ALBERT

Notes: Summary The nucleotide sequence ofDrosophila melanogaster 5S RNA has been determined and appears to be homogeneous both in the KC cell line and in the insect at different developmental stages. Experimental evidence on the conformation of this molecule is in agreement with a general class of 5S RNA models.

Notes: Summary Injection of α-ecdysone into the larval haemolymph of late third instar larvae ofD. virilis induces both the extrusion of secretory proteins and the inactivation of the enzyme glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate-aminotransferase (E.C. 2.6.16) in the salivary glands. In the presence of actinomycin D or cycloheximide the hormone is ineffective. If before adding these inhibitors RNA synthesis is allowed to proceed for 1.5h, or protein synthesis for 2h after ecdysone injection, however, the protein extrusion and the enzyme inactivation do occur. It is proposed that ecdysone controls these two cytoplasmic events at the transcriptional level by the activation of specific Correlations with puff activities are discussed.

Notes: Summary 1. The developmental potentials of dissociated cells of the different regions of the male foreleg disc ofDrosophila melanogaster were analysed. To this end, various amounts of foreleg disc material were dissociated together with an excess of heavily irradiated wing discs (“feeding layer”), and the reaggregates were cultured for 10 days in the abdomens of adult hosts prior to metamorphosis. 2. The foreleg disc cells were in most cases unable to regenerate missing structures in a circular direction within the leg segments. Instead they strongly tended to adopt the specifications of more distal leg segments (distal transformation), irrespective of the region of origin of the ancestor cells within the disc. 3. The distal transformation occurred mainly, if not exclusively, during an early phase (“initial phase”) in the reaggregates. 4. The extent of distal transformation was most pronounced in those series in which the foreleg cells were initially least diluted by the “feeding layer” cells. 5. Cells of the lower lateral quadrant were very poor both in proliferative activity and in the extent of distal transformation, compared to cells of the three remaining quadrants. In the experiments with a low initial dilution of the foreleg cells, cells of the lower medial quadrant underwent distal transformation much more distinctly than cells of the upper medial and the upper lateral quadrants. 6. Allotypic structures occurred exclusively in reaggregates of the upper medial and upper lateral quadrants. In these implants, however, the frequency of transdetermination was extremely high. 7. Two alternative mechanisms are discussed which could have led to the general occurrence of distal transformation. They differ in the basic assumption of whether or not the “feeding layer” cells were able to interact with the leg cells to influence their regulative behaviour. In addition, interactions among the leg cells themselves seemed to stimulate proliferation to varying degrees and may account for the observed differences in the degree of distal transformation.

Notes: Summary Three-hundred and twenty fertile,pal-induced Y-chromosome mosaic males and females were obtained. Fractional analysis of the sons of 55 somatically mosaic flies that were also germinally mosaic tentatively suggests that the number of functional primordial germ cells inDrosophila melanogaster is variable and that it is seldom greater than 24. From the observed 0.17 frequency of germinal mosaicism it was estimated that the average number of pole cells at the end of blastoderm formation is 45. At present, the germ cells afford the only opportunity to compare genetic estimates of the number of blastoderm or primordial cells with available histological counts. The good agreement between them suggests that both the fractional and the mosaic frequency methods for estimating primordial or blastoderm cell numbers of various larval and imaginal anatomical structures provide reasonably close approximations of the actual values.

Notes: Summary 1. Histological analyses were made of imaginal discs and histoblasts during the larval development ofDrosophila melanogaster to determine the number of cells, the patterns of cell division and the growth dynamics in these adult primordia. Histological studies were also made of the imaginal rings which are the primordia of the adult salivary gland, fore-and hindgut, the anlage cells of the midgut and several larval and embryonic tissues. 2. In the newly-hatched larva, the immature eye-antenna, wing, haltere, leg and genital discs contain about 70, 38, 20, 36–45 and 64 cells respectively. These numbers include cells destined to form cuticular elements as well as peripodial, tracheal and nerve cells and probably the progenitors of adepithelial cells. The number of cells counted in the various imaginal disc anlagen is 1.5 to 4 times higher than the numbers deduced from genetic mosaic analyses by other investigators and reasons for these differences are given. 3. About 12 h after fertilization, mitosis ceases in all tissues of the embryo except the nervous system. After the larva hatches, mitosis resumes in most of the imaginal anlagen and in some larval tissues. The time of resumption of mitosis in the imaginal anlagen was determined after treating the larvae with colchicine for 2 h. 4. Among the imaginal discs, the eye disc is the first to begin cell division, at about 13–15 h after the hatching of the larva (first instar) followed by the wing (15–17 h), the haltere (18–20 h), the antenna, leg, and genitalia (24–26 h, early second instar), and finally the labial and dorsal prothoracic discs (52–54 h, early third instar). The cell doubling time for various discs was calculated from cell counts and the times agree closely with the doubling times deduced from clonal analyses by other workers: e.g., 7.5 h for the cells of the wing disc. 5. The imaginal ring of the hindgut first shows cell division early in the second instar. The imaginal rings of the foregut and salivary glands, the anlage cells of the midgut and the cells of the segmental lateral tracheal branches begin to divide early in the third instar. 6. The histoblasts which are the anlagen of the integument of the adult abdomen do not increase in number from the time of larval hatching until about 5 h after pupation when they begin to divide. Their behaviour contrasts with that of the histoblasts of the other dipterans such asCalliphora, Musca andDacus, which begin to divide during the second instar. 7. The histoblasts are an integral part of the larval abdominal epidermis and, unlike imaginal disc cells, secrete cuticle during larval life. Each hemisegment consists of an anterior dorsal, a posterior dorsal, and a ventral histoblast nest containing about 13, 6 and 12 cells respectively. The 62 histoblasts in each larval segment represent about 7–8% of the total number of cells that form the integument of that segment. 8. The number of cells in a particular type of histoblast nest was constant for both male and female larvae and among the different abdominal segments, except that the anterior dorsal group of the first and the seventh segments contains fewer cells than those of the other segments. Although the male and female adultDrosophila lack the first abdominal sternite and the male lacks the seventh abdominal tergite and sternite, the ventral histoblast nests of the first and the dorsal and ventral nests of the seventh abdominal segments are present in the larval stages as well as in the prepupa and have the same morphology and cell number as similar nests in the rest of the abdominal segments. 9. The cells of the imaginal discs increase in volume about six-fold and their nuclei increase in volume three-fold between the time of hatching and the initiation of mitosis. The histoblasts increase in volume about 60-fold and their nuclei increase in volume about 25-fold between larval hatching and pupariation. 10. Prior to each cell division, the nuclei of the columnar cells of the disc epithelium and of the histoblasts appear to migrate toward the apical surface of the epithelium. The cells round up and shift toward the apical region where mitosis occurs. After cytokinesis, the daughter cells move back to deeper positions in the epithelium. Because the nuclei of the non-dividing cells continue to lie deep in the epithelium, this intermitotic migration of nuclei gives these epithelia a pseudostratified appearance. 11. Analyses of the growth of larval cells and of organs confirmed the observations of earlier investigators that cell division occurs only in a few larval tissues, whereas growth in the rest of the larval tissues is by cell enlargement and polyteny. During larval life, cell division was detected only in the central nervous system, gonads, prothoracic glands, lymph glands and haemocytes. Each tissue began mitosis at a characteristic stage in larval life. The larval cells that did not divide, grew enormously, e.g., epidermal cells increased in volume 150-fold and their nuclei increased in volume 80-fold. 12. The adepithelial cells, which give rise to some of the imaginal muscles, were first identified between the thick side of the imaginal dise epithelium and the basement membrane at the beginning of the third larval instar (50–52 h). The origin of these precursors of mesodermal structures was analysed and evidence is presented that the adepithelial cells come from the disc epithelium. The question of the origin of the mesoderm of cyclorrhaphan Diptera is reviewed and it is suggested that the imaginal disc ectoderm may become segregated from the rest of the embryo before gastrulation has occurred, that is before the mesoderm has been established.

Notes: Summary The present investigation analyzes intercellular junctions in tissues with different developmental capacities. The distribution of junctions was studied inDrosophila embryos, in imaginal disks, and in cultures of disk cells that were no longer able to differentiate any specific pattern of the adult epidermis. The first junctions —primitive desmosomes andclose membrane appositions — already appear in blastoderm.Gap junctions are first detected in early gastrulae and later become more and more frequent.Zonulae adhaerentes are formed around 6 h after fertilization, whileseptate junctions appear in the ectoderm of 10-h-old embryos. Inwing disks of all stages studied (22–120 h), three types of junctions are found: zonulae adhaereentes, gap junctions, and septate junctions. Gap junctions, which are rare and small at 22 h, increase in number and size during larval development. The other types of junctions are found between all cells of a wing disk throughout development. All types of junctions that are found in normal wing disks are also present in theimaginal disk tissues cultured in vivo for some 15 years and in thevesicles of imaginal disk cells grown in embryonic primary cultures in vitro. However, gap junctions are smaller and in the vesicles less frequent than in wing disks of mature larvae. Thus gap junctions, which allow small molecules to pass between the cells they connect, are present in the early embryo, when the first developmental decisions take place, and in all imaginal disk tissues studied, irrespective of whether or not these are capable of forming normal patterns.

Notes: Summary The lineages of cells on the second-leg basitarsus ofDrosophila melanogaster were analyzed by examining gynandromorphs andMinute mosaics. Bracts lie proximal to bristles on the adult basitarsus, yet bract precursor cells were found to originate lateral to bristle precursor cells. In 6 of the 8 longitudinal rows of bristles on this segment, the bract cells arise ventral to the bristle cells; in the others they arise dorsally. The lateral cell origins are interpreted as reflecting a pattern of lateral cell movements associated with evagination of the leg disc. An unusual discrepancy was observed in the relative frequencies of male vs. female bracts and bristles in gynandromorphs. The discrepancy suggests that there is a cell-autonomous sexual difference in either the time at which cells begin moving during evagination or the speed with which they move. On the basis of the results, it is reasoned that the bristle pattern of the basitarsus does not originate in its final form. Prior to evagination, the bristle cells of each row are apparently closer together than in the final pattern, and the rows are farther apart. Evidence is presented which suggests that the bristle cells of each row may originally be arranged in a jagged line which is later straightened by cell movements. The two locations where the anterior/posterior compartment boundary of the second leg passes through the basitarsus were found to vary relative to the bristle pattern. If this boundary is assumed to be a fixed line of positional values, then the extent of the observed variability — which is estimated to be ± 1 or 2 cell diameters — provides a measure of the precision of patterning around the circumference.

Notes: Summary The differentiation of muscles in primary cultures of cells fromDrosophila melanogaster embryos was investigated. In early cultures, and in the absence of exogenous ecdysone, two main classes of muscle were found. Comparison, by light and electron microscopy, of one of these classes (the “myotube” class) with muscles from third instar larvae shows that this class corresponds to the muscles of the body wall of the larva. When α- or β-ecdysone is added to the cultures, these undergo a number of metamorphic changes. Most of the larval muscles disappear, and two new types of muscle form. Ultrastructural and light microscopic examination of these two types indicates that they correspond to the two classes of skeletal muscle (fibrillar and tubular) found in adult flies.

Notes: Summary The pathway of adult sensory nerves has been analysed in three experimental situations: (i) in flies with grossly abnormal thoracic morphology resulting from X-irradiation early during development, (ii) in flies which had been subjected to surgical operations late in the larval period, (iii) in homoeotic mutants. The results provide experimental support for a simple mechanism in which developing adult axons join the nearest larval nerve and are guided by it up to the central nervous system. In particular, experimental interference with normal development can result in nerves from different segments, or from dorsal and ventral appendages, joining each other and entering the central nervous system together.

Notes: Summary The mature labial disc, when implanted into a larva of the same age, undergoes metamorphosis along with the host and produces one lateral half of the medi- and distiproboscis. On the basis of results obtained from transplanted disc halves (including the separate peripodial membrane) a tentative fate map of the labial disc was constructed, which shows most of the presumptive mediproboscis to be located in the dorsal, and most of the presumptive distiproboscis in the ventral part of the disc. The distal protion of the peripodial membrane also contains imaginal anlagen, viz. part of the mediproboscis, prementum, and labellar cap anlagen. The involvement of this part of the peripodial membrane was checked by a careful histological analysis of labial disc development during the first ten hours after prepupation. The results were compared with the situation described forCalliphora imaginal discs. In addition, a detailed morphological analysis was made of the proboscis of the homoeotic mutantproboscipedia (pb). At 27°C,pb changes the distiproboscis into a “telopodite” (leg segments distal to the coxa); the (unchanged) prementum may therefore correspond to the coxa. At 15° C, the tarsus of this homoeotic “telopodite” is replaced to a greater or lesser extent by an arista. The present analysis thus confirms (a) the fundamental morphological correspondence of the medi- and distiproboscis with the labium of other insects, and (b) the fundamental developmental correspondence of the labial, antennal, and leg discs.

Notes: Summary A temperature-sensitive period during early embryogenesis for three stocks carrying thetuh-3 gene suggests that it is a homoeotic mutation involved in the initial determination of the eye-antennal disc rather in maintenance of the determination.

Notes: Summary The development of the adult abdomen ofDrosophila melanogaster was analyzed by histology, microcautery, and genetic strategies. Eight nests of diploid histoblasts were identified in the newly hatched larva among the polytene epidermal cells of each abdominal segment: pairs of anterior dorsal, posterior dorsal, and ventral histoblast nests and a pair of spiracular anlagen. The histoblasts do not divide during larval life but begin dividing rapidly 3 h after pupariation, doubling every 3.6 h. Initially they remain confined to their original area, but 15 h after pupariation the nests enlarge, and histoblasts replace adjacent epidermis cell by cell. The histoblasts cover half the abdomen by 28 h after pupariation and the rest by 36 h. Polytene epidermal cells of the intersegmental margin are replaced last. Cautery of the anterior dorsal nest caused deletion of the whole corresponding hemitergite, whereas cautery of the posterior dorsal nest caused the deletion of the macrochaetae of the posterior of the hemitergite. Cautery of the ventral nest deleted the hemisternite and the pleura, whereas cautery of the spiracular anlagen deleted the spiracle. Results of cautery also revealed that no macrochaetae formed on the tergite in the absence of adjacent microchaetae. Clonal analysis revealed that there were no clonal restrictions within a hemitergite at pupariation. Cautery of polytene epidermal cells other than those of the intersegmental margin failed to affect tergite development. However, cautery of polytene epidermal cells of the intersegmental margin adjacent to either dorsal histoblast nest caused mirror-image duplications of the anterior or posterior of the hemitergite in 10% of the hemitergites. Forty percent of the damaged presumptive hemitergites formed complete hemitergites, indicating extensive pattern regulation and regeneration. Pattern duplication and regeneration were accounted for in terms of intercalation and a model of epimorphic pattern regulation (French et al., 1976). Histoblasts in adjacent segments normally develop independently, but if they are enabled to interact by deleting the polytene epidermal cells of the intersegmental margin, they undergo intercalation which results in duplication or regeneration. The possible role of the intersegmental margin cells of insects in development was analyzed.

Notes: Summary The development of the rhabdomeric pattern in the compound eye ofDrosophila has been studied using combined transplantation and electron microscope techniques. In a first series of experiments eye imaginal discs of increasing age were implanted into larvae ready to pupate, thus losing variable amounts of the normal time for development. A sequence of differentiative abilities was found in the metamorphosed test pieces. As far as the photoreceptor cells are concerned, the most prominent steps of this sequence are: ability to form groups with other similar elements, anatomical polarization of microvilli, establishment of the rhabdomeric pattern and formation of an equator line. The stability of determination of the equator line was tested in a second experimental series. Fragment of different topographical origin within the mature eye anlage were brought to metamorphosis by implantation into larvae ready to pupate. It was found that an equator line differentiates only in those pieces which according to the published anlage maps contain the prospective equator region prior to metamorphosis. The mitotic abilities of implanted eye imaginal discs were investigated by means of “in vitro”3H-thymidine pulse-labelling and light microscope autoradiography of the differentiated test pieces. During the third larval stage the eye anlage is traversed by two consecutive mitotic waves, each one of them producing different categories of receptor cells. The first, anterior wave predominantly produces cells oriented toward the poles of the eye within the ommatidia, while the second, posterior wave gives rise to elements exclusively in an equatorial position. The dynamics of this proliferation are discussed in relation to the findings in the implantation experiments. Silver-grain counts support the possibility that at least two successive cell divisions occur in the eye anlage between labeling with tritiated thymidine and beginning of morphological differentiation. The relevance of this finding for the understanding of the concept of acquisition of competence is discussed.

Notes: Summary The derivatives of 110 mosaic genital discs of gynandromorphs have been analysed microscopically. It has been found that theanalia of both sexes are homologous and derive from a single primordium (see Fig. 1a). Whether male or female anal plates are formed depends on the genetic constitution of the cells. This is analogous to the development of male sex combs versus female transversal rows on the forelegs of gynandromorphs. In contrast, the data for thegenitalia (see Fig. 1 b) are best explained if it is assumed that there are two genital primordia in everyDrosophila embryo: a male primordium that will only develop into genitalia if populated by XY (or XO) nuclei, and a female primordium that will only do so if populated by XX nuclei. This model, as depicted in Figure 2, is compatible with all our gynandromorph data and also with observations onMusca andCalliphora where in fact two separate genital primordia are found.

Notes: Summary Five regions of the compound eye have been found to be preferential boundaries for clones of labelledMinute + cells, and to act restrictively on the growth of cell clones after a given developmental stage. One of these regions is topographically related to the line of pattern inversion existing at the level of the equator. The results of experiments showing independency of origin of restriction lines and line of pattern inversion are reported.

Notes: Summary sev LY3,the only existing allele at thesev locus (1–33,2±0,2), behaves as strongly hypomorph or even as amorph. Ommatidia in asev compound eye have only seven receptor cells, the position of the R7 pattern element being vacant. Various criteria showing that the missing cell is R7 have been verified. These include (i) anatomical characteristics ofsev ommatidia; (ii) behaviour of central R cells insev rdgB double mutants; (iii) medullary projection of central R cell axons; and (iv) mitotic pattern ofsev imaginal discs. The analysis of morphogeneticsev-sev + mosaics has shown thatsev is expressed autonomously by R7 cells, indicating that thesev phenotype is not due to asev genotype of ommatidial pattern elements other than R7. The study of third instarsev imaginal discs has not brought any direct evidence for death of clustered presumptive R7 cells; however, clonal analysis of the developingsev compound eye has given evidence of developmental parameters comparable to those ofsev +, therefore favouring the hypothesis that R7 cells die insev mutants. On the other hand,sev + seems to be required for the determination of the R7 cells, since thesev phenotype cannot be uncovered during the last mitoses of heterozygous mutant cells.

Notes: Summary These experiments examined whether inDrosophila immature imaginal disc tissue and tissues from embryonic stages can influence pattern regulation in a disc fragment in the same way as can mature imaginal discs. Immature imaginal discs, or the cells of whole embryos, were mixed with a test fragment (presumptive notum) from a mature wing disc. The immature tissues in each mixture were genetically marked and had been heavily irradiated (25 Kr gamma) prior to mixing to prevent growth and maturation during subsequent culture in vivo. Alteration of the regulative behavior of the test fragment (that is, regeneration of wing) thus provided an assay for the communication of positional information by the immature tissues. The results suggest that this capacity arises well before competence to metamorphose, as early as the 16th hour of embryonic development, whereas prior to 16 h, essentially no stimulation of regeneration occurred. It is suggested that the imaginal disc (or presumptive disc) cells of the embryo may have been responsible for this early stimulatory capacity.

Notes: Summary The ontogeny of allozyme patterns has been studied in embryos ofDrosophilamelanogaster, which are doubly heterozygous for alleles specifying the slow and fast forms of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). The ontogeny of esterase-2 was studied in embryos and young larvae of the flour mothEphestia kühniella, which are heterozygous for two of the three existing esterase-2 alleles. In freshly laidDrosophila eggs only the maternal enzyme forms are present and during the first 15 hours of development the staining of these forms becomes progressively fainter. After 16 and 17 h, the paternal and hybrid bands of ADH and GPDH respectively become obvious. Before hatching, the intensity distribution in the three-banded pattern of reciprocal hybrids is asymmetric in favour of the persisting maternal enzyme form. InEphestia embryos, however, there is no persistence of the maternal esterases. In all reciprocal heterozygotes a three-banded pattern suddenly appears 96 h after egg deposition, indicating synchronous activation of both parental alleles. The relative intensity distribution in the hybrid patterns approaches that of the mature larvae stepwise and in an allele-specific manner. This result and the fact that the various heterozygous types exhibit unequal total activities suggest that the Esterase-2 alleles have different activities, which are fixed late in embryogenesis.

Notes: Summary The females produced in the crossesD. melanogaster×D. simulans andD. melanogaster×D. mauritiana are sterile and have reduced ovaries. Normal and fertile ovaries were produced when genetically marked pole cells ofD. melanogaster were transplanted into eggs which gave rise to the hybrid females. These results eliminate the possibility that the sterility of these hybrids is due to the somatic component, i.e. the follicular cells of the ovaries, or to other physiological causes. The results also suggest that the control of gonadal morphogenesis is dependent mainly on the germ line.

Notes: Summary Gynandromorphs with female XX-and male XO-areas result from the loss of an unstable ring-X-chromosome in the early cleavage mitoses of ring/rod-X-chromosome heterozygotes. The phenotypes of the recessive alleles on the rod-X-chromosome are expressed in the XO-areas. 377 larval gynandromorphs of the genotypeR(1)2, In(1)w vC /y w sn3Iz50e mal were examined and scored for the phenotypes of 13 paired and 10 unpaired structures (Table 2, Fig. 2). This was possible mainly by the cell-autonomous expression of aldehyde oxidase activity in soft tissues and by the comparison of the distribution of enzyme activity in wildtype and gynander larvae. The distances between pairs of structures were calculated in sturt-units (Tables 3 and 4). A morphogenetic fate map with the presumptive areas of larval structures was constructed (Fig. 3). The relative positions of the structures agree well with Poulson's fate map (Fig. 4). In addition, the distribution of phenotypes was scored in 380 adult gynandromorphs Table (5). The fate map (Fig. 5) which was constructed from these data is very similar to the fate map of larval structures. This similarity becomes even more pronounced if fate maps are constructed which contain only structures analogous in larva and imago (Table 6, Fig. 6). Therefore an attempt was made to set up an integrated morphogenetic fate map containing the presumptive areas of both larval and imaginal structures (Fig. 7). The possibilities of further blastoderm mapping are discussed.

Notes: Summary Females homozygous for a newly isolated mutation induced by ethyl methane sulphonate,fs(1)K10, lay abnormally shaped eggs in which the dorsal appendages of the chorion are enlarged and fused ventrally. The eggs are usually not fertilized and development is never normal beyond the blastoderm stage. The mutant was mapped to the tip of the X-chromosome with a meiotic position of 1–0.5 and a cytological location between 2B17 and 3A3. Using germ line mosaics constructed by transplantation of pole cells, it was shown that the abnormal morphology and the sterility are obtained only when the germ line is homozygous for the mutant.

Notes: Summary TheDrosophila chorion is produced normally in isolated follicles in Robb's chemically defined culture medium. The complex architecture of the shell developed in vitro from follicles as young as early stage 10 is completely normal morphologically. In addition, the time required for in vitro development closely approximates that observed for in vivo development. Comparisons of insect culture media developed by Robb, Grace, Schneider, and Echalier show large variations in their ability to supportDrosophila chorion development.

Notes: Summary The bristle pattern of the second-leg basitarsus inDrosophila melanogaster was studied as a function of the number and size of the cells on this segment in well-fed and starved wild-type flies, in triploid flies, and in two mutants (dachs andfour-jointed) that have abnormally short basitarsi. The second-leg basitarsi of well-fed, wild-type flies from 22 otherDrosophila species were studied in a similar manner. There are typically 8 longitudinal rows of evenly-spaced bristles on the second-leg basitarsus, and in each row the number of bristles was consistently found to vary in proportion to the estimated number of cells along the segment, and the interval between bristles was found to vary in proportion to the average cell diameter on the segment. These correlations are interpreted to mean that the spacing of the bristles within each row is controlled developmentally, whereas the number of bristles is not. The interval between bristles is evidently measured either as a fixed number of cells or as a distance which indirectly depends upon cell diameter.

Notes: Summary Salivary gland cells of members of theDrosophila melanogaster group (from four different subgroups) were examined electron microscopically and histochemically during the late larval period of development. The secretory product, which is supposed to be utilized as ‘glue’ at the time of puparium formation, appears, by analogy to Palade and Jamieson's results, to be synthesized partially in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and partially in the Golgi complex. The latter is also the usual site of the packaging of the product into secretory granules, except in the case of one of the secretory granule components ofD. lucipennis. The phylogenetic relationships among the subgroups, implied by the morphological appearance of the secretory granules, fit well with the existing phylogenetic relationships within the group. The secretory granules of each species have their own morphological features; granules of species of the same subgroup share some of these features. Secretion occurs from the cells via exocytosis during which the morphology of the secretory granules changes. Light microscope examination of PAS (Periodic Acid-Schiff reaction) stained glands shows a strong positive reaction in most species, with the exception of the species of thesuzukii subgroup which show a weak, or a negative reaction (D. rajasekari). Electron histochemical localization of polysaccharides in the secretory granules was possible inD. melanogaster and the species of theananassae subgroup.

Notes: Summary The generalogical relationships of photoreceptor cells within the compound eye ofDrosophila have been studied using cell labelling, with either3H-thymidine or recessive mutations, during the third larval stage. It has been found that photoreceptor and secondary pigment cells arise from different precursor cells. Under the present experimental conditions, precursors of receptor cells give rise to about 8 elements which differentiate as R cells of two different groups. One of the cells differentiates as R7 and the remaining as any one of the R1 to R6. The last cells behave initially as equivalent, and can differentiate within the same or within different, but neighbouring, ommatidia. The class of R1 to R6 cell in which each one of these elements differentiates, seems to depend on the time of its origin. The implications of these findings for the formation of the ommatidial pattern are discussed.

Notes: Summary We report on the size distribution of clones marked by mitotic recombination induced by several different doses of X-rays applied to 72 h oldDrosophila larvae. The results indicate that the radiation significantly reduces the number of cells which undergo normal proliferation in the imaginal wing disc. We estimate that 1000 r reduces by 40–60% the number of cells capable of making a normal contribution to the development of the adult wing. Part of this reduction is due to severe curtailment in the proliferative ability of cells which nevertheless remain capable of adult differentiation; this effect is possibly due to radiation-induced aneuploidy. Cytological evidence suggests that immediate cell death also occurs as a result of radiation doses as low as 100 r. The surviving cells are stimulated to undergo additional proliferation in response to the X-ray damage so that the result is the differentiation of a normal wing.

Notes: Summary Immature ovaries ofDrosophila mercatorum were injected into young larvae and into adult males ofD. mercatorum, D. melanogaster, D. hydei, D. virilis, andZaprionius vittiger. These homo- and heteroplastic transplantations allow normal vitellogenesis to occur in the donor ovary. By SDS gel electrophoresis, we identified the major species-specific yolk proteins of mature eggs (stage 14) which were exclusively of donor-specific origin. Other experiments withD. hydei andZ. vittiger showed that, when females were used as hosts, the host-specific yolk proteins became incorporated into the donor eggs. When two immature ovaries, one ofD. mercatorum and one ofD. hydei, were co-cultured in males, again only the donor-specific yolk proteins were found in the mature eggs implying that these yolk proteins were not released into the host hemolymph. A parthenogenetic strain ofD. mercatorum was used to demonstrate the ability of transplanted immature ovaries to produce viable eggs which can give rise to fertile adults. The role of the species-specific yolk proteins is discussed with respect to the dual origin of these proteins during normal vitellogenesis, i.e., an autonomous synthesis within the ovary itself in addition to the well-known production by the fat body. Further experiments with pupae as hosts indicate that even in the absence of juvenile hormone and in the presence of high doses of ecdysone, vitellogenesis can proceed within the donor ovary. Based on these experiments, a new hyopthesis on the hormonal control of vitellogenesis inDrosophila is presented. We propose that yolk proteins derived from the fat body are controlled by juvenile hormone, whereas the independent and autonomous vitellogenesis within the ovary itself is controlled by endogenously synthesized ecdysone.

Notes: Summary We estimate the number of blastoderm cells which generate the thoracic imaginal discs ofDrosophila. At hatching the wing disc is twice the size of the haltere disc, but the results suggest that both discs develop from a similar number of blastoderm cells. Two homeotic mutations, which transform the haltere into wing, affect embryonic growth but not the primordial number. All the segmental primordia may be of similar size and each may be similarly subdivided into a larger anterior, and a smaller posterior polyclone.

Notes: Summary The embryonic organization of the sexually dimorphic genital disc was studied in genetic mosaics resulting (a) from early loss of a chromosome or (b) from mitotic recombination. (a) Early Loss of a Chromosome. Three types of mosaics were produced — purely female mosaics, purely male mosaics, and gynandromorphs. They show that the genital disc arises from a group of cells in the ventral region of the embryo somewhat larger than that giving rise to a single foreleg (Table 2). Within this group of cells three regions can be distinguished that are present in both sexes: an anterior, a medial, and a posterior one, with distances of only 3–4 sturts between adjacent regions. The anterior region gives rise to the female genitalia, the medial region to the male genitalia, and the posterior region forms the analia of both sexes and the parovaria of the female (Figs. 2 and 3). The relative positions of the three regions were deduced from sturt distances (Tables 1 and 5), and from frequencies of mosaicism (Table 2). (b) Mitotic recombination was induced at the blastoderm stage in order to produce twin spots in the external genitalia and analia of purely male and female flies. Clone sizes indicate that these structures arise from a small number of precursor cells (Table 4). Clones overlapped right and left sides, but no clones were found extending over analia and genitalia. However, within either the analia or the genitalia of each sex, no clonal restrictions could be observed, and the clones comprised structures that were up to 12 sturts apart. A comparison of clone sizes and sturt distances in the foreleg and in the genital disc indicates that equal gynandromorph distances involve equal numbers of cells in different regions on the ellipsoid egg (Fig. 5). The results obtained from all mosaics provide a consistent picture of the embryonic organization of the genital disc. This becomes apparent in the summarized fate maps (Fig. 4), where the map derived from normal gynandromorphs can be produced by a simple superposition of the male and the female maps. The data are also discussed with respect to mechanisms of sexual differentiation in the genital disc.

Notes: Summary Mutations of the bithorax complex result in segmental transformations in the thorax and abdomen ofDrosophila. The haltere discs from larvae homozygous forbx 3 orpbx are transformed so that the discs contain cells that will produce wing cuticle as well as cells that produce haltere cuticle. The pattern regulation behavior of these discs has been examined. The fate maps of the two discs were established, and then the regulative behavior of a number of fragments from both types of mutant discs was established by culturing the fragments in vivo prior to metamorphosis. The most important conclusion from this work is that the cells producing, haltere cuticle and wing cuticle within the same disc share the same positional information and that they communicate during pattern regulation.

Notes: Summary Pairs of eye-antennal discs, attached to the cephalic ganglia, were cultured in vitro with a concentration of β-ecdysone optimal for imaginal differentiation. The eye-antennal discs fused to form a vesicle inside which the antennae were partially everted, and on the inner surface of which imaginal structures differentiated. The epithelium of the discs was continuous, and an integrated pattern of bristles and hairs differentiated in vitro. In particular, the median ocellus, a unified structure derived partially from each disc, differentiated normally.

Notes: Summary l(1)su(f)mad-ts (mad) is a new temperature-sensitive (ts) lethal mutant ofDrosophila melanogaster which produces duplicated legs after temperature pulse treatment during larval development. The ts-lethality was studied in temperature experiments and genetic mosaics. Temperature pulses given during two distinct TSPs of larval development result in two different types of leg pattern duplication. “Total” differ from “partial” duplications with respect to the affected leg compartments and the orientation of the planes of symmetry which are perpendicular to the dorso-ventral and the proximo-distal leg axes in total and partial duplications, respectively. Genetic mosaic studies indicate (i) disc autonomy of leg pattern duplication, (ii) clonal separation of the anlagen of the two pattern copies, and (iii) clonal restriction along the antero-posterior compartment border in the two pattern copies of totally duplicated legs. The results suggest thatmad leg pattern duplication is caused by a change in positional information rather than by cell death and subsequent regeneration. Our data are compatible with the assumption that during normal development the leg disc cells acquire information about their position within the disc with respect to the different leg axes independently and at different times.

Notes: Summary Two possible mechanisms are considered for the occurrence of experimentally or genetically induced duplications of bristles: extra cell division of a bristle mother cell versus determination of more than one mother cell. From a clonal analysis it appears that duplications induced by actinomycin-D arise by the latter mechanism, whereas those found in the mutantspl seem to arise by the former mechanism.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of the anti-epileptic drug di-n-propylacetate (DepakineR) have been studied in 7 patients, in whom plasma concentrations were determined during and following subchronic treatment. Elimination of the drug appeared to follow a monophasic exponential course; biological half lives were 8 to 15 hours. The data supported the assumption that an open one-compartment model can be used to describe the kinetics of dipropylacetate in man. The drug appeared to have a relatively restricted distribution: calculated relative distribution volumes ranged from 0.15 to 0.40 1/kg. There were large interindividual differences in clearance rate. The therapeutic range was considered to be between 50 and 100 mg/1 plasma. Plasma levels of phenobarbital were markedly raised during treatment with dipropylacetate for an unknown reason. Determination of the plasma concentrations of drugs at accurately fixed times appears to be a reliable method for pharmacotherapeutic monitoring of epileptic patients.

Notes: Summary An oral dose of 5 mg of14C-isosorbide dinitrate was rapidly absorbed, biotransformed and excreted by human subjects. Peak whole blood concentrations of radioactivity were reached after 1.5 to 2 hours and declined relatively slowly. The radioactivity in whole blood mainly represented metabolites, isosorbide mononitrates. The peak concentrations found were 4.5, 11.7 and 34.3 ng/ml of isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide 2-mononitrate and isosorbide 5-mononitrate, respectively, in the blood of one subject and 5.9, 15 and 61.3 ng/ml, respectively, in the blood of another subject. However, concentrations of the metabolites declined relatively slowly during 6 h after the oral dose. Up to 99% of an oral dose of isosorbide dinitrate was excreted during 5 days, mainly in the urine of the first day (ca. 78%). The results showed that isosorbide mononitrates were available to contribute to the pharmacological action.

Notes: Summary It is apparent from studying recent articles on pharmacokinetics that a number of misunder-standings exist, both about the design of experiments and the analysis of results. The purpose of this paper is to outline many of the common pitfalls associated with the design of experiments and also the limitations upon the analysis of results. The paper describes mathematical, laboratory and clinical aspects which must be examined in designing a protocol for pharmacokinetic experiments. Simulated data is presented to demonstrate the dangers of using standard computer programs for parameter estimation. Even when convergence is obtained the answers may be dependent on the method employed. A mathematical model is of little use unless a reasonable amount of good, accurate data is obtained.

Notes: Summary Clonazepam (CNP) and its principal metabolite in plasma, 7-amino-CNP (ACNP), have been investigated in a prospective study of 27 newly diagnosed epileptics and correlated with specified side-effects. At a daily dose of 6 mg, the average plasma levels of both substances were about 50ng/ml, and individual values ranged from 30 to about 80ng/ml. There was a linear correlation between changes in dose and the resulting plasma levels, which indicates first order elimination kinetics. Side-effects were frequent, but neither their severity nor their occurrence could be related to plasma levels or to the rate of increase in plasma concentration of the drug. Three out of five patients who developed serious dysphoria had significantly high CNP levels. The concentration of ACNP was considerably increased in four patients who subsequently suffered from withdrawal symptoms. Drug interaction with diphenylhydantoin, i.e. decreased CNP level, was observed in all five patients who received both compounds. In general it is not yet possible to define an upper limit for the plasma levels of CNP and ACNP at which toxicity occurs. In patients treated with conventional doses of CNP, measurement of plasma concentration is not required, except in special circumstances, because of the lack of correlation between plasma level and side-effects.

Notes: Summary After administration of a single loading dose (80 mg p.o.) of fluorophenindione, the prothrombin level decreased to 37 % in 24 h, and the effect lasted for 48 h. Accordingly, fluorophenindione can be classified as an anticoagulant with an “intermediate” effect. Its elimination half-life was 31 h, which is longer than that of phenindione, because of the greater stability of the fluorinated derivate.

Notes: Summary Plasma concentrations of nortriptyline have been assayed in four subjects after intravenous infusion of 57 mg nortriptyline hydrochloride. The data were evaluated according to a two compartment open model. The calculated best-fitting curves were in good agreement with the experimental data, better than could be expected from a simpler model. This justifies the assumption that the kinetics of nortriptyline in man may be described by this model with an appropriate input function. The data permitted estimation of all the parameters of the model. The meaning of the parameters is discussed, particularly in relation to individual variation.

Notes: Summary The plasma elimination of carbamazepine (Tegretol®) was studied in five newborns who had got the drug transplacentally from their epileptic mothers. The half-lives ranged from 8.2 – 27.7 hours which is comparable or even shorter than those found in adults after a single oral dose, but in the same range as those found in adults after multiple oral doses. This suggests that the newborns' drug metabolizing capacity has been induced during fetal life.

Notes: Summary The importance of individualizing the dosage of potent drugs in order to maximize their therapeutic effectiveness and safety is generally accepted. Whenever possible the dosage of a drug should be “titrated” directly in each patient against the intensity of its therapeutic or toxic actions. Unfortunately, for many drugs convenient clinical yardsticks of the intensity of their pharmacologic effects are lacking. Determination of the serum concentration of such compounds can help to guide adjustment of dosage during their therapeutic use. By measuring the serum level of drugs one bypasses the largest source of individual differences in doseeffect relationships — the pharmacokinetic variation between subjects. However, the relationship between the serum concentration of a drug and the intensity of its pharmacodynamic action is influenced by many other factors, which must always be considered in interpretation of serum levels. Therapeutic decisions should never be based solely on the serum concentration of a compound, nor can such measurements ever substitute for careful medical observation and judgement.

Notes: Summary 35S-furosemide was administered orally (n=7) or i.v. (n=2) to healthy subjects. The average gastrointestinal uptake estimated by comparison of the urinary recovery of label and the areas under the plasma curves after the two routes of administration was 65%. The half life of radioactivity in the plasma after oral35S-furosemide was 90 ± 17 min (estimated on the slope between 2 and 6 h); the corresponding figure after35S-furosemide i.v. was 47–53 min (slope 0.5–4 h). There was probably a slower phase after 4–6 h. Fractionation of labelled material in urine from two subjects demonstrated that approximately two thirds of the label recovered at 24 h had the same chromatographic properties as furosemide. A major part of the metabolite(s) was probably furosemide glucuronide. There was no evidence that 4-chloro-5-sulfamoylanthranilic acid was formed in man. The total urinary recovery of label (5–7 d) after oral and intravenous administration was 55.1±3.2 (mean±SD) and 82–84%, respectively. After35S-furosemide i.v., 6–9% of the label was recovered in faeces, and it could not be accounted for solely by biliary excretion of furosemide.

Notes: Summary Twenty male volunteers received oral doses (2100, 1050, and 525 mg) of a pivampicillin-probenecid salt in a 1 to 1 molar ratio (MK-356) at 12 hour intervals. After each dose peak serum concentrations of probenecid were observed 2 hours later than peak concentrations of ampicillin. Following the first dose of MK-356 the apparent elimination rate of ampicillin was dose-dependent and did not follow first order kinetics, as it showed a longer apparent half life after a higher dose. An equal dose of MK-356 administered 12 hours later caused an increase in the peak serum ampicillin level greater than expected from the concentration of ampicillin after the preceding dose. In twelve male volunteers who received at random 525 mg of MK-356 or 350 mg of pivampicillin, each three times daily for 4 days, the areas under the ampicillin concentration curve were the same after the first or last dose of either drug. When 2100 or 1050 mg of MK-356 was taken as an initial dose, 30 to 40 per cent of the ampicillin was recovered from urine in the ensuing 12 hours. The results indicate that when at least 400 mg probenecid was coadministered twice daily with 700 mg pivampicillin (MK-356), the peak serum concentrations of ampicillin were increased and its elimination rate slowed following successive doses.

Notes: Summary The absorption, biotransformation and elimination of sulfinpyrazone, 1,2-diphenyl-3,5-dioxo-4-(2′-phenylsufinylethyl)-pyrazolidine, have been studied by administration of single 200 mg oral doses of a14C-labelled preparation to two male volunteers. Absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract was rapid and complete and the plasma concentration of unchanged drug reached maximum values of 22.67 and 13.04 µg/ml, respectively, after 1 – 2 hours. The elimination half-life in the two subjects, calculated from the decline between 3 and 8 hours, was 2.7 and 2.2 hours. The integrated concentration of unchanged sulfinpyrazone in plasma, estimated from the area under the concentration curves (AUC), was almost as high as that of total14C-substances, so the proportion of metabolized drug in plasma was low. In no case did the AUC of the three specifically determined metabolites, i.e. the sulphone G 31 442, the “para-hydroxy”-compound G 32 642 and the “4-hydroxy”-compound GP 52 097, exceed 4% of the sulfinpyrazone value. More than 95% of whole blood radioactivity was confined to plasma. The oral dose was rapidly and completely excreted, since within 4 days more than 95% was recovered, 85% from urine and 10% from faeces. A large proportion of the dose was excreted as unchanged drug in the two volunteers: 51 and 54% of total urinary radioactivity was present as sulfinpyrazone; 8.2 and 8.8% was present as “para-hydroxy”-metabolite, 2.7 and 3.0% as sulphone-metabolite, and 0.6 and 0.8% as “4-hydroxy”-metabolite. About 30% of urinary radioactivity consisted of highly polar metabolites. Spectroscopy of them showed that they were the C-β-glucuronides of sulfinpyrazone (28%) and the corresponding sulfone (2%). In these metabolites the C(4) of the pyrazolidine ring was directly attached to glucuronic acid, and thus they represent a new type of biosynthetic conjugate.

Notes: Summary Eight healthy volunteers were given single i.v. and oral doses of clonazepam (2 mg). The disposition curves after i.v. administration showed a biexponential decline and the data were applied to a two-compartment open model. The volume of distribution ((Vd)β) ranged between 1.5 and 4.4 l/kg and the plasma half-life (t1/2) between 19 and 60 hours. Absorption after oral administration was fast, with peak plasma concentrations within 4 hours in all subjects. Five of the subjects received repeated oral doses of clonazepam 0.5 mg bid for 15 days. The plasma level during steady state (estimated as Cmin within the dose interval) could be predicted from the constants A, B, α and β obtained in the single dose study with a coefficient of variation of 6%. The plasma half-lives after cessation of the subchronic dosing were of the same magnitude as after single doses.

Notes: Summary Pharmacokinetic and metabolic studies with3H-etilefrine were performed to assess the importance of a first-pass effect on the pharmacodynamic action of this sympathomimetic amine. Identical amounts of3H-activity, ca. 80% of the dose, were excreted in the urine after intravenous or oral administration, which indicates complete enteral absorption of the drug. Comparison of the areas under the plasma curves of unchanged etilefrine after both routes of administration resulted in a bioavailability factor of 0.55, which can be explained by an extensive first-pass effect. The time curve of plasma levels of etilefrine was compatible with an open 2-compartment model characterized by a rather large volume of distribution (Vd, β) of 160 1, and a predominant half life of 2 hours. The pharmacodynamic action corresponded to the amount of drug in the central compartment. The major pathway of metabolism of etilefrine was conjugation to form the phenolic sulphate, and a very minor proportion of the drug was excreted as the corresponding hydroxymandelic acid. This metabolic pattern seems to confirm our hypothesis that phenylalkylamines with the hydroxyl group in the m-position of the benzene ring are predominantly conjugated in contrast to p-hydroxylated compounds which are mainly deaminated.

Notes: Summary A method has been developed for the quantitative determination of heptabarbital [5-(1-cyclohepten-1-yl)-5-ethylbarbituric acid] in human plasma after administration of single therapeutic doses of the drug. It involves a single extraction step followed by gas chromatography with alkali flame ionization detection, and the results were linear in the concentration range 0.125 – 5.0 µg/ml plasma. The pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of heptabarbital and heptabarbital sodium were studied in a crossover design in 7 healthy volunteers after oral administration of 20 tablets containing 200 mg heptabarbital and hard gelatine capsules containing an equivalent amount of its sodium salt. Heptabarbital concentrations in plasma were determined at regular intervals. The absorption of heptabarbital from the tablets was quite slow and peak level times varied from 1.5 to 4 h. The sodium salt was absorbed more rapidly and peak concentrations occurred between 1/3 and 2 h. In all cases the elimination of heptabarbital could be described by a single first-order process with an average half-life of 7.6 h (range 6.1 – 11.2 h). The half-life of the drug in each individual was about the same in the two trials. The relative bioavailability in each volunteer was estimated by comparing the areas under the plasma concentration curves. The sodium salt had an average bioavailability of 83% relative to the free acid. In some volunteers urinary excretion of unchanged heptabarbital was measured; cumulative excretion amounted to 0.16 – 0.30% of the administered dose. Four volunteers received one tablet each night for eight or ten days, but no accumulation was found. In three volunteers the half-life of the drug prior to and after these experiments did not change, whereas in the other volunteer the half-life decreased from 7.1 to 4.6 h. The possibility of enzyme induction should be considered when heptabarbital is taken regularly. It was concluded that heptabarbital was a suitable drug for the treatment of insomnia, since its half-life was rather short. Heptabarbital sodium may be used for induction of sleep, whereas Medomin® tablets, i.e. heptabarbital free acid, may be prescribed when the maintenance of sleep is the primary reason for treatment with a hypnotic drug.

Notes: Summary A clinical-pharmacological study was performed to determine the effect of acetylsalicylic acid upon the serum concentration of indomethacin. 14 rheumatic patients were given indomethacin orally (25 mg × 4 for 4 days) and concurrently acetylsalicylic acid 3.7 g orally (0.9 g × 3 and 1.0 g × 1 daily), and 21 rheumatic patients were given indomethacin rectally in the morning (100 mg × 1) and concurrently acetylsalicylic acid 3.7 g orally (0.9 g × 3 and 1.0 g × 1 daily). On comparison with treatment with oral or rectal indomethacin alone, it was found that peak serum concentrations of indomethacin were significantly reduced (1% level), the times of the peaks were not shifted, and the areas beneath the serum concentration curves of indomethacin were smaller, but significantly so only if compared with rectal administration. In 12 rheumatic patients given indomethacin by rectum in the evening (100 mg × 1) and concurrently acetylsalicylic acid 3.7 g (0.9 g × 3 and 1.0 g × 1 daily), the serum level of indomethacin on the following morning (after 11 h) did not differ from that found after rectal treatment. A statistically but not biologically significant difference was observed between the mean serum half-lives of indomethacin given orally and rectally. For unknown reasons, concurrent doses of acetylsalicylic acid and indomethacin made the mean serum half-life of indomethacin longer than after its oral administration, but shorter than when the same dose of indomethacin was given rectally. There was no difference between serum levels of salicylate after oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid alone or after a concurrent oral or rectal dose of indomethacin. The results have been related to those reported previously, with respect to the interaction between indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid, the serum levels of indomethacin after oral and rectal dosing, and the serum half-life of indomethacin based upon a one- or two-compartment model. The clinical relevance of the study is discussed.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of quercetin, a flavonoid, have been studied in 6 volunteers after single intravenous (100 mg) and oral (4 g) doses. The data after iv administration were analyzed according to a two compartment open model with half lives of 8.8±1.2 min for the α phase and 2.4±0.2 h for the β phase (predominant half life), respectively. Protein binding was 〉98%. The apparent volume of distribution was small at 0.34±0.03 l/kg. Of the intravenous dose 7.4±1.2% was excreted in urine as a conjugated metabolite, and 0.65±0.1% was excreted unchanged. After oral administration no measurable plasma concentrations could be detected, nor was any quercetin found in urine, either unchanged or in a metabolized form. These results exclude absorption of more than 1% of unchanged drug. Recovery in faeces after the oral dose was 53±5%, which suggests extensive degradation by microorganisms in the gut. The data obtained show that oral administration of flavonoids may be of questionable value.

Notes: Summary A previously described GLC method has been modified and applied to measurement of antipyrine levels in plasma, blood and saliva of man following administration of a single oral dose (10 mg/kg). The levels in blood and saliva were comparable to those in plasma at every time studied. The half life of antipyrine determined in blood, plasma or saliva in any given individual was similar. The intersubject variation in half-life was about two-fold (n=5). Antipyrine levels in saliva were not affected by the rate of saliva flow when collections were made continuously for 20 minutes. This study has demonstrated that kinetic data about antipyrine comparable to that from plasma may also be obtained from readily accessible tissue fluids, such as saliva and capillary blood.

Notes: Summary A gas chromatographic method has been employed to determine chlorthalidone in plasma and whole blood after therapeutic doses. Radioactively labelled chlorthalidone was used for in vitro studies of the uptake of chlorthalidone from plasma by red blood cells. Chlorthalidone was markedly concentrated in red cells and as a compartment they would account for at least 30% of total drug in the body after multiple doses. The ratio between the plasma and red cell concentration of chlorthalidone varied between individuals. After a single oral dose of 50 mg in 6 healthy volunteers chlorthalidone was eliminated with a half-life of 51 to 89 hours. The apparent volume of distribution varied between 3 and 13 1/kg and the clearance between 53 and 145 ml/min. The mean steady-state plasma concentrations during treatment with a standard dose of 50 mg daily (n=10) varied 5-fold between individuals. During the steady state approximately 50% of the daily dose was excreted unchanged in the urine during 24 hrs. The plasma levels observed in patients were higher than those predicted from the single oral dose studies in healthy volunteers.

Notes: Summary The effects of sotalol after oral administration were measured on the tachycardia induced by strenuous exercise in normal subjects. Plasma sotalol levels were also determined. The oral administration of sotalol (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg) to 6 subjects produced a progressive reduction in the tachycardia induced by severe exercise. This was similar to the effects of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg given to different subjects. Each increase in sotalol dose produced a successively greater reduction in exercise tachycardia. This did not appear to be maximum even with 800 mg. Oral sotalol was rapidly absorbed and produced peak blood levels in 2 – 3 hours. The plasma levels of sotalol measured 2 hours after the oral administration of 25 to 800 mg showed never more than a six-fold variation between different subjects. The half-life of sotalol in plasma was 12.7 ± SE 1.6 hours. There was a significant correlation between the logarithm of the plasma sotalol concentration and the percentage reduction of exercise heart rate. It is concluded that the oral administration of sotalol either once or twice daily (depending on dose level) will provide satisfactory 24-hour blockade of β-adrenoceptors.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of cyclobarbital calcium have been studied after oral administration of Phanodorm, of tablets according to the Formularium Nederlandse Apothekers (1968; FNA), and an aqueous solution. Six healthy volunteers participated in the investigation on three occasions and each received the three preparations. The dose administered was 300 mg cyclobarbital calcium. Plasma concentrations of cyclobarbital were determined at regular intervals. Absorption from the three preparations was rapid and was faster from the solution. Peak concentrations were usually attained within 1 h. The elimination of cyclobarbital could be described by a single first-order process with an average half-life of 11.6 h (range 8 – 17 h). There was little intra-subject variation of the half-life. Relative bioavailability for each volunteer was estimated by comparing the areas under the plasma concentration curves. The FNA-tablets and Phanodorm exhibited similar bioavailability, whereas the average bioavailability of the solution was 78% of that of FNA-tablets; the reason for this unexpected finding is unknown. It was concluded that cyclobarbital cannot be regarded as a uniformly suitable drug for the treatment of insomnia. The long half-life that was apparent in some of the volunteers (15 – 17 h) creates a substantial risk of residual effects on the following morning. In principle, however, the calcium salt of cyclobarbital may be used for induction of sleep, because of its rapid absorption.

Notes: Summary Four subjects received 5 mg14C-glipizide orally, 3 subjects 1 mg intravenously and 2 subjects 5 mg14C-glibenclamide orally. Plasma levels of radioactivity, and urinary and faecal excretion were measured. For both drugs the disappearance of radioactivity from plasma followed complex kinetics and the apparent half-lives increased steadily with time. The two sulfonylureas were extensively metabolized and were excreted in the urine as hydroxylated or conjugated metabolites. The effects of both drugs on blood glucose and immunoreactive insulin were comparable. The findings are compared with other published results.

Notes: Summary Carbamazepine (2.7–3 mg/kg) was administered orally as an alcoholic solution (50% v/v) to eight healthy volunteers. Two of the subjects were also given 50 mg and 100 mg of carbamazepine in alcoholic solution and 200 mg as a tablet. Plasma concentrations, which were analysed by mass fragmentography, reached a maximum 1 – 7 hours after dosing, and then declined monoexponentially with half-lives ranging from 24 to 46 hours. The half-lives were independent of dose. The apparent distribution volume ranged from 0.79 to 1.40 l/kg. It was found that 72% of carbamazepine was bound to plasma proteins with little interindividual variation, and this was not influenced by the presence of diphenylhydantoin or phenobarbital in therapeutic concentrations. The pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from single oral doses were used to predict the steady-state plasma concentration expected after treatment with multiple doses of 200 mg three times daily. The predicted steady-state concentration was 2 – 3 times higher than that reported in patients undergoing chronic treatment with carbamazepine at this dose level, i.e. the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine apparently change during multiple dosing.

Notes: Summary Co-trimoxazole, a mixture of one part trimethoprim (TMP) and five parts of sulphamethoxazole (SMX) in fixed ratio was given to 48 children aged between one and 48 months twice daily for up to seven days. Twenty were relatively healthy and 28 were very ill. Dosage was based on age. Plasma concentrations of both drugs were measured just before a dose was due and some three hours later. They were in the effective but not toxic range and serve to justify the simple regimen which generated them.

Notes: Summary Vitamin D analogues of high biological activity are probably useful in the treatment of renal osteodystrophy. The pharmacokinetics of the synthetic compound 5,6-trans-25-hydroxycholecalciferol have been studied in healthy subjects who were of normal vitamin D status. In comparison to natural 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol, serum levels of the analogue were lower and its half-life in blood after oral or intravenous administration was considerably shorter. In normal subjects no increase of dihydroxylated metabolites in serum was observed within seven days of an intravenous dose.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of chlormethiazole have been studied in six healthy volunteers following an intravenous infusion of the drug. The log. plasma concentration-time curve of chlormethiazole after cessation of the infusion was found to be curvilinear and was fitted therefore, by a bi-exponential equation computed by non-linear least squares regression analysis. Half-lives for the inital α-phase (0.54±0.05 h) and the terminal β-phase (4.05 ±0.60 h) were calculated together with other pharmacokinetic parameters of the two compartment open model. An explanation for the discrepancy between the presently reported plasma half-lives and those appearing in the literature has been presented. The pharmacokinetic treatment of the plasma concentration-time data obtained following intravenous infusion also enabled the prediction that the maximal systemic availability of an orally administered dose of chlormethiazole would be of the order of 15%.

Notes: Summary Dantrolen sodium is a muscle relaxant, which is used in the treatment of spasticity. Although it is given chronically, little is known about its pharmacokinetic behaviour. The relationship between the effect of a single oral dose of dantrolene sodium and its plasma concentration in healthy volunteers was studied by measuring the effect on the twitch tension, and in spastic patients on the decrease in muscle hypertonia. On the twitch tension dantrolene gave a depression of 49.1±9.4% (±SD) within 1.15 and 3.45 h after ingestion of 100 mg. The mean maximal plasma concentration was 1.24±0.32 µg/ml (±SD). The effect and the plasma concentration were correlated. No relationship between the plasma concentration of dantrolene sodium and its effect could be established in patients, although definite activity in 6 out of 7 patients was observed after a single oral dose of 100 mg, and plasma concentration of dantrolene sodium greater than 0.3 µg/ml were consistently associated with better results than placebo treatment in 6 out of 7 patients.

Notes: Summary Assessment of pharmacokinetics in terms of circulatory drug transport is proposed using the methods of linear system theory. In this model-independent approach drug distribution and disposition are characterized by the total extraction ratio, the mean residence time in the body and the volume of distribution at steady state. In analyzing concentration(c)-time(t) data, the procedure requires calculation only of the areas under the c(t)-and c(t)×t-curves to estimate kinetic parameters, and for prediction of the steady state concentration following continuous infusion or multiple doses. Pulmonary clearance of drugs is included in the theory.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of sisomicin, a new single component aminoglycoside antibiotic related to gentamicin c1a, were determined in four healthy volunteers after intravenous and intramuscular administration of a 1 mg/kg dose. The elimination profile of this antibiotic follows two-compartment model kinetics after I.V. administration. The fast (α) and slow (β) disposition rate constants averaged 0.072 and 0.004 min−1, respectively. The volume of distribution at the steady-state averaged 0.185 liters/kg which approximately corresponds to the volume of extracellular space. The physiological availability of an intramuscular dose appeared to be complete. A method of administration adapted to the kinetic properties of the drug is proposed.

Notes: Summary Following a single 50 mg dose of hydralazine (Apresoline®) in 13 patients with impaired renal function, a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was correlated with an increase in serum half-life (T1/2) of the drug (r=−0.69; p〈0.01). The T1/2 was 15.8 h in one patient with a GFR of 16 ml·min−1, as compared to a T1/2 of 1.7–3.0 h found previously in 16 healthy volunteers. In 49 patients on long-term antihypertensive treatment with hydralazine, the ratio between the minimum steady-state drug concentration and the daily dose of hydralazine (C SS min : Dose) increased as the GFR decreased. This accumulation of the drug was particularly evident in patients with a GFR less than 30 ml·min−1 (r=−0.63; p〈0.01; n=19). As renal excretion of unchanged hydralazine is generally regarded as unimportant, the slower elimination rate in chronic renal failure was probably caused by a slower rate of metabolic conversion. It was found, however, that the renal excretion of hydralazine could easily have been underestimated, as only 12.7% of an initial hydralazine concentration of 200 ng·ml−1 in urine could be recovered after storage of the samples at room temperature for 24 h.

Notes: Summary The effects of flutiorex, a new anorectic agent, and of a placebo on food intake and the activity of the sympathetic and central nervous systems have been compared in a double blind trial in two groups of healthy volunteers, one of five males and the other of five females. Flutiorex 20 mg orally had a significant anorectic effect both in males and females, the observed reduction in food intake being 34.0 and 27.5%, respectively. It caused α-adrenergic stimulation (blood pressure and pupil diameter) and central nervous system excitation (critical flicker frequency), both of which were more marked in males than in females. Flutiorex was better tolerated by women than by men. Measurement of the blood level of flutiorex and its de-ethylated metabolite, norflutiorex, showed that both compounds were detectable in four of the five male subjects, but in only one of the five females. Sex-linked differences in the pharmacokinetics of flutiorex may explain the greater intensity of its effects in males.

Notes: Summary Concentrations of methaqualone have been measured in the serum of five male human subjects receiving five consecutive evening doses of a combination formulation containing methaqualone (250 mg), carbromal (300 mg) and benactyzine (0.33 mg) in each tablet. After administration of the first dose, mean peak serum concentrations of methaqualone (1.2 µg/ml) occurred at 3 h. After obtaining peak levels, mean concentrations of methaqualone declined rapidly during the next 6 h and there-after more slowly during the next 18 h. After administration of the last (fifth) dose, mean peak serum concentrations of methaqualone (1.9 µg/ml; 1.5 µg/ml above the predose level) occurred at 2 h. After attaining peak levels, mean concentrations of methaqualone declined rapidly during the next 6 h, and thereafter more slowly, with a half-life of approximately 10 h. Mean concentrations of methaqualone in serum samples 24 h after the second, third, fourth or fifth doses were not significantly different (0.3 µg/ml – 0.6 µg/ml) during this period of dosing. This suggests that significant accumulation of methaqualone in the serum did not occur during a period of five consecutive evening doses of the combination formulation.

Notes: Summary The plasma concentration of chlormethiazole and two of its metabolites has been measured in three young and three aged human subjects following administration of a single oral dose of chlormethiazole. A sensitive analytical method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using the selective ion monitoring mode of operation was developed to permit quantitation of the plasma levels. The time course of the plasma concentration of chlormethiazole and metabolites showed wide inter-subject variation, particularly between the young and elderly subjects. Absorption of chlormethiazole was rapid in the subjects of both groups as assessed by the time taken to reach the peak plasma concentration. The mean peak plasma level of chlormethiazole was more than five times greater in the elderly (2.90±1.56 µg/ml) than in the young (0.55±0.58 µg/ml) subjects. The plasma level of chlormethiazole was consistently higher in the aged subjects and this was reflected by the larger area under the plasma curve in aged (7.62±5.37 µg.h/ml) than in young (0.94±0.66 µg.h/ml) individuals. Decreased pre-systemic elimination by the liver has been suggested as an important factor contributing to the higher plasma level in the elderly. Estimates of absolute systemic availability, calculated by reference to previous intravenous studies, were greater for the elderly subjects. The distribution of chlormethiazole in whole blood from six young and six elderly human subjects was investigated in vitro. The unbound fraction of chlormethiazole in plasma increased significantly from 0.308±0.035 in young subjects to 0.403±0.067 in the elderly. Distribution of the drug in whole blood was different for the two age groups; the fraction of drug distributed to plasma water was significantly greater and the fraction in blood cells was significantly less in the aged.

Notes: Summary Tolamolol was administered in a “double-blind” study to fifteen hypertensive patients by dose-titration against arterial blood pressure. Mean steady-state plasma tolamolol concentrations (Css) were determined for each patient from the area under the plasma concentration — time curve during a dosage interval whilst patients were receiving optimal tolamolol doses. No significant correlation was observed between daily tolamolol dose and Css; the relationship between fall in lying mean arterial pressure and Css also failed to reach conventional levels of statistical significance, but Css was observed to be correlated with the fall in standing pressure. The results suggest that plasma concentrations in excess of 200 ng/ml may be required to achieve an effective hypotensive response with the drug.

Notes: Summary In a biometrically planned, double-blind study on 12 Oedema-free male patients the saluretic effect of muzolimine 30 mg was compared with furosemide 40 mg. The plasma level of muzolimine was determined and correlated with its pharmacodynamics. In terms of excretion during the 12-hour observation period muzolimine 30 mg had as great a cumulative effect as furosemide 40 mg. There was a significant difference in the time-response curve. During the first two hours furosemide 40 mg had more saluretic effect than muzolimine 30 mg. Between two and four hours there was no significant difference between the two substances. Between four and six hours, however, muzolimine was somewhat more effective than furosemide, although the difference did not reach the level of significance. After 6 h there was no longer any difference between the two compounds. The half-life of the fall in concentration of muzolimine in plasma was 3.7 up to 10 h after its administration. The time-response curve of the increased urine excretion correlated well with the time course of the concentration of muzolimine in plasma.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of valproic acid (VPA) have been studied in 6 healthy subjects following a single 600 mg dose, and after multiple doses over 12 days (1200 mg daily) of enteric-coated sodium valproate. A time lag before absorption of 1 to 2 h was observed in each subject, and then absorption was rapid, peak concentrations being recorded 3 to 4 h after administration of the dose. The plasma level decline was biphasic with a terminal half-life of 15.9±2.6 h in the single dose and 17.3±3.0 h in the multiple dose experiments. There was no evidence of dose dependent kinetics or autoinduction. Total plasma clearance was 0.0064±0.0011 l/kg×h. The apparent volume of distribution was small at 0.15±0.2 l/kg. The mean steady state plasma concentration (Css) reached after 4 days was 81.3±13.0 µg/ml. Css observed was lower than Css predicted (99.2±14.7 µg/ml) from single dose kinetics (p〈0.001). The difference was probably due to a reduction in plasma protein binding at higher concentrations. VPA concentration in saliva was between 0.4 and 4.5% of the total plasma concentration and was not equal to the concentration of unbound drug in plasma (6.7±0.8% unbound). 3.2% of the dose was excreted in urine as the parent drug and 21.2% as conjugated metabolites.

Notes: Summary The serum level and urinary excretion of sulphamethizole, tetracycline and doxycycline were studied in healthy volunteers subjected to intensive exercise and bed rest in a cross-over trial. Each group consisted of 7–8 subjects. The exercise or bed rest began 15 min before oral administration of the drug and was continued for the following 4 hours. During exercise serum drug concentration and the area under the serum concentration-time curve for each agent was significantly higher (p〈0.05) than the corresponding values at rest. Exercise greatly suppressed the renal excretion of tetracycline and doxycycline, but the decrease alone appeared insufficient to account for the pronounced increase in serum drug concentration. Total drug excretion in urine was unchanged. Thus, it seemed most unlikely that overall absorption from the gastrointestinal tract had been altered by exercise. However, the rate of absorption appeared to be more rapid in the exercise than in the rest period. Marked haemoconcentration was not produced by the exercise. In addition to changes in absorption and elimination rates, alteration in the volume of distribution might contribute to the higher serum drug concentration during exercise. Therefore, the level of physical activity should be considered in the interpretation of pharmacokinetic data both in clinical practice and in pharmacokinetic studies.

Notes: Summary The disposition of diazepam has been studied in pregnant women at parturition. The plasma concentration of diazepam was monitored for at least 3 days in 18 women who received a single intravenous injection of 10 mg during the 10 h-period prior to delivery. Fourteen mothers had uneventful puerperia (Group I) and in 13 of these cases there was a pronounced postnatal increase in the plasma concentration of diazepam. The terminal phase half-life (t1/2) was significantly greater for Group I (mean = 65 h; range = 24–114 h) than for age-matched non-pregnant patients (mean = 29 h; range = 18–44 h from literature). The prolonged t1/2 appeared to be related to changes in the distribution of diazepam and not to a reduction in hepatic elimination since the total plasma clearance (Cltp) in these 14 pregnant patients (mean = 28 ml/min; range = 18–43 ml/min) was not reduced compared to that reported for non-pregnant controls (mean = 30 ml/min; range = 22–45 ml/min). Four mothers underwent postnatal surgery for tubal ligation (Group II) and the plasma concentration-time profiles for this group did not show the same postnatal phenomenon as did the profiles obtained for Group I. The t1/2 for Group II was shorter (mean = 31 h; range = 24–37 h) than for Group I and similar to that for the non-pregnant controls. The Cltp for Group II was greater (mean = 56 ml/min; range = 48–63 ml/min) than for both Group I and non-pregnant controls. These results suggest that delivery alters the disposition of diazepam and is generally associated with a postnatal re-distribution of diazepam into the systemic circulation. The blood/plasma concentration ratio was determined in 9 patients (mean = 0.62; range = 0.54–0.77). There was no difference in the total blood clearance between the pregnant patients of Group I and the non-pregnant controls. In most cases the umbilical venous plasma concentration (Cpuv) of diazepam was greater than the peripheral maternal venous plasma concentration (Cpmv) at delivery. The foetus appears to constitute a slowly equilibrating tissue-group in which diazepam does not reach equilibrium with the maternal systemic circulation for at least 5–10 h at which time the diazepam concentration in maternal and foetal plasma is similar.

Notes: Summary Plasma concentrations and bioavailability of clofibrinic acid have been estimated under conditions approaching the steady-state during a ten-day period of administration as clofibrate or as a calcium clofibrinate-carbonate combination (1:1 w/w) at a dosage interval of 12 h. Formulation — related differences in bioavailability were not significant, and the 95% confidence limits of these differences were within −2% to +8% of the mean for the reference formulation of clofibrate. The mean steadystate plasma concentrations of clofibrinic acid measured on the tenth day of dosing were 116 µg/ml±22 S.D. and 119 µg/ml±23 S.D. after administration of 885 mg as clofibrate and the calcium clofibrinate-carbonate combination respectively. The peaks of mean plasma concentrations were 70 µg/ml±15 S.D., 119 µg/ml±32 S.D. and 131 µg/ml±26 S.D. on the first, fifth and tenth day of dosing with clofibrate, and 62 µg/ml±13 S.D., 127 µg/ml±S.D. and 143 µg/ml±25 S.D. on the corresponding days of dosing with the calcium clofibrinate-carbonate combination. After the last dose on the tenth day of dosing, the mean apparent half-lives of elimination of clofibrinic acid from plasma were 24.2 h±4.4 S.D. and 25.5 h±3.2 S.D. after administration of clofibrate and the calcium clofibrinate-carbonate combination respectively.

Notes: Summary The influence of a high plasma concentration of hydrocortisone on the metabolism of phenazone in humans has been studied. Two series of experiments were carried out, Group A to demonstrate any enzyme-inducing effect of hydrocortisone, and Group B to study the immediate effect of hydrocortisone on the metabolism of phenazone. 9 subjects (Group A) received a total 250–400 mg hydrocortisone i.m. twice daily for three days and the 24-hour elimination of phenazone was studied before and afterwards. In a further 5 subjects (Group B) the elimination of phenazone was examined during administration of hydrocortisone or placebo. The elimination rate and the apparent volume of distribution of phenazone remained unchanged under both experimental conditions.

Notes: Summary A single oral dose of clonidine 300 µg was administered to 8 healthy, normotensive subjects and the time course of its plasma concentrations was followed for 24 h. The plasma concentration of clonidine rose to a peak of 1.17±0.12 ng/ml at about 2 h: the absorption half-life was 0.6±0.2 h. Elimination followed first order kinetics with a half-life of 7.7±2.0 h. The correlation between the two most common side-effects of clonidine, sedation and dryness of the mouth, with the time course of its plasma concentrations was highly significant, p〈0.01. All the subjects complained of severe sedation. During continuous administration of clonidine (75 µg t.i.d.) for one week a steady state serum level of 0.30–0.35 ng/ml was achieved. One 75 µg tablet of clonidine raised the serum level to about 0.69±0.13 ng/ml in two hours. After cessation of dosing, the serum level declined with a half-life of 7.5±1.5 h. The urinary excretion of unchanged clonidine was found to be about onethird of the administered dose in 24 h during continuous administration and in the first 24 h after the single oral dose.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of mepivacaine has been studied in premature neonates dosed subcutaneously and in healthy adults dosed intravenously. The pharmacokinetics of mepivacaine in four neonates (N) was compared with that in six adults (A). Newborns had a significantly longer terminal phase half-life than adults (N mean 8.69 h; A mean 3.17 h). Total plasma clearance normalized on body weight was significantly smaller in neonates (mean 2.34 ml/min/kg) than in adults (mean 5.47 ml/min/kg), as was the hepatic blood clearance (N mean 1.37 ml/min/kg; A mean 5.10 ml/min/kg). The renal plasma clearance, however, was significantly greater in neonates (mean 0.76 ml/min/kg) than adults (mean 0.20 ml/min/kg). There was an average six-fold increase in the fraction of the dose excreted unchanged in newborns (mean 43.3%) compared to adults (mean 7.1%) with acidified urine (pH 5.5–6.0). There was significantly more of the mono-N-demethylated metabolite of mepivacaine excreted by newborns (mean 11.4%) than by adults (mean 2.2%), but their capacity to carry out aromatic hydroxylation of mepivacaine was negligible. These results for mepivacaine were compared with those previously reported for lignocaine in premature infants. The immaturity of hepatic function appears to have diminished more profoundly the ability of premature infants to metabolize mepivacaine than lignocaine. These findings are discussed in terms of perfusion theory of hepatic drug elimination.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of intravenous high-dose methotrexate were studied in two groups of children being treated for malignant diseases, mostly acute lymphatic leukemia. The peak serum level of methotrexate of 2.32·10−5 mol/l was found in children given 500 mg methotrexate/m2 by a 24 h infusion, and another group given 2790 mg/m2 during a 6 h infusion had serum levels as high as 2.16·10−4 mol/l. The decay of serum concentration of methotrexate after completion of the infusion followed a diphasic curve, with an initial serum half-life of 4.8 h, followed by a second half-life of 34.4 h at distribution equilibrium. The apparent volume of distribution was 56.8 litres/m2. Significant levels of methotrexate were found in cerebrospinal fluid, but penetration into cerebrospinal fluid was slow. Urinary excretion of methotrexate was considerable. Four to five days after commencement of the infusion, urinary concentrations of methotrexate still exceeded the serum levels.

Notes: Summary Binding of 22 drugs to human muscle tissue has been determined by ultrafiltration. All drugs tested were bound, the bound fraction ranging from 13% (aminophenazone) to 〉98% (desipramine). Both linear and nonlinear binding was observed. For chemically related substances, binding to muscle tissue correlated with plasma binding and lipid solubility. There were significant differences in binding to muscle from different individuals. With respect to pharmacokinetics of drugs, it is suggested that binding to muscle tissue may be at least as important as plasma binding.

Notes: Summary The plasma kinetics of bromocriptine (BCT), a long-acting dopamine agonist, was studied in twelve patients with Parkinson's disease, using a newly developed gas chromatographic method of analysis. Each patient received BCT for at least three weeks in a constant but different dose regimen. Concomitant treatment with 1-DOPA was not allowed. During a 6-day hospitalization period, a blood sample was taken immediately before the afternoon dose at 14.00 h (Cmin) to determine the steady-state level. On the 6th day blood samples were collected every hour during two 8 h dose intervals. The results showed a significant correlation between the mean values of the AUC and the Cmin. First order elimination kinetics appeared to be followed by BCT, at least for the plasma concentrations commonly found. Considerable inter-individual variation was demonstrated both for the dose/plasma concentration ratio and for calculated plasma clearances. No serious side-effects were observed during the investigation.

Notes: Summary The effect of food on bioavailability of indobufen tablets was investigated in 6 healthy volunteers. Subsequently, the same subjects took 100 mg b.i.d. for 7 days. Plasma levels and urinary excretion of indobufen were determined by GLC. Platelet aggregation induced by several concentrations of adrenaline was determined turbidimetrically at various times after the first and last doses. The absorption of indobufen tablets was not substantially impaired by the presence of food in the GI tract, although peak plasma levels and AUCs were slightly reduced after food. Pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma and urinary levels of indobufen did not indicate any change in drug disposition after repeated dosing. Adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation was markedly inhibited for up to 12 h after the first dose and the intensity and duration of this effect did not change after repeated administration. A twice-daily dosing appears suitable for clinical trials.

Notes: Summary The disposition of clofibrate over 96 hours was observed following single oral dose in six patients with acute viral hepatitis, six patients with liver cirrhosis, seven patients with renal insufficiency, and six control subjects. No parameter of the disposition of CPIB (active form of clofibrate) was significantly altered in acute hepatitis. In liver cirrhosis, the mean plasma half-life was unchanged compared to controls (20.9 vs. 17.5 h), but plasma clearance of the non-protein bound drug was reduced (115 vs. 243 ml×min−1), plasma protein binding was reduced (92.8 vs. 97.2 percent), and the apparent volume of distribution was increased (0.20 vs. 0.141×kg−1). In renal insufficiency plasma half-life was prolonged 2 to 6-fold, depending on the degree of renal impairment. Total plasma clearance (3.4 vs. 7.1 ml×min−1) and plasma clearance of the unbound drug (81 vs. 243 ml×min−1 were reduced in patients with renal failure, the clearance of the unbound drug being inversely correlated with the serum creatinine concentration. Renal failure was also associated with decreased protein binding and an increased volume of distribution of CPIB, and with reduced urinary excretion of CPIB and its glucuronide metabolite. The dose of clofibrate should be halved in patients with cirrhosis. In renal insufficiency, the dose should be adjusted according to the individual serum creatinine level: only 10 to 15% of the usual weekly dose should be given in complete renal failure.

Notes: Summary The protein binding of methotrexate by serum from eight normal volunteers was assessed by continuous ultrafiltration at pH 7.4 and 37°C. Methotrexate concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and the data analysed by the method of Scatchard. The major binding protein was albumin which bound 87.3% of the drug in serum. Analysis of the Scatchard plots indicated two distinct groups of binding sites. Class I was found to have 0.16±0.05 (S D) binding sites with an intrinsic association constant of 71.15±35.98 (S D)×104 M−1: Class II had 2.01±0.93 (S D) binding sites and an affinity of 0.18±0.15×104 M−1. No great change in the percentage of methotrexate bound occurred until the total concentration of the drug exceeded 50 µMol 1−1.

Notes: Summary In a pharmacokinetic study of the new analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug indoprofen, plasma levels and urinary excretion were determined in four healthy volunteers after 100 mg and 200 mg iv, and after 100 mg (capsules) and 200 mg (tablets) oral doses. After iv administration, the mean biological half-life (t1/2 β) was about 2 h (range 1.4 to 3.2 h). The apparent volume of distribution Vdβ ranged between 11 to 17 % of body weight, indicating its limited extravascular distribution. Most of the drug was excreted in urine as glucuronide and a smaller proportion as unchanged indoprofen: the 24 h urinary excretion of these compounds accounted for 67 to 95 % of an iv dose. Peak plasma levels occurred between 30 and 120 minutes after oral administration of 100 mg as capsules or 200 mg as tablets. The mean biological half-life was about 2 h, as after iv administration. The bioavailability of oral doses was assessed using both plasma levels and urinary excretion data. The absorption of capsules and tablets was practically complete, that of the former being faster.

Notes: Summary By means of an86Rb-uptake inhibition assay, changes in the plasma concentration of digoxin and the amount of the glycoside removed during exchange transfusion have been studied in two newborns. For comparison, the exchange procedure was simulated by a computer on the basis of a two-compartment open model and available pharmacokinetic constants. A rapid decrease in plasma digoxin concentration during exchange transfusion was found when the glycoside was administered intravenously or intramuscularly within 60 min before the procedure. The amount of digoxin removed by the exchange was less than 6 per cent of the given dose. Computer simulation of the procedure also showed removal of only a minor amount of digoxin. It is concluded that the decrease in plasma concentration and the removal of only a small amount of glycoside by the exchange transfusion can be attributed mainly to extensive tissue distribution of digoxin. The results imply that replacement of digoxin after an exchange transfusion seems unnecessary.

Notes: Summary In seven healthy male volunteers the effects of the pattern of dosing on the pharmacokinetics of diazepam have been studied. A cross-over design was employed that consisted of three parts: a single intravenous dose (0.1 mg/kg), and oral dosing (10 mg/day) for six days followed by an intravenous bolus (0.1 mg/kg) on the seventh day, followed by re-examination of a single intravenous dose after diazepam (D) and its major metabolite desmethyldiazepam (DD) had been completely eliminated. Plasma levels of D and DD were monitored by a specific, sensitive GLC-method. In younger patients (n=5, age 29 – 35 years) the elimination half-life, T1/2 (β), of D was 33.9±10.6 h (mean±S.D.) after the single dose. The control study gave an almost identical result (35.7±12.1). After subchronic dosage in all patients T1/2 (β) showed a modest but significant prolongation (paired t-test p〈0.01) to 52.9±17.4 h. It was caused by a significant decrease (p=0.016) in total plasma clearance ( $$\overline {\user1{Cl}} $$ ), from 26.0±10.8 ml/min to 18.2±7.0 ml/min. Older patients (age 43–60 years) showed the same phenomenon. Blood/plasma ratios remained constant indicating no change in protein binding. Biliary excretion of D was measured in five patients with a T-tube. Only negligible amounts (0.3–0.4%) of administered D were excreted within 3 days after subchronic dosage, which demonstrates a lack of enterohepatic cycling of D. After multiple administration of D, there was accumulation of DD to levels approximately five times higher than after a single dose. The possibility that the slower elimination of D after subchronic treatment might be caused by DD was also supported by experiments in dogs and rabbits. After pretreating rabbits with DD and maintaining a high DD plasma level, there was prolongation of T1/2 (β) from 2.7 h to 5.2 h, with a corresponding decrease of $$\overline {\user1{Cl}} $$ from 101.6 ml/min to 23.4 ml/min. Similar results were obtained in dogs. It is concluded that the disposition of D is altered by subchronic use and may be regulated by the plasma DD concentration.

Notes: Summary A spectrofluorometric method for determination of hydroflumethiazide in human plasma and urine has been developed. The limit of detection was 10 ng/ml plasma and 100 ng/ml urine. The plasma concentration of hydroflumethiazide was determined for 9–11 hours and excretion in urine for 24–37 hrs after oral administration of about 1 mg/kg body weight to 7 subjects. Plasma half life in healthy subjects was 1.9–2.1 h, and 2.7–8.6 h in patients during the period 4–9 hrs after dosing. Cumulative excretion in urine was 67–79% of the dose during 31–37 hrs in 6 subjects; one patient with renal disease was found to excrete only 25.8% of dose during 24 hours. Renal clearance of hydroflumethiazide was higher in the healthy subjects (0.29–0.44 1 h−1 kg−1) than in the patients (0.040–0.15 l h−1 kg−1). Plasma half life of hydroflumethiazide was not closely correlated with renal clearance of the drug, which suggests that other factors may play a role in determining plasma half life.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics and effects of various oral doses of timolol administered either acutely or after chronic medication for 7 days were studied in healthy volunteers. After acute administration of timolol maximum plasma concentrations were attained within 1–2 h and thereafter declined exponentially with time. The mean apparent half-life of elimination from plasma was 2.5 h and was independent of dose. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was proportional to the orally administered dose. Plasma concentrations, apparent elimination half-life and AUC were not altered after one week of chronic administration. The effect of timolol on heart rate and blood pressure response to three sequentially increasing ‘steady state’ work loads were studied. After acute administration of timolol maximum reduction of systolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, and the different parameters of the work-heart rate (or blood pressure) relationships were produced by 5 mg timolol. Increasing the dose prolonged the duration over which these variables were reduced. The relationship between timolol plasma concentration and inhibition of different parameters of the exercise response was hyperbolic with half maximum inhibition at concentrations of about 3–4 ng/ml of timolol and maximum inhibition above 30 ng/ml. Maximum drug effects and duration of action of timolol on the different variables were similar after acute and chronic administration.

Notes: Summary Twenty paid healthy students ingested diazepam 10 mg 30 min after the administration of ethanol 0.8 g/kg. The alcoholic beverage used was varied in randomized double-blind experiments, which were repeated at one-month intervals. Psychomotor performance, plasma diazepam, and alcohol concentration in breath were measured 30, 60, 90 min and 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 h after the ingestion of diazepam. Beer and white wine elevated the plasma level of diazepam and the effect lasted for up to 2 h. Whisky elevated the diazepam level for 90 min. Red wine did not affect it significantly. The alcohol-diazepam combination impaired tracking skills and oculomotor co-ordination and enhanced nystagmus, more than diazepam alone. Red wine produced a breath alcohol concentration higher than after white wine. More nystagmus was recorded after red wine and diazepam, although white wine led to a higher plasma diazepam concentration. It appears that simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and diazepam accelerates the absorption of diazepam. This pharmacokinetic alteration may not contribute much to the combined psychomotor effects of diazepam and alcohol, which were mainly due to pharmacodynamic interaction at receptor level.

Notes: Summary An analysis of the single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of lithium in 7 healthy volunteers is presented. A solution of lithium chloride was administered in single dose experiments and the same solution and a sustained release preparation were employed in multiple dose experiments, which were carried out at steady state. A fixed dose of 24 mmol was used in the single dose experiments and in the subsequent multiple dose experiments in the same subjects the same dose was administered once daily for a week. Distinct two-compartment characteristics were found, with a mean disposition rate constant (β) of 0.035 h−1±0.010 SD, corresponding to a mean biological half-life of about 19.8 h. The mean half-time of the distributory α-phase was about 1.15 h. The absorption of lithium from an orally administered solution took place with a half-time of about 0.15 h in the single dose experiments. The apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment (Vc) was 0.307 1 kg−1±0.046 SD, less than half that of Vde at equilibrium. Vdβ (Vdarea) was 0.8291 kg−1±0.184 SD and mean total body clearance was 27.6 ml kg−1 h−1±4.7 SD.

Notes: Summary In Study I 20 normal volunteers received a single oral dose of spironolactone 100 mg. In Study II a further 20 normal volunteers were given first spironolactone 100 mg b.i.d. and subsequently spironolactone 100 mg once a day for a further 4 days. In Study III 5 normal subjects were given a single dose of spironolactone 500 mg. The concentration of canrenone in serum was determined both by fluorimetry and HPLC for 0–48 h in Study I, 120–168 h in Study II and 0–36 h in Study III. The total AUCs after the single 100 mg dose did not differ from the AUCs within the dosing interval during steady state. The half-lives of the terminal log-linear phases were almost identical (14.99±0.80 h and 15.69±0,80 h) when determined by fluorimetry, and were sligthly, but significantly (p〈0.01), longer when determined by HPLC — 20.14±1.62 and 18.71±1.04. The mean ratio of the specific AUC determined by HPLC and the fluorimetrically determined AUC was 0.3 after the single 100 mg dose. It did not differ from the corresponding value during steady state (0.34). In contrast, the ratio after the single 500 mg dose was approximately 50% higher. Fluorimetrically determined AUCs after 100 and 500 mg doses did not show dose-proportionality in contrast to the HPLC-determined AUCs. It was concluded that Canrenone contributes much less to the conventional fluorimetric determination than was previously assumed. It may not provide more than 1/10 and 1/4 of the antimineralocorticoid activity of spironolactone after single dose and multiple doses, respectively. Whereas linear kinetics apply after single and multiple 100 mg doses of spironolactone, after 500 mg saturation kinetics must be assumed with respect to metabolism. Thus, in bioavailability studies high doses of spironolactone should be avoided. For such studies the fluorimetric assay seems to be the appropriate bioanalytical method in spite of its lower specificity.

Notes: Summary Six women from 14 to 17 weeks pregnant, and 12 woman from 36 to 40 weeks pregnant, were given nitrazepam 5 mg orally about 12 h before legal abortion by hysterotomy in the former group and elective caesarean section in the latter group. The concentration of nitrazepam was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Binding to plasma proteins was evaluated by separation of the protein-free fraction by ultracentrifugation. In the first group (early pregnancy) the level of nitrazepam was found to be lower in the fetal than in the maternal circulation. The concentration in amniotic fluid was still lower. In the latter group (late pregnancy) the concentration both of unbound and total nitrazepam in maternal and fetal plasma were in equilibrium, which indicated an increase in transplacental transfer in late pregnancy. The percentage of unbound nitrazepam in both cases was 12%.

Notes: Summary Plasma levels of temazepam were determined in healthy subjects after single oral administration of soft and hard gelatin capsules, and after 7 consecutive night-time doses in soft capsules. Absorption from soft gelatin capsules was significantly faster and produced earlier and higher peak plasma levels. The two pharmaceutical forms did not show any significant difference in relative availability. The apparent half-life of temazepam after night-time administration was significantly shorter than after morning administration, but no change in half-life was observed between the first and seventh night-time doses.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of furosemide 40 mg i.v. were compared in 7 anephric patients and in 7 normal subjects. The average serum clearance was 66 ml/min in the patients and 219 ml/min in the normal subjects, and the corresponding weight corrected clearances were 1.33 ml/min · kg and 2.96 ml/min · kg. Binding to serum proteins was significantly decreased in the anephric subjects, in whom a significant negative correlation was found between the percentage binding and the volume of distribution VDss. In the patients, but not in the normal subjects, there was a significant positive correlation between $$V_{D_{ss} } $$ and serum clearance. Both in normal and anephric individuals 4-chlor-5-sulphamoylanthranilic-acid (CSA) was found, but there was no evidence of special accumulation either of CSA or anthranilic acid in the anephric patients. In the patients the initial increase in serum concentration of sodium and protein followed by a more conspicuous decrease were more pronounced, but none of the changes were statistically significant.

Notes: Summary Five healthy volunteers received digoxin 0.4 mg or β-methyldigoxin 0.4 mg i. v., daily for 14 days, in a randomized cross-over arrangement. By monitoring minimal plasma concentrations during multiple dosing, it was found that the steady state pharmacokinetics of digoxin and β-methyldigoxin could be estimated even better by a one-compartment than by a two-compartment model. The following mean parameters were calculated: the half life of digoxin of 1.54±0.31 days was significantly shorter than the half life of 2.29±0.34 days for β-methyldigoxin. The distribution volume of 807±187 liters for digoxin was not significantly larger than the 735±227 liters for β-methyldigoxin. Renal digoxin clearance of 191±25 ml/min was significantly higher than both the renal clearance of β-methyldigoxin of 111±23 ml/min and also the creatinine clearance, which indicates tubular secretion of digoxin. There was a 2.8-fold accumulation of β-methyldigoxin injected once a day, which was significantly higher than the 1.8-fold accumulation of digoxin.

Notes: Summary The time-courses of plasma carbamazepine concentrations were followed in six apparently healthy adult subjects who, at different times, took single oral drug doses of 200, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900 mg. There were some suggestions of impaired bioavailability of the drug when given in tablet form. The following values were obtained for various pharmacokinetic parameters:k abs =0.176±0.209 h−1;k=0.0203±0.0055 h−1; T1/2=37.5±13.1 h; VD=0.825±0.1041 · kg−1; Clearance=0.0163±0.0061 l · kg−1. The elimination rate constant showed a statistically significant increase with increasing drug dose. This may help explain the clinical observation that the rate of rise of steady state plasma carbamazepine concentrations tends to decrease with dose increase in patients taking carbamazepine alone.

Notes: Summary Plasma theophylline concentrations have been measured in 9 patients with chronic obstructive airways disease following the oral administration of a microcrystalline theophylline preparation. Some measurements of FEV1 were also made. Four patients were given 375 mg as a single dose and then subsequently 375 mg stat and 125 mg 4 times daily for 3 days, (Group I). A further 5 patients took 250 mg as a single dose and then 250 mg 4 times daily for 3 days, (Group II). In both groups, following the single dose and again after the last dose of chronic administration, blood samples were obtained at frequent intervals up to 24 h for plasma drug estimation. During the 3-day course, blood samples were drawn before and 2 h after each morning dose. In Group I patients, substantial plasma theophylline concentrations were seen only after the loading dose. Thereafter, the mean concentrations before or 2 h after the morning doese were always less than 4.0 µg/ml. Trough concentrations were usually below 2.0 µg/ml. In contrast patients in Group II achieved substantially higher plasma theophylline concentrations, with mean peak concentrations always 10 µg/ml or greater, and trough concentrations greater than 5 µg/ml on at least one occasion in every subject. The elimination half-lives after chronic administration in both groups were not significantly different from those obtained after single doses. Mean drug accumulation, measured as AUCss/AUC1, was 0.87±0.07 in Group I and 0.72±0.14 in Group II, indicating that accumulation had not occurred with either regimen. The mean increase in FEV1 2 h after the administration of a single dose was 19.2% after 375 mg and 16.7% after 250 mg. These results indicate that the recommended dosage regimen for microcrystalline theophylline preparation (375 mg stat and 125 mg 4 times daily) produces inadequate plasma theophylline concentrations: 250 mg 4 times daily would appear to be likely to result in satisfactory theophylline levels in more patients.

Notes: Summary The urinary elimination of etidocaine and several of its metabolites was investigated in neonates whose mothers had received one or more doses of etidocaine during labour. The urine collection period ranged among the neonates from 21.4 to 47.0 h post-partum. The total amounts of etidocaine and its metabolites recovered in neonatal urine represented a mean of 0.12 per cent of the maternal dose. Some differences in the pattern of urinary metabolites were observed between neonates and adults. Mean half-life of elimination of etidocaine calculated from sigma-minus plots of the neonatal urinary data was 6.42 h. This is greater than that previously reported following intravenous administration of etidocaine to adults (2.6 h). The slower rate of elimination in neonates is probably due to an increased neonatal volume of distribution since there is evidence to show that etidocaine is extensively metabolised by the neonate.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of a single dose of phenazone was studied in six subjects while ambulant and during bed rest for 3 days. Elimination of the drug was followed for 12 h after oral and intravenous administration. The elimination rate constant and total body clearance were significantly increased during bed rest as compared to the ambulant period, but the differences were small. The apparent volume of distribution decreased significantly. No consistent change due to bed rest was found in the rate of absorption or bioavailability of the oral dose.

Notes: Summary The pharmacokinetics of paracetamol after intravenous and oral administration has been studied in 6 patients with Gilbert's syndrome, and 6 healthy controls. Paracetamol clearance was significantly less in the patients (255 ml/min SE±23 ml/min) than in the normal subjects (352 ml/min SE±40 ml/min). Moreover, whilst paracetamol concentrations declined monoexponentially in the patients, the decline was biexponential in the controls. No difference in the bioavailability of 500 mg paracetamol given orally was observed between the two groups. The results suggest that not only is paracetamol elimination impaired in Gilbert's syndrome, but that its distribution kinetics are also abnormal. Both these findings could be attributed to a decrease in hepatic glucuronyl transferase activity.

Notes: Summary The time-course of aminopyrine in plasma and of14CO2 in breath was determined for 6 hours after oral administration of (14C-methyl) aminopyrine to healthy controls and to patients with hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatic bilharziasis.14CO2 in breath declined about 1.8 times more slowly than aminopyrine plasma levels, which suggests the occurrence of metabolite demethylation. This was confirmed by the slow elimination of14C from plasma, the formation of14CO2 after aminopyrine had disappeared and the presence of a considerable amount of monomethyl-aminopyrine in plasma. The mean14CO2 concentration in breath was correlated with but was not proportional to aminopyrine clearance, which was attributed to individual differences in aminopyrine half-life. Both a correlation and proportionality were found when14CO2 extrapolated to zero time was used as a parameter of14CO2 production. Hepatic disease affected aminopyrine clearance to a variable extent. In the hepatitis and fibrosis group, aminopyrine clearance was affected in 2 out of five subjects. In all except one cirrhotic subject aminopyrine clearance was markedly decreased. Moreover, in three out of seven cases aminopyrine absorption was impaired, presumably due to decreased gastrointestinal blood-flow. This may produce an erroneously low14CO2 concentration in breath during the first two hours after aminopyrine administration. Hepatic bilharziasis was accompanied by very low aminopyrine clearance in all four cases. In two patients high apparent Vd values were observed, probably due to “first-pass” metabolism. Patients with ascites had Vd values within normal limits.

Notes: Summary Sulfadiazine (SDZ) 800 mg and trimethoprim (TMP) 160 mg were given orally to 10 normal subjects and the concentration of SDZ and TMP in serum and urine was followed for 24 h. Both drugs showed a significant negative correlation between individual “peak” concentrations in serum and the body weight of the subject. Twelve hours after dosing the serum concentration was 12 to 25 µg/ml for SDZ and 0.3 to 1.1 µg/ml for TMP. Individual concentration ratios between SDZ and TMP in serum were 4.8 (1 h) – 145 (24 h), and in the urine the ratio was close to 6 throughout the 24 h collection period. The range of urinary concentrations was from 65 to 400 µg/ml for SDZ and from 13.8 to 93.4 µg/ml for TMP. The fraction acetylated SDZ/acetylated SDZ + SDZ was 21% during the 0–8 h period, 33% during the 8–15 h period and 41% during the 15–24 period. The average values for the notional volume of distribution, Vd, were 0.36±0.13 1/kg for SDZ and 1.39±0.25 1/kg for TMP. The average “t1/2” was 15.2±7.4 h for SDZ and 7.4±1.9 h for TMP. Individual subjects showed a significant correlation between the serum clearance of TMP and SDZ (p〈0.01) and also between the renal clearance of the two drugs (p〈0.05). The serum clearance was significantly correlated with the renal clearance for TMP but not for SDZ. For SDZ Vd was significantly negatively correlated with the elimination constant; for TMP no such correlation was found. The serum clearance of SDZ was significantly correlated with the percentage of SDZ which was excreted as the (presumably) acetylated compound. The renal clearance of SDZ was independent of the serum concentration of SDZ. There was a highly significant negative correlation between the renal clearance and serum concentration of TMP, as well as for “acetylated SDZ”. The renal clearance of “acetylated SDZ” averaged more than six times that of unconjugated SDZ. With increased urine flow the renal clearances of TMP and SDZ were significantly increased.

Notes: Summary Furosemide 40 mg was injected intravenously in 7 patients with severe hypertension and vascular complications. A two compartment, open model was used to describe the disappearance of the drug from serum. The mean serum clearance (Cls=1.83 ml/min · kg) was significantly reduced compared to the mean Cls-value of a group of normals (2.96 ml/min · kg). A significant correlation was found between Cls and mean blood pressure, as well as between Cls and renal clearance (mean Clr=0.83 ml/min · kg); extrapolation of the regression line yielded a Cls-value of 50 ml/min for Clr=0. The Clr was also significantly negatively correlated with mean blood pressure. Protein binding of furosemide was normal, except in one patient, who had considerable impairment of renal function. Apparently more than 90% of unchanged furosemide passed in urine was excreted by tubular transport. A highly significant negative correlation was found between Cls and the fraction of furosemide excreted as a glucuronide. During the first two hours, significantly less sodium was excreted by the patients than by a comparable group of normal subjects. The correlation between serum concentration of furosemide and the amount excreted of sodium was not significant, but highly significant correlations were found between the amounts of furosemide and sodium excreted by the kidney in 0–30 and 0–60 min. In all the individual patients an approximately linear relationship with wide variation in the slope was found between the cumulative excretion of furosemide and sodium from 0–30 min to 0–60 and to 0–120 min. After 120 min deviations were observed in the curves from 4 of the patients, which indicated that smaller and smaller additional amounts of sodium were excreted with constant additional amounts of furosemide.