Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK), a mechanistic mathematic model, which can simulate the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs, is being more widely used in pharmaceutical research and development areas. This article reviews primarily the recent advances in the procedure of establishing a PBPK model, including specifying of the PBPK model structure, specification of the tissue model, writing of equations, set of model parameters, simulation and evaluation. Application significance, major challenges and future developments of PBPK model in pharmaceutical areas are also discussed.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Models, Biological ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Pharmacokinetics ; Software ; Tissue Distribution

Adolescent ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diverticulum, Stomach ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male

Objeetlve To evaluate the role of IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal cord in a murine model of bone cancer pain(BCP)induced by activation of glial cells.Methods Three hundred and sixty male 8-10 weeks old C3H/He mice weighing 18-22 g were randomly divided into 6 groups(n=60 each):group I nomal control (group N);group Ⅱ sham operation (group S);group Ⅲ BCP+aCSF(group aCSF);group Ⅳ BCP+FC (group FC);group V BCP+MI(group MI) and group Ⅵ BCP+FC+MI (group FC-MI).BCP was produced by inieeting fibrosarcoma cells of bone into the medullary cavity of left ealcaneus bone.Intrathecal catheter was placed in the 4 BCP groups(group Ⅲ-Ⅳ).FC 0.5 nmol/5 μl or/and MI 16 μg/5 μl were injected IT once a day for 21 consecutive days after operation.The mechanical threshold to von Frey filaments was measured at 0.5 h(T0)before injection of fibrosarcoma cells and at 3,5,7,10,14,21 d(T1-6)after injection of fibrosarcoma cells.Twelve animals of each group were killed and L4.5 segment of the spinal cord was removed at T0,1,3,5,6 for determination of IL-1β and TNF-α content (by ELISA) and expression (by immuno-flurorescence) in the spinal cord. Results The mechanical threshold was significantly decreased at T1-6, while IL-1β content at T1,3,5,6 and TNF-α content at T5,6 was significantly increased in group BCP, FC, MI and FC + MI compared with those at T0 and group C (P < 0.05). Compared with group BCP, the mechanical threshold was significantly increased at T1-6 in group MI and FC + MI and at T4-6 in group FC, IL-1β content was significantly decreased at Ts,3,5,6 in group MI and FC + MI and at T5,6 in group FC and TNF-α content was significantly decreased at T5,6 in group FC, MI and FC + MI ( P < 0.05). Conclusion IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal cord is involved in the process of glial cell activation-induced BCP.

Objective To study the effect of allicin on the growth and radiosensitivity of human pancreatic carcinoma BXPC3 cells.Methods BXPC3 cells were exposed to X-rays in the presence or absence of allicin.Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry assay.Cell radiosensitivity and the influence of allicin on it was evaluated by colony formation assay.The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results IC50 values of allicin on cell growth were 76.24,58.34 and 43.58 μmol/L under 12,24 and 48 h treatment,respectively.Treatment of cells with allicin obviously inhibited cell growth after irradiation and hence increased radiosensitivity (t =2.74,P ＜ 0.05).This treament also enhanced radiation-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase (t =11.41,P ＜0.05),apoptosis induction (t =12.36,P ＜ 0.05),and Bax expression (t =4.83,P ＜ 0.05),but it decreased Bcl-2 expression (t =3.69,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Allicin could inhibit cell growth,induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 pathway and hence increases radiosensitivity of BXPC3 cells.

Objective To investigate the usage of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs),epileptic seizures,pregnancy outcomes and infant feeding practices among pregnant women with epilepsy,and provide scientific evidence for eugenics.Methods The clinical characteristics of 350 pregnant women with epilepsy from Shaanxi Provincial Epilepsy & Pregnancy Register from October 2012 to July 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.Results A total of 350 patients with 376 pregnancies were included in the final analysis.Among 376 pregnancies,272 pregnancies (72.3％) were under the treatment of AEDs.Of them,246 pregnancies (90.4％) were on monotherapy,26 (9.6％) on polytherapy.Only patients during 179 pregnancies (47.6％) took folic acid in the first trimester.Seizure frequency increased in patients during 123 pregnancies (32.7％),of whom patients during 43 pregnancies (35.0％) did not use AEDs.Although other patients during 80 pregnancies (65.0％) took AEDs,regular pharmacokinetic monitoring was absent.A total of 170 pregnancies (45.2％) attained seizure-free.Seizure frequency decreased in 42 pregnancies (11.2％) and remained unchanged in 24 pregnancies (6.4％).The rates of cesarean section and natural delivery were 43.8％ (158/361) and 56.2％ (203/361),respectively.Totally 4.5％ (17/376) pregnancies had adverse pregnancy outcome,and 1.9％ (7/376) had fetal malformations.The most common congenital malformation was heart malformation,which was observed in two offspring.One offspring developed dysostosis,one developed chromosome abnormality,and another developed cerebellum deformity.In addition,one twin developed conjoined deformities.Breastfeeding rate was 52.6％ (190/361).Conclusions In Shaanxi province,AEDs compliance,pharmacokinetic monitoring and usage rate of folic acid still need to be improved in pregnant women with epilepsy.Clinical trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry,ChiCTR-OOC-16009277

Toad venom is the Bufo bufo gargarizans or B. melanostictus after the ears of the gland secretion, used in the treatment of various cancers in recent years. Research shows that the main anti-tumor components in bufadienolide. Bufadienolide have free type structure and conjunct type structure. To identify and clarify the difference between bufogenin and bufotoxin contained in Bufonis Venenum, which was from B. bufo gargarizans, an UPLC-TQ-MS method has been established. UPLC-TQ-MS method was used to identify and quantify the major bufadienolides in Bufonis Venenum. UPLC-TQ-MS assay with positive ion mode was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C, (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) with the mobile phase consisting of 0. 1% aqueous formic and acidacetonitrile in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min⁻¹ and the column temperature was set at 35 °C. By comparing their retention time and high resolution mass data of Bufonis Venenum extracts, 37 effective components were primarily identified by MS/MS analysis in positive ion mode. Twenty-six of them were free-type bufadienolides (bufogenin), 11 of them were conjugated bufadienolides. There were significant differences in the main composition between fresh and processed Bufonis Venenum. The study found that the chemical composition of toad venom through great changes after processing, conjunct type content is much less, free type content as well change.
Amphibian Venoms ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bufonidae ; classification ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of gabapentin on mechanical allodynia in rats with tibial bone cancer pain (BCP).MethodsForty-two female SD rats were randomized into 7 groups ( n=6):naive group (group N ),sham operation + NS control group (group SN),sham operation + GBP200mg/( kg · d) group (group SG200),BCP + NS control group (group BN),BCP + GBP50mg/( kg · d) group ( group BGS0),BCP +GBP100mg/(kg · d) group (group BG100),and BCP + GBP200mg/(kg · d) group (group BG200).The rats in group N,SN and BN received 5 ml normal saline and the rats in group SG200,BG50,BG100 and BG200 received 200,50,100 and 200 mg/( kg · d) dose of GBP via feeding from day 7 to 13 after operation,respectively.Mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) of the right paw and behavioral assays for ambulatory pain were measured just before operation and on days 1,3,5,7,8,10,12 and 14 after operation.ResultsMWT( (3.78 ± 0.38)g) in rats with BCP decreased and behavioral assays for ambulatory pain (0.76 ± 0.44) increased on day 7 after operation,as compared with those in group N ( ( 14.50 ± 1.38 ) g,(0.00 ± 0.00 ) ) and group sham ( ( 10.21 ± 0.88 ) g,( 0.00 ±0.00) ) (P ＜ 0.05 ).There was no apparent praxiological difference between group SN and group SG200 in a week of continuous application of gabapentin(P＞ 0.05 ).Compared with those in group BN,there was no change on MWT in group BG50 (P ＞ 0.05 ),and however,behavioral assays for ambulatory pain decreased (P ＜ 0.05 ).MWT in group BG100( (5.35 ±0.85)g) and BG200( (5.71 ±0.72) g) increased in day 10 after operation,as compared with those in group BN ( ( 2.61 ± 0.40) g) and group BG50 ( ( 3.28 ± 1.15 ) g) (P ＜ 0.05 ),and the difference was still statistically significant until day 14 (P ＜ 0.05 ).Behavioral assays for ambulatory pain in group BG100 and BG200 decreased from day 8 after operation,as compared with those in group BN and group BG50 (P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionGabapentin,in medium to large dosage,can inhibit pain reaction of rats with bone cancer pain.Nevertheless,with the development of cancer,the effect of gabapentin decreases.

Objective:Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a key molecule negatively regulating osteoclast differentiation and activation; and the conserved mycobacterial heat shock 70 (HSP70) peptide p111-125 has also been found to inhibit inflammation reactions in chronic arthritis. BaculoDirectTM baculovirus expression system was selected to express recombinant OPG-HSP70 in insect cells.Methods:The human functional fragment (p22-194) of OPG and functional fragment (p111-125) of mycobacterial HSP70 gene were cloned into the transfer vector pENTRTM/SD/D-TOPO. The recombinant plasmid was performed an LR reaction with the BaculoDirectTM Linear DNA to generate recombinant baculovirus DNA. The cultured Sf9 insect cells were directly transferred with the recombinant baculovirus DNA,and the pure recombinant baculovirus was obtained. Then recombinant baculovirus was infected Sf9 insect cells again to express the OPG-HSP70 gene.Results:The target protein was detected at the time of 48h post infection,reached at highest yield at the time of 72h post-infection. A 28kDa protein immunostaining band was detected by Western blotting from lysate of those cells.And the purified protein was obtained by using Ni-NTA system. Functional stuies on the fusion protein showed it significantly reduce osteoclast cell number[(3.10?0.640) cells under each microscope field in treatment group by comparing to (10.70?0.817)cells in the control group] in the osteoclast inhibition test,and reduce the inflammation reaction in a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) mice model (P

Objective To investigate the effects of tongue cancer resistance-associated protein 1 (TCRP1) in proliferation of chronic myeloid leukemia cells (CML),and explore the new thoughts of pathogenesis of CML.Methods The expression of TCRP1 was detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of CML with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot.After the expression of TCRP1 was interfered in K562 cells,the proliferation of cells was detected by 3-(4,5-dimenthylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and soft agar colony forming assay,and the expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and its phosphorylation were tested by Western blot.Results In PBMC of CML patients,the mRNA and protein levels of TCRP1 were significantly higher than those of normal controls.The results of MTS assay and soft agar colony forming assay showed that the proliferation of K562 cells was significantly decreased after the expression of TCRP1 was interfered.After knockdown of TCRP1 in K562 cells,the phosphorylation of AKT was significantly decreased while the expression of total AKT did not change.Conclusions The expression of TCRP1 was increased in CML cells.High expression of TCRP1 might contribute to proliferation of K562 cells via the phosphorylation of AKT.

Objective To investigate the short?term functional connectivity (FC) changes of default mode network (DMN) after liver transplantation (LT) by using seed?based functional connectivity analysis of resting?state functional MRI (rs?fMRI). Methods Eighteen cirrhotic patients as transplant candidates and 20 healthy controls were included in this study. All the patients underwent rs?fMRI examination before and one month after LT. The data were analyzed using DPARSF and REST software. Seed?based functional connectivity analysis was used to isolate the DMN. The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) was chosen as seed region for the DMN map. Maps of the DMN were compared among the groups. Values of Z reflecting the functional connectivity of 3 groups were obtained. Two?sample t?test was performed to explore the DMN difference between cirrhotic patients and controls, and we used paired t tests to examine for any differences in functional connectivity before and after LT. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between the changes of functional connectivity with that of clinical indexes and neuropsychological test scores pre?and post?LT. Results Typically spatial distributions of the DMN were found in all the groups. According to paired t test, post?LT patients showed increased FC in left medial prefrontal cortex (t=3.31, P<0.05), while decreased FC in left precuneus and left lateral temporal cortex (t=-3.37,-4.53,respectively, both P<0.05). Compared to healthy controls, pre?LT patients showed decreased FC in the right precuneus, bilateral medial prefrontal cortex, bilateral inferior parietal cortex, and bilateral lateral temporal cortex(t=-4.32—3.00, all P<0.05), and post?LT patients showed decreased FC in right precuneus, left posterior cingulate cortex, bilateral inferior parietal cortex, and bilateral lateral temporal cortex(t=-4.33—2.99,all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed positively correlation between the changes of functional connectivity in left medial prefrontal cortex with that of DST (r=0.543, P=0.02). Conclusions This study found that the DMN FC of post?LT patients still lower than that of healthy controls one month after LT. The left medial prefrontal cortex was the first brain region that showed increased FC, while the FC of some regions continued to decrease, suggesting that brain function reorganization can continue after LT. Rs?fMRI can be used to observe the DMN changes in post?LT patients.