Development of Dipeptide N-acetyl-L-cysteine Loaded Nanostructured Carriers Based on Inorganic Layered Hydroxides.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a derivative of the L-cysteine amino acid, presents antioxidant and mucolytic properties of pharmaceutical interest. This work reports the preparation of organic-inorganic nanophases aiming for the development of drug delivery systems based on NAC intercalation into layered double hydroxides (LDH) of zinc-aluminum (Zn2Al-NAC) and magnesium-aluminum (Mg2Al-NAC) compositions. A detailed characterization of the synthesized hybrid materials was performed, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, solid-state 13carbon and 27aluminum nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry coupled to mass spectrometry (TG/DSC-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental chemical analysis to assess both chemical composition and structure of the samples. The experimental conditions allowed to isolate Zn2Al-NAC nanomaterial with good crystallinity and a loading capacity of 27.3 (m/m)%. On the other hand, NAC intercalation was not successful into Mg2Al-LDH, being oxidized instead. In vitro drug delivery kinetic studies were performed using cylindrical tablets of Zn2Al-NAC in a simulated physiological solution (extracellular matrix) to investigate the release profile. After 96 h, the tablet was analyzed by micro-Raman spectroscopy. NAC was replaced by anions such as hydrogen phosphate by a slow diffusion-controlled ion exchange process. Zn2Al-NAC fulfil basic requirements to be employed as a drug delivery system with a defined microscopic structure, appreciable loading capacity, and allowing a controlled release of NAC.

In Situ Intestinal Perfusion in Rodents: Future Perspectives for Application on Absorption Studies and Classification of Drugs.

BACKGROUND: In 1995, the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) was proposed by Amidon and colleagues as a tool that considers two important parameters regarding drugs: solubility and permeability. Since then, several methods for solubility and permeability studies have been developed for drug delivery and absorption prediction. In recent years, permeability has gained a great highlight and the interaction between a molecule and a biological membrane is not enough to predict the in vivo behavior of a compound. METHOD: Thus, different methods for permeability assessment are currently used for mechanistic studies including involvement of carriers and several transport pathways. Furthermore, the investigation regarding metabolism has been a focus in recent researches. Based on this idea, Wu and Benet proposed a new tool called Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS), where drugs are classified into four classes considering their solubility and metabolism. RESULTS: Among several methods for permeability studies, the in situ intestinal perfusion is considered the closest to in vivo conditions due advantages as intact blood supply and innervation. CONCLUSION: This review presents the in situ intestinal perfusion model and its application for permeability/ transport studies of drugs and intestinal metabolism. Also, this paper discusses about how the in situ perfusion studies can be used for classification of drugs and the future perspectives for in vivo absorption prediction.

Evaluating Potential P-gp Substrates: Main Aspects to Choose the Adequate Permeability Model for Assessing Gastrointestinal Drug Absorption.

The success of an oral drug route administration depends on many factors that interfere in its bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy and clinical safety. In human cells, ATP-dependent efflux transporter proteins, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP and MRP2, reduce the absorption of drugs. A tiered approach chosen to evaluate drugs as substrates or inhibitors of efflux pumps, particularly P-gp, should be carefully selected, since each study method has advantages and intrinsic limitations to their processes. Depending on the adopted study conditions, the results may not correspond to the real characteristics of the drug regarding to its modulation by specific efflux proteins. This mini-review aims at summarizing the role of P-gp in the drugs oral absorption and correlating some of the most used permeability methods to determine the drug condition as P-gp substrate. Studies about P-gp have shown that it is a dynamic protein, facilitating secretion of endogenous compounds, as aldosterone, and protecting cells against xenobiotics. Different efflux assays are employed to evaluate drugs as P-gp substrates. In an initial planning, MDCK-MDR1 tend to be the chosen method for efflux studies due its ability of express P-gp, followed by studies conducted in Caco-2 models. However, it is necessary to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each method to generate sound results and to set the correlation in vitro x in situ x in vivo.

Darunavir: a critical review of its properties, use and drug interactions.

Darunavir is a synthetic nonpeptidic protease inhibitor which has been shown to be extremely potent against wild-type HIV as well as a large panel of PI-resistant clinical isolates and shows a high genetic barrier to the development of antiretroviral resistance. The treatment of HIV/AIDS requires combinations of multiple antiretroviral drugs. In addition, patients frequently need to coadminister other medications for reasons including the prevention or treatment of opportunistic infections, treatment of concomitant illnesses and management of antiretroviral side effects. Drug interactions have been observed between darunavir and other drugs. New and more comprehensive drug interaction studies will be required since the increase in life expectancy of patients often brings new comorbidities and the concomitant use of different drugs. This paper discusses the impact of the use of darunavir in the treatment of HIV-infected patients, its pharmacological and physical-chemical properties, its drug interactions, and challenges that remain in order to ensure safety and compliance of treatment.

Bioequivalence evaluation of single doses of two tramadol formulations: a randomized, open-label, two-period crossover study in healthy Brazilian volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Tramadol is a well tolerated and effective analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. Several generic formulations of tramadol are available in Brazil; however, published information regarding their bioequivalence in the Brazilian population is not available. A study was designed for Brazilian regulatory authorities to allow marketing of a generic formulation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the bioequivalence of 2 commercial tablet preparations containing tramadol 100 mg marketed for use in Brazil. METHODS: A randomized, open-label, 2 x 2 crossover study was performed in healthy Brazilian volunteers under fasting conditions with a washout period of 12 days. Two tablet formulations of tramadol 100 mg (test and reference formulations) were administered as a single oral dose, and blood samples were collected over 24 hours. Tramadol plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated HPLC method. A plasma concentration-time profile was generated for each volunteer and then mean values were determined, from which C(max), T(max), AUC(0-infinity) k(e), and t(1/2) were calculated using a noncompartmental model. Bioequivalence between the products was determined by calculating 90% CIs for the ratios of C(max) AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-infinity), values for the test and reference products using log-transformed data. Tolerability was assessed by monitoring vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, heart rate), laboratory tests (hematology, blood biochemistry, hepatic function, urinalysis), and interviews with the volunteers before medication administration and every 2 hours during the study. RESULTS: Twenty-six healthy volunteers (13 men, 13 women) were enrolled in and completed the study. Mean (SD) age was 30 (6.8) years (range, 21-44 years), mean weight was 64 (8.3) kg (range, 53-79 kg), and mean height was 166 (6.4) cm (range, 155-178 cm). The 90% CIs for the ratios of Cmax (1.01-1.17), AUC(0-t) (1.00-1.13), and AUC(0-infinity). (1.00-1.14) values for the test and reference products fell within the interval of 0.80 to 1.25 proposed by most regulatory agencies, including the Brazilian regulatory body. No clinically important adverse effects were reported; only mild somnolence was reported by 4 volunteers and mild headaches by 5 volunteers, and there was no need to use medication to treat these symptoms. CONCLUSION: Pharmacokinetic analysis in these healthy Brazilian volunteers suggested that the test and reference formulations of tramadol 100-mg tablets met the regulatory requirements to assume bioequivalence based on the Brazilian regulatory definition.

Bioequivalence and pharmacokinetics of two zidovudine formulations in healthy Brazilian volunteers: an open-label, randomized, single-dose, two-way crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Zidovudine is a thymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with activity against HIV type 1. Some (approximately 8) generic formulations of zidovudine are available in Brazil; however, based on a literature search, information concerning their bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties in the Brazilian population has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of 2 capsule formulations of zidovudine 100 mg in healthy Brazilian volunteers. METHODS: This open-label, randomized, 2-way crossover study utilized a 1-week washout period between doses. Blood samples were collected for 8 hours after a single dose of zidovudine 100-mg test (Zidovudina, Fundação para o Remédio Popular, São Paulo, Brazil) or reference formulation (Retrovir, GlaxoSmithKline, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Plasma zidovudine concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection at 265 nm. C(max), T(max), AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), t(1/2), and the elimination constant (k(e)) were determined using noncompartmental analysis. The formulations were considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs for C(max), AUC(0-t), and AUC(0-infinity) fell within the interval of 80% to 125%,the regulatory definition set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). RESULTS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers (12 males, 12 females; mean age, 27 years; weight, 60 kg; height, 167 cm) were enrolled and completed the study. The 90% CIs of the treatment ratios for the logarithmic transformed values of C(max), AUC(max)0-t, and AUC(0-infinity) were 80.0% to 113.6%, 93.9% to 109.7%, and 93.6% to 110.1%, respectively. The values for the test and reference formulations were within the FDA bioequivalence definition intervals of 80% to 125%. CONCLUSIONS: In this small study in healthy subjects, no statistically significant differences in C(max), AUC(0-t), and AUC(0-infinity) were found between the test and reference formulations of zidovudine 100-mg capsules. The 90% CIs for the mean ratio values for the test and reference formulations of AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), and C(max) indicated that the reported data were entirely within the bioequivalence acceptance range proposed by the FDA of 80% to 125% (using log-transformed data).

Emulsified systems based on glyceryl monostearate and potassium cetyl phosphate: scale-up and characterization of physical properties.

Introducing a pharmaceutical product on the market involves several stages of research. The scale-up stage comprises the integration of previous phases of development and their integration. This phase is extremely important since many process limitations which do not appear on the small scale become significant on the transposition to a large one. Since scientific literature presents only a few reports about the characterization of emulsified systems involving their scaling-up, this research work aimed at evaluating physical properties of non-ionic and anionic emulsions during their manufacturing phases: laboratory stage and scale-up. Prototype non-ionic (glyceryl monostearate) and anionic (potassium cetyl phosphate) emulsified systems had the physical properties by the determination of the droplet size (D[4,3], mum) and rheology profile. Transposition occurred from a batch of 500-50,000g. Semi-industrial manufacturing involved distinct conditions: intensity of agitation and homogenization. Comparing the non-ionic and anionic systems, it was observed that anionic emulsifiers generated systems with smaller droplet size and higher viscosity in laboratory scale. Besides that, for the concentrations tested, augmentation of the glyceryl monostearate emulsifier content provided formulations with better physical characteristics. For systems with potassium cetyl phosphate, droplet size increased with the elevation of the emulsifier concentration, suggesting inadequate stability. The scale-up provoked more significant alterations on the rheological profile and droplet size on the anionic systems than the non-ionic.

Bioequivalence evaluation of two different tablet formulations of tinidazole in healthy volunteers.

The bioequivalence of two different tablet formulations of tinidazole (CAS 19387-91-8) was determined in healthy volunteers after a single dose in a randomized crossover study, with a 1-week washout period between the doses. Reference and test products were administered to 24 volunteers with 240 mL water after overnight fasting. Plasma concentrations of tinidazole were monitored by a high-performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) over a period of 72 h after the administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(o-t), AUCo-infinity, C(max), T(max), T((1/2)el) and beta were determined from plasma concentration time profile of both formulations and found to be in good agreement with previously reported values. The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters were compared statistically to evaluate bioequivalence between the two brands. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not show any significant difference between the two formulations and 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of C(max) (93.9 -102.6%), AUC(o-t) (94.9-101.1%) and AUC(o-infinity) (94.6-100.8%) values for the test and reference products were within the 80-125% interval, satisfying the bioequivalence criteria of the European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products and the US Food and Drug Administration Guidelines. These results Indicate that the test and the reference products of tinidazole are bioequivalent and, thus, may be prescribed interchangeably.

Bioavailability study of two oral formulations of didanosine in healthy volunteers.

An open-label, randomised, crossover single dose study, using 2 periods, 2 sequences, with a minimum washout period of 7 days, was conducted in order to assess the comparative bioavailability of two formulations of didanosine (CAS 69655-05-6) 100 mg tablets. Didanosine plasma concentrations were determined by means of a validated HPLC method [DAD detector, stavudine (CAS 3056-17-5) as an internal standard]. The limit of detection was 30 ng/ml. The results showed that overall classical 90 % confidence intervals (CI) were 92.4-111.2 % for AUC0-inf, 91.8-109.9 %f for AUC0-t, and 87.0-110.0 % for Cmax. Since the 90 % CI for both, AUC and Cmax ratios were within the 80-125 % interval proposed by the European Agency for the Evalution of Medicinal Products (EMEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is concluded that the new didanosine formulation is equivalent to the conventional formulation for both, the extent and the rate of absorption after single dose administration in healthy volunteers.

Determination of lamivudine in human plasma by HPLC and its use in bioequivalence studies.

A simple, accurate, precise and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection was developed to quantificate lamivudine (3-TC) in human plasma samples from bioequivalence studies. 3-TC and stavudine (internal standard, I.S.) were extracted from 0.5 ml of human plasma by acetonitrile protein precipitation. The method was validated over a concentration range of 0.05-3.00 microg/ml and used in a bioequivalence trial between two lamivudine formulations, to assess its usefulness in this kind of study. FURP-lamivudine (Fundação para o Remédio Popular, Brazil, as test formulation) and Epivir (GlaxoSmithKline, Brazil, as reference formulation) were evaluated following a single 150 mg oral dose to 24 healthy volunteers of both genders. The dose was administered after an overnight fast according to a two-way crossover design. Bioequivalence between the products was determined by calculating 90% confidence intervals (90% CI) for the ratio of Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-inf values for the test and reference products, using logarithmic transformed data. The 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of Cmax (0.86-1.06), AUC0-t (0.96-1.04) and AUC0-inf (0.97-1.05) values for the test and reference products are within the 0.80-1.25 interval proposed by FDA and EMEA. It was concluded that the two 3-TC formulations are bioequivalent in their rate and extent of absorption, and thus, may be used interchangeably.