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Biomedical subjects

T Higuchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Higuchi.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

N-halo derivatives III: stabilization of nitrogen-chlorine bond in N-chloroamino acid derivatives.

The chlorination of alpha-amino acids and their related derivatives was investigated. A kinetic study of the stability of these N-chlorinated products led to an elucidation of the factors that significantly influence the stability and reactivity of the nitrogen-chlorine bond in these N-chloramines. From the kinetic investigations, a series of low chlorine potential, soft antimicrobial N-chloramines was developed based on derivatives of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and related compounds.

Amino Acids↗

Programmed diffusional release rate from encapsulated cosolvent system.

The programmed diffusional release rate of an active agent through a rate-controlling membrane from a cosolvent system is discussed. At initial conditions, the drug is present below saturation in solution in a solvent mixture, enclosed by the rate-controlling membrane; the solvent is composed of the main solvent and a consolvent, which increases the drug solubility in the main solvent. During operation, the active agent and cosolvent diffuse from the capsule at a rate controlled by the membrane. Equations were derived describing the release rate of the active agent as a function of the permeability of the cosolvent and agent, the capsule dimensions, and the system's initial conditions. A great variety of release rate profiles can be programmed from declining to increasing delivery rate patterns as a function of time. Experimental data are presented for the drug progesterone in solution in cyclohexane with methyl, heptyl, or cetyl alcohol as the cosolvent in a polyethylene capsule. The theory qualitatively predicts the theory qualitatively predicts the experimental results.

Alcohols↗

Enhancement of solubility of drug salts by hydrophilic counterions: properties of organic salts of an antimalarial drug.

Judicious choice of the salt form of a drug can greatly affect the aqueous solubility and formulation of the compound. The objective of this work was to demonstrate the effect of various counteranions on the aqueous solubility of the antimalarial agent alpha-(2-piperidyl)-3, 6-bis(trifluoromethyl)-9-phenanthrenemethanol. Several organic salts of this drug were studied. The methods of synthesis, the apparent aqueous solubilities, and in vitro dissolution tests for these salts are reported. The lactate salt was 200 times as soluble as the hydrochloride salt. This enhanced solubility suggests that parenteral administration of this drug may now be feasible.

Antimalarials↗

N-Halo derivatives V: Comparative antimicrobial activity of soft N-chloramine systems.

Comparative antimicrobial activity studies for certain new classes of soft N-chloramines derived from alpha-aminiisobutyric acid and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol were examined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and/or the contact germicidal efficiency (CGE) procedures. Several factors significantly aliphatic chain length in a homologous series, (b) the degree of chlorination of thenitrogen atom, (c) the solution pH, (d) the presence of a denaturant, and (e) the nature of a positive charge.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

N-Halo derivatives VI: Microbiological and chemical evaluations of 3-chloro-2-oxazolidinones.

Comparative antimicrobial activity of 3-chloro-2-oxazolidinone (I), 3-chloro-4-methyl-2-oxazolidinone (II), 3-chloro-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolidinone (III), and N-chlorosuccinimide (IV) was evaluated in aqueous buffers in the absence and presence of 5% horse serum. All four compounds had similar bactericidal activity in the absence of horse serum, but I and III had superior activity relative to IV when serum was present. Compound III was considerably more stable with respect ot loss of positive chlorine and bactericidal activity than I and II when stored in 0.1 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffered to pH 7.0 at 40 degrees. Thus, III is potentially the most useful bactericidal agent of those evaluated. The chlorine potentials of I, II, and III, the rate constants for transfer of positive chlorine from I and III to morpholine in aqueous solutions, and the hydrolytic stabilities of I and III with respect to loss of positive chlorine were evaluated. These data, together with previously calculated data for IV, are used to rationalize the observed bactericidal activities.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Improved delivery through biological membranes. 1. Synthesis and properties of 1-methyl-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-carbaldoxime, a pro-drug of N-methylpyridinium-2-carbaldoxime chloride.

A dihydropyridine-pyridine type redox pro-drug system was developed for delivering quaternary pyridinium salts through biological membranes. As a first application, the dihydropyridine derivative of N-methylpyridinium-2-carbaldoxime chloride (2-PAM) was synthesized using a reduction-addition-elimination sequence. The dihydro-2-PAM obtained has all the required properties for an effective transport through lipoidal barriers and it reverts easily back to 2-PAM as a result of a chemical or enzymatic oxidation process.

Biological Transport↗

Improved delivery through biological membranes. 2. Distribution, excretion, and metabolism of N-methyl-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-carbaldoxime hydrochloride, a pro-drug of N-methylpyridinium-2-carbaldoxime chloride.

N-Methyl-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-carbaldoxime hydrochloride, the pro-drug of 2-PAM, was found to be converted in vivo to 2-PAM, rapidly and quantitatively. The significantly changed properties of the pro-2-PAM resulted in a longer biological half-life and a favorable distribution of 2-PAM formed upon its oxidation. No new metabolite was found when pro-2-PAM was administered intravenously; however, a new metabolic product was formed when the pro-drug was given by oral route.

Administration, Oral↗

Improved delivery through biological membranes. 3. Delivery of N-methylpyridinium-2-carbaldoxime chloride through the blood-brain barrier in its dihydropyridine pro-drug form.

Administration of N-methyl-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-carbaldoxime hydrochloride, the pro-drug form of 2-PAM, resulted in an average of 13-fold increase in the amount of 2-PAM delivered into the brain of mice as compared to the administration of 2-PAM. The pro-drug which crossed the BBB resulted in a dramatic increase in the reactivation of AChE blocked by DFP. In vivo studies of the "aging" of the phosphorylated AChE in the brain of mice could also be studied using pro-2-PAM.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Relationship between membrane potential and progesterone release in ovine corpora lutea.

When slices of ovine luteal tissue were perfused with medium containing luteinizing hormone (LH), the output of progesterone was increased significantly (P less than 0.01) in eleven of twelve experiments. However, addition of LH to the medium did not influence the luteal cell membrane potential. The addition of 47 mM potassium to the medium resulted in increased progesterone output (P less than 0.01) and depolarization of the luteal cell membrane within 2 min. Progesterone output decreased to approximate pretreatment levels within 2 min of the return to normal potassium levels in the perfusion medium. High levels of potassium further increased the output of progesterone from tissue stimulated with LH. Perfusion of the slices with sodium-free medium also resulted in increased (P less than 0.01) progesterone output within 2 min, which returned to pretreatment levels within 2 min after normal sodium levels were restored to the medium. Perfusion of the slices with sodium-free medium did not influence the membrane potential. Perfusion of the tissue with LH, 47 mM potassium, or sodium-free medium had no effect on progesterone output if the medium was calcium-free and/or contained 2 mM EGTA. These data suggested that the calcium ion plays an important role in mediating the steroidogenic response of ovine luteal tissue to LH. A second series of experiments was designed to ascertain if luteal cells were coupled electrically. Sixty-six pairs of luteal cells separated by 150-300 mum were penetrated with electrodes and the membrane potential of both cells was studied. One cell of each pair was hyperpolarized by passage of 0.4 nA current into the cell, but in no case was there an effect on the membrane potential of the other penetrated cell. Likewise, when five cells were injected iontophoretically with Procion Yellow there was no evidence of diffusion of the dye to adjacent cells. There was no evidence obtained in this study which suggested that ovine luteal cells were coupled electrically.

Animals↗

Pharmacy, pharmaceutics and modern drug delivery.

Recent developments in the area of drug delivery are reviewed. Controlled delivery of drug substances (including controlled-release oral products, the Folkman-Long silastic device and membrane-medicated delivery systems) are discussed. The prodrug approach is illustrated by discussion of the esterification of epinephrine and the production of the dihydro form of 2-PAM (pro-2-PAM). It is suggested that the pharmacist study the release pattern of drug devices and the pharmaceutics of prodrugs in order to maintain his responsibility as the expert on drugs.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Gas-chromatographic analysis for 1,2:5,6-dianhydrogalactitol, an anti-neoplastic agent, in plasma.

We describe a gas chromatographic method for measuring submicrogram quantities of dianhydrogalactitol, a promising antineoplastic agent (currently undergoing clinical trials in humans), in plasma. The drug is first extracted from blood plasma by saturating the aqueous phase with solid potassium carbonate and extracting with isopropanol/chloroform (9/1 by vol). It is then converted to the corresponding n-butaneboronic ester by reaction at room temperature with butaneboronic acid and chromatographed on an SE-30 (3%) column, with flame ionization detection. Practicality of the method for monitoring drug distribution was demonstrated by administering dianhydrogalactitol in therapeutic doses to a dog and monitoring its concentrations in blood for the next 2 h.

Animals↗

Delivery of a quaternary pyridinium salt across the blood-brain barrier by its dihydropyridine derivative.

A dihydropyridine-pyridine type redox system was successfully applied for delivering a quaternary pyridinium salt, N-methylpyridinium-2-aldoxime chloride (2-PAM), through the blood-brain barrier. The dihydropyridine derivative of 2-PAM was quickly oxidized to 2-PAM after crossing the blood-brain barrier. As a result of this approach, the brain cholinesterase blocked by organophosphates could be reactivated. The new method should be useful in delivering numerous drugs which are otherwise inaccessible to the brain because of their polar ionic character.

Animals↗

Rational development of a soluble prodrug of a cytotoxic nucleoside: preparation and properties of arabinosyladenine 5'-formate.

The 5'-O-formate ester of arabinosyladenine was synthesized and shown to be suitable as a water-soluble prodrug, being at least 60 times more soluble than the parent cytotoxic nucleoside. This increased solubility was ascribed to a decrease in intermolecular interaction in the crystalline state, as evidenced by an similar 90 degrees lower melting point for the ester relative to the parent compound. The prodrug reverted to the parent compound in aqueous solution, its pH-rate profile being V-shaped with maximum stability at a pH similar 4.2, corresponding to a half-life of about 10 days. The rate of hydrolysis of the prodrug at 37degrees in 91% human serum and 91% whole blood was studied. At an initial concentration of 0.4 mg of prodrug/ml of 91% whole blood, reversion to arabinosyladenine appeared to be essentially complete in about 15 min. The prodrug did not appear to be subject to enzymatic deamination. This feature, together with the good solubility of the prodrug, makes possible the effective formulation of arabinosyladenine for intravenous purposes. The rationale involved in the general design of a prodrug and the specific considerations necessitated in the case of adenine arabinoside are discussed.

Animals↗