Investigating the Discriminatory Power of BCS-Biowaiver in Vitro Methodology to Detect Bioavailability Differences between Immediate Release Products Containing a Class I Drug

The purpose of this work is to investigate the discriminatory power of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS)-biowaiver in vitro methodology, i.e., to investigate if a BCS-biowaiver approach would have detected the Cmax differences observed between two zolpidem tablets and to identify the cause of the in vivo difference. Several dissolution conditions were tested with three zolpidem formulations: the reference (Stilnox), a bioequivalent formulation (BE), and a nonbioequivalent formulation (N-BE). Zolpidem is highly soluble at pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8. Its permeability in Caco-2 cells is higher than that of metoprolol and its transport mechanism is passive diffusion. None of the excipients (alone or in combination) showed any effect on permeability. All formulations dissolved more than 85% in 15 min in the paddle apparatus at 50 rpm in all dissolution media. However, at 30 rpm the nonbioequivalent formulation exhibited a slower dissolution rate. A slower gastric emptying rate was also observed in rats for the nonbioequivalent formulation. A slower disintegration and dissolution or a delay in gastric emptying might explain the Cmax infra-bioavailability for a highly permeable drug with short half-life. The BCS-biowaiver approach would have declared bioequivalence, although the in vivo study was not conclusive but detected a 14% mean difference in Cmax that precluded the bioequivalence demonstration. Nonetheless, these findings suggest that a slower dissolution rate is more discriminatory and that rotation speeds higher than 50 rpm should not be used in BCS-biowaivers, even if a coning effect occurs.

PEG-derivative effectively modifies the characteristics of indomethacin-PLGA microspheres destined to intra-articular administration

The aim of this study was to obtain biodegradable indomethacin microspheres for intra-articular administration in rheumatoid arthritis, where angiogenic processes are involved. Indomethacin concentrations to achieve an anti-angiogenic effect would be five-times higher than an anti-inflammatory. Microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation using PLGA. Indomethacin is a poor water-soluble drug with it being possible that dissolved and non-dissolved drug co-exist within the polymeric matrix resulting in rapid release. To control this release, an oil-PEG-derivative was incorporated, producing changes in morphology, crystallinity and indomethacin release. To minimize the amount of microspheres administered, a two-factor five-level central rotable composite 2(2)+star design was employed with two independent variables: indomethacin percentage and PEG-derivative percentage. The optimum formulation showed mean encapsulation efficiency of 94.3+/-2.2% and released 7.99+/-0.25 microg indomethacin/day/mg microspheres for 21 days. A dose of 20-50 mg of this formulation could be appropriate to achieve both anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Preliminary cytotoxicity studies performed in rat splenocytes showed an adequate cell viability.

Sterilized ibuprofen-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres for intra-articular administration: effect ofγ-irradiation and storage

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize a controlled-release system (microspheres) loaded with ibuprofen, for intra-articular administration, to extend its anti-inflammatory effect in the knee joint cavity. Among the bioresorbable polymers employed, poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) (13137 Da) was chosen because of its high biocompatiblity. Microspheres were produced by the solvent evaporation process from an O/W emulsion. Labrafil M 1944 CS was included in the formulation as an additive in order to modulate the release rate of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Once prepared, the microspheres were sobre-sterilized by gamma-irradiation. The effect of the irradiation dose (25 kGy) exposure, at low temperature, on the formulation was evaluated. The sterilization procedure employed did not alter the physicochemical characteristics of the formulation. Dissolution profiles of formulations behaved similarly and overlapped (f2=87.23, f1=4.2) before and after sterilization. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) revealed no significant changes in the polymer molecular weight. Additionally, a stability study of the sterilized formulation was carried out using microsphere storage conditions of 4 degrees C in a vacuum desiccator for 1 year. The results obtained after storing the sterilized microspheres show no significant alterations in the ibuprofen release rate (f2 = 85.06, f1 = 4.32) or in the molecular weight of the PLGA (12957 Da). The employment of low molecular weight PLGA polymers resulted as advantageous, due to the practical absence of degradation after gamma irradiation (25 kGy) exposure at low temperature.

Radiosterilisation of indomethacin PLGA/PEG-derivative microspheres: Protective effects of low temperature during gamma-irradiation

Currently, gamma-irradiation seems to be a good method for sterilising drug delivery systems made from biodegradable polymers. The gamma-irradiation of microspheres can cause several physicochemical changes in the polymeric matrix. These modifications are affected by the temperature, irradiation dose and nature of the encapsulated drug and additives. This study has aimed to evaluate the influence of temperature during the sterilisation process by gamma irradiation in indomethacin PLGA microspheres including a PEG-derivative. Microspheres were prepared by the solvent evaporation method from o/w emulsion and were then exposed to gamma-irradiation. A dose of 25 kGy was used to ensure effective sterilisation. Some microspheres were sterilised with dry ice protection that guaranteed a low temperature during the process whilst others were sterilised without such dry ice protection. The effects of gamma-irradiation on the characteristics of non-loaded PLGA/PEG-derivative and indomethacin loaded PLGA/PEG-derivative microspheres with and without protection were studied. Non-protected microspheres showed changes in their morphological surface, polymer glass transition temperature, molecular weight and release rate of indomethacin after sterilisation. However, microspheres sterilised with protection did not show significant differences after gamma-irradiation exposure. The sterilisation method was satisfactory when the indomethacin loaded microspheres including a PEG-derivative were exposed to gamma-irradiation at low temperature.

Biodegradable ibuprofen-loaded PLGA microspheres for intraarticular administration

The objective of this study was the development and optimisation of biodegradable PLGA microspheres loaded with ibuprofen destined for intraarticular administration. The formulation was designed to provide "in vitro" therapeutic concentrations of ibuprofen (8 microg/ml) for as long as possible. The solvent evaporation method based on an o/w emulsion was used to form the microparticles. The polymer used was Poly (D,L-lactide-co-glicolide) 50:50 (PLGA), of different molecular weights (Mw) (34,000, 48,000 and 80,000 Da). In order to get a more controlled release rate of ibuprofen, a biodegradable oil, Labrafil M1944CS, polyethylene glycol 300 derivative, was used as an additive. The formulation was optimised by means of an experimental design, 2(3) being the variables: X(1) = PLGA Mw; X(2) = initial ibuprofen:polymer ratio; X(3) = percentage of Labrafil. The theoretical profile yielding in vitro "therapeutic" concentrations of ibuprofen (8 microg/ml) was calculated. The experimental profiles obtained for the formulations tested were compared with the theoretical one by means of the difference factor (f(1)). In all cases, the addition of Labrafil lowered the initial ibuprofen burst, prolonging the release rate of the drug from 24 h (without additive) up to 8 days incorporating the oil. The microspheres made from the PLGA (Mw = 34,000 Da) with Labrafil addition (10%) and ibuprofen:polymer (15%) ratio (formulation 1) yielded the most suitable release profiles. Forty milligram of the selected formulation (formulation 1), was sufficient to provide in vitro "therapeutic" concentrations of ibuprofen (8 microg/ml) up to 8 days. Labrafil modulates the release rate of donor-acceptor substances such as ibuprofen.

Biodegradable poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres containing tetracaine hydrochloride. In-vitro release profile

Tetracaine does not result in effective treatment of intractable pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia because of its short duration of effect. In a sustained release system a controlled delivery of the drug at the site of administration, would avoid successive administrations. Tetracaine hydrochloride (HCl) has been encapsulated using a technique based on the evaporation of solvent from an O/O emulsion, using poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) 50:50. Microspheres were separated into three fractions: 106-212, 212-300 and 300-425 microns. The effects of two variables of the manufacturing method (volume of the inner phase of the emulsion and volume of surfactant added to the external phase) on the drug loading into microspheres, dissolution profiles and SEM characterization of the microspheres were evaluated. Microspheres containing tetracaine hydrochloride (up to 94% referred to the theoretical) released the drug, in-vitro, over 35 days. Tetracaine HCl was delivered according to zero order kinetics from day 5 until the end of the release assay. The rate of drug release depended mainly on the viscosity of the discontinuous phase and on the size of microparticles. Microsphere size resulted more homogeneous when using the highest volume of the surfactant, being almost 80% of microparticles within the range 212-300 microns.

Chronopharmacokinetics and calcium in the prevention of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits

The study used 36 New Zealand white rabbits organized into three groups of 12 animals each. Group I received gentamicin; Group II received joint administration of gentamicin and calcium chloride and Group III received gentamicin, calcium chloride and verapamil. All the drugs were administered over 16 day periods. Groups I and II were divided in two subgroups, one subgroup receiving the treatment in winter and the other in summer. The results obtained for Group I indicate that there is an influence of the seasonal period on the gentamicin elimination and/or distribution. Mean plasma levels of the antibiotic at steady-state as well as the amounts of gentamicin accumulated in renal tissue are higher in winter than in summer. On the other hand, when calcium was administrated with the antibiotic, no significant circannual variations were observed in the renal toxicity of gentamicin. Under our study conditions the presence of calcium diminishes gentamicin plasma levels and the amount accumulated in kidney. Calcium, probably, generated a diminution in renal damage and consequently gentamicin renal excretion increases. The differences between Group II and Group III are due to the effect of verapamil. This agent blocks the calcium channels reducing the calcium protective effect on the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin.

Pharmacokinetics of cefroxadine after infusion to healthy volunteers

The pharmacokinetics of cefroxadine in healthy human volunteers was studied in plasma and urine, after an infusion administration of 1 g of this drug for 0.5 h. Blood and urine samples were microbiologically quantified by diffusion on solid gelose using Bacillus Subtilis ATCC 6633 as the test organism. Plasma and urine profiles were fitted to a reduced two-compartment model not having inactivating biotransformation as a route of elimination. The parameters of distribution for this model show a rapid disposition (t1/2 alpha = 0.28 h) and an average volume of the central compartment of 0.15 +/- 0.04 l/kg (range 0.20-0.09). The dominant terminal half-life (beta-phase) was 1.17 +/- 0.26 h (range 0.90-1.67). The total body volume 0.41 +/- 0.09 l/kg (range 0.30-0.52) indicates that there is no diffusion of the antibiotic into intracellular fluids of poorly perfused tissues due to its high elimination rate.