Preparation and evaluation of sustained release cross-linked chitosan microspheres containing phenobarbitone.

Chitosan microspheres containing phenobarbitone were successfully prepared by glutaraldehyde cross-linking of an aqueous acetic acid dispersion of chitosan in light liquid paraffin containing sorbitan mono-oleate as a stabilizing agent. Uniform and spherical microspheres, with a loading efficiency up to 57.2%, could be prepared depending on the preparation conditions. The main parameters affecting the preparation and the performance of the prepared microspheres were the molecular weight and concentration of chitosan as well as the concentration of the used stabilizing agent. The incorporation of citric acid into the microspheres was found to increase the formation of a water-soluble gel when the microspheres come in contact with the dissolution medium increasing the rate of drug release. The particle size was shifted towards smaller diameters with increased concentration of sorbitan mono-oleate, up to 4.0% v/v, by use of a lower concentration of chitosan (1.0% w/v) and chitosan with low molecular weight. Rapid initial drug release (20-30% of the incorporated drug) was exhibited in all the prepared microspheres followed by slow release of the remaining amount of the drug. The release rate of the drug from the microspheres prepared from high molecular weight chitosan was slow in comparison with that prepared from medium and low molecular weight chitosan. High concentrations of sorbitan mono-oleate increased the rate of drug release.

The effect of colestipol and cholestyramine on the systemic clearance of intravenous ibuprofen in rabbits.

The effect of oral administration of the non-absorbable anion-exchange resins cholestyramine and colestipol on the systemic clearance and other pharmacokinetic parameters of intravenously administered ibuprofen (25 mg kg-1) was studied in rabbits. Single doses of colestipol hydrochloride (0.4 g kg-1) or cholestyramine (0.17 g kg-1) were given 30 min before ibuprofen administration. In cholestyramine-treated rabbits a significant reduction in ibuprofen plasma concentration was observed compared with both control (water only) and colestipol-treated rabbits. Cholestyramine treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the terminal elimination half-life and the mean residence time. Furthermore, a 31% increase in the systemic clearance and 23% decrease in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve were also observed in cholestyramine-treated rabbits. Colestipol treatment did not change these parameters. The volume of distribution parameters (Vdss and Vd(area)) did not change following either treatment. The changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters are compatible with an acceleration of ibuprofen elimination induced by oral administration of cholestyramine and not by colestipol. This effect is thought to be due to augmentation of net biliary excretion through enteric binding.

Effect of oral activated charcoal on propranolol pharmacokinetics following intravenous administration to rabbits.

The pharmacokinetics of propranolol following intravenous administration (1 mg/kg), with and without treatment with oral activated charcoal, was investigated in rabbits. In charcoal-treated rabbits a significant reduction in propranolol serum concentrations was observed compared to control animals. Charcoal treatment significantly reduced the half-life of elimination (16.6%) and the mean residence time (19%) of propranolol. A 17% increase in the systemic clearance and a 14% decrease in AUC were also noted. Charcoal administration did not significantly alter the volume of distribution (Vc' V(area) and Vss) or the apparent distribution half-life. A two-compartment model adequately described propranolol in control and treated rabbits. The results indicate that administration of oral activated charcoal enhances the systemic elimination of propranolol. This is presumably mediated by interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of propranolol by activated charcoal.

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of propranolol in serum.

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay was developed for quantitative determination of propranolol in serum. The assay is performed after single extraction of propranolol and indenolol [internal standard (IS)] from alkalinized serum into ether and eluted from C-18 U Bondapak column with a mobile phase composed of methanol: 0.01 M phosphate buffer pH 3.4 (40:60%, v/v). The column eluant was monitored on a fluorescence detector. Measurement was achieved by taking the peak height ratio of propranolol and comparing it to that of the IS. The detection limit for propranolol in serum is 2.5 ng/ml. Intraday coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 2.84 to 4.0% and interday (CVs) from 5.8 to 8.4% at three different concentrations. The relative and absolute recoveries varied from 93.8 to 102.3%. Preliminary stability tests showed that propranolol is stable for at least 3 weeks in serum after freezing. The method is applied for the determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters of propranolol after intravenous administration (1 mg/kg) to rabbits.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of indomethacin in serum.

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for quantitative determination of indomethacin in serum is described. The assay was performed after single extraction of indomethacin and itraconazole (internal standard) from serum using diethyl ether and eluted from a 4 micron C-18 reversed-phase column at ambient temperature. The mobile phase consisted of ethanol:water:glacial acetic acid (65:34:1, v/v) pumped isocratically at a flow rate of 1.3 ml/min. The effluent was monitored at 254 nm. Quantification was achieved by the measurement of the peak area ratio, and the absolute recoveries ranged from 94 to 97%. Within-day coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 2.72 to 5.70% and between-day CV varied from 3.61 to 6.1%. Stability testing indicated that indomethacin is stable for at least 30 days in serum at -20 degrees C. The method was used to study indomethacin pharmacokinetics in rabbits.