Cationic emulsions improves the delivery of oligonucleotides to leukemic P388/ADR cells in ascite.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo ability of O/W cationic emulsions to deliver oligonucleotides (ON) in leukemic P388/ADR cells in ascite, after intraperitoneal (IP) administration in mice. Cationic emulsions were prepared by microfluidization as previously described by Teixeira et al. [Pharm. Res 16 (1999) 30]. The formulations consisted mainly of medium chain triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine (PC), poloxamer, and either a monocationic lipid stearylamine (PC/SA-emulsion) or a polycationic lipid RPRC(18) (PC/RPRC(18)-emulsion). A model ON (33P-pdT(16)) was associated with cationic emulsions by single addition at the end of the manufacturing process. Seven days after P388/ADR inoculation IP to mice, ON free or associated with PC/SA or PC/RPRC(18) emulsions was injected IP at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. At different interval times, ascite including cells, blood and the main organs were collected and the radioactivity counted by liquid scintillation. The overall results showed significantly high amounts of ON in the leukemic cell pellet, 24 h after administration of ON associated to either PC/SA (AUC(0-24 h)=13634, %injected dose/min) or PC/RPRC(18) (AUC(0-24 h)=22592, % injected dose/min), contrary to the free ON solution (AUC(0-24 h)=3095, %injected dose/min), which displayed only reduced capture by cancer cells. In conclusion, complexation of ON with cationic emulsions had a beneficial effect in increasing tumor cells uptake in vivo (up to sevenfold for PC/RPRC(18)-emulsion) after IP administration. This could open interesting prospects for the treatment of ovarian cancers.

Nanoparticulate delivery system of a tyrphostin for the treatment of restenosis.

Restenosis, the principal complication of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is responsible for the 35-40% long-term failure rate following coronary revascularization. The neointimal formation, a morphological substrate of restenosis, is dependent on smooth muscle cells (SMC) proliferation and migration. Signal transduction through the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/PDGF receptors system is involved in the process of post-angioplasty restenosis. The unsuccessful attempts to control restenosis by systemic pharmacological interventions have prompted many researchers to look for more promising therapeutic approaches such as local drug delivery. Tyrphostins are low molecular weight inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. We assessed the release kinetics and in vivo effects of nanoparticles containing PDGF-Receptor beta (PDGFRbeta) tyrphostin inhibitor, AG-1295. AG-1295-loaded poly(DL-lactide) (PLA) nanoparticles were prepared by spontaneous emulsification/solvent displacement technique. In vitro release rate and the impact of drug/polymer ratio on the nanoparticle size were determined. The degree of tyrosine phosphorylation was assessed by Western blot with phosphotyrosine-specific antibody in rat SMC extracts. Several bands characteristic of PDGF BB-stimulated SMC disappeared or weakened following tyrphostin treatment. Local intraluminal delivery of AG-1295-loaded PLA nanoparticles to the injured rat carotid artery had no effect on proliferative activity in medial and neointimal compartments of angioplastisized arteries, indicating a primary antimigration effect of AG-1295 on medial SMC.

Local delivery of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-specific tyrphostin inhibits neointimal formation in rats.

Signal transduction through the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/PDGF receptor (PDGFR) system is involved in the process of postangioplasty restenosis. Tyrphostins are low molecular weight inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. We assessed the antiproliferative effects of PDGFRbeta-specific tyrphostin AG-1295 in vitro and in vivo. AG-1295 significantly inhibited rat smooth muscle cell growth stimulated by PDGF-BB or FCS. This antiproliferative effect was paralleled by reversible reduction of the total phosphotyrosine level and the degree of PDGFRbeta phosphorylation by the drug in vitro. Local sustained delivery of the drug from perivascularly implanted polymeric matrices resulted in focal AG-1295 levels of 711 and 29.1 ng/mg of dry arterial tissue 1 and 14 days after implantation in rats. AG-1295 delivered from polymeric matrices resulted in a 35% reduction of neointimal formation on day 14 after balloon injury in the rat carotid model. Tyrosine phosphorylation of certain transduction proteins in arterial tissue extracts was significantly upregulated by balloon injury on day 3 but was essentially returned to or below basal levels 14 days after injury. Tyrphostin treatment decreased tyrosine phosphorylation at both time points below the basal levels. Moreover, the enhancement of PDGFRbeta expression 3 and 14 days after arterial injury was strongly inhibited by AG-1295 treatment. It can be concluded that AG-1295 reduces neointimal formation by inhibiting PDGFbeta-triggered tyrosine phosphorylation.

Family history of essential hypertension versus obesity as risk factors for hypertension in adolescents.

Family history of hypertension and obesity are both risk factors for hypertension. Hypertension and obesity share several physiopathologic abnormalities and are frequently associated. However, not all obese people are hypertensive. Renal handling of sodium has been proposed as a physiopathogenic mechanism of essential hypertension and obesity. This study was conducted in obese adolescents to evaluate the role of a family history of hypertension versus obesity in the renal handling of sodium. Fractional excretion of lithium (FELi) and uric acid (FEUA) were measured in 46 obese adolescent offspring of hypertensive parents (OH: body mass index [BMI], 29.5 +/- 0.6 kg/m2, age 14.2 +/- 0.3 years, 22 males); eight obese offspring of normotensive parents (ON: BMI, 30.7 +/- 1.7 kg/m2, 14.8 +/- 0.8 years, four males), and in 34 lean adolescent offspring of hypertensive parents (LH: BMI, 20.5 +/- 0.5 kg/m2, 14.3 +/- 0.3 years, 24 males). FELi in OH was 16.5% +/- 1.3%, in ON it was 22.4% +/- 2.3%, and in LH it was 14.4% +/- 1.2% (P < .05). FEUA in OH was 8.5% +/- 0.8%, in ON it was 14.8% +/- 3.6%, and in LH it was 7.9% +/- 0.8% (P < .01). Plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (PA) were measured in OH and LH; PRA was 5.3 +/- 0.4 and 4.5 +/- 0.4 ng/mL/h, respectively (P = NS), and PA was 366 +/- 36 and 242 +/- 32 pg/mL, respectively (P < .05). In summary, adolescents with a family history of hypertension, regardless of their body mass, have a diminished FELi and FEUA. Obese adolescents also have higher plasma levels of aldosterone than lean ones. In conclusion, the family history of hypertension would be related to the increased renal proximal sodium reabsorption whereas obesity would be related to increased distal sodium reabsorption mechanisms, such as aldosterone. Both mechanisms could explain the higher prevalence of hypertension in obese offspring of hypertensive parents.

PDGF-receptor tyrosine kinase blocker AG1295 selectively attenuates smooth muscle cell growth in vitro and reduces neointimal formation after balloon angioplasty in swine.

BACKGROUND: Signaling through protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) is a major contributor to the transmission of mitogenic stimuli to the interior of the cell and nucleus. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the tyrphostin AG1295, a selective blocker of PDGF-receptor PTK, on the growth of porcine and human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in culture, on the outgrowth kinetics of SMCs from porcine and human arterial explants, and on neointimal formation after balloon injury in pigs. METHODS AND RESULTS: SMCs for culture were obtained from porcine abdominal aortas, human internal mammary arteries, and endarterectomy tissue from a single human carotid artery. Addition of AG1295 to SMCs before PDGF stimulation completely inhibited PDGF-beta-receptor tyrosine phosphorylation without affecting the level of PDGF-beta-receptor. AG1295 resulted in a selective, reversible inhibition of SMC proliferation in culture (76%) with only mild (13.5%) inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. The number of SMCs accumulating around explants of porcine carotid arteries and human endarterectomy specimens 12, 15, 19, 22, and 24 days after plating was reduced by 82% to 92% in AG1295-treated compared with nontreated specimens, and initiation of SMC outgrowth was markedly delayed. The numbers of cells accumulated 10 days after initiation of outgrowth were significantly lower in treated versus control explants. Local intravascular delivery of AG1295-impregnated polylactic acid-based nanoparticles (130+/-25 nm) to the site of balloon injury to porcine femoral arteries resulted in significant reductions in intima/media area ratio and luminal cross-sectional area narrowing by neointima compared with contralateral control arteries to which empty nanoparticles were applied (0.15+/-0.07 versus 0.09+/-0.03, P=.046 and 20+/-4% versus 10+/-4%, P=.0009, n=6 for both). CONCLUSIONS: The tyrphostin AG1295, a selective blocker of PDGF-receptor kinase, exerts a marked inhibitory effect on the activation, migration, and proliferation of porcine and human SMCs in vitro and an approximately 50% inhibitory effect on neointimal formation after balloon injury in porcine femoral arteries when delivered via biodegradable nanoparticles. Further studies appear to be warranted to evaluate the applicability of this novel approach to the interventional setting.

Preparation and evaluation of chitosan microspheres containing bisphosphonates.

Local implantation or injection of microspheres containing bisphosphonates for site-specific therapy may aid in treating several pathological conditions associated with bone destruction. Chitosan microspheres containing two antiresorption and anticalcification agents, pamidronate and suberoylbisphosphonate (SuBP), were prepared from a w/o emulsion. Various formulation variables were studied for their effect on the release rate profile of these bone-seeking agents. Polymer coating of micromatrices yielded microspheres with the most retarded release rate, and the drug delivery system was found biocompatible in endothelial cell culture. The microspheres were examined in vitro and in vivo for release kinetics and drug disposition. The release of bisphosphonate from the microspheres was faster in vitro than in vivo. Drug disposition following implantation of microspheres in the tibialis muscle resulted in a relatively increased disposition in the adjacent tibia while injection of drug solution in the tibialis muscle resulted in uniform disposition of the drug in the femorae and tibiae. Bisphosphonate released from chitosan microspheres effectively inhibited bioprosthetic tissue calcification in the rat subdermal model.

Calcium-ATPase and insulin in adolescent offspring of essential hypertensive parents.

A number of abnormalities in calcium homeostasis have been reported in patients with essential hypertension. IN turn, insulin has been shown to influence the activity of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. We have previously shown that normotensive offspring of essential hypertensive individuals have an exaggerated insulin response to a glucose overload. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate basal and calmodulin-activated Ca(2+)-ATPase in red blood cells and its relationship to the insulin response during an intravenous glucose tolerance test in 27 normotensive adolescents with a family history of essential hypertension (F+) (mean age, 13.9 +/- 0.5 years) and in 10 control subjects matched for age and body mass index with no family history of hypertension (F-). The results (mean +/- SD) were as follows (mumol Pi/[mg protein/h]10(-1)): basal Ca(2+)-ATPase, 4.5 +/- 1.2 in F+ and 5.1 +/- 1.6 in F- (P = NS); calmodulin-activated Ca(2+)-ATPase, 13.6 +/- 3.9 in F+ and 16.2 +/- 1.7 in F- (P < .04). The insulin area under the curve after the glucose load was 3413 +/- 1674 microU/mL per hour in F+ and 2752 +/- 928 in F- (P = NS). Calmodulin-activated Ca(2+)-ATPase showed a negative correlation with the insulin area under the curve (r = -.59, P < .005) and cholesterol levels (r = -.38, P < .03). Urinary calcium excretion was 1.82 +/- 0.9 mmol/d in F+ and 2.47 +/- 0.9 mmol/d in F- (P = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Insulin effect on renal sodium reabsorption in adolescent offspring of essential hypertensive parents.

We previously showed that children and adolescent offspring of patients with essential hypertension have an increased proximal renal sodium reabsorption as measured by lithium fractional excretion. Insulin has been shown to have antinatriuretic properties and to be increased (hyperinsulinemia) in essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of insulin on the increased proximal renal sodium reabsorption previously reported. Lithium and sodium fractional excretions were measured 3 hours before and 3 hours after an intravenous glucose tolerance test in 20 normotensive adolescents with a family history of essential hypertension (F+, 14.8 +/- 0.5 years) and 10 normotensive control subjects without a family history of hypertension (F-, 15.2 +/- 0.9 years). Results are mean +/- SEM. Lithium fractional excretion before glucose loading was 16.1 +/- 1.8% in F+ versus 23.5 +/- 2.0% in F- (P < .02) and after glucose loading was 14.7 +/- 1.3% in F+ versus 20.9 +/- 1.7% in F- (P = NS). Lithium fractional excretion did not change after intravenous glucose loading in either group. The insulin area under the curve was 2815 +/- 499 in F+ versus 2290 +/- 418 microU/mL per hour in F- (P = NS). There was no correlation between lithium fractional excretion and insulin area under the curve. Fractional excretion of sodium before glucose loading was 0.99 +/- 0.1% in F+ versus 0.99 +/- 0.1% in F- (P = NS) and after glucose loading was 0.77 +/- 0.1 in F+ versus 0.85 + 0.1% in F- (P < .01 versus values before loading in both groups).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hiponatremia en unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos / Hyponatremia in pediatric intensive care unit

Se buscó analizar la incidencia de las hiponatremias en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutiérrez" en el período comprendido entre junio y setiembre de 1991. Las hiponatremias (valor del sodio igual o menor a 130 meq/litro) se presentaron en 13 pacientes (20 por ciento) de los 64 ingresos en dicho período. Se dividió a los pacientes en dos grupos: hiponatremia aguda (cuando el ritmo de descenso fue mayor de 0,5 mmol/l/hora) y crónica (cuando fue menor de dicho valor). En base a este factor fundamental y a la fisiopatología productora y perpetuadora de la hiponatremia se decidió su tratamiento

Hiponatremia en unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos / Hyponatremia in pediatric intensive care unit

Se buscó analizar la incidencia de las hiponatremias en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutiérrez" en el período comprendido entre junio y setiembre de 1991. Las hiponatremias (valor del sodio igual o menor a 130 meq/litro) se presentaron en 13 pacientes (20 por ciento) de los 64 ingresos en dicho período. Se dividió a los pacientes en dos grupos: hiponatremia aguda (cuando el ritmo de descenso fue mayor de 0,5 mmol/l/hora) y crónica (cuando fue menor de dicho valor). En base a este factor fundamental y a la fisiopatología productora y perpetuadora de la hiponatremia se decidió su tratamiento (AU)

[Comminuted intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus]. / Oskol'chatye vnutrisustavnye perelomy piatochnoi kosti.

The article analyzes 31 operations of arthrodesis of the talocalcaneonavicular joint performed at early terms after trauma in patients with comminuted intraarticular fractures of the heel bone. Long-term results of the treatment were followed-up during 6 months-6 years. It was shown that early arthrodesis of the talocalcaneonavicular joint made the terms of invalidism shorter and reduced considerably the percentage of invalidism in patients with severe intraarticular fractures of the heel bone.