Comparative effect of ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin on the modulation of bile acid profiles and gut microbiota in rats

Abstract Fluoroquinolones are an important class of antimicrobial agents to manage infectious diseases. However, knowledge about how host bile acids are modified by fluoroquinolones is limited. We investigated and compared the impact of fluoroquinolones on circulating bile acid profiles and gut microbiota from in vivo studies. We administered ciprofloxacin (100 mg/kg/day) or moxifloxacin (40 mg/kg/day) orally to male Wistar rats for seven days. Fifteen bile acids (BAs) from the serum and large intestine were quantified by HPLC-MS/MS. The diversity of gut microbiota after ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin treatment was analyzed using high-throughput, next-generation sequencing technology. The two fluoroquinolone-treated groups had different BA profiles. Ciprofloxacin significantly reduced the hydrophobicity index of the BA pool, reduced secondary BAs, and increased taurine-conjugated primary BAs in both the serum and large intestine as compared with moxifloxacin. Besides, ciprofloxacin treatment altered intestinal microbiota with a remarkable increase in Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, while moxifloxacin exerted no effect. What we found suggests that different fluoroquinolones have a distinct effect on the host BAs metabolism and intestinal bacteria, and therefore provide guidance on the selection of fluoroquinolones to treat infectious diseases.

Pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of L-3-n-butylphthalide tablet after single and multiple oral administrations in healthy Chinese volunteers

L-3-n-butylphthalide (L-NBP) is a naturally occurring antioxidant, which can be used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. This study evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of L-NBP tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers. This was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-dose study. Subjects were assigned to receive a single dose of L-NBP tablet at either 80, 160, 320, or 480 mg (n=40), or multiple doses of 160 mg twice daily for 7 days (n=12). Plasma samples were analyzed with LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters of L-NBP were calculated using non-compartmental analysis with WinNonlin software. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. All adverse events (AEs) were mild and of limited duration; AEs in this study occurred less frequently and more mildly than AEs listed for the DL-NBP soft capsule. No serious adverse event (SAE), death or withdrawal from the study was observed. In the single-dose study, Cmax was reached at about 1 h, and the mean t1/2 was approximately 13.76 h. Area under curve (AUC) and Cmax increased with dose escalation, but dose proportionality was not observed over the range of 160 to 480 mg. In the multiple-dose study, the steady-state was reached within 3 days with slight accumulation. In summary, the L-NBP tablet was well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. Slight accumulation appeared after repeated doses.

L-3-n-butilftalida (L-NMP) é um antioxidante natural, que pode ser utilizado para o tratamento do acidente isquêmico agudo e demência vascular. Este estudo avaliou segurança, tolerância e farmacocinética de comprimidos de L-NBP em chineses voluntários sadios. Este foi um estudo monocêntrico, randomizado, duplo cego, com controle por placebo e doses única e múltipla. Os indivíduos receberam dose única de comprimido de L-NBP de 80, 160, 320 ou 480 mg (n=40) e doses múltiplas de 160 mg duas vezes ao dia, por sete dias (n=12). Amostras de plasma foram analisadas com LC-MS/MS. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos do L-NBP foram calculados utilizando análise não compartimental, com o programa WinNonlin. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o programa SPSS. Todos os eventos adversos (EAs) foram moderados e de duração limitada. EAs nesse estudo ocorreram menos frequentemente e mais moderadamente do que os EAs relacionados para cápsulas moles de DL-NBP. Não se observaram eventos adversos graves (EAG), morte ou abandono do estudo. Com dose única, atingiu-se o Cmax em cerca de 1 hora e o t1/2 médio foi de, aproximadamente, 13,76 h. A área sob a curva (ASC) e o Cmax aumentaram com o aumento da dose, mas não se observou proporcionalidade na faixa acima de 160 a 480 mg. No estudo de dose múltipla, o equilíbrio foi alcançado em três dias, com pequeno acúmulo. Em resumo, o comprimido de L-NMP foi bem tolerado em indivíduos chineses saudáveis. O acúmulo pequeno apareceu após doses repetidas.