Validated method forl-ornithine-l-aspartate analysis in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis

In-depth investigation of the Silymarin effect on the pharmacokinetic parameters of sofosbuvir, GS-331007 and ledipasvir in rat plasma using LC-MS

The use of complementary medicine (CMD) for liver support in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients sometimes coincides with the administration of oral antiviral drugs to eradicate the virus. This calls for a deep investigation of CMD effects on the pharmacokinetic parameters of these drugs to ensure their safety and efficacy. Silymarin (SLY), as a CMD, was selected to be given orally to healthy male rats with sofosbuvir (SFB) and ledipasvir (LED), a common regimen in HCV treatment. A new and sensitive LC-MS method was validated for the bioassay of SLY, LED, SFB and its inactive metabolite, GS-331007, in spiked plasma with lower limits of quantitation of 10, 1, 4 and 10 ng/ml, respectively. Moreover, the method was further applied to conduct a full pharmacokinetic profile of SFB, GS-331007 and ledipasvir with and without SLY. It was found that co-administration of SLY may expose the patient to unplanned high serum concentrations of SFB and LED. This could be accompanied by a decrease in SFB efficacy, potentially leading to therapeutic failure and the emergence of viral resistance.

Utilization of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) for spectrochemical determination of l-ornithine: a multivariate optimization-assisted approach

A simple and highly sensitive univariate calibration strategy based on ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and assisted by multivariate screening and optimization was utilized for the determination of l-ornithine (l-ORN) as such and in the alimentary supplements. l-ORN, an OTC marketed amino acid, is widely used for bodybuilding and might be abused by athletes. A nucleophilic substitution reaction using 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) was the basis of the current investigation. Plackett–Burman design (PBD) and a response surface optimizer as screening and fine-tuning strategies, respectively, were instigated. Four numerical variables, reaction time (RT), temperature (Temp), pH and reagent volume (RV), and one categorical variable, the diluting solvent (DS), were considered. Absorbance of the yellow-colored adduct at 469 nm was the response studied. Pareto analysis, along with analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to ascertain the significant variables (screening phase) and their domains (optimization phase). Response transformation and stepwise analysis were employed when necessary. Probability, cube and individual value plots were used to get an insight into the statistical impact of the variables tested. Multiple responses' optimization was performed using Derringer's function. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 5–50 μg mL⁻¹. Job's technique of continuous variation showed that the stoichiometric ratio is 2 : 1 (NBD-Cl : l-ORN). The proposed technique was successfully applied to the dietary supplements of l-ORN, inferring no interference from adjuvants and excipients. Analytical performance of this technique was validated conforming to the ICH standards.

l-Ornithine was determined using NBD-Cl. A multivariate-assisted strategy was used to measure a single response as a function of five variables.

A critical analysis of studies assessing L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) in hepatic encephalopathy treatment

CONTEXT: Experimental and clinical studies suggest that LOLA may have a favorable influence on hepatic encephalopathy due to the effect on the reduction of ammonia, and improvement of the symptoms and laboratory findings. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and to critically analyze the efficacy and/or effectiveness results of the use of LOLA when compared to placebo in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. DATA SOURCES: LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed database and Cochrane Collaboration Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1966 to September of 2006. The review has included all the randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials performed in humans in English language. RESULTS: Four studies published between 1993 and 2000 were selected and reviewed. LOLA was showed as being able to reduce hyperammonemia in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, when compared to patients in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the trials have shown efficacy of LOLA in reducing hyperammonemia of hepatic encephalopathy, sufficient evidence of a significant beneficial effect of LOLA on patients with hepatic encephalopathy was not found. The studies performed in this area were small, with short follow-up periods and half of them showed low methodological quality.

Determination of organic acids by CE and CEC methods

A comprehensive overview of the analysis of low-molecular-mass organic acids employing electromigration methods in the capillary format is given. This review includes papers published since 2003 and can be seen as an update of the review paper published by Galli et al. in 2003. Tables included in this review contain application papers describing the determination of organic acids from a variety of fields like the analysis of food and beverages, environmental samples, samples from clinical origin, and from natural products.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability study of l-ornithine–l-aspartate in healthy volunteers—A comparative study of two oral formulations

The aim of the evaluation was to establish bioequivalence between two oral 3.0 g sachet forms of L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA). It was designed as randomised, two-way crossover study with a 1-week washout interval. Blood samples were collected throughout a 12 h period after administration of reference and test product to 12 fasting healthy male volunteers. Plasma were analyzed by sensitive, reproducible, accurate and rapid capillary electrophoresis (CE) method with UV detection. Many pharmacokinetic parameters including AUC0-t, AUC0-infinity, Cmax, Tmax, T1/2 and Kel were determined from plasma concentration. First three of them after log-transformation of data were examined for bioequivalence. Based on ANOVA with 90% confidence level no significant difference was found. All of tested parameters were found to be within the bioequivalence acceptance range of 80-125%. Based on these and other statistical tests it was concluded that Hepatil is bioequivalent to Hepa-Merz granulate.