The median-effect equation derived from the mass-action law principle at equilibrium-steady state via mathematical induction and deduction for different reaction sequences and mechanisms and different types of inhibition has been shown to be the unified theory for the Michaelis-Menten equation, Hill equation, Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, and Scatchard equation. It is shown that dose and effect are interchangeable via defined parameters. This general equation for the single drug effect has been extended to the multiple drug effect equation for n drugs. These equations provide the theoretical basis for the combination index (CI)-isobologram equation that allows quantitative determination of drug interactions, where CI 1 indicate synergism, additive effect, and antagonism, respectively. Based on these algorithms, computer software has been developed to allow automated simulation of synergism and antagonism at all dose or effect levels. It displays the dose-effect curve, median-effect plot, combination index plot, isobologram, dose-reduction index plot, and polygonogram for in vitro or in vivo studies. This theoretical development, experimental design, and computerized data analysis have facilitated dose-effect analysis for single drug evaluation or carcinogen and radiation risk assessment, as well as for drug or other entity combinations in a vast field of disciplines of biomedical sciences. In this review, selected examples of applications are given, and step-by-step examples of experimental designs and real data analysis are also illustrated. The merging of the mass-action law principle with mathematical induction-deduction has been proven to be a unique and effective scientific method for general theory development. The median-effect principle and its mass-action law based computer software are gaining increased applications in biomedical sciences, from how to effectively evaluate a single compound or entity to how to beneficially use multiple drugs or modalities in combination therapies.

http://www.protocol-online.org/forums/uploads/monthly_09_2010/post-8165-008503000%201284677034.ipb

Theoretical Basis, Experimental Design, and Computerized Simulation of Synergism and Antagonism in Drug Combination Studies

Pharmacogenetics is the study of how interindividual variations in the DNA sequence of specific genes affect drug response. This article highlights current pharmacogenetic knowledge on important human drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450s (CYPs) to understand the large interindividual variability in drug clearance and responses in clinical practice. The human CYP superfamily contains 57 functional genes and 58 pseudogenes, with members of the 1, 2, and 3 families playing an important role in the metabolism of therapeutic drugs, other xenobiotics, and some endogenous compounds. Polymorphisms in the CYP family may have had the most impact on the fate of therapeutic drugs. CYP2D6, 2C19, and 2C9 polymorphisms account for the most frequent variations in phase I metabolism of drugs, since almost 80% of drugs in use today are metabolized by these enzymes. Approximately 5-14% of Caucasians, 0-5% Africans, and 0-1% of Asians lack CYP2D6 activity, and these individuals are known as poor metabolizers. CYP2C9 is another clinically significant enzyme that demonstrates multiple genetic variants with a potentially functional impact on the efficacy and adverse effects of drugs that are mainly eliminated by this enzyme. Studies into the CYP2C9 polymorphism have highlighted the importance of the CYP2C9*2 and *3 alleles. Extensive polymorphism also occurs in other CYP genes, such as CYP1A1, 2A6, 2A13, 2C8, 3A4, and 3A5. Since several of these CYPs (e.g., CYP1A1 and 1A2) play a role in the bioactivation of many procarcinogens, polymorphisms of these enzymes may contribute to the variable susceptibility to carcinogenesis. The distribution of the common variant alleles of CYP genes varies among different ethnic populations. Pharmacogenetics has the potential to achieve optimal quality use of medicines, and to improve the efficacy and safety of both prospective and currently available drugs. Further studies are warranted to explore the gene-dose, gene-concentration, and gene-response relationships for these important drug-metabolizing CYPs.

Polymorphism of human cytochrome P450 enzymes and its clinical impact

Exposure of the hyperaccumulator Alyssum lesbiacum to nickel (Ni) is known to result in a dose-dependent increase in xylem sap concentrations of Ni and the chelator free histidine (His). Addition of equimolar concentrations of exogenousl-His to an Ni-amended hydroponic rooting medium enhances Ni flux into the xylem in the nonaccumulator Alyssum montanum , and, as reported here, in Brassica juncea L. cv Vitasso. In B. juncea , reducing the entry of l-His into the root by supplying d-His instead of l-His, or l-His in the presence of a 10-fold excess of l-alanine, did not affect root Ni uptake, but reduced Ni release into the xylem. Compared with B. juncea , root His concentrations were constitutively about 4.4-fold higher in A. lesbiacum , and did not increase within 9 h of exposure to Ni. Cycloheximide did not affect root His or Ni concentrations, but strongly decreased the release of His and Ni from the root into the xylem of A. lesbiacum , whereas xylem sap concentrations of Ca and Mg remained unaffected. Near-quantitative chelation of Ni with nitrilotriacetate in the rooting medium did not enhance Ni flux into the xylem of A. lesbiacum and B. juncea , suggesting the absence of a significant apoplastic pathway for Ni entry into the xylem. The data suggest that in B. juncea roots, Ni 2+ uptake is independent of simultaneous uptake of His. In both species, enhanced release of Ni into the xylem is associated with concurrent release of His from an increased root free His pool.

The role of free histidine in xylem loading of nickel in Alyssum lesbiacum and Brassica juncea

Correlation and prediction of a large blood–brain distribution data set—an LFER study

Experimental diabetes induced by alloxan and streptozotocin: The current state of the art.

Stereoselective blood-brain barrier transport of histidine in rats.

Sialic acid-binding lectin (SBL-C) from Rana catesbeiana eggs inhibits the growth of tumor cells such as P388 and L1210 leukemia cells (K. Nitta et al. , Cancer Res., 54: 920–927, 1994). Here we report the establishment of an SBL-resistant P388 variant cell line, RC-150. Both P388 and RC-150 cells were agglutinated by SBL-C; however, growth of RC-150 cells was unaffected by SBL-C. Cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration and transglutaminase activity of RC-150 cells were 0.5 (110 nm) and 3 times (0.62 nmol/mg/min) as high as those of P388 cells, respectively. Microvilli and microplicae were observed on the surface of P388 cells by scanning electron microscopy but were rarely seen on RC-150 cells. Dansylcadaverine-labeled SBL-C bound to both P388 and RC-150 cells. Binding of SBL-C to these tumor cells appears to be mediated by two species of wheat germ agglutinin-stained cell membrane sialoglycoproteins. Labeled SBL-C entered P388 but not RC-150 cells, suggesting that internalized SBL-C acts as an inhibitor of cell proliferation.

https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/54/4/928.full.pdf

Characterization of a Rana catesbeiana Lectin-resistant Mutant of Leukemia P388 Cells

An ovomucoid-conjugated column has been developed for the chiral stationary-phase liquid chromatographic resolution of racemic chlorpheniramine with a quantitation limit of 0.05 microgram mL-1. The assay was used to study the stereoselective kinetics of chlorpheniramine enantiomers in rats. After bolus intravenous administration of racemic chlorpheniramine maleate (20 mg kg-1), plasma concentration of the (-)-form was higher than that of the (+)-form. In the elimination phase, the concentrations of (+)- and (-)-chlorpheniramine in the plasma declined biexponentially with half-lives of 18.2 and 50.0 min, respectively. Although there was no significant difference in blood-to-plasma concentration ratio of both enantiomers, the apparent total blood clearance of (+)-chlorpheniramine was twice as large as that of the (-)-isomer. Binding of (-)-chlorpheniramine to rat plasma protein was stronger than that of (+)-chlorpheniramine suggesting stereoselective pharmacokinetics may be due to a difference in the plasma protein binding.

The optical resolution of racemic chlorpheniramine and its stereoselective pharmacokinetics in rat plasma.

We investigated the effects of selenium (Se) on the serum glucose and insulin levels in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 75 mg/kg, i.p.) and pancreatectomized rats. Moreover, the direct action of Se on insulin release from the isolated pancreatic islets using a slight diabetic rat was studied. The following results were obtained: 1) Selenite at a dose of 173 micrograms/kg (78.9 micrograms/kg of Se base equivalent) drastically reduced the very high level of serum glucose in acute diabetic rats within 5 to 30 min after treatment. During this time period, the insulin level in the serum showed an increasing tendency. 2) The high serum glucose level in chronic diabetic rats returned to the original level with injection of selenite for 4 days, once a day. However, Se did not elicit a significant increase in serum insulin level. 3) Although there was a tendency for the serum glucose level to decrease when selenite was administered into pancreatectomized rats, no secretion of insulin into the serum was observed. 4) Insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets was dose-dependently accelerated by the addition of selenite. These data present the new finding that Se reduced the high level of serum glucose in diabetic rats.

/pdf/effects-of-selenium-on-the-serum-glucose-and-insulin-levels-sbyrm6azgw.pdf

Effects of selenium on the serum glucose and insulin levels in diabetic rats

An HPLC method using an ovomucoid-conjugated column has been developed for measurement of thioperamide, a histamine H3 antagonist, with a minimum quantitation limit of 0.05 micrograms mL-1. The assay was used to study the disposition of thioperamide in rats. After bolus intravenous administration of thioperamide (10 mg kg-1), the plasma concentration decreased monoexponentially with a half-life of 26.9 min. The apparent total body clearance of thioperamide from rat plasma was 74.6 mL min-1 kg-1. Although thioperamide was quickly transferred to various tissues, its concentrations in peripheral tissues were higher than that in the brain. However, the brain regional tissue/plasma ratios of thioperamide increased continuously after its injection.

Noboru Hikichi

Papers

Stereoselective blood-brain barrier transport of histidine in rats.

Characterization of a Rana catesbeiana Lectin-resistant Mutant of Leukemia P388 Cells

The optical resolution of racemic chlorpheniramine and its stereoselective pharmacokinetics in rat plasma.

Effects of selenium on the serum glucose and insulin levels in diabetic rats

The disposition of thioperamide, a histamine H3-receptor antagonist, in rats.