No abstract

Chemical reaction interface mass spectrometry (CRIMS) was coupled on-line with HPLC using a Vestec particle beam interface. A helium-assisted nebulizer provided added stability with no loss in accuracy or precision as compared to the thermospray nebulizer at flow rates of up to 1.0 mL/min using isocratic conditions. However, mass spectral response was found to be solvent-dependent for both the helium-assisted and thermospray nebulizers. Postcolumn solvent addition of methanol eliminated solvent-dependent decreases in mass spectral response. This allowed gradient HPLC elutions to be performed. Under these conditions, the flow of solvent into the particle beam interface was 2.5 mL/min, so a conventional thermospray nebulizer had to be used instead of the helium-assisted nebulizer. Experiments were conducted with the antianxiety agent buspirone in order to validate the methodology. Metabolites from in vitro incubations of [15N]/[14C]buspirone with rat liver slices were analyzed by gradient LC/CRIMS and by gradient LC/[14C] radioactivity counting. The response from LC/CRIMS analysis for individual metabolites was then compared with that obtained by LC/[14C] radioactivity counting. An excellent correlation was observed between the two methods for metabolites with quite different HPLC characteristics. Thus, gradient LC/CRIMS in combination with stable isotopes provides an alternative to using radioisotopes for carrying out drug metabolism studies.

1. Metabolism of the antianxiety drug buspirone was studied by in vitro incubations with rat liver microsomes and hepatocytes. Metabolites were isolated and purified by h.p.l.c. The purified metabolites were identified by co-elution on h.p.l.c. with authentic standards and by g.l.c.-electron impact mass spectrometry of their trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives. 2. Five metabolites of buspirone were identified in the microsomal incubates and seven in the hepatocyte incubates. The major metabolites arose from aromatic hydroxylation at C-5, N-dealkylation of the butyl chain, and hydroxylation at C-6' and C-3' on the azaspirodecanedione moiety. 3. Metabolism of buspirone by rat liver microsomes was NADPH-dependent and was completely inhibited by cytochrome P-450 inhibitors SKF-525A and metyrapone. 4. Metabolites of buspirone formed in vitro were good predictors of the primary metabolites formed in vivo. 5. Hepatocytes and phenobarbital-induced rat liver microsomes were better predictors of in vivo metabolism of buspirone than non-induced rat liver microsomes. These in vitro systems should provide excellent models for studying the metabolism of other azaspirodecanedione-containing drugs.

Translation of the bacteriophage φX174 genome follows cistron order D-E-F-G-H-A-B-C. To establish this, the position of a nonsense mutation on the genetic map was compared with the physical size (molecular weight) of the appropriate protein fragment generated in nonpermissive cells. Distances on the φX174 genetic map and distances on a physical map constructed from the molecular weights of φX174 proteins and protein fragments are proportional over most of the genome with the exception of the high recombination region within cistron A.

A series of three-way crossover randomized studies were conducted to evaluate the absolute bioavailability of butorphanol, a potent agonist-antagonist analgesic, from transnasal, sublingual, and buccal disk formulations in order to identify a practical alternative to oral administration. In each study, healthy male volunteers received 2 mg doses of butorphanol tartrate intravenously and either transnasally, sublingually or buccally. Serial blood samples were collected over 12 h and butorphanol plasma concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. The plasma concentration data were subjected to non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. The elimination half-life of butorphanol was about 3-5 h and was independent of the route of administration. Absorption of butorphanol following transnasal administration was faster than that observed following sublingual or buccal administration. Mean absolute bioavailabilities of sublingual tablet and buccal disk formulation were only 19 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively, but for transnasal administration the value rose significantly, to 70 per cent. Based on the results of these studies, transnasal dosage form of butorphanol was selected for further clinical trials of treatment of moderate to severe pain.