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Role of phospholipase A2 in cholesterol gallstone formation is associated with biliary phospholipid species selection at the site of hepatic excretion: indirect evidence.

Phospholipase A2 plays a role in cholesterol gallstone development by hydrolyzing bile phospholipids into lysolecithin and free fatty acids. Lysolecithin and polyunsaturated free fatty acids are known to stimulate the synthesis and/or secretion of gallbladder mucin via a prostanoid pathway, leading to enhancing cholesterol crystal nucleation and growth, and therefore, the action of phospholipase A2 is associated, in part, with bile phospholipid fatty acid. To clarify this hypothesis, we evaluated the effect on bile lipid metastability in vitro of replacing phospholipids with lysolecithin and various free fatty acids. Supersaturated model biles were created with an identical composition (cholesterol saturation index, 1.8; egg yolk lecithin, 34 mM; taurocholate, 120 mM; cholesterol, 25 mM) except for 5%, 10%, or 20% replacement of egg yolk lecithin with a combination of palmitoyl-lysolecithin and a free fatty acid (palmitate, stearate, oleate, linoleate, or arachidonate), followed by time-sequentially monitoring of vesicles and cholesterol crystals using spectrophotometer and video-enhanced differential contrast microscopy. Replacement with hydrophilic fatty acids (linoleate and arachidonate) reduced vesicle formation and promoted cholesterol crystallization, whereas an enhanced cholesterol-holding capacity was evident after replacement with hydrophobic fatty acids (palmitate and stearate). These results indicate that the effect of phospholipase A2 on bile lithogenecity is modulated by the fatty acid species in bile phospholipids, and therefore, that the role of phospholipase A2 in cholesterol gallstone formation is dependent, in part, on biliary phospholipid species selection at the site of hepatic excretion.

Bile↗

Pancreatic lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters of hydroxymethyl phenytoin dissolved in various metabolizable vehicles, dispersed in micellar systems, and in aqueous suspensions.

Lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of fatty acid esters of 3-hydroxymethyl phenytoin was studied in various triglyceride and ethyl oleate emulsions, dispersed in micellar solutions, and suspended in an aqueous buffered solution. Phenytoin release from ethyl oleate emulsions of the prodrugs show apparent first-order kinetics with the pentanoate to nonanoate derivatives and sigmoidal kinetics with the long-chain fatty acid derivatives (stearate and oleate). A transition in the kinetic behavior, between the short- and the long-chain acyl prodrugs, was observed with the decanoate derivative. These observations are accounted for by a proposed kinetic model. Phenytoin release from the solid prodrugs follows zero-order kinetics and is independent of the total amounts of suspended material but directly proportional to the lipase concentration. Lipolysis of the solid suspended prodrugs was dependent on the length of the acyl side chain of the prodrug, with maxima for the pentanoate and the octanoate derivatives. The short-chain derivatives, acetate and propionate, as well as the long-chain prodrug, stearate, showed the slowest lipolysis rate when present as solid dispersions. The zero-order rate is qualitatively correlated with the melting point of the prodrugs. This result might be expected if the melting point is taken as a measure of the cohesivity or packing of the molecules at the surface of a crystal.

Catalysis↗

Thermophysical properties of some pharmaceutical excipients compressed in tablets.

PURPOSE: Thermophysical properties of three tableting excipients; microcrystalline cellulose, lactose and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate were observed to evaluate their ability to resist temperature induced changes in tablet form. METHODS: Two thermophysical parameters, thermal diffusivity and specific heat, were measured by a pulse heating method. The materials were also evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). RESULTS: Microcrystalline cellulose in tablet form was found to be rather insensitive to heating and cooling treatments, even though the tablets seemed to remain in a stressed state four weeks after tableting. This stress, indicated by low temperature anomalies, was observed by the pulse method, but not by DSC. When magnesium stearate was incorporated as a lubricant within the microcrystalline cellulose powder, the thermophysical parameters indicated that the internal structure of the tablets changed with heating and cooling. Magnesium stearate eliminated the low temperature anomalies as well. The heat treatment changed the thermophysical properties of tablets made of the crystalline excipients lactose and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, permanently causing irreversible structural changes. CONCLUSIONS: The melting of the lubricant together with enhanced stress relaxation in the structure of microcrystalline cellulose most probably caused the improved thermal diffusivity. The observed thermophysical changes with the crystalline excipients were due to changes in tablet's structure and material. The combination of methods used was found to be an accurate and reliable way to obtain useful information on the structural changes and material relaxations of intact tablets during temperature treatment and age-related changes in material properties.

Calcium Phosphates↗

Adiponectin and membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in normotensive and hypertensive men.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormalities in physicochemical properties of the cell membranes may underlie the defects that are strongly linked to hypertension. Recent evidence indicates that adiponectin may have protective effects against cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to assess the possible link between plasma adiponectin and membrane fluidity in normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HT) men. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We measured the membrane fluidity (a reciprocal value of membrane microviscosity) of erythrocytes in NT and HT men by using an electron paramagnetic resonance and spin-labeling method. RESULTS: The order parameter (S) for the spin label agent (5-nitroxide stearate) and the peak height ratio (h0/h(-1)) for 16-nitroxide stearate in the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of erythrocytes were significantly higher in HT men than in NT men, indicating that membrane fluidity of erythrocytes was decreased in HT men compared with NT men. Both of plasma adiponectin and nitric oxide (NO) metabolite levels were significantly lower in HT men than in NT men. The plasma adiponectin levels were correlated with plasma NO metabolites. The S and the h0/h(-1) of erythrocytes were inversely correlated with the plasma adiponectin and NO metabolite levels, indicating that the decreased membrane fluidity of erythrocytes was associated with hypoadiponectinemia and reduced plasma NO metabolites. DISCUSSION: The results of the present study demonstrated that plasma adiponectin levels were lower in HT men than in NT men and that hypoadiponectinemia was associated with decreased membrane fluidity of erythrocytes. The finding suggests that adiponectin may be linked to the rheologic behavior of the erythrocytes and the microcirculation in men, at least in part, by the NO-dependent mechanism.

Adiponectin↗

Specific fatty acid intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer in Canada.

The possible association of specific fatty acid (FA) intake and pancreatic cancer risk was investigated in a population-based case-control study of 462 histologically confirmed cases and 4721 frequency-matched controls in eight Canadian provinces between 1994 and 1997. Dietary intake was assessed by means of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression was used to assess associations between dietary FAs and pancreatic cancer risk. After adjustment for age, province, body mass index, smoking, educational attainment, fat and total energy intake, statistically significant inverse associations were observed between pancreatic cancer risk and palmitate (odds ratios (ORs)=0.73; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 0.56-0.96; P-trend=0.02), stearate (OR=0.70; 95% CI 0.51-0.94; P-trend=0.04), oleate (OR=0.75; 95% CI 0.55-1.02; P-trend=0.04), saturated FAs (OR=0.67; 95% CI 0.50-0.91; P-trend=0.01), and monounsaturated FAs (OR=0.72; 95% CI 0.53-0.98; P-trend=0.02), when comparing the highest quartile of intake to the lowest. Significant interactions were detected between body mass index and both saturated and monounsaturated FAs, with a markedly reduced risk associated with intake of stearate (OR=0.36; 95% CI 0.18-0.70; P-trend=0.001), oleate (OR=0.36; 95% CI 0.19-0.72; P-trend=0.002), saturated FAs (OR=0.35; 95% CI 0.18-0.67; P-trend=0.002), and monounsaturated FAs (OR=0.32; 95% CI 0.16-0.63; P-trend<0.0001) among subjects who are obese. The results suggest that substituting polyunsaturated FAs with saturated or monounsaturated FAs may reduce pancreatic cancer risk, independently of total energy intake, particularly among obese subjects.

Canada↗

Fatty-acid desaturation and microsomal lipid fatty-acid composition in experimental hyperthyroidism.

We have studied the influence of experimental hyperthyroidism in the rat on the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and on liver microsomal lipid fatty-acid composition. Tri-iodothyronine treatment (25 micrograms/100 g body weight) daily for 3 weeks caused no significant changes in delta 9 (stearate) desaturation but a 24% decrease in delta 6 (linoleate) desaturation. Much larger doses of tri-iodothyronine increased delta 9 desaturation. Liver microsomal fatty-acid composition in hyperthyroidism is altered with significantly increased proportions of stearate and arachidonate and decreased proportions of palmitate, palmitoleate, linoleate (C18:2) and eicosa-8,11,14-trienoate (C20:3). These changes, other than the decreases proportion of C20:3 fatty acid, which may be due to the diminished delta 6 desaturase activity, cannot be attributed to changes in fatty-acid desaturation. Most of these changes were also found to be due not simply to the decreased weight gain or the increased food intake of the hyperthyroid animals. Only the decreased C18:2 fatty-acid proportions could be mimicked by restricting food intake of control animals and none of the changes were prevented by restricting food intake of hyperthyroid animals. Thus most of the changes in microsomal lipid fatty-acid composition are likely to be due to a thyroid hormone effect on peripheral lipid mobilization or lipid degradation.

Animals↗

Changes in the ordering of lipids in the membrane of Dunaliella in response to osmotic-pressure changes. An e.s.r. study.

Changes in the ordering and motion of lipids in response to changes in the external solute concentration have been studied by using the 5-nitroxide stearate (5NS) and 16-nitroxide stearate (16NS) spin probes in the plasma membrane of the halotolerant unicellular alga Dunaliella salina. Increases in ordering of the 5NS probe and decreases in motion of the 16NS probe were observed in cells equilibrated over 18 h at increasing NaCl concentrations. These changes probably resulted from the influence of the high NaCl concentration on the charged phospholipid head groups of the membrane. A short-term (less than 100 min) decrease in the order parameter, S, of the 5NS probe was observed for cells swollen by exposure to a sudden decrease of NaCl concentration from 5.0 to 2.5 M. After 100 min the value of S for 5NS was close to the value obtained in cells that had been equilibrated in 2.5 M-NaCl for 18 h. Since the cells had regained their original size and shape by 100 min it was assumed that the short-term decrease in S was associated with the swelling. A similar result was obtained when the cells were suddenly changed from 3.0 M- to 1.5 M-sorbitol. Conversely, an increase in S was observed for cells shrunk when the external solute concentration was doubled from 1.5 M- to 3.0 M-NaCl. As the cells regained their original size and shape the value of S decreased to the value observed in cells that had been equilibrated in 3.0 M-NaCl for 18 h. It is suggested that the changes in S are related to the movement of lipid into or out of a reservoir of membrane material as the membrane shrinks or expands. This movement of lipid maintains the tension of the membrane below the value at which it is disrupted. Such changes in lipid ordering could provide a mechanism whereby information about external osmotic-pressure changes is transmitted across the cell wall.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Inositol phospholipid arachidonic acid metabolism in GH3 pituitary cells.

Inositol phospholipids in cultured GH3 cells, a prolactin secreting, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) sensitive rat pituitary cell line, exhibit a preferential selectivity for incorporating arachidonic acid. Fatty acid composition data show that all inositol phospholipids are enriched in stearic and arachidonic acids to a much greater degree than other cellular phospholipids. Incubation of GH3 cells with radioactive stearate, oleate, arachidonate, eicosapentaenoate or docosahexaenoate also showed that much more stearate and arachidonate were incorporated into inositol phospholipids. In short term incubations with tracer amounts of radioactive arachidonate, incorporation was initially into phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), with phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P), and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] being labelled at later times. During longer incubations, all of the inositol phospholipids reach equilibrium at about 10 h, and the resulting specific activities of the three fractions were similar. These findings suggest that arachidonate is incorporated initially into PtdIns and that PtdIns is then phosphorylated. There was no release of either arachidonate or eicosanoid products when GH3 cells were incubated with TRH. However, TRH stimulation of 32P-labelled GH3 cells resulted in rapid breakdown of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns4P, with concomitant increases in [32P]phosphatidic acid and [32P]PtdIns. When the [32P]PtdIns was further analysed by argentation chromatography to separate PtdIns molecular species, it was found that tetraenoic (stearate/arachidonate) species accounted for 80% of the stimulated labelling. The selectivity for arachidonate incorporation into inositol phospholipids coupled with turnover of the arachidonate-containing molecular species suggests that inositol phospholipids containing arachidonic acid or the diacylglycerol resulting therefrom may play a vital cellular role in GH3 cells. This role may involve the operation of the PtdIns cycle itself rather than a stimulated release of arachidonate for eicosanoid formation.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic tail length influences fatty acid selection for acylation of viral glycoproteins.

We report remarkable differences in the fatty acid content of thioester-type acylated glycoproteins of enveloped viruses from mammalian cells. The E2 glycoprotein of Semliki Forest virus contains mainly palmitic acid like most other palmitoylated proteins analysed so far. However, the other glycoprotein (E1) of the same virus, as well as the HEF (haemagglutinin esterase fusion) glycoprotein of influenza C virus, are unique in this respect because they are acylated primarily with stearic acid. Comparative radiolabelling of uninfected cells with different fatty acids suggests that stearate may also be the prevailing fatty acid in some cellular acylproteins. To look for further differences between palmitoylated and stearoylated glycoproteins we characterized stearoylation in more detail. We identified the acylation site of HEF as a cysteine residue located at the boundary between the transmembrane region and the cytoplasmic tail. The attachment of stearate to HEF and E1 occurs post-translationally in a pre-Golgi compartment. Thus, stearoylated and palmitoylated proteins cannot be discriminated on the basis of the fatty acid linkage site or the intracellular compartment, where acylation occurs. However, stearoylated acylproteins contain a very short, positively charged cytoplasmic tail, whereas in palmitoylated proteins this molecular region is longer. Replacing the short cytoplasmic tail of stearoylated HEF with the long influenza A virus haemagglutinin (HA) tail in an HEF-HA chimera, and subsequent vaccinia T7 expression in CV-1 cells, yielded proteins with largely palmitic acid bound. The reverse chimera, HA-HEF with a short cytoplasmic tail was not fatty acylated at all during expression, indicating that conformational or topological constraints control fatty acid transfer.

Acylation↗

Differentiation of Malassezia species: selectivity of cremophor EL, castor oil and ricinoleic acid for M. furfur.

In recent years, the genus Malassezia has been reclassified based on molecular data. In addition to M. furfur, M. pachydermatis and M. sympodialis, four new species, M. globosa, M. obtusa, M. restricta and M. slooffiiae, have been described. However, apart from their lipid dependence, little is known about the metabolism and nutritional requirements of all the seven species. Further to recent studies, 10 hydrophilic emulsifiers (HLB > 10) were examined in an agar diffusion test to determine their growth-promoting effect on reference strains of the different Malassezia species. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 7 glyceryl monoalcanoate (Cetiol HE). PEG-glyceryl stearate (Tagat S2) and macrogol-50 stearate (Myrj 53) were metabolized by all strains, while PEG-35 castor oil (Cremophor EL) was metabolized only by M. furfur. The latter observation is due to a different metabolism of castor oil and its main component, ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy oleic acid), which may also give an insight into the pathogenesis of diseases that are associated with Malassezia spp. As hydroxy fatty acids are important in maintaining the epidermal structure and function, their metabolism specifically by M. furfur might clarify some clinical aspects of pityriasis versicolor. Apart from this speculation, use of Cremophor EL, with splitting of esculin as an additional key character, improves the distinction of the species M. furfur, M. slooffiae and M. sympodialis.

Castor Oil↗

Dietary epoxy fatty acids are absorbed in healthy women.

BACKGROUND: Epoxy fats in the diet may adversely affect human health. There are no data on the absorption of these fats in humans. METHODS: Triglycerides were synthesized containing two U-13C-labelled monoepoxy or diepoxy stearic acid molecules. Apparently healthy women consumed a standardized fatty meal (30 g fat) containing either 20 mg monoepoxy or 25 mg diepoxy fat (n = 6 and n = 7, respectively). Plasma lipid [U-13C]monoepoxy and diepoxy stearate concentrations were determined (0-24 h) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Plasma triglycerides increased from 1.05 +/- 0.12 to 1.83 +/- 0.13 mmol L-1 (n = 6) and from 1.10 +/- 0.19 to 1.41 +/- 0.27 mmol L-1 (n = 7) (both P < 0.001). Plasma [U-13C]monoepoxy and diepoxy stearate levels increased to 0.18 +/- 0.07 micromol L-1 (n = 6) and to 0.08 +/- 0.03 micromol L-1 (n = 7), respectively. Monoepoxy triglyceride was better absorbed than diepoxy triglyceride: 17 +/- 4 vs. 8 +/- 1% of dose (determined from area under curve (plasma 13C) normalized to that of absorbed triglycerides (plasma 12C); P < 0.02 after log transformation). The absorption of monoepoxy- and diepoxy-labelled triglycerides was related to that of normal triglycerides (r = 0.80, P < 0.05 and r = 0.91, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Monoepoxy fats are better absorbed than diepoxy fats in women (17 +/- 4 vs. 8 +/- 1% of dose, P = 0.02). This difference in absorption is important when considering the relative toxicity of epoxidized material in the food chain.

Adult↗

Effect of oestrone on membrane fluidity of erythrocytes is mediated by a nitric oxide-dependent pathway: An electron paramagnetic resonance study.

1. It has been recognized that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have a beneficial effect on protection against cardiovascular diseases. Oestrone is the major component of conjugated equiline oestrogens, which are commonly used in HRT. The present study was performed in order to investigate the effects of oestrone on the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes by means of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin-labelling method. 2. In an in vitro study, oestrone significantly decreased the order parameter (S) for 5-nitroxide stearate (5-NS) and the peak height ratio (ho/h-1) for 16-nitroxide stearate (16-NS) obtained from EPR spectra of erythrocyte membranes. This finding indicated that oestrone may increase the membrane fluidity and improve the membrane microviscosity of erythrocytes. 3. The effect of oestrone was significantly potentiated by the nitric oxide (NO) donor s-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and the cGMP analogue 8-bromo-cGMP. 4. In contrast, the change in membrane fluidity induced by oestrone was antagonized by the NO synthase inhibitors NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and asymmetric dimethyl-l-arginine. 5. The results of the present study show that oestrone significantly increases membrane fluidity and improves the rigidity of cell membranes, which is partially mediated by a NO- and cGMP-dependent pathway. Furthermore, the data may be consistent with the hypothesis that oestrone could have a beneficial effect on the rheological behaviour of erythrocytes and have a crucial role in the regulation of the microcirculation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Tamoxifen, esterified estradiol, and physiologic concentrations of estradiol inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoprotein by endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the antioxidant effect of tamoxifen, esterified estradiol, and physiologic concentrations of 17beta-estradiol on endothelial cell-mediated oxidation of low-density lipoprotein. STUDY DESIGN: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were preincubated with nanomolar concentrations of estradiol, estradiol stearate, and tamoxifen. Low-density lipoprotein was isolated and incubated with cells in serum-free medium. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein was quantified after 8, 16, and 24 hours of incubation as the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. RESULTS: Compared with control, preincubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with 1- or 10-nmol/L estradiol resulted in a 12% reduction in the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances at 24 hours. Preincubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with either 10-nmol/L estradiol 17-stearate or 10-nmol/L tamoxifen resulted in 26% and 20% decreases, respectively, in formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances at 24 hours. The difference in the reduction in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances between control and treatment wells became more pronounced over time. CONCLUSION: Under these experimental conditions, tamoxifen, esterified estradiol, and physiologic concentrations of exogenous estradiol inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoprotein by human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

The chemotherapy of rodent malaria, XXIV. The blood schizontocidal action of erythromycin upon Plasmodium berghei.

Erythromycin inhibits chloroquine-induced pigment clumping in Plasmodium berghei in vitro. The drug was therefore tested against infections of P. berghei in mice and was found to be active at non-toxic doses. Given orally, the stearate salt was more effective than the base, but subcutaneously the base was more effective than the stearate. Erythromycin potentiated the action of chloroquine against two chloroquine-resistant strains of rodent malaria, the mildly resistant NS, and the highly resistant RC strains of P. berghei, but not against the drug-sensitive N strain.

Animals↗

Attenuation by pentobarbital of free fatty acid and diacylglycerol liberation during global ischaemia in rat brain.

The effects of global ischaemia and pentobarbital upon lipid metabolism were studied in the rat brain. Brain ischaemia was evoked by rat decapitation. Pentobarbital (60 mg/kg) was administered i.p. for 15 min prior to decapitation. The removed brains were incubated for 1, 5, 15 or 30 min at 37 degrees C and then quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen. After extraction of lipids from the brains, neutral lipid and phospholipid compositions were analysed by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. The results demonstrated that free fatty acids (FFAs), either unsaturated or saturated, rapidly accumulated in the brain during the early period of ischaemia but attenuated significantly with pentobarbital pretreatment. Pentobarbital repressed the accumulations of stearate and arachidonate, with little effect on palmitate and oleate liberation. Diacylglycerols (DG) also were produced in the ischaemic brain, and their acyl chain composition was similar to that of liberated FFAs. However, the increase of DG was inhibited by pentobarbital anaesthesia. In particular, pentobarbital attenuated the formation of DG enriched in arachidonate and stearate. The fatty acyl composition of DG resembled that of phosphatidylinositol. These observations suggest that pentobarbital somehow may alter phospholipase C activity and influence inositol phospholipid breakdown during ischaemia, and this effect would be a membrane stabilizing action of pentobarbital.

Animals↗

Migration of surrogate contaminants in paper and paperboard into water through polyethylene coating layer.

The migration of five surrogate contaminants, anthracene, benzophenone, dimethyl phthalate, methyl stearate and pentachlorophenol, from paper and paperboard into water through a polyethylene (PE) coating layer was investigated. Virgin paper and paperboard coated with PE films of 0.012 and 0.030 mm thickness were spiked evenly with standard 1-ml solutions containing 5mg of each surrogate. The spiked papers were placed in contact with the PE coating layer at 10 and 24 degrees C for 21 days. The resulting surrogate migration through the PE layer into 100ml water was measured by an analytical method developed here that used gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. Non-polar surrogates of anthracene and methyl stearate did not show any significant migration. In the case of the thin layer coating of 0.012 mm, polar water-soluble contaminants of benzophenone, dimethyl phthalate and pentachlorophenol showed an equilibrated or maximized migration after 1 day, even at a refrigerated temperature of 10 degrees C. A thick PE coating of 0.030 mm thickness delayed the progress of contaminant migration, which was also slower at lower temperature. Our results indicate that polyethylene coatings should not be seen as a complete barrier against possible contaminants in paper packaging materials under chilled or ambient conditions. Several variables such as coating thickness, temperature and suspected contaminants need to be considered to control the possible contamination risk from recycled or printed paper.

Absorption↗

Tableting of coated ketoprofen pellets.

Ketoprofen pellets were prepared by the method of extrusion-spheronization, and a film coating of guar gum and Eudragit NE was applied to drug cores using pan technology. In an attempt to design a tablet which, on peroral administration, disintegrates rapidly, releasing intact coated pellets which maintain the integrity of both the cores and their release retarding membrane, Avicel PH101, lactose DT and magnesium stearate were used as excipients to prepare tablets comprising ketoprofen pellets or microcapsules. Preliminary experiments were conducted on uncoated pellets to determine the optimum compression force required to prepare tablets of satisfactory mechanical properties and release profiles. Coated pellets containing ketoprofen were used to investigate the influence of excipients levels. In an attempt to minimize problems associated with blending and segregation of microcapsules and excipients, placebo spheres of Avicel PH101 and lactose DT were produced by the method of extrusion-spheronization. The use of placebo spheres produced tablets with improved drug content uniformity and disintegration time. The tensile strength of such compacts was enhanced by excluding magnesium stearate from the mixes without significant problems of sticking or picking. The use of placebo pellets resulted in significant damage to drug microcapsules, which was attributed to the higher hardness and density of the excipients pellets. The role of membrane coating in protecting the drug core during compression was also evaluated.

Capsules↗

Mitoxantrone changes spectrin-aminophospholipid interactions.

Understanding drug-membrane and drug-membrane protein interactions would be a crucial step towards understanding the action and biological properties of anthracyclines, as the cell membrane with its integral and peripheral proteins is the first barrier encountered by these drugs. In this paper, we briefly describe mitoxantrone-monolayer and mitoxantrone-bilayer interactions, focusing on the effect of mitoxantrone on the interactions between erythroid or nonerythroid spectrin with phosphatidylethanolamine-enriched mono- and bilayers. We found that mitoxantrone markedly modifies the interaction of erythroid and nonerythroid spectrins with phosphatidylethanolamine/phosphatidylcholine (PE/PC) monolayers. The change in delta pi induced by spectrins is several-fold larger in the presence of 72 nM mitoxantrone than in its absence: spectrin/mitoxantrone complexes induced a strong compression of the monolayer. Spin-labelling experiments showed that spectrin/mitoxantrone complexes caused significant changes in the order parameter measured using a 5'-doxyl stearate probe in the bilayer, but they practically did not affect the mobility of 16'-doxyl stearate. These results indicate close-to-surface interactions/penetrations without significant effect on the mid-region of the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. The obtained apparent equilibrium dissociation constants indicated relatively similar mitoxantrone-phospholipid and mitoxantrone-spectrin (erythroid and nonerythroid) binding affinities. These results might in part, explain the effect of mitoxantrone on spectrin distribution in the living cells.

Animals↗