Factors affecting the absorption of riboflavin in man

Rats exposed to Alternaria toxins in vivo exhibit altered liver activity highlighted by disruptions in riboflavin and acylcarnitine metabolism

Natural toxins produced by Alternaria fungi include the mycotoxins alternariol, tenuazonic acid and altertoxins I and II. Several of these toxins have shown high toxicity even at low levels including genotoxic, mutagenic, and estrogenic effects. However, the metabolic effects of toxin exposure from Alternaria are understudied, especially in the liver as a key target. To gain insight into the impact of Alternaria toxin exposure on the liver metabolome, rats (n = 21) were exposed to either (1) a complex culture extract with defined toxin profiles from Alternaria alternata (50 mg/kg body weight), (2) the isolated, highly genotoxic altertoxin-II (ATX-II) (0.7 mg/kg of body weight) or (3) a solvent control. The complex mixture contained a spectrum of Alternaria toxins including a controlled dose of ATX-II, matching the concentration of the isolated ATX-II. Liver samples were collected after 24 h and analyzed via liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Authentic reference standards (> 100) were used to identify endogenous metabolites and exogenous compounds from the administered exposures in tandem with SWATH-acquired MS/MS data which was used for non-targeted analysis/screening. Screening for metabolites produced by Alternaria revealed several compounds solely isolated in the liver of rats exposed to the complex culture, confirming results from a previously performed targeted biomonitoring study. This included the altersetin and altercrasin A that were tentatively identified. An untargeted metabolomics analysis found upregulation of acylcarnitines in rats receiving the complex Alternaria extract as well as downregulation of riboflavin in rats exposed to both ATX-II and the complex mixture. Taken together, this work provides a mechanistic view of Alternari toxin exposure and new suspect screening insights into hardly characterized Alternaria toxins.

Formulation of a Gastroretentive In Situ Oral Gel Containing Metformin HCl Based on DoE

A gastroretentive in situ oral gel containing metformin hydrochloride (Met HCl) was prepared based on sodium alginate (Sod ALG), calcium carbonate, and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC). The optimal composition of the formulation was explored based on the design of experiments (DoE). First, a 3² full factorial design was used for formulation E1 to determine proper composition of Sod ALG and calcium carbonate. Second, a circumscribed central composite design was employed to add HEC as a thickening agent (formulation E2). The dissolution rates at 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min were used as responses. Partial least squares regression analysis indicated the effect of each component in delaying the release of Met HCl in the oral gel formulation. The optimized formulation E2-08 consisting of 1.88% Sod ALG, 0.63% HEC, and 1.00% calcium carbonate and two more formulations, E2-10 and E2-12 conformed to USP monograph for extended release. Other physicochemical properties, including floating lag time and duration, viscosity, and pH, measured for each batch and FT-IR spectrometry analysis showed no unexpected interaction between Met HCl and excipients. The current study suggests the potential use of a gastroretentive in situ oral gel for Met HCl helping patient compliance. This study highlights that a systematic approach based on DoE allows the formulation optimization.

Impact of natural mutations on the riboflavin transporter 2 and their relevance to human riboflavin transporter deficiency 2

Riboflavin transporter deficiency 2 (RTD2) is a rare neurological disorder caused by mutations in the Solute carrier family 52 member 2 (Slc52a2) gene encoding human riboflavin transporter 2 (RFVT2). This transporter is ubiquitously expressed and mediates tissue distribution of riboflavin, a water-soluble vitamin that, after conversion into FMN and FAD, plays pivotal roles in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. The 3D structure of RFVT2 has been constructed by homology modeling using three different templates that are equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1), Fucose: proton symporter, and glucose transporter type 5 (GLUT5). The structure has been validated by several approaches. All known point mutations of RFVT2, associated with RTD2, have been localized in the protein 3D model. Six of these mutations have been introduced in the recombinant protein for functional characterization. The mutants W31S, S52F, S128L, L312P, C325G, and M423V have been expressed in E. coli, purified, and reconstituted into proteoliposomes for transport assay. All the mutants showed impairment of function. The K_m for riboflavin of the mutants increased from about 3 to 9 times with respect to that of WT, whereas V_max was only marginally affected. This agrees with the improved outcome of most RTD2 patients after administration of high doses of riboflavin.

Factors and dosage formulations affecting the solubility and bioavailability of P-glycoprotein substrate drugs

Introduction: Expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) increases toward the distal small intestine, implying that the duodenum is the preferential absorption site for P-gp substrate drugs. Oral bioavailability of poorly soluble P-gp substrate drugs is low and varied but increases with high-fat meals that supply lipoidal components and bile in the duodenum.Areas covered: Absorption properties of P-gp substrate drugs along with factors and oral dosage formulations affecting their solubility and bioavailability were reviewed with PubMed literature searches. An overview is provided from the viewpoint of the 'spring-and-parachute approach' that generates supersaturation of poorly soluble P-gp substrate drugs.Expert opinion: The oral bioavailability of P-gp substrate drugs is difficult to predict because of their low solubility, preferential absorption sites, and overlapping substrate specificities with CYP3A4, along with the scattered intestinal P-gp expression/function. To attain high and steady oral bioavailability of poorly soluble P-gp substrate drugs, physicochemical modification of drugs to improve solubility, or oral dosage formulations that generate long-lasting supersaturation in the duodenum, is preferred. In particular, supersaturable lipid-based drug delivery systems that can increase passive diffusion and/or lymphatic absorption are effective and applicable to many poorly soluble P-gp substrate drugs.

Hydrophilic Poly(urethanes) Are an Effective Tool for Gastric Retention Independent of Drug Release Rate

Acyclovir is a poorly permeable, short half-life drug with poor colonic absorption, and current conventional controlled release formulations are unable to decrease the frequency of administration. We designed acyclovir dosage forms to be administered less frequently by being retained in the stomach and releasing drug over an extended duration. We developed a conventional modified-release matrix tablet to sustain the release of acyclovir and surrounded it with a hydrophilic poly(urethane) layer. When hydrated, the porous poly(urethane) swells to a size near or beyond that of the relaxed pylorus diameter and does not affect drug release rate. We demonstrated that the formulation is retained in the stomach for extended durations as it slowly releases drug, allowing for similar area under the curve but delayed t_max relative to a nongastroretentive control tablet. Unlike many other gastroretentive formulations, this dosage form design decouples drug release rate from gastric retention time, allowing them to be modulated independently. It also effectively retains in the stomach regardless of the prandial state, differentiating from other approaches. Our direct observation of excised rat stomachs allowed for a rigorous assessment of the impact of polymer swelling extent and the prandial state on both the dosage form integrity and retention time.

Disorders of riboflavin metabolism

Riboflavin (vitamin B2), a water-soluble vitamin, is an essential nutrient in higher organisms as it is not endogenously synthesised, with requirements being met principally by dietary intake. Tissue-specific transporter proteins direct riboflavin to the intracellular machinery responsible for the biosynthesis of the flavocoenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These flavocoenzymes play a vital role in ensuring the functionality of a multitude of flavoproteins involved in bioenergetics, redox homeostasis, DNA repair, chromatin remodelling, protein folding, apoptosis, and other physiologically relevant processes. Hence, it is not surprising that the impairment of flavin homeostasis in humans may lead to multisystem dysfunction including neuromuscular disorders, anaemia, abnormal fetal development, and cardiovascular disease. In this review, we provide an overview of riboflavin absorption, transport, and metabolism. We then focus on the clinical and biochemical features associated with biallelic FLAD1 mutations leading to FAD synthase deficiency, the only known primary defect in flavocoenzyme synthesis, in addition to providing an overview of clinical disorders associated with nutritional deficiency of riboflavin and primary defects of riboflavin transport. Finally, we give a brief overview of disorders of the cellular flavoproteome. Because riboflavin therapy may be beneficial in a number of primary or secondary disorders of the cellular flavoproteome, early recognition and prompt management of these disorders is imperative.

The computation of biomarkers in pharmacokinetics with the aid of singular perturbation methods

In pharmacokinetics, exact solutions to one-compartment models with nonlinear elimination kinetics cannot be found analytically, if dosages are assumed to be administered repetitively through extravascular routes (Tang and Xiao in J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 34(6):807-827, 2007). Hence, for the corresponding impulsed dynamical system, alternative methods need to be developed to find approximate solutions. The primary purpose of this paper is to use the method of matched asymptotic expansions (Holmes Introduction to Perturbation Methods, vol 20. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin, 2012), a singular perturbation method (Holmes, Introduction to Perturbation Methods, vol 20. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin, 2012; Keener Principles of Applied Mathematics, Addison-Wesley, Boston, 1988), to obtain approximate solutions. With this method, we are able to rigorously determine conditions under which there is a stable periodic solution of the model equations. Furthermore, typical important biomarkers that enable the design of practical, efficient and safe drug delivery protocols, such as the time the drug concentration reaches the peak and the peak concentrations, are theoretically estimated by the perturbation method we employ.

Riboflavin Transporters RFVT/SLC52A Mediate Translocation of Riboflavin, Rather than FMN or FAD, across Plasma Membrane

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) plays a role in various biochemical oxidation-reduction reactions. Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and FAD, the biologically active forms, are made from riboflavin. Riboflavin transporters (RFVTs), RFVT1-3/Slc52a1-3, have been identified. However, the roles of human (h)RFVTs in FMN and FAD homeostasis have not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we assessed the contribution of each hRFVT to riboflavin, FMN and FAD uptake and efflux using in vitro studies. The transfection of hRFVTs increased cellular riboflavin concentrations. The uptake of riboflavin by human embryonic kidney cells transfected with hRFVTs was significantly increased, and the efflux was accelerated in a time-dependent manner. However, the uptake and efflux of FMN and FAD hardly changed. These results strongly suggest that riboflavin, rather than FMN or FAD, passes through plasma membranes via hRFVTs. Our findings could suggest that hRFVTs are involved in riboflavin homeostasis in the cells, and that FMN and FAD concentrations are regulated by riboflavin kinase and FAD synthase.

Dosage Regimen Adjustments in Renal Impairment

A pharmacokinetic approach based on creatinine clearance has been outlined which permits drug dosage regimen adjustments in patients with renal impairment. The parameters needed for calculating a loading dose and a maintenance regimen are the fraction of a dose excreted unchanged in the urine, the creatinine clearance of the patient, and the half-life of the drug in patients with normal renal function. In varying degrees of renal failure, predicted dosage regimens agree closely with dosage regimens predicted by other methods for a number of drugs.

Absorption sites of orally administered drugs in the small intestine

INTRODUCTION

In pharmacotherapy, drugs are mostly taken orally to be absorbed systemically from the small intestine, and some drugs are known to have preferential absorption sites in the small intestine. It would therefore be valuable to know the absorption sites of orally administered drugs and the influencing factors. Areas covered:In this review, the author summarizes the reported absorption sites of orally administered drugs, as well as, influencing factors and experimental techniques. Information on the main absorption sites and influencing factors can help to develop ideal drug delivery systems and more effective pharmacotherapies. Expert opinion: Various factors including: the solubility, lipophilicity, luminal concentration, pKa value, transporter substrate specificity, transporter expression, luminal fluid pH, gastrointestinal transit time, and intestinal metabolism determine the site-dependent intestinal absorption. However, most of the dissolved fraction of orally administered drugs including substrates for ABC and SLC transporters, except for some weakly basic drugs with higher pKa values, are considered to be absorbed sequentially from the proximal small intestine. Securing the solubility and stability of drugs prior to reaching to the main absorption sites and appropriate delivery rates of drugs at absorption sites are important goals for achieving effective pharmacotherapy.

Dietary Reference Values for riboflavin

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derives dietary reference values (DRVs) for riboflavin. The Panel considers that the inflection point in the urinary riboflavin excretion curve in relation to riboflavin intake reflects body saturation and can be used as a biomarker of adequate riboflavin status. The Panel also considers that erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient is a useful biomarker, but has limitations. For adults, the Panel considers that average requirements (ARs) and population reference intakes (PRIs) can be determined from the weighted mean of riboflavin intake associated with the inflection point in the urinary riboflavin excretion curve reported in four intervention studies. PRIs are derived for adults and children assuming a coefficient of variation of 10%, in the absence of information on the variability in the requirement and to account for the potential effect of physical activity and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype. For adults, the AR and PRI are set at 1.3 and 1.6 mg/day. For infants aged 7-11 months, an adequate intake of 0.4 mg/day is set by upward extrapolation from the riboflavin intake of exclusively breastfed infants aged 0-6 months. For children, ARs are derived by downward extrapolation from the adult AR, applying allometric scaling and growth factors and considering differences in reference body weight. For children of both sexes aged 1-17 years, ARs range between 0.5 and 1.4 mg/day, and PRIs between 0.6 and 1.6 mg/day. For pregnant or lactating women, additional requirements are considered, to account for fetal uptake and riboflavin accretion in the placenta during pregnancy or the losses through breast milk, and PRIs of 1.9 and 2.0 mg/day, respectively, are derived.

Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Migraine headache is a relatively common, debilitating condition that costs our healthcare system over 78 billion dollars per year. Riboflavin has been advocated as a safe, effective prophylactic therapy for the prevention of migraines. The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic review of the current role of riboflavin in the prophylaxis of migraine headache.

METHODS

A MEDLINE literature search inclusive of the dates 1966-2016 was performed using the search terms: riboflavin and migraine disorders. Excerpta Medica was searched from 1980 to 2016 using the search terms: riboflavin and migraine. Additionally, Web of Science was searched using the terms riboflavin and migraine inclusive of 1945-2016. Bibliographies of all relevant papers were reviewed for additional citations. We utilized the PRISMA guidelines to select English language, human, clinical trials of riboflavin as a single entity or in combination, review articles, and supporting pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenomic data assessing the efficacy and mechanism of riboflavin therapy in the prophylactic treatment of migraine headache.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 11 clinical trials reveal a mixed effect of riboflavin in the prophylaxis of migraine headache. Five clinical trials show a consistent positive therapeutic effect in adults; four clinical trials show a mixed effect in paediatric and adolescent patients, and two clinical trials of combination therapy have not shown benefit. Adverse reactions with riboflavin have generally been mild.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Riboflavin is well tolerated, inexpensive and has demonstrated efficacy in the reduction of adult patient's migraine headache frequency. Additional data are needed, however, to resolve questions involving pharmacokinetic issues and pharmacogenomic implications of therapy.

Functional involvement of RFVT3/SLC52A3 in intestinal riboflavin absorption

Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is transported across the biological membrane into various organs by transport systems. Riboflavin transporter RFVT3 is expressed in the small intestine and has been suggested to localize in the apical membranes of the intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated the functional involvement of RFVT3 in riboflavin absorption using intestinal epithelial T84 cells and mouse small intestine. T84 cells expressed RFVT3 and conserved unidirectional riboflavin transport corresponding to intestinal absorption. Apical [(3)H]riboflavin uptake was pH-dependent in T84 cells. This uptake was not affected by Na(+) depletion at apical pH 6.0, although it was significantly decreased at apical pH 7.4. The [(3)H]riboflavin uptake from the apical side of T84 cells was prominently inhibited by the RFVT3 selective inhibitor methylene blue and significantly decreased by transfection of RFVT3-small-interfering RNA. In the gastrointestinal tract, RFVT3 was expressed in the jejunum and ileum. Mouse jejunal and ileal permeabilities of [(3)H]riboflavin were measured by the in situ closed-loop method and were significantly reduced by methylene blue. These results strongly suggest that RFVT3 would functionally be involved in riboflavin absorption in the apical membranes of intestinal epithelial cells.

Pharmacokinetic determinants in the design and evaluation of sustained-release dosage forms

A new method employing the principle of superimposition was developed to aid in the formulation of sustained-release dosage forms. Independently absorbed components of a product, e.g., waxed pellets for an oral capsule, are administered separately and their plasma level-time profiles determined. Using a trial and error procedure, the ratios of pellets are varied to obtain a desired plasma level-time profile. The use of (1) time averaged plasma concentration-time data, (2) amount remaining to be absorbed (excreted) plots, and (3) cumulative amount absorbed (excreted) plots were all shown to be inappropriate for pharmacokinetic analyses in general, and evaluation of sustained-release products in particular. It was recommended that raw plasma concentration-time data be made available for sustained-released products, and that individual rate of absorption plots be used to assess absorption kinetics. It was concluded that much of the sustained-release pharmacokinetic data presently in the literature have been presented in such a manner, e.g. averaged data, as to be of limited value.

Novel riboflavin transporter family RFVT/SLC52: identification, nomenclature, functional characterization and genetic diseases of RFVT/SLC52

Riboflavin, a water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B2, is essential for normal cellular functions. Riboflavin transporters play important roles in its homeostasis. Recently, three novel riboflavin transporters were identified, and designated as RFT1, RFT2 and RFT3. Because the RFTs did not show similarity to other SLC transporters, and RFT1 and RFT3 are similar in sequence and function, they were assigned into a new SLC family, SLC52. Subsequently, RFT1/GPR172B, RFT3/GPR172A and RFT2/C20orf54 were renamed as RFVT1/SLC52A1, RFVT2/SLC52A2 and RFVT3/SLC52A3, respectively. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the cloning, nomenclature, functional characterization and genetic diseases of RFVT1/SLC52A1, RFVT2/SLC52A2 and RFVT3/SLC52A3.

Involvement of Multiple Transporters-mediated Transports in Mizoribine and Methotrexate Pharmacokinetics

Mizoribine is administered orally and excreted into urine without being metabolized. Many research groups have reported a linear relationship between the dose and peak serum concentration, between the dose and AUC, and between AUC and cumulative urinary excretion of mizoribine. In contrast, a significant interindividual variability, with a small intraindividual variability, in oral bioavailability of mizoribine is also reported. The interindividual variability is mostly considered to be due to the polymophisms of transporter genes. Methotrexate (MTX) is administered orally and/or by parenteral routes, depending on the dose. Metabolic enzymes and multiple transporters are involved in the pharmacokinetics of MTX. The oral bioavailability of MTX exhibits a marked interindividual variability and saturation with increase in the dose of MTX, with a small intraindividual variability, where the contribution of gene polymophisms of transporters and enzymes is suggested. Therapeutic drug monitoring of both mizoribine and MTX is expected to improve their clinical efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Functional characteristics of the human ortholog of riboflavin transporter 2 and riboflavin-responsive expression of its rat ortholog in the small intestine indicate its involvement in riboflavin absorption

Riboflavin transporter (RFT) 2 has recently been identified as a transporter that may be, mainly based on the functional characteristics of its rat ortholog (rRFT2), involved in the intestinal absorption of riboflavin. The present study was conducted to further examine such a possible role of RFT2, focusing on the functional characteristics of its human ortholog (hRFT2) and the response of rRFT2 expression in the small intestine to deprivation of dietary riboflavin. When transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, hRFT2 could transport riboflavin efficiently in a pH-sensitive manner, favoring acidic pH and without requiring Na(+). Riboflavin transport by hRFT2 was saturable with a Michaelis constant of 0.77 μmol/L at pH 6.0, and inhibited by some riboflavin derivatives, such as lumiflavin. It was also inhibited, to a lesser extent, by some cationic compounds, such as ethidium. Thus, hRFT2 was suggested to, together with a finding that its mRNA is highly expressed in the small intestine, have characteristics as an intestinal RFT. Furthermore, feeding rats a riboflavin-deficient diet caused an upregulation of the expression of rRFT2 mRNA in the small intestine, presumably as an adaptive response to enhance riboflavin absorption, which would involve rRFT2, and its apically localized characteristic was suggested by the observation of rRFT2 tagged with green fluorescent protein stably expressed in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells. All these results combined indicate that RFT2 is a transporter involved in the epithelial uptake of riboflavin in the small intestine for its nutritional utilization.

Current Perspectives of Solubilization: Potential for Improved Bioavailability

This review focuses on the recent techniques of solubilization for the attainment of effective absorption and improved bioavailability. Solubilization may be affected due to cosolvent water interaction or altered crystal structure by cosolvent addition. Micellar solubilization could be affected by both ionic strength and pH. Addition of cosolvents to the surfactant solutions offers only a small advantage because of the decrease in the solubilization capacity of the micelles. Polymorphism is known to influence dissolution and bioavailability of the drugs. Molecular modeling study of cyclodextrin inclusion complexations can predict the inclusion modes, stoichiometry of the complex, and the relative complexing efficiency of cyclodextrins with various drug molecules.

Identification and functional characterization of a novel human and rat riboflavin transporter, RFT1

Absorption of riboflavin is mediated by transporter(s). However, a mammalian riboflavin transporter has yet to be identified. In the present study, the novel human and rat riboflavin transporters hRFT1 and rRFT1 were identified on the basis of our rat kidney mRNA expression database (Horiba N, Masuda S, Takeuchi A, Saito H, Okuda M, Inui K. Kidney Int 66: 29-45, 2004). hRFT1 and rRFT1 cDNAs have an open reading frame encoding 448- and 450-amino acid proteins, respectively, that exhibit 81.1% identity and 96.4% similarity to one another. In addition, an inactive splice variant of hRFT1, hRFT1sv, was also cloned. The hRFT1sv cDNA, which encodes a 167-amino acid protein, retains an intron between exons 2 and 3 of hRFT1. Real-time PCR revealed that the sum of hRFT1 and hRFT1sv mRNAs was expressed strongly in the placenta and small intestine and was detected in all tissues examined. In addition, hRFT1 and hRFT1sv were expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 and Caco-2 cells. HEK-293 cells transfected with green fluorescent protein-tagged hRFT1 and rRFT1 exhibited a fluorescent signal in the plasma membrane. Overexpression of hRFT1 and rRFT1, but not hRFT1sv, increased the cellular accumulation of [(3)H]riboflavin. The transfection of small interfering RNA targeting both hRFT1 and hRFT1sv significantly decreased the uptake of [(3)H]riboflavin by HEK-293 and Caco-2 cells. Riboflavin transport is Na(+), potential, and pH independent. Kinetic analyses demonstrated that the Michaelis-Menten constants for the uptake by HEK-293 and Caco-2 cells were 28.1 and 63.7 nM, respectively. We propose that hRFT1 and rRFT1 are novel mammalian riboflavin transporters, which belong to a new mammalian riboflavin transporter family.

Bioavailability of riboflavin from a gastric retention formulation

A gastric retention formulation (GRF) made of naturally occurring carbohydrate polymers and containing riboflavin was tested in vitro for swelling and dissolution characteristics as well as in fasting dogs for gastric retention. The bioavailability of riboflavin, a drug with a limited absorption site in the upper small intestine, from the GRF was studied in fasted healthy humans and compared to an immediate release formulation. It was found that when the GRF is dried and immersed in gastric juice it swells rapidly and releases its drug content in a zero-order fashion for a period of 24 h. In vivo studies in dogs showed that a rectangular shaped GRF stayed in the stomach of fasted dogs for more than 9 h, then disintegrated and reached the colon in 24 h. Endoscopic studies in dogs showed that the GRF hydrates and swells back to about 75% of its original size in 30 min. These in vivo results correlated with in vitro results. Pharmacokinetic parameters determined from urinary excretion data from six human subjects under fasting conditions showed that bioavailability depended on the size of the GRF. The biostudy indicated that bioavailability of riboflavin from a large size GRF was more than triple that measured after administration of an immediate release formulation. Deconvolved input functions from biostudy data suggest that the large size GRF stayed in the stomach for about 15 h.

Compressed collagen sponges as gastroretentive dosage forms: in vitro and in vivo studies

The objective of the present investigations was to develop oblong tablets which expand after contact with gastrointestinal fluids within a few minutes to a length of 4-6 cm and which should remain in the stomach for a prolonged period of time due to their size. The tablets were prepared from riboflavin-containing collagen sponges using a computer controlled single punch tablet machine. The collagen material was compressed to oblong tablets with dimensions of 3.5 mm x 9 mm x 18 mm. In vitro investigations were carried out to characterise drug release. The model drug riboflavin was released from the collagen tablets over 12h. The gastrointestinal retention time of the new dosage form was indirectly estimated by determining the duration of riboflavin excretion after oral intake of the tablet. A crossover in vivo study with 12 healthy male and female subjects was performed. The renal excretion of riboflavin was measured after oral administration of collagen tablets and small sustained release hydrocolloid tablets as reference preparation. The amount of riboflavin excreted into the urine was enhanced after administration of the expanding collagen tablets in comparison with the hydrocolloid tablets. The differences were statistically significant after 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 h.

Gastroretentive Accordion Pill: Enhancement of riboflavin bioavailability in humans

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the Accordion Pill (AP), a novel controlled release gastroretentive unfolding dosage form (DF), to increase the bioavailability of riboflavin (RF) in humans. Three formulations containing 75 mg of RF and differing in release rate (immediate release (IR) capsule, AP#1, and AP#2) were administered with a low-calorie meal. Gastric residence time (GRT) of the AP was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Serial blood and urine samples were taken and assayed for RF. The AP demonstrated prolonged (up to 10.5 h) GRT in humans. Significant elevation in RF bioavailability (209+/-37%, mean+/-S.E.) was achieved by the AP#1 in comparison to the IR capsule. A correlation was established between the in-vitro release rates from DF and bioavailability of RF in humans, and it was modeled taking into account the saturable nature of RF absorption transport and its narrow absorption window (NAW) in the upper gastro-intestinal tract. It is anticipated that the AP will provide a valuable pharmaceutical solution to enhance therapy with NAW drugs.

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems

A controlled drug delivery system with prolonged residence time in the stomach is of particular interest for drugs that i) are locally active in the stomach, ii) have an absorption window in the stomach or in the upper small intestine, iii) are unstable in the intestinal or colonic environment, or iv) exhibit low solubility at high pH values. This article gives an overview of the parameters affecting gastric emptying in humans as well as on the main concepts used to design pharmaceutical dosage forms with prolonged gastric residence times. In particular, bioadhesive, size-increasing and floating drug delivery systems are presented and their major advantages and shortcomings are discussed. Both single- and multiple-unit dosage forms are reviewed and, if available, results from in vivo trials are reported.

Citric acid prolongs the gastro-retention of a floating dosage form and increases bioavailability of riboflavin in the fasted state

A floating dosage form based on calcium alginate beads has been developed. Riboflavin, was selected as the model drug and successfully incorporated into calcium alginate beads. The aims of the current study were to: (a) assess the influence of prolonged gastro-retention on the bioavailability of riboflavin from freeze dried calcium alginate beads administered under varying conditions of food intake and (b) to investigate the potential of citric acid to delay the gastric emptying of the calcium alginate beads. Gamma scintigraphy was selected as the method to monitor the movement of the calcium alginate beads in vivo. Riboflavin concentrations in the urine were analysed by HPLC. Prolonged gastro-retention can be achieved, in the fasted state, when citric acid solution is used as an administering vehicle. However, prolonged gastro-retention is not achieved to the same extent when the gastric emptying times are compared to those obtained in the fed state. The bioavailability of riboflavin improved when calcium alginate beads were administered in the fasted state with citric acid solution, compared to the bioavailability obtained when the calcium alginate beads were administered in the absence of citric acid.

Pharmacokinetic strategies in deciphering atypical drug absorption profiles

Drug absorption is a very complex process that manifests itself through potential interaction with a host of physicochemical and physiological variables. Some factors that may affect the absorption processes include presystemic metabolism/efflux, the "absorption window" along the gastrointestinal tract, disease states, demographics (gender, age, ethnicity), and biopharmaceutical classification of solid dosage forms. Despite the complexity of the absorption processes, the analysis of the absorption kinetic data is mostly empirical, and the assumption of first-order absorption is axiomatic. Nevertheless, we often encounter irregular drug absorption profiles (such as double-peak, absorption window-type absorption profiles, etc.) that cannot be satisfactorily described by a simple first-order absorption process. The selection of an inappropriate absorption model would result in the misspecification of the pharmacokinetic model and subsequent erroneous prediction of the dosing regimen. This article presents several pharmacokinetic strategies in analyzing typical and atypical absorption profiles. The atypical absorption profiles discussed in this article include parallel first-order absorption, mixed zero-order and first-order absorption, Weibull-type absorption, absorption window with or without Michaelis-Menton absorption, time-dependent absorption, and inverse Gaussian density absorption. In any event, intravenous drug concentration-time data are generally needed to avoid the ambiguousness in the absorption analyses.

A mechanistic study of danazol dissolution in ionic surfactant solutions

This study examined the dissolution mechanism of the neutral drug danazol into solutions of the ionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The effect of counterion concentration on drug dissolution was also studied by controlling the solution ionic strength (IS). The laminar flow apparatus of Shah and Nelson was chosen to measure in vitro dissolution rates for its simulation of physiological hydrodynamics. A mathematical model was developed to test the proposed mechanism for dissolution. Transport of the dissolved drug away from the tablet surface is the slow step in the process. Two major physicochemical properties, drug solubility in surfactant solutions and the effective diffusion coefficients used in the model, were measured in separate experiments for use in the transport model. Pulsed field proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR) was used to measure the drug diffusion coefficient. Actual drug dissolution rates were determined by multiplying the measured effluent drug concentration in the aqueous medium by its flow rate. The assumption of a transport-controlled dissolution rate was tested by plotting the measured dissolution rates as a function of medium flow rate in a log-log plot. A slope of 1/3 is predicted by the model and slopes of 0.26 to 0.32 were found experimentally, suggesting that the transport controlled mechanism is accurate. The model-predicted dissolution rates were compared with the experimental data. For SDS solutions without IS control, the model calculated data are 20-35% lower than the experimental results, whereas with IS control, the error is only 0.4-4%. We believe that there is significant electrostatic interaction between micelles in processes with low IS or poor IS control. In that situation, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-measured drug diffusivity would not be its actual value in the dissolution process.

Transport functions of riboflavin carriers in the rat small intestine and colon: site difference and effects of tricyclic-type drugs

The present study was aimed at kinetically characterizing the newly found carrier-mediated riboflavin transport system in the rat colon, comparing it with that in the small intestine, and also probing the potential roles of these transport systems in intestinal drug absorption. Riboflavin transport, evaluated by measuring the initial uptake into everted intestinal tissue sacs, was saturable with a Michaelis constant (Km) of 0.13 microM and a maximum transport rate (Jmax) of 0.74 pmol/min/100 mg wet tissue weight (wtw) in the colon. Both the Km and the Jmax were smaller than those (0.57 microM and 4.26 pmol/min/100 mg wtw, respectively) in the small intestine, suggesting that the transport system in the colon has a higher affinity to substrates and a smaller transport capacity than its counterpart in the small intestine. The carrier-mediated riboflavin transport in the colon, similarly to that in the small intestine, was Na+-dependent and inhibited by lumiflavin, a riboflavin analogue with an isoalloxazine ring, but not by D-ribose, which forms the side-chain attached to the isoalloxazine ring in riboflavin. To further clarify the substrate specificities of the transport systems, we examined the effects of several drugs with a tricyclic structure similar to isoalloxazine ring on riboflavin transport. Chlorpromazine, a phenothiazine derivative, was found to inhibit riboflavin transport in both the small intestine and the colon. Methylene blue also was found to be a potent inhibitor in both sites. These results suggest that some tricyclic-type drugs could interfere with intestinal riboflavin absorption by specific carrier-mediated transport systems. These transport systems may play roles in the absorption of tricyclic-type drugs.

A unique dosage form to evaluate the mechanical destructive force in the gastrointestinal tract

The purpose of this study was to prepare tablets that could evaluate the destructive force in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Many factors are known to affect in vivo drug release from oral dosage forms. There is still relatively little information on the mechanical destructive force in the GI tract. Press-coated tablets with an extremely brittle outer layer were developed using a unique, highly hydrophobic Teflon powder that could be shaped with weak compression force. A marker drug contained in the tablets was released only when the tablets received a force larger than its predetermined crushing strength. We referred to this type of tablet as a 'destructive force dependent release system' (DDRS). A total of nine healthy, male subjects were orally administered the tablets under fed and/or fasting conditions. Tablets with a predetermined crushing strength of 1.50 N were crushed by all of the four subjects who took them under fed conditions and two of the five subjects under fasting conditions. Tablets with a crushing strength of 1.89 N were crushed by two of the six subjects who took them under fed conditions and none of the five subjects under fasting conditions. The range of mechanical destructive force in the human stomach was obtained.

Carrier-mediated transport of riboflavin in the rat colon

Carriers involved in riboflavin transport have generally been presumed to be localized in the upper small intestine. However, using a closed loop technique, we found that in the rat colon the absorption of riboflavin could be significantly reduced by raising the concentration from 0.1 to 200 microM and by adding lumiflavin, an analogue of riboflavin. These results suggest that saturable transport by the carrier that is specific for riboflavin and analogues may also be involved in riboflavin absorption in the colon. At the lower concentration of 0.1 microM, carrier-mediated transport was suggested to prevail, compared with passive transport, both in the colon and the small intestine. Furthermore, carrier-mediated transport in the colon was comparable with that in the small intestine. This study is the first to suggest carrier-mediated riboflavin transport in the colon. Although the riboflavin transport system in the colon needs to be subjected to more detailed investigation of its transport functions and role in riboflavin absorption after oral administration, it would be of interest to explore potential use of this carrier as a system for drug delivery.

Tissue distribution and turnover of [3H]riboflavin during respiratory infection in mice

Studies in children and mice suggest that respiratory infections cause a mobilization of riboflavin from the tissues to the blood, resulting in increased urinary loss of this vitamin. To verify this observation, the tissue distribution and turnover of [3H]riboflavin were investigated in control and low-riboflavin-fed mice infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Infection significantly reduced [3H]riboflavin levels in the liver and kidney of low-riboflavin-fed mice and in the liver of control mice. Such changes were not observed in tissues such as muscle, small intestine, and brain. Urinary excretion of [3H]riboflavin increased significantly during the acute phase of infection and the biological half-life of [3H]riboflavin was shorter in the low-riboflavin-fed group. The results confirm that the mobilization of riboflavin from tissues to blood during infection results in a deterioration of riboflavin status. Thus, the study supports the hypothesis that respiratory infection is a nondietary factor contributing to the high prevalence of subclinical riboflavin deficiency in children of developing countries like India.

Comparative bioavailability of two oral formulations of ipriflavone in healthy volunteers at steady-state. Evaluation of two different dosage schemes

Ipriflavone (IP) is an isoflavone derivative with antiosteoporotic activity. This drug is extensively metabolized in humans and only negligible concentrations of unchanged IP can be detected in plasma. Metabolites M1 and M5 are predominant, while met abolites M2 and M3 are detected in minor amounts. The aim of this study was to compare the bioavailability of IP and its metabolites M1, M2, M3, and M5 at steady-state after administration of 200 mg tablets three times daily and 300 mg Scherer capsules twice daily during meals. IP plasma levels were below the limit of quantitation in 6 subjects out of 12 after administration of IP 200 mg tablets. On the other hand, after administration of the Scherer capsules IP plasma levels were quantifiable in all the volunteers. As regards IP metabolites, a mean increase in bioavailability, equal to 35%, was observed after administration of the Scherer capsules. Plasma level fluctuations, reflecting changes in absorption rate at steady-state, remained unvaried. The good bioavailability and fluctuation indexes of the Scherer capsules permit a simplification of the dosage scheme, reducing the daily administrations from three times to twice daily, thus improving the patients' compliance. In clinical practice this characteristic is not negligible, con sidering the mean age of the patients and the long-term treatment. Due to the high therapeutic index of IP, the increase in bioavailability does not cause any risk of accumulation or overdosage.

Evaluation of oral mucoadhesive microspheres in man on the basis of the pharmacokinetics of furosemide and riboflavin, compounds with limited gastrointestinal absorption sites

When sustained-release adhesive and non-adhesive microspheres which release the same drugs at similar rates are administered orally, drug absorption after administration of adhesive microspheres should, if the gastrointestinal residence of adhesive microspheres is prolonged as a result of mucoadhesion, be higher than that after administration of non-adhesive microspheres. The gastrointestinal transit of oral adhesive microspheres in man has been evaluated pharmacokinetically using furosemide and riboflavin, compounds with limited absorption sites in the upper small intestine. In a preliminary experiment with fasted rats it was confirmed that a higher percentage of the drug remained in the stomach and that plasma drug levels were higher when furosemide was administered in the form of adhesive rather than non-adhesive microspheres. Two kinds of sustained-release microsphere, adhesive and non-adhesive, containing furosemide and riboflavin in hard gelatin capsules were prepared and orally administered to 10 healthy fasted volunteers in a cross-over design. Areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) were 1.8 times larger for furosemide and urinary recovery was 2.4 times higher for riboflavin when adhesive microspheres rather than when non-adhesive microspheres were used. When adhesive microspheres containing riboflavin were administered to fed volunteers, urinary recovery was 2.1 times higher and mean residence time (MRT) was more prolonged than when the microspheres were administered to fasted volunteers. Adhesive microspheres were found to adhere to the gastric or intestinal mucosa with high affinity in man and rats, resulting in prolonged gastrointestinal residence.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of mucoadhesive microspheres prepared for the gastrointestinal tract using polyglycerol esters of fatty acids and a poly(acrylic acid) derivative

Two types of polyglycerol ester of fatty acid (PGEF)-based microspheres were prepared: Carbopol 934P (CP)-coated microspheres (CPC-microspheres) and CP-dispersion microspheres (CPD-microspheres). Comparative studies on mucoadhesion were done with these microspheres and PGEF-based microspheres without CP (PGEF-microspheres). In an in vitro adhesion test, the CPD-microspheres adhered strongly to mucosa prepared from rat stomach and small intestine because each CP particle in the CPD-microsphere was hydrated and swelled with part of it remaining within the microsphere and part extending to the surface serving to anchor the microsphere to the mucus layer. The gastrointestinal transit patterns after administration of the CPD-microspheres and PGEF-microspheres to fasted rats were fitted to a model in which the microspheres are emptied from the stomach monoexponentially with a lag time and then transit through the small intestine at zero-order. Parameters obtained by curve fitting confirmed that the gastrointestinal transit time of the CPD-microspheres was prolonged compared with that of the PGEF-microspheres. MRT in the gastrointestinal tract was also prolonged after administration of the CPD-microspheres compared with that following the administration of the PGEF-microspheres.