Richard Vistelle

Comparative pharmacokinetics of two diastereoisomers dexamethasone and betamethasone in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in rabbits

Summary— The two diastereoisomers dexamethasone (DXM) and betamethasone (BTM) were infused at two different doses (2, 10 mg·kg−1) in anesthetized rabbits. Samples of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were collected over a 180‐min period. Steroid concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The terminal half life (85.7 ± 20.8 min and 102.2 ± 29.6 min for DXM; 117.6 ± 19.8 min and 118.5 ± 15.8 min for BTM) and the mean residence time (121.4 ± 27.7 min and 146.1 ± 41.3 min for DXM; 168.6 ± 28.1 min and 172.2 ± 20.6 min for BTM) were unchanged between the doses. Dose‐dependent changes in the area under the curve normalized by the dose, then volume distribution and clearance were observed. The average percentage of DXM and BTM bound to plasma proteins were 78.1 ± 11.5% and 88.3 ± 5.1% respectively at the lower dose, and decreased significantly with 10 mg·kg−1. DXM appeared more rapidly in the CSF, the highest concentrations of DXM were obtained within 15 min after the end of the injection. The CSF levels were lower than that of plasma unbound and the passage through the blood‐brain barrier was saturable. These results will complicate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis.

Pharmacokinetics of methotrexate in the extracellular fluid of brain C6-glioma after intravenous infusion in rats.

AbstractPurpose. Establishment of the pharmacokinetic profile of methotrexate (MTX) in the extracellular fluid (ECF) of a brain C6-glioma in rats. Methods. Serial collection of plasma samples and ECF dialysates after i.v. infusion of MTX (50 or 100 mg/kg) for 4 h. HPLC assay. Results. Histological studies revealed the presence of inflammation, edema, necrosis, and hemorrhage in most animals. In vivo recovery (reverse dialysis) was 10.8 ± 5.3%. MTX concentrations in tumor ECF represented about 1−2% of the plasma concentrations. Rapid equilibration between MTX levels in brain tumor ECF and plasma. ECF concentrations almost reached steady-state by the end of the infusion (4 h), then decayed in parallel with those in plasma. Doubling of the dose did not modify MTX pharmacokinetic parameters (t1/2α, t1/2β, MRT, fb, Vd, and CLT), except for a 1.7-fold increase of AUCPlasma and a 3.8-fold increase in AUCECF which resulted in a 2.3-fold increase in penetration (AUCECF/AUCPlasma). In spite of an important interindividual variability, a relationship between MTX concentrations in plasma and tumor ECF could be established from mean pharmacokinetic parameters. Conclusions. High plasma concentrations promote the penetration of MTX into brain tissue. However, free MTX concentrations in tumor ECF remain difficult to predict consistently.

Influence of schedule of administration on methotrexate penetration in brain tumours

The influence of the administration schedule (intravenous (i.v.) bolus versus i.v. infusion) on the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate (MTX) in plasma and extracellular fluid (ECF) of a brain C6-glioma was investigated in rats. MTX concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ultraviolet radiation (UV). MTX (50 mg/kg) was administered by i.v. bolus or i.v. infusion (4 h). Concentration-time profiles were fitted to a two-compartment open model. Maximum MTX concentrations ranged between 178 and 294 microgram/ml (i.v. bolus), and between 11 and 24 microgram/ml (i.v. infusion) in plasma. MTX rapidly entered the tumour tissue although its concentrations in the ECF were much lower than those observed in plasma for both modes of administration. In spite of an important interindividual variability, AUC(ECF) was approximately 5-fold higher and mean MTX penetration in tumour ECF (AUC(ECF)/AUC(Plasma)) was approximately 3-fold higher after i.v. bolus than after i.v. infusion administration. These results indicate that i.v. bolus administration schedules promote MTX delivery in brain tumour tissue.

Determination of Free Extracellular Levels of Methotrexate by Microdialysis in Muscle and Solid Tumor of the Rabbit

AbstractPurpose. To determine of the pharmacokinetic profile of methotrexate (MTX) in blood and extracellular fluid (ECF) of VX2 tumor and muscle in rabbits. Methods. Microdialysis probes were inserted into VX2 tumor and in muscle tissue. Following intravenous administration of MTX (30 mg/ kg), serial collection of arterial blood samples and dialysates of muscle and tumor ECF for 4 h was carried out. Quantitation of MTX and determination of free plasma concentrations was performed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay and ultrafiltration, respectively. Correlations were established between the unbound plasma and ECF MTX concentrations. Results. Total and free plasma concentrations exhibited a parallel three exponential decay in both healthy and tumorigenic animals. Total clearance (8.9 vs 6.5 ml−1.min−1.kg−1) and volume of distribution (4.0 vs 2.9 1.kg−1), however, tended to decrease in the tumor-bearing group. The ECF/plasma AUC ratio equaled 14.2 ± 8.8% in muscle and 23.9 ± 15.9% in tumor. The concentration-time profile of muscle ECF MTX was parallel and highly correlated (r = 0.97) to that determined in plasma. In contrast, free MTX plasma levels were not correlated with tumor ECF concentrations (r = 0.564). Conclusions. In addition to the well-known pharmacological variability in the concentration-effect relationship, the important inter-individual variability in tumor exposure to MTX may partly explain that studies in patients with solid tumors have often failed to demonstrate firm correlations between MTX blood pharmacokinetics and the chemotherapeutic response.

Gas chromatographic determination of meprobamate in human plasma

A simplified and rapid gas chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of meprobamate in human plasma. The procedure includes a single-step extraction of alkalinized sample with chloroform, and chromatography on a non-polar fused-silica capillary column with flame ionization detection. The method is accurate (97.7 +/- 5.7% at 20 mg/l) and precise (maximum coefficient of variation of 9.5%). It provides an alternative to existing methods and is particularly suitable for toxicological studies.

Influence of C6 and CNS1 brain tumors on methotrexate pharmacokinetics in plasma and brain tissue

AbstractPurpose: Comparison of the influence of two different brain tumors (C6 and CNS1 glioma) on methotrexate (MTX) disposition in plasma, brain, and tumor tissue extracellular fluid (ECF). Methods: Serial collection of plasma samples and brain ECF dialysates after i.v. bolus administration of MTX (50 mg kg-1) for 4 h. Quantitation of MTX concentrations by HPLC-UV. Results: Histological studies revealed a 3-fold higher number of blood vessels in CNS1 than in C6 tumor tissue. In vivo recoveries (reverse dialysis) were significantly different in tumor tissue (C6: 8.0 ± 3.8%; CNS1: 4.9 ± 2.5%), and in the contralateral hemisphere (C6: 6.0 ± 4.0%; CNS1: 3.9 ± 2.5%) between the two tumors. Area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) in plasma was 30% higher in CNS1 than in C6 due to a lower systemic clearance. Maximum MTX levels in brain tumor ECF were significantly higher in CNS1 than in C6, and decreased faster in CNS1 than in C6 tumor-bearing rats. Penetration in tumor ECF (AUCECF/AUCPlasma ratio) was similar in CNS1 and C6. MTX concentrations in contralateral hemisphere were significantly lower than in tumor tissue and dependent on tumor model. Conclusion: C6 and CNS1 brain tumors have a distinct yet highly variable impact on MTX penetration in brain and brain tumor ECF.

Distribution of Gacyclidine Enantiomers in Spinal Cord Extracellular Fluid

AbstractPurpose. Determination of the pharmacokinetics of gacyclidineenantiomers, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, in plasma and spinal cordextracellular fluid (ECF) of rats. Methods. Implantation of microdialysis probes in spinal cord (T9).Serial collection of plasma samples and ECF dialysates over 5 hoursafter IV bolus administration of (±)-gacyclidine (2.5 mg/kg). Plasmaprotein binding determined in vivo by equilibrium dialysis. ChiralGC/MS assay. Results. Plasma concentrations of (+)-gacyclidine were ∼25% higherthan those of (−)-gacyclidine over the duration of the experiment inall animals. Plasma concentrations decayed in parallel in a biphasicmanner (t1/2α ∼9 min; t1/2β ∼90 min) with no significant differencebetween enantiomers. Clearance and volume of distribution of(−)-gacyclidine were approximately 20% higher than those of its opticalantipode (CL: 248 vs 197 ml.kg−1.min−1;Vdβ: 31.6 vs 23.5 l/kg).Protein binding (∼90%) was not stereoselective. Both gacyclidineenantiomers were quantifiable in spinal cord ECF 10 min after drugadministration and remained stable over the duration of the experimentin spite of changing blood concentrations. Penetration of(−)-gacyclidine was significantly higher (∼40%) than that of (+)-gacyclidine inall animals. Yet, exposure of spinal cord ECF was similar for bothenantiomers, and not correlated with plasma AUCs. Conclusions. The disposition of gacyclidine enantiomers isstereoselective. Both enantiomers exhibit a high affinity for spinal cord tissueand their distribution may involve a stereoselective and active transportsystem. This hypothesis could also explain the discrepancy betweendrug concentrations in plasma and spinal cord ECF.

Distribution of gacyclidine enantiomers after experimental spinal cord injury in rats: possible involvement of an active transport system.

The pharmacokinetics of gacyclidine enantiomers, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, were studied in plasma and spinal cord extracellular fluid (ECF) after experimental spinal cord injury in rats. Spinal cord trauma was produced by introducing an inflatable balloon in the dorsal subdural space. Upon implantation of microdialysis probes in spinal cord (T9) and intravenous (iv) bolus administration of (+/-)-gacyclidine (2.5 mg/kg), concentrations in plasma and ECF were monitored over 5 h and analyzed by a stereospecific gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assay. In plasma, concentrations of (+)-gacyclidine were approximately 25% higher than those of (-)-gacyclidine over the duration of the experiment and decayed in parallel (t(1/2 alpha) approximately 7 min; t(1/2 beta) approximately 90 min) with no significant difference between the two enantiomers. Clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (Vd) of (-)-gacyclidine were approximately 20% higher than those of its optical antipode (CL: 285 versus 236 mL. kg(-1). min(-1); Vd(beta): 39.3 versus 31.2 l/kg). Protein binding (approximately 91%) was not stereoselective. In spinal cord ECF, both enantiomers were quantifiable within 10 min after drug administration, and their concentration remained stable over the duration of the experiment in spite of changing blood concentrations. Repeated iv bolus injections of gacyclidine did not modify these profiles. Areas under the curves (AUCs) of concentration in ECF versus time were similar for both enantiomers and not correlated with AUCs in plasma. Penetration of (-)-gacyclidine was, however, significantly higher (approximately 30%) than that of (+)-gacyclidine. In summary, the disposition of gacyclidine enantiomers is stereoselective. Both enantiomers exhibit a high affinity for spinal cord tissue, and the drug exchange between plasma and spinal cord ECF involves an active transport system. These findings contribute to the explanation of the discrepancy between drug concentrations in plasma and spinal cord ECF.

Arterio-Venous Ethanol Levels in Blood and Plasma After Intravenous Injection in Rabbits

Arterio-venous ethanol concentrations in both whole blood and plasma were determined as a function of time in the rabbit. Following i.v. injection of 1.0 g/kg, both arterial and venous ethanol concentrations showed an abrupt decline occurring immediately after the end of the administration, followed by a pseudolinear phase that persisted for the length of the experiment. This work substantiates the arterio-venous ethanol concentration differences reported in the literature. It illustrates that equal arterial and venous ethanol concentrations may not be achieved readily after rapid i.v. injection. Moreover, it demonstrates a faster decay of ethanol concentrations in arterial than in venous plasma.

Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of coumarin in plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of coumarin in plasma at low concentrations. The method involves a single-step extraction of the alkalinized sample with hexane and subsequent evaporation of the organic phase in the presence of hydrochloric acid to collect and concentrate the coumarin. Analysis of the acidic phase was performed on a C8 column and coumarin was detected by measuring the UV absorbance at 275 nm. The limit of detection was 0.3 microgram l-1. The assay was used to study the evolution of concentrations of coumarin in one volunteer after oral administration of a single 10-mg dose.