Biomedical subjects

H M Burt

Publications and source records attributed to H M Burt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Human plasma distribution of free paclitaxel and paclitaxel associated with diblock copolymers.

Amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly (D,L-lactide)-block-methoxy polyethylene glycol was synthesized, and paclitaxel (Taxol) was incorporated into this copolymer above its critical micelle concentration (cmc), resulting in the formation of polymeric micellar paclitaxel (PMT). Free paclitaxel dissolved in acetonitrile (TAX) and PMT, at 10 micrograms of paclitaxel/mL of human plasma, were incubated for 5, 30, and 60 min at 37 degrees C. Following incubation, the plasma was separated into its high-density (HDL), low-density (LDL), very-low-density (VLDL) lipoprotein and lipoprotein-deficient (LPDP) plasma fractions by density gradient ultracentrifugation. Each of these lipoprotein (LP) and LPDP fractions were analyzed for paclitaxel and plasma lipid levels by well-established HPLC and enzymatic assays. When TAX was incubated in human plasma for 5 min, an equal amount of drug was found in the LP and LPDP fractions. This distribution profile did not change following incubation for 30 and 60 min. Of the amount of TAX that was distributed within the LP fraction, 70-75% of TAX was associated with the HDL fraction for all time points studied. The paclitaxel plasma and LP distribution profile for PMT was similar to the distribution profile of TAX, suggesting that the plasma and LP distribution of paclitaxel is independent of the method of paclitaxel delivery and that LP distribution is not a function of mass lipid levels.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1997

Solid-state characterization of paclitaxel.

The purpose of this work was to characterize the solid-state properties of anhydrous paclitaxel and paclitaxel dihydrate. Paclitaxel I (anhydrous) was suspended in water for 24 h to convert it to paclitaxel.2H2O. Both forms were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns were obtained at 25, 100, and 195 degrees C. Dissolution profiles of both forms were obtained in water at 37 degrees C over h. DSC of paclitaxel.2H2O showed two endothermic peaks below 100 degrees C, corresponding to dehydration. The resulting solid phase was termed "dehydrated paclitaxel.2H2O". At 168 degrees C, a solid-solid transition was observed in which dehydrated paclitaxel.2H2O was converted to a semicrystalline material called "paclitaxel I/am". The solid-solid transition was followed by melting at 220 degrees C. TGA of paclitaxel.2H2O showed a corresponding biphasic weight loss below 100 degrees C, which was equivalent to the weight of 2 mol of water. DSC of paclitaxel I showed no transitions before melting at 220 degrees C, and no weight loss was observed by TGA. Quenching of paclitaxel I from the melt produced amorphous paclitaxel with a glass transition at 152 degrees C. XRPD confirmed that paclitaxel I, paclitaxel.2H2O, and dehydrated paclitaxel.2H2O had different crystal structures. The X-ray patterns of paclitaxel I and paclitaxel I/am were similar, however the two forms of paclitaxel did not behave identically when analyzed by DSC. The bulk dissolution studies with paclitaxel I showed a rapid increase in concentration to 3 micrograms/mL in 4 h, which decreased to 1 microgram/mL after 12 h, corresponding to the solubility of paclitaxel.2H2O. The solubility of paclitaxel.2H2O was 1 microgram/mL. The data demonstrate the existence of a dihydrate form of paclitaxel that is the stable form in equilibrium with water at 37 degrees C but which dehydrates at temperatures > 45 degrees C.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1997

Activation of human neutrophils by calcium carbonate polymorphs.

Gallstone formation is frequently accompanied by inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa. Some gallstone components such as cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate, and calcium hydroxyapatite have been previously shown to activate neutrophils. We investigated the effect on neutrophils of the calcium carbonate polymorphs aragonite, calcite, and vaterite (all found in gallstones). By chemiluminescence, superoxide, and degranulation assay, all three crystals were shown to cause rapid activation of neutrophils. The potency of the crystals was aragonite > vaterite > calcite. In vivo, crystals may be plasma-protein-coated before they encounter neutrophils; therefore some experiments were repeated using crystals that had been preincubated with plasma. For aragonite and vaterite, protein adsorption decreased the chemiluminescence response by approximately 50%. In contrast, protein-coated calcite crystals elicited a greater chemiluminescence response than did uncoated crystals. In summary, the calcium carbonate polymorphs are potent activators of neutrophils and thus have the potential to contribute to gallstone-associated cholecystitis.

Calcium Carbonate↗

PubMed1997

A polymer-based drug delivery system for the antineoplastic agent bis(maltolato)oxovanadium in mice.

Using vanadyl sulphate, sodium orthovanadate or bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (BMOV), Cruz TF, Morgan A, Min W (1995, Mol Cell Biochem 153: 161-166) have recently demonstrated the antineoplastic effects of vanadium in mice. In this study, the antineoplastic effects of BMOV against human tumour cell lines was confirmed, and this effect was shown to depend on the prolonged exposure of the cells to the drug. We have investigated a polymeric drug delivery system for the sustained delivery of BMOV as an antineoplastic agent in mice. The objective was to design and evaluate an injectable polymer-BMOV paste that would act as a drug implant for the slow but sustained release of BMOV in the mice. In vitro studies showed that the biodegradable polymer poly (Ghlr epsilon epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) released BMOV in a sustained manner with rates of drug release increasing with increased loading of the drug in the polymer. In vivo studies showed that PCL-BMOV paste implants produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of MDAY-D2 tumour growth via systemic drug delivery. Further in vivo studies showed that 5% BMOV-loaded PCL (containing 20% methoxypolyethylene glycol) was effective in preventing tumour regrowth of resected RIF tumour masses in mice when the PCL-BMOV paste was applied to the resected site for localized drug delivery. The results confirm the potential of vanadium as an antineoplastic agent and show that the injectable PCL-BMOV formulation releases a chemotherapeutic dose of vanadium for the systemic treatment of whole tumours as well as the localized treatment of resected RIF tumours.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

The priming action of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on neutrophils activated by inflammatory microcrystals.

We studied the effects of TNF-alpha or GM-CSF on the production of reactive oxygen species (as measured by chemiluminescence) and degranulation responses of neutrophils to opsonized inflammatory microcrystals. TNF-alpha in the 10-2000 pM or GM-CSF in the 2-200 pM concentration range caused the concentration-dependent amplification of neutrophil chemiluminescence responses to both calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) and monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM) crystals. Degranulation responses, as measured by the extracellular release of the granule enzymes myeloperoxidase or lysozyme, were amplified by approximately 50-100% for both MSUM or CPPD crystal-induced neutrophil activation when cells were pretreated with TNF-alpha at 2000 pM or GM-CSF at 75 pM.

Calcium Pyrophosphate↗

PubMed1997

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals activate MAP kinase in human neutrophils: inhibition of MAP kinase, oxidase activation and degranulation responses of neutrophils by taxol.

The activation of MAP kinase in human neutrophils stimulated by both uncoated and plasma-opsonized crystals of triclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) was investigated. The effect of taxol on MAP kinase activation and on the responses of neutrophils stimulated by plasma-opsonized crystals was determined. MAP kinase activation was identified and quantified in Mono Q chromatography separated fractions of neutrophils that had been incubated with CPPD crystals by measuring [gamma-32P]adenosine triphosphate (ATP) phosphorylation of myelin basic protein and using immunoblotting techniques. Human neutrophils were incubated with taxol (0-50 microM), added to plasma-opsonized CPPD (50 mg/ml) and MAP kinase activation, chemiluminescence, superoxide anion generation, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase release were monitored. Both uncoated and plasma coated CPPD crystals induced a large increase in MAP kinase activity in neutrophils over control levels within 1 min of incubation. Pretreatment of neutrophils with taxol was able to suppress this activation of MAP kinase. Taxol produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of opsonized CPPD-induced neutrophil chemiluminescence, superoxide anion production and myeloperoxide release. Taxol at 28 microM also significantly inhibited chemiluminescence, superoxide anion production and myeloperoxidase release from neutrophils stimulated by opsonized zymosan. This is the first report of crystal-induced activation of MAP kinase in neutrophils. Microtubule-associated processes, such as signal transduction, secretion and phagocytosis are involved in particulate-induced neutrophil responses. We have suggested that the inhibitory effect of taxol observed in this work is due to its stabilizing effect on microtubules and disruption of MAP kinase activation associated with microtubules.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1997

Anti-tumor efficacy and biodistribution of intravenous polymeric micellar paclitaxel.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diblock copolymer poly(DL-lactide)-block-methoxy polyethylene glycol as an i.v. delivery vehicle for paclitaxel. Nude mice were implanted s.c. with fragments of MV-522 lung carcinomas and treated with paclitaxel on a daily x 5 schedule when tumors were approximately 5 x 5 mm in size. Cremophor paclitaxel or polymeric micellar paclitaxel were given i.p. or i.v. at the maximum tolerated dose (Cremophor paclitaxel MTD: 20 mg/kg/day i.v. or i.p.; micellar paclitaxel MTD: 25 mg/kg/day i.v. or 100 mg/kg/day i.p.). The tumors were measured using callipers during the experiment and accurately weighted at the end. Two biodistribution studies were carried out. In one study, the nude mice were given micellar paclitaxel at a dose of 25 mg/kg i.v. or 100 mg/kg i.p. in another study, BDF-1 mice were given either micellar paclitaxel or Cremophor paclitaxel at a dose of 20 mg/kg i.v. The mice were sacrificed after a given time and the organs were harvested. Paclitaxel in the organs was extracted with acetonitrile and analyzed using HPLC. Tumor growth inhibitions of 98.5 and 98.7% were obtained from i.v. administered micellar paclitaxel and Cremophor paclitaxel at their MTDs, respectively. Micellar paclitaxel was more efficacious i.p. (98.7% tumor growth inhibition) than Cremophor paclitaxel i.p. (83.0% tumor growth inhibition) at their MTDs. The highest concentrations of paclitaxel were found in the liver after administration of paclitaxel formulations. Paclitaxel was also found in spleen, kidney, lung and blood, in order of decreasing concentration. The preliminary results indicate that polymeric micellar paclitaxel could be a clinically useful chemotherapeutic formulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

The involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in crystal induced human neutrophil activation.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is involved in the signal transduction pathway leading to neutrophil activation by inflammatory microcrystals. METHODS: Neutrophil chemiluminescence and degranulation responses to opsonized crystals were measured in the presence of selective inhibitors known to inhibit PI 3-kinase activity in neutrophils. RESULTS: Wortmannin and LY 294002, 2 selective inhibitors of PI 3-kinase, were shown to inhibit neutrophil activation induced by plasma opsonized crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) [both monoclinic (M) and triclinic (T) forms] and monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM). IC50 for wortmannin or LY 294002 inhibition of crystal induced respiratory burst (measured by chemiluminescence) was about 3 nM and 0.3 microM, respectively, proving the pivotal role of PI 3-kinase in neutrophil respiratory burst activation by all 3 crystals. Degranulation responses of neutrophils to CPPD(M) and CPPD(T) crystals were also inhibited by about 50% by wortmannin in the 10 to 20 nM concentration range, supporting the direct involvement of PI 3-kinase in signal transduction pathways leading to crystal induced neutrophil degranulation. All 3 crystals induced the activation of PI 3-kinase in neutrophils as measured by the increased PI 3-kinase activity associated with immunoprecipitated tyrosine phosphorylated proteins from 1 min crystal-neutrophil incubations. Neutrophils pretreated with wortmannin at 10 nM showed sub-basal levels of PI 3-kinase activity at all time points measured. CONCLUSION: PI 3-kinase plays a central role in the signal transduction pathways leading to respiratory burst and degranulation responses in neutrophils activated by inflammatory microcrystals.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed1996

Mechanism of hemolysis of human erythrocytes exposed to monosodium urate monohydrate crystals. Preliminary characterization of membrane pores.

Microcrystals of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM) have the ability to cause rapid hemolysis of erythrocytes. The nature of the initial MSUM crystal-erythrocyte membrane binding interaction was investigated over a range of different ionic strength media. There was negligible binding of MSUM to erythrocyte ghost membranes in low ionic strength media such as isotonic mannitol but binding was dramatically increased in isotonic NaCl/mannitol solutions or isotonic mannitol containing 1 mM Ca2+. Hemolysis induced by MSUM crystals was preceded by the leakage of K+ from the cells suggesting a colloid-osmotic mechanism of hemolysis. The inclusion of large (oligosaccharide) molecules in the extracellular media or the modulation of the extracellular solution tonicity inhibited both the rate and extent of hemolysis supporting the concept of MSUM-induced pores followed by colloid osmotic hemolysis.

Buffers↗

PubMed1996

Determination of surfactant critical micelle concentration by a novel fluorescence depolarization technique.

A novel method using fluorescence depolarization to determine the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of surfactants was developed. Fluorescence anisotropies of Triton X-100, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and sodium cholate were measured using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3, 5-hexatriene as a fluorescence probe. Fluorescence anisotropy decreased with increasing surfactant concentrations below the CMC and leveled off above the CMC. The depolarization method does not depend on the concentration of DPH and is largely immune to light-scattering problems encountered in turbid aqueous systems.

Cholic Acid↗

PubMed1996

The interaction of monoclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals with neutrophils.

Monoclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (m-CPPD) crystals were synthesized and characterized using physical methods, IgG binding to m-CPPD crystals was quantitated, and the effect of IgG or plasma opsonization on m-CPPD-induced neutrophil activation was determined. Adsorption of IgG to crystals was measured using fluorescent-labelled FITC-IgG. Neutrophil activation by uncoated m-CPPD and crystals precoated with IgG or plasma was measured using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, superoxide anion generation, and myeloperoxidase release. m-CPPD bound small (compared to triclinic CPPD) but significant amounts of IgG and induced a strong activation of neutrophils at low concentrations of crystals. The rate and extent of chemiluminescence, superoxide anion production, and degranulation was not affected by precoating m-CPPD crystals with IgG during the early phase of neutrophil responses, but was inhibited by the precoating of crystals with plasma.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1996

Development of a polymeric surgical paste formulation for taxol.

PURPOSE: To develop and characterize a biodegradable polymeric sustained release surgical paste formulation for taxol. METHODS: Taxol was incorporated into poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) or blends of PCL with methoxypolyethylene glycol, MW 350 (MePEG). The surgical pastes were characterized using gel permeation chromatography, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and a tensile strength tester. In vitro release data for taxol from the surgical paste formulations was carried out at 37 degrees C in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4, using an HPLC assay for taxol. Antiangiogenic activity of the formulations were assessed using a chick chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM). RESULTS: The addition of up to 30% MePEG in PCL decreased the melting point of PCL by 5 degrees C and the tensile strength by 152.7 N/cm2 to 26.7 N/cm2 but increased the degree of PCL crystallinity from 42% to 51%. Taxol showed a biphasic in vitro release profile composed of a burst phase lasting 1 or 2 days followed by a period of slow sustained drug release. There was no significant difference in the release profiles of taxol from two different sources of PCL. The addition of MePEG increased the amount of water taken up by the polymer blends but decreased the rate of taxol release. The formulations were shown to have antiangiogenic activity by the CAM assay at levels as low as 0.1% taxol using 3 mg surgical paste pellets. CONCLUSIONS: Our surgical paste formulations for taxol give sustained release while having physical properties which can be adjusted using additives.

Allantois↗

PubMed1995

Controlled delivery of taxol from microspheres composed of a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and poly (d,l-lactic acid).

'Large' (30-100 microns) and 'small' (10-30 microns) size range taxol-loaded microspheres composed of a blend of biodegradable poly (d,l-lactic acid) (PLA) polymer and nondegradable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer were prepared using the solvent evaporation method. Encapsulation efficiencies were between 95-100% for taxol in 50:50 EVA:PLA blend microspheres. Between 10-13% of the total taxol content of the microspheres (0.6% w/v taxol loading) was released in 50 days. Using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, the taxol microspheres released sufficient taxol to produce vascular regression and inhibition of angiogenesis. This taxol-loaded microsphere formulation may have potential for the targeted delivery of taxol to a tumor via arterial chemoembolization.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Taxol encapsulation in poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microspheres.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) microspheres containing taxol were prepared by the solvent evaporation method and tested for angiogenesis inhibition using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Very high encapsulation efficiencies (95%) for taxol in PCL microspheres were obtained. In vitro release studies showed about 25% of the loaded drug was released in 6 weeks from microspheres containing 5% taxol. Studies with the CAM showed that taxol released from the microspheres induced vascular regression and inhibited angiogenesis.

Allantois↗

PubMed1994

Inhibition of crystal-induced neutrophil activation by a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

The objective of this work was to investigate the role of tyrosine kinase in monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal-induced neutrophil activation using the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin C (LVC). Human neutrophils pretreated with LVC at concentrations between 10 and 150 microM or control neutrophils were stimulated by plasma-coated CPPD or uncoated MSUM, and chemiluminescence, superoxide generation, intracellular calcium concentration, and degranulation (myeloperoxidase and lysozyme release) were monitored with time. LVC strongly inhibited chemiluminescence, superoxide anion generation, myeloperoxidase and lysozyme release, and calcium mobilization. After 1-min crystal-neutrophil incubations, neutrophil cytosolic fractions showed extensive inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity by LVC. We conclude that the inhibition of neutrophil responses to crystal stimulation, by the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor LVC, provides evidence that supports the involvement of tyrosine kinases in crystal-induced neutrophil activation.

Calcium↗

PubMed1994

Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration determinations in neutrophils stimulated by monosodium urate and calcium pyrophosphate crystals: effect of protein adsorption.

OBJECTIVE: To develop methods to correct for light scattering artifacts produced by monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals in the measurement of the levels of cytosolic free calcium, [Ca2+]i, in neutrophils and to quantitate the extent of association of neutrophils with crystals. METHODS: The association of neutrophils with crystals through binding of crystals onto the neutrophil plasma membrane and/or internalization was quantitated by mixing crystals with diphenyl hexatriene (DPH) loaded neutrophils and monitoring the fluorescence intensity of supernatants ("free" neutrophils) following gravity sedimentation of "free" crystals and neutrophils with bound/internalized crystals. The effects of precoating CPPD and MSUM crystals with IgG, plasma, serum and BSA on crystal-neutrophil association and [Ca2+]i were determined. RESULTS: MSUM produced a large increase in [Ca2+]i that reached maximal values in less than 1 min, whereas CPPD produced a smaller and slower increase in [Ca2+]i. IgG adsorbed onto CPPD increased the rate and extent of increase in [Ca2+]i. Heparinized plasma and serum adsorbed onto CPPD increased the extent but not the rate of increase in [Ca2+]i. CONCLUSION: [Ca2+]i increases induced by MSUM were not affected by IgG, serum or heparinized plasma precoating. IgG, serum, or heparinized plasma adsorbed into CPPD amplified neutrophil activation increasing the extent of the increase in [Ca2+]. Neither MSUM nor CPPD induced increases in [Ca2+]i were sensitive to precoating crystals with bovine serum albumin.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1993

Enhancement of crystal induced neutrophil responses by opsonisation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the effect on crystal induced neutrophil responses of the opsonisation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) (triclinic) crystals with components of serum and plasma. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of precoating CPPD crystals with plasma, serum, complement depleted serum, and IgG on a full range of crystal induced neutrophil responses (calcium mobilisation, chemiluminescence, superoxide anion production, non-cytolytic lysosomal enzyme release, and leukotriene synthesis). METHODS: Crystals were precoated with IgG, serum, plasma, or complement depleted serum (heated at 56 degrees C), incubated with neutrophils and the responses monitored with time. Measurement of the extent of neutrophil association with crystals was based on monitoring the decrease in fluorescence intensity of supernatants when crystals and diphenylhexatriene labelled neutrophils were allowed to settle under gravity. RESULTS: Precoating CPPD crystals with IgG, plasma, and serum significantly enhanced chemiluminescence, superoxide anion generation, increases in cytosolic free calcium levels, and non-cytolytic lysosomal enzyme release by neutrophils compared with uncoated CPPD crystals. The enhancement of neutrophil responses by crystals coated with complement depleted serum was less pronounced. The increased neutrophil responses induced by CPPD crystals coated with IgG might have been due to the observed increase in the association of IgG coated crystals with neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that there is a marked potentiation of all neutrophil responses to IgG, plasma, and serum coated CPPD crystals. It is suggested that the adsorption of synovial fluid proteins, including IgG and C3b, to CPPD crystals in vivo, results in the opsonised crystals becoming a potent neutrophil stimulant and inflammatory agent.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Crystal-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation in neutrophils and the effect of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor on neutrophil responses.

A specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (mDHC), has been used to investigate the role of tyrosine kinases in monosodium urate monohydrate and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal-induced neutrophil activation. Both uncoated and plasma protein-coated CPPD crystals increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation in human neutrophils. Neutrophils pretreated with mDHC or control neutrophils were stimulated by plasma-opsonized CPPD, uncoated CPPD, or uncoated monosodium urate monohydrate, and chemiluminescence, superoxide generation, intracellular calcium concentration, degranulation (myeloperoxidase and lysozyme release), and protein tyrosine phosphorylation were monitored. mDHC strongly inhibited all neutrophil responses and tyrosine phosphorylation was reduced to the basal levels seen in control unstimulated neutrophils. The possible role of tyrosine kinases in the regulation of crystal-induced neutrophil activation is discussed.

Calcium↗