Phenylboronic Acid-Modified Gold Nanoclusters as a Nanoantibiotic to Treat Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis-Caused Infections.

Vancomycin is one of the last lines of defense against certain drug-resistant bacteria-caused infections. However, the high susceptibility to drug resistance and high toxicity seriously limit the application of vancomycin. Nanoantibiotics provide opportunities to solve these problems. Herein, we present mercaptophenylboronic acid (MBA)-modified gold nanoclusters with well-defined molecular formulas and structure (Au44(MBA)18) and excellent antibacterial activities against various drug-resistant bacteria such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE). Au44(MBA)18 interacts with bacteria by first attaching to teichoic-acid and destroying the cell wall and subsequently binding to the bacterial DNA. Au44(MBA)18 could be administered via multiple routes and has a high biosafety (500 mg/kg, no ototoxicity), overcoming the two major shortcomings of vancomycin (sole administration route and high ototoxicity). Our study is insightful for curing infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria using nanoantibiotics with high biosafety.

Pharmacokinetic study of single and multiple oral administration of glutamine in healthy Beagles.

Glutamine is an amino acid that is mainly used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in clinic, but there is a lack of such medicine in veterinary clinic, and its research in dogs has never been seen. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of single and multiple administration of glutamine (Gln) tablets in Beagles. Twenty-four healthy Beagles were randomly selected for the pharmacokinetic study of a single dose of low (120 mg/kg), medium (240 mg/kg), and high (360 mg/kg) Gln tablets. After 7 days of washout period, six Beagles in the medium group were selected for a multiple-dose pharmacokinetic study, 240 mg/kg twice a day for 7 days. The Gln concentration in plasma was determined by a validated UPLC-MS/MS method. The results of single oral administration of different doses of Gln tablets showed that Cmax, AUC0→t, AUC0→∝ had a certain linear relationship with the dosage. T-tests were performed for single and multiple administration of Tmax, Cmax, t1/2λz, AUC0→t, and AUC0→∝, and the results showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Therefore, Gln tablets were absorbed quickly by oral administration, and there was no accumulation in Beagles after 7 days of administration.

Comparison of the Therapeutic Effects of [211At]NaAt and [131I]NaI in an NIS-Expressing Thyroid Cancer Mouse Model.

Astatine (211At) is an alpha-emitter with a better treatment efficacy against differentiated thyroid cancer compared with iodine (131I), a conventional beta-emitter. However, its therapeutic comparison has not been fully evaluated. In this study, we compared the therapeutic effect between [211At]NaAt and [131I]NaI. In vitro analysis of a double-stranded DNA break (DSB) and colony formation assay were performed using K1-NIS cells. The therapeutic effect was compared using K1-NIS xenograft mice administered with [211At]NaAt (0.4 MBq (n = 7), 0.8 MBq (n = 9), and 1.2 MBq (n = 4)), and [131I]NaI (1 MBq (n = 4), 3 MBq (n = 4), and 8 MBq (n = 4)). The [211At]NaAt induced higher numbers of DSBs and had a more reduced colony formation than [131I]NaI. In K1-NIS mice, dose-dependent therapeutic effects were observed in both [211At]NaAt and [131I]NaI. In [211At]NaAt, a stronger tumour-growth suppression was observed, while tumour regrowth was not observed until 18, 25, and 46 days after injection of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 MBq of [211At]NaAt, respectively. While in [131I]NaI, this was observed within 12 days after injection (1, 3, and 8 MBq). The superior therapeutic effect of [211At]NaAt suggests the promising clinical applicability of targeted alpha therapy using [211At]NaAt in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer refractory to standard [131I]NaI treatment.

Bacteria-Mediated Synergistic Cancer Therapy: Small Microbiome Has a Big Hope.

The use of bacteria to specifically migrate to cancerous tissue and elicit an antitumor immune response provides a promising platform against cancer with significantly high potency. With dozens of clinical trials underway, some researchers hold the following views: "humans are nearing the first commercial live bacteria therapeutic." However, the facultative anaerobe Salmonella typhimurium VNP20009, which is particularly safe and shows anticancer effects in preclinical studies, had failed in a phase I clinical trial due to low tumor regression and undesired dose-dependent side effects. This is almost certain to disappoint people's inflated expectations, but it is noted that recent state-of-the-art research has turned attention to bacteria-mediated synergistic cancer therapy (BMSCT). In this review, the foundation of bacteria-mediated bio-therapy is outlined. Then, we summarize the potential benefits and challenges of bacterial bio-therapy in combination with different traditional anticancer therapeutic modalities (chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species therapy, immunotherapy, or prodrug-activating therapy) in the past 5 years. Next, we discuss multiple administration routes of BMSCT, highlighting potentiated antitumor responses and avoidance of potential side effects. Finally, we envision the opportunities and challenges for BMSCT development, with the purpose of inspiring medicinal scientists to widely utilize the microbiome approach in patient populations.

Assessment of pharmacokinetic variations of capecitabine after multiple administration in rats: a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model.

PURPOSE: Capecitabine is a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) used for the treatment of colorectal cancer, with a two-week course of administration. However, the variance in plasma concentration and metabolic enzyme activities after multiple administration of capecitabine and its metabolites is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the variance and predict the plasma concentration profile of capecitabine and its metabolites, using metabolic enzyme activities, to develop a more effective and safer medication. METHODS: Rats orally received 180 mg/kg of capecitabine once a day for two weeks. Blood samples were collected nine times, and plasma concentration was measured on day 1, 7, and 14. The liver and small intestine were removed after blood sampling and were used in vitro to evaluate metabolic enzyme activities of carboxylesterase, cytidine deaminase, and thymidine phosphorylase. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed using in vitro results. RESULTS: Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity of 5-FU on day 7 and day 14 was significantly lower than that on day 1. Intrinsic clearance of thymidine phosphorylase in the liver on day 7 and day 14 was 1.4 and 1.3 times lower than that on day 1, respectively. The PBPK model described the observed plasma concentration of capecitabine and its metabolites. CONCLUSION: The decreased plasma concentration of capecitabine was caused by decreased metabolic enzyme activity. Efficacy can be improved by dose adjustment of capecitabine based on metabolic enzyme activities, using the PBPK model.

Effects of Berberine Hydrochloride on the Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus in Rats / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of berberine hydrochloride on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in rats after single or multiple administration， and to provide reference for clinical combination therapy. METHODS： 30 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups， with 6 rats in each group： group one was treated with single administration of tacrolimus； group two was treated with tacrolimus intragastrically， twice a day， for consecutive 1 week； group three was treated with single administration of berberine hydrochloride， 5 min later given single administration of tacrolimus； group four was treated with tacrolimus intragastrically， twice a day， for consecutive 1 week， and then given tacrolimus intragastrically once 5 min after intragastric administration of berberine hydrochloride on the 8th day； group five was treated with berberine hydrochloride intragastrically， twice a day， and given tacrolimus intragastrically every 5 min， for consecutive 8 d. The doses of berberine hydrochloride and tacrolimus were 200 mg/kg and 0.945 mg/kg. The blood samples 0.3 mL were collected from posterior orbital venous plexus of rats 0， 5， 15， 30 min and 1， 2， 3， 4， 6， 8， 12 h after last intragastric administration of tacrolimus. The concentration of tacrolimus in rat whole blood was determined by LC-MS/MS. DAS 2.0 software was used for pharmacokinetic study. RESULTS： Compared with group one， the pharmacokinetic parameters AUC0-12 h， AUC0-∞ and MRT0-12 h of tacrolimus in rats were decreased significantly in group three （P＜0.05），while there was no statistical significance in all pharmacokinetic parameters of tacrolimus in group four （P＞0.05）. Compared with group two， AUC0-12 h of tacrolimus was decreased significantly while CLz was increased significantly in group four （P＜0.05）； there was no statistical significance in all pharmacokinetic parameters of tacrolimus in group five （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： Single and multiple intragastric administration of berberine hydrochloride has a certain effect on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in rats， it shows that there is a downward trend in blood drug concentration and needs to be used with caution.

Corneal pharmacokinetics of the 2% diacerein eye drops between multiple administration and single administration / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

·AIM: To compare the pharmacokinetic differences of the 2% diacerein eye drops between conjunctival sac multiple administration and single administration in the cornea, and to provide the experimental basis for clinicians to use the conjunctival sac multiple administration. · METHODS: Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into the multiple administration group and the single administration group. The multiple administration group were given diacerein eye drop every 2min(3 times in total). The concentrations of the metabolites of diacerein in the cornea were measured by high performance liquid chromatography after given eye drop 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180min. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by pharmacokinetic software (DAS2.1.1). ·RESULTS: The metabolites of diacerein, rhein, was detected in the cornea at each time point. The concentration of the metabolite of diacerein in the cornea was 318.678±40.88,210.02±25.66,188.83±31.74,112.24± 11.70,90.28±22.01 and 57.67±13.71μ g/g after given eye drop 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180min in the multiple administration group. The concentration in the single administration group was 145.17 ± 19.29, 97.95 ± 10.49, 71.18±18.70,39.11±2.44,18.10±2.34 and 9.08±2.04μ g/g respectively. The concentration of rhein in the cornea was the highest at 5min after the administration in the two groups. The concentration of the multiple administration group was higher than that in the single administration group at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180min (P<0.01). The half-life of the drug was 0.89 ± 0.31h in the single administration group. · CONCLUSION: Compared with the single administration, the conjunctival sac multiple administration has the advantages of high drug concentration and long duration. Therefor the conjunctival sac multiple administration is a more effective method to treat acute infectious corneal diseases.

"Experimental study on ""dose-time-toxicity"" relationship of hepatotoxicity in mice with multiple administration of cold medicine containing acetaminophen and Chaiqin Qingning Capsules" / 药物评价研究

Objective To study the dose-time-toxicity relationship of hepatotoxicity in mice with multiple administration of Paracetamol Tablets (PT),Compound Paracetamol and Amantadine Hydrochloride Tablets (CPAH),Compound Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Tablets (CDH),and Chaiqin Qingning capsules (CQC).Methods Mice were randomly divided into control,PT,CPAH,CDH,and CQC high,medium,and low dose groups.The acetaminophen contents of high,medium,and low doses were 266.24,425.98,and 681.57 mg/kg in PT,CPAH,and CDH groups,and the doses of CQC group were 1437.70,2300.31,and 3 680.50 mg/kg,ig administration,once daily for 5 d.General state and toxicity of mice were observed.The changes of ALT,AST,AKP,TBIL,and ALB levels in serum and organ indexes of liver,spleen,thymus,and kidney were tested on day 1,3,7,11,and 14 after multiple administration.Results CQC with the dosage range of 1 437.70-3 680.50 mg/kg to mice within 14 d,has not yet induced the increase of AST,ALT,AKP,TBIL,and ALB levels and changes of organ indexes of liver,thymus spleen,and kidney compared with normal control (P ＞ 0.05).PT,CPAH,and CDH with repeated dose of 425.98-681.57 mg/kg could induce significant increase of the levels ofALT,AST,AKP,and TBIL which reached the peak on day 1 (P ＜ 0.05),and then gradually decreased on day 3-14.The level of ALB significant decreased on day 1-11 (P ＜ 0.05),and then gradually recovered on day 11-14.The liver index significant increased on day 1-3 (P ＜ 0.05),and recovered on day 7-14.Conclusion Multiple administration of CQC could not induce liver injury in mice within 14 d,while multiple administration ofPT,CPAH,and CDH could induce hepatotocixity in mice with a certain dose,and show an obvious dose-time-toxicity relationship.

Study on the Pharmacokinetics of Recombinant Hirudin Enteric-coated Capsule by Single and Multiple Ad-ministration in Beagle Dogs / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Recombinant hirudin enteric-coated capsule by single and multiple administration in Beagle dogs. METHODS:12 Beagle dogs were divided into single ig group and single iv group by random control method,6 in each group. Recombinant hirudin 0.2 mg/kg was intragastrically administrated or intravenously inject-ed,blood sample was collected;after 2 weeks of cleaning,12 dogs were intragastrically administrated recombinant hirudin 0.2 mg/kg,for 7 d. Sample blood was collected,referred to multiple ig group. Recombinant hirudin concentration in plasma was deter-mined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0 software. RESULTS:The results showed that pharmacokinetics by ig and iv recombinant hirudin in Beagle dogs fitted to two-compartment model,abso-lute bioavailability of ig Recombinant hirudin enteric-coated capsule was(14.908±1.868)%;the pharmacokinetic parameters in sin-gle ig group and multiple ig group were tpeak of(2.105±0.243),(3.000±0.000)h,t1/2β of(8.660±2.965),(14.870±2.710)h, cmax of(10.700±0.872),(12.05±1.587)ng/mL,AUC0-1440 min of(55.250±4.386),(58.978±6.002)ng·h/mL,without statistical significances in two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The ig Recombinant hirudin enteric-coated capsule can be absorbed into the blood to a certain extent. There is no accumulation for ig Recombinant hirudin enteric-coated capsule for several days,and it dose not change the pharmacokinetic characteristics.

Safety and immunogenicity of different doses and schedules of a live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine (TDV) in healthy adults: A Phase 1b randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: A safe, effective dengue vaccine that can simultaneously induce immunity to all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1-4) is a public health priority. A chimeric tetravalent dengue vaccine (TDV) based on an attenuated DENV-2 serotype backbone was evaluated in healthy, flavivirus-seronegative adults. METHODS: In this randomized, multicenter, Phase 1b study conducted in the United States, the safety and immunogenicity of TDV were evaluated in 140 participants aged 18-45 years in six dosing regimen study groups. Participants were injected subcutaneously on Days 0 and 90; placebo (saline) was injected where appropriate to maintain double blinding. Three different TDV dosages (TDV, a vaccine in which TDV-4 had been increased three-fold, and a one-tenth TDV dose), and single or double dosing were evaluated in one and/or both arms. Primary endpoints were solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs) and seroconversion rates to DENV-1-4 at Day 120. RESULTS: The severity of all AEs was generally mild. The most common unsolicited AEs were headache (52%), fatigue (43%) and myalgia (29%). The incidence of injection site pain ranged from 29 to 64% and 5 to 52% among study groups after the first and second doses, respectively. At Day 120, the ranges of seroconversion rates among the groups were DEN-1: 84-100%; DEN-2: 96-100%; DEN-3: 83-100%; and DEN-4: 33-77%. More than 80% of participants in each group seroconverted to at least three dengue serotypes. Substantial GMT increases from baseline were observed for DEN-1-3 at all time points from Day 30 onward; DEN-4 GMT increases were lower. Increasing TDV-4 slightly increased DEN-4 GMT, did not impact DEN-2 and DEN-3 GMT, but reduced DEN-1 GMT. Neither multiple dosing in both arms, nor one-tenth TDV dosing meaningfully impacted GMT increases relative to TDV. CONCLUSIONS: All TDV doses and dosing schedules were well tolerated and immunogenic in healthy flavivirus-naive adults (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01511250).