs was examined. The adsorption isotherm curves were fitted using the Freundlich model. The current adsorption system might find potential applications in the removal of high-dose regional chemotherapy drugs while maintaining high efficiency, biocompatibility, and blood compatibility.

Control of the heparosan N-deacetylation leads to an improved bioengineered heparin.

The production of the anticoagulant drug heparin from non-animal sources has a number of advantages over the current commercial production of heparin. These advantages include better source material availability, improved quality control, and reduced concerns about animal virus or prion impurities. A bioengineered heparin would have to be chemically and biologically equivalent to be substituted for animal-sourced heparin as a pharmaceutical. In an effort to produce bioengineered heparin that more closely resembles pharmaceutical heparin, we have investigated a key step in the process involving the N-deacetylation of heparosan. The extent of N-deacetylation directly affects the N-acetyl/N-sulfo ratio in bioengineered heparin and also impacts its molecular weight. Previous studies have demonstrated that the presence and quantity of N-acetylglucosamine in the nascent glycosaminoglycan chain, serving as the substrate for the subsequent enzymatic modifications (C5 epimerization and O-sulfonation), can impact the action of these enzymes and, thus, the content and distribution of iduronic acid and O-sulfo groups. In this study, we control the N-deacetylation of heparosan to produce a bioengineered heparin with an N-acetyl/N-sulfo ratio and molecular weight that is similar to animal-sourced pharmaceutical heparin. The structural composition and anticoagulant activity of the resultant bioengineered heparin was extensively characterized and compared to pharmaceutical heparin obtained from porcine intestinal mucosa.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral heparin solid dosage form in healthy human subjects.

The present investigation determined the molecular structure and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of oral unfractionated heparin containing oral absorption enhancer sodium N-[8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl) amino]caprylate, salcaprozate sodium (SNAC) and assessed the safety and tolerability of the orally dosed heparin solid dosage form versus other routes. Sixteen healthy men were included in this single-dose, 3-way crossover, randomized, open-label study. Disaccharide compositional analysis was performed using capillary high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry detection. The pharmacodynamics of heparin were obtained from analysis of plasma anti-factor Xa, anti-factor IIa, activated partial thromboplastin time, and total tissue factor pathway inhibitor data. The molecular weight properties and the disaccharide composition of orally administered unfractionated heparin/SNAC and parenterally administered unfractionated heparin are identical and consistent with the starting pharmaceutical standard heparin. Furthermore, the anti-factor Xa/anti-factor IIa ratio achieved is of approximately 1:1. This is the first true pharmacokinetic study to measure the chemical compositions of heparin administered by different routes.

Impact of autoclave sterilization on the activity and structure of formulated heparin.

The stability of a formulated heparin was examined during its sterilization by autoclaving. A new method to follow loss in heparin binding to the serine protease inhibitor, antithrombin III, and the serine protease, thrombin, was developed using a surface plasmon resonance competitive binding assay. This loss in binding affinity correlated well with loss in antifactor IIa (thrombin) activity as well as antifactor Xa activity as measured using conventional amidolytic assays. Autoclaving also resulted in a modest breakdown of the heparin backbone as confirmed by a slight reduction in number-averaged and weight-averaged molecular weight and an increase in polydispersity. Although no clear changes were observed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, disaccharide composition analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry suggested that loss of selected sulfo groups had taken place. It is this sulfo group loss that probably accounts for a decrease in the binding of autoclaved heparin to antithrombin III and thrombin as well as the observed decrease in its amidolytic activity.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of homogeneous ultralow molecular weight heparins.

Ultralow molecular weight (ULMW) heparins are sulfated glycans that are clinically used to treat thrombotic disorders. ULMW heparins range from 1500 to 3000 daltons, corresponding from 5 to 10 saccharide units. The commercial drug Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium) is a structurally homogeneous ULMW heparin pentasaccharide that is synthesized through a lengthy chemical process. Here, we report 10- and 12-step chemoenzymatic syntheses of two structurally homogeneous ULMW heparins (MW = 1778.5 and 1816.5) in 45 and 37% overall yield, respectively, starting from a simple disaccharide. These ULMW heparins display excellent in vitro anticoagulant activity and comparable pharmacokinetic properties to Arixtra, as demonstrated in a rabbit model. The chemoenzymatic approach is scalable and shows promise for a more efficient route to synthesize this important class of medicinal agent.