Identification of Asiaticoside from (Apiaceae) as Potential Apyrase Inhibitor by UF-UHPLC-MS and Its In Vivo Antischistosomal Activity.

Schistosomiasis, caused by parasites of the genus , is a neglected disease with high global prevalence, affecting more than 240 million people in several countries. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug currently available for the treatment. NTPDases (known as SmNTPDases, ATP diphosphohydrolases or -apyrases) are potential drug targets for the discovery of new antischistosomal drugs.

Simultaneous Monitoring of Azathioprine Metabolites in Erythrocytes of Crohn's Disease Patients by HPLC-UV.

The conversion of azathioprine (AZA) to active 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) is essential for its clinical efficacy; however, another metabolite formed, 6-methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP), is related to hepatotoxicity. Blood samples were collected from 37 patients under AZA's treatment, and a new HPLC-UV method was validated and applied for simultaneous quantification of 6-TGN and 6-MMP in erythrocytes of Crohn's disease (CD) patients. The concentration of 6-TGN and 6-MMP found ranged from 4.

Nebulization of Vancomycin Provides Higher Lung Tissue Concentrations than Intravenous Administration in Ventilated Female Piglets with Healthy Lungs.

Background: Intravenous vancomycin is used to treat ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, but achieves high rates of failure. Vancomycin nebulization may be efficient to provide high vancomycin lung tissue concentrations. The aim of this study was to compare lung tissue and serum concentrations of vancomycin administered intravenously and by aerosol in mechanically ventilated and anesthetized healthy piglets.

Pharmacokinetic profile and oral bioavailability of Kaurenoic acid from Copaifera spp. in rats.

Kaurenoic acid (KA) is a kaurane diterpene found in several medicinal plants that displays biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, smooth muscle relaxant and hypotensive response. However, there are no pharmacokinetic data available about this molecule. The purpose of the study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile and the oral bioavailability of KA in rats.

Penetration of cefuroxime in subcutaneous tissue during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

A sensitive and rapid HPLC assay for determining cefuroxime penetration in the subcutaneous tissue near to surgical incision of patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was performed. Blood and subcutaneous tissue samples were collected from 14 patients, in four periods during surgery. The analytical method presented linearity from 0.

Use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors by college students.

The objective of this study was to identify the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors among university students from the city of Sao Paulo (SP) in Brazil. Male students (n=350) replied to a questionnaire about diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, the frequency and reason for the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, the specific medication used, whether their use was accompanied by a medical prescription and any reported side-effects. The results shows that a total of 53 (14.

[Factors related to prescriptions of antibiotics in a public pharmacy in the Western region of the city of São Paulo].

The use of antibiotics in the treatment of established infections for inhibiting or abolishing the growth of microorganism is very common. The risks related to their use include side effects, drug resistance and potential drug-drug interactions. A structured questionnaire was applied to patients in order to collect information about their understanding of the treatment and of how to use the antibiotic.

Perioperative cefuroxime pharmacokinetics in cardiac surgery.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the plasma levels and to compare the pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime during and after surgery in adult patients with elective indication for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: Seventeen patients received three 1.5-g bolus IV doses of cefuroxime, one every 12 hrs.