Experimental versus theoretical log D7.4
, pKa
 and plasma protein binding values for benzodiazepines appearing as new psychoactive substances

Abstract The growing number of new synthetic opioids (NSO) on the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market bears new challenges in toxicology. As their toxicodynamics and particularly their toxicokinetics are usually unknown, impact on human health is not yet fully understood. Detection of the 2 NSO cyclopentanoyl-fentanyl (CP-F) and tetrahydrofuranoyl-fentanyl (THF-F) was first reported in 2016. Both were involved in several fatal intoxication cases, but no detailed information about their toxicological characteristics is available so far. The main purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the in vitro toxicokinetics and in vivo analytical toxicology of CP-F and THF-F by means of liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). These studies included metabolic stability, phase I and II metabolism, isozyme mapping, plasma protein binding and detectability in LC-HRMS/MS standard urine screening approaches (SUSA) using rat urine samples. In total, 12 phase I metabolites of CP-F and 13 of THF-F were identified, among them 9 metabolites described for the first time. Overall, N-dealkylations, hydroxylations and dihydroxylations were the main metabolic reactions. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes mainly involved were CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, leading to elevated drug levels and intoxications in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. CP-F showed a high plasma protein binding of 99%, which may increase the risk of toxicity by simultaneous intake of other highly bound drugs. Detectability studies showed that neither the parent compounds nor their metabolites were detectable in rat urine using LC-HRMS/MS SUSA. However, a more sophisticated analytical strategy was successfully applied and should be used for analytical confirmation of an intake of CP-F and/or THF-F.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Matched molecular pairs as a guide in the optimization of pharmaceutical properties; a study of aqueous solubility, plasma protein binding and oral exposure.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1046889.496914 ◽

2006 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Gelb

Keyword(s):

Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Aqueous Solubility ◽

Oral Exposure ◽

Matched Molecular Pairs ◽

Pharmaceutical Properties

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Possible therapeutic interventions in COVID-19 induced ARDS by cotinine as an ACE-2 promoter and AT-1R blocker

Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871526520666201218153554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Tarun Sharma ◽

Sidharth Mehan

Keyword(s):

Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Distress Syndrome ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Promising Candidate ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽

Proinflammatory Effect ◽

Pulmonary Permeability

: In these challenging times of the pandemic, as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has taken over the planet, its complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have the potential to wipe out a large portion of our population. Whereas a serious lack of ventilators, vaccine being months away makes the condition even worse. That's why promising drug therapy is required. One of them was suggested in this article. It is the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) to which the COVID-19 virus binds and upon downregulation of which the pulmonary permeability increases and results in the filling of alveoli by proteinaceous fluids, which finally results in ARDS. ARDS can be assisted by angiotensinII type-1 receptor (AT-1R) blocker and ACE-2 upregulator. AT-1R blocker will prevent vasoconstriction, the proinflammatory effect seen otherwise upon its activation. ACE-2 upregulation will ensure less formation of angiotensin II, vasodilatory effects due to the formation of angiotensin (1-7), increased breakdown of bradykinin at lung level. Overall, decreased vasoconstriction of vessels supplying lungs and decreased vasodilation of lung tissues will ensure decreased pulmonary permeability and eventually relieve ARDS. It should also be considered that all components of the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are located in the lung tissues. A drug with the least plasma protein binding is required to ensure its distribution across these lung tissues. Cotinine appears to be a promising candidate for COVID-19- induced ARDS. It acts across the board and acts as both an AT-1R blocker, ACE-2 upregulator. It also has a weak plasma protein binding that helps to spread through the lung tissues. In this review, we summarized that cotinine, along with COVID-19 virus replication blocker anti-virals, may prove to be a promising therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 induced ARDS.

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Ultrafiltration Method for Plasma Protein Binding Studies and Its Limitations

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9020382 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 382

Author(s):

Camelia-Maria Toma ◽

Silvia Imre ◽

Camil-Eugen Vari ◽

Daniela-Lucia Muntean ◽

Amelia Tero-Vescan

Keyword(s):

Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Specific Binding ◽

Critical Role ◽

Volume Ratio ◽

Binding Studies ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Key Aspects

Plasma protein binding plays a critical role in drug therapy, being a key part in the characterization of any compound. Among other methods, this process is largely studied by ultrafiltration based on its advantages. However, the method also has some limitations that could negatively influence the experimental results. The aim of this study was to underline key aspects regarding the limitations of the ultrafiltration method, and the potential ways to overcome them. The main limitations are given by the non-specific binding of the substances, the effect of the volume ratio obtained, and the need of a rigorous control of the experimental conditions, especially pH and temperature. This review presents a variety of methods that can hypothetically reduce the limitations, and concludes that ultrafiltration remains a reliable method for the study of protein binding. However, the methodology of the study should be carefully chosen.

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