Bisphosphonate Liposomes for Cobalt and Strontium Decorporation?

ABSTRACT: During a nuclear/radiological incident or an accident involving internal intakes with radioactive cobalt or strontium, the recommended treatments, consisting of the administration of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for 60 Co and calcium gluconate for 90 Sr, are of low specificity, and their effectiveness can be enhanced. In this manuscript, a liposomal formulation was developed to deliver potential chelating agents to the main retention organs of both radionuclides. A bisphosphonate, etidronate, has been selected as a possible candidate due to its satisfying decorporation activity for uranium, bone tropism, and potential affinity with cobalt. Pre-clinical studies have been carried out on rats using radionuclide contamination and treatment administration by the intravenous route. The effectiveness of free or liposomal etidronate was evaluated, with an administration at 30 min, 48 h post-contamination with 60 Co. Regarding 85 Sr, a more extended experiment with etidronate liposomes was performed over 6 d. The results were compared to those performed with reference treatments, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for cobalt and calcium gluconate for strontium. Unexpected results were found for the reference treatments that were significantly less effective than previously reported or showed no effectiveness. Free etidronate revealed no significant efficacy after 48 h, but the liposomal form suggested an interaction with radionuclides, not sufficient to change the biokinetics. This study emphasizes the need for early treatment administration and further research to provide a more effective medical countermeasure.

Experimental Study of the Biodistribution of New Bone-Seeking Compounds Based on Phosphonic Acids and Gallium-68.

We investigate biodistribution of gallium-labeled hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (68Ga-HEDP) and diethylenetriaminepentakis(methylenephosphonic acid) (68Ga-DTPMP) in intact Wistar rats. It was shown that 68Ga-DTPMP accumulated mainly in the bone tissue providing high femur/blood and femur/muscle ratios and had high stability in vivo. In contrast, 68Ga-HEDP was characterized by low stability and high uptake of radioactivity in blood throughout the study. So 68Ga-DTPMP can be considered as a new prospective radiotracer in oncology for imaging bone tissue metastasis by positron emission tomography.

Etidronate for Prevention of Ectopic Mineralization in Patients With Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum.

BACKGROUND: In pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), low pyrophosphate levels may cause ectopic mineralization, leading to skin changes, visual impairment, and peripheral arterial disease. OBJECTIVES: The authors hypothesized that etidronate, a pyrophosphate analog, might reduce ectopic mineralization in PXE. METHODS: In the Treatment of Ectopic Mineralization in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum trial, adults with PXE and leg arterial calcifications (n = 74) were randomly assigned to etidronate or placebo (cyclical 20 mg/kg for 2 weeks every 12 weeks). The primary outcome was ectopic mineralization, quantified with 18fluoride positron emission tomography scans as femoral arterial wall target-to-background ratios (TBRfemoral). Secondary outcomes were computed tomography arterial calcification and ophthalmological changes. Safety outcomes were bone density, serum calcium, and phosphate. RESULTS: During 12 months of follow-up, the TBRfemoral increased 6% (interquartile range [IQR]: -12% to 25%) in the etidronate group and 7% (IQR: -9% to 32%) in the placebo group (p = 0.465). Arterial calcification decreased 4% (IQR: -11% to 7%) in the etidronate group and increased 8% (IQR: -1% to 20%) in the placebo group (p = 0.001). Etidronate treatment was associated with significantly fewer subretinal neovascularization events (1 vs. 9, p = 0.007). Bone density decreased 4% ± 12% in the etidronate group and 6% ± 9% in the placebo group (p = 0.374). Hypocalcemia (<2.20 mmol/l) occurred in 3 versus 1 patient (8.1% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.304). Eighteen patients (48.6%) treated with etidronate, compared with 0 patients treated with placebo (p < 0.001), experienced hyperphosphatemia (>1.5 mmol/l) and recovered spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PXE, etidronate reduced arterial calcification and subretinal neovascularization events but did not lower femoral 18fluoride sodium positron emission tomography activity compared with placebo, without important safety issues. (Treatment of Ectopic Mineralization in Pseudoxanthoma elasticum; NTR5180).

Bone lesion absorbed dose profiles in patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with molecular radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to calculate the range of absorbed doses that could potentially be delivered by a variety of radiopharmaceuticals and typical fixed administered activities used for bone pain palliation in a cohort of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The methodology for the extrapolation of the biodistribution, pharmacokinetics and absorbed doses from a given to an alternative radiopharmaceutical is presented. METHODS: Sequential single photon emission CT images from 22 patients treated with 5 GBq of 186Re-HEDP were used to extrapolate the time-activity curves for various radiopharmaceuticals. Cumulated activity distributions for the delivered and extrapolated treatment plans were converted into absorbed dose distributions using the convolution dosimetry method. The lesion absorbed doses obtained for the different treatments were compared using the patient population distributions and cumulative dose-volume histograms. RESULTS: The median lesion absorbed doses across the patient cohort ranged from 2.7 Gy (range: 0.6-11.8 Gy) for 1100 MBq of 166Ho-DOTMP to 21.8 Gy (range: 4.5-117.6 Gy) for 150 MBq of 89Sr-dichloride. 32P-Na3PO4, 153Sm-EDTMP, 166Ho-DOTMP, 177Lu-EDTMP and 188Re-HEDP would have delivered 41, 32, 85, 20 and 64% lower absorbed doses, for the typical administered activities as compared to 186Re-HEDP, respectively, whilst 89Sr-dichloride would have delivered 25% higher absorbed doses. CONCLUSION: For the patient cohort studied, a wide range of absorbed doses would have been delivered for typical administration protocols in mCRPC. The methodology presented has potential use for emerging theragnostic agents. Advances in knowledge: The same patient cohort can receive a range of lesion absorbed doses from typical molecular radiotherapy treatments for patients with metastatic prostate cancer, highlighting the need to establish absorbed dose response relationships and to treat patients according to absorbed dose instead of using fixed administered activities.

Development of bone seeker radiopharmaceuticals by Scandium-47 and estimation of human absorbed dose.

In this study labeling EDTMP (ethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid)) and HEDP (Hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-Diphosphonic Acid) as the carrier ligands with Scandium-47 were investigated. The biokinetics of the bone seeking of labeled ligands with Scandium-47 were assessed by measuring the skeletal absorbed dose and then the mice data extrapolated to human absorbed dose and compared with the 186/188Rhenium-HEDP, 153Samarium-EDTMP dosimetry data estimated by other researchers. Because the availability of 47Sc was limited we performed some preliminary studies using 46Sc.

Drug composition matters: the influence of carrier concentration on the radiochemical purity, hydroxyapatite affinity and in-vivo bone accumulation of the therapeutic radiopharmaceutical 188Rhenium-HEDP.

INTRODUCTION: (188)Rhenium-HEDP is an effective bone-targeting therapeutic radiopharmaceutical, for treatment of osteoblastic bone metastases. It is known that the presence of carrier (non-radioactive rhenium as ammonium perrhenate) in the reaction mixture during labeling is a prerequisite for adequate bone affinity, but little is known about the optimal carrier concentration. METHODS: We investigated the influence of carrier concentration in the formulation on the radiochemical purity, in-vitro hydroxyapatite affinity and the in-vivo bone accumulation of (188)Rhenium-HEDP in mice. RESULTS: The carrier concentration influenced hydroxyapatite binding in-vitro as well as bone accumulation in-vivo. Variation in hydroxyapatite binding with various carrier concentrations seemed to be mainly driven by variation in radiochemical purity. The in-vivo bone accumulation appeared to be more complex: satisfactory radiochemical purity and hydroxyapatite affinity did not necessarily predict acceptable bio-distribution of (188)Rhenium-HEDP. CONCLUSIONS: For development of new bisphosphonate-based radiopharmaceuticals for clinical use, human administration should not be performed without previous animal bio-distribution experiments. Furthermore, our clinical formulation of (188)Rhenium-HEDP, containing 10 µmol carrier, showed excellent bone accumulation that was comparable to other bisphosphonate-based radiopharmaceuticals, with no apparent uptake in other organs. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Radiochemical purity and in-vitro hydroxyapatite binding are not necessarily predictive of bone accumulation of (188)Rhenium-HEDP in-vivo. IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: The formulation for (188)Rhenium-HEDP as developed by us for clinical use exhibits excellent bone uptake and variation in carrier concentration during preparation of this radiopharmaceutical should be avoided.

Anti-reabsorptive agents in women with osteoporosis: determining statistical equivalence according to evidence-based methods.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we undertook an equivalence analysis on the effectiveness of the main anti-reabsorptive agents indicated for women with osteoporosis. METHODS: Our methodology was a combination of meta-analysis (both pair-wise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis) and equivalence testing. The end-point was the incidence on new vertebral fractures. The anti-reabsorptive agents examined included alendronate, zoledronate, ibandronate, risedronate, and denosumab. RESULTS: Our analysis involved nine randomized trials. Ten head-to-head indirect comparisons were examined through network meta-analysis and the respective values of RR were estimated. The 95 % confidence intervals for RR remained within the interval of a relative ±40 % variation for all comparisons that involved alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and denosumab. In contrast, the comparisons involving zoledronate satisfied a post hoc margin up to ±67 %. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that most of these anti-reabsorptive drugs (namely, alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and denosumab) are equivalent according to reasonable equivalence margins.

Adsorption on apatitic calcium phosphates for drug delivery: interaction with bisphosphonate molecules.

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are well established as an important class of drugs for the treatment and prevention of several bone disorders including osteoporosis. This work investigated the interaction of two bisphosphonates, risedronate and tiludronate, with several apatitic supports, a well-crystallised hydroxyapatite (HA) and nanocrystalline apatites with varying maturation times, chemical composition and surface characteristics. The purpose was to fully understand the adsorption mechanism and desorption process, by the evaluation of the effect of several physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH and concentration of calcium and phosphate ions). Whatever the nature of the BP and the structure and composition of the apatite, the adsorption of such anti-resorptive agents can be well described as an ion exchange-reaction between phosphates species on the apatitic surface and BP molecules in solution. However, the parameters of adsorption can vary depending on the physicochemical conditions of the adsorption reaction. In addition, the structure and composition of the apatitic surface also influence the adsorption properties. Finally, BPs molecules are slowly released from apatitic supports, because most of the adsorbed molecules are irreversibly bound and not spontaneously released by dilution or simple washing. Moreover, similar to their adsorption, the release of bisphosphonates is strongly affected not only by the chemical properties of the molecule, but also by the chemical and structural characteristics of the apatitic substrates. The understanding of the adsorption and release processes provides fundamental tools for the development of drug delivery systems using apatite materials.

Bench to bedside development of GMP grade Rhenium-188-HEDP, a radiopharmaceutical for targeted treatment of painful bone metastases.

Bone-targeting therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are effective agents for treatment of painful bone metastases. Rhenium-188-HEDP is such a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical and has advantages over commercially available alternatives in terms of efficacy, safety and the ability to be produced on-site, allowing rapid treatment upon presentation of patients with pain. Unlike many other radiopharmaceuticals, there are no standardized preparation methods for Rhenium-188-HEDP. It is known, however, that drug composition may not only affect stability of the final drug product, but it may also influence bone affinity and, thus, efficacy. Furthermore, for support of clinical studies with Rhenium-188-HEDP as an investigational medicinal product, preparation of this radiopharmaceutical has to be performed under GMP conditions. To our knowledge, no group has reported on the preparation of Rhenium-188-HEDP under GMP conditions or on stock production of sterile non-radioactive starting materials. We present the production of GMP grade Rhenium-188-HEDP for application of this therapeutic radiopharmaceutical in routine clinical practice and for support of clinical studies. In addition, bio-distribution data of Rhenium-188-HEDP in mice and in patients with bone metastases originating from prostate cancer are presented.

Preparation, characterization, release kinetics, and in vitro cytotoxicity of calcium silicate cement as a risedronate delivery system.

Injectable bone cements have been well characterized and studied in non-load bearing bone fixation and bone screw augmentation applications. Current calcium phosphate cement or poly(methyl methacrylate) cement have drawbacks like low mechanical strength and in situ exothermic properties. This leads especially in patients with osteoporosis to worsening contact between implant and bone and can finally lead to implant failure. To improve these properties, a calcium silicate cement (CSC) was prepared, which additionally contained the bisphosphonate risedronate (RA) to promote osteoblast function. Cement setting rate and compressive strength were measured and found to be reduced by RA above 0.5 wt%. X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and porosity measurements by gas sorption revealed that RA reduces calcium silicate hydrate gel formation and changes the cement's microstructure. Cumulative release profiles of RA from CSC up to 6 months into phosphate buffer solution were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the results were compared with theoretical release curves obtained from the Higuchi equation. Fourier transform infrared spectra measurements and drug release studies indicate that calcium-RA formed within the cement, from which the drug can be slowly released over time. An investigation of the cytotoxicity of the RA-CSC systems upon osteoblast-like cells showed no toxic effects of concentrations up to 2%. The delivery of RA from within a CSC might thus be a valuable and biocompatible new approach to locally deliver RA and to reconstruct and/or repair osteoporosis-related bone fractures.

UPLC-UV method for determination of risedronate in human urine.

This study was designed to develop a sensitive and rapid method for the quantitation of risedronate in human urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with ultra-violet detector (UPLC-UV) and to compare bioavailability parameter of 5, 35 and 150 mg risedronate. The mobile phase consisted of sodium phosphate buffer, 1 mM etidronate-acetonitrile (95:5, v/v), pH 9.0, and was pumped at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Detection of risedronate in human urine by the UPLC-UV was accurate and precise from 20 ng/mL to 5 µg/mL (a correlation coefficient of 0.99) with 97.16% in mean recovery. The intra-day accuracy was 89.17-110.43% with precision of 0.04-3.16% and the inter-day accuracy was 89.23-110.19% with precision of 1.63-9.72%. Aet (accumulated excretion amount) of risedronate in the urine after 5, 35 and 150 mg administration was 35.08, 246.67 and 1.413.85 µg within 36 h and Umax (maximal excretion rate) was 12.11, 77.7 and 374.24 µg/h, respectively. The assessed dose proportionality of Umax and Aet with three single doses of risedronate was found in an approximately linear manner. These results indicate that the developed simple, rapid and robust assay enables the complete processing of large samples for pharmacokinetic studies of risedronate in biological fluid.

Ionic complex of risedronate with positively charged deoxycholic acid derivative: evaluation of physicochemical properties and enhancement of intestinal absorption in rats.

Risedronate is widely used clinically to treat osteoporosis, Paget's disease, hypercalcemia, bone metastasis, and multiple myeloma. However, its oral efficacy is restricted due to its low bioavailability and severe gastrointestinal adverse effects. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of deoxycholic acid derivatives on the permeability and oral bioavailability of risedronate by increasing its lipophilicity and affinity to bile transporters. We synthesized two bile acid derivatives, N(α)-deoxycholyl-L-lysyl-methylester (DCK) and N(α)-deoxycholyl-L-lysyl-hydroxide (HDCK) as oral absorption enhancers. After ionic complex formation with the bile acid derivatives, the complexes were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. Their artificial membrane permeabilities and bioavailabilities in rats were investigated in comparison with pure risedronate. Complex formation with DCK or HDCK demonstrated that risedronate existed in an amorphous form in the complex. A physical complex of risedronate with DCK enhanced the apparent membrane permeability of risedronate significantly but pure risedronate was not permeable. An in vivo study revealed that the C max and AUClast of risedronate/DCK (1:2) complex were 1.92- and 2.64-fold higher than those of pure risedronate, respectively. Thus, the risedronate/DCK complex can improve the oral absorption of risedronate and patient compliance by reducing dose frequency and adverse reactions.

Bioequivalence study of two risedronate sodium film-coated tablet formulations in healthy volunteers.

The present study was performed to compare the bioavailability of 2 risedronate sodium 35 mg film-coated tablet formulations (test formulation and reference formulation). Prior to the present study, in vitro comparative dissolution test has been conducted for test and reference formulations. Dissolution profiles shown that more than 85% of the drug is dissolved within 15 min at pH 1.2, pH 4.5, and pH 6.8.This study was a randomized, single-blind, 2-period, 2-sequence cross-over study which included 48 evaluable healthy adult male and female subjects under fasting condition. In each of the 2 study periods (separated by a washout of 3 weeks) a single dose of test or reference drug was administered. The pharmacokinetic parameters assessed in this study were cumulative urinary excretion from drug administration to 72 h (Ae72h) and maximum urine excretion rate (dAe/dtmax). These parameters were determined from urine concentrations of risedronate and urine volume. Urinary concentrations of the drug were determined by high performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detector.The geometric mean ratios (90% CI) of the test drug/reference drug for risedronate were 106.60% (92.34-123.07%) for Ae72h and 104.75% (88.86-123.47%) for dA/dtmax. The geometric mean ratios calculated for Ae72h and dA/dtmax of risedronate were within the bioequivalence range (80.00-125.00% for Ae72h and dA/dtmax). It was concluded that the 2 risedronate sodium film-coated tablets (test and reference drugs) were bioequivalent.

Suitability of liposomal carriers for systemic delivery of risedronate using the pulmonary route.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at testing the hypothesis that reversed phase evaporation liposomes (REVs) are suitable for systemic delivery of an anti-osteporotic drug (risedronate sodium (RS)) via pulmonary nebulization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RS REVs were prepared using phospholipids and cholesterol with or without stearylamine, and were characterized for morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE%), in vitro release, particle size and aerosolization behavior from an actively vibrating mesh nebulizer. RS accumulation in rat bones following intra-tracheal administration of the selected formulation was assessed using a radiolabelling-based technique, and histological examination of rat lung tissue was performed to assess its safety. RESULTS: The EE% of RS REVs ranged from 8.8% to 58.96% depending on cholesterol molar ratio, phospholipid type and presence of stearylamine. RS REVs' particle size ranged from 2.15 to 3.61 µm and were spherical and moderately polydisperse. Nebulization of the selected formulation showed an aerosol output of 85%, a fine particle fraction of 70.75% and a predicted alveolar deposition of 30.39%. The amount of radiolabelled RS deposited in rat bones after pulmonary administration was 20%, while being considerably safe on lung tissues. CONCLUSION: Cationic REVs is a promising carrier for systemic delivery of RS for treatment of bone resorptive diseases.

Development and validation of a sensitive solid-phase-extraction (SPE) method using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for determination of risedronate concentrations in human plasma.

Risedronate is a commonly prescribed bisphosphonate for the treatment of bone disorders. Due to its high polarity and low oral bioavailability, low concentrations of risedronate are expected in human plasma and therefore a sensitive assay is required to serve in pharmacokinetic studies. Here, we describe the development and validation of an LC-MS/MS assay for the measurement of risedronate concentrations in human plasma. Risedronate and the internal standard, risedronate-d4, were derivatized on an anion exchange solid-phase extraction cartridge. Trimethylsilyl-diazomethane which is a thermally stable and relatively non-toxic derivatization agent was used to methylate the risedronate phosphonic acid groups and decrease analyte polarity. Following extraction, the analytes were separated on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (150 mm×2.0 mm, 5 µm), using a gradient of ammonium acetate 10 mM and acetonitrile with a flow rate of 300 µL/min. The assay calibration range was 0.2-25 ng/mL. The calibration curve of risedronate standards spiked in six individual plasma samples was linear (r²=0.9998). Accuracy (percent deviation from nominal) and precision (percent coefficient of variation) at concentrations 0.5, 5 and 20 ng/mL, and at the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.2 ng/mL were excellent at <6%. Mean recovery was 54% for risedronate and 51% for the internal standard. Risedronate was stable in human plasma samples for at least 5 h at room temperature, 101 days frozen at -80°C, 72 h in an autosampler at 10°C, and for three freeze/thaw cycles. The validated assay method successfully quantified the concentrations of risedronate in plasma samples from informed consenting healthy volunteers administered a single 35 mg risedronate tablet.

Different modalities of NaCl osmogen in biodegradable microspheres for bone deposition of risedronate sodium by alveolar targeting.

Risedronate sodium was formulated into polylactide-co-glycolic acid microspheres for pulmonary delivery using the w/o/w double emulsion technique. Sodium chloride was used as osmogen in either the internal or external aqueous phase to surface-engineer the particles to achieve favorable properties. The prepared microspheres were characterized for the surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, in vitro release behavior, particle size, surface area, aerodynamic as well as powder flow properties. Furthermore, the safety of the drug and the selected formula were assessed by MTT viability test performed on Calu-3 cell line as well as histopathological lung tissue examination. A novel in vivo approach based on the radiolabeling of risedronate sodium with I(125) was developed in order to assess its deposition in the bones of male albino rats. The majority of the prepared microspheres exhibited high entrapment efficiency, sustained release profile up to 15 days, suitable geometric and aerodynamic particle sizes as well as good flow properties. The safety of the drug and the selected formula were proven by the high cell viability percentage of Calu-3 cells as well as the normal lung histology after intra-tracheal administration. The in vivo study showed high bone deposition for risedronate sodium following the pulmonary route, suggesting that it could be utilized as an alternative route of administration for delivery of bisphosphonates.

Ion pairs of risedronate for transdermal delivery and enhanced permeation rate on hairless mouse skin.

Ion-paired solutions of risedronate (RIS) with L-arginine (ARG), L-lysine (LYS), and diethylenetriamine (DETA) were tested in vitro for their potential to enhance the penetration of RIS across the skin of hairless mouse. The xylene solubilities of RIS paired with ARG, LYS, and DETA in molar ratios of 1:2, 1:2, and 1:1 were 8.9%, 12.0%, and 2.1%, respectively, in comparison with the solubility in deionized water, but non-ion-paired RIS was not detected in xylene. In vitro permeation tests were performed on the skin of hairless mice, and the results indicated that ion-paired RIS could penetrate mice skin about 36 times more effectively than RIS alone. The cumulative amount of ion paired RIS after 24 h resulted in 475.18±94.19 µg/cm(2) and 511.21±106.52 µg/cm(2) at molar ratio of 1:2 and 1:1. The cumulative amount of RIS alone was as low as 14.13±5.49 µg/cm(2) in 24h. The hairless mice showed no skin irritation after a single administration of RIS alone and ion-paired RIS (1:2 molar ratio with ARG, and 1:1 molar ratio with DETA). In this study, we found that RIS can be delivered transdermally, and the ion-paired system in an aqueous solution showed an enhanced flux through the skin barrier.

In vitro disintegration studies of weekly generic and branded risedronate sodium formulations available in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro disintegration of the five newly available Canadian generic risedronate 35 mg tablets compared to the innovator (branded) product, ACTONEL * *ACTONEL is a registered trade name of Warner Chilcott Company, LLC. (risedronate sodium) 35 mg. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Tablets were inspected for colour and appearance. Disintegration times were determined using United States Pharmacopeia 33 (USP33-NF 28) methods. Disintegration onset time was also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean disintegration onset time values for the generic risedronate 35 mg tablets ranged from 2 to 29 seconds, and the mean disintegration completion times ranged from 81 to 260 seconds. The mean disintegration onset and completion time values for the ACTONEL 35 mg tablets were 23 and 43 seconds respectively. Four out of the five generic tablets tested had shorter disintegration onset times than the branded product; two of the generic tablet products had very fast disintegration onset times i.e. 2-3 seconds. Disintegration completion time for all five generic products tested was longer than that observed for the branded product; two generic products had disintegration completion time values five to six times longer than the branded product. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the in vitro disintegration times were observed between the generic risedronate 35 mg tablets commercially available in Canada and the branded product, ACTONEL. The rapid disintegration onset times of two generic products may be important as this could increase the possibility of drug exposure in both the mouth and the esophagus during swallowing, resulting in unwanted localized irritation. However, it should be noted that an in vitro/in vivo correlation has not been established. Until such studies are completed it may be important to be aware of such in vitro disintegration differences when evaluating patients with newly presenting upper gastrointestinal complaints upon being switched from the branded product to generic formulations.

Particulate adducts based on sodium risedronate and titanium dioxide for the bioavailability enhancement of oral administered bisphosphonates.

Adducts based on a bisphosphonate drug (sodium risedronate) and titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) particles have been developed and characterized in order to improve the bioavailability of orally administrated bisphosphonates. Nanocrystalline and colloidal TiO(2), both characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, were used to obtain the adducts 1 and 2, respectively. Adducts 1 and 2 appeared constituted by nanoparticles of about 50nm and 90nm grouped in clusters of about 0.2microm and 2.5microm, respectively. Higher amounts of drugs were adsorbed on adduct 2 (7.2+/-0.3%) with respect to adduct 1 (4.0+/-0.3%). In vitro studies demonstrate that the adducts were able to release the drug in the pH range of 6-9, whereas they remained essentially stable in the pH range of 0-5. In vivo studies indicate that after oral administration to male Wistar rats, the microparticles of adduct 2 were able to prolong the presence of risedronate in the bloodstream during an 8h period, resulting in a relative bioavailability almost doubled with respect to the free drug. This behaviour allows envisioning an improvement of the risedronate therapeutic effects and/or a reduction of its frequency of administration with consequent reduction of gastro-oesophageal injuries typically induced by oral administration of bisphosphonates.