ALBERT

Notes: Summary The systemic availability of a new antidepressant, zimelidine, and of its pharmacologically active metabolite, norzimelidine, was studied in six healthy male volunteers. Three single doses of zimelidine (25 mg and 100 mg orally and 25 mg i.v.) and two single doses of norzimelidine (25 mg orally and i. v.) were given to each volunteer allowing at least seven days between administrations. Plasma concentrations of zimelidine and norzimelidine were determined in serial blood samples by HPLC. Following oral zimelidine peak plasma concentrations of the metabolite were attained about 3 h after dosing. Oral administration of norzimelidine itself resulted in a plasma concentration profile for this compound that was similar to that observed after oral zimelidine. Utilising the plasma concentration data following intravenous infusion of each compound, the elimination half-lives for zimelidine and norzimelidine were calculated to be 5.1 h (range 4.3–6.0) and 15.5 h (range 10.6–22.9) respectively. The total body clearances of the 2 compounds were similar at 0.52 l · min−1 (range 0.26–0.70) for zimelidine and 0.56 l · min−1 (range 0.28–0.83) for norzimelidine. The substantially longer elimination half-life of norzimelidine was apparently the result of a larger volume of distribution (9.4 l · kg−1; range 7.8–11.4) for this metabolite, as compared to zimelidine (3.21 · kg−1; range 1.6–4.9). The calculated bioavailability of zimelidine was 26% (range 9.1–39) after the 25 mg oral dose, and 29% (range 14–46) after the 100 mg dose. The bioavailability of norzimelidine was 66% (range 36–91). However, oral administration of zimelidine resulted in as much or more norzimelidine reaching the systemic circulation, as the oral administration of norzimelidine itself. This is important as a large part of the activity of the drug may be due to the metabolite.

Notes: Abstract A method is described employing 95% hydrazine which completely deproteinates and slightly dehydrates bone under nearly anhydrous conditions with only moderate heating. This method induced only minor chemical changes and no alterations in structural properties of the mineral phase. Physicochemical data are presented demonstrating that although rat bone crystals more closely resemble synthetic controls made in carbonate-rather than hydroxide-rich media, rat bone apatite cannot be interpreted in terms of known or postulated crystal models in any meaningful fashion. CO 3 2− infrared band assignments made from spectra of whole bone are shown to be in error due to the presence of protein absorption bands. Absorotion of HPO 4 2− was observed in infrared spectra of young rat bone mineral. Detailed X-ray diffraction comparisons of deproteinated rat bone before and after hydrolysis clearly demonstrated the presence of amorphous calcium phosphate. Electron microscopy indicated that very small apatite crystals were present in rat bone which might also contribute to the overall mineral pool amorphous to X-ray diffraction. Electron microscopy also showed domains in rat bone mineral where plate-like apatite crystals maintained a netc-axis orientation despite the removal of their fibrous matrix.

Notes: Abstract Infrared spectral data indicate that both native rat bone mineral and synthetic apatites formed at physiological pH, ionic strength and temperature are extensively deficient in hydroxide ion content; the data also indicate that these biological and synthetic apatites contain considerable internal distortions (lattice defects). In addition, a significant portion of the CO3 2- ions in rat bone mineral is loosely-structured in either an amorphous or surface environment. Carbonate ions in vacuum-heated bone or solution-ripened synthetic (physiological pH) apatites appear to be in multiple local environments. Internal CO3 2- in these materials may be substituted in PO4 3- and (in much lesser amounts) OH− positions, although considerable deviation from or within these sites is probable due to lattice defects. Carbonateapatites produced by thermal conversion (600o) of amorphous calcium phosphates containing 4–9% CO3 2- exhibit CO3 2- mainly in OH− environments. Thermal recrystallization of biological and synthetic apatites in an air atmosphere increases OH− content and reorganizes CO3 2- locales. However, such extremely well-crystallized products are not at all representative of their native apatitic precursors.

Notes: Summary To study bone histomorphometry reproducibility in normal subjects, we performed during orthopedic surgery bone biopsies in 16 post-menopausal women. Each woman had four bone biopsies, two at the usual site in the iliac crest, one on the left and one on the right side, and two other biopsies just behind the usual site, one at each side. We performed measurements of trabecular bone volume, relative osteoid volume, osteoid surfaces, osteoclastic resorption surfaces and calcification front. The average values of the 16 patients were compared, on the one hand, two by two, by a student test, and on the other hand, by a variance analysis. By these two methods the results showed no significant difference between the average values of the 16 patients at each location for any of the histomorphometric parameters studied. However, there was a location variation which was estimated by the intra-individual variation for a given patient. On the other hand, we calculated from the variance analysis the location variance for a group of 10 to 100 patients. In any case all the parameters had a location variation which was high for osteoclastic resorption surfaces and relative osteoid volume when expressed in % of the absolute value of these parameters. The variation of the trabecular bone volume was 0–46. 15% (95% confident limit interval) in a single patient and the hypothetical value of the location variation was 41.6% for a group of 10 patients and 13.0% for a group of 100 patients.

Notes: Summary We compared our ability to predict the dose of medigoxin and of digoxin required to achieve a fixed serum concentration (the dose requirement) in 33 outpatients. Preliminary work supported the assumptions that the steady state glycoside concentration achieved was proportional to the daily dose given to an individual, and that the bioavailability of the different tablet presentations was similar for either glycoside. We were not able to predict the dose requirement from patient characteristics with any more certainty for medigoxin than for digoxin. Not only the between-patient variability in dose requirement, but also the within-patient variability, was similar for the two glycosides. However the digoxin used had a dissolution rate of over 90% in 1 h. When comparing medigoxin with digoxin of lower, or more variable dissolution rate, medigoxin may be preferable.

Notes: Summary The absolute oral bioavailability of a sustained release theophylline tablet (Nuelin-SR250), given 12 hourly was determined in 14 asthmatic children aged 5 to 13 years. In 4 of the patients, mean bioavailability of the fourth dose was 38.9±8.4% and that of the sixth dose was 67.9±25.9% (p〈0.05) in the other ten patients. This suggests steady-state had not been achieved after four doses. In the initial study with 9 patients, a significant diurnal variation in predose plasma theophylline concentrations was observed, as the mean morning predose concentrations were 2.9 fold greater than the mean evening predose concentrations (p〈0.005). Dual peak plasma concentrations occurred in 5 out of the 9 patients. The mechanism of this diurnal variation was investigated in a further 5 asthmatic children (10.8 years ±1.6). Morning and night steady-state plasma theophylline concentrations during a continuous intravenous infusion of aminophylline were not different (14.9±5.3 mg/l vs. 15.6±5.9 mg/l), demonstrating that there was no diurnal variation in the plasma clearance of theophylline. The diurnal variation in predose concentrations with Neulin-SR250 was confirmed with the morning concentrations again being 2.6 fold greater than those in the evening. However, bioavailability was not significantly different for day (09.00–21.00) and night (21.00–09.00) dosing intervals after doses 6 and 7 respectively of Nuelin-SR250. The plasma concentration versus time profiles suggested that the diurnal variation in predose concentrations was due to slower absorption of the evening dose.

Notes: Abstract Seasonal and regional variations in the speciation, sediment-water partitioning, and dynamics of mercury (Hg) were studied at selected sites along the Hg-polluted Wabigoon River, and at unpolluted headwater and tributary sites, during April–September, 1979. ‘Dissolved’ and ‘particulate’ forms of Hg in the water were separated by continuous-flow centrifugation in the field. The Hg and other pollutants such as wood chips and salt had been discharged from a chlor-alkali plant and paper mill at Dryden, Ontario. Concentrations and loadings of particulate methyl mercury (CH3Hg+) and total particulate Hg (and loadings of total ‘dissolved’ Hg) were greatest during the spring flood (April-May) owing to accelerated resuspension and transport of sediments. Concentrations of ‘dissolved’ CH3Hg+, however, were highest in the summer (July–September), probably reflecting stimulation of microbial methylating activity by elevated temperatures, together with factors such as reduced levels of metal-scavenging particulates and minimal dilution by runoff. Total dissolved Hg concentrations were relatively high in September at polluted sites only, possibly because of desorption from sediments due to elevated concentrations of Cl− ions. Loadings of dissolved CH3Hg+ tended to be high in the summer but were generally depressed (suggesting sorption by suspended particles) during the major spring-flood episode in May. During July–August dissolved CH3Hg+ was a function of total dissolved Hg, suggesting rapid biomethylation of desorbed inorganic Hg; but in general dissolved and suspended CH3Hg+ levels depended on environmental variables and were unrelated to total Hg concentrations. In the summer only, total dissolved Hg was a function of dissolved Cl−. Hg species in particulates were associated with sulfides, hydrated Fe and Mn oxides, organic matter (notably high molecular weight humic and humic-Fe components), and selenium (Se); but CH3Hg+ and total Hg differed in their specific preferences for binding agents, implying that binding sites discriminate between CH3Hg+ and Hg2+ ions. CH3Hg+ was associated with sulfide and (in the spring only) with Fe oxides, whereas total Hg was associated with organic matter and Se and with DTPA- and NaOH-extractable Fe in the spring but with Mn oxide and NaOH-extractable organics in the summer. Sulfides were most abundant in May, indicating that they were eroded from bottom sediments, but Fe and Mn oxides were most abundant in the summer, probably owing to activities of filamentous iron bacteria and other micro-organisms. Particulate Hg was 98–100% nonextractable by mild solvents such as Ca acetate, CaCl2, dilute acetic acid, and (at polluted sites only) DTPA solutions, suggesting that the particulate Hg mobilized in the spring may not be readily available to organisms; association with Se and high molecular weight humic matter also supports this hypothesis. Hg probably becomes more bio-available in the summer, as suggested by the upsurge in dissolved CH3Hg+ and total dissolved Hg levels, and by increases in the solubility of particulate Hg in acetic acid, DTPA, H2O2, and NaOH solutions, as well as an increase in the relative importance of lower molecular weight fractions of NaOH-extractable Hg (in September). Regional variations in Hg speciation and partitioning reflected a gradient in sediment composition from wood chips near Dryden to silt-clay mud further downstream. Hg in silt-clay mud relatively far (〉 35 km) downstream from the source of pollution or in unpolluted areas appeared to be more readily solubilized by Cl− ions or chelators such as DTPA, more readily methylated (as indicated by downstream increases in dissolved CH3Hg+ levels and CH3Hg+/total Hg ratios), and was to a greater degree organically bound (H2O2-extractable), and thus was probably more bio-available, than Hg in wood-chip deposits. Possible explanations include weaker binding of Hg by the mud, the more finely divided state of the mud, and improved microbial growth at lower concentrations of toxic pollutants. Owing to enrichment in sulfides and Fe oxides, resuspended wood-chip sediments were especially efficient scavengers of CH3Hg+. The results indicate that in any pollution abatement plan aimed at lowering the Hg levels in the biota of lakes fed by the Wabigoon River, immobilization, removal, or detoxification of dissolved as well as particulate forms of Hg in the river would probably have to be considered. Possibly, Hg species could be ‘scrubbed’ from the river water by increasing the suspended load and by sedimentation and treatment with Hg-binding agents in special receiving basins.

Notes: Abstract Seasonal and regional variations in the speciation, sediment-water partitioning, and dynamics of mercury (Hg) were studied at selected sites along the Hg-polluted Wabigoon River, and at unpolluted headwater and tributary sites, during April–September, 1979. ‘Dissolved’ and ‘particulate’ forms of Hg in the water were separated by continuous-flow centrifugation in the field. The Hg and other pollutants such as wood chips and salt had been discharged from a chlor-alkali plant and paper mill at Dryden, Ontario. Concentrations and loadings of particulate methyl mercury (CH3Hg+) and total particulate Hg (and loadings of total ‘dissolved’ Hg) were greatest during the spring flood (April-May) owing to accelerated resuspension and transport of sediments. Concentrations of ‘dissolved’ CH3Hg+, however, were highest in the summer (July–September), probably reflecting stimulation of microbial methylating activity by elevated temperatures, together with factors such as reduced levels of metal-scavenging particulates and minimal dilution by runoff. Total dissolved Hg concentrations were relatively high in September at polluted sites only, possibly because of desorption from sediments due to elevated concentrations of Cl− ions. Loadings of dissolved CH3Hg+ tended to be high in the summer but were generally depressed (suggesting sorption by suspended particles) during the major spring-flood episode in May. During July–August dissolved CH3Hg+ was a function of total dissolved Hg, suggesting rapid biomethylation of desorbed inorganic Hg; but in general dissolved and suspended CH3Hg+ levels depended on environmental variables and were unrelated to total Hg concentrations. In the summer only, total dissolved Hg was a function of dissolved Cl−. Hg species in particulates were associated with sulfides, hydrated Fe and Mn oxides, organic matter (notably high molecular weight humic and humic-Fe components), and selenium (Se); but CH3Hg+ and total Hg differed in their specific preferences for binding agents, implying that binding sites discriminate between CH3Hg+ and Hg2+ ions. CH3Hg+ was associated with sulfide and (in the spring only) with Fe oxides, whereas total Hg was associated with organic matter and Se and with DTPA- and NaOH-extractable Fe in the spring but with Mn oxide and NaOH-extractable organics in the summer. Sulfides were most abundant in May, indicating that they were eroded from bottom sediments, but Fe and Mn oxides were most abundant in the summer, probably owing to activities of filamentous iron bacteria and other micro-organisms. Particulate Hg was 98–100% nonextractable by mild solvents such as Ca acetate, CaCl2, dilute acetic acid, and (at polluted sites only) DTPA solutions, suggesting that the particulate Hg mobilized in the spring may not be readily available to organisms; association with Se and high molecular weight humic matter also supports this hypothesis. Hg probably becomes more bio-available in the summer, as suggested by the upsurge in dissolved CH3Hg+ and total dissolved Hg levels, and by increases in the solubility of particulate Hg in acetic acid, DTPA, H2O2, and NaOH solutions, as well as an increase in the relative importance of lower molecular weight fractions of NaOH-extractable Hg (in September). Regional variations in Hg speciation and partitioning reflected a gradient in sediment composition from wood chips near Dryden to silt-clay mud further downstream. Hg in silt-clay mud relatively far (〉 35 km) downstream from the source of pollution or in unpolluted areas appeared to be more readily solubilized by Cl− ions or chelators such as DTPA, more readily methylated (as indicated by downstream increases in dissolved CH3Hg+ levels and CH3Hg+/total Hg ratios), and was to a greater degree organically bound (H2O2-extractable), and thus was probably more bio-available, than Hg in wood-chip deposits. Possible explanations include weaker binding of Hg by the mud, the more finely divided state of the mud, and improved microbial growth at lower concentrations of toxic pollutants. Owing to enrichment in sulfides and Fe oxides, resuspended wood-chip sediments were especially efficient scavengers of CH3Hg+. The results indicate that in any pollution abatement plan aimed at lowering the Hg levels in the biota of lakes fed by the Wabigoon River, immobilization, removal, or detoxification of dissolved as well as particulate forms of Hg in the river would probably have to be considered. Possibly, Hg species could be ‘scrubbed’ from the river water by increasing the suspended load and by sedimentation and treatment with Hg-binding agents in special receiving basins.

Notes: Abstract Seasonal and regional variations in the speciation, sediment-water partitioning, and dynamics of mercury (Hg) were studied at selected sites along the Hg-polluted Wabigoon River, and at unpolluted headwater and tributary sites, during April–September, 1979. ‘Dissolved’ and ‘particulate’ forms of Hg in the water were separated by continuous-flow centrifugation in the field. The Hg and other pollutants such as wood chips and salt had been discharged from a chlor-alkali plant and paper mill at Dryden, Ontario. Concentrations and loadings of particulate methyl mercury (CH3Hg+) and total particulate Hg (and loadings of total ‘dissolved’ Hg) were greatest during the spring flood (April-May) owing to accelerated resuspension and transport of sediments. Concentrations of ‘dissolved’ CH3Hg+, however, were highest in the summer (July–September), probably reflecting stimulation of microbial methylating activity by elevated temperatures, together with factors such as reduced levels of metal-scavenging particulates and minimal dilution by runoff. Total dissolved Hg concentrations were relatively high in September at polluted sites only, possibly because of desorption from sediments due to elevated concentrations of Cl− ions. Loadings of dissolved CH3Hg+ tended to be high in the summer but were generally depressed (suggesting sorption by suspended particles) during the major spring-flood episode in May. During July–August dissolved CH3Hg+ was a function of total dissolved Hg, suggesting rapid biomethylation of desorbed inorganic Hg; but in general dissolved and suspended CH3Hg+ levels depended on environmental variables and were unrelated to total Hg concentrations. In the summer only, total dissolved Hg was a function of dissolved Cl−. Hg species in particulates were associated with sulfides, hydrated Fe and Mn oxides, organic matter (notably high molecular weight humic and humic-Fe components), and selenium (Se); but CH3Hg+ and total Hg differed in their specific preferences for binding agents, implying that binding sites discriminate between CH3Hg+ and Hg2+ ions. CH3Hg+ was associated with sulfide and (in the spring only) with Fe oxides, whereas total Hg was associated with organic matter and Se and with DTPA- and NaOH-extractable Fe in the spring but with Mn oxide and NaOH-extractable organics in the summer. Sulfides were most abundant in May, indicating that they were eroded from bottom sediments, but Fe and Mn oxides were most abundant in the summer, probably owing to activities of filamentous iron bacteria and other micro-organisms. Particulate Hg was 98–100% nonextractable by mild solvents such as Ca acetate, CaCl2, dilute acetic acid, and (at polluted sites only) DTPA solutions, suggesting that the particulate Hg mobilized in the spring may not be readily available to organisms; association with Se and high molecular weight humic matter also supports this hypothesis. Hg probably becomes more bio-available in the summer, as suggested by the upsurge in dissolved CH3Hg+ and total dissolved Hg levels, and by increases in the solubility of particulate Hg in acetic acid, DTPA, H2O2, and NaOH solutions, as well as an increase in the relative importance of lower molecular weight fractions of NaOH-extractable Hg (in September). Regional variations in Hg speciation and partitioning reflected a gradient in sediment composition from wood chips near Dryden to silt-clay mud further downstream. Hg in silt-clay mud relatively far (〉 35 km) downstream from the source of pollution or in unpolluted areas appeared to be more readily solubilized by Cl− ions or chelators such as DTPA, more readily methylated (as indicated by downstream increases in dissolved CH3Hg+ levels and CH3Hg+/total Hg ratios), and was to a greater degree organically bound (H2O2-extractable), and thus was probably more bio-available, than Hg in wood-chip deposits. Possible explanations include weaker binding of Hg by the mud, the more finely divided state of the mud, and improved microbial growth at lower concentrations of toxic pollutants. Owing to enrichment in sulfides and Fe oxides, resuspended wood-chip sediments were especially efficient scavengers of CH3Hg+. The results indicate that in any pollution abatement plan aimed at lowering the Hg levels in the biota of lakes fed by the Wabigoon River, immobilization, removal, or detoxification of dissolved as well as particulate forms of Hg in the river would probably have to be considered. Possibly, Hg species could be ‘scrubbed’ from the river water by increasing the suspended load and by sedimentation and treatment with Hg-binding agents in special receiving basins.

Notes: Abstract The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nitrazepam following intravenous, oral (tablet), and rectal (solution) administration were studied in seven healthy, young male volunteers. Nitrazepam plasma concentrations were determined by electron-capture GLC; pharmacokinetic evaluations were made by compartmental analysis (NONLIN) and compared with the results obtained by a less stringent modelling of the data. The plasma concentration-time profile was similar for all three routes of administration. Mean kinetic parameters as obtained by compartmental analysis of i.v. nitrazepam were: distribution half-life 17 min; volume of distribution after equilibrium 2.14 liters/kg; total plasma clearance 61.6 ml/min; elimination half-life 29.0 h. The mean protein unbound fraction of nitrazepam in plasma was 12.3% and the clearance of the unbound fraction was 506 ml/min. Absorption of oral nitrazepam started after the elapse of a lag time (mean value 12 min) and occurred as an apparent first-order process in all but one subject, with a mean absorption half-life of 16 min. Distribution and elimination half-lives were comparable with those following i.v. administration. Following rectal administration of the nitrazepam solution, rapid first-order absorption occurred with a mean lag time of 4 min and a mean absorption half-life of 9 min. Peak times (median 18 min) were significantly shorter than following oral administration (median 38 min), but there was little difference in peak concentrations. The distribution half-life was similar to i.v. and oral administration, but the elimination half-lives were longer with a mean value of 33.1 h. Following i.v. administration a good agreement was found between the results obtained by compartmental analysis using NONLIN and those obtained by a less stringent modelling of the data. Following oral and rectal administration, a good agreement between the two procedures was found for the elimination half-life; estimation of bioavailability, however, was higher by compartmental analysis. The mean bioavailability data showed that absorption is complete when nitrazepam is given orally and almost 20% lower when it is given rectally, but considerable interindividual differences were observed.