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Biomedical subjects

S Cholerton

Publications and source records attributed to S Cholerton.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Mutant debrisoquine hydroxylation genes in Parkinson's disease.

The frequency of fifteen genotypes of CYP2D6 (debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase) in 53 patients with Parkinson's disease was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses and compared with the findings in 72 healthy controls. The commonest mutant allele, CYP2D6B, was twice as frequent among patients as in controls, with an approximate relative risk ratio of 2.70 (95% confidence interval 1.14-6.41; p = 0.0063) for subjects homozygous or heterozygous for this allele.

Aged↗

Comparison of a novel thin-layer chromatographic-fluorescence detection method with a spectrofluorometric method for the determination of 7-hydroxycoumarin in human urine.

A novel method for the determination of 7-hydroxycoumarin in human urine which combines thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with fluorescence detection (FD) has been devised. The limit of detection (1 ng/ml) enables determination of 7-hydroxycoumarin after both administration of coumarin and environmental exposure to this fragrance material. When compared to a spectrofluorometric method of analysis, the TLC-FD method proved to be more selective for the analysis of 7-hydroxycoumarin in human urine.

Administration, Oral↗

The role of individual human cytochromes P450 in drug metabolism and clinical response.

Recent advances in the study of human cytochromes P450 by protein purification, molecular cloning techniques and analysis of polymorphisms has led to increased understanding of the role of the various forms in the metabolism of clinically important drugs. In particular, the substrate specificity of one form, CYP2D6, is well established. CYP2D6 shows polymorphism, with 5-10% of Caucasians (poor metabolizers) not expressing this enzyme. The molecular basis of this deficiency is now well understood and methods for the detection of poor metabolizers are discussed, as well as the effect of the polymorphism on drug metabolism. Substrate specificities and possible polymorphisms in other cytochromes P450 are also discussed.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗

The pharmacogenetics of chemical carcinogenesis.

The human body is endowed with a large number of xenobiotic chemical metabolizing enzymes, a significant proportion of which are polymorphic and thus render one individual at greater or lesser risk than another of chemically-induced disease. All examples of genetic polymorphism of chemical metabolizing enzymes have been reviewed in relation to their potential to activate and detoxicate procarcinogens and promutagens. Many examples are cited whereby phenotype can act as a carcinogenic risk factor. With the availability of a large amount of DNA sequence data for chemical metabolizing enzymes there has emerged a number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategies aimed at discerning one metabolic phenotype or another. This is seen as a very positive and democratic scientific development, widening the franchise for studies of disease risk. Nevertheless, it is argued that, at these early stages with many laboratory-based scientists scarcely familiar with epidemiological study design, a cautious approach should obtain when interpreting single studies.

Animals↗

Comparative effects of the diastereoisomers, quinine and quinidine in producing phenocopy debrisoquine poor metabolisers (PMs) in healthy volunteers.

1. A single oral dose (50 mg) of quinidine significantly increased the debrisoquine metabolic ratio in six healthy volunteers. For four of the volunteers the metabolic ratio changed to that typical of the poor metaboliser (PM) phenotype. 2. The effect of quinidine in producing debrisoquine oxidation "poor metaboliser" phenocopies persisted for at least 3 days but had disappeared by 1 week. 3. The debrisoquine metabolic ratios for the same six subjects were not significantly altered by the oral administration of quinine (200 or 400 mg), the diastereoisomer of quinidine. 4. The plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of both nortriptyline and desipramine in healthy volunteers were all changed to those more typical of the debrisoquine PM phenotype following the concomitant administration of quinidine (50 mg). 5. It is concluded that quinidine, but not its diastereoisomer quinine, is a potent selective inhibitor of the in vivo oxidation of debrisoquine and can produce an artifactual PM phenocopy in persons who are phenotypically extensive metaboliser (EM) phenotype status. The clinical implications of this observation are discussed.

Adult↗

Haemorheological changes in the very short term after abstention from tobacco by cigarette smokers.

A study was made of the haemorheological changes that took place in the days immediately following tobacco withdrawal from cigarette smokers. In both males and females substantial and persistent reductions in blood viscosity occurred within 2 d, the fall at high shear rate corresponding to about 8% while at low shear rate it was approximately twice as much. These changes were due partly to a fall in packed cell volume (PCV), but also to reductions in total plasma protein and fibrinogen concentrations which led to reductions in plasma viscosity and rouleaux formation. These plasma protein-related changes were less pronounced in the female group. The results indicate that, even in the very short-term, abstention from cigarettes leads to substantial improvements in the haemorheological profile of heavy smokers.

Adult↗

Lack of effect of co-trimoxazole on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nifedipine.

The pharmacokinetics of nifedipine and its primary oxidised metabolite, M-I were studied in nine healthy volunteers following a single oral dose of 20 mg nifedipine alone or after pretreatment with oral co-trimoxazole. Following pretreatment with co-trimoxazole, no significant effect was detected on maximum plasma concentration, elimination half-life, or area under the plasma concentration-time curve of either nifedipine or M-I, nor on the blood pressure response to nifedipine.

Adult↗

Acute changes in atherogenic and thrombogenic factors with cessation of smoking.

Tobacco smoking is associated with alterations in several factors considered to be important in the atherosclerotic process. Thirty chronic smokers were studied 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after complete tobacco withdrawal. Significant reductions in fibrinogen, haematocrit, plasma viscosity and whole blood viscosity as well as a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol were observed. As these factors are important in both atherogenesis and thrombogenesis, these observations may give insight into tobacco-induced atherosclerotic disease and may be responsible for the more rapid reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease that is believed to occur after stopped smoking.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics and toxic effects of nifedipine in massive overdose.

A 57-year-old man took 30 x 20 mg nifedipine retarded release tablets. He developed hypotension, tachycardia and flushing, but remained in sinus rhythm. The concentration of nifedipine 10 h after overdose was 604 micrograms 1-1, and of the M-I metabolite 110 micrograms 1-1. Log concentration time curves were linear from 10-72 h for nifedipine, with a half-life of 7.5 h; and for M-I with a half-life of 8.2 h. On this evidence, oral absorption of nifedipine retarded release is complete by 10 h. There was no evidence of saturation of nifedipine or M-I metabolism, even at concentrations ten times above the therapeutic concentration.

Drug Overdose↗

The relationship between inhibition of vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide reductase and reduction of clotting factor activity with warfarin.

1 The effect of low dose steady state warfarin (0.2 mg and 1 mg daily) on clotting factor activity and vitamin K1 metabolism was studied in seven healthy volunteers. 2 Steady state plasma warfarin concentrations were 41-99 ng ml-1 for the 0.2 mg dose and 157-292 ng ml-1 for the 1 mg dose. 3 There was a significant prolongation of the mean prothrombin time (0.9 s) after 1 mg warfarin daily, but no significant change in prothrombin time after 0.2 mg warfarin daily. There was no significant change in individual clotting factor activity (II, VII, IX or X) with either dose of warfarin. 4 Following the administration of a pharmacological dose of vitamin K1 (10 mg), all seven volunteers had detectable levels of vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide with both doses of warfarin (Cpmax 31-409 ng ml-1). 5 Both the Cpmax and the AUC for vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide were significantly greater on 1 mg of warfarin daily than 0.2 mg daily (P less than 0.01). 6 The apparent dissociation between inhibition of vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide reductase and reduction of clotting factor activity, produced by warfarin, may reflect the insensitivity of functional clotting factor assays to a small reduction in clotting factor concentration.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

An investigation of the pharmacological response to vitamin K1 in the rabbit.

1. The relationship between pharmacological response and disposition of a dose of vitamin K1 (10 mgkg-1, i.v.) in normal rabbits and in rabbits treated with the coumarin anticoagulant brodifacoum, has been studied. 2. High performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) with electrochemical detection (EC) was used to determine concentrations of vitamin K1 in plasma, whole liver homogenate, and liver microsomes. 3. After intravenous administration of vitamin K1, plasma concentrations of the vitamin declined in a tri-exponential fashion. There were no differences between the two groups over the first 24 h of the experiment. However, between 24 h and the end of the study, plasma concentrations of vitamin K1 in the presence of brodifacoum were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) below those of vehicle-treated rabbits. 4. Seventy-two hours after administration of vitamin K1, plasma concentrations of the vitamin were not different from normal. 5. Three hours after administration of vitamin K1, the concentrations of the vitamin in whole liver were 46.6 +/- 4.3 micrograms g-1 in the presence of brodifacoum, and 32.8 +/- 6.4 micrograms g-1 in the absence of brodifacoum; and were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) greater than normal (127.7 +/- 44.3 ng g-1). Likewise, microsomal concentrations of vitamin K1 (4.00 +/- 2.38 micrograms mg-1 protein, and 2.65 +/- 1.01 micrograms mg-1 protein, in the presence and absence of brodifacoum, respectively) were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) greater than normal (16.0 +/- 3.5 ng mg-1 protein). 6 In conclusion, there appears to be no direct effect of coumarins on clearance of vitamin K1 from either plasma or liver; the need for large doses of vitamin K1 during coumarin poisoning is due to a greatly increased requirement for the vitamin.

4-Hydroxycoumarins↗

Enantiomers of warfarin and vitamin K1 metabolism.

The effect of the individual enantiomers of warfarin at steady state (1 mg daily) was investigated in five healthy volunteers. Both enantiomers produced a significant increase in prothrombin time, but the increase with S warfarin (1.8 +/- 0.8 s, mean +/- s.d.) was greater than with R warfarin (1.0 +/- 0.3 s), despite lower steady state plasma concentrations of S warfarin, due to its more rapid clearance. Following the administration of vitamin K1, the maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration time curve values for the metabolite vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide were greater after S warfarin than after R warfarin. The greater anticoagulant potency of S warfarin is reflected by a greater degree of inhibition of vitamin K1 epoxide reductase.

Half-Life↗

Stereoselective interaction between the R enantiomer of warfarin and cimetidine.

The stereoselectivity of the pharmacokinetic interaction between warfarin and cimetidine was investigated in eight healthy volunteers. The warfarin enantiomers were given separately as single doses (15 mg) alone and during chronic administration of cimetidine (1 g day-1). Cimetidine did not interact with S warfarin but there was an interaction with the R enantiomer of warfarin. Cimetidine caused a significant increase in the mean plasma half-life of R warfarin (from 47.8 h to 57.8 h) and a significant decrease in its mean plasma clearance (from 2.3 to 1.7 ml h-1 kg-1) (P less than 0.02). Administration of a pharmacological dose of vitamin K1 together with the enantiomers of warfarin was necessary clinically and resulted in elevation of vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide concentrations, which were similar in each case.

Administration, Oral↗

Problems of anticoagulation with warfarin in hyperthyroidism.

From clinical observation it would appear that hyperthyroid patients are particularly sensitive to the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. A study was made of clotting factors prothrombin (II), VII, procoagulant VIII (VIIIC), IX and X and of prothrombin ratio (PTR) and partial thromboplastin time with kaolin (PTT-K). These parameters and warfarin levels were measured before and following a single dose of warfarin given to five patients when hyperthyroid and again when euthyroid. Hyperthyroidism was associated with lower activity of factor II and a shorter PTT-K. Warfarin produced a greater fall in factors II and VII and a greater increase in PTR and PTT-K in the hyperthyroid state than in the euthyroid state. The enhanced response to warfarin in hyperthyroidism was, however, relatively greater for the PTR than for the PTT-K. In order to produce adequate protection against intravascular thrombosis by a suitable prolongation of the PTT-K, it may be necessary in hyperthyroid patients to extend the PTR beyond the normal therapeutic range.

Aged↗

Vitamin K1 metabolism in relation to pharmacodynamic response in anticoagulated patients.

The disposition of, and pharmacological response to, a single intravenous dose of vitamin K1 (10 mg) was studied in eleven patients on daily warfarin therapy. The pharmacokinetics of vitamin K1 in patients were similar to those reported previously in healthy volunteers, terminal half-life 1.7 h. All patients had been taking warfarin for at least 3 months. Steady state warfarin plasma concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 1.4 micrograms ml-1. Prothrombin complex activity ranged from 15 to 28.5%. There was considerable inter-individual variation in pharmacodynamic response as expressed by prothrombin complex activity (PCA) and Factor VII. The maximum values for PCA and Factor VII were reached at 24-96 h and 24-48 h, respectively, after the administration of vitamin K1. Vitamin K1 (10 mg) has a long duration of action (greater than 168 h) in terms of clotting factor synthesis in patients on steady state warfarin. All the patients on warfarin had measurable levels (CPmax 0.3-1.2 micrograms ml-1) of vitamin K1 2, 3-epoxide. There was a significant correlation between the pharmacodynamic response as expressed by change in % PCA and the AUC for vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide (P less than 0.05).

Adult↗

A study of the relationship between the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of the 4-hydroxycoumarin anticoagulants warfarin, difenacoum and brodifacoum in the rabbit.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the 4-hydroxycoumarin anticoagulants, brodifacoum, difenacoum, and warfarin have been studied in the rabbit. Sensitive (50 ng ml-1) and specific high performance liquid chromatography assays have been developed for the determination of plasma concentrations of warfarin, brodifacoum and difenacoum. After administration of a single intravenous dose (20 mumol kg-1), plasma concentrations of warfarin underwent mono-exponential decay, with a terminal half-life of 5.6 +/- 0.7 h (mean +/- s.e. mean), whereas plasma concentrations of brodifacoum and difenacoum underwent bi-exponential decay with terminal half-lives of 60.8 +/- 1.9 h and 83.1 +/- 10.3 h respectively. The plasma half-life of brodifacoum in a single patient poisoned with the compound was 487 h. The pharmacological response to the anticoagulants was measured as changes in prothrombin complex activity, from which the rate of clotting factor synthesis was determined. Clotting factor synthesis recovered in a monophasic fashion after a single intravenous dose of warfarin, compared with a more complex biphasic, pattern of recovery of clotting factor synthesis after administration of either brodifacoum or difenacoum. The slope (m) of the intensity of effect-log (amount of drug in the body) curve was derived for each anticoagulant. There was no significant difference in the value of m after single intravenous doses of racemic, R-, and S-warfarin, difenacoum and brodifacoum, which is consistent with the hypothesis that all the 4-hydroxycoumarin anticoagulants produce their anticoagulant effect by acting at the same receptor site, vitamin K epoxide reductase. Determination of the minimum plasma concentration of each anticoagulant that corresponded with the complete inhibition of clotting factor synthesis indicated that racemic warfarin, R-warfarin and brodifacoum have similar potencies in the rabbit and are less potent than S-warfarin and difenacoum.

4-Hydroxycoumarins↗

Metabolic polymorphisms.

Polymorphisms have been detected in a variety of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes at both the phenotypic and genotypic level. In the case of four enzymes, the cytochrome P450 CYP2D6, glutathione S-transferase mu, N-acetyltransferase 2 and serum cholinesterase, the majority of mutations which give rise to a defective phenotype have now been identified. Another group of enzymes show definite polymorphism at the phenotypic level but the exact genetic mechanisms responsible are not yet clear. These enzymes include the cytochromes P450 CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and a CYP2C form which metabolizes mephenytoin, a flavin-linked monooxygenase (fish-odour syndrome), paraoxonase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (Gilbert's syndrome) and thiopurine S-methyltransferase. In the case of a further group of enzymes, there is some evidence for polymorphism at either the phenotypic or genotypic level but this has not been unambiguously demonstrated. Examples of this class include the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2A6, CYP2E1, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, xanthine oxidase, an S-oxidase which metabolizes carbocysteine, epoxide hydrolase, two forms of sulphotransferase and several methyltransferases. The nature of all these polymorphisms and possible polymorphisms is discussed in detail, with particular reference to the effects of this variation on drug metabolism and susceptibility to chemically-induced diseases.

Animals↗