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Biomedical subjects

R C Stevens

Publications and source records attributed to R C Stevens.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Rimantadine pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects and patients with end-stage renal failure.

The single-dose (two 100 mg doses) pharmacokinetics of rimantadine hydrochloride were compared in eight patients with end-stage renal disease who were on hemodialysis and seven age-matched healthy subjects. Plasma and urine rimantadine concentrations were determined by a GC/MS method. The plasma half-life (43.6 vs 27.5 hours) and AUC (9.9 +/- 2.1 vs 6.0 +/- 1.6 micrograms.hr/ml) were significantly (p less than 0.05) increased in the patient population. No significant differences were noted in the maximum rimantadine concentration, time of maximum concentration, or apparent volume of distribution. Urinary excretion of unchanged rimantadine accounted for 16% of the dose in the healthy subjects. Hemodialysis did not appreciably remove rimantadine. These findings suggest that rimantadine dosage may need to be reduced in patients with end-stage renal disease but supplemental doses on dialysis days are not required.

Adamantane↗

Determination of the absolute configuration of (-)-(2R)-succinic-2-d acid by neutron diffraction study: unambiguous proof of the absolute stereochemistry of the NAD+/NADH interconversion.

The absolute configuration of the CHD group (D = deuterium) in (-)-(2R)-succinic-2-d acid, as prepared from (-)-(2S,3R)-malic-3-d acid, has been shown unambiguously to be R by the technique of single-crystal neutron diffraction. The optically active cation (+)-phenylethylammonium was used as the chiral reference. The structure of [C6H5CH3CHNH3]+[HOOCCH2CHDCOO]- has been studied with x-ray diffraction at room temperature and neutron diffraction at 100 K. Crystal data from the neutron diffraction analysis of the phenylethylammonium salt of the title compound at 100 K: space group P21; a = 8.407(2) A, b = 8.300(4) A, c = 8.614(2) A, beta = 91.20(3) degrees; unit cell volume = 600.9(3) A3, zeta = 2 (numbers in parentheses are the estimated standard deviations). Final agreement factors are R(F2) = 0.0355 and R(wF2) = 0.0457 for 1690 independent neutron reflections and 297 parameters varied. The result confirms the stereochemistry of the malate/succinate transformation, as well as the NAD+/NADH interconversion, and demonstrates the usefulness of the single-crystal neutron diffraction method for determining the absolute configuration of molecules having a chiral monodeuteriomethylene group.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Design and synthesis of novel glycopolythiophene assemblies for colorimetric detection of influenza virus and E. coli.

A novel family of glycopolythiophenes containing sialic acid or mannose ligands were prepared and evaluated for their ability to bind lectins, virus, and bacteria. For the set of glycopolythiophenes studied, the spacer-length between the polymer backbone and the ligand was varied to optimize binding interactions. The glycopolymers were blue-shifted (absorbance of ca. 400 nm) relative to the corresponding homo-polythiophenes (absorbance ca. 440 nm), suggesting a twisted conformation for the glycopolymers. The altered conformation is likely due to electrostatic or H-bonding interactions between the polymer chains, arising from the carbohydrate ligand. Further conformational changes in the polythiophene backbone were detected by the binding of specific receptors; lectins (wheat germ agglutinin, concanavalin A), Influenza virus, and Escherichia coli. The binding interactions result in an unusual red-shift in the visible absorption of the polymer backbone, suggesting a lengthening of the effective conjugated length upon interaction of the ligand with its congnate receptor. These conjugated glycopolymeric systems offer a potentially new platform for the detection of molecular binding interactions.

Colorimetry↗

Disposition of tirilazad (U74006F), a 21-aminosteroid, in the plasma, heart, brain, and liver of the rat.

Tirilazad mesylate (Freedox, Upjohn) is the first agent of a new class of compounds called lazaroids currently under clinical investigation for its potential beneficial effects following neurotrauma. Tirilazad's therapeutic effect is due to its ability to inhibit iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. This study was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats to determine the basic pharmacokinetics and distribution of tirilazad into the brain, heart, and liver. Rats (N = 50) were killed in groups of five at 0, 10, 20, and 40 min, and at 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hr after intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg of tirilazad mesylate. Tirilazad was assayed in plasma, heart, liver, and brain tissue by HPLC. Using the mean concentrations at each time point, pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using standard noncompartmental techniques and statistical moment theory. Tirilazad was rapidly eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 2.4 hr and clearance of 6.1 ml/min. The volume of distribution at steady-state was large, 4.8 liters/kg. The concentrations of tirilazad were highest in the liver and heart and lowest in the plasma and brain. Elimination from tissues paralleled elimination from plasma with half-lives of 1.9, 1.6, and 1.5 hr in the brain, heart, and liver, respectively. Tirilazad appears to be a highly extracted, hepatically eliminated drug, suggesting its clearance is dependent on liver blood flow, and alterations in plasma protein binding are unlikely to affect its clearance but may affect the fraction unbound.

Animals↗

The disposition and cerebrospinal fluid penetration of morphine and its two major glucuronidated metabolites in adults undergoing lumbar myelogram.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetic disposition of morphine and its two major glucuronidated metabolites, morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) and morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), in serum and their penetration into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). DESIGN: A single-dose, open-label pharmacokinetic study. SETTING: The Memphis Neurosciences Center at Methodist Hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty patients undergoing a diagnostic lumbar myelogram. INTERVENTIONS: All patients received morphine sulfate 10 mg intramuscularly approximately 1.5 hours before the procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three blood samples were drawn after the dose and a CSF sample was drawn immediately after lumbar puncture. The mean +/- standard deviation for the half-life of morphine was 2.8 +/- 1.4 hours. The apparent half-lives of M6G and M3G were 5.7 +/- 3.1 and 6.3 +/- 2.2 hours, respectively, and were inversely related to the estimated creatinine clearance (r = -0.61, p < 0.007 and r = -0.69, p < 0.002, respectively). The mean concentrations of morphine, M6G, and M3G in the CSF (collection time 1.5 +/- 0.32 hrs, n = 19) were 3.1 +/- 3.7, 12.5 +/- 17.6, and 19.6 +/- 16.1 nmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients and patients with renal dysfunction receiving morphine may experience prolonged analgesic and adverse effects secondary to a decrease in the clearance of M6G.

Adult↗

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole pharmacokinetics in trauma patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To characterize the pharmacokinetic profile of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) in trauma patients and to compare these parameter estimates with those obtained in nontrauma patients. DESIGN: Open-label, multidose, pharmacokinetic study. SETTING: Trauma intensive care unit of a level 1 trauma center located within a regional medical center. PATIENTS: Fifteen adult trauma patients with serious gram-negative infections. All patients were studied on day 1 of treatment, nine on day 3, three on day 5, and two on day 7. One patient was discontinued from the study because of a possible drug-induced rash. INTERVENTIONS: Study patients received TMP 4 mg/kg and SMX 20 mg/kg intravenously every 12 hours. Serial blood sampling was performed up to 4 times per patient between treatment days 1 and 7. Serum was assayed for TMP-SMX using high-performance liquid chromatography. A one-compartment model was fit to the data using maximum likelihood estimation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean (SD) baseline parameter estimates for TMP were volume 2.1 (0.65) L/kg, half-life 9.7 (3.0) hours, and clearance 2.6 (0.80) ml/min/kg. Estimates for SMX were volume 0.51 (0.10) L/kg, half-life 7.8 (2.0) hours, and clearance 0.80 (0.29) ml/min/kg. Both volume (p < 0.01) and clearance (p < 0.001) for SMX were significantly higher and half-life (p < 0.05) significantly shorter than previously reported estimates in nontrauma patients. No significant differences in TMP parameter estimates were found. Neither TMP nor SMX clearance was significantly correlated with estimated creatinine clearance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the pharmacokinetics of SMX in trauma patients differ significantly from nontrauma patients, which may result in lower than expected concentrations using standard dosing guidelines.

Accidents↗

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin after single- and multiple-doses in children.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To characterize the disposition and tolerance of azithromycin after single and multiple oral doses of 12 mg/kg in children with and without cancer. DESIGN: Open-label, nonrandomized pharmacokinetic study. SETTING: Two pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Twelve children with cancer admitted to the inpatient unit for empiric antibiotic treatment of febrile neutropenia, and 16 hospitalized patients receiving antibiotic therapy INTERVENTIONS: Patients received azithromycin suspension either as a single dose or daily dose every morning for 5 consecutive days. Serial blood samples were collected up to 120 hours after a single dose or during and after multiple doses to characterize the pharmacokinetic parameters estimated for a two-compartment absorption model. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All 28 patients were evaluable for safety. Azithromycin was well tolerated except in one patient with cancer who experienced abdominal cramps and withdrew from the study. Pharmacokinetic results were not determined in five patients because of insufficient concentration-time data. The mean +/- SD estimates of oral clearance, terminal half-life, maximum concentration in serum (Cmax), and time to achieve Cmax in the 23 evaluable patients were 4.83 +/- 3.59 L/hour/kg, 54.5 +/- 36.4 hours, 318.2 +/- 174.5 microg/L, and 2.4 +/- 1.1 hours, respectively. These estimates did not differ between single-dose (14 patients) and multiple-dose (9 patients) groups. Pharmacokinetic parameters were not different between the 11 children with cancer and the 12 without cancer. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin 12 mg/kg results in proportionately higher serum concentrations than previously published results for lower doses (5 mg/kg). Variability in concentration profiles among patients is substantial, and age or other yet unidentified clinical factors may explain some of the differences observed.

Adolescent↗