Stability of oral liquid preparations of methylergometrine.

The stability of an oral ready to-use form of methylergometrine (0.05 mg/mL), which provides a convenient volume for administration (5 mL), was evaluated over a forty-seven-day period at different temperatures (5 degrees C and room temperature) without light in order to assign a shelf life. Methylergometrine was assayed by a stability-indicating HPLC method with diode array detection. The drug undergoes degradation under basic conditions and dry heat (50 degrees C). All the peaks of the degraded product were resolved from the standard drug with significantly different retention times. Statistical analysis proves that the method is reproducible and accurate for estimation of the intact drug. The pH of samples was monitored periodically for changes. Samples were also visually inspected for any colour change, precipitation or crystallization. At least, 96% of the initial methylergometrine concentration remained throughout the 47-day study period. Over the test period, no significant change was observed in the pH or colour of any of the samples. No degradation products were revealed. This study allowed an oral ready to use solution of methylergometrine (0.05 mg/ml) to be prepared, with a shelf life of more than one month (47 days) when stored at room temperature without light.

Modulation of endothelial permeability by 1-O-alkylglycerols.

Regulation of endothelial barrier function often occurs through signalling involving phospholipase C activation which produces diacylglycerol (DAG), a lipidic second messenger activator of protein kinase C (PKC). Therefore, modification of lipidic composition of endothelial cell membranes might modify DAG production and, as a result, alter regulation of endothelial permeability. We investigated the in vitro effects of natural 1-O-alkylglycerols on porcine aortic endothelial cell permeability to dye-labelled albumin. [3H]-1-O-alkylglycerols (10 microm) were substantially incorporated into phosphatidylcholine (6.6%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (4.4%). Stimulation of endothelial cell monolayer with phorbol-myristate-acetate or with the calcium ionophore A23187 resulted in a raise in permeability to albumin. Pre-treatment with 1-O-alkylglycerols (10 microm, 24 h) had no effect on basal albumin permeability but totally inhibited the effect of phorbol-myristate-acetate, and brought the permeability of A23187-stimulated endothelial cell monolayers below control. After incubation of cells with [3H]-1-O-alkylglycerols (10 microm, 24 h), we detected the production of the analogue of DAG, and PKC inhibitor, [3H]-1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycerol, in resting cells. This production was increased by 58% under A23187 stimulation while phorbol-myristate-acetate had no effect. Our data demonstrate that natural 1-O-alkylglycerols modify endothelial permeability, and suggest that this effect could be mediated through alteration of lipidic signalling.

[Grapefruit juice and drugs: a hazardous combination?]. / Jus de pamplemousse et médicaments: une association à surveiller?

A single glass of grapefruit juice can improve the oral bioavailability of a drug thus either increasing its efficacy or enhancing its adverse effects particularly if the therapeutic index is narrow. Grapefruit juice acts by inhibiting presystemic drug metabolism mediated by CYP P450 3A4 in the small bowel and this interaction would appear to be more relevant if the CYP 3A4 content is high and the drug has a strong first pass degradation. Intestinal P-glycoprotein may also be affected by grapefruit juice. The compounds responsible for this food-drug interaction have not as yet been identified but this phenomenon could result from a complex synergy between flavonoids (naringin, naringenin), furanocoumarins (6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin, bergamottin) and sesquiterpen (nootkatone). In our study, we report the mechanisms of action of grapefruit juice and the interactions between grapefruit juice and 42 drugs; to date, only 12 drugs showed no interaction. Taking these results into consideration, patients should be educated about grapefruit juice intake with medication.