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Porcine skin (PS) gelatin suppressed proliferation of a murine hepatic cell carcinoma cell line, MH134, a murine fibrosarcoma cell line, Meth A and a murine T cell lymphoma cell line, RL Male 1. The magnitude of suppression of the proliferation by cold water fish skin (CWFS) or bovine bone (BB) gelatin was lower than that by PS gelatin. On the other hand, BB gelatin stimulated proliferation of murine spleen cells. The magnitude of stimulation of the proliferation by CWFS gelatin was lower than that by BB gelatin. PS gelatin slightly suppressed proliferation of murine spleen cells. PS gelatin induced apoptosis but not necrosis of MH134 tumor cells. CWFS gelatin induced weaker apoptosis of the cells than PS gelatin. DNA histogram indicated that PS and CWFS gelatins acted on MH134 tumor cells to increase ratios of G2 + M-phase.

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We reported previously that gelatin stimulates the growth of spleen cells in vitro. Tritium thymidine (3H-TdR) uptake into phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated spleen cells as well as intact spleen cells was augmented by gelatin. These findings suggest that gelatin serves as a mitogen for lymphoid cells. In this study, the target of action of gelatin was investigated. Tritium thymidine uptake into T cell-rich fraction was enhanced by incubation with 7.5 mg/ml of gelatin for 48 hours. The level of 3H-TdR uptake into B cell-rich fraction was not definitely increased by gelatin. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed these findings. Namely, it showed that treatment of spleen cells with 7.5 mg/ml gelatin increased a ratio of CD3-positive cells and decreased that of CD19-positive cells. Tritium thymidine uptake into natural killer cell-rich fraction was augmented by gelatin in a similar fashion to T cell-rich fraction. Tritium thymidine uptake into macrophages was very low and not affected by gelatin. Tritium thymidine uptake into macrophage-precursors was very low but was enhanced by gelatin. These findings suggest that gelatin could be used as an agent of cancer biotherapy.

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The current study was designed to evaluate the properties of thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TMs), a new drug carrier proposed by the authors, in an electromagnetic field pertaining to their selective heating and drug release under an in vivo condition. TMs containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were prepared by reverse-phase evaporation, injected into the tumor mass of B 16-BL6 melanoma in mice, and selectively heated by a 500-kHz electromagnetic field. The release profile of 5-FU from TMs was examined by using a microdialysis technique. The temperature of TMs in the tumor was effectively elevated to 42 degrees C and maintained at this temperature, overcoming the "cooling effect" of blood flow and surrounding tissues. The release kinetics of 5-FU from TMs was successfully analyzed by physiological modeling, which allows the prediction of intratumor drug concentrations during electromagnetic field exposure under various conditions. In conclusion, this study first demonstrated an in vivo evidence for the electromagnetic field-induced thermosensitive release of a drug from TMs in a tumor with the use of microdialysis.

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This study was designed to assess a local drug delivery system of an anticancer agent, doxorubicin (DOX), using fibrin glue (Beriplast P) as a drug carrier. In vitro release of DOX from the fibrin glue was examined by a dialysis method in the presence and absence of sodium alginate. The in vitro mean dissolution times of DOX with solution, fibrin glue, and fibrin glue containing sodium alginate were 3.7 h, 8.7 h, and 81 h, respectively, indicating a sustained release of DOX from fibrin glue, especially in the presence of sodium alginate. Fibrin glue containing 6 mg of DOX and 2.5 mg of sodium alginate was applied on the surface of an AH60C tumor at the back of rats. DOX concentrations in the tumor extracellular fluid were monitored by a microdialysis method. Local application of DOX using fibrin glue containing sodium alginate to the tumor resulted in extremely higher concentrations in the tumor extracellular fluid than those in plasma (AUC ratio > 800), indicating an advantage of the site-specific delivery of DOX using fibrin glue with sodium alginate. The tumor volumes were inversely correlated with tumor extracellular fluid-to-plasma AUC ratios (r = 0.882), suggesting the relevance of tumor size in the drug efflux from tumor to blood. In conclusion, the site-specific delivery of DOX using fibrin glue with sodium alginate to the tumor was demonstrated to be advantageous with regard to the extent and duration of drug concentrations in the tumor extracellular fluid, as assessed by a microdialysis technique.

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A suppository containing an ozagrel tablet was prepared using Witepsol H-15 as a base, and its rectal absorption was studied in male human volunteers. In comparison, a commercially available ozagrel tablet was administered orally to all the individuals in a cross-over design. After rectal dosing, ozagrel was absorbed rapidly at a Tmax of 0.75 h, and its elimination half-life was longer than after oral dosing. The extent of absorption of ozagrel after both administration routes was similar. However, the bioavailability of the rectal suppository is 92 +/- 37% (mean +/- S.D.; n = 6) relative to the oral tablet. The tablet-containing suppository is easy to prepare, with its content being accurate and reproducible. Thus, the present study suggests that the rectal administration of an ozagrel suppository is a practical and promising alternative to oral administration, especially for patients who cannot take tablets orally. This study demonstrated for the first time the possibility of an ozagrel suppository in human subjects.

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An injectable solution of Danshen was prepared and its in vivo disposition was examined in rabbits. The presence of Danshensu, one of the active components of Danshen, in the obtained solution was confirmed by a simple high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. The pharmacokinetics of Danshensu in rabbits was evaluated by the HPLC method for plasma Danshensu. The calibration curve for Danshensu was linear (r = 0.998) over the concentration range of 0.25-40.0 micrograms/ml. The intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were 3.8, 3.1, and 3.1% at 1, 10, and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively, and the inter-assay CVs were 5.3, 5.3, and 2.9% at 1, 10, and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively. The analytical recovery of Danshensu in plasma averaged 95.2%. From the plasma concentration profile of Danshensu after its intravenous administration, the t1/2, mean residence time (MRT), Vdss, and Cltot were determined as 32 min, 48 min, 149 ml/kg, and 3.13 ml/min/kg, respectively.

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This study describes the pharmacokinetic behaviours of taxol after intravenous administration of taxol-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres containing isopropyl myristate (namely, Taxol-IPM-PLGA-MS) and taxol saline solution to mice. Taxol-IPM-PLGA-MS were prepared using a solvent evaporation technique. The drug content and trapping efficiency of taxol in the microspheres were 5.09% (w/w) and 98%, respectively; the average diameter of the microspheres was 30.1 microns. Scanning electron microscopy showed that Taxol-IPM-PLGA-MS were spherical with a smooth surface. After administration of the drug saline solution (3 mg taxol/kg), taxol disappeared rapidly from plasma within 4-6 h and distributed extensively in various tissues. The tissue levels and AUCfinite of taxol in the lung were obviously higher than those in plasma but relatively lower than those in kidneys, bile, and liver. The biodistribution of taxol after administration of Taxol-IPM-PLGA-MS (3 mg taxol/kg), on the other hand, was altered significantly from the control (taxol solution) group. No taxol was detected in plasma or bile within 3 weeks, and only very low level of taxol was detected in the kidneys or liver within 48 h. However, taxol concentrations in the lung were increased significantly with the microsphere group; the peak concentration of taxol and AUCfinite in the lung was three times and 500 times higher than those with the taxol solution group, respectively. It was also noticed that the taxol levels in the lung were maintained at relatively high levels (> 10 micrograms/ml) for 3 weeks. Thus, the present study demonstrated the effective targeted delivery of taxol to the lung of mice using Taxol-IPM-PLGA-MS.

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This study describes an orthogonal experimental design to optimize the formulation of cisplatin (CDDP)-loaded chitosan microspheres (namely, CDDP-DAC-MS) which were produced by an emulsion-chemical cross-linking technique. Seven factors and three levels for each factor that might affect the formulation of microspheres were selected and arranged in an L27(3(13)) orthogonal experimental table. A desirability function (df) calculated according to the trapping efficiency of CDDP, the drug content (%, w/w), and the size distribution of each batch of microspheres was introduced as an index of the microsphere formulation. The overall desirability functions (DF) were produced and treated by a statistic analytical system to optimize the formulation. Moreover, the contour maps were produced to analyze the influence of the seven factors on the size distribution, the drug content, and the drug trapping efficiency. The established optimum procedure was reproducible. Scanning electron micrographs showed that CDDP-DAC-MS were spherical with a coarse surface. The average diameter, drug content, and drug trapping efficiency of CDDP-DAC-MS were 74.8 microns, 20.8% (w/w), and 77.5%, respectively. The in vitro release of cisplatin from chitosan microspheres in saline was retarded compared with that from saline solution; the release of CDDP from chitosan microspheres was suggested to be controlled by the dissolution and diffusion of the drug from the chitosan matrix.

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This study describes the preparation and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres containing a novel anticancer agent, taxol (namely, Taxol-PLGA-MS). A solvent evaporation technique was utilized to prepare Taxol-PLGA-MS. The trapping efficiency of taxol in the microspheres was greater than 90% and reproducible. The in vitro release rate of taxol from the microspheres was very low, and less than 15% of the initial amount of taxol was released in three weeks, irrespective of the drug loading level. When a chemical additive, isopropyl myristate (IPM), was introduced at the level of 30% (w/w), the release of taxol increased significantly; approximately 70% of the initial amount of taxol was released at a nearly constant rate for three weeks. Elevation of the loaded IPM level to 50% (w/w) produced a more rapid release of the drug. Scanning electron microscopy showed that Taxol-PLGA-MS were spherical with a smooth surface. More than half (55-65%) of the microspheres had a diameter of 20-45 microns. Incorporation of IPM had no significant influence on the particle size, surface morphology, or degradation behavior of the microspheres. It was strongly suggested that the release of taxol from the microspheres was dominated mainly by the drug diffusion in the matrix. As evaluated from the particle size, drug content, and in vitro release property, IPM-containing Taxol-PLGA-MS may be suitable for chemoembolization therapy of cancer diseases.

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A new imidazole derivative, DP-1904, produces a selective, potent and long-acting inhibition of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) syntheses and platelet aggregation. This study was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of DP-1904. DP-1904 disappeared from plasma with a half-life of 20 min after i.v. dosing, and the bioavailability after oral dosing was approximately 70%. The level of serum TXB2, which is a pharmacological marker for thromboxane synthetase inhibition, was measured to characterize the pharmacodynamics of DP-1904. A marked reduction of serum TXB2 was exhibited within 1 h after both i.v. and oral doses, reflecting the rapid onset of action of DP-1904. Serum TXB2 returned to the basal level much more slowly after oral dosing than after i.v. dosing, due to the longer half-life after oral dosing. An Emax model was employed to fit the pharmacological data after oral dosing, and IC50 and Emax values were estimated to be 5.0 ng/ml and 81%, respectively. In order to test its predictability, the PK/PD model was then used to predict a pharmacological profile after i.v. dosing; good agreement between the observed and predicted values was achieved. Thus, the present modelling procedure may be useful for optimizing the therapeutic regimens of DP-1904.

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PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess a local drug delivery system of an anticancer agent, etoposide (VP-16), using microfibrous collagen as a drug carrier. For this objective, the microdialysis method was utilized to investigate the local pharmacokinetics of VP-16. METHODS: Microfibrous collagen sheets (CS) containing 20 mg/kg of VP-16 with and without 40 mg/kg of cyclosporine A (CyA) were prepared and applied on the liver surface of rats. VP-16 concentrations in the liver extracellular fluid (ECF) were monitored by a microdialysis method. RESULTS: The local application of CS containing VP-16 resulted in a relatively long maintenance of drug concentrations in the liver ECF with very low concentrations in plasma. The inclusion of CyA in the CS resulted in 2-fold and 3-fold increases of the AUC and MRT values of VP-16 in the liver ECF, respectively. The liver ECF-to-plasma AUC ratios of VP-16 were 32-39 and 0.17 with local CS application and iv administration, respectively, indicating a remarkable advantage of the local drug delivery system. A pharmacokinetic interaction experiment suggested that the observed increase of the liver ECF concentrations of VP-16 with CyA resulted from inhibition of the biliary excretion of VP-16 by CyA. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the local delivery of the CS containing CyA on the liver surface is advantageous in terms of the extent and duration of liver ECF drug concentrations, when CyA was included in the CS. The effect of CyA was probably derived from the inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated biliary excretion of VP-16 by CyA. The usefulness of the microdialysis technique for the assessment of the local drug delivery system was also demonstrated.

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We developed a package of macro programs (named PK_MOMENT) to automatically calculate non-compartmental pharmacokinetic parameters on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. These macros include rigorous algorithms to execute moment calculations in a comprehensive manner. An optimum number of terminal data points for infinite-time extrapolation can be calculated with one of these macros so that automatic calculation of infinite moment parameters is possible. The moment calculation with PK_MOMENT provided satisfactory results using the hybrid (mixed linear-logarithmic) trapezoidal method rather than the conventional linear trapezoidal method. The macro-aided pharmacokinetic analyses turned out to be useful in that the macro-containing cells can be easily copied and pasted to analyze other data sets and that powerful tools of Excel can be utilized. The use of our macros will be significantly time-saving for routine pharmacokinetic analyses, considering that pharmacokinetic data are usually stored in a spreadsheet format, typically with Excel.

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We have developed a reference management system, MacRefer, using HyperTalk on Macintosh personal computers. Using this program, one can automatically acquire data from databases created by EndNote Plus and from OVID- or Medlar-formatted records downloaded via an online use of Medline. The MacRefer's capability of formatting bibliographic database in user-defined formats is comparable with the exemplified bibliography maker, EndNote Plus. Moreover, MacRefer has several competitive features, which are insufficiently equipped with EndNote Plus. For example, MacRefer is capable of (1) maintaining subsets within a database, (2) executing complex, structured searches combining up to nine keywords for any data field with the results and search conditions preserved, and (3) easily browsing (a portion of) reference database. Although MacRefer cannot be recognized as an absolute alternative of EndNote Plus because of several limitations inherent to HyperCard, the compensatory use of these two programs will expand the personal utilization of bibliographic databases.

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We recently reported the preparation and in vitro targeting of dextran magnetite (DM)-incorporated thermosensitive liposomes, namely thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TMs) [Viroonchatapan et al. Pharm. Res. 12 1176-1183 (1995)]. The current study was designed to determine whether these novel liposomes can be targeted to the mouse liver with the aid of an extracorporeal magnet. An on-line liver perfusion system consisting primarily of a sample injector, permanent magnets, and a fluorescence detector was established for a real-time measurement of targeting efficiency of TMs containing calcein as a fluorescent marker. Normal and reticuloendothelial system (RES)-blocked livers from mice were used for the perfusion experiments. In the RES-blocked livers, percentage holdings of TMs were 73-80% and 26-45% in the presence and absence of magnetic field, respectively, indicating an efficient targeting of TMs with a targeting advantage index (TAI) of 1.6-3.1. On the other hand, TAI in the normal livers was found to be 1.1-1.4 and less than that in the RES-blocked livers, suggesting a role of RES uptake of TMs. The effects of DM concentrations in TM suspensions on the percentage holding of TMs were shown to be minor. Liposome concentration dependence was observed for hepatic uptake of TMs, possibly because of the saturation of phagocytosis by Kupffer cells. The present results suggest that TMs would be useful in future cancer treatment by magnetic targeting combined with drug release in response to hyperthermia.

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The inhibitory effect of 3-butylidene-4,5-dihydroxyphthalide (BP-42) on platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced DNA synthesis was investigated in synchronized smooth muscle cells (SMC) in primary culture of rat aorta. BP-42 (0.3-3 micrograms/ml) inhibited the PDGF-BB (30 ng/ml)-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation of the SMC in a concentration-dependent manner. BP-42 inhibited both the competence and progression phases of [3H]thymidine incorporation induced by PDGF-BB. Using the competence assay, BP-42 (0.3-10 micrograms/ml) delayed PDGF-BB (30 ng/ml)-accelerated starting time of [3H]thymidine incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner, confirming that BP-42 inhibited PDGF-BB-induced competence phase of DNA synthesis of SMC. BP-42 (1-10 micrograms/ml) also delayed basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF: 30 ng/ml)-accelerated starting time of [3H]thymidine incorporation. The inhibitory potency of BP-42 for the competence action of PDGF-BB was similar to that for the action of bFGF. BP-421 (3-heptylidene-4,5-dihydroxyphthalide) and BP-422 (3-benzylidene-4,5-dihydroxyphthalide) had 3-fold greater inhibitory potencies than BP-42 for the PDGF-BB-induced competence activity. These results demonstrated that BP-42 inhibited PDGF-BB-induced competence activity of DNA synthesis in primary cultured SMC of rat aorta via a common signal transduction mechanism with bFGF. BP-421 and BP-422 were more potent inhibitors for the competence activity, suggesting that they may become a prototype of new anti-atherosclerotic drugs.

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The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics of ozagrel, a new potent and selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, were investigated in rabbits after its intravenous, oral, and rectal administration. Serum level of TXB2 (the stable metabolite of TXA2), a direct pharmacological marker, was measured after each dosing. A marked reduction of serum TXB2 within 30 min was shown after the three routes of administration, reflecting rapid onset of action. Due to rapid and complete absorption (i.e., Tmax; 20 min, bioavailability; 100%) and longer duration of pharmacological action after rectal dosing, the rectum offers a practical delivery route for ozagrel. An Emax model was employed to fit the pharmacological data, and IC50 and Emax for thromboxane synthetase inhibition were estimated to be 56.0 ng/ml and 94%, respectively. These pharmacodynamic parameters were incorporated into an integrated mathematical model to simulate the PK/PD profiles of ozagrel after i.v., oral, and rectal administration at lower (50 mg) and higher (200 mg) doses, and good agreement between the experimental and calculated values was achieved. The present PK/PD model may be useful for optimizing the therapeutic regimens of ozagrel.

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This study examined a possibility of dextran magnetite (DM)-incorporated thermosensitive liposomes, namely thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TMs), as a new hyperthermic agent. The temperatures of TM suspensions and cancer tumors injected with TM suspensions were efficiently elevated up to 42 degrees C by electromagnetic induced heating at a frequency of 500 kHz under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Thus, a possibility of TMs for selective hyperthermia was demonstrated. The temperature rises obtained at various concentrations of TMs suggest that approximately 15 mg Fe/cm3 tumor volume is adequate as a therapeutic dose of TMs for efficient selective hyperthermia.

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The effects of catecholamines on the competence and progression phases in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in mouse and rat were investigated in primary cultures: alpha,beta-Adrenergic agonists such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, and the alpha-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine, stimulated proliferation of primary cultured SMCs, whereas the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine, and beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, did not. The stimulating effect of epinephrine was maximal at 0.54 microM and was then decreased at higher concentrations. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, and alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, prazosin, inhibited epinephrine-induced SMC proliferation, while the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, yohimbine, and beta-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol, did not. In primary cultured and synchronized SMCs at the G0 phase, norepinephrine accelerated the rate of SMC proliferation, but did not change the starting time of DNA synthesis and proliferation. These results show that catecholamines activate the progression phase in primary cultured aortic SMCs alpha 1-adrenergic receptors.

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PURPOSE: Dextran magnetite (DM)-incorporated thermosensitive liposomes, namely thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TMs), were prepared and characterized in order to investigate their possibility for magnetic drug targeting. METHODS: TMs containing calcein were prepared at various DM concentrations by reverse-phase evaporation of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). They were evaluated for their physicochemical properties including size, DM capture, magnetite distribution within liposomes, and temperature-dependent calcein release. Moreover, a novel on-line flow apparatus with a sample injector, a coil of tubing placed in an electromagnet, and a fluorescence detector was developed for quantifying the magnetic responsiveness of TMs. This device allowed us a real-time measurement of percentage holding of TMs by magnetic field. RESULTS: Due to water-soluble property of DM, higher contents of magnetite up to 490 mg per mmol DPPC were successfully incorporated into the liposomes with DM than with conventional magnetite (Fe3O4). Thermosensitivity and lipid integrity of TMs were not influenced by inclusion of DM. Using the on-line flow system, percentage holding of TMs by magnetic field was shown to vary with several factors; it increases as the magnetic field strength increases, the fluid flow rate decreases, the magnetite content increases, and the liposome concentration increases. Typically, at 490 mg incorporated magnetite per mmol DPPC, 0.5 ml/min-fluid flow rate, and high magnetic field strength (> or = 10 kiloGauss), approximately 100% of TMs were found to be held. CONCLUSIONS: The TMs were suggested to be useful in future cancer treatment by magnetic targeting combined with drug release in response to hyperthermia.

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