Importance of free water in controlling granule and tablet properties in a novel granulation method, green fluidized bed granulation (GFBG).

In the pharmaceutical field, green fluidized bed granulation (GFBG) is a novel and eco-friendly manufacturing technology used to produce desired granules via simple blending and spraying steps at ambient temperature using a standard fluidized bed granulator. However, the relations between water content and granule and tablet qualities have not yet been elucidated for GFBG. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the influence of different water quantities used in the GFBG process on granule and tablet qualities.

Mechanistic Study of the Distribution of Lascufloxacin into Epithelial Lining Fluid.

The present study aimed to clarify the mechanism underlying the high distribution of lascufloxacin in epithelial lining fluid (ELF). Involvement of transporters was examined by transcellular transport across Calu-3 and transporter-overexpressing cells; the binding of lascufloxacin to ELF components was examined by an organic solvent-water partitioning system that employed pulmonary surfactant and phospholipids. Transcellular transport across the transporter-overexpressing cells indicated lascufloxacin to be a substrate of both P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP); therefore, its transport across Calu-3 cells was inhibited by P-gp and BCRP inhibitors.

Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1a4 is Responsible for the Hepatic Uptake of Cardiac Glycosides in Mice.

Among organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp) family transporters expressed in the rodent liver, such as Oatp1a1, Oatp1a4, Oatp1b2, and Oatp2b1, Oatp1a4 has a unique character to recognize neutral cardiac glycosides as a substrate in addition to organic anions. The relative contribution of Oatp1a4 to the substrate uptake into hepatocytes has not been clarified. In this study, we investigated the importance of Oatp1a4 in the hepatic uptake of its substrate drugs using mice.

Radiosynthesis of novel pitavastatin derivative ([ F]PTV-F1) as a tracer for hepatic OATP using a one-pot synthetic procedure.

Pitavastatin is an antihyperlipidemic agent, a potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, which is selectively taken up into the liver mainly via hepatic organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1). OATP1B1 can accept a variety of organic anions, and previous reports indicated that it is responsible for the hepatic clearance of several clinically used anionic drugs. Therefore, the pharmacokinetics and the hepatic distribution of pitavastatin provide an insight into the function of OATP1B1 in humans.

The Prediction of the Relative Importance of CYP3A/P-glycoprotein to the Nonlinear Intestinal Absorption of Drugs by Advanced Compartmental Absorption and Transit Model.

Intestinal CYP3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) decrease the intestinal absorption of substrate drugs. Since substrate specificity of CYP3A often overlaps that of P-gp, and estimation of their saturability in the intestine is difficult, dose-dependent FF (fraction of the administered drugs that reach the portal blood) of substrate drugs and the relative importance of CYP3A and P-gp have not been clarified in many cases. Thus, we tried to establish the universal methodology for predicting the in vivo absorption of several CYP3A and/or P-gp substrates from in vitro assays.

Development of pH-Independent Drug Release Formulation Using Lipocalin-Type Prostaglandin D Synthase.

The purpose of this study was to develop a pH-independent drug release formulation using lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase, a member of the lipocalin superfamily, with the function of forming complexes together with various small lipophilic molecules. Dipyridamole, a poorly water-soluble drug, showing a pH-dependent solubility profile, was used as the model drug. The solubilization of dipyridamole was achieved by a simple complex formulation method with lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase.

Tocilizumab, a humanized anti-IL-6R antibody, as an emerging therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis: molecular and cellular mechanistic insights.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a major role in the initiation and maintenance of joint inflammation and destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The therapeutic success of biologics targeting tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (IL-6R) has broadened the treatment options for RA. These agents have potential overlapping and discriminating biologic effects, as well as different pharmacological features.

Direct and rapid genotyping of SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C in human blood specimens using the SmartAmp-2 method.

Organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, encoded by the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene, mediates the active uptake of various organic anions into hepatocytes and determines their hepatic clearances as the first step in the detoxification pathway. Previous reports indicated that alterations in its function by drug-drug interactions or genetic polymorphisms affect the pharmacokinetics of the substrate drugs. In the present study, we developed a method to genotype SLCO1B1 388A>G (rs2306283) and 521>C (rs4149056), which significantly affect the clinical pharmacokinetics and subsequent side effects such as myopathy caused by statins, OATP1B1 substrates in humans.

Predicting drug-drug interactions involving the inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein.

Recently, interest has grown in drug-drug interactions (DDIs) involving the inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and other drug efflux transporters. The criteria for intestinal DDIs are described in the draft guidances of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA). Substrate drugs with small fraction absorbed (Fa) and/or low intestinal availability (Fg) as a result of intestinal efflux transport and metabolism are important as "victim" drugs because these substrates are likely to show considerable interactions.

Muscle reflection human computer model in wheelchairs traveling in motor vehicles.

In this study, a human motion computer model in a wheelchair was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of a seatbelt for disabled people traveling in a motor vehicle. The human model was composed of two rigid links and three masses. This model was characterized with muscle reflection defined by Hill's equation.