Pharmacokinetics of Asfotase Alfa in Adult Patients With Pediatric-Onset Hypophosphatasia.

Hypophosphatasia is a rare metabolic disease resulting from variant(s) in the gene-encoding tissue-nonspecific isozyme of alkaline phosphatase. In this 13-week, phase 2a, multicenter, randomized, open-label, dose-response study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02797821), the pharmacokinetics of asfotase alfa, an enzyme replacement therapy approved for the treatment of hypophosphatasia, was assessed in adult patients with pediatric-onset hypophosphatasia. In total, 27 adults were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to a single subcutaneous dose of asfotase alfa (0.5, 2.0, or 3.0 mg/kg) during week 1. From week 3 to week 9, patients received 0.5, 2.0, or 3.0 mg/kg subcutaneously 3 times per week (equivalent to 1.5, 6.0, or 9.0 mg/kg/wk, respectively). Noncompartmental analysis revealed exposure (maximum concentration in the dosing interval and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity) to asfotase alfa increased between single- and multiple-dose administration and with increasing doses; however, extensive interindividual variability was observed in the concentration-time profiles within each dose cohort. Median terminal elimination half-life was ≈5 days following multiple-dose administration, with steady state achieved by approximately day 29. Dose-normalized exposure data indicated that asfotase alfa activity was approximately dose-proportional within the studied dose range. Additionally, dose-normalized exposure was comparable across body mass index categories of <25, ≥25 to <30, and ≥30 kg/m2 , indicating that asfotase alfa dosing bioavailability was consistent in these patients, including those who were obese. These data, together with previously published pharmacodynamic results in this study population, support the use of asfotase alfa at the recommended dose of 6 mg/kg/wk in adults with pediatric-onset hypophosphatasia.

Interference of Asfotase Alfa in Immunoassays Employing Alkaline Phosphatase Technology.

BACKGROUND: Asfotase alfa (STRENSIQ®, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) is the only approved treatment for patients with pediatric-onset hypophosphatasia, a disease caused by a mutation in the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene. ALP is often used as signaling system in routine immunoassays. Because asfotase alfa contains the active site of the full ALP enzyme, it can catalyze the substrate as the antibody-conjugated ALP would within an assay. Therefore, its presence in a treated patient's sample may generate false positive or false negative results. We investigated whether the presence of asfotase alfa within a sample induced interference in immunoassays that utilize ALP or alternative detection systems. METHODS: Asfotase alfa was added to samples at concentrations from 0.08-5 µg/mL and analysed on various immunoassays following manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: Asfotase alfa was detected in all ALP assays but ALKP1 (RayBiotech). We observed no changes in normetanephrine and noradrenaline (IBL) at any asfotase alfa concentration. However, asfotase alfa notably interfered in an oxytocin (ENZO) assay in nonextracted samples. Extraction using a C18 column eliminated the interference. No interference was observed on automated analyzers using alternative detection system (COBAS fT4 and TSH; Advia Centaur FSH, fT4; Architect LH; FSH). Immulite 2000 fT4, TSH, testosterone and hCG (ALP-based) showed no interference. However, the presence of asfotase alfa resulted in a dose-dependent increase of Troponin I signal. CONCLUSION: The presence of asfotase alfa must be taken into consideration when analyzing blood samples in treated patients to avoid any risk of misinterpretation of false positive/negative results. It is essential that assays be tested for this possible interference.

Prophylactic and therapeutic activity of alkaline phosphatase in arthritic rats: single-agent effects of alkaline phosphatase and synergistic effects in combination with methotrexate.

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is a gate-keeper of innate immune system responses by detoxifying inflammation triggering moieties released from endogenous and external sources. We examined whether AP's broad mechanism of action constitutes a safe therapeutic, either as single agent or combined with methotrexate (MTX), for chronic inflammatory disorders, for example, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A rat model for RA was used with repeated intra-articular methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) injections in 1 knee ("arthritic" knee), with the contralateral knee serving as internal control. AP (200 µg, subcut) was administered before mBSA injections (prophylactic setting) or after arthritis induction (therapeutic setting) or combined with MTX (0.3 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg; intraperitoneally). As end point of treatment outcome, macrophage infiltration in knees, liver, and spleen was assessed by immunohistochemistry (ED1 and ED2 expression), immunofluoresence (macrophage marker folate receptor-ß [FRß]), and [18F]fluoro-polyethylene glycol-folate positron emission tomography (PET) (macrophage imaging) and ex vivo tissue distribution. Single-agent AP treatment and combinations with MTX were well tolerated. Both prophylactic and therapeutic AP markedly reduced synovial macrophage infiltration in arthritic knees (ED1: 3.5- to 4-fold; ED2: 3.5- to 6-fold), comparable with MTX treatment. AP-MTX combinations slightly improved on single agent effects. PET monitoring and ex vivo tissue distribution studies corroborated the impact of AP, MTX, and AP-MTX on reducing synovial macrophage infiltration. Beyond localized articular effects, AP also revealed systemic anti-inflammatory effects by a 2-fold reduction of ED1, ED2, and FRß+ macrophages in liver and spleen of arthritic rats. Collectively, single-agent AP and AP combined with MTX elicited local and systemic anti-arthritic activity in arthritic rats.

Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Dose Selection in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Human Recombinant Alkaline Phosphatase in Healthy Volunteers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previous clinical trials have suggested that bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase has renal protective effects in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury. We conducted a first-in-human study to investigate the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of a novel human recombinant alkaline phosphatase (recAP), and we developed a population pharmacokinetic model to support dose selection for future patient studies. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I trial, healthy volunteers received a single dose of recAP (200, 500, 1000 or 2000 U/kg; n = 33; 3:1 ratio) or multiple doses of recAP (500 or 1000 U/kg; n = 18; 2:1 ratio) via a 1-h intravenous infusion on three consecutive days. Serum recAP concentrations, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity levels and anti-drug antibodies were measured, and safety parameters were monitored. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed, and simulations were performed to guide dose selection for a phase IIa/b trial. RESULTS: Peak concentrations of recAP and peak AP activity were reached at the end of the 1-h infusion and showed a rapid decline, with about 10 % of the maximum concentration remaining at 4 h and less than 5 % remaining 24 h post-start. RecAP treatment was generally well tolerated, and anti-drug antibodies could not be detected in the serum up to 2 weeks post-injection after a single dose, or up to 3 weeks post-injection after multiple doses. A four-compartment model best described the pharmacokinetics of recAP administration, with moderate inter-individual variability on the central volume of distribution and elimination rate constant. Simulations showed that 1-h intravenous infusions of 250, 500 and 1000 U/kg recAP once every 24 h for three consecutive days constituted the dosing regimen that best met the criteria for dose selection in patient studies. CONCLUSION: RecAP did not raise any safety concerns when administered to healthy volunteers. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to support dose selection for patient studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 2013-002694-21 (EudraCT).

Biodistribution and translational pharmacokinetic modeling of a human recombinant alkaline phosphatase.

Clinical trials showed renal protective effects of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (AP) in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). Subsequently, a human recombinant chimeric AP (recAP) was developed as a pharmaceutically acceptable alternative. Here, we investigated the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics (PK) of recAP and developed a translational population PK model. Biodistribution was studied during LPS-induced AKI in rats. Iodine-125-labeled recAP was primarily taken up by liver, spleen, adrenals, heart, lungs and kidneys followed by the gastro-intestinal tract and thyroid. Tissue distribution was not critically affected by endotoxemia. PK parameters were determined in rats and minipigs during IV bolus injections of recAP, administered once, or once daily during seven consecutive days. Plasma concentrations of recAP increased with increasing dose and disappeared in a biphasic manner. Exposure to recAP, estimated by AUC and Cmax, was similar on days 1 and 7. Subsequently, population approach nonlinear mixed effects modeling was performed with recAP rat and minipig and biAP phase I PK data. Concentration versus time data was accurately described in all species by a two-compartmental model with allometric scaling based on body weight. This model provides a solid foundation for determining the optimal dose and duration of first-in-man recAP studies.

Microdosing of a Carbon-14 Labeled Protein in Healthy Volunteers Accurately Predicts Its Pharmacokinetics at Therapeutic Dosages.

Preclinical development of new biological entities (NBEs), such as human protein therapeutics, requires considerable expenditure of time and costs. Poor prediction of pharmacokinetics in humans further reduces net efficiency. In this study, we show for the first time that pharmacokinetic data of NBEs in humans can be successfully obtained early in the drug development process by the use of microdosing in a small group of healthy subjects combined with ultrasensitive accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). After only minimal preclinical testing, we performed a first-in-human phase 0/phase 1 trial with a human recombinant therapeutic protein (RESCuing Alkaline Phosphatase, human recombinant placental alkaline phosphatase [hRESCAP]) to assess its safety and kinetics. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed dose linearity from microdose (53 µg) [(14) C]-hRESCAP to therapeutic doses (up to 5.3 mg) of the protein in healthy volunteers. This study demonstrates the value of a microdosing approach in a very small cohort for accelerating the clinical development of NBEs.

Protective effects of BML-111 against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the new formyl peptide receptor 2/lipoxin A4 receptor agonist BML-111 on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice and explore its possible mechanism(s). Male Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally injected with BML-111 (1 mg/kg) twice daily for five consecutive days prior to a single intraperitoneal injection of APAP (500 mg/kg). Results have shown that APAP injection caused liver damage as indicated by significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Liver histopathological examination revealed marked necrosis and inflammation. Additionally, APAP decreased activities of hepatic glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) with significant increase in the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Furthermore, APAP increased serum nitrite/nitrate (NO2 −/NO3 − ) level and hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-á). Pretreatment with BML-111 significantly reversed all APAP-induced pathological changes. BML-111 prevented the increase of AST, ALT, and ALP. Also, BML-111 markedly attenuated APAP-induced necrosis and inflammation. It decreased MDA with increase in SOD and GSH. Importantly, BML-111 decreased NO2 −/NO3 − level and TNF-á. These findings suggest that BML-111 has hepatoprotective effects against APAP-induced liver injury in mice. Its protective effect may be attributed to its ability to counteract the inflammatory ROS generation and regulate cytokine effects

Isoenzima de fosfatasa alcalina placental-like, importancia clínica como marcador en tumores de tipo germinal / Clinical relevance of placental-like alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme as a germ cell tumour marker

Fundamento y objetivo. Justificar la importancia clínica de la determinación del isoenzima de fosfatasa alcalina (PLAP-like) como marcador en tumores de células germinales (TCG). Pacientes y métodos. Se documentan dos casos clínicos observando el comportamiento de este isoenzima: 1) Niño con germinoma intracraneal en región pineal, 75% de actividad de PLAP-like al inicio (valor normal: 0%), resto de marcadores tumorales negativos, y 2) Niña con teratoma inmaduro de ovario estadio I, elevación de la alfafetoproteína (AFP), 197ng/mL; PLAP-like 5,1% al inicio y 0,7% en recidiva tumoral tras dos años. Se determina PLAP-like valorando la actividad remanente tras termodesnaturalización sérica. Discusión y conclusiones. PLAP-like se comporta como único marcador específico en el primer caso de tumor germinal pineal que justifica su utilidad junto a pruebas de imagen en el diagnóstico de tumores de localización craneal. En el seguimiento, también es crítico el análisis dado que constata la buena respuesta al tratamiento en el primer caso, y en el segundo caso clínico, es el único marcador que complemente la valoración de la recidiva. Concluimos en la relevancia del análisis de este isoenzima como marcador complementario en TCG (AU)

Background and purpose. To determine the clinical relevance of placental-like alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme (PLAP-like) as a marker for germ cell tumours (GCT). Patients and methods. We report the behaviour of this isoenzyme in two patients; 1) A Child with an intracranial germinoma in the pineal region who showed 75% of PLAP-like activity at onset (normal value: 0%), with the rest of the tumour markers being negative, and 2) A girl with a stage I ovarian immature teratoma who had an elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), 197ng/mL, PLAP-like 5.1%, at onset and 0.7% at tumour recurrence two years later. PLAP-like was determined by assessing the remaining activity after heat denaturation of the serum. Discussion and conclusions. PLAP-like constituted the only specific marker in the case of the pineal cell germ tumour, which justifies its use in association with neuroimaging studies in the diagnosis of cranial tumours. At follow-up analysis, PLAP-like was also critical since it confirmed the good response to treatment in the first case, while in the second one, it was the only marker to complement the assessment of tumour recurrence. We believe that this isoenzyme analysis is of relevance as a complementary marker in GCT (AU)

Real-time monitoring of cell transplantation in mouse dystrophic muscles by a secreted alkaline phosphatase reporter gene.

Transplantation of muscle precursor cells (MPCs) is a promising approach for the treatment of muscular dystrophies. However, preclinical and clinical results have shown that the technology is not yet efficient enough for most therapeutic applications. Among the problems that remain unsolved are low cellular survival, poor proliferation and lack of migration of the transplanted cells. One major technical hurdle for the optimization of transplantation protocols is how to follow precisely the fate of the cells after transplantation. In this study, we examined the use of a secreted form of the mouse alkaline phosphatase (mSeAP) enzyme as the reporter system transduced into MPCs using a retroviral vector. We show that circulating mSeAP could be detected in the serum of the transplanted mice at different time points after MPC transplantation. We also found that the level of circulating mSeAP is highly correlated with the number of transplanted cells and that mSeAP is an excellent histological marker. Further, studying the levels of circulating mSeAP compared with the number of muscle fibers positive to mSeAP and to dystrophin, enabled detailed analyses of bottleneck steps for successful transplantation. Taken together, our results show that mSeAP is an excellent quantitative 'real-time' reporter gene for cell therapy preclinical studies.

Clinical pharmacology of exogenously administered alkaline phosphatase.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical pharmacology of exogenous alkaline phosphatase (AP). METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled sequential protocols of (1) ascending doses and infusion duration (volunteers) and (2) fixed dose and duration (patients) were conducted at clinical pharmacology and intensive care units. A total of 103 subjects (67 male volunteers and 36 patients with severe sepsis) were administered exogenous, 10-min IV infusions (three ascending doses) or 24-72 h continuous (132.5-200 U kg(-1) 24 h(-1)) IV infusion with/without preceding loading dose and experimental endotoxemia for evaluations of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety parameters, antigenicity, inflammatory markers, and outcomes. RESULTS: Linearity and dose-proportionality were shown during 10-min infusions. The relatively short elimination half-life necessitated a loading dose to achieve stable enzyme levels. Pharmacokinetic parameters in volunteers and patients were similar. Innate immunity response was not significantly influenced by AP, while renal function significantly improved in sepsis patients. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetics of exogenous AP is linear, dose-proportional, exhibit a short half-life, and are not influenced by renal impairment or dialysis.

Targeted drug delivery to bone: pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of acidic oligopeptide-tagged drugs.

Site-specific drug delivery to bone is considered to be achievable by utilizing acidic amino acid homopeptides. We found that fluorescence-labeled acidic amino acid (L-Asp or L-Glu) homopeptides containing six or more residues bound strongly to hydroxyapatite, which is a major component of bone, and were selectively delivered to and retained in bone after systemic administration. We explored the applicability of this result for drug delivery by conjugation of estradiol and levofloxacin with an L-Asp hexapeptide. We also similarly tagged an enzyme, tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, to see whether this would improve the efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy. The L-Asp hexapeptide-tagged drugs, including the enzyme, were selectively delivered to bone in comparison with the untagged drugs. It was expected that the ester linkage to the hexapeptide would be susceptible to hydrolysis in situ, releasing the drug or enzyme from the acidic oligopeptide. An in vivo experiment confirmed the efficacy of L-Asp hexapeptide-tagged estradiol and levofloxacin, although there was some loss of bioactivity of estradiol and levofloxacin in vitro, suggesting that the acidic hexapeptide was partly removed by hydrolysis in the body after delivery to bone. The adverse effect of estradiol on the uterus was greatly reduced by conjugation to the hexapeptide. These results support the usefulness of acidic oligopeptides as bone-targeting carriers for therapeutic agents. We present some pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of the L-Asp hexapeptide-tagged drugs and enzyme.

Enzyme replacement therapy for murine hypophosphatasia.

INTRODUCTION: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is the inborn error of metabolism that features rickets or osteomalacia caused by loss-of-function mutation(s) within the gene that encodes the tissue-nonspecific isozyme of alkaline phosphatase (TNALP). Consequently, natural substrates for this ectoenzyme accumulate extracellulary including inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), an inhibitor of mineralization, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), a co-factor form of vitamin B6. Babies with the infantile form of HPP often die with severe rickets and sometimes hypercalcemia and vitamin B6-dependent seizures. There is no established medical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human TNALP was bioengineered with the C terminus extended by the Fc region of human IgG for one-step purification and a deca-aspartate sequence (D10) for targeting to mineralizing tissue (sALP-FcD10). TNALP-null mice (Akp2-/-), an excellent model for infantile HPP, were treated from birth using sALP-FcD10. Short-term and long-term efficacy studies consisted of once daily subcutaneous injections of 1, 2, or 8.2 mg/kg sALP-FcD10 for 15, 19, and 15 or 52 days, respectively. We assessed survival and growth rates, circulating levels of sALP-FcD10 activity, calcium, PPi, and pyridoxal, as well as skeletal and dental manifestations using radiography, microCT, and histomorphometry. RESULTS: Akp2-/- mice receiving high-dose sALP-FcD10 grew normally and appeared well without skeletal or dental disease or epilepsy. Plasma calcium, PPi, and pyridoxal concentrations remained in their normal ranges. We found no evidence of significant skeletal or dental disease. CONCLUSIONS: Enzyme replacement using a bone-targeted, recombinant form of human TNALP prevents infantile HPP in Akp2-/- mice.

Enhancement of drug delivery to bone: characterization of human tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase tagged with an acidic oligopeptide.

Hypophosphatasia is caused by deficiency of activity of the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP), resulting in a defect of bone mineralization. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with partially purified plasma enzyme was attempted but with little clinical improvement. Attaining clinical effectiveness with ERT for hypophosphatasia may require delivering functional TNSALP enzyme to bone. We tagged the C-terminal-anchorless TNSALP enzyme with an acidic oligopeptide (a six or eight residue stretch of L-Asp), and compared the biochemical properties of the purified tagged and untagged enzymes derived from Chinese hamster ovary cell lines. The specific activities of the purified enzymes tagged with the acidic oligopeptide were the same as the untagged enzyme. In vitro affinity experiments showed the tagged enzymes had 30-fold higher affinity for hydroxyapatite than the untagged enzyme. Lectin affinity chromatography for carbohydrate structure showed little difference among the three enzymes. Biodistribution pattern from single infusion of the fluorescence-labeled enzymes into mice showed delayed clearance from the plasma up to 18 h post infusion and the amount of tagged enzyme retained in bone was 4-fold greater than that of the untagged enzyme. In vitro mineralization assays with the bone marrow from a hypophosphatasia patient using each of the three enzymes in the presence of high concentrations of pyrophosphate provided evidence of bone mineralization. These results show the anchorless enzymes tagged with an acidic oligopeptide are delivered efficiently to bone and function bioactively in bone mineralization, at least in vitro. They suggest potential advantages for use of these tagged enzymes in ERT for hypophosphatasia, which should be explored.

Alteration of adenoid tissue alkaline and acid phosphatase in children with secretory otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: The role of pharyngeal lymphoid tissue in etiopathogenesis of secretory otitis is not yet defined. The influence of tonsillar and adenoid mass, weight, obstruction of naspharyngeal orrifitium, bacterial reservoire or some immunological events are of scientific interest. Tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) are enzymes detected in lymphoid tissue, TNAP as characteristic of B cells, ACP as a characteristic of macrophages and folucullardentritic cells. These enzymes interfere in cell metabolism by removing 5' phosphate group from nucleotides and proteins. Specific activity and kinetic properties were studied in palatinal tonsils and adenoids of children with secretory otitis (OME) and compared with children with recurrent tonsillitis without ear involvement. METHOD: Adenoid and tonsillar tissue of l7 children with OME and 30 children with recurrent tonsillitis were subjected to biochemical investigation using method of releasing of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP). Kinetic parameters as Michaelis-Menten constant were calculated by non-linear regression estimation method. RESULTS: Specific activity of adenoid alkaline phosphatase was lower in children with OME in relation to children with recurrent tonsillitis (t=5.733507, p<0.01). Specific activity of adenoid acid phosphatase was also lower in children with OME (t=3.655456, p<0.01). pH optimum for both enzymes was the same in these two groups of children. Michaelis-Menten constant for both enzymes was significantly higher in adenoid of children with OME than in children with recurrent tonsillitis suggesting lower enzyme affinity for the substrate. CONCLUSION: Differences in specific activities and kinetic properties of adenoid alkaline and acid phosphatases between children with OME and children with recurrent tonsillitis without OME were verified in this study. The results of the study are not able to explain the alteration of alkaline and acid phosphatase characteristics but could point to some possible and specific role of nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue in pathogenesis of secretary otitis.

Renal tubular toxicity associated with tenofovir assessed using urine-beta 2 microglobulin, percentage of tubular reabsorption of phosphate and alkaline phosphatase levels.

Despite its wide use, the renal tubular toxicity of tenofovir has not been fully evaluated. Twelve weeks after initiating a tenofovir-containing HAART regimen, a high urine-beta 2 microglobulin level was observed in 12 out of 17 patients, the percentage of tubular reabsorption of phosphate decreased from 96.0 to 91.1% and alkaline phosphatase increased from 294 to 365 U/l, whereas serum creatinine and phosphorus remained largely unchanged. Patients with the above findings should be monitored carefully for renal tubular toxicity.

Calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase, a novel therapeutic drug for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated diseases, attenuates LPS toxicity in mice and piglets.

It has been demonstrated that human placental alkaline phosphatase (HPLAP) attenuates the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory response, likely through dephosphorylation of the lipid A moiety of LPS. In this study, it is demonstrated that also alkaline phosphatase derived from calf intestine (CIAP) is able to detoxify LPS. In mice administered CIAP, 80% of the animals survived a lethal Escherichia coli infection. In piglets, previous to LPS detoxification, the pharmacokinetic behavior of CIAP was studied. CIAP clearance was shown to be dose-independent and showed a biphasic pattern with an initial t1/2 of 3 to 5 min and a second phase t1/2 of 2 to 3 h. Although CIAP is cleared much faster than HPLAP, it attenuates LPS-mediated effects on hematology and tumor necrosis factor-alpha responses at doses up to 10 microg/kg in piglets. LPS-induced hematological changes were antagonized, and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha response was reduced up to 98%. Daily i.v. bolus administration of 4000 units CIAP, the highest dose used in the LPS intervention studies, in piglets for 28 days was tolerated without any sign of toxicity. Therefore, CIAP potentially encompasses a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of LPS-mediated diseases. Based on the data mentioned above, human clinical trials have been initiated.

Prophylactic action of melatonin against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in mice.

The present study investigated the prophylactic influence of melatonin against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in mouse tissues. Lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and serum phosphatase levels were analyzed in brain, spleen liver, lungs, kidney and testes. Fifteen days oral administration with melatonin (0.1 mg/kg bw per day) before treatment checked the augmentation of the level of lipid peroxidation, blood GSSG and acid phosphatase caused by an acute treatment with a radiomimetic drug, cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg bw). Cyclophosphamide-induced depletion in the level of GSH, GSH-Px and alkaline phosphatase was made up statistically significant by chronic melatonin administration given orally. The results indicate the antioxidative properties of melatonin resulting into its prophylactic property against the cyclophosphamide-induced biochemical alterations. The finding support the idea that melatonin is a potent free-radical scavenger and antioxidant.

Kinetic studies on the membrane form of intestinal alkaline phosphatase

We have purified different membrane and soluble forms of alkaline phosphatase from human placenta and bovine intestine. The enzymes will be used as markers in immunoconjugates and/or as model for membrane enzyme studies. The membrane formof alkaline phosphatase extracted from bovine intestine was purified on Q-Sepharose and on L-histidyldiazobenzylphosphonic acid-agarose columns to remove phosphodiesterase activity. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of 61 kDa, Km of 1208 µM, and Vmax 240 µmol pNP/min when assayed in 1 M diethanolamine, 0.5 mM MgCl2 buffer, pH 9.8, containing 10 to 2250 µM of pNPP at 37§C. In the present investigation we studied the effect of salts and inositol derivatives on this enzyme activity, which was found to depend on 0.5 mM Mg2+, and to be fully inhibited by 1.2 mM Hg2+. Vanadate (0.5 mM) and Zn2+ (0.5 mM) reduced the Km value by 43 percent and 84 percent, respectively. Inositol (2 mM) and inositol-2-monophosphate (2 mM) reduced the activity by 23 percent and 17 percent. Inositol-1-monophosphate (0.5 mM) and cyclic-inositol-(1:2)-monophosphate (0.5 mM) enhanced their Km value by at least 30 percent compared to p-nitrophenylphosphate

Nuclear localization and characterization of alkaline phosphatase in neutrophils from normal controls and pregnant women.

There were controversial data concerning localization of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in neutrophil nuclei under physiological conditions. In this context, the AP pattern has been determined on nuclei preparations from normal human neutrophils. Blood cells were isolated from 10 healthy adults and from 3 women in the third trimester of an uncomplicated pregnancy. Purity of nuclear suspension was checked by electron microscopy and assay of organelle marker enzymes. Electron microscope cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry studies were carried out on WBC. Enzyme characterization was performed by the usual biochemical procedures. AP was found in nuclear preparations from four of ten normal controls. When present, AP was detected in approximately two-thirds of the nuclei examined, representing an average of 20% of the total cell activity. Conversely, a large amount of nucleus-bound enzyme (55% of total AP activity) was recognized in all pregnant women samples. Biochemical and immunological characteristics clearly differentiate AP forms in the two groups of subjects. Normal controls have an heterogeneous enzyme pattern. AP positive preparations contain a mixture of isoenzymes: a prominent heat labile form and a relatively heat stable minor component. The heat stable fraction displays some properties similar to those previously described in leukocyte AP. Pregnant women express a unique very heat labile isoenzyme identical in its main characteristics to the early placental type.