Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D J Back

Publications and source records attributed to D J Back.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Intramuscular loading dose of quinine for falciparum malaria: pharmacokinetics and toxicity.

In a study of intramuscular injection of quinine eight adults with moderately severe falciparum malaria resistant to chloroquine were treated with quinine dihydrochloride, being given a loading dose of 20 mg salt (16.7 mg base)/kg followed by three or four eight hourly maintenance doses of 10 mg salt (8.3 mg base)/kg injected into the anterior thigh. All patients responded to treatment. Fever and parasite clearance times (mean (SD) 60 (23) h and 53 (22) h respectively) were comparable with those obtained with intravenous quinine. The mean peak plasma quinine concentration of 11.0 mg/l (34.4 mu mol/l) [corrected] was reached a median of five hours after administration of the loading dose. In all patients plasma quinine concentrations exceeded the high minimum inhibitory concentration for Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalent in Thailand within four hours of the start of treatment but did not cause toxicity other than mild cinchonism. When intravenous infusion is not possible an intramuscular quinine loading dose is an effective means of starting treatment in patients with moderately severe falciparum malaria who cannot swallow tablets.

Adult↗

The lack of effect of sodium valproate on the pharmacokinetics of oral contraceptive steroids.

Patients taking anticonvulsants such as phenobarbitone, phenytoin and carbamazepine together with their oral contraceptive steroid may suffer contraceptive failure because of the enzyme-inducing properties of these anticonvulsants. We have examined, in six women, the effect of sodium valproate, an effective broad spectrum anticonvulsant, on the area under the plasma concentration versus time profile (AUC) of ethinyloestradiol (EE2) and levonorgestrel (Ng). Prior to sodium valproate therapy the mean AUC for EE2 was 880 +/- 109 pg/ml X h (+/- S.E.) and for levonorgestrel it was 29.1 +/- 2.9 ng/ml X h (n = 4). Between two and four months after sodium valproate therapy the mean AUC figures had not changed significantly, the figure for EE2 being 977 +/- 130 pg/ml X h and for levonorgestrel 29.2 +/- 1.9 ng/ml X h (p greater than or equal to 0.1 in each case). We conclude that sodium valproate in the dose used (200 mg b.d.) does not interact with oral contraceptive steroids.

Adolescent↗

The bioavailability of ethinyloestradiol and levonorgestrel in patients with an ileostomy.

The bioavailability of ethinyloestradiol and levonorgestrel has been studied in 5 young women with an ileostomy following surgery for ulcerative colitis and compared to that in 5 control subjects. Single i.v. and oral doses of both drugs were administered and the bioavailability calculated from the ratio of the two areas under the plasma concentration versus time curve for the two drugs. The mean bioavailability of ethinyloestradiol in the patients with an ileostomy was 55.4 +/- 10.9% (+/- S.D.) compared to a control value of 45.0 +/- 6.1% (p greater than or equal to 0.1). The mean bioavailability of levonorgestrel in the ileostomy patients was 85.2 +/- 13.1% compared to 104.6 +/- 22.3% in the controls (p greater than or equal to 0.1). Women who have an ileostomy following lower bowel surgery can rely on their oral contraceptive preparations being absorbed in the normal way.

Adult↗

Contraceptive steroid concentrations in women with early active schistosomiasis: lack of effect of antischistosomal drugs.

Plasma concentrations of the oral contraceptive steroids (OCS) ethinyloestradiol (EE2) and levonorgestrel (LNG) have been determined in women with early active schistosomiasis and compared to those obtained in healthy volunteers. Steroid concentrations following a single dose of Ovral (500 micrograms LNG, 50 micrograms EE2) or during a multiple dose regimen were unaffected by the disease. There was no significant effect of the antischistosomal drugs praziquantel (40 mg X kg-1) or metrifonate (10 mg X kg-1 X 3 at 2-week intervals) on plasma steroid concentrations. In regular users of OCS, significantly higher concentrations of LNG were observed than in women who received only a single dose. We conclude that there is no pharmacokinetic reason for withholding OCS from patients with early active schistosomiasis who are also receiving either praziquantel or metrifonate.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacokinetics of oral contraceptive steroids in Egyptian women: studies with Ovral, Nordette and Norminest.

Plasma concentration profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters have been obtained following single dose administration of three commonly used oral contraceptive steroid preparations, Ovral, Nordette and Norminest to Egyptian women. The constituents of the preparations are as follows: Ovral (50 micrograms ethinyloestradiol, EE2 and 500 micrograms levonorgestrel, LNG); Nordette (30 micrograms EE2 and 150 micrograms LNG); and Norminest (35 micrograms EE2 and 500 micrograms norethisterone, NOR). Peak plasma concentrations of EE2 ranged between 116-160 pg ml-1 for Ovral, 55-78 pg ml-1 for Norminest and 30-70 pg ml-1 for Nordette. There was no significant difference in half-life (t1/2), oral clearance (CL) or apparent volume of distribution (Vd). The relative values of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) reflected well the different amounts of oestrogen in each preparation. There was no significant difference in t1/2, CL or Vd for LNG in the 2 preparations containing this progestogen. The mean AUC following Nordette (150 micrograms LNG) was 40% of that following Ovral (500 micrograms LNG; p less than 0.001). Comparing pharmacokinetic parameters for the same dose of LNG (Ovral) and NOR (Norminest) showed the AUC to be decreased and CL and Vd increased in the latter group. The study indicates that the kinetic profile of the OCS in healthy Egyptian women are similar to other ethnic populations.

Adult↗

Intestinal absorption of oestrone, oestrone glucuronide and oestrone sulphate in the rat in situ--II. Studies with the Doluisio technique.

The absorption of oestrone (E1), oestrone glucuronide (E1G) and oestrone sulphate (E1S) from the small intestine of anaesthetized rats has been evaluated using the Doluisio in situ technique. Luminal disappearance of E1 was biphasic, which is consistent with a 3-compartment model; t1/2 alpha (first phase) was less than 5 min and t1/2 beta (second phase) approx 27 min for each concentration of steroid studied (trace identical to 10 nM, 1 microM and 10 microM). In contrast, luminal disappearance of E1G and E1S was monoexponential; t1/2 for E1G was 159, 229 and 299 min (trace identical to 200 nM, 10 microM and 100 microM respectively) and for E1S, 215, 174 and 192 min (trace identical to 10 nM, 10 microM and 100 microM respectively). There was a good correlation between the luminal disappearance data and recovery of steroid in bile. Adsorption of E1S was estimated from the initial rapid fall in luminal content within the first 5 min after drug administration. The study provides further evidence that E1S can be absorbed intact. Since saccharolactone only caused a reduction in E1G absorption of 32% we also conclude that part of the administered E1G was absorbed intact.

Animals↗

Inhibition of estrogen 2-hydroxylase.

The effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES), oestradiol (E2), primaquine (PQ), chloroquine (CQ), 1-methylimidazole (1-MeI), metronidazole (MET) and antipyrine (AP) has been studied on rat liver microsomal metabolism of ethinyloestradiol (EE2) by measuring the formation of 2-hydroxyethinyl-oestradiol (2-OHEE2) using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Using a substrate concentration of 25 microM, PQ, DES and E2 produced the most marked effect with IC50 values of 75, 100 and 100 microM respectively whereas CQ, MET and 1-MeI were less potent with IC50 values of 335, 448 and 448 microM. AP inhibited EE2 metabolism to only a small extent and an IC50 value was not calculated. PQ (75 microM) inhibited the enzyme non-competitively decreasing the Vmax from 1.8 to 1.0 nmol/min/mg protein. E2 (100 microM) inhibited the enzyme competitively with an increase in the Km from 17.9 to 55.6 microM. The results of this study indicate that steroidal and non-steroidal compounds have different affinities for EE2 2-hydroxylase.

Animals↗

Effect of mefloquine on hepatic drug metabolism in the rat: comparative study with primaquine.

The effect of the new antimalarial drug mefloquine (MQ) on hepatic drug metabolism in the rat has been studied in vitro and in vivo using three different substrates, aminopyrine, ethinyloestradiol and tolbutamide. Comparative studies have been performed with primaquine (PQ). In vitro, both MQ and PQ inhibited aminopyrine N-demethylase activity and the concentration required to produce 50% inhibition was 0.2 mM for MQ and approximately 0.1 mM for PQ. Lineweaver-Burk plots indicated inhibition by both antimalarials to be non-competitive. Both MQ and PQ produced comparable inhibition of ethinyloestradiol metabolism in vitro with the percentage recovery of the major metabolite, 2-hydroxyethinyloestradiol being reduced from 49.3 +/- 10.8 to 5.1 +/- 3.1 (0.5 mM MQ) and 1.5 +/- 0.4% (0.5 mM PQ, mean +/- S.D.). Following acute administration of MQ and PQ to rats (25 mg kg-1) recovery of hydroxytolbutamide the major metabolite of tolbutamide, was reduced. In the period 0-8 hr, MQ caused a reduction in recovery from 54.4 +/- 3.1 to 9.3 +/- 3.4% and PQ from the control level to 32.2 +/- 14.1%. There is therefore clear evidence that MQ inhibits hepatic microsomal enzymes both in vitro and in vivo. The more pronounced effect of MQ in vivo, in comparison with PQ, is probably a reflection of differences in the kinetics of the two antimalarials. The range of substrates studied indicate a non-selective and widespread inhibitory effect of these drugs on oxidative enzymes.

Aminopyrine↗

Norethisterone concentration in breast milk and infant and maternal plasma during ethynodiol diacetate administration.

Twelve women with established lactation of 4-8 weeks duration were given a low-dose progestogen-only contraceptive, ethynodiol diacetate 0.5 mg (Femulen) daily. On the seventh and eight day of the study, prior to the mother's taking the pill, a blood sample was taken from her and from the infant. Further blood samples were collected from the mother 4 and 12 hours later. Breast milk samples were collected at every feed on day 7 and day 8. Ethynodiol diacetate is rapidly metabolised in humans, changing into the metabolite norethisterone which is found in both blood and milk. Hence, norethisterone concentrations were estimated. On day 7 and day 8, four hours after ingestion of the pill, the median norethisterone maternal plasma concentration was 1.60 ng/ml and it fell to a median level of 0.30 ng/ml prior to the next dose of the pill. At this time the median infant concentration was 0.10 ng/ml but the maximum observed level was 0.50 ng/ml. In the breast milk the norethisterone concentration appears to peak at around 4-8 hours following the ingestion of the pill. The maximum observed concentration in breast milk was 0.84 ng/ml. The amount of norethisterone ingested by the infant averaged 0.02% (6.65 micrograms) of the dose of ethynodiol diacetate ingested by the mother. The maximum observed on any one day was 0.07% (27.52 micrograms). The above results indicate that the amount of progestogen ingested by the infant from its mother's milk is small and is unlikely to pose a risk to the infant.

Biotransformation↗

A non-chromatographic radioimmunoassay for 3-oxo desogestrel.

A non-chromatographic radioimmunoassay for 3-oxo desogestrel (13 beta-ethyl-17-hydroxy-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3- one), the biologically-active metabolite of desogestrel (13 beta-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-pregn-4-en-20-yn-17-ol), has been developed to facilitate studies of the pharmacokinetics of this steroid. The method uses an antiserum raised against levonorgestrel (13 beta-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18,19-dinor-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one). None of the steroids tested which showed significant cross-reactions are believed to be present in plasma after ingestion of desogestrel; furthermore, dilutions of standards and unknowns gave parallel responses in the assay. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 12.9 and 11.8% respectively. The sensitivity of the assay was approx 0.02 ng/ml. The peak concentrations of 3-oxo desogestrel after a 150 micrograms dose of desogestrel in three subjects were between 0.48-0.71 ng/ml, and in two subjects 3-oxo desogestrel was still detectable 24 h after dosing.

Adult↗

Intestinal absorption of oestrone, oestrone glucuronide and oestrone sulphate in the rat in situ--I. Importance of hydrolytic enzymes on conjugate absorption.

The biliary excretion of steroid after administration of [3H]oestrone ([3H]E1), [3H]oestrone glucuronide ([3H]E1G) and [3H]oestrone sulphate ([3H]E1S) into the hepatic portal vein of anaesthetized rats was very rapid with more than 70% of E1S and greater than 80% of E1 and E1G excreted in the first 30 min. There was a lag period in the biliary excretion of E1S, this was less apparent with E1 and absent with E1G. Biliary excretion accurately reflects the amount of steroid in the portal circulation and was therefore used as an assessment of absorption from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Absorption (as judged by excretion in bile) was least after administration of each steroid into the stomach. The extent of absorption correlated well with the lipophilicity of the steroids as shown by their relative partition coefficients between n-octanol and pH 6.5 phosphate-buffered saline (E1 greater than or equal to E1S greater than or equal to E1G). There was no significant difference in excretion profile when the steroids were given into the caecum (at 5 h, E1, 46.3 +/- 9.1%; E1G, 42.2 +/- 14.5%; E1S, 39.9 +/- 7.1%). The similarity, despite marked differences in physicochemical properties, suggested conjugate hydrolysis to the parent steroid. In contrast, after administration into the small intestine, excretion of E1 was very rapid and was maximal at 1 h (72.5 +/- 8.0%); E1G showed a near-linear excretion rate (1 h, 14.4 +/- 3.0%; 5 h, 80.0 +/- 11.7%), whereas in comparison E1S excretion was low (1 h, 12.1 +/- 2.4%; 5 h, 36.9 +/- 2.7%). The involvement of hydrolytic enzymes in conjugate absorption was assessed. Ampicillin pretreatment (200 mg/kg/day for 2 days) reduced the absorption of E1G from both the proximal and distal small intestine (by approximately 50%) but had no effect on the absorption of E1S. There was, therefore, evidence that quantitative absorption of E1G requires prior hydrolysis (by mammalian and/or microbial enzymes) but intact absorption of E1S from this region of the tract was implicated. Ampicillin pretreatment reduced the absorption of both conjugates (greater with E1S) from the caecum; hydrolysis clearly precedes absorption from the caecum. The above findings were supported by an in vitro study which showed that ampicillin pretreatment abolished the hydrolysis of E1S by caecal contents but only partially reduced the hydrolysis of E1G. The presence of mammalian glucuronidase enzyme may account for this difference.

Ampicillin↗

Lack of effect of highly purified subunit influenza vaccination on theophylline metabolism.

Plasma concentrations of theophylline, and urinary recovery of theophylline and its metabolites [1, 3-dimethyluric acid, 3-methyl xanthine and 1-methyluric acid] were measured before and after highly purified subunit influenza vaccination in seven healthy subjects, and five subjects with chronic obstructive bronchitis. No cases of theophylline toxicity were seen, and there was no increase in mean plasma theophylline concentration or significant decrease in urinary metabolite concentration after vaccination. An antibody response to vaccination was demonstrated in all subjects. Highly purified subunit influenza vaccination may be given with safety to patients on theophylline.

Adult↗

The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine in patients with graded severity of schistosomiasis.

The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine have been studied in patients with schistosomiasis. In comparison to a control group of subjects (n = 6), patients with early (active) schistosomiasis (passing live ova in urine or stools without clinical and laboratory evidence of liver involvement; n = 6) exhibited similar pharmacokinetic parameters. Of seven patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (exhibiting hepatic fibrosis, splenomegaly, at least one episode of haematemesis, ascites), five showed markedly enhanced antipyrine half-life and reduced clearance. Compared to controls, the mean half-life of this group was increased from 10.9 +/- 2.4 to 19.9 +/- 9.5 h (mean +/- s.d.; P less than or equal to 0.05) and clearance reduced from 3.81 +/- 0.74 to 2.18 +/- 0.80 l h-1 (P less than or equal to 0.01). There was no change in the apparent volume of distribution. Liver biopsy was performed on all patients diagnosed as having hepatosplenic schistosomiasis in the 2 weeks prior to the antipyrine study. The results of this study indicate that hepatic microsomal metabolism is impaired in patients with advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

Adult↗

The pharmacokinetics of mefloquine in man: lack of effect of mefloquine on antipyrine metabolism.

A method is described for the determination of the new antimalarial agent, mefloquine, in plasma and urine. After oral administration of 750 mg mefloquine to six volunteers, absorption, was apparently slow, with plasma mefloquine concentrations at 24 h (559 +/- 181 ng ml-1; mean +/- s.d.) higher than at 6 h (459 +/- 166 ng ml-1). The elimination half-life was 373 +/- 249 h, oral clearance was 5.09 +/- 2.7 1 h-1, and apparent volume of distribution was 35.7 +/- 30.7 l kg-1 (assuming 100% bioavailability). Mefloquine (750 mg) had no significant effect on salivary kinetics of antipyrine or on the metabolic clearance of antipyrine to its three main metabolites, 3-hydroxymethylantipyrine, 4-hydroxyantipyrine and norantipyrine, when antipyrine was administered either 2 h or 2 weeks after dosing with mefloquine.

Adult↗

Inhibition of tolbutamide metabolism by substituted imidazole drugs in vivo: evidence for a structure-activity relationship.

Tolbutamide has been used as a model drug for an examination of the effects of eleven substituted imidazole compounds on hepatic metabolism in vivo. The 1-substituted compounds 1-methylimidazole, miconazole, clotrimazole and ketoconazole produced marked alterations in tolbutamide kinetics (increased half-life, decreased clearance). However, if there was substitution in the 2- position, irrespective of a substituent on N-1, then the compound did not appear to inhibit metabolism (e.g. 2-methylimidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazole, methimazole, metronidazole). The 4- substituted compounds, 4-methylimidazole and cimetidine were inhibitors. A structure-activity relationship for the inhibitory actions of the substituted imidazoles is thus evident in vivo.

Animals↗

The effect of some benzimidazoles on the disposition of antipyrine and tolbutamide from the rat isolated perfused liver.

The anthelmintic benzimidazoles, mebendazole, albendazole and flubendazole have been screened for any propensity to alter the disposition of antipyrine and tolbutamide in the rat isolated perfused liver preparation. The benzimidazoles were added as a 2.5 mg bolus dose into the perfusate reservoir 5 min before the administration of either antipyrine or tolbutamide. Neither mebendazole or albendazole produced any significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of either of the substrate drugs. In contrast, flubendazole significantly decreased the clearance of antipyrine (by 40%) indicating inhibition of mixed function oxidase activity. However, flubendazole did not alter the disposition of tolbutamide. The results suggest that not all benzimidazoles inhibit hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and that different forms of cytochrome P-450 are involved in the metabolism of antipyrine and tolbutamide.

Animals↗