Hyphenated liquid chromatographic method for the determination of colistin residues in bovine tissues.

A selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the measurement of colistin residues in milk and in four bovine tissues (i.e., muscle, liver, kidney, and fat). The sample treatment consists of protein precipitation using 10% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid, solid-phase purification on C18 cartridges, and precolumn derivatization of colistin with ortho-phthalaldehyde and 2-mercaptoethanol in borate buffer (pH 10.5). This latter step is performed automatically, and the resulting reaction mixture is injected into a switching HPLC system including a precolumn and an analytical column packed with end-capped LiChrospher RP18 (5 microns). Washing the precolumn and final elution onto the analytical column are conducted using acetonitrile-0.01M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) mixtures with respective proportions of 65:35 and 68:32 (v/v). Detection is carried out by spectrofluorometry (excitation wavelength, 340 nm; emission wavelength, 440 nm). The retention times of the derivatives corresponding to the two main components of colistin (i.e., polymyxins E2 and E1) are approximately 14 and 18 min, respectively. The structural study of the derivatives corresponding to polymyxins E1 and E2 is carried out by HPLC coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry; data obtained confirms that the derivatization process occurs with the five amino groups of the analytes. Selectivity is obtained in the HPLC system versus other coadministered anti-infective drugs (beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and sulphonamides) and endogenous compounds. Quantitation is performed using the sum of the peak areas of polymyxin E1 and polymyxin E2 derivatives. Testing linearity affords correlation coefficients greater than 0.990 for calibration curves in the range of 10-500 microL/L for milk, 50-1000 micrograms/kg for muscle and fat, and 100-1000 micrograms/kg for kidney and liver. Relative standard deviation values are less than 10% at a concentration of 25 micrograms/L in milk and 100 micrograms/kg in tissues (six replicates); recoveries are higher than 60%.

Evaluation of urinary D-glucaric acid excretion in workers exposed to butyl glycol.

The biological follow-up of subjects exposed to butyl glycol (BG) is generally accomplished using a standard blood count that is not sensitive enough to reveal early intoxication by this molecule. For this reason we have used an indirect test for evaluating the induction of hepatic enzymes, the measurement in urine of D-glucaric acid (DGA), which reflects the activity of the glucuronic acid enzyme pathway. This study was performed on 17 foundry workers exposed to BG emissions coming from paints used in cataphoresis. The airborne concentration of BG was less than 0.3 times the average limit exposure value. This study shows that BG emissions at low concentrations are able to increase the activity of the enzymes of the glucuronic acid pathway. DGA urinary excretion increased by 165% in winter (p < .01) and by 85% (p < .05) in summer when the doors are open and the BG concentration lower. DGA urinary excretion is significantly higher in smoking than in nonsmoking exposed workers. None of these workers had a perturbed blood count. This study shows that the urinary level of DGA provides a good test for the follow-up of exposure to BG in the electrophoresis painting plant, and that the exposed smoking workers seem to be more sensitive to BG exposure than do the nonsmokers. In conclusion, the measurement of urinary DGA might be considered as a useful test for the surveillance of subjects exposed to vapors containing BG.

Determination of josamycin residues in porcine tissues using high-performance liquid chromatography with pre-column derivatization and spectrofluorimetric detection.

A simple, selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the measurement of josamycin residues in four porcine tissues (i.e., muscle, liver, kidney and fat). The sample preparation consisted of a homogenization step in an acetonitrile-10 mmol l-1 phosphate buffer mixture, pH 6.0 (35 + 65), centrifugation and a liquid-liquid extractive clean-up of the resulting supernatant with isooctane. Pre-column derivatization of josamycin was performed using cyclohexa-1,3-dione in ammonium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 (90 degrees C for 2 h). The derivative was chromatographed in an isocratic reversed-phase HPLC system. A LiChrospher RP 18 end-capped (5 microns) column was eluted with an acetonitrile-methanol-10 mmol l-1 phosphate buffer mixture, pH 6.0 (45 + 5 + 50). The capacity factor of the josamycin derivative was 17.5. Detection was achieved using spectrofluorimetry (lambda ex = 375 nm; lambda em = 450 nm). The structure of the derivative was assessed by using mass spectrometry. Full selectivity was obtained in the HPLC system versus other macrolide antibiotics (tylosin, spiramycin and erythromycin), aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde) and endogenous compounds. Linearity and repeatability were tested. Correlation coefficients, for calibration curves in the range of 0.1-3.2 micrograms g-1, were greater than 0.999 for all tissues and the relative standard deviation (S(r)) was 4.9% (1.6 micrograms g-1; n = 6); recovery was higher than 88%.

Influence of CYP2D6-dependent metabolism on the steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of metoprolol and nicardipine, alone and in combination.

1 The metabolism of metoprolol depends in part on the genetically determined activity of the CYP2D6 isoenzyme. In vitro studies have shown that nicardipine is a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6 activity. Since the combination of metoprolol and nicardipine is likely to be used for the treatment of hypertension, we examined the interaction between these two drugs at steady-state. 2 Fourteen healthy volunteers, seven extensive and seven poor metabolisers of dextromethorphan were studied in a double-blind, randomised cross-over four-period protocol. Subjects received nicardipine 50 mg every 12 h, metoprolol 100 mg every 12 h, a combination of both drugs and placebo during 5.5 days. Steady-state pharmacokinetics of nicardipine and metoprolol were analyzed. Beta-adrenoceptor blockade was assessed as the reduction of exercise-induced tachycardia. 3 During treatment with metoprolol, alone or in combination with nicardipine, its steady-state plasma concentrations were higher in subjects of the poor metaboliser phenotype than in extensive metabolisers. Beta-adrenoceptor blockade was also more pronounced in poor metabolisers than in extensive metabolisers of dextromethorphan during treatment with metoprolol alone or in combination with nicardipine (24.0 +/- 2.4% vs 17.1 +/- 3.5% and 24.1 +/- 2.5% vs 15.4 +/- 2.7% reduction in exercise trachycardia, respectively, P < 0.01 in each case). 4 Nicardipine produced a small increase in plasma metoprolol concentration in extensive metabolisers from 35.9 +/- 16.6 to 45.8 +/- 15.4 ng ml(-1) (P < 0.02), but had no significant effect in poor metabolisers. However, nicardipine did not alter the R/S metoprolol ratio in plasma 3 h after dosing, the plasma concentration of S-(-)-metoprolol 3 h after dosing or the beta-adrenoceptor blockade produced by metoprolol in subjects of both phenotypes. The partial metabolic clearance of metoprolol to alpha-hydroxy-metoprolol was not altered significantly in extensive metabolisers. Plasma nicardipine concentration and beta-adrenoceptor blocking effects did not differ between the phenotypes and were not influenced by metoprolol. We conclude that beta-adrenoceptor blockade during repeated dosing with metoprolol is more pronounced in poor than in extensive metaboliser subjects, that nicardipine decreases a CYP2D6-independent route of metoprolol elimination but does not increase beta-adrenoceptor blockade during repeated dosing with metoprolol.

[Variation in the urinary excretion of 6-beta-hydroxycortisol in humans after administration of the new isoquinoline derivative, PK-11195 (52028 RP)]. / Variation chez l'homme de l'excrétion du 6-beta-hydroxycortisol urinaire après administration d'un nouveau dérivé de l'isoquinoléine, PK-11195 (52028 RP).

Among in vivo tests to assess liver drug metabolizing enzyme induction, urinary 6-beta-hydroxycortisol (6-beta-OHF), plasma gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and urinary D-glucaric acid are most frequently proposed. 6-beta-OHF is the most abundant unconjugated metabolite of cortisol in human urine. We measured its elimination during a clinical trial in 16 human healthy volunteers (men and women), these persons being treated by a new isoquinoleine derivative, 52028 RP (PK-11195). This drug is an antagonist of peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites. Urinary excretion of 6-beta-OHF increased significantly (3.5 fold, p less than 0.01) on the 5th day of treatment (400 mg/day, orally) and remained increased as long as the treatment was continued (15 days). Control values were again observed 5 days after stopping the treatment. Plasma gamma-glutamyltransferase activity and D-glucaric acid urinary elimination are increased more than 2 fold. The data demonstrated that 6-beta-OHF in the most sensitive among the three tests performed to detect a drug metabolism induction, during this clinical trial.

Residue determination of two co-administered antibacterial agents--cephalexin and colistin--in calf tissues using high-performance liquid chromatography and microbiological methods.

Residues of two antibacterial agents, cephalexin and colistin, co-administered by intramuscular injection to calves, were quantified in four different tissues (muscle, fat, liver and kidney) by column switching HPLC and by a microbiological method. For cephalexin assay, tissue samples with cephradin as internal standard were homogenized in a 5% trichloroacetic acid solution and filtrates were injected onto a concentration precolumn filled with LiChroprep RP-18 (25-40 microns). A clean-up step was incorporated by flowing a mobile phase (methanol-0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.0); 15:85, v/v) through the enrichment column before elution on a LiChrospher RP-18e (5 microns) column with a methanol-phosphate buffer (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 ml min-1. Spectrometric detection was at 260 nm. An additional "off-line" washing step of extracts with methylene chloride was operated to achieve higher selectivity in the case of liver and kidney samples. The limit for quantitative assay was 0.045 micrograms g-1 with relative standard deviations in the range 5-8% and recoveries within 70%. For microbiological assay of colistin, samples were homogenized in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid-acetonitrile mixtures (3:1, v/v, for kidney and liver; 3:2, v/v, for fat and muscle). The supernatants were assayed by the cylinder plate method after evaporation to dryness under vacuum. Bordetella bronchiseptica ATCC 4617 was chosen as test organism. After a 3-h diffusion step at room temperature, the medium was incubated at 37 degrees C for 18 h and then the diameter of the growth inhibition zones was measured. Sensitivity reached 0.10-0.15 micrograms g-1. Results from the analysed samples over a 7-28 day period after drug administration show that no cephalexin was found at concentrations higher than the quantitation limit in the four test tissues and that colistin was found in muscle (injection site only) for 15 days and in kidney for 21 days.

Synthesis and pharmacological properties of "soft drug" derivatives related to perhexiline.

In the hope of reducing the toxicity of perhexiline, a series of 27 cyclohexylaralkylamines II based on the "soft drug" concept and incorporating an amide function were synthesized. In a preliminary screening, compounds were evaluated for their alpha-adrenolytic activities. Several derivatives, especially N-(cyclohexylphenylmethyl)-2-(cyclohexyl-methylamino)acetamide (3), N-(cyclohexylphenylmethyl)-2-(homoveratrylmethylamino)acetam ide (7), and N-[2-(cyclohexylamino)ethyl]-alpha-cyclohexylbenzeneacetamide (23) had the same activity range as perhexiline in vitro in rat aorta strips. The in vitro metabolism of these three molecules was then investigated and compared to that of perhexiline. The effect upon the alpha-adrenolytic activity of introducing various N-aralkylamine groups on II was examined. Structure/activity relationships are discussed.

Substrate specificity and enantioselectivity of arylcarboxylic acid glucuronidation.

A general and sensitive HPLC method using a precolumn switching system was developed for the separation and quantification of the individual diastereoisomeric glucuronides of the 2-phenylpropionic acid optical isomers. Kinetic properties of rat liver glucuronidation of several arylcarboxylic acids (1- and 2-naphthylacetic acids, clofibric acid, (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-2-phenylpropionic acids) are characterized. The results show that rat liver microsomes glucuronidate 1-naphthylacetic acid more efficiently than its regioisomer (higher Vmax/Km ratio because of a 6-fold lower Km value). Furthermore, 2-phenylpropionic acid glucuronidation occurs stereoselectively and is characterized by an enantiomeric ratio R/S = 1.60. Specific inducers of different UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms and the Gunn rat strain are used to define the substrate specificity of the conjugation reaction towards arylcarboxylic aglycones. Acyl glucuronide formation is induced by phenobarbital. Gunn rats are not deficient in conjugation of these arylcarboxylic acids. These results indicate that these compounds behave similarly to classically defined group 2 substrates. In addition, the stereospecificity of 2-phenylpropionic acid conjugation is unchanged by pretreatment of animals with inducers, in vitro detergent activation, and enantiomeric inhibition. This suggests that the optical isomers of 2-phenylpropionic acid can be either conjugated by the same form or very closely regulated forms of UDPGT.

The activity of 1-naphthol-UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in the brain.

Cerebral microsomes catalysed efficiently the glucuronidation of 1-naphthol, this formation of glucuronide being activated by treatment with Triton X-100 or digitonin. Activated microsomes from the brain of the rat conjugated 1-naphthol with an apparent Km of 95 microM and a Vmax of 5.47 nmol/hr mg protein at 30 degrees C. Microsomal uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase activity in brain towards 1-naphthol was not significantly induced by pretreatment of animals with 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital. These data suggest that UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in brain are different from the hepatic enzymes with regard to biochemical parameters and in response to inducers of drug metabolism. The hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase deficiency in Gunn rats was also observed in the brain.

Interactions of perhexiline maleate and arylalkylamine derivatives with cytochrome P-450 and in-vitro hydroxylation.

In order to find a substitute for perhexiline maleate, an antiangina drug, for which several side effects due to poor hydroxylation have been reported, an arylalkylamine series with antianginal properties has been synthesized. The aim of the present work was to select a more rapidly hydroxylated compound than perhexiline maleate in this series. Two criteria have been retained. The binding of the molecules to liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and their rate of hydroxylation were both studied in vitro using phenobarbital induced rat liver microsomes. Incubation with cofactors and extraction procedures have been tested on one of the molecules of the series taken as example: N-2-dicyclohexyl-2-phenethylamine. All of the molecules tested in the series substrates were type I substrates; nevertheless, no correlation was found between binding on cytochrome P-450 and oxidative metabolism of the drugs. Two of the studied molecules were more easily hydroxylated than the others and than perhexiline maleate: (N-2-dicyclohexyl-2-phenethylamine) and (II) (N-cyclohexyl-2-diphenylethylamine) with the following respective kinetics: Apparent Vmax: 0.073 and 0.32 units, apparent Km: 6.9 X 10(-5) M and 22.2 X 10(-5) M.