Age-related differences in the protein binding of quinidine

Ontogeny of plasma proteins, albumin and binding of diazepam, cyclosporine, and deltamethrin

BACKGROUND

To characterize the ontogeny of plasma albumin and total proteins, due to the lack of a comprehensive pediatric database. Secondly, to establish the magnitude and duration of maturational changes in binding of highly-bound drugs/chemicals.

METHODS

Anonymized plasma samples from 296 donors were pooled in 6 age brackets from birth to adolescence. Total protein and albumin levels were measured in each age group, as was the age-dependency of plasma binding of diazepam (DZP), cyclosporine (CYC), and deltamethrin (DLM), a pyrethroid insecticide.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of albumin and total proteins steadily increased for the first 1-3 y of life. Unbound DZP and CYC fractions were elevated three- to fourfold in neonates, but decreased to adult levels after 1 and 3 y, respectively. Unbound DLM levels exceeded those in adults for just 1 mo.

CONCLUSION

Neonates and infants under 1-3 y may be at risk from increased amounts of free drug, when given standard doses of some highly-bound drugs. Pyrethroid insecticides might be anticipated to pose increased risk for 1 mo.

Protein binding predictions in infants

Plasma binding protein levels are lower in the newborn than in the adult and gradually increase with age. At birth, human serum albumin (HSA) concentrations are close to adult levels (75%-80%), while alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) is initially half the adult concentration. As a result, the extent of drug binding to HSA is closer to that of the adult than are those drugs bound largely to AAG. A model that incorporates the fraction unbound in adults and the ratio of the binding protein concentration between infants and adults successfully predicted the fraction unbound in infants and children.

Antiarrhythmic drug therapy in the neonate

The neonate presents a challenge for the practitioner considering antiarrhythmic therapy: pharmacokinetics are different than in older children or adults; and the arrhythmia substrate may also differ, with respect to issues of ion channel and autonomic nervous system development. This paper reviews the need for antiarrhythmic drug therapy in the neonate, developmental aspects of pharmacokinetics, autonomic regulation and cellular electrophysiology and the antiarrhythmics available today with an emphasis on newer drug therapy.

Digoxin-quinidine interaction in the neonatal dog

The effects of quinidine on steady state serum and tissue digoxin concentrations in the neonatal dog were studied. To determine the effects of quinidine on serum digoxin concentrations, two groups of neonates were evaluated: Group I (n = 11) was digitalized with 40 micrograms/kg body weight, intramuscularly, and placed on a 10 micrograms/kg per day maintenance dose; Group II (n = 7) was digitalized with 50 micrograms/kg per day, intraperitoneally, and placed on a 20 micrograms/kg per day maintenance dose. After 10 days of digoxin alone, quinidine was coadministered (30 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneally) for 7 days. Serum digoxin concentrations were measured before quinidine and 1, 3 and 7 days after combined digoxin-quinidine therapy. In Group I, the control serum digoxin concentration was 1.38 +/- 0.32 ng/ml and after 7 days of combined therapy it was unchanged (1.39 +/- 0.31 ng/ml). In Group II, the control serum digoxin concentration measured 2.80 +/- 0.49 ng/ml and after 7 days of combined therapy it, too, was unchanged (3.10 +/- 0.65 ng/ml). The effects of combined digoxin-quinidine administration on tissue digoxin concentrations were studied in two other groups of neonates. Group III (n = 6) was given a low maintenance dose of digoxin (10 micrograms/kg per day, intramuscularly) and a full 7 days of coadministered quinidine; in Group IV (n = 6), digoxin was given at a higher dose (20 micrograms/kg per day, intraperitoneally) and a shorter duration of combined digoxin-quinidine therapy (3 days).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)