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Evidence for a postsecretory reabsorptive site for uric acid in man.

The effects of administration of drug combinations on uric acid excretion were studied in order to test the hypothesis that a portion of renal tubular reabsorption of uric acid occurs distal to the uric acid secretory site. Oral administration of pyrazinamide (3 g) during probenecid uricosuria (probenecid 500 mg every 6 h) decreased urate excretion from 463 mug/min following probenecid medication alone to 135 mug/min following probenecid plus pyrazinamide (P < 0.01). When a greater uricosuric effect was induced with a 2 g oral dose of probenecid, the decrement in urate excretion which followed pyrazinamide administration (3 g) was more pronounced (2,528 mug/min following probenecid alone, 574 mug/min following probenecid plus pyrazinamide). Results were similar when an 800 mg oral dose of sulfinpyrazone was given in place of probenecid (1,885 mug/min following sulfinpyrazone alone, 475 mug/min following sulfinpyrazone plus pyrazinamide). Thus, apparent urate secretion (measured as the decrease in excretion of urinary uric acid resulting from pyrazinamide administration) appeared to vary, depending upon the degree of inhibition of reabsorption produced by probenecid or sulfinpyrazone. When small doses of aspirin were administered in place of pyrazinamide to produce secretory inhibition, the results were similar. Neither probenecid nor pyrazinamide significantly altered urate excretion when administered to patients with serum salicylate levels above 14 mg/100 ml. These results are interpreted as suggesting that renal tubular reabsorption of uric acid occurs at least in part at a postsecretory site and that a portion of secreted urate is reabsorbed. During maximum probenecid- or sulfinpyrazone-induced uricosuria, inhibition of urate secretion with either pyrazinamide or low doses of aspirin resulted in a decrease in uric acid excretion which exceeded total urinary uric acid during control periods by two- to fourfold. This suggests that renal tubular secretion of urate may greatly exceed uric acid excretion and that a large fraction of secreted urate is reabsorbed. The pyrazinamide suppression test underestimates urate secretion. Uricosuria induced by some drugs, including probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, and iodinated radioopaque dyes, appears to represent, at least in part, inhibition of postsecretory urate reabsorption.

Absorption↗

The influence of co-administered organic acids on the kinetics and dynamics of frusemide.

1. This study examines the effects of pretreatment with probenecid with and without pyrazinamide on the elimination kinetics and diuretic action of frusemide. 2. Six normal male volunteers received 40 mg frusemide i.v. on three occasions; i.e. once on its own and twice after pretreatment with 2 g probenecid with and without 3 g pyrazinamide. Both these latter drugs were administered orally 3 h before frusemide administration thereby attempting optimal suppression of proximal tubular secretion. Urinary losses were replaced i.v. with isovolumetric amounts of normal saline while insensible losses were compensated for by taking tap water orally. 3. The mean cumulative urinary frusemide excretion was significantly and similarly decreased by pretreatment with probenecid (34.9%) and probenecid plus pyrazinamide (33.6%), but the mean total volume of diuresis and the mean cumulative urinary sodium excretion did not differ significantly between treatments over the 5 h period. 4. The diuretic efficiency of frusemide was significantly increased with probenecid pretreatment during the first 90 min period after frusemide administration. Furthermore, in the first 30 min after administration the percent sodium fractional excretion was higher after pretreatment with probenecid even though the mean frusemide excretion rate was more than three times with frusemide alone than with probenecid-frusemide (374.4 micrograms min-1 vs 119.1 micrograms min-1). Pretreatment with probenecid results in a higher concentration on the peritubular or blood side of the tubules and these results lead us to question the unconditional acceptance of a luminal site of action for the loop diuretics. Alternatively, probenecid may act in some other way to increase the effects of frusemide.

Adult↗

Interactions of organic anions with the organic cation transporter in renal BBMV.

It is generally assumed that the organic cation transport system in the renal proximal tubule is specific for organic cations and the transport of organic cations is not affected by organic anions. However, there are also data in the literature demonstrating that probenecid, a classical inhibitor of organic anion transport systems, inhibits the transport of an organic cation, cimetidine, in the renal proximal tubule. In this study we investigated the effects of probenecid and furosemide on the transport of N'-methylnicotinamide (NMN) the classical substrate of the organic cation transporter, in brush-border membrane vesicles prepared from rabbit renal cortex. In the presence of a pH gradient, both probenecid (10 mM) and furosemide reduced the initial uptake of NMN. Probenecid reduced the initial uptake of NMN to 12.1% of the control values (1.19 +/- 0.26 pmol/mg) and furosemide reduced the initial uptake of NMN to 39.2%. Probenecid (10 mM) also decreased the initial transport of NMN in the absence of a pH gradient. Inhibition of the transport of NMN by probenecid was concentration dependent, with the concentration of probenecid resulting in 50% inhibition of the transport of NMN equal to 2.31 +/- 1.18 mM in the presence of a pH gradient. Probenecid appeared to be a competitive inhibitor of NMN transport. The apparent Km (mean +/- SE) of NMN transport (2.01 +/- 0.78 mM) was increased to 18.7 +/- 10 mM (P less than 0.05) by probenecid (10 mM), whereas the Vmax was not changed (125 +/- 19.2 pmol.s-1.mg-1 vs. 186 +/- 94 pmol.s-1.mg-1, P greater than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Active transport of benzylpenicillin across the blood-milk barrier.

Passage of benzylpenicillin across the mammary gland epithelium was studied both after systemic administration of benzylpenicillin in four goats and after intramammary infusion in three goats and two cows. The results after benzylpenicillin administration alone were compared with the results after combined administration of benzylpenicillin and probenecid. The studies on passage of benzylpenicillin through the blood-milk barrier showed, when milk to plasma ultrafiltrate ratios of benzylpenicillin were plotted versus time for each half of the udders, that active transport takes place from blood to milk during steady-state plasma concentrations. Active transport was demonstrated by inhibition with probenecid: (1) The entry of benzylpenicillin into milk was slowed down under the influence of probenecid. The AUC (area under the curve)-values during the first 30 min. were reduced by 66 +/- 9% compared with the AUC-values found without coadministration of probenecid. (2) In the presence of probenecid and during equilibrium between blood and milk concentrations, benzylpenicillin reached concentration ratios in the ultrafiltrates of milk and plasma which corresponded to those expected for diffusion alone. Without probenecid these ultrafiltrate concentration ratios were more than two times higher indicating an active transport of benzylpenicillin from blood to milk. After intramammary infusion of benzylpenicillin, active transport was demonstrated from milk into blood. The absorption rate for benzylpenicillin from the mammary gland was reduced by probenecid, as measured by the ratio of benzylpenicillin to urea absorption half-life, which was increased by 40-50% in the presence of probenecid.

Absorption↗

Renal handling of fleroxacin in rabbits, dogs, and humans.

The renal handling of fleroxacin was studied by renal clearance and stop-flow techniques in rabbits and dogs and by analyzing the pharmacokinetics with and without probenecid in humans. In rabbits the excretion ratios (fleroxacin intrinsic renal clearance/glomerular filtration rate) were greater than unity (2.01) without probenecid and were decreased to a value below unity (0.680) with probenecid. In dogs, on the other hand, the excretion ratios were less than unity (0.608 and 0.456) both without and with probenecid, and so were not affected by probenecid. This fact suggested that fleroxacin was excreted into urine by both glomerular filtration and renal tubular secretion in rabbits, but only by glomerular filtration in dogs, accompanied by partial renal tubular reabsorption in both species; these mechanisms were also supported by stop-flow experiments. In humans probenecid treatment induced increases in the elimination half-life and area under the serum concentration-time curve and decreases in apparent serum clearance, renal clearance, and urinary recovery of fleroxacin. The excretion ratio without probenecid was 1.13, which was significantly decreased to 0.750 with probenecid. These results indicated that both renal tubular secretion and reabsorption contributed to renal excretion of fleroxacin in humans. The contribution of tubular secretion was species dependent and was extensive in rabbits, minimal in dogs, and moderate in humans. Renal tubular reabsorption was commonly found in every species. The long elimination half-life of fleroxacin in humans might be explained by its small total serum clearance and small renal clearance, which are attributed to less tubular secretion and more tubular reabsorption.

Adult↗

On the mechanism of p-piperidyl and p-benzyl sulfamyl benzoic acids transport by renal tissue.

The uptake of cyclic analogues of probenecid by kidney cortical slices has been studied in detail, in order to obtain more information on the secretory system for these compounds. Both p-piperidyl sulfamyl benzoic acid and p-benzyl sulfamyl benzoic acid were accumulated against concentration gradient, by renal tissue under aerobic as well as anerobic conditions. PAH, phenol red and probenecid competitively inhibited the active accumulation of these compounds by kidney tissue. Aerobic uptake of probenecid analogues was stimulated by succinate and octanoate at low medium concentrations while inhibition of renal accumulation of these compounds occurred at higher concentrations. Both p-piperidyl and p-benzyl sulfamyl benzoic acids like probenecid strongly interact with kidney cortex homogenates. Binding of these cyclic analogues to various cellular constituents of homogenate was efficiently inhibited by probenecid. The binding affinity of probenecid and analogues for kidney tissue, phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) and human serum albumin increased in the order : p-piperidyl sulfamyl benzoic acid less than p-benzyl sulfamyl benzoic acid less than di-n-propyl sulfamyl benzoic acid (probenecid). By contrast to the view put forward by Beyer (1950 & 1954), the results presented in this paper established that probenecid analogues are the true substrates of renal organic anion transport system.

Biological Transport↗

Interaction of human organic anion transporters 2 and 4 with organic anion transport inhibitors.

The organic anion transport system is involved in the tubular excretion and reabsorption of various drugs and substances. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of various organic anion transport inhibitors on renal organic anion transport using proximal tubule cells stably expressing human organic anion transporter 2 (hOAT2) and hOAT4. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that hOAT2 is localized to the basolateral side of the proximal tubule in the kidney. hOAT2 mediated a time- and concentration-dependent increase in prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) uptake. The organic anion transport inhibitors used for this study were probenecid, 8-(noradamantan-3-yl)-1,3-dipropylxanthine (KW-3902), betamipron, and cilastatin. Probenecid, but not KW-3902, betamipron, and cilastatin, significantly inhibited hOAT2-mediated PGF(2alpha) uptake. In contrast, probenecid, KW-3902, and betamipron, but not cilastatin, inhibited hOAT4-mediated estrone sulfate (ES) uptake. Kinetic analyses revealed that these inhibitions were competitive. The K(i) value of probenecid for hOAT2 was 766 microM, whereas those of probenecid, KW-3902, and betamipron for hOAT4 were 54.9, 20.7, and 502 microM, respectively. These results suggest that probenecid, KW-3902, and betamipron could inhibit hOAT4-mediated ES uptake in vitro, whereas probenecid alone could inhibit the hOAT2-mediated PGF(2alpha) uptake. Comparing the K(i) values with the therapeutically relevant concentrations of unbound inhibitors in the plasma, probenecid alone was predicted to inhibit hOAT4-mediated organic anion transport in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanism of mobilization of renal and hepatic cadmium by dithiocarbamates in mice.

To clarify the mechanism of mobilization of renal and hepatic cadmium (Cd) by N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD) and N-p-hydroxymethylbenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (HBGD) in mice exposed to Cd, the effects of pretreatment with probenecid, an organic anion transport inhibitor, or with acivicin, a gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GTP) inhibitor and ureter-ligation were investigated on the excretion and distribution of chelating agents and Cd. The renal contents of BGD and HBGD were increased by ureter-ligation and decreased by acivicin pretreatment. The mobilizing effect of BGD on the renal Cd was inhibited by probenecid pretreatment. The action of HBGD in removing Cd from the kidney was inhibited by both probenecid pretreatment and ureter-ligation. These results suggest that BGD and HBGD are mainly taken up into the renal tubular cells through the basolateral membrane which is dependent on the action of gamma-GTP; that the Cd-BGD complex formed in the tubular cells is secreted by a probenecid-sensitive organic anion transport system through the basolateral membrane; and that the Cd-HBGD complex formed in the tubular cells is secreted to the tubular lumen by an organic anion transport system through the brush border membrane. Probenecid pretreatment increased the hepatic contents of BGD and HBGD and also promoted the effects of these chelating agents in removing Cd from the liver, indicating an inhibitory effect of probenecid on the glucuronidation of BGD and the secretion of HBGD from the kidney. These results suggest that BGD and HBGD are taken up into the liver and secreted from the organ to the bile by a transport system other than a probenecid-sensitive transport mechanism.

Animals↗

Anterior nongranulomatous uveitis after intravitreal HPMPC (cidofovir) for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Analysis and prevention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The authors characterize and analyze the incidence of a previously reported mild anterior nongranulomatous uveitis associated with intravitreal injections of (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine (HPMPC), also termed cidofovir (Vistide, Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA). This is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogue with a potent anticytomegalovirus effect. The authors also analyzed the effects of probenecid therapy, as well as prophylaxis with probenecid plus topical corticosteroids and cycloplegics on the course and outcome of the uveitis. METHODS: Prospective case series from a tertiary referral center, which included 46 consecutive patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. There was a total of 130 injections in 69 eyes treated with 20 micrograms of intravitreal HPMPC. Forty-one patients (119 injections) received oral probenecid, 5 patients (11 injections) did not, and 21 patients (53 injections) received topical corticosteroids and cycloplegics as an adjuvant to probenecid in the prophylaxis of iritis. RESULTS: Mild to moderate nongranulomatous iritis was seen in 26% of patients after their first injection (n = 12). Patients receiving probenecid prophylaxis after first injection had a significantly lower frequency of iritis versus patients who did not receive probenecid at the time of first injection (P = 0.0089). In contrast, treatment with topical corticosteroid and cycloplegics after injection did not statistically significantly affect the frequency of iritis in patients (P = 0.44). The development of iritis after a second injection of HPMPC was more likely if it had occurred after the initial injection (P = 0.015; Fisher's exact test). All cases of iritis were treated with topical corticosteroids and cycloplegics, and there was no permanent impairment of vision secondary to iritis after HPMPC injection in any eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior uveitis was seen in 26% of patients after first-time HPMPC injection. Concomitant use of probenecid appears to decrease the frequency of the iritis from 71% to 18% in patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis after the first intravitreal injection of HPMPC. Topical corticosteroid administration after injection (before iritis) was ineffective in preventing iritis treatment with topical corticosteroids and cycloplegics resulted in resolution of all iritis cases.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Evaluation of "true" creatinine clearance in rats reveals extensive renal secretion.

The renal clearance of endogenous creatinine is widely used to assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal function in animal investigations. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the extent of renal secretion of endogenous creatinine in rats and the effect of probenecid, the classical inhibitor of organic anion transport, on creatinine clearance. Ten female Lewis rats received 3H-inulin (5-muCi i.v. bolus followed by 5 muCi/hr) throughout a 6-hr period. Three hours after initiation of the inulin infusion, probenecid was administered (92.4-mg/kg i.v. bolus followed by 0.59 mg/min/kg). Steady-state serum concentrations of about 500 micrograms/ml probenecid were achieved. Renal clearance was assessed between 1 and 3 hr (control) and between 4 and 6 hr (probenecid treatment). A preliminary study in seven rats demonstrated no time-dependent change in inulin or creatinine clearance between these two study intervals. Creatinine clearances were determined by an alkaline picrate assay which incorporated Fuller's earth (Lloyd reagent) to remove interfering noncreatinine chromogens from serum samples and these values were compared with those using a nonspecific picrate assay. "True" clearance ratios of creatinine to inulin (Clcr/CLin) were greater than unity (2.33 +/- 0.83, mean +/- SD) and were significantly decreased after probenecid treatment (1.26 +/- 0.28, P less than 0.01). Probenecid had no effect on GFR, as assessed by inulin clearance. Using the nonspecific picrate assay, CLcr/CLin was 1.12 +/- 0.41, which was not significantly different from unity and which decreased to 0.53 +/- 0.12 after probenecid treatment. Therefore, creatinine undergoes extensive renal secretion in female Lewis rats.

Animals↗

Determination of the lumped constant for the alpha-methyltryptophan method of estimating the rate of serotonin synthesis.

The lumped constant (LC) for the alpha-methyl-L-tryptophan method to convert the brain's uptake of labeled alpha-methyl-L-tryptophan into the regional rate of serotonin synthesis was estimated. The method involved independently estimating the unidirectional uptake constant of the tracer (alpha-[14C]methyl-L-tryptophan) to the tissue and the tracee (tryptophan) (with the addition of a radioactive compound) and calculating their ratio. The LC was estimated from logarithmically transformed data. Similar experiments were performed using rats treated with the drug probenecid, which blocks the efflux of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (a metabolite of serotonin) from the brain. The experiments using probenecid, corrected for the difference in the levels of plasma free tryptophan (increased in probenecid-treated rats) relative to control experiments, gave an average LC for the rat brain of 0.46 +/- 0.14 (mean +/- SD). This value was not significantly different from the one obtained in controls (0.43 +/- 0.13). In addition, the LC was also calculated using unidirectional uptake constants in the probenecid-treated rats for alpha-methyl-L-tryptophan and L-tryptophan. This LC value was 0.39 +/- 0.10. There was no significant difference between these three LC values. Thus, an average +/- SD LC of 0.42 +/- 0.07 for 28 brain structures investigated in this study was obtained. Statistically the LC obtained in different structures had a variability that could be accounted for by errors in measurements alone. In other words, dispersion in the LC values could be fully accounted for by chance alone. Data confirmed that the LC value did not change when the rate of serotonin synthesis was increased by probenecid treatment. We also showed that the rate of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid accumulation in probenecid-treated rats was 58 pmol g-1 min-1 (rat brain), which is about twice as much as reported by others for a normal rat. This difference could also be accounted for by the increase in the plasma level of free tryptophan in probenecid-treated rats.

Animals↗

National gonorrhea therapy monitoring study: treatment results.

To monitor the efficacy of the 1972 United States Public Health Service recommended treatment regimens for uncomplicated gonorrhea, we studied 9008 patients who were randomly assigned either to aqueous procaine penicillin G, 4.8 million units intramuscularly plus 1 g of oral probenecid, or to one of the three other recommended regimens. Among the 3871 patients re-examined within three to seven days after therapy, the penicillin-probenecid regimen was successful in 96.8 per cent, whereas the cure rates of the ampicillin-probenecid, tetracycline, and spectinomycin regimens were 92.8, 96.2, and 94.8 per cent, respectively. In clinics comparing the regimens, penicillin G-probenecid was as effective as tetracycline, but more effective than ampicillin-probenecid (P less than 0.05) and spectinomycin (P less than 0.01). However, in patients re-examined three to 14 days after treatment, only the ampicillin-probenecid regimen was significantly less effective than penicillin probenecid (P less than 0.01). Despite these differences in results, all four regimens recommended by the Public Health Service provided effective therapy for uncomplicated gonorrhea.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of treatment regimens for Neisseria gonorrhoeae on simultaneous infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.

We evaluated the effect of treatment of gonorrhea on simultaneous Chlamydia trachomatis infection by randomly assigning 293 heterosexual men and 246 heterosexual women with gonorrhea to receive one of the following treatment regimens: (1) 4.8 million units of aqueous procaine penicillin plus 1 g of probenecid, (2) nine tablets of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole daily for three days, or (3) 500 mg of tetracycline four times a day for five days. Among the men, gonococcal infection was cured in 99 per cent given penicillin plus probenecid, 96 per cent given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 98 per cent given tetracycline. Among the women, only 90 per cent given tetracycline were cured, in contrast to 97 per cent given penicillin plus probenecid and 99 per cent given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Chlamydial infection, present in 15 per cent of the men and 26 per cent of the women, was cured in 30 of 32 patients given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 27 of 29 given tetracycline, but in only 10 of 23 given penicillin plus probenecid. Among chlamydia-positive patients, postgonococcal urethritis in men and cervicitis in women occurred more often in patients given penicillin plus probenecid. Salpingitis developed in 6 of 20 women given penicillin plus probenecid, but in only 1 of 26 given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and in none of 24 given tetracycline. We conclude that the use of penicillin plus probenecid alone for gonorrhea in heterosexual patients carries an unacceptably high risk of postgonococcal chlamydial morbidity. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline were highly effective against both pathogens and were well tolerated in men, but both drugs caused frequent side effects in women. The failure of tetracycline to cure gonorrhea in 10 per cent of women argues against its use alone; treatment with penicillin followed by tetracycline has been recommended for further trial.

Adolescent↗

Possible active tubular secretion of sulfamonomethoxine and its metabolites in pigs.

The effect of probenecid on the plasma kinetics of sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) was examined in conscious pigs. A linear kinetic dose of SMM (10 mg/kg) was injected with or without probenecid. Probenecid (25 mg/kg, i.v.) was injected immediately before SMM injection and against at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 h later. The AUCs of SMM and of the acetylated compound of SMM (AcSMM) in probenecid injected animals were significantly larger when compared with those of non-injected animals (p less than 0.05). Next, possible active secretion from the renal tubule of SMM and its metabolites was examined using probenecid and pyrazinoate. Ten commercial pigs with ureter cannulae were used under anesthesia. The plasma concentration of SMM and AcSMM was maintained at a steady state by a priming dose of SMM (5 mg/kg, i.v.) followed by sustaining infusion (4 micrograms/kg/min). Renal clearance of AcSMM was suppressed by bolus injection of probenecid (25 mg/kg), but that of SMM was not. The renal excretion of a water soluble metabolite was suppressed by probenecid. No marked changes in renal excretory kinetics were found by pyrazinoate injection (12.5 mg/kg, i.v.). Consequently, the saturation in the active tubular secretion of AcSMM may play an important role in the nonlinear pharmacokinetics of SMM in pigs.

Acetylation↗

Effects of SCH27899 (Ziracin), an oligosaccharide everninomicin antibiotic, on urate kinetics in humans.

OBJECTIVE: Intravenous administration of an everninomicin antibiotic, SCH27899 (Ziracin), in healthy subjects caused a marked decrease in serum urate by increasing its urinary excretion, as well as an increase in serum bilirubin in a dose-dependent manner. To clarify the underlying mechanism, a crossover study and an in vitro study were conducted. METHODS: Crossover study was performed in nine healthy male volunteers over three periods by administering SCH27899 (1-h i.v. infusion of 3 mg/kg) alone, probenecid (2000 mg, p.o.) alone and their combination. Also, an in vitro experiment was conducted using rat brush-border membrane vesicles to elucidate the effect of SCH27899 on urate transport across renal tubular epithelium. RESULTS: SCH27899 alone and probenecid alone showed a uricosuric, serum urate-lowering effect, and, when given in combination, the effects on serum urate appeared to be additive, as indicated in the earlier phase, prior to the peaks of respective drug effects. Serum and urinary concentrations of SCH27899 were not influenced by the co-administration of probenecid. Serum bilirubin was also significantly increased by both SCH27899 alone and in combination with probenecid. The SCH27899-probenecid combination additive effect on serum bilirubin did not reach significance. SCH27899, probenecid and losartan, an angiotensin-II-receptor antagonist possessing a uricosuric effect, significantly inhibited (14)C-urate uptake into the vesicles, which was dependent on the pH gradient across the membrane; whereas, vancomycin did not. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that SCH27899 itself contributes, at least in part, to a uricosuric effect following i.v. infusion. However, some metabolite(s) may also contribute to this, since the degree of urate-uptake inhibition by SCH27899 was less than probenecid and losartan, and the serum urate-lowering effect was delayed and prolonged compared with the time profile of serum concentration.

Adult↗

Saturable kinetics of intravenous chlorothiazide in the rhesus monkey.

A range of bolus doses of 14C-chlorothiazide and unlabeled drug (6.7-30 mg/kg) were administered to each of three unanesthetized rhesus monkeys with and without concurrent probenecid dosing. Plasma up to 4 h and urine up to 24 h were sampled frequently. Apparent terminal plasma half-lives ranged from 18 to 25 min in the absence of probenecid. No apparent trend was noted for the volume of distribution of the central compartment calculated from estimated plasma concentrations at time zero. For chlorothiazide studies, an average of 92% of the dose was recovered in urine by 24 hr. Plasma and urinary clearances at low doses were 20 to 50% higher than those found with higher doses. These dose-dependent clearances for chlorothiazide were found at doses parallel to the most often prescribed clinical doses in humans on a g chlorothiazide per kg body weight basis. Clearances in the presence of probenecid decreased two- to four-fold over those seen without probenecid. Incremental renal clearances of chlorothiazide in the studies with and without probenecid were also evaluated. Curvilinear segments characteristic of dose-dependent kinetics were demonstrated in graphs of urinary excretion rate versus plasma concentrations. Values of Michaelis-Menten constants Vmax and Km were calculated for renal excretion of chlorothiazide by active transport after intravenous doses in all three monkeys. The contribution of glomerular filtration to chlorothiazide renal clearance was found to be negligible. Values of the constant KI (the concentration of the probenecid competitive inhibitor of chlorothiazide, which double the apparent Km value of chlorothiazide) were calculated using the previously calculated Vmax and Km values.

Animals↗

Hyperuricaemia and preeclampsia: is there a pathogenic link?

OBJECTIVE: A hypothesis, based on animal studies and human observational studies, was developed proposing a direct pathogenic link between hyperuricemia and preeclampsia. Epidemiological characteristics of preeclampsia such as its uniqueness to humans and an increased incidence of preeclampsia in multiple pregnancies, increased body mass index, renal and hypertensive disease all have uric acid as their common denominator. Animal studies have linked hyperuricaemia to hypertensive, cardiovascular and renal disease. The aim of the study was to determine whether lowering the serum uric acid levels in preeclampsia would affect biochemical parameters and hypertensive control. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. SETTING: A tertiary referral center. POPULATION: Forty women with preeclampsia between 26 and 32 weeks gestation. INTERVENTION: Probenecid 250 mg twice daily for seven days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Renal function and haematological parameters, hypertensive control. RESULTS: In the Probenecid group, there was a significant drop in the serum uric acid levels. Lower uric acid levels in the Probenecid group had no significant effect on blood pressure. Patients in the Probenecid group had a significantly lower serum creatinine value at the end of the study when compared to patients in the placebo group. Other renal function parameters (creatinine clearance, urea, 24 h urinary protein excretion) did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Platelet count differed between the two groups with the platelet count being significantly higher in the Probenecid group at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: The significant improvement in the platelet count in the Probenecid group warrants further study.

Adult↗

Protection against quinolinic acid-mediated excitotoxicity in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons by endogenous kynurenic acid.

Endogenous excitotoxins have been implicated in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta of patients with Parkinson's disease. One such agent quinolinic acid is an endogenous excitatory amino acid receptor agonist. This study examined whether an increased level of endogenous kynurenic acid, an excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist, can protect nigrostriatal dopamine neurons against quinolinic acid-induced excitotoxic damage. Nigral infusion of quinolinic acid (60 nmoles) or N-methyl-D- aspartate (15 nmoles) produced a significant depletion in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity, a biochemical marker for dopaminergic neurons. Three hours following the intraventricular infusion of nicotinylalanine (5.6 nmoles), an agent that inhibits kynureninase and kynurenine hydroxylase activity, when combined with kynurenine (450 mg/kg i.p.), the precursor of kynurenic acid, and probenecid (200 mg/kg i.p.), an inhibitor of organic acid transport, the kynurenic acid in the whole brain and substantia nigra was increased 3.3-fold and 1.5-fold respectively when compared to rats that received saline, probenecid and kynurenine. This elevation in endogenous kynurenic acid prevented the quinolinic acid-induced reduction in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase. However, 9 h following the administration of nicotinylalanine with kynurenine and probenecid, a time when whole brain kynurenic acid levels had decreased 12-fold, quinolinic acid injections produced a significant depletion in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase. Intranigral infusion of quinolinic acid in rats that received saline with kynurenine and probenecid resulted in a significant depletion of ipsilateral striatal tyrosine hydroxylase. Administration of nicotinylalanine in combination with kynurenine and probenecid also blocked N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced depletion of tyrosine hydroxylase. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemical assessment of the substantia nigra confirmed quinolinic acid-induced neuronal cell loss and the ability of nicotinylalanine in combination with kynurenine and probenecid to protect neurons from quinolinic acid-induced toxicity. The present study demonstrates that increases in endogenous kynurenic acid can prevent the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons resulting from a focal infusion of quinolinic acid or N-methyl-D-aspartate. The strategy of neuronal protection by increasing the brain kynurenic acid may be useful in retarding cell loss in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases where excitotoxic mechanisms have been implicated.

Alanine↗