This study offers a novel oral pregabalin (PG)-loaded drug delivery system based on chitosan and hypromellose phthalate-based polymeric nanocomposite in order to treat neuropathic pain (PG-PN). PG-PN has a particle size of 432 ± 20 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.238 ± 0.001, a zeta potential of +19.0 ± 0.9 mV, a pH of 5.7 ± 0.06, and a spherical shape. Thermal and infrared spectroscopy confirmed nanocomposite generation. PG-PN pharmacokinetics was studied after a single oral dose in male Wistar rats. PG-PN showed greater distribution and clearance than free PG. The antinociceptive effect of PG-PN in neuropathic pain rats was tested by using the chronic constriction injury model. The parameter investigated was the mechanical nociceptive threshold measured by the von Frey filaments test; PG-PN showed a longer antinociceptive effect than free PG. The rota-rod and barbiturate sleep induction procedures were used to determine adverse effects; the criteria included motor deficit and sedative effects. PG-PN and free PG had plenty of motors. PG-PN exhibited a less sedative effect than free PG. By prolonging the antinociceptive effect and decreasing the unfavorable effects, polymeric nanocomposites with pregabalin have shown promise in treating neuropathic pain.
9 November 2020 in Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods
The need for reliable results in Toxicological Analysis is recognized and required worldwide. The analytical validation ensures that a method will provide trustworthy information about a particular sample when applied in accordance with a predefined protocol, being able to determine a specific analyte at a distinct concentration range for a well-defined purpose. The driving force for developing method validation for bioanalytical projects comes from the regulatory agencies. Thus, the approach of this work is to present theoretical and practical aspects of method validation based on the analysis objective, whether for prevention or diagnosis. Although various legislative bodies accept differing interpretations of requirements for validation, the process for applying validation criteria should be adaptable for each scientific intent or analytical purpose.
Drug resistance remains a major challenge in epilepsy, and overexpression of ATP-binding cassette transporters, particularly P-glycoprotein (P-gp), at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) has been consistently implicated in limiting central nervous system drug exposure. Genetic experimental models suitable for investigating molecular regulation and functional alterations of P-gp in epilepsy remain scarce. This study evaluated P-gp expression and functional alterations in the Wistar Audiogenic Rat (WAR), a genetic model of epilepsy exhibiting phenotypic heterogeneity. WAR animals were classified into refractory epilepsy (WAR-RE) or temporal lobe epilepsy (WAR-TLE) phenotypes and compared with non-epileptic Wistar controls. Fexofenadine, a well-established in vivo P-gp probe substrate, was administered orally, and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. P-gp expression at the BBB was assessed by immunohistochemistry in hippocampal regions. WAR-RE animals exhibited significantly increased systemic exposure to fexofenadine, characterized by higher area under the curve and prolonged half-life, alongside reduced apparent clearance, compared with control animals (p < 0.05). In contrast, WAR-TLE animals showed greater interindividual variability without statistically significant differences. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased P-gp expression in hippocampal microvessels in both WAR phenotypes. These findings demonstrate that the WAR model displays molecular upregulation of P-gp at the BBB, accompanied by functional alterations in the disposition of a prototypical P-gp substrate. Although direct brain drug concentrations were not assessed, the integration of systemic pharmacokinetics with transporter expression supports the use of WAR as a genetic proof-of-concept model for studying P-gp regulation and transporter-mediated drug disposition in epilepsy. This model provides a valuable molecular framework for future investigations addressing transporter modulation and mechanisms underlying pharmacoresistance.