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Permeability studies on liposomes formed from polymerizable diacetylenic phospholipids and their potential applications as drug delivery systems.

We have investigated the permeability and entrapment characteristics of liposomes formed from a group of polymerizable phospholipids, containing diacetylenic groups in one or both of their acyl chains. Permeability was assessed by the release of an entrapped dye, 6-carboxyfluorescein. Diacetylenic phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes were found to exhibit a wide range of permeability properties, depending on: the nature of the diacetylenic lipid, i.e. mixed-chain (mc) or identical-chain (id), the extent of polymerisation, vesicle size, and cholesterol content. Ultraviolet-initiated polymerisation affected a significant decrease in the permeability of C25idPC liposomes. The increase in permeability of liposomes formed from four other diacetylenic lipids (C25mcPC, C23idPC, C23mcPC and C20idPC) after polymerisation was attributed to disturbances in the packing of lipid molecules, and/or the limited ability of small unilamellar vesicles to accommodate long polymers. The C20idPC lipid is atypical, forming irregular monomeric and polymeric vesicles. The permeability of C25idPC liposomes was also assessed by the release of [3H]inulin. C25idPC liposomes exhibited low permeabilities to [3H]inulin in their monomeric and polymeric states. Incubation of C25idPC liposomes in human plasma caused a substantial increase in the permeability of monomeric vesicles to both carboxyfluorescein and [3H]inulin. The permeability of polymerised C25idPC liposomes, however, was unaffected in the presence of plasma, with vesicles retaining most of their entrapped [3H]inulin after 50 h. These findings demonstrate that polymeric C25idPC liposomes exhibit high resistance to the destructive actions of plasma components, such as high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Polymeric C25idPC liposomes may have an application in drug delivery systems.

Alkynes↗

The Hageman factor-dependent system in the vascular permeability reaction.

The mechanism by which the Hageman factor-dependent system induces vascular permeability has been analyzed. The Mr-28,000 active fragment of guinea pig Hageman factor (beta-HFa), injected intradermally, induces an increase in local vascular permeability. Inhibition of vascular permeability resulted from pretreatment of the beta-HFa with immunopurified anti-Hageman factor F(ab')2 antibody at concentrations of 10(-6)-10(-7) M as well as by incubation with corn and pumpkin seed inhibitors of beta-HFa. To determine whether prekallikrein and kallikrein participated in the permeability induced by beta-HFa, circulating prekallikrein was depleted by intra-arterial injections of anti-prekallikrein F(ab')2 antibody. This resulted in about 80% diminution of the vascular permeability response to beta-HFa, without affecting the permeability reaction to bradykinin. Soybean trypsin inhibitor (10(-6) M), injected at the same cutaneous site as the beta-HFa, inhibited the vascular permeability response to beta-HFa by more than 90%. This concentration of soybean inhibitor blocked more than 90% of the activity of guinea pig plasma kallikrein, but did not inhibit the amidolytic capacity of beta-HFa. The permeability activity of beta-HFa (but not its amidolytic activity) was augmented 10-fold by simultaneous injection of a synthetic kinin potentiator, SQ 20,881 (Glu-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro-OH), and was almost completely inhibited by the simultaneous injection of a kinin-destroying enzyme, carboxypeptidase B. These results support the hypothesis that the greatest proportion of vascular permeability induced by beta-HFa is produced by the activation of prekallikrein followed by the release of kinin in the cutaneous tissue. These data offer the first in vivo evidence that the Hageman factor-dependent system by itself can induce inflammatory changes.

Amides↗

Co-expression of AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels with high and low Ca2+ permeability in single rat retinal ganglion cells.

The patch-clamp technique was used to record whole-cell currents induced by alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-propionic acid (AMPA) or kainate in solitary rat retinal ganglion cells (n = 125) in vitro. Two groups of retinal ganglion cells could be distinguished according to their responses to kainate or AMPA in extracellular solutions with Ca2+ as the only permeant cation. The ratio of the steady-state currents evoked by a given concentration of AMPA compared to kainate was low (0.08) in the first group and high (0.61) in the second group of retinal ganglion cells. The Ca2+ permeability through AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels was low (PCa2+/PCs+ < 0.1) in the first group (n = 74, 59%) and moderate (PCa2+/PCs+ = 0.53) in the second group (n = 51, 41%) of retinal ganglion cells. The fraction of the total current induced by stimulation of non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors that is flowing through Ca2+ permeable AMPA/kainate channels in single cells with high Ca2+ permeability was estimated by comparing the current-voltage relationship in extracellular solutions with either Ca2+ or Na+ as the sole charge carrier. The contribution of Ca(2+)-permeable channels to the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor induced whole-cell current in single Ca2+ permeable cells (n = 12) ranged from 40 to 70%, correlating with the intermediate level of Ca2+ permeability (PCa2+/PCs+ = 0.22-0.80) measured by an independent method in these cells. Thus, single Ca(2+)-permeable cells appear to express at least two types of AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels with high or low Ca2+ permeability. Using the polymerase chain reaction, transcripts for the glutamate receptor subunits 1-4, including their "flip" and "flop" versions, were identified in retinal ganglion cells. Together, these findings suggest that among rat retinal ganglion cells there are differences in the pattern of expression of AMPA/kainate receptor-operated channels. Moreover, individual cells co-express multiple heterologous non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors with distinct functional properties. The functional diversity of these receptors may play an important role in controlling Ca2+ entry into neurons. We speculate that the low Ca2+ permeability and the preference for kainate in one group of retinal ganglion cells may be due to the predominant expression of non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors containing the edited form of the glutamate receptor subunit 2 flop splice variant.

Animals↗

In vitro permeation of several drugs through the human nail plate: relationship between physicochemical properties and nail permeability of drugs.

The objectives of the present study are to clarify the relationship between the physicochemical properties and the nail permeability of drugs through human nail plates. Homologous p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters were used to investigate the relationship between the octanol/water partition coefficient and the permeability coefficient of several drugs. The nail permeability was found to be independent of the lipophilicity of a penetrating drug. However, the nail permeability of several model drugs was found to markedly decrease as their molecular weights increased. The nail permeability of an ionic drug was found to be significantly lower than that of a non-ionic drug, and the nail permeability of these drugs markedly decreased as their molecular weights increased. The permeation of a model drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), through healthy nail plates was also determined and compared with that through nail plates with fungal infections. The drug permeation through a nail plate decreased with an increase in nail plate thickness. Nail plates with fungal infections exhibited approximately the same 5-FU permeation as healthy nail plates. We suggest that the permeability of a drug is mainly influenced by its molecular weight and permeability through nails with fungal infection can be estimated from data on healthy nail permeability.

Adult↗

Evaluation of air permeability in layered unsaturated materials.

Field estimation of air permeability is important in the design and operation of soil-vapor extraction systems. Previous models have examined airflow in homogenous soils, incorporating leakage through a low-permeability cap either as a correction to the airflow equation or as a boundary condition. The dual leakage model solution developed here improves upon the previous efforts by adding a leaky lower boundary condition, allowing for the examination of airflow in heterogeneous layered soils. The dual leakage model is applied to the evaluation of pump tests at a pilot soil-vapor extraction system at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. A thick, low-permeability, stiff clay layer divides the stratigraphy at the site into two units for evaluation. A modified version of the previous model, using the water table as the impermeable lower boundary, is used to evaluate the permeability of the low-permeability stiff clay layer (3.2 x 10(-10) cm(2)) and permeable sand (7.2 x 10(-7) cm(2)) beneath it. The stiff clay permeability estimate is used in the evaluation of the shallow unit. Permeability estimates of the shallow sand (3.8 x 10(-7) cm(2)) and kaolin cap (1.5 x 10(-9)cm(2)) were obtained with the dual leakage model. The shallow unit was evaluated using the previous model for comparison. The effects of anisotropy were investigated with a series of model simulations based on the shallow unit solution. The anisotropy sensitivity analysis suggests that increased anisotropy ratio or decreased axial permeability has a significant impact on the velocity profile at the lower boundary, especially at high values of the anisotropy ratio. This result may increase estimates of SVE removal rates for contaminants located at the interface of the lower boundary, typical of chlorinated solvent contamination.

Air Movements↗

Acute stress-induced hypersensitivity to colonic distension depends upon increase in paracellular permeability: role of myosin light chain kinase.

Hypersensitivity to rectal or colonic distension characterizes most patients with IBS and increased gut permeability has been described in post-dysenteric IBS patients. However, no link has been established between these two events. The aim of this study was to determine (i) whether chemical blockade of stress-induced increase of colonic paracellular permeability by 2,4,6 triaminopyrimidine (TAP) affects the concomitant hypersensitivity to colonic distension, (ii) the role of epithelial cell contraction in the stress-induced increased permeability and hyperalgesia, using a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor (ML-7). The effect of acute partial restraint stress (PRS) on visceral sensitivity to colorectal distension (RD) was assessed by abdominal muscle electromyography. Colonic paracellular permeability was determined by measuring percentage of urinary 51Cr-EDTA recovery after intracolonic infusion. The effect of stress on both parameters was evaluated after TAP, ML-7 or vehicle pretreated animals. PRS significantly increased colonic paracellular permeability and the number of spike bursts for all volumes of RD applied compared to sham. TAP suppressed the stress-induced increase of colonic paracellular permeability and sensitivity to colonic distension. Similarly, ML-7 blocked the stress-induced increase of colonic paracellular permeability and sensitivity. Neither ML-7 nor TAP had any effect on both permeability and sensitivity in absence of stress. The increase of colonic permeability induced by PRS results from epithelial cell cytoskeleton contraction through myosin light chain kinase activation and this increase is responsible for stress-induced rectal hypersensitivity.

Action Potentials↗

Ionic permeability of K, Na, and Cl in potassium-depolarized nerve. Dependency on pH, cooperative effects, and action of tetrodotoxin.

The passive ionic membrane conductances (gj) and permeabilities (Pj) of K, Na, and Cl of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) medial giant axons were determined in the potassium-depolarized axon and compared with that of the resting axon. Passive ionic conductances and permeabilities were found to be potassium dependent with a major conductance transition occurring around an external K concentration of 12-15 mM (Vm = -60 to -65 mV). The results showed that K, Na, and Cl conductances increased by 6.2, 6.9, and 27-fold, respectively, when external K was elevated from 5.4 to 40 mM. Permeability measurements indicated that K changed minimally with K depolarization while Na and Cl underwent an order increase in permeability. In the resting axon (K0 = 5.4 mM, pH = 7.0) PK = 1.33 X 10(-5), PCl = 1.99 X 10(-6), PNa = 1.92 X 10(-8) while in elevated potassium (K0 = 40 mM, pH 7.0), PK = 1.9 X 10(-5), PCl = 1.2 X 10(-5), and PNa = 2.7 X 10(-7) cm/s. When membrane potential is reduced to 40 mV by changes in internal ions, the conductance changes are initially small. This suggests that resting channel conductances depend also on ion environments seen by each membrane surface in addition to membrane potential. In elevated potassium, K, Na, and Cl conductances and permeabilities were measured from pH 3.8 to 11 in 0.2 pH increments. Here a cooperative transition in membrane conductance or permeability occurs when pH is altered through the imidazole pK (approximately pH 6.3) region. This cooperative conductance transition involves changes in Na and Cl but not K permeabilities. A Hill coefficient n of near 4 was found for the cooperative conductance transition of both the Na and Cl ionic channel which could be interpreted as resulting from 4 protein molecules forming each of the Na and Cl ionic channels. Tetrodotoxin reduces the Hill coefficient n to near 2 for the Na channel but does not affect the Cl channel. In the resting or depolarized axon, crosslinking membrane amino groups with DIDS reduces Cl and Na permeability. Following potassium depolarization, buried amino groups appear to be uncovered. The data here suggest that potassium depolarization produces a membrane conformation change in these ionic permeability regulatory components. A model is proposed where membrane protein, which forms the membrane ionic channels, is oriented with an accessible amino terminal group on the axon exterior. In this model the ionizable groups on protein and phospholipid have varied associations with the different ionic channel access sites for K, Na, and Cl, and these groups exert considerable control over ion permeation through their surface potentials.

Animals↗

Radiation-induced permeability and leukocyte adhesion in the rat blood-brain barrier: modulation with anti-ICAM-1 antibodies.

We assessed the acute effects of radiation on the rat blood-brain barrier. A cranial window model and intravital microscopy were used to measure changes in permeability and leukocyte adhesion in pial vessels after a localized, single dose of 20 Gy. Permeability was assessed using five sizes of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran molecules (4.4-, 10-, 38.2-, 70-, and 150-kDa) with measurements performed before and 2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after irradiation for the 4.4 and 38.2-kDa molecules and before and 24 h after irradiation for the other three molecules. To demonstrate the nature of blood-brain barrier permeability, we concurrently studied the permeability of microvessels in the cremaster muscle. In both tissues, permeability to FITC-dextran was significantly greater 24 h after irradiation than before (P<0.05). The exception was that radiation did not affect the permeability of pial vessels to the 150-kDa molecule. The particle-size dependence of the permeability changes in the brain were indicative of altered integrity of endothelial tight junctions and occurred concomitantly with an increase in cell adhesion which was determined by fluorescent labeling of leukocytes with rhodamine 6G. An early inflammatory response to irradiation was apparent in the brain 2 h after irradiation. The numbers of rolling and adherent leukocytes increased significantly and peaked at 24 h. Injection with the anti-ICAM-1 mAb significantly reduced leukocyte adhesion and permeability thereby linking the two processes. These findings provide a target to reduce radiation-related permeability and cell adhesion and potentially the side effects of radiation in the CNS.

Animals↗

Release of apoptogenic proteins from the mitochondrial intermembrane space during the mitochondrial permeability transition.

The Bcl-2-sensitive release of proteins such as cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytosol is a critical early event in apoptosis. The mitochondrial permeability transition is also an important event in many forms of apoptotic cell death. To determine whether the permeability transition led to the release of apoptogenic proteins from mitochondria we induced the permeability transition in isolated rat liver mitochondria and characterised the proteins which were released. The permeability transition led to a generalised, non-specific release of proteins, including cytochrome c, from the mitochondrial intermembrane space which was prevented by an inhibitor of the permeability transition. To determine the mechanism of this protein release we measured both mitochondrial matrix swelling and protein release during the permeability transition in media of different osmolarities. Protein release correlated with mitochondrial matrix swelling, therefore the permeability transition causes release of proteins from the intermembrane space by rupturing the mitochondrial outer membrane. Supporting an apoptotic role for the proteins released by this mechanism, supernatants from mitochondria undergoing the permeability transition caused apoptotic changes in isolated nuclei. These data support the proposal that the mitochondrial permeability transition can induce apoptosis by releasing apoptogenic proteins into the cytoplasm [Skulachev, V.P., FEBS Lett. 397 (1996) 7-10].

Animals↗

Clustering of increased small intestinal permeability in families with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Small intestinal permeability is increased in a proportion of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and a subset of their healthy relatives. A primary permeability defect was postulated in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify a possible genetic pattern in the distribution of CD and/or abnormal permeability. METHODS: Differential urinary excretion of lactulose and mannitol (L/ M) in complete CD families was determined. Controls included healthy families and families with ulcerative colitis. Pedigrees were used to compare the distribution of CD and/or increased permeability. RESULTS: The L/M was significantly increased in patients with CD. Seventeen of 67 first-degree relatives (25%) had a ratio greater than the upper limit (P95 = 0.0170). Permeability results of CD families showed a highly significant familial aggregation. The lack of a genetic pattern in relation with CD and occurrence of disturbed permeability especially within generation, points toward a shared environmental factor. Five of 14 healthy spouses (36%) of patients with CD had also an increased permeability, and prevalence of increased permeability was not higher in families with known familial occurrence (P = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: This large family study confirms an increased permeability in a subset of healthy relatives of patients with CD. However, the absence of a typical family pattern and the high prevalence in spouses is in favor of a common nongenetic factor or a subclinical disease manifestation.

Adolescent↗

Intestinal permeability to small- and large-molecular-weight substances in the newborn rabbit.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The authors have previously reported the occurrence of spontaneous bacterial translocation (BT) and its resolution with age in the newborn rabbit. They have also reported a close correlation between small bowel bacterial colonization (BC-SB) and BT at 1 week of age, suggesting that the presence of luminal bacteria and their production of endotoxins may increase the intestinal permeability. The aim of this study was to evaluate intestinal permeability to small and large molecules in the newborn rabbit and to correlate it with BT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand White rabbits (n = 96) 1, 7, 14, 21, and over 120 days (adult) of age were given either C14-labeled ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) (MW 290) or C14-Dextran (MW 70,000) via an orogastric tube at 1 mCi per 100 g of body weight. Five hours later, blood, urine, liver, and intestine were collected, and scintillation counting was performed after solubilization. In a separate series of rabbits (n = 136), the incidence of BT, BC-SB, and small intestinal surface area (SA) were measured. RESULTS: Total permeability to Dextran decreased with age and was significantly reduced at 14 days of age. In contrast, total permeability to EDTA increased and was maximal in 7- to 14-day-old rabbits and began to decrease at 21 days of age. The incidence of BC-SB rapidly increased at 7 days of age and reached 100% at 14 days of age. The incidence of BT peaked at 7 days of life (30%) and then decreased with age. SA increased rapidly in the first 3 weeks and SA growth rate of 21-day-old rabbits was almost 1,400% compared with 1-day-old rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown an age-related reduction of intestinal permeability to large (Dextran) and small (EDTA) molecular weight particles. However, intestinal permeability to EDTA had a different pattern than Dextran, suggesting that there may be different mechanisms of intestinal permeability to different size molecules. Intestinal permeability to EDTA closely correlated with bacterial colonization and bacterial translocation, suggesting that changes in the intestinal bacterial environment may affect the intestinal permeability, possibly by activating the immune system secondary to increases in endotoxins and bacteria.

Animals↗

The sugar permeability test reflects disease activity in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of intestinal permeability in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to disease activity, disease extent, and response to therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with new and established diagnoses of IBD (12 Crohn's disease [CD] and 18 ulcerative colitis [UC]) were studied. Intestinal permeability was evaluated by measuring with high-performance liquid chromatography 5-hour urinary excretion ratio of lactulose/L-rhamnose (L/Rh). RESULTS: In 8 of 9 patients with active CD, the L/Rh ratio was higher than the reference range (0.006 to 0.074, n = 36). In inactive CD (n = 3) the L/Rh ratio was within the reference range. In 6 of 7 patients with active extensive UC, the L/Rh ratio was elevated. In inactive extensive UC (n = 6) the normal permeability ratio was shown. In both active CD and active extensive UC, the frequency of elevated intestinal permeability was significantly greater than values in both inactive forms. The permeability ratio was normal in 4 of 5 patients with active left-sided colitis. In 5 of 7 patients (3 CD, 4 UC), repeat permeability values entered the reference range after acute phase therapy. Two patients with persistently elevated intestinal permeability (1 CD, 1 UC) had a disease flare-up within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal permeability is a marker of disease activity in CD and extensive UC. Serial permeability test may be useful in monitoring disease activity.

Adolescent↗

Effects of heterogeneities on capillary pressure-saturation-relative permeability relationships.

In theories of multiphase flow through porous media, capillary pressure-saturation and relative permeability-saturation curves are assumed to be intrinsic properties of the medium. Moreover, relative permeability is assumed to be a scalar property. However, numerous theoretical and experimental works have shown that these basic assumptions may not be valid. For example, relative permeability is known to be affected by the flow velocity (or pressure gradient) at which the measurements are carried out. In this article, it is suggested that the nonuniqueness of capillary pressure-relative permeability-saturation relationships is due to the presence of microheterogeneities within a laboratory sample. In order to investigate this hypothesis, a large number of "numerical experiments" are carried out. A numerical multiphase flow model is used to simulate the procedures that are commonly used in the laboratory for the measurement of capillary pressure and relative permeability curves. The dimensions of the simulation domain are similar to those of a typical laboratory sample (a few centimeters in each direction). Various combinations of boundary conditions and soil heterogeneity are simulated and average capillary pressure, saturation, and relative permeability for the "soil sample" are obtained. It is found that the irreducible water saturation is a function of the capillary number; the smaller the capillary number, the larger the irreducible water saturation. Both drainage and imbibition capillary pressure curves are found to be strongly affected by heterogeneities and boundary conditions. Relative permeability is also found to be affected by the boundary conditions; this is especially true about the nonaqueous phase permeability. Our results reveal that there is much need for laboratory experiments aimed at investigating the interplay of boundary conditions and microheterogeneities and their effect on capillary pressure and relative permeability.

Computer Simulation↗

Permeability characteristics of novel mydriatic agents using an in vitro cell culture model that utilizes SIRC rabbit corneal cells.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the permeability characteristics of a previously reported in vitro corneal model that utilizes SIRC rabbbit corneal cells and to investigate the permeability of three novel esters of phenylephrone chemical delivery systems (CDS) under different pH conditions using this in vitro model. The SIRC rabbit corneal cell line was grown on transwell polycarbonate membranes, and the barrier properties were assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) using a voltohmmeter. The permeabilities of esters of phenylephrone CDS across the SIRC cell layers were measured over a pH range 4.0-7. 4. The esters tested include phenylacetyl (1), isovaleryl (2), and pivalyl (3). The SIRC rabbit corneal cell line, when grown on permeable filters, formed tight monolayers of high electrical resistance with TEER values increasing from 71.6 +/- 20.8 Omega.cm2 at day 3 in culture to 2233.42 +/- 15.2 Omega.cm2 at day 8 in culture and remained constant through day 14 in culture. The transepithelial permeability coefficients (Papp) at pH 7.4 ranged from 0.58 x 10(-6) cm/s for the hydrophilic marker, mannitol, to 43. 5 x 10(-6) cm/s for the most lipophilic molecule, testosterone. The Papp at pH 7.4 for phenylephrine was 4.21 x 10(-6) cm/s. The Papp values and the lag times of the three esters of phenylephrone were pH dependent. The Papp for 1, 2, and 3 at pH 7.4 were 14.76 x 10(-6), 13.19 x 10(-6), and 12.86 x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively and the permeabilities decreased at conditions below pH 7.4. The lag times at pH 7.4 were 0.10, 0.17, and 0.12 h for 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and the values increased at lower pH conditions. The TEER values of SIRC cell line observed at day 8 to day 14 in the present investigation are similar to the resistance value reported for rabbit cornea (2 kOmega.cm2). All the esters showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher permeabilities than phenylephrine at pH 7.4. The rate and extent of transport of the drugs across the cell layers were influenced by the fraction of ionized and un-ionized species and the intrinsic partition coefficient of the drug. The results indicate that the permeability of ophthalmic drugs through ocular membranes may be predicted by measuring the permeability through the new in vitro cell culture model.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Permeability of articular cartilage to matrix metalloprotease inhibitors.

PURPOSE: To develop an in vitro cartilage permeation model for cartilage permeability study and to evaluate the effects of molecular hydrophilicity and cartilage location on the permeability of articular cartilage to matrix metalloprotease inhibitors. METHODS: An in vitro cartilage permeation model was developed and utilized to determine the permeability of articular cartilage to the matrix metalloprotease inhibitors of different hydrophilicity. Permeability coefficients were obtained by measuring the steady-state flux of the inhibitor compounds. HPLC methods were also developed and employed for the analysis of drug levels in assay media. RESULTS: The relationship between permeability and hydrophilicity of drug molecules was examined. Results indicated that the permeability coefficient increased with increasing hydrophilicity of the molecule. Additionally, the relationship between the permeability and the location of the cartilage section within the animal joint was investigated. Our results showed that the drug molecules penetrated faster in the surface layer cartilage than in the deep layer cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the hydrophilicity of a molecule would increase its permeability across articular cartilage. The in vitro cartilage permeation model developed could be used to rank order drug compounds according to their cartilage permeability profiles and to aid in drug selection and development.

Animals↗

The effects of smoking and indomethacin on small intestinal permeability.

BACKGROUND: Smoking modulates inflammatory bowel disease, protecting from ulcerative colitis on the one hand and worsening the course of Crohn's disease on the other. This influence might occur through changes in intestinal permeability, because permeability is increased in most patients with Crohn's disease. AIM: To study the influence of smoking on small intestinal permeability and its increase induced by indomethacin. METHODS: 50 smokers and 50 nonsmokers underwent a 51Cr-EDTA basal permeability test and the same test after challenge with indomethacin 125 mg p.o. RESULTS: Small intestinal permeability was the same in smokers (median 1.22%; IQR 1.00-1.58) and nonsmokers (1.24%; 0.94-1.66). Basal small intestinal permeability was lower in females (1.09%; 0.87-1.33) than in males (1.48%; 1.18-1.88). Indomethacin challenge increased permeability by 110% (71-141) in smokers, vs. 156% (78-220) in the nonsmokers (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Smoking reduces the effect of NSAID on small intestinal permeability. It is therefore unlikely that the adverse effect of smoking on Crohn's disease is related to its influence on intestinal permeability.

Adult↗

Lymphocytic gastritis and gastric permeability in patients with celiac disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lymphocytic gastritis is associated with celiac disease. Gastric permeability can now be assessed by a sucrose test, and intestinal permeability measured by a lactulose/mannitol test is increased in untreated celiac patients. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare gastric and intestinal permeability with histological changes of the stomach and small bowel in patients with celiac disease. METHODS: Gastric and intestinal permeability were measured by oral or duodenal (during endoscopy) administration of a triple sugar solution containing 20 g sucrose, 10 g lactulose, and 5 g mannitol in 100 mL water in 43 adult patients with celiac disease (28 without diet) and in 30 healthy controls. Endoscopical biopsy specimens were taken from the antrum and distal duodenum and investigated for intraepithelial lymphocyte counts. RESULTS: Urinary sucrose excretion decreased after duodenal administration (n = 8) as opposed to oral administration and thus measured gastric permeability in celiac disease. Gastric permeability was elevated in 60% of the celiac patients and correlated with antral intraepithelial lymphocyte counts. Intestinal permeability (measured by a lactulose/mannitol test) was also elevated in 69% of the celiac patients and correlated with duodenal intraepithelial counts. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of lymphocytic gastritis in untreated celiac disease associated with elevated gastric permeability. Celiac disease seems to be a general disorder of the gastrointestinal tract associated with disturbed permeability.

Adolescent↗

Permeability factors in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

The pathologic diagnosis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is associated with a syndrome of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal insufficiency. The incidence of FSGS has increased in recent years. Known causes of FSGS include genetic abnormalities, viral infections, decreased nephron number, and hyperperfusion/hyperfiltration. The etiology is unknown in the majority of cases. FSGS recurs after initial renal transplantation in as many as 30% to 50% of patients. Recent studies have verified the hypothesis that plasma of patients with FSGS contains a factor or factors that increase permeability of glomerular capillaries and cause proteinuria after injection into rats. Patients who experience posttransplant recurrence of FSGS and those with rapidly progressive disease exhibit this activity. Permeability activity has been verified in functional assays and defined by measurement of albumin permeability (P(alb)) or glomerular volume variation (GVV). Permeability activity is decreased by plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption and can be recovered from discarded plasma or eluate from adsorption materials. Studies from our laboratory indicate that permeability activity is carried by small, highly glycosylated, hydrophobic protein(s)/peptide(s). Normal plasma contains substances capable of blocking or inactivating the FSGS permeability factor. Pharmacologic agents including cyclosporine, indomethacin, and derivatives of Trypterigium wilfordii also block permeability activity in vitro. The observation that permeability activity can be blocked by diverse agents raises hope that specific therapy may be designed for FSGS. Future investigations will permit identification of the active FSGS permeability factor, of mechanisms that initiate and perpetuate proteinuria, and of interventions to prevent renal failure in native kidneys and recurrence of disease in renal allografts.

Animals↗