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M C Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to M C Meyer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The application of an artificial neural network and pharmacokinetic simulations in the design of controlled-release dosage forms.

The objective of this work is to use an artificial neural network (ANN) and pharmacokinetic simulations in the design of controlled-release formulations with predictable in vitro and in vivo behavior. Seven formulation variables and three other tablet variables (moisture, particle size and hardness) for 22 tablet formulations of a model sympathomimetic drug were used as the ANN model input, and in vitro dissolution-time profiles at ten different sampling times were used as output. An ANN model was constructed by selecting the optimal number of iterations and model structure (the number of hidden layers and number of hidden layer nodes). The optimized ANN model was used for prediction of formulations based on two desired target in vitro dissolution-time profiles and two desired bioavailability profiles. For three of the four predicted formulations there was very good agreement between the ANN predicted and the observed in vitro and simulated in vivo properties. This work illustrates the potential for an artificial neural network, along with pharmacokinetic simulations, to assist in the development of complex dosage forms.

Biological Availability

Pharmacokinetics of aminolevulinic acid after intravesical administration to dogs.

PURPOSE: To examine the stability and systemic absorption of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in dogs during intravesical administration. METHODS: Nine dogs received an intravesical dose of ALA either with no prior treatment, after receiving ammonium chloride for urinary acidification, or after receiving sodium bicarbonate for urinary alkalinization. Urine and blood samples collected during and after administration were monitored for ALA using an HPLC assay developed in our laboratories. Concentrations of pyrazine 2,5-dipropionic acid, the major ALA degradation product, and radiolabeled inulin, a nonabsorbable marker for urine volume, were also determined. RESULTS: Less than 0.6% of intravesical ALA doses was absorbed into plasma. Urine concentrations decreased to 37% of the initial concentration during the 2 hour instillation. Decreases in urinary ALA and radiolabeled inulin concentrations were significantly correlated, indicating that urine dilution accounted for over 80% of observed decreases in urinary ALA. ALA conversion to pyrazine 2,5-dipropionic acid was negligible. CONCLUSIONS: These studies demonstrate that ALA is stable and poorly absorbed into the systemic circulation during intravesical instillation. Future studies utilizing intravesical ALA for photodiagnosis of bladder cancer should include measures to restrict fluid intake as a means to limit dilution and maximize ALA concentrations during instillation.

Administration, Intravesical

Pharmacokinetics of chlorpheniramine, phenytoin, glipizide and nifedipine in an individual homozygous for the CYP2C9*3 allele.

Genetic polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family are widely known to contribute to interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics of many drugs. Several alleles for the CYP2C9 gene have been reported. Individuals homozygous for the Leu359 variant (CYP2C9*3) have been shown to have significantly lower drug clearances compared with Ile359 (CYP2C9*1) homozygous individuals. A male Caucasian who participated in six bioavailability studies in our laboratory over a period of several years showed extremely low clearance of two drugs: phenytoin and glipizide (both substrates of CYP2C9), but not for nifedipine (a CYP3A4 substrate) and chlorpheniramine (a CYP2D6 substrate). His oral clearance of phenytoin was 21% of the mean of the other 11 individuals participating in the study, and his oral clearance of glipizide, a second generation sulfonylurea structurally similar to tolbutamide, was only 188% of the mean of the other 10 individuals. However, his oral clearance of nifedipine and chlorpheniramine did not differ from individuals in other studies performed at our laboratories. An additional blood sample was obtained from this individual to determine if he possessed any of the known CYP2C9 or CYP2C19 allelic variants that would account for his poor clearance of the CYP2C9 substrates (phenytoin and glipizide) compared with the CYP3A4 (nifedipine) and CYP2D6 (chlorpheniramine) substrates. The results of the genotype testing showed that this individual was homozygous for the CYP2C9*3 allele and did not possess any of the known defective CYP2C19 alleles. This study establishes that the Leu359 mutation is responsible for the phenytoin and glipizide/tolbutamide poor metabolizer phenotype.

Adult

Pharmacokinetics of aminolevulinic acid after oral and intravenous administration in dogs.

The purpose of these studies was to examine the pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability, and systemic side effects of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in beagle dogs after oral and i.v. administration. Oral and i.v. doses of ALA (128 mg of ALA hydrochloride, equivalent to 100 mg of ALA) were administered to four animals using a crossover design. Animals were allowed a 2-week washout period between doses. Plasma ALA concentrations were determined using precolumn fluorescent derivatization and reversed-phase HPLC. Plasma concentrations after i.v. administration declined rapidly with a terminal half-life of 19.5 +/-2.5 min (mean +/- S.D.). Total body clearance and volume of distribution at steady state averaged 6.79+/-1.77 ml/min/kg and 259+/- 128 ml/kg, respectively. Peak plasma concentrations of ALA after oral administration ranged from 1.27 to 9.42 microgram/ml. Oral bioavailability in these animals averaged 41.2+/-14.8% (range, 23.5-58.5%). These studies demonstrate that oral administration may provide a convenient and efficient route of delivery of ALA for photodynamic therapy in patients.

Administration, Oral

Adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation inhibited by magnesium in a dose-dependent manner.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that magnesium inhibits platelet activation at concentrations equivalent to therapeutic levels. METHODS: Fifteen subjects were enrolled: five healthy, female donors with regular, spontaneous menstrual cycles; five women with uncomplicated third-trimester pregnancies; and five preeclamptic subjects before magnesium therapy. Anticoagulated whole blood was added to tubes containing 0.5 micromol/L adenosine diphosphate (to activate platelets), HP1-1D (activation-independent platelet antibody), CD62 antibody and CD63 antibody (activation-dependent platelet antibodies), and magnesium sulfate in increasing concentrations (2-100 mg/dL). The percentage of activated platelets (CD62 or CD63 positive) was determined using three-color flow cytometric analysis. Data were analyzed using the Student t test, repeated measures analysis of variance, two-way analysis of variance, and Student-Newman-Keuls for pairwise comparison in appropriate cases. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation was inhibited with increasing magnesium concentration in all subjects (P < .001). Significant inhibition of CD62 and CD63 expression first occurred at a magnesium concentration of 4 mg/dL in the normal pregnant group (P < .05), at 6 mg/dL in the preeclamptic group (P < .05), and at 8 mg/dL in the nonpregnant group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Magnesium inhibits adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation in a dose-dependent manner. This effect initially attains statistical significance at concentrations equivalent to therapeutic levels.

Adenosine Diphosphate

Intolerance to volume expansion: a theorized mechanism for the development of preeclampsia.

We present a theorized mechanism for the development of preeclampsia, suggesting that one important underlying pathophysiologic mechanism is intolerance to volume expansion. The stage is set for this intolerance by chronic volume constriction, which leads to a requirement for increased basal peripheral vasoconstrictor tone to maintain blood pressure and allow for continued perfusion of the upright hominid head. In pregnancy, volume expansion signaled by the placenta cannot be accommodated by the constricted vascular system. The inability of the normally adaptive endothelial vasodilatory mechanisms to overcome the chronic vasoconstrictor tone leads to endothelial damage, exacerbation of vasoconstriction, and clinical hypertension. Disease resolution, characterized by diuresis, occurs with the elimination of the placenta-derived drive to retain volume. The reason preeclampsia does not recur uniformly with subsequent pregnancy is permanent restructuring of the maternal cardiovascular system with pregnancy that allows for greater plasma volume expansion in future gestations.

Female

The relative bioavailability and in vivo-in vitro correlations for four marketed carbamazepine tablets.

PURPOSE: To determine if three marketed generic carbamazepine tablets were bioequivalent to the innovator formulation, as well as to each other. In addition, to examine in vivo-in vitro relationships among the four formulations. METHODS: Each formulation was given as a single dose to 18 healthy male and female subjects using a crossover design. Blood samples were collected for 169 hr. Carbamazepine was assayed by HPLC with UV detection. RESULTS: In vivo fraction absorbed plots indicated that the three generic formulations were absorbed more rapidly than the innovator product, and the mean time of maximum plasma concentration was 6-7 hr sooner for the generic formulations. The mean maximum plasma concentration ranged from 17-19 percent higher for the generic products compared to the innovator, and the 90% confidence limits for Cmax data ranged from 11 1% to 126%. The mean AUC(0-infinity) for the generic products ranged from 101-104% compared to the innovator, and the confidence limits for AUC ranged from 97-108%. CONCLUSIONS: The generic products were all more rapidly absorbed than the innovator, but simulations of steady-state concentrations indicated that it would be unlikely that these differences would have any significant clinical effect. An excellent association was seen between the Cmax and the percent of drug dissolved in vitro. The correlation was used to accurately predict the Cmax of four other 200 mg tablets evaluated in an earlier study.

Adult

Lack of in vivo/in vitro correlations for 50 mg and 250 mg primidone tablets.

PURPOSE: To determine if large differences in the in vitro dissolution profiles for primidone tablets would result in significant bioavailability differences. METHODS: Two separate bioavailability studies were conducted. The first study used 18 healthy subjects and compared the bioavailability of an old 50 mg tablet formulation, a new 50 mg tablet formulation, and a suspension containing 50 mg/ml of primidone. The second study enrolled 24 subjects who were to receive a new 250 mg tablet formulation, two lots of an old 250 mg tablet formulation and a 250 mg tablet from a second manufacturer. In vitro dissolution was conducted over 90 minutes, using USP 23 Apparatus 2 at 50 rpm, with 900 ml of water. RESULTS: Dissolution at 90 minutes for the old and new 50 mg tablets was approximately 20% and 100%, respectively. The dissolution of the four 250 mg tablets ranged from approximately 30% to 100%. The 50 mg tablet that dissolved slower had a longer Tmax and a 14% lower Cmax than the more rapidly dissolving tablet, but the AUC(0-infinity) values differed by only 3%. Only nine subjects completed the 250 mg study because of side effects. The differences in Cmax and AUC(0-infinity) among the four 250 mg tablets were less than 7%. CONCLUSIONS: Even though there were large differences in the in vitro dissolution of the 50 mg and the 250 mg primidone tablets, the two 50 mg tablets were shown to be bioequivalent, as were the four 250 mg tablets.

Adult

Generic drug product equivalence: current status.

UNLABELLED: This activity is designed for healthcare professionals involved in the selection of multisource drug products. GOAL: To understand the basis for approval of generic drug products by the Food and Drug Administration. OBJECTIVES: 1. Identify the criteria employed by the Food and Drug Administration to approve generic drug products. 2. Discuss controversial issues that have been raised relative to generic drug products. 3. Identify narrow therapeutic index drugs. 4. Describe the different types of bioequivalence studies that are required by the Food and Drug Administration. 5. Discuss the responsibilities underlying the selection of multisource drug products by healthcare professionals.

Delayed-Action Preparations

Estrogen replacement attenuates resistance artery adrenergic sensitivity via endothelial vasodilators.

The objective of this study was to determine whether chronic estrogen replacement alters adrenergic constriction and endothelium-dependent dilation in resistance arteries from the rat. Resistance-sized (< 200 microns) mesenteric arteries from castrated female Sprague-Dawley rats with (E2; 21 day, 0.5-mg pellet) and without (OvX) estrogen replacement were removed for in vitro study on a pressurized arteriograph system. Sensitivity to alpha-adrenergic constriction and the role of the endothelium in its modulation and of agonist-provoked endothelium-dependent relaxation were determined. Estrogen-treated rats had decreased heart rate as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Arteries from estrogen-replaced rats were fivefold less sensitive to alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation with phenylephrine (50% effective concentration: E2, 3.2 +/- 1.1 microM; OvX, 0.6 +/- 0.2 microM; P < 0.05). This difference was abolished by endothelial denudation, blockade of cyclooxygenase (1 microM ibuprofen), or nitric oxide synthase blockade (0.24 mM N omega-nitro-L-arginine). There was no difference in muscarinic agonist-provoked relaxation or vascular smooth muscle sensitivity to prostacyclin or sodium nitroprusside. These results indicate that estrogen replacement decreases resistance artery adrenergic sensitivity by increasing the basal release of relaxing factors from the endothelium. This effect on small artery function may produce dual cardioprotective effects by decreasing peripheral resistance, blood pressure, and the likelihood of thrombosis.

Animals

Relating formulation variables to in vitro dissolution using an artificial neural network.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effect of several experimental variables on the ability of a neural network to predict in vitro dissolution rate as a function of product formulation changes. Neural network software was trained with sets of hypothetical and experimental data consisting of 4-15 formulations with known in vitro drug dissolution profiles and the ability of the trained model to recognize patterns was validated against similar formations not used to train the neural network. The effect of selected variables, e.g., number of hidden-layer nodes and iterations, as well as the use of replicate or mean data on the accuracy of the predictions was investigated. The importance of optimizing the number of hidden-layer nodes and iterations was demonstrated. The prediction error increased for validation data sets that were outside the range of the training data set. Accurate predictions were obtained with as few as four formulations in the training set, provided the formulations were carefully chosen, and the number of formulation variables were small. Also, limiting the validation set to one formulation was not sufficient to validate the neural network model. Increasing the size of the training set, or replication of the input and output data, also provided more accurate predictions. The neural network accurately predicted in vitro drug release provided the neural network variables were optimized, and the training and validation data sets were appropriately selected.

Acetaminophen

Clinically significant interactions of psychotropic agents with antipsychotic drugs.

Various psychotropic drugs are commonly combined with antipsychotic agents. Such combinations can induce pharmacodynamically based, presumably additive, beneficial (e.g. sedative or mood-altering) effects or adverse autonomic, cardiac depressant and CNS intoxicating effects. Clinically significant interactions also arise through competition with or induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, particularly the CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 isozymes by which most antipsychotics are oxidised. Such pharmacokinetic interactions can elevate circulating concentrations of antipsychotics (both typical agents and the atypical antipsychotic clozapine) to potentially toxic ranges, which may lead to increased risks of adverse effects. Such interactions occur particularly with serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. Metabolic interactions that lead to lesser increases in antipsychotic concentrations may arise in combining these drugs with other antidepressants, benzodiazepines or propranolol. In contrast, most anticonvulsants, except valproic acid (sodium valproate), induce the oxidative metabolism of antipsychotics and can lower their plasma concentrations to potentially subtherapeutic levels, with unpredictable increases after their discontinuation. Since simultaneous use of multiple psychotropic agents is increasingly common, special caution is required to avoid untoward consequences of interactive adverse effects due to drug interactions, which can sometimes be severe or life-threatening.

Antipsychotic Agents

Electrocardiographic changes during desipramine and clomipramine treatment in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: With the increased use of tricyclic antidepressants in children, and several reports of several sudden deaths associated with desipramine (DMI) treatment, systematic study of their cardiac effects is indicated. In the present study, DMI's and clomipramine's (CMI) short-term effects on the electrocardiogram (ECG) were compared, as well as the long-term effects of CMI. METHOD: The ECGs of 47 children and adolescents in treatment trials were examined at baseline, after 5 weeks of CMI and of DMI treatment, and during CMI maintenance (mean duration 24.6 months). RESULTS: At 5 weeks of CMI and of DMI treatment, the heart rate, PR, QRS, and QT-corrected (QTc) intervals on ECG were significantly increased from baseline (p < .05); DMI increased PR and QRS intervals more than CMI (p < .05), and CMI increased QTc more (p < .05). Tachycardia was the most common change (36%). More patients experienced an incomplete intraventricular conduction delay during DMI treatment (23%, 9/39) than during CMI (2%, 1/47) (p < .05). Four patients (9%) acutely developed a prolonged QTc during either DMI or CMI. Long-term maintenance ECGs during CMI treatment (n = 25) were not significantly different from that at week 5, although some individuals developed or resolved specific ECG changes. CONCLUSION: CMI and DMI both produced ECG changes typically reported for tricyclic antidepressants, and they differed on specific ECG changes. Changes in ECG measures for individuals from short to long term suggest that continued monitoring is required.

Adolescent

Practical considerations in anticonvulsant therapy--Part 2.

Epilepsy is, for many patients, a lifelong condition that requires treatment with powerful drugs whose doses must be carefully titrated to avoid both breakthrough seizures and toxicity. The medication regimens used to treat epilepsy are further complicated by the fact that most seizure medications are metabolized in the liver and have the potential for serious pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions with many other medications. Successful management of epilepsy requires a high degree of cooperation among the patient, the pharmacist, and the treating physician. Such cooperation can ensure that the appropriate treatment and drug preparation are selected, compliance is maintained, and dangerous drug-drug interactions are avoided.

Anticonvulsants

Characteristics of vascular smooth muscle in the maternal resistance circulation during pregnancy in the rat.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine if pregnancy results in a decrease in arterial sensitivity to receptor-independent stimuli and a change in vascular smooth muscle membrane potential. STUDY DESIGN: Mesenteric resistance arteries from late pregnant (n = 19) and age-matched virgin control (n = 20) Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in a pressurized arteriograph system or isometric myograph. RESULTS: Arteries from pregnant rats were less sensitive to membrane depolarization by K+ than were those from nonpregnant rats (mean effective concentration that produced a 50% response 49 vs 39 mmol/L, pregnant vs nonpregnant, p < 0.05). Arterial basal tone and the myogenic response to increasing pressure steps were also reduced in arteries from pregnant rats compared with nonpregnant controls. The vascular smooth muscle membrane of the arteries from the pregnant rats was hyperpolarized compared with that from the control rats (-64 mV from pregnant rats vs -57 mV from nonpregnant rats, p < 0.01). This was associated with a reduction in vasomotion in the arteries from the pregnant rats (10% for pregnant rats vs 45% from nonpregnant rats, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy results in alterations of the vascular smooth muscle, including changes in the regulation of membrane potential and a reduced sensitivity to receptor-independent stimuli.

Animals

The effect of gastric pH on the absorption of controlled-release theophylline dosage forms in humans.

The bioavailability of three marketed controlled-release dosage forms and a reference solution of theophylline was studied in eight subjects with normal gastric fluid acidity and seven subjects who were achlorhydric. Gastric pH was monitored with a Heidelberg capsule. One of the controlled-release dosage forms dissolved more rapidly in vitro when exposed to acid conditions, one dissolved more rapidly in pH 7.5 media, and the third dissolved at a rate independent of pH. Using a crossover design, each subject received each dosage form twice. Blood was sampled for up to 47 hr after each dose, and serum was assayed for theophylline by HPLC. The product which dissolved more rapidly under acid conditions in vitro exhibited a 3 hr longer Tmax in the achlorhydrics compared to the normal subjects. The product which dissolved more rapidly in the pH 7.5 media exhibited a relatively higher AUC(0-infinity) in the achlorhydric subjects than in normal subjects after the AUC data were normalized for clearance differences between the two subject groups. The in vivo bioavailability of these dosage forms could be related to the in vitro dissolution characteristics for some parameters. However, with the exception of the mean Tmax values, the mean bioavailability parameters differed by less than 20% between the two subjects groups.

Absorption

Biopharmaceutical factors in seizure control and drug toxicity.

Problems related to bioequivalence and bioavailability for four antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are reviewed. Bioequivalence and bioavailability of AEDs can be affected by many factors, including physicochemical characteristics of the agent, the dosage form, and physiological condition of the patient. In 1988, breakthrough seizures prompted an FDA investigation of one company's generic carbamazepine tablets. Results indicated that the manufacturer had changed its source of carbamazepine, which led to a wide range of dissolution characteristics for different lots of tablets. In two separate studies, clonazepam was shown to be more rapidly absorbed in patients with a normal gastric pH than in those with a higher-than-normal gastric pH. With phenytoin, which exhibits nonlinear pharmacokinetics, differences in the rate and extent of absorption can adversely affect the bioavailability of this agent. Finally, the bioequivalence of generic primidone was contested in an adolescent girl who appeared to experience more frequent seizures with a generic product than with a trade formulation. The effectiveness of a drug depends on complex interactions involving the drug, the drug product formulation, and the patient. Minimizing variability in the absorption process is particularly important with AEDs, because of their narrow therapeutic range.

Anticonvulsants