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U Christians

Publications and source records attributed to U Christians.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Isolation of an immunosuppressive metabolite of FK506 generated by human microsome preparations.

Metabolism of FK506, a 23 member macrolide under clinical investigation as immunosuppressant after transplantation, was studied using human liver microsomes. Two fractions isolated by semi-preparative HPLC were identified by negative fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry as FK506 metabolites with mass peaks at m/z = 790 indicating demethylation of the mother compound. The immunosuppressive activity of one metabolite was evaluated in a ConA-stimulated peripheral rat lymphocyte assay. FK506 had an IC50 of 0.186 nmol/L and the metabolite tested of 1.89 nmol/L.

Animals↗

Additive and synergistic effects of cyclosporine metabolites on glomerular mesangial cells.

Out of the 29 cyclosporin (Cs) metabolites defined so far, 10 representative ones were isolated from bile of liver grafted patients, purified by HPLC, and their structure specified by FAB-MS and 1H NMR. These were used to determine the growth inhibitory effects on Sprague Dawley rat glomerular mesangial cells (MC). Metabolite dilutions were added to cultured MC for 72 hours and [3H]-thymidine incorporation was measured. A 50% growth inhibition by single metabolites (M) on MC was achieved at the following concentrations (mg/liter): Cs: 1.25; M21: 6.0; M18: 9.0; M26: 10.5; M1: 10.8; M8: 10.8; M17: 12.5; M13: greater than 20.0; M25: greater than 25.0; M203-218: greater than 50.0; H355: greater than 50.0. The activity was correlated to the degree of metabolization as the group of six "active" compounds included four primary metabolites (hydroxylated or demethylated derivatives of Cs: M21, M18, M1, M17), whereas the four "inactive" compounds exclusively were secondary metabolites (demethylated, hydroxylated and/or oxidized primary metabolites: M13, M25, M203-218, H355). Combinations of active metabolites with or without Cs resulted in an additive antiproliferative effect. Although single metabolite activities are not relevant in vivo, already combinations of three (M1 + M17 + M18) or four metabolites (M17 + M18 + M21 + H355) resulted in a significant growth inhibition at concentrations of the participating metabolites measured in urine of liver transplanted patients. Moreover, significant synergistic activities were determined with combinations including secondary metabolites. A final set of experiments discharged unspecific cytotoxic effects. The inhibition of MC [3H]-thymidine incorporation was completely reversible and moreover, direct mesangiolysis was excluded for both single and combined metabolite actions. Thus, considering rat MC proliferation as an initial kidney cell model system for subsequent, more detailed studies measuring functional parameters, we have demonstrated that activities of single metabolites are related to their chemical structure. More importantly, mimicking to some extent the patients' situation, combinations of metabolites at concentrations occurring in vivo reduced MC proliferation in culture in an at least an additive fashion, suggesting that side effects of Cs treatment might be attributed to combined Cs metabolite actions.

Animals↗

Investigations on the metabolic pathways of cyclosporine: I. Excretion of cyclosporine and its metabolites in human bile--isolation of 12 new cyclosporine metabolites.

1. Cyclosporine metabolites of known and unknown structures were isolated, by semi-preparative h.p.l.c., from human bile from the T-tube of liver-grafted patients, who received cyclosporine treatment. Their structures were elucidated by FAB mass spectrometry and 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. 2. Twelve of the cyclosporine metabolites, with known chemical structures, were isolated and identified using authentic standard material. 3. Four isolated fractions contained tri-hydroxylated metabolites; two fractions contained di-hydroxylated, demethylated metabolites; one fraction contained a tri-hydroxylated, demethylated metabolite; and one fraction a mono-hydroxylated, demethylated metabolite. The exact metabolism sites were partially defined. 4. Two carboxylated cyclosporine metabolites, of which one was hydroxylated in an unknown position, were isolated. 5. One new metabolite proved to be a glucuronylated phase II metabolite. Deglucuronylation of this metabolite by beta-glururonidase yielded metabolite AM1c. The proposed structure was AM1c-Glc; is a proposed extension of the Hawk's Cay nomenclature of the cyclosporine metabolites for glucuronylated metabolites. 6. One of the unknown metabolites was hydroxylated in two positions of amino acid 1. The proposed nomenclature was 'AM11d', where '1d' indicates hydroxylation at the delta C of amino acid 1. 7. A metabolite with an aldehyde functional group at amino acid 1, which had two isomeric forms, was isolated. I.r.-spectroscopy indicated that isomerism may be caused by conjugation of the aldehyde group with the double bond between C6 and C7 of amino acid 1.

Aldehydes↗

Investigations on the metabolic pathways of cyclosporine: II. Elucidation of the metabolic pathways in vitro by human liver microsomes.

1. Cyclosporine and its metabolites, isolated from human bile and identified by FAB mass spectrometry and 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy, were metabolized by human liver microsomes for the identification of new cyclosporine metabolites. From these data a metabolic pathway for cyclosporine, which includes these new cyclosporine metabolites, has been proposed. The new metabolites were isolated by semi-preparative h.p.l.c. and their chemical structures were elucidated by FAB mass spectrometry. These isolated metabolites were further metabolized and the products identified by FAB mass spectrometry. 2. Fourteen metabolites, whose structure has not yet been elucidated, were isolated after metabolism of structurally identified cyclosporine metabolites, and chemical structures for five of these metabolites were proposed. 3. The structures of the new cyclosporine metabolites were: (i) a N-demethylated, carboxylated derivative (AM1A4N), (ii) a di-hydroxylated, N-demethylated derivative (AM14N9), (iii) a hydroxylated and carboxylated derivative (AM1A9), (iv) a di-hydroxylated, cyclized and N-demethylated derivative (AM1c4N9) and (v) a cyclized and carboxylated (AM1cA) derivative. 4. A proposed cyclosporine metabolic pathway comprises a total of 29 metabolites. It consists of four main branches originating from metabolites AM1, AM1c, AM9 and AM4N.

Bile↗

Single dose pharmacokinetics of ciclosporin and its main metabolites after oral ciclosporin as oily solution or capsule.

The commercially available oily solution of ciclosporin which has to be suspended before intake is disliked by some patients for bad taste and has a variable bioavailability. In this investigation the oral pharmacokinetics of ciclosporin and its main metabolites 1 and 17 of the oily solution (Sandimmun) and a soft gelatine capsule preparation of ciclosporin were compared in a crossover fashion in 10 kidney allograft recipients. The results demonstrate a bioequivalence of both formulations. In either case metabolite 17 had a significantly longer half-life than either ciclosporin or metabolite 1. At earlier time-points the concentration of ciclosporin could be best correlated with metabolite 1 and at later time-points with metabolite 17. Both metabolites were less correlated with each other in the late absorption phase of ciclosporin.

Adult↗

Urinary excretion of ciclosporin and 17 of its metabolites in renal allograft recipients.

Renal elimination of the immunosuppressant ciclosporin is virtually unknown. Therefore, in 17 renal allograft recipients under steady-state conditions we studied the urinary excretion of ciclosporin and 17 of its metabolites in blood and 24-hour urine. Patients with liver dysfunction or treated with drugs potentially influencing the metabolism and elimination of ciclosporin were excluded from the study. Ciclosporin and its metabolites were measured by HPLC. Metabolite but not ciclosporin excretion was strongly correlated with creatinine clearance. Metabolites 18 and 26 (beta, epsilon-cyclic metabolite) were rarely found in blood but were excreted in considerable amounts in urine. Approximately 3% of the administered dose of ciclosporin per day undergoes renal elimination in unchanged form or as metabolites investigated. The data suggest glomerular filtration of ciclosporin metabolites, a difference in the rate of elimination between ciclosporin and the metabolites and some kind of metabolism or active transport mechanism for metabolites in the kidney.

Adolescent↗

Liquid-chromatographic measurement of cyclosporin A and its metabolites in blood, bile, and urine.

Using solid-phase extraction columns and "high-performance" liquid-chromatographic (HPLC) analysis, we could determine cyclosporin A and nine of its metabolites in blood, bile, and urine. To facilitate calculations of concentrations of cyclosporin A and its metabolites from the chromatograms, we used cyclosporin D as internal standard. For the HPLC analysis we used two sequential 250-mm analytical columns filled with reversed-phase octyl (C8) sorbent, eluting with a concave gradient of water, adjusted to pH 3.0 with phosphoric acid, and acetonitrile. Peaks were detected at 205 nm. For characterization of the chromatographic peaks, we isolated, by semi-preparative HPLC, 32 fractions representing peaks potentially related to cyclosporin A metabolites and re-injected them into the HPLC system under the same conditions as authentic cyclosporin A metabolites. Analytical recovery was 70-80%. The inter-assay CV for bile was 7.2%, for urine 12.3%. The method was used for routine monitoring of cyclosporin A and its metabolites.

Bile↗

Measurement of cyclosporin A and of four metabolites in whole blood by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure using cyclosporin D as internal standard for the routine measurement of cyclosporin A and four of its metabolites is described. Whole-blood samples were purified on refillable solid-phase glass extraction columns. The chromatographic method includes a gradient elution using acetonitrile and water (pH 3.0) as eluents and an RP-8 analytical column. More than 1000 samples have already been analysed without any loss. The inter-assay variation was 6.3% and the intra-assay variation 4.9%. A linear correlation was found over a range of 0-3000 ng cyclosporin A per ml whole blood. The detection limit was 20 ng and the recovery was found to be 80-90%. Metabolites 1, 17, 18 and 21 could be characterized.

Biotransformation↗

[A paraplegic skipper of his own sailing yacht].

Drawing on personal experience, the author points out that paraplegics too are capable of independent sailing. Physical restrictions relative to on-board mobility, sail manoeuvring and change of sides can be made up for by structural adaptions and special techniques. Certain safety precautions are indispensable. The sailing performance of paraplegics compares with that of ablebodied sailors, and cruising under a paraplegic skipper's responsibility is certainly possible.

Humans↗