Effect of a spacer on total systemic and lung bioavailability in healthy volunteers and in vitro performance of the Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) pressurized metered dose inhaler.

Introduction: Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma experience difficulties in coordinating inhalation with pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) actuation. The use of a spacer device can improve drug delivery in these patients. The aim of this study was to establish the relative bioavailability of single doses of Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) pMDI 160/4.

A novel polymorphism in ABCB1 gene, CYP2B6*6 and sex predict single-dose efavirenz population pharmacokinetics in Ugandans.

Aims: Efavirenz exhibits pharmacokinetic variability causing varied clinical response. The aim was to develop an integrated population pharmacokinetic/pharmacogenetic model and investigate the impact of genetic variations, sex, demographic and biochemical variables on single-dose efavirenz pharmacokinetics among Ugandan subjects, using NONMEM.

Methods: Efavirenz plasma concentrations (n = 402) from 121 healthy subjects were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Determination of nebulizer droplet size distribution: a method based on impactor refrigeration.

Size distributions of droplets generated by nebulizers are difficult to determine because of evaporation after aerosolization. We describe a method whereby a Next Generation Pharmaceutical Impactor (NGI; MSP Corporation, Shoreview, MN) is refrigerated at 5 degrees C before connecting it to the nebulizer in order to ensure an environment inside the NGI at close to 100% relative humidity (RH). This, in turn, reduces droplet evaporation between the nebulizer and impaction.

Identification of cytochromes P450 2C9 and 3A4 as the major catalysts of phenprocoumon hydroxylation in vitro.

Objective: This in-vitro study aimed at an identification of cytochrome P(450) (CYP) enzymes catalysing the (S)- and (R)-hydroxylation of the widely used anticoagulant phenprocoumon (PPC) to its major, inactive metabolites.

Methods: Relevant catalysts were identified by kinetic, correlation and inhibition experiments using human liver microsomes and recombinant enzymes.

Results: Kinetics revealed (S)-7-hydroxylation as quantitatively most important.

A simple pharmacokinetic method to evaluate the pulmonary dose in clinical practice--analyses of inhaled sodium cromoglycate.

When the expected effect of an inhaled drug is not achieved, the cause could be poor inhalation technique and consequently a low pulmonary dose. A simple in vivo test to evaluate the pulmonary dose would be a benefit. This study evaluates the relative and systemic bioavailability following inhalation of nebulized sodium cromoglycate (SCG) in healthy subjects.

Model for the Reduced Schiff Base Intermediate between Amino Acids and Pyridoxal: Copper(II) Complexes of N-(2-Hydroxybenzyl)amino Acids with Nonpolar Side Chains and the Crystal Structures of [Cu(N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-D,L-alanine)(phen)].H(2)O and [Cu(N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-D,L-alanine)(imidazole)].

Copper(II) complexes with reduced Schiff base ligands of amino acids possessing nonpolar side chains with salicylaldehyde have been synthesized. Ternary complexes with imidazole, 1,10-phenanthroline, and pyridine have been prepared and characterized for N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-D,L-alanine. The crystal structures of [(N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-D,L-alanine)(1,10-phenanthroline)Cu(II)] monohydrate ([Cu(SAla)phen].