Pharmacology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Pharmacology, including details on pharmacogenomics, drug development, new medications. | ||||||
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Development of new acetylcholinesterase reactivators: molecular modeling versus in vitro data.Ramalho TC, Tanos CC, Rennó MN, Guimarães AP, da Cunha EF, Kuca K Chemistry Department - Federal University of Lavras - Campus Universitário, 3037, 37200-000 Lavras, MG, Brazil. teo@dqi.ufla.br In this work a theoretical methodology for evaluation of the association and kinetic reactivation constants of oximes using the Molegro and Spartan softwares was proposed and validated facing in vitro data previously reported in the literature. Results showed a very good agreement between the theoretical binding free energies of the reactivators and experimental data, suggesting that the proposed methodology could work well in the prediction of kinetic and thermodynamics parameters for oximes that might be helpful for the design and selection of new and more effective oximes. Published 9 August 2010 in Chem Biol Interact, 187(1): 436-40. Articles on Pharmacology published 30 July 2010: Coexistence of passive and carrier-mediated processes in drug transport. Nat Rev Drug Discov, 9(8): 597-614. The permeability of biological membranes is one of the most important determinants of the pharmacokinetic processes of a drug. Although it is often accepted that many drug substances are transported across biological membranes by passive transcellular diffusion, a recent hypothesis speculated that carrier-mediated mechanisms might account for the majority of membrane drug transport processes in biological systems. Based on evidence of the physicochemical characteristics and of in vitro and in ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Strategies in the design of nanoparticles for therapeutic applications. Nat Rev Drug Discov, 9(8): 615-27. Engineered nanoparticles have the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases; for example, by allowing the targeted delivery of a drug to particular subsets of cells. However, so far, such nanoparticles have not proved capable of surmounting all of the biological barriers required to achieve this goal. Nevertheless, advances in nanoparticle engineering, as well as advances in understanding the importance of nanoparticle characteristics such as size, shape and ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Pseudo-catalytic scavenging: searching for a suitable reactivator of phosphorylated butyrylcholinesterase. Chem Biol Interact, 187(1): 167-71. Butyrylcholinesterase is considered to be an endogenous stoichiometric bioscavenger of organophosphorus compounds (OPs), but due to limited concentration of BChE in the organism, stoichiometric reduction of OP is not always sufficient. This can be improved by creating a pseudo-catalytic scavenger adding oximes as reactivators of inhibited exogenous BChE. In order to improve the BChE bioscavenging function in tabun or paraoxon poisoning, we tested in vitro reactivation of phosphorylated human ... [Abstract] [Full-text] In search of a catalytic bioscavenger for the prophylaxis of nerve agent toxicity. Chem Biol Interact, 187(1): 349-54. A novel approach for treating organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is the use of enzymes, both stoichiometric and catalytic, as bioscavengers to sequester these compounds in circulation before they reach their physiological targets. Human serum butyrylcholinesterase and a recombinant form of this enzyme produced in the milk of transgenic goats have completed Phase I clinical trials as stoichiometric bioscavengers for the protection of humans against OP nerve agents. However, a major limitation of ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Articles on Pharmacology published 29 July 2010: Ligand specificity in fragment-based drug design. J Med Chem, 53(14): 5256-66. Fragment-based drug design consists of identifying low-molecular weight compounds that weakly bind to a target macromolecule and will then be modified or linked to yield potent inhibitors. The specificity of these low-complexity and low-affinity molecules has rarely been discussed in the literature. To address this question, NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the interactions of 150 fragments with five proteins: three proteins from the Bcl-2 family (Bcl-x(L), Bcl-w, and Mcl-1), human ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Articles on Pharmacology published 21 July 2010: Experiences with learning and confirming in drug and biological development. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 88(2): 161-3. Since the 1997 landmark article by Dr. Lewis Sheiner in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, biopharmaceutical development in phases I-IIA has become more targeted toward learning (i.e., establishing proof of concept), then subsequently confirming that regulated standards are met. The purpose and importance of the learning-proof-of-concept phase is subjective but typically uses traditional statistics (which were developed for use in confirming). Two examples from development are presented ... [Abstract] [Full-text] ASCPT Task Force for advancing pharmacometrics and integration into drug development. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 88(2): 158-61. Traditionally, medical and biostatistical experts have played a central role in ensuring validity of pharmaceutical testing. The science of pharmacometrics provides powerful approaches for supporting important drug development and regulatory decisions. Numerous case studies published by academic, industry, and US Food and Drug Administration scientists attest to the significant contribution of pharmacometrics to decision making. The economic and public health benefits of applying this ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Clinical trial simulation: a review. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 88(2): 166-82. Modeling and simulation in general, and specifically clinical trial simulation (CTS), have been recognized by the (larger) pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities as being pivotal to improving the efficiency of the drug development process. This includes the use of CTS to learn about drug effectiveness and safety and to optimize trial designs at the various stages of development. By reviewing papers published during the period January 2000-January 2010, this paper discusses recent ... [Abstract] [Full-text] © 2005-2010 Pharmacology Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
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