Clinical pharmacokinetic study for the effect of glimepiride matrix tablets developed by quality by design concept.

OBJECTIVE: Implementation of a new pharmaceutical technique to improve aqueous solubility and thus dissolution, enhancement of drug permeation, and finally formulation of a controlled release tablet loaded with glimepiride (GLMP). SIGNIFICANCE: Improve GLMP bioavailability and pharmacokinetics in type II diabetic patients. METHODS: Different polymers were used to enhance aqueous GLMP solubility of which a saturated polymeric drug solution was prepared and physically adsorbed onto silica. An experimental design was employed to optimize the formulation parameters affecting the preparation of GLMP matrix tablets. A compatibility study was conducted to study components interactions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed before and after the tablets were placed in the dissolution medium. An in vivo study in human volunteers was performed with the optimized GLMP tablets, which were compared to pure and marketed drug products. RESULTS: Enhancement of GLMP aqueous solubility, using the polymeric drug solution technique, by more than 6-7 times when compared with the binary system. All the studied formulation factors significantly affected the studied variables. No significant interaction was detected among components. SEM illustrated the surface and inner tablet structure, and confirmed the drug release which was attributed to diffusion mechanism. The volunteer group administered the optimized GLMP tablet exhibited higher drug plasma concentration (147.4 ng/mL), longer time to reach maximum plasma concentration (4 h) and longer t1/2 (7.236 h) compared to other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Matrix tablet loaded with a physically modified drug form could represent a key solution for drugs with inconsistent dissolution and absorption profiles.

Advances in Polymeric Colloids for Cancer Treatment.

Polymer colloids have remarkable features and are gaining importance in many areas of research including medicinal science. Presently, the innovation of cancer drugs is at the top in the world. Polymer colloids have been used as drug delivery and diagnosis agents in cancer treatment. The polymer colloids may be of different types such as micelles, liposomes, emulsions, cationic carriers, and hydrogels. The current article describes the state-of-the-art polymer colloids for the treatment of cancer. The contents of this article are about the role of polymeric nanomaterials with special emphasis on the different types of colloidal materials and their applications in targeted cancer therapy including cancer diagnoses. In addition, attempts are made to discuss future perspectives. This article will be useful for academics, researchers, and regulatory authorities.

Pattern, management and outcome of urological complications in first post-transplant year in 50 cases of renal transplant.

BACKGROUND: Chronic renal failure needs substitutive treatment such as haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for the patients to survive. Kidney transplantation improves survival of patients with chronic renal failure. This study was conducted to identify the pattern, management and outcome of urological complications in first post-transplant year in 50 cases of renal transplant recipients. METHODS: This case series study was conducted in the Department of Urology and Transplantation, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, during the period of three years, from Jan 2006 to Dec 2008. All 50 patients were admitted through outdoor department, Dialysis Unit, and directly referred from other hospitals. Donor and recipient were evaluated thoroughly by history, examination, and laboratory investigations. All donors were live related donors. After getting the proper tissue typing and HLA-matching transplant was done and recipients were thoroughly observed for the development of any urological complication in first post-transplant year. RESULTS: Total 8 (16%) subjects developed complications. Urinary leakage was noticed in 3 patients. In one patient leakage stopped spontaneously while in remaining two patients surgical procedure was carried out. Two patients developed uro-sepsis due to intractable UTI. Both were successfully treated with broad spectrum anti biotic. Ureteric stenosis was noticed in 2 subjects. Indwelling JJ stent was placed in one case while remaining case was dealt with uretroneocystostomy. One cases developed Vesico-ureteric reflux. He was treated surgically. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment of urological complication may prevent the further morbidity and decline in graft function.

Advances in Nanocarriers for Anticancer Drugs Delivery.

Cancer is the most dangerous disease to haunt the mankind in the world today. Generally, the overall cancer mortality rates are similar in both the sexes. The reasons for most of these deaths are inefficacy and failure of the current methods of treatments or the unavailability of treatment options. The researchers of the world are actively integrating nanotechnology of treating of various cancers. The development of smart nanocarriers is one of the most important innovations in this direction. The nanocarriers of the different materials are being developed to improve the efficacy of current treatments. The present article describes the role of nanotechnology in cancer treatment emphasizing cancer nanotherapy, nanocarriers for drug delivery, types and the mechanisms of the nanocarriers. Besides, the efforts are made to discuss the recent advances in the nanocarriers, current challenges and the future prospective.

Testosterone levels and quality of life in diverse male patients with cancers unrelated to androgens.

PURPOSE: Symptoms secondary to hormonal changes significantly impact quality of life (QoL) in patients with cancer. This cross-sectional study examines prevalence of hypogonadism and its correlation with QoL and sexual dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected blood and medical histories from 428 male patients with non-testosterone-related cancer at three cancer centers. Serum was analyzed for total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), bioavailable testosterone (BAT), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P) QoL questionnaire measured physical, social, emotional, and functional domains as well as sexual function. Exclusion criteria were prostate, testicular, or male breast cancer; known hypogonadism; and HIV. RESULTS: Mean and median TTs were 337.46 and 310 ng/dL, respectively. The mean age of patients was 62.05 years. The crude prevalence of hypogonadism (ie, TT < 300 ng/dL) was 48%, and mean TT in hypogonadal patients was 176 ng/dL. The prevalences that were based on FT (ie, hypogonadal < 52 pg/dL) and BAT (ie, hypogonadal < 95 ng/dL) were 78% and 66%, respectively. The mean FT and BAT values in hypogonadal patients were 25 pg/dL and 45 ng/dL, respectively. Hypogonadal patients had decreased total QoL scores on FACT-P (P = .01) and decreased three-item sexual function subset (P = .003). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypogonadism was unexpectedly high. Measurement of FT or BAT detected a higher prevalence than TT alone, which confirmed previous studies. Correlation of T with FACT-P showed significant reduction of both overall QoL and sexual function for hypogonadal men. BAT and FT levels showed a stronger correlation than TT with overall FACT-P and subscales. The prevalence of symptomatic hypogonadism in male patients with cancer exceeds that found in comparable studies in noncancer populations.