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Biomedical subjects

M E Brewster

Publications and source records attributed to M E Brewster.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Effect of sustained estradiol release in the intact male rat: correlation of estradiol serum levels with actions on body weight, serum testosterone, and peripheral androgen-dependent tissues.

The differential effect of increasing serum estradiol on various parameters in the intact male rat was assessed through the use of subcutaneously implanted, hormone-laden pellets. The delivery systems were designed to release drug through bioerosion at a zero-order rate over a 12-day time-course. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (190 to 220 g) were given estrogen pellets at increasing labeled strenghts (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10, 50, and 100 mg). Animals were weighed at various intervals before and after implantation. At Day 6, 12, and 26 after drug administration, rats were examined for 4 additional parameters, including serum estradiol and testoterone concentrations and accessory organ weights (i.e., ventral prostate and seminal vesicles). Serum estradiol levels were consistent with pellet potency and lifetime. Increases in body weight were suppressed 50% by circulating estradiol levels of approximately 200 pg/mL at Day 6,250 pg/mL at Day 12, and 285 pg/mL at Day 26. On the other hand, suppression of serum testosterone was more sensitive and was decreased 50% by peripheral estrogen levels of 36, 43, and 51 pg/mL at Days 6, 12, and 26, respectively. Accessory organ weights essentially reflected serum testosterone levels as indicated by their similar ED50 values: 50.5, 50.5, and 44.3 pg/mL for the ventral prostate at Day 6, 12, and 26, respectively, and 48, 56, and 51.5 pg/mL for the seminal vesicle regression at Day 6, 12, and 26, respectively. The data indicate the pellet used provided sustained plasma levels of hormone and these constant peripheral levels exerted potent pharmacological action. Initial body weight changes seemed to be less sensitive to the action of estradiol than serum testosterone or derivative properties, such as accessory organ weight.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Intravenous and oral pharmacokinetic evaluation of a 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin-based formulation of carbamazepine in the dog: comparison with commercially available tablets and suspensions.

Complexation of carbamazepine with 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin was performed to provide improved formulations of this widely used antiepileptic drug. Based on this approach, liquid dosage forms were configured for both parenteral and oral use. Intravenous administration of an aqueous carbamazepine x 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CBZ x HPbetaCD) complex at a CBZ dose of 20 mg/kg was well tolerated and generated high initial drug levels that fell monoexponentially as a function of time, yielding a plasma elimination half-life of 38 min. Oral studies were completed with three preparations: a commercially available tablet and suspension, as well as a CBZ x HPbetaCD oral solution. Oral administration of tablets gave erratic and slow absorption, leading to maximum CBZ concentrations (C(max)) of <2 microg/mL, which were manifested only at 2.5 h after drug dosing. The absolute bioavailability of CBZ from the tablets was approximately 25%. Both the suspension and CBZ x HPbetaCD solution gave a significantly improved profile. Thus, the liquid oral dosage forms approximately doubled the oral bioavailability of CBZ compared with the tablets.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of a brain-targeting zidovudine chemical delivery system in dogs.

AIDS encephalopathy is an insidious complication of human immunodeficiency virus infection which is difficult to treat because of the poor uptake of many potentially useful antiretroviral drugs through the blood-brain barrier. A chemical delivery system (CDS) for zidovudine (AZT) based on redox trapping within the brain has been prepared and tested in several animal models to circumvent this limitation. The behavior of the AZT-CDS in the dog was considered. Parenteral administration of AZT resulted in rapid systemic elimination and poor uptake by the central nervous system. Ratios of the area under the concentration-time curve of AZT for cerebrospinal fluid to that for blood were 0.32, and ratios of the area under the concentration-time curve of AZT for brain to that for blood were approximately 0.25. Administration of an aqueous formulation of the AZT-CDS resulted in rapid tissue uptake and conversion of the CDS to the corresponding quaternary salt with the subsequent production of AZT. Delivered in this way, the levels of AZT in brain were 1.75- to 3.3-fold higher than those associated with conventional AZT administration. In addition, the levels of AZT in blood were 46% lower than those associated with AZT administration. The higher concentrations in brain and lower concentration in blood combined to significantly increase the ratio of the concentration of AZT in the brain to that in blood after AZT-CDS administration compared to that after AZT dosing.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Structural studies of loteprednol etabonate and other analogs of prednisolone using NMR techniques.

Several structural analogs of prednisolone, prepared by esterification of the carboxylic and/or the C(17)-hydroxy group of 11 beta, 17 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17 beta-carboxylic acid, were investigated by NMR. Step-by-step analysis of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of these steroids, including proton-proton selective decoupling, nuclear Overhauser effect difference spectra, attached proton test, proton-carbon correlation (HETCOR), proton-proton correlation (COSY), and long-range proton-carbon decoupling (INAPT) techniques, led to unequivocal assignments of all their proton and carbon resonances. The stereochemical structure of loteprednol etabonate (chloromethyl 17 alpha-ethoxycarbonyloxy-11 beta-hydroxy-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene-17 beta-carboxylate, 1), a soft corticosteroid antiinflammatory drug, was proved to be analogous to prednisolone.

Androstadienes↗
PubMed1996

Pharmaceutical applications of cyclodextrins. 1. Drug solubilization and stabilization.

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides which have recently been recognized as useful pharmaceutical excipients. The molecular structure of these glucose derivatives, which approximates a truncated cone or torus, generates a hydrophilic exterior surface and a nonpolar cavity interior. As such, cyclodextrins can interact with appropriately sized molecules to result in the formation of inclusion complexes. These noncovalent complexes offer a variety of physicochemical advantages over the unmanipulated drugs including the possibility for increased water solubility and solution stability. Further, chemical modification to the parent cyclodextrin can result in an increase in the extent of drug complexation and interaction. In this short review, the effects of substitution on various cyclodextrin properties and the forces involved in the drug-cyclodextrin complex formation are discussed. Some general observations are made predicting drug solubilization by cyclodextrins. In addition, methods which are useful in the optimization of complexation efficacy are reviewed. Finally, the stabilizing/destabilizing effects of cyclodextrins on chemically labile drugs are evaluated.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Derivatives of dexanabinol. II. Salts of amino acid esters containing tertiary and quaternary heterocyclic nitrogen with increased water-solubility.

PURPOSE: Amino acid esters containing tertiary or quaternary nitrogen heterocycles were synthesized for dexanabinol (1) and evaluated as water-soluble prodrugs or congeners. METHODS: Syntheses were performed by conventional methods; stability studies in water, blood (rat, dog, human) and assay-media were performed by HPLC; NMDA receptor binding was determined by [3H] MK-801 displacement; neuroprotection and neurotoxicity studies were performed in cortical cell cultures. RESULTS: 7-morpholino and N-methylpiperazino acetates and butyrates and the respective N-methylmorpholinium and piperazinium iodides as well as a 3'-N-methyl morpholino butyrate and the corresponding N-methyl quaternary type derivative were synthesized. All compounds were relatively soluble in water or 10% aqueous ethanol. The examined derivatives were stable in water and generally less stable in blood and assay media. Quaternary derivatives of dexanabinol were found to hydrolyze faster. All examined compounds inhibited NMDA receptor and protected neurons against NMDA induced toxicity. Neuroprotection (with one exception) is however attributed to the parent 1 released by hydrolysis during the assay. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the examined derivatives could be further evaluated as prodrugs on congeners of 1.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Derivatives of Dexanabinol. I. Water-soluble salts of glycinate esters.

PURPOSE: Glycinate ester-type water soluble derivatives of dexanabinol (HU-211) (1) a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with potential use in the treatment of brain damage were synthesized and evaluated as prodrugs or congeners. METHODS: Conventional procedures were used for the synthesis of the novel derivatives. Stability studies in water and blood (rat, dog, human) were performed by HPLC; NMDA receptor binding was determined by radio ligand [3H] MK-801-displacement; the neuroprotection and neurotoxicity studies were performed in cortical cell cultures. RESULTS: Glycinate (3), dimethyl- and diethylamine (5, 6), trimethyl- and triethyl- ammonium (7, 8) acetates of 1 were synthesized. All compounds were relatively soluble and stable in water. The quaternary ammonium salt-type derivatives rapidly hydrolyzed to the parent drug in various types of blood including human. In vitro activity studies indicated that the novel derivatives possess NMDA receptor binding properties. The neuroprotecting properties manifested by some of the new derivatives were associated with very low neuronal cell toxicity and are credited to parent compound released by hydrolysis during the experiments rather than to intrinsic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Compounds 7 and 8 are promising water-soluble pro-drug candidates for 1; the glycinate ester 3 might be used as an active analog.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy of a 3-substituted versus 17-substituted chemical delivery system for estradiol brain targeting.

Brain-targeted delivery of estrogens has been achieved by a chemical delivery system (CDS) in which a molecular targetor (1-methyl-1,4-dihydronicotinate) was attached to the 17-alcohol of estradiol. Optimization of this effect was attempted with the isomeric 3-phenol ester. Estradiol 3-nicotinate was prepared with nicotinic anhydride, which selectively acylated the phenol position. Methylation and reduction gave estradiol 3-(1-methyl-1,4-dihydronicotinate) of the 3-E2-CDS. Theoretical and electrochemical investigation indicated that the 3-E2-CDS was more stable to oxidation than was the prototype 17-ester (17-E2-CDS). Systemic administration of the 17-E2-CDS produced high levels of the corresponding quaternary salt in the brain of rats, which disappeared with an estimated half-life of > 2 days, but 3-E2-CDS dosing resulted in no significant quaternary salt trapping. Pharmacological activity was potent and sustained after 17-E2-CDS dosing but transient after 3-E2-CDS administration. Thus, the 3-E2-CDS reduced the rate of weight gain in male rats but to a lesser extent and for a shorter duration than did the 17-E2-CDS. Similar effects were seen on pituitary hypertrophy, reduction in serum androgen concentrations, and involution of prostate and seminal vesicles. The results of these studies suggest that placement of the targeting ester at the phenol position increases dihydropyridine stability but, at the same time, reduces brain sequestration.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Tissue distribution of LY231617, an antioxidant with neuroprotectant activity, in the rat.

The tissue distribution of a butylated phenol antioxidant, LY231617, which has been shown to exert potent neuroprotection action was examined. Preliminary pharmacokinetic examination suggests that LY231617 was eliminated in a biphasic fashion after iv administration to the rat with a distribution half-life of 5 min and an elimination half-life of close to 2.5 h. The volume of distribution of the compound was large (7.4 L), consistent with its lipophilic structure. Dosing paradigms that have historically resulted in pharmacologically relevant activity were examined and were found to generate brain tissue levels of LY231617 of approximately 45 micrograms/g.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Preparation, characterization, and anesthetic properties of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin complexes of pregnanolone and pregnenolone in rat and mouse.

Prototype formulations of the progesterone derivatives pregnanolone and pregnenolone were prepared by solubilizing the steroids in 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD). The aqueous solubility of the steroids was increased as a function of HP beta CD concentration generating linear (AL) or curvilinear (AP) phase-solubility profiles. While the solubility of pregnanolone could not be increased with the addition of water-soluble pharmaceutical polymers, the concentration of pregnenolone in HP beta CD was increased more than 60% by the addition of small amounts (0.10%) of (hydroxypropyl)methylcellulose. Mice studies found that while pregnanolone was highly potent in an HP beta CD vehicle, pregnenolone was devoid of activity. Since pregnenolone and pregnanolone differ marginally in structure and physicochemical profile, the data suggest that these derivatives interact via a specific receptor and not via nonspecific membrane perturbations. Sex differences in the action of the pregnanolone complex was observed in that parenteral (i.v. and i.p.) drug administration was more effective in males than females. These data are in contrast to observations made in the case of alfaxalone, a related steroid anesthetic, in which the sex difference favored female animals. On the other hand, females appeared to be more sensitive to the effects of the pregnanolone complex when administered orally. Finally, parenteral pregnanolone was more toxic to males than females with LD50 (i.v.) values of 355 and 548 micromol/kg, respectively.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin↗
PubMed1995

New injectable aqueous carbamazepine solution through complexing with 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin: tolerability and pharmacokinetics after intravenous injection in comparison to a glycofurol-based formulation.

The poor water solubility of the antiepileptic drug (AED) carbamazepine (CBZ) is generally considered an absolute contraindication to parenteral administration in epileptic patients. However, the water solubility of CBZ can be largely enhanced through formation of an inclusion complex with an amorphous cyclodextrin derivative, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD). We studied tolerability and pharmacokinetics of an aqueous CBZ:HP beta CD solution after intravenous (i.v.) administration in dogs. For comparison, a conventional glycofurol-based solution of CBZ was used. We also administered a commercial liquid formulation of CBZ orally (p.o.). Infusion of CBZ:HP beta CD solutions or HP beta CD "placebo" formulations i.v. was well tolerated by the animals. In contrast, infusion of CBZ:glycofurol solutions and glycofurol placebo solutions induced marked behavioral and cardiovascular adverse effects. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that glycofurol inhibited CBZ metabolism by decreasing formation of the major CBZ metabolite CBZ-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E). With infusion of CBZ:HP beta CD 10 ml/min for 12-15 min, resulting in a CBZ dose of CBZ 5 mg/kg body weight, peak CBZ plasma levels of approximately 3.6 micrograms/ml were obtained. This relatively low peak concentration is primarily due to the rapid elimination of CBZ in dogs [half-life (t1/2) < 1 h]. Comparison of peak plasma levels determined after p.o. administration of CBZ to dogs with peak CBZ levels previously determined after p.o. administration in humans indicated that about four times higher doses are needed in dogs to attain the same peak plasma levels as in humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin↗
PubMed1995

Improved brain delivery and in vitro activity of zidovudine through the use of a redox chemical delivery system.

OBJECTIVE: Improved therapy for AIDS dementia and related encephalopathies may be achieved through enhanced delivery of effective antiretroviral agents to the central nervous system (CNS). DESIGN: A novel chemical delivery system (CDS) was used, which utilized redox trapping of drugs in the brain. This study was aimed at defining the pharmacokinetics of a zidovudine (ZDV)-CDS as well as establishing its in vitro antiviral efficacy against HIV in both lymphocytes and in a neural cell line. RESULTS: ZDV-CDS administered parenterally to rats produced significantly higher brain levels of ZDV [area under the curve (AUC), 425 micrograms x min/g] than equimolar ZDV (AUC, 13.5 micrograms x min/g). Native ZDV uptake was minimal after 1 h when analyzed in CEM lymphocytes and in SKNMC neuroblastoma cell line. By contrast, marked uptake of ZDV-CDS was followed by biochemical conversion of ZDV-CDS to its main metabolites (ZDV-CDS quaternary salt, ZDV-Q+, and native ZDV). These improved uptake profiles were associated with greater in vitro virucidal effect. ZDV-CDS at 0.5 microM was 80% more effective than ZDV in suppressing p24 production in a lymphocyte culture infected with 6000 median tissue culture infective doses (TCID50) of the HIV N1T strain and 50% more effective at 0.05 microM. Furthermore, syncytia formation was completely suppressed at a ZDV-CDS dose of 0.5 microM (600 TCID50) but native ZDV at the same dose was ineffective. Finally, while ZDV (at 0.5 microM) is not active in reducing viral replication in an SKNMC neural cell line, the ZDV-CDS complex significantly suppressed p24 synthesis. CONCLUSION: The ZDV-CDS complex is capable of delivering higher ZDV doses to lymphocytes and neural cells, with improved antiretroviral activity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Effect of molecular manipulation on the estrogenic activity of a brain-targeting estradiol chemical delivery system.

The structural parameters important for biological efficacy of an estradiol chemical delivery system (CDS), a brain-targeting approach based on redox trapping, were examined by molecular manipulation of a prototype derivative, estradiol 17-(1-methyl-1, 4-dihydronicotinate) (E2-CDS). Seven E2-CDS analogs in which the N-methyl substituent was altered were prepared including N-substituted short and medium straight chain alkyl, short branched chain alkyl, and aralkyl derivatives. Chemical and in vitro testing indicated that the most stable derivative was the N-benzyl E2-CDS. The analogs were tested in an intact male rat model to assess various central estrogenic manifestations including the rate of body weight gain, serum E2 and testosterone concentrations, and seminal vesicle, prostate and pituitary weight changes. Results indicated that all prepared CDS derivatives exerted some degree of central estrogenization with the most potent compounds being the parent E2-CDS and its ethyl homologue. Importantly, while the ethyl E2-CDS was equipotent to E2-CDS in various biological assays, it did not significantly elevate serum E2 compared to vehicle control at day 14.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Enhanced delivery of ganciclovir to the brain through the use of redox targeting.

Enhanced delivery of ganciclovir to the brain was demonstrated by a redox-based chemical delivery system. A ganciclovir monoester in which a 1-methyl-1,4-dihydronicotinate was covalently attached to one of the hydroxymethyl functions was prepared. The stability of the ganciclovir chemical delivery system (DHPG-CDS) was evaluated in aqueous buffers and organ homogenates. In vivo distribution studies in the rat indicated that while ganciclovir poorly penetrated into the central nervous system and was rapidly eliminated, DHPG-CDS provided for therapeutically relevant (2.7 microM) and sustained levels of the parent compound through 6 h. An analysis of the area under the concentration curve indicated that the chemical delivery system delivered five times more ganciclovir than that of the parent drug. The high levels in the brain and reduced levels in the blood gave a brain-to-blood drug concentration ratio of 2.54 for ganciclovir when delivered by the chemical delivery system, compared to a ratio of 0.063 when the parent drug was administered. These data suggest that DHPG-CDS could be a useful adjunct for the treatment of cytomegalovirus encephalitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

An AM1 molecular orbital study of alpha-D-glucopyranose and beta-maltose: evaluation and implications.

Chemical reactivity and other characteristics of alpha-D-glucopyranose and beta-maltose were evaluated within a semiempirical molecular orbital (AM1) framework. Theoretically generated structures compared well to those determined by X-ray crystallographic techniques. Calculations suggested that the secondary hydroxy functions (OH-2 and OH-3) of the mono- and di-saccharides were more acidic than the primary alcohol (OH-6), which is consistent with experimental findings. In addition, the enhanced reactivity of the OH-3 locus, which is observed upon OH-2 alkylation of the object sugars, was rationalized in terms of increased OH-3 acidity. The chemical behavior of the monomers examined may be insightful in explaining the reactivity of glucopyranose polymers.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗