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Biomedical subjects

S Eksborg

Publications and source records attributed to S Eksborg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Doxorubicin- and daunorubicin-induced energy deprivation and nucleotide degradation in isolated cardiomyocytes.

Cytotoxic mechanisms of the antitumor agents daunorubicin and doxorubicin were elucidated in isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rats. Incubation with daunorubicin resulted in a concentration-dependent loss of cell viability and changes of the cell structure. Only the highest concentration of doxorubicin (1 mM) caused similar effects. Doxorubicin was found to stimulate oxygen consumption by cardiomyocytes (about 20%), while the opposite effect was observed after daunorubicin treatment. A rapid decrease of the mitochondrial ATP content (more than 40%) and elevation of the cytosolic ADP level (doxorubicin 2-fold and daunorubicin 6-fold) was followed by increased release of adenosine and inosine to the surrounding medium. When myocytes were exposed to an anthracycline concentration lower than plasma levels measured clinically (0.15 microM), doxorubicin and daunorubicin significantly decreased the intracellular ADP and NAD levels. Isolated cardiomyocytes were found to be able to form daunorubicinol from daunorubicin. In contrast, no conversion of doxorubicin was detected in our experiments. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that decreased ATP production and increased nucleoside formation are major events in the toxicity induced by daunorubicin and doxorubicin in isolated cardiomyocytes. The results also suggest that the toxic effects may be caused by separate mechanisms.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

A limited sampling strategy for estimation of the cladribine plasma area under the concentration versus time curve after intermittent i.v. infusion, s.c. injection, and oral administration.

Cladribine is a newly developed antimetabolite with promising activity in lymphoproliferative disorders. Recent pharmacokinetics investigations have suggested that there is a relationship between its plasma area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) and the degree of neutropenia posttreatment as well as the therapeutic outcome in hairy-cell leukemia. To enable a simple estimation of the plasma AUC, a limited sampling strategy was developed. Stepwise linear regression was used to determine which were the most important data points for estimation of the plasma AUC after 2-h i.v. infusion, s.c. injection (5 mg/m2), and oral administration (10 mg/m2) in 27 patients. The most important data points after i.v. infusion in 12 patients were 1, 4, and 24 h, in order of importance. The AUC could be estimated as 2.9081 x C1h + 5.1851 x C4h + 20.3265 x C24h. The accuracy and precision (mean value +/- SD for the determined/estimated AUC was 0.99 +/- 0.053) of the model could not be increased by the addition of more data points. A somewhat lower accuracy and precision (0.96 +/- 0.089) was seen with the 2-, 4-, and 24-h data points. These were used to test the regression technique prospectively for the estimation of the AUC after i.v. administration in another set of 10 patients. The accuracy and precision of the estimation of the AUC was similar in this group (1.01 +/- 0.109). In all, 11 patients were treated orally (10 mg/m2) and 10 patients were treated by s.c. injection (5 mg/m2). The most important data points for estimation of the AUC were 2.5, 24, and 0.5 h after oral administration (AUC = 0.8630 x C0.5h + 4.2337 x C2.5h + 45.4364 x C24h) and 9, 1, and 16 h after s.c. injection (AUC = 1.8821 x C1h + 16.4256 x C9h + 25.4518 x C16h). The accuracy and precision were 1.01 +/- 0.064 after oral dosing and 0.99 +/- 0.11 after s.c. injection. The derived mathematical models are reliable for estimation of the plasma AUC of cladribine after 2-h i.v. infusion, oral administration, and s.c. injection.

Administration, Oral↗

Determinants of acute regional toxicity following isolated limb perfusion for melanoma.

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with melphalan is well established as an effective form of treatment for recurrent melanoma confined to an extremity. High drug concentrations in the limb are readily achieved, without systemic side-effects. However, regional toxicity can lead to considerable morbidity and functional disturbance. This study was undertaken to evaluate factors which might contribute to acute regional toxicity following ILP. Melphalan concentrations in limb blood samples taken at regular intervals during 135 ILPs were measured by HPLC, allowing peak melphalan concentration and area under the curve (AUC) for each procedure to be determined. Acute regional toxicity associated with ILP was found to be significantly correlated with limb tissue temperatures > 40 degrees C, peak melphalan concentration and melphalan AUC, in decreasing order, but was not correlated with tourniquet time. Further studies are required to directly assess melphalan uptake by tumour tissue, and to relate this to both limb toxicity and tumour response.

Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating↗

Evaluation of clinical assays for measuring high-dose methotrexate in plasma.

Four routine assays commonly used for monitoring plasma methotrexate (MTX) during high-dose therapy were validated by HPLC as the comparison method. MTX and its main metabolite, 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7-OHMTX), were analyzed by HPLC with postcolumn derivatization and fluorometric detection. About 200 clinical plasma samples from 13 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who received 5-8 g/m2 MTX as 24-h infusions were analyzed. The fraction of measured concentrations of MTX that were within 75-125% of the values obtained by HPLC were 64.5% for enzyme inhibition assay, 56.4% for fluorescence polarization immunoassay with polyclonal antibodies (FPIA1; Abbott), 58.9% for FPIA2 (with monoclonal antibodies; Abbott), and 46.4% for enzyme-multiplied immunoassay (Emit; Syva). All nonchromatographic procedures were subject to interferences from MTX plasma metabolites or endogenous substances. The interference from 7-OHMTX was, however, somewhat less pronounced for FPIA2 (monoclonal) than for FPIA1 (polyclonal).

Child↗

Methotrexate in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Evidence of age dependent pharmacokinetics.

Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) have been reported to require higher doses (per kg body weight) of methotrexate (MTX) than adults with rheumatoid arthritis to control their disease. The purpose of the present study was to characterise the plasma pharmacokinetics of MTX and its major metabolite, 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7-OHMTX) in children, and to compare the results with those previously obtained in adults. Thirteen patients (age 5-16 y) with JRA (median disease duration 5.5 y) were studied after once weekly oral administration of MTX (median 0.21 mg.kg-1). The analytical method was sufficiently sensitive to permit determination of plasma and urinary concentrations of MTX and 7-OHMTX during the entire dose interval in most of the patients. The dose normalized area under the plasma concentration versus time-curve (AUC) of MTX increased with the age of the children and was lower than previously found in adults. The dose normalized AUC of 7-OHMTX was not dependent on age. No correlation was found between the AUCs of MTX and 7-OHMTX. The results suggest that the age-dependence of the pharmacokinetics of MTX might explain the observation that at least some children require higher doses of MTX than adults to obtain a sufficient therapeutic effect.

Adolescent↗

Effects of intrapleural mitoxantrone and mepacrine on malignant pleural effusion--a randomised study.

30 patients with malignant pleuritis were randomised to be treated, either with intrapleural instillation of mepacrine chloride or with mitoxantrone. The patients were evaluated with chest X-ray and a symptom questionnaire during a follow-up period of 12 weeks. Mitoxantrone levels in the pleural space and plasma were measured at different time points in some of the patients. High concentrations of mitoxantrone were found in the pleural fluid while the plasma concentrations were low, giving a plasma/intracavity ratio generally of less than 1:60. The chest X-rays showed excellent results for both treatment modalities. However, the patients treated with mepacrine chloride experienced greater discomfort with fever and pain, and those treated with mitoxantrone reported significantly less dyspnoea and less asthenia after 4 weeks. We conclude that both treatments are equally effective in preventing the recurrence of malignant effusion. However, mitoxantrone seems to have further advantages when it comes to improving the quality of life.

Adult↗

Inter-individual variations of the effect of low dose aspirin regime on platelet cyclooxygenase activity.

Thirteen healthy men (age range 24-59 years) received three single doses (30, 75, and 150 mg/day) of aspirin for seven days, followed by a wash-out period of three weeks, in a randomized order. The arachidonic acid metabolite 12-L-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (12-HHT) was taken as a measure of platelet cyclooxygenase activity. There was a large inter-individual variation in 12-HHT production prior to and during aspirin treatment. After one week of treatment the mean reduction was 69, 72 and 83% for the doses 30, 75 and 150 mg/day respectively. When the degree of cyclooxygenase inhibition was expressed per microgram aspirin administered per kg bw, a positive correlation was established to the activity before medication. It was found that doses exceeding 1500 micrograms per kg bw is required to achieve a predictable reduction in cyclooxygenase activity. Thus, by determining the pre-treatment cyclooxygenase activity in an individual it should be possible to adjust the enzyme activity to any desired level below 40% of its initial value. 150 mg aspirin/day for one week had a stimulating effect on the platelet basal production of 12-HHT when measured three weeks after the cessation of treatment. This rebound phenomenon was also observed up to six weeks after a single dose of 600 or 1200 mg of aspirin.

Adult↗

Chloroquine reduces the bioavailability of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A possible mechanism of reduced hepatotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a single dose of chloroquine (CQ) on the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Eleven patients (ages 41-75 years) who were taking oral doses of MTX (15 mg/week) were studied after a dose of MTX alone and after a dose of MTX plus CQ (250 mg). Plasma and urine samples were collected for 24 hours after dose intake, and the concentrations of MTX and its major metabolite 7-hydroxymethotrexate were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Administration of CQ together with MTX caused a reduction in the area under the plasma MTX concentration versus time curve (AUC). The median value of individual AUC ratios (MTX/MTX + CQ) was 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.2-3.6). CONCLUSION: The most likely mechanism for the interaction is that CQ reduces the bioavailability of MTX. This gives a possible explanation for a suggested reduction in MTX-associated liver toxicity by coadministration of CQ. The significance of the interaction for the therapeutic effect remains to be elucidated.

Adult↗

Food-induced increase in bioavailability of 5-methoxypsoralen.

5-Methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) in combination with ultraviolet light exposure is used for the treatment of psoriasis. The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of 5-MOP was evaluated in a randomized, crossover study in nine healthy subjects. Each subject received the tablets with a standardized breakfast or under fasting conditions. The food had a dramatic effect on the bioavailability of 5-MOP. Five of the subjects showed no measurable quantities (detection limit of the analytical technique 1 ng.ml-1) of 5-MOP when the drug was given under fasting conditions. However, plasma peak concentration within the range 37-144 ng.ml-1 (median 102 ng.ml-1) was measured when the drug was taken with food. The time for the plasma peak concentration was within the range 2.0-5.1 h (median 3.0 h) under non-fasting conditions. The elimination half-life was within the range 1.4-2.7 h (median 1.9 h). We conclude that it is imperative that 5-MOP tablets are administered together with food.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗

Pharmacokinetics of clonidine after rectal administration in children.

BACKGROUND: alpha 2 Agonists have been shown to produce desirable effects when used as premedication or as an adjunct to general anesthesia in adult patients. Several of these beneficial effects (e.g., reduced anesthetic requirements and analgesia without respiratory depression) would be of great benefit in pediatric anesthesia. Information regarding the use of alpha 2 agonists in children is largely lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of clonidine after rectal administration in children. METHODS: Ten ASA physical status 1 pediatric patients (age 14-48 months, weight 10-20 kg) received 2.5 micrograms.kg-1 of clonidine by the rectal route. Blood samples were taken during a 24-h period after the administration. Plasma levels of clonidine were analyzed by radioimmunoassay and subjected to a computer-aided curve-fitting program (PC Nonlin). To estimate the bioavailability of clonidine the results from the current study were compared with data from a previous study in which the same dose of clonidine was given to a similar patient population by the intravenous route. RESULTS: Maximum plasma concentration was 0.77 ng.ml-1 (0.62-0.88), time to maximum plasma concentration 51 min (29-70), terminal half-life 12.5 h (8.7-19.5), and bioavailability 95% (73-119) (medians [95% confidence interval]). Plasma concentrations within the adult clinically effective range (0.2-2.0 ng.ml-1) were obtained within 10 min of administration. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal administration of 2.5 micrograms.kg-1 of clonidine in children, approximately 20 min before induction of anesthesia, achieves plasma concentrations within the range known to be clinically effective in adults.

Administration, Rectal↗

Methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis--a limited sampling strategy for estimation of the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve.

A limited sampling strategy for determination of the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treated with weekly oral doses, has been validated. Stepwise linear regression analysis was used for optimal inclusion of data points in mathematical models to estimate AUC. A new plot for evaluation of the accuracy and precision of the estimated AUC values was introduced in the present study. By plotting the ratio of determined/estimated AUC values versus estimated AUC values, the influence of number of sampling points on the precision and accuracy of estimated AUC values was easily validated. Our results show that AUC values of MTX in RA patients can be estimated from a single plasma sample at 3 h or preferably, due to increased precision, by additional samplings at 5 and 1 h. A further increase of the number of sampling points increased the precision of the AUC estimates only to a minor extent. The accuracy of the estimated AUC values was independent of the number of sampling points. A limited sampling procedure can now be used for further studies on the relationship between MTX levels and its effects.

Administration, Oral↗

The pharmacokinetics of methotrexate and its 7-hydroxy metabolite in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

1. The pharmacokinetics of MTX and its 7-hydroxy metabolite (7-OHMTX) were investigated in nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Each patient received 15 mg MTX i.v., i.m. and p.o. after an overnight fast in a randomized cross-over design. The plasma concentrations of MTX and 7-OHMTX were measured over 7 days and their urinary excretion over 24 h. 2. Plasma concentrations of MTX were described by a triexponential function after i.v. administration, a triexponential function with zero or first order absorption after oral administration, and a biexponential function with zero of first order absorption after i.m. injection. Plasma concentrations of 7-OHMTX were described by a biexponential function after all three routes of administration. The median terminal elimination half-lives of MTX and 7-OHMTX were 55 h and 116 h, respectively. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC (0,170 h)) of MTX did not differ between i.m. and oral administration indicating similar bioavailability after these routes of administration. The AUC (0,170 h) values of 7-OHMTX after i.v., oral and i.m. administration were similar. Over 80% of MTX was excreted in urine as intact drug and about 3% was excreted as 7-OHMTX during 24 h after drug administration. 3. Plasma concentrations of MTX and 7-OHMTX were measurable at the end of the dose interval in most of the patients and may help to identify non-responders or patients with increased risk of side-effects.

Administration, Oral↗

Epirubicin as a single agent therapy for the treatment of breast cancer--a pharmacokinetic and clinical study.

Sixty women with breast cancer (mean age: 61 years; range 36-78 years) were treated with Epirubicin (4'epi-Doxorubicin), 60 mg m-2, as single drug therapy. The drug was administered as 2 hours' constant rate infusions. The pharmacokinetics of the drug during the first course of treatment was evaluated by measurements of the plasma concentration of Epirubicin at the end of the infusion period. There was a five-fold inter-individual variation of the dose-normalized maximum plasma concentration, which increased with increasing age of the patients. There was no correlation between this pharmacokinetic parameter and degree of obesity. An increase in maximum plasma concentration was associated with an increasing degree of alopecia (p = 0.025). Also the degree of nausea and vomiting showed a tendency to increase with increasing maximum plasma concentration (p = 0.07). Fifty four of the sixty patients entered in the present study were evaluable for clinical response. There was one CR (complete remission). Seventeen patients achieved PR (partial response), and twenty five patients had SD (stable disease). Eleven patients did not respond to treatment. The median maximum plasma concentrations were 322, 316, 336 and 288 ng ml-1 in patients with CR, PR, SD and PD, respectively. The results in the present study showed that 60 mg m-2 of Epirubicin given as a constant rate infusion over 2 hours is a useful alternative to more aggressive combination drug therapy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Adult↗

Successful treatment of hepatosplenic candidiasis with a liposomal amphotericin B preparation.

The case of a granulocytopenic patient with acute undifferentiated leukaemia and hepatosplenic candidiasis who was refractory to conventional deoxycholate amphotericin B (AmpB) and 5-flucytosine therapy is reported. He experienced severe AmpB-related side-effects, and was subsequently successfully treated with a pharmaceutical preparation of AmpB (5.7 g) entrapped in sonicated liposomes, composed of lecithin, cholesterol and stearylamine in a molar ratio of 4:3:1. Three months later, during maintenance chemotherapy, liposomal AmpB (5.1 g) was reinstituted due to the finding of biopsies positive for Candida albicans at bronchoscopy. After healing of the patient's fungal infection a left upper lobe resection was performed, which showed advanced fibrosis with signs of inflammation, but no evidence of fungal disease. Since no acute side-effects and only moderate hypokalaemia were observed, it appears that liposomal AmpB is superior to conventional AmpB treatment in granulocytopenic patients with hepatosplenic candidiasis and unbearable therapy-related side-effects.

Acute Disease↗