Relationship of atypical melatonin rhythm with two circadian clock outputs in B6D2F(1) mice.

Circadian rhythms in body temperature, locomotor activity, and the circadian changes of plasma and pineal melatonin content were investigated in B6D2F(1) mice synchronized by 12 h of light and 12 h of darkness. During 8 wk continuous recording, activity and temperature displayed a marked stable and reproducible circadian rhythm, with both peaks occurring near the middle of darkness. Both 24- and 12-h rhythmic components were also significantly detected. Mean plasma melatonin concentration rose steadily during the light span and reached a maximum (30.6 +/- 10.0 pg/ml) at 11 h after light onset (HALO), then gradually decreased after the onset of darkness to a nadir (4.7 +/- 0.4 pg/ml) at 20 HALO. Mean pineal content followed a pattern parallel to that of plasma concentration (peak at 11 HALO: 17.7 +/- 1.0 pg/gland; trough at 17 HALO: 4.7 +/- 1.0 pg/gland). In addition, a second sharp peak was observed at 21 HALO (20.2 +/- 3.5 pg/gland). Plasma and pineal contents displayed large and statistically significant circadian changes, with a composite rhythm of period (24 + 12 h). This mouse model has predominant production and secretion of melatonin during the day. This possibly contributes to a similar coupling between chronopharmacology mechanisms and the rest-activity cycle in these mice and in human subjects.

Determination of melatonin in biological fluids in the presence of the melatonin agonist S 20098: comparison of immunological techniques and GC-MS methods.

Immunoassays were investigated for the determination of melatonin in biological samples in the presence of a naphthalenic structural analogue S 20098, which is currently under development as a melatonin agonist. The lack of specificity of commercially available antibodies in the presence of closely related molecules led us to develop an LC-RIA procedure with a quantification limit set at 15 pg/ml(-1). Because this technique was not sensitive enough and difficult to use on a routine basis, a more sensitive GC-MS technique was developed. This method involved automated solid-phase extraction (plasma) or liquid-liquid extraction (saliva), derivatization of the indolic moiety and GC separation with an automated switching device before MS detection. The method was validated over the range 1-100 pg/ml(-1), with a quantification limit set at 1 pg/ml(-1) in human plasma and saliva. Intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy were within 16% for all concentrations investigated and each biological matrix. The stability of melatonin in plasma and saliva under various storage conditions was also determined. The specificity of the assay for the analysis of melatonin in the presence of S 20098 and its metabolises was demonstrated. The method was subsequently applied for the determination of endogenous melatonin concentrations in plasma and saliva samples from clinical studies performed with S 20098 to provide pharmacodynamic data.

Determination of ivabradine and its N-demethylated metabolite in human plasma and urine, and in rat and dog plasma by a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection.

A sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method with native detection of fluorescence was developed and validated for the quantitation of ivabradine and its N-demethylated metabolite in plasma (rat, dog, human) and human urine. The procedure involves the use of an analogue as internal standard, solid-phase extraction on cyano cartridges, separation on a Nova-Pak C8 column and fluorescence detection. Calibration curves are linear in the concentration ranges from 0.5 to 100 ng/ml in plasma and 2.0 to 500 ng/ml in urine with a limit of quantitation set at 0.5 and 2.0 ng/ml in plasma and urine, respectively. The analysis of plasma and urine samples (spiked with the analytes at low, medium and high concentrations of the calibration range) demonstrates that both analytes can be measured with precision and accuracy within acceptable limits. Quality controls spiked with analyte concentrations up to 10000 ng/ml can also be analysed with excellent precision and accuracy after dilution of the samples. The parent drug and its metabolite are stable in plasma and urine after short-term storage (24 h at room temperature and after three freeze-thaw cycles) as well as after long-term storage at -20 degrees C (at least 6 months in animal plasma and 12 months in human plasma and urine). The method has been used to quantify both compounds in plasma and urine samples from clinical and non-clinical studies with ivabradine.

Daily variations in pineal melatonin concentrations in inbred and outbred mice.

Melatonin was measured using a specific radioimmunoassay in 1 strain of outbred mice (OF1 Swiss) and 4 strains of inbred mice, 2 of them being known to synthesize melatonin (CBA and C3H) and the 2 others being controversial (BALB/c and C57BL/6). In this study, the 5 mouse strains were able to synthesize melatonin, but the basal levels as well as the diurnal variations were very different from one strain to another. CBA and C3H strains showed a clear-cut day-night rhythm of pineal melatonin concentration, with peak levels of 276 +/- 22 pg/pineal in CBA and 135 +/- 12 pg/pineal in C3H. In BALB/c, the authors confirmed the presence of a very short melatonin peak (15 min) in the middle of the dark period. In C57BL/6 and OF1 Swiss, a very small but significant peak was observed in the middle of the darkness. In the former, another small peak was also observed at light onset. Whether these very small peaks, which may be related to the deficience of N-acetyl transferase activity reported by others, have a physiological meaning remains to be determined.

Single dose pharmacokinetics of fenspiride hydrochloride: phase I clinical trial.

The absolute bioavailability of fenspiride has been studied in twelve healthy volunteers. It was administered IV and orally in single doses of 80 mg fenspiride hydrochloride according to a randomised crossover pattern. Following IV administration, the plasma clearance of fenspiride was about 184 ml.min-1, and its apparent volume of distribution was moderately large (215 l). When given orally as a tablet, fenspiride exhibited fairly slow ab- sorption; the maximum plasma concentration (206 ng.ml-1) was achieved 6 h after administration. The absolute bioavailability was almost complete (90%). The tablet had slow release characteristics. The elimination half-life obtained from the plasma data was 14 to 16 h independent of the route of administration.

Metabolism of almitrine in extensive and poor metabolisers of debrisoquine/sparteine.

1. Almitrine bismesylate displays wide inter-subject variation in peak plasma concentrations and can induce peripheral polyneuropathy. 2. The phenotyped volunteer panel approach was used to examine whether almitrine oxidation displayed a genetic polymorphism of the debrisoquine/sparteine type. 3. There was no difference between poor and extensive metabolisers of debrisoquine with respect to the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of almitrine.

Almitrine bismesylate disposition in the human digestive tract.

The absorption of almitrine from the upper gastrointestinal tract has been evaluated in 6 healthy volunteers by an intubation technique. Almitrine bismesylate dissolved in malic acid was introduced into the stomach after homogenization with a meal containing the marker 14C-polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. Unlabeled PEG 4000 was infused into the second part of duodenum throughout the experiment. Samples of the luminal content were collected every 15 min for four hours from the stomach and at the ligament of Treitz. Blood was also collected. Almitrine was neither absorbed from nor metabolized in the stomach. About 37% of the quantity of drug emptied from the stomach was absorbed from the duodenum. Almitrine was detected in plasma 50 min after ingestion of the meal and its plasma concentration-time profile reflected the cumulative gastric emptying rate. The metabolite tetrahydroxy almitrine was found in intestinal samples as soon as unchanged drug was detected in plasma. The intraluminal rate of formation of the metabolite increased with time. The results suggest hepatic metabolism of almitrine followed by rapid excretion of the metabolite in the bile.

The determination of fenspiride in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography with electrochemical or ultraviolet detection.

A selective and sensitive method for the determination of fenspiride in biological fluids is described. The method involves liquid-liquid extraction followed by separation on a reversed-phase column with electrochemical detection for low levels of the drug in plasma (less than or equal to 100 ng ml-1) or UV absorption for higher concentrations in plasma or urine. The method is suitable for pharmacokinetic analyses and drug monitoring studies.

Binding of minaprine to human serum proteins and erythrocytes.

The binding of minaprine to human serum, isolated proteins and erythrocytes was studied in vitro. This drug shows both a saturable and a nonsaturable binding process in serum. The drug is bound to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in a saturable fashion with a moderate affinity whereas albumin is involved in the nonsaturable and major binding. The combination of these two processes results in a slight decrease (7%) in the drug binding to serum within the range of therapeutic concentrations. Competitive binding with metabolites of minaprine or with other basic drugs seems unlikely when these compounds are present in serum at therapeutic levels. The binding of minaprine to erythrocytes remains constant within the range of therapeutic concentrations.

Liquid-chromatographic determination of propisomide and its mono-N-dealkylated metabolite in plasma and urine.

We describe a "high-performance" liquid-chromatographic assay for simultaneously determining propisomide and its mono-N-dealkylated metabolite in plasma and urine. After extraction with dichloromethane at alkaline pH, the unchanged drug, its metabolite, and the internal standard are separated by liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase column and the absorbance of the eluate is measured at 254 nm. Selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility are excellent. Results are similar to those by gas chromatography for propisomide but, in addition, the metabolite can be simultaneously measured in the same clinical sample. We also report results by this method for blood and plasma samples from a volunteer receiving a single 200-mg dose of propisomide.

Protein binding of propisomide.

This paper describes the protein binding of propisomide to human serum and isolated proteins using equilibrium dialysis. The drug is exclusively bound to alpha1-acid glycoprotein with high affinity. The binding is saturable even at low concentrations of the drug. Thus, the fraction unbound varied from 0.05 to 0.60 with decreasing serum concentration. The major metabolite of the drug or other drugs with affinity for alpha1-acid glycoprotein can displace propisomide from its binding site only when present in serum at high levels. Two ultrafiltration techniques are compared to equilibrium dialysis for the determination of serum protein binding of propisomide. Ultrafiltration does not give reliable results. Equilibrium dialysis is retained as an accurate method for the determination of the fraction unbound of propisomide.

Butofilolol pharmacokinetics in chronic renal insufficiency.

The pharmacokinetics of butofilolol, a new beta-blocking drug used in the treatment of hypertension, were investigated in 9 patients with varying degrees of renal impairment (creatinine clearance ranging from 65 ml/min to 6.6 ml/min). The drug was administered as a single oral 100-mg dose. Plasma and urine concentrations of the parent drug were measured. The pharmacokinetic parameters of butofilolol calculated from examination of patients with renal failure were compared to those obtained from healthy subjects. Renal failure was found to be associated with a marked increase of the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves of the parent drug whereas its elimination rate constant tended to increase, especially in severe renal failure. A highly significant relationship between the amounts of unchanged drug excreted in urine and the creatinine clearance was observed (r = 0.90, p less than 0.001). The higher plasma levels of the parent drug observed in renal failure might be due to a decrease in the first-pass hepatic extraction of the drug. But these changes in plasma clearance were probably counteracted by modification of the volume of distribution, so that the net result of these alterations was a slight increase in the elimination half-life.

Pharmacokinetics of butofilolol (CAFIDE) after repeated oral administration in man.

The pharmacokinetics of butofilolol, a new beta-blocking drug, was studied in 6 healthy subjects. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of the unchanged drug were determined after a single 100-mg oral administration, and also during chronic treatment (100 mg/day for a week) and after the last dose. Maximum plasma concentrations were observed 2 to 3 h after drug administration and varied between the subjects (120 to 430 ng/ml). The apparent volumes of distribution were large, ranging between 200 I and 500 I, and the apparent clearances of elimination appeared to be intermediate between 40 and 70 l/h. Drug elimination in the urine (about 4% of administered dose) occurred by filtration, tubular secretion and pH-sensitive reabsorption following a non-linear process. However, pharmacokinetic parameters remained constant during chronic treatment, since urinary elimination of the parent drug was too low to influence its pharmacokinetic profile. In addition, a high correlation was found between plasma levels of butofilolol and the effect of the drug on resting heart rate, while a slight effect on diastolic blood pressure could be discerned.

Comparison of gas chromatographic--electron-capture detection and high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of butofilolol in biological fluids.

Two selective and sensitive methods for the quantitative analysis of butofilol in human plasma and urine are discussed. The first method is a gas chromatographic assay with electron-capture detection using extraction with toluene, several clean-up procedures and derivatization. The second method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography and a single extraction with dichloromethane. The two assay methods were applied to the determination of the same human plasma samples after administration of a single, oral 200-mg dose of butofilolol. A good correlation between the results (inter-laboratory comparison) is obtained, validating both techniques.

The biotransformation of [14C]minaprine in man and five animals species.

1. [14C]Minaprine was administered as a single oral dose to five animal species and to a healthy and informed volunteer. Excretion of radioactivity was followed during 48 h in urine and faces; biliary excretion was followed only in rat. 2. Urinary metabolites were isolated and identified by mass spectrometry. 3. A quantitative comparison of metabolites in different species was made. On the basis of these data it it concluded that the dog is not a suitable model for man for pharmacological or toxicological studies. 4. The major metabolic route is 4-hydroxylation of the aromatic ring. The only unexpected metabolic route found was the biotransformation of the morpholino ring, probably by reductive ring-cleavage. 5. About 50% of the 14C was excreted in 0-48 h urine. The other 50% was excreted in the 0-48 h faces. In the rat, this was attribute entirely to biliary excretion. The drug is well absorbed after oral administration and is not accumulated in the body.

Quantitative analysis of CM 6912 (ethyl loflazepate) and its metabolites in plasma and urine by chemical ionization gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Application to pharmacokinetic studies in man.

A chemical ionization gas chromatographic mass spectrometric assay is described for ethyl loflazepate (CM 6912), a new benzodiazepine with a potent anti-anxiety activity, and two of its metabolites in plasma and urine. The parent drug was separated from the biological samples by simple extraction at pH 9. In all samples analysed, parent drug levels were below the detection limit, confirming its extensive biotransformation at the sites of absorption and during its first pass through the liver. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained by measuring the total levels of two of the major metabolites. Accurate data may not be obtained for both metabolites separately since one of them (M1) is chemically transformed to metabolite M2 during plasma sampling, storage and extraction. Their total levels were measured after complete degradation of the unstable metabolite and extraction of the sample at pH 9. The precision and accuracy of this method are better than 10% in the low ng range. The detection limit is 1 ng ml-1. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained from human volunteers given a single oral dose of 2 mg CM 6912 in tablet form. Cp max values ranged from 30 to 55 ng ml-1 and were reached within 1.5 to 3 h after administration. Following the achievement of peak levels the concentration declined with an apparent biexponential pattern showing an elimination half-life ranging from 51 to 103 hours in its terminal phase.