Iron-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks as a Theranostic Carrier for Local Tuberculosis Therapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was initial evaluation of applicability of metal organic framework (MOF) Fe-MIL-101-NH2 as a theranostic carrier of antituberculous drug in terms of its functionality, i.e. drug loading, drug dissolution, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast and cytotoxic safety. METHODS: Fe-MIL-101-NH2 was characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The particle size analysis was determined using laser diffraction. Magnetic resonance relaxometry and MRI were carried out on phantoms of the MOF system suspended in polymer solution. Drug dissolution studies were conducted using Franz cells. For MOF cytotoxicity, commercially available fibroblasts L929 were cultured in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. RESULTS: MOF particles were loaded with 12% of isoniazid. The particle size (3.37-6.45 µm) depended on the micronization method used. The proposed drug delivery system can also serve as the MRI contrast agent. The drug dissolution showed extended release of isoniazid. MOF particles accumulated in the L929 fibroblast cytoplasmic area, suggesting MOF release the drug inside the cells. The cytotoxicity confirmed safety of MOF system. CONCLUSIONS: The application of MOF for extended release inhalable system proposes the novel strategy for delivery of standard antimycobacterial agents combined with monitoring of their distribution within the lung tissue.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of zinc. Zinc-dependent NF-κB signaling.

Zinc is a nutritionally fundamental trace element, essential to the structure and function of numerous macromolecules, including enzymes regulating cellular processes and cellular signaling pathways. The mineral modulates immune response and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Zinc retards oxidative processes on a long-term basis by inducing the expression of metallothioneins. These metal-binding cysteine-rich proteins are responsible for maintaining zinc-related cell homeostasis and act as potent electrophilic scavengers and cytoprotective agents. Furthermore, zinc increases the activation of antioxidant proteins and enzymes, such as glutathione and catalase. On the other hand, zinc exerts its antioxidant effect via two acute mechanisms, one of which is the stabilization of protein sulfhydryls against oxidation. The second mechanism consists in antagonizing transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Zinc can exchange redox active metals, such as copper and iron, in certain binding sites and attenuate cellular site-specific oxidative injury. Studies have demonstrated that physiological reconstitution of zinc restrains immune activation, whereas zinc deficiency, in the setting of severe infection, provokes a systemic increase in NF-κB activation. In vitro studies have shown that zinc decreases NF-κB activation and its target genes, such as TNF-α and IL-1ß, and increases the gene expression of A20 and PPAR-α, the two zinc finger proteins with anti-inflammatory properties. Alternative NF-κB inhibitory mechanism is initiated by the inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, whereas another presumed mechanism consists in inhibition of IκB kinase in response to infection by zinc ions that have been imported into cells by ZIP8.

Metal-organic frameworks: mechanisms of antibacterial action and potential applications.

The growing resistance of pathogens to conventional antibiotics has become a public health problem and raises the need to seek new effective solutions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous, hybrid materials comprising metal ions linked by organic binding ligands. The possibility of using a variety of chemical building components in MOFs enables the formation of structures with desired properties. They can act as a reservoir of metal ions, providing their gradual release and resulting in a sustained antibacterial action analogous to that proposed for metal/metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) but different to that of antibiotics. These features make MOFs promising candidates for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, as illustrated by examples discussed in this review.

Drug-drug interactions and QT prolongation as a commonly assessed cardiac effect - comprehensive overview of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Proarrhythmia assessment is one of the major concerns for regulatory bodies and pharmaceutical industry. ICH guidelines recommending preclinical tests have been established in attempt to eliminate the risk of drug-induced arrhythmias. However, in the clinic, arrhythmia occurrence is determined not only by the inherent property of a drug to block ion currents and disturb electrophysiological activity of cardiac myocytes, but also by many other factors modifying individual risk of QT prolongation and subsequent proarrhythmia propensity. One of those is drug-drug interactions. Since polypharmacy is a common practice in clinical settings, it can be anticipated that there is a relatively high risk that the patient will receive at least two drugs mutually modifying their proarrhythmic potential and resulting either in triggering the occurrence or mitigating the clinical symptoms. The mechanism can be observed either directly at the pharmacodynamic level by competing for the molecular targets, or indirectly by modifying the physiological parameters, or at the pharmacokinetic level by alteration of the active concentration of the victim drug. METHODS: This publication provides an overview of published clinical studies on pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions in humans and their electrophysiological consequences (QT interval modification). Databases of PubMed and Scopus were searched and combinations of the following keywords were used for Title, Abstract and Keywords fields: interaction, coadministration, combination, DDI and electrocardiographic, QTc interval, ECG. Only human studies were included. Over 4500 publications were retrieved and underwent preliminary assessment to identify papers accordant with the topic of this review. 76 papers reporting results for 96 drug combinations were found and analyzed. RESULTS: The results show the tremendous variability of drug-drug interaction effects, which makes one aware of complexity of the problem, and suggests the need for assessment of an additional risk factors and careful ECG monitoring before administration of drugs with anticipated QT prolongation. CONCLUSIONS: DDIs can play significant roles in drugs' cardiac safety, as evidenced by the provided examples. Assessment of the pharmacodynamic effects of the drug interactions is more challenging as compared to the pharmacokinetic due to the significant diversity in the endpoints which should be analyzed specifically for various clinical effects. Nevertheless, PD components of DDIs should be accounted for as PK changes alone do not allow to fully explain the electrophysiological effects in clinic situations.

Multimodal approach to characterization of hydrophilic matrices manufactured by wet and dry granulation or direct compression methods.

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: The purpose of the research was to investigate the effect of the manufacturing process of the controlled release hydrophilic matrix tablets on their hydration behavior, internal structure and drug release. Direct compression (DC) quetiapine hemifumarate matrices and matrices made of powders obtained by dry granulation (DG) and high shear wet granulation (HS) were prepared. They had the same quantitative composition and they were evaluated using X-ray microtomography, magnetic resonance imaging and biorelevant stress test dissolution. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: Principal results concerned matrices after 2 h of hydration: (i) layered structure of the DC and DG hydrated tablets with magnetic resonance image intensity decreasing towards the center of the matrix was observed, while in HS matrices layer of lower intensity appeared in the middle of hydrated part; (ii) the DC and DG tablets retained their core and consequently exhibited higher resistance to the physiological stresses during simulation of small intestinal passage than HS formulation. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Comparing to DC, HS granulation changed properties of the matrix in terms of hydration pattern and resistance to stress in biorelevant dissolution apparatus. Dry granulation did not change these properties-similar hydration pattern and dissolution in biorelevant conditions were observed for DC and DG matrices.

[Metal-Organic Frameworks: A New Class of Mesoporous Materials and Potential Possibilities of Their Use in Pharmaceutical Technology]. / Sieci metaloorganiczne (MOF) - nowa grupa mezoporowatych polimerów koordynacyjnych i ich potencjalne zastosowanie w technologii postaci leku.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) belong to the new class of mesoporous, hybrid materials composed of metal ions and organic binding ligands. Their unique features: wide range of chemical building components, which enables obtaining biocompatible materials, and high surface area and loading capacity, make them promising drug delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents. The ability to tune their structures and porosities provides better adjustment for adsorbed drug molecule. Moreover, MOFs functionalized with ligands or antibodies can be used in cancer targeted therapy. Through the incorporation of paramagnetic metal ions into the structure, MOFs are suited to serve as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Combining drug delivery ability with imaging properties of MOFs indicates their potential use as theranostic agents and makes possible monitoring drug delivery within the body after administration in the real time. The aim of the present study is to characterize a new class of compounds and to present potential possibilities of their use as excipients in pharmaceutical technology .