Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of SB-251353, a novel human CXC chemokine, after intravenous administration to mice.

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of SB-251353, a novel truncated form of the human CXC chemokine growth-related gene product beta, were studied after intravenous administration to the mouse (0.1--250 mg/kg). At the lowest dose, the clearance exceeded blood flow to the kidney. As the dose increased, clearance approached the glomerular filtration rate in the mouse. Clearance of this chemokine may be mediated by its pharmacologic receptor, CXCR2, via endocytosis with subsequent lysosomal degradation, as has been observed for several growth and hematopoietic factors. Apparent distribution volumes were high (> or =1 l/kg). Moderate binding to the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines on erythrocytes was observed. Consistent with the pharmacokinetic analysis, microscopic autoradiography showed uptake into renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. Limited excretion of SB-251353 in the urine (<2%) was consistent with catabolism of the chemokine in the tubules. Binding to hepatic sinusoids and connective tissue in the dermis was observed. This possibly reflected interaction of SB-251353 with heparin sulfate proteoglycan and may explain the large distribution volumes. This first study of the disposition of a chemokine provides insight into mechanism of action and physiological factors that may influence chemokine pharmacodynamics.

Induction of cytokines in cynomolgus monkeys by the immune response modifiers, imiquimod, S-27609 and S-28463.

Imiquimod, S-27609 and S-28463 are imidazoquinolines known to have antiviral and antitumour properties mediated by the induction of cytokines, in particular interferon alpha (IFN-alpha). This study evaluated these compounds for their ability to induce cytokines and cytokine specific messenger RNAs (mRNA) in cynomologus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from monkeys produced IFN, interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6 and IL-8 after treatment with imiquimod, S-27609 and S-28463. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) was also increased in cultures stimulated with S-27609 or S-28463. Monkey PBMCs stimulated with imiquimod, S-27609 and S-28463 showed increased mRNA levels of IFN-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-6 and the IFN inducible protein, MxA above those seen in untreated cultures. S-27609 and S-28463 also had higher TNF-alpha mRNA expression than cultures not receiving drugs. When compared to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), S-27609 was less effective at inducing IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha but induced higher concentrations of IFN. Similar results were seen when evaluating cytokine mRNA levels. Upon oral administration to monkeys, S-28463 stimulated a dose-dependent increase in serum concentrations of IFN, TNF-alpha, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and IL-6, while imiquimod induced increases in IFN and IL-1Ra concentrations. Finally, skin biopsies from monkeys treated topically with S-28463 had increases over baseline in mRNA for IFN-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-6 and MxA protein. The data show that imidazoquinolines induce cytokines and cytokine specific mRNA in cynomolgus monkeys. These results demonstrate the usefulness of human amplimers and human ELISAs in the detection of cytokine specific mRNAs and proteins in cynomolgus monkeys.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for methanol in rats, monkeys, and humans.

The pharmacokinetics of methanol and formate were characterized in male Fischer-344 rats and rhesus monkeys exposed to methanol vapor concentrations between 50 and 2000 ppm for 6 hr. End-of-exposure blood methanol concentrations were not directly proportional to the atmospheric concentration. The methanol exposures did not cause an elevation in blood formate concentrations. After an intravenous dose of [14C]methanol in rats, metabolism, exhalation, and renal excretion contributed 96.6, 2.6, and 0.8%, respectively, to the elimination of blood methanol concentrations. These values and the calculated renal methanol extraction efficiency (0.007) are nearly identical to those for humans after low doses of methanol. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was developed to simulate the in vivo data. In order to simulate the observed blood methanol concentrations in the inhalation studies in rats, a double pathway for methanol metabolism to formaldehyde was used. One path used rodent catalase Km and Vmax values and the other used a smaller Km and Vmax to simulate an enzyme with a higher affinity and lower capacity. The lack of proportionality observed in end-of-exposure blood methanol concentrations may be due to saturation of an enzyme with higher affinity and lower capacity than catalase. The physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was modified to simulate the monkey data and was scaled-up for humans. In order to simulate the monkey blood methanol concentrations, the use of rodent catalase parameters for methanol metabolism was required. This finding suggests that primates and rodents may be similar in the initial step of methanol metabolism after low methanol doses. Previously published human urinary methanol excretion data was successfully simulated by the model. The models were used to predict the atmospheric methanol concentration range over which the laboratory species exhibit quantitative similarities with humans. Below 1200 ppm, all three species exhibit similar end-of-exposure blood methanol concentrations and a linear relationship between atmospheric and blood methanol concentrations. At higher atmospheric concentrations, external and internal methanol concentrations increase desparately, suggesting that delivered dose rather than exposure concentration should be used in interpreting data from high-dose studies.

Developmental phase-specific and dose-related teratogenic effects of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether in CD-1 mice.

Several animal species have shown a teratogenic response to inhaled or ingested ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME). The present study examined the developmental phase specificity and dose-response characteristics of EGME-induced embryotoxicity. Pregnant CD-1 mice (vaginal plug positive day = gestation Day [gd]0) received multiple or single doses of EGME by gavage between gd 7 and 14. Fetuses were examined on gd 18 for external and skeletal malformations. EGME was not maternally toxic after multiple doses of 250 mg/kg or a single administration of up to 500 mg/kg. EGME induced embryotoxicity as manifested by reduced gd 18 fetal weights and increased resorptions. The observed malformations were specifically related to the developmental stage at the time of exposure. Exencephaly resulted after EGME exposure between gd 7 to 10 whereas paw anomalies (syndactyly, oligodactyly, and stunted digit No. 1) predominated during later stages of development. Paw anomalies were maximal after administration on gd 11, and forepaws exhibited greater susceptibility than hindpaws. The no observed effect dose for the induction of digit malformations after a single administration of EGME on gd 11 was 100 mg/kg. At 175 mg EGME/kg digit anomalies were induced without any concurrent reduction in fetal body weight while at 250 mg/kg and above, digit anomalies occurred concurrently with reduced fetal body weight.

Assessment of the chloracnegenic response induced by 3,4,3',4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene in mice.

Chloracne is a follicular hyperkeratosis produced by exposure to certain halogenated aromatic compounds. The rabbit ear bioassay has been used successfully for testing the acnegenic activity of compounds, but the lack of reference data in this species limits its usefulness in correlating chloracne to other toxic effects such as skin carcinogenesis. In this study, a prototype chloracnegen, 3,4,3',4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene (TCAOB), was used. Five strains of mice (hairless, rhino, rhino+, DBA/2J, and C57BL/6) were treated topically with 100 microliters of 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1% TCAOB daily for 3-9 wk. Skin and liver histology were performed and hepatic enzyme activities measured. At the 0.001% TCAOB level, induction of hepatic aniline hydroxylase and cytochrome P-450 occurred in the C57BL/6 mice and induction of cytochrome c reductase occurred in the rhino mice. Dose-dependent gross and histologic skin lesions, characteristic of follicular hyperkeratosis, were observed in the rhino and hairless strains at the 0.01% and 0.1% levels. These two strains also had induction of hepatic cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome P-450, and aniline hydroxylase at TCAOB concentrations of 0.01 or 0.1%. These results suggest that the rhino and hairless strains of mice may be useful in the study of chloracne.