F Gimenez

Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., DC, USA

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Publications (35)87.49 Total impact

  • Article: The enantioselective binding of mefloquine enantiomers to P-glycoprotein determined using an immobilized P-glycoprotein liquid chromatographic stationary phase.
    Pharmaceutical Research 10/2001; 18(9):1327-30. · 4.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interactions of racemic mefloquine and its enantiomers with P-glycoprotein in an immortalised rat brain capillary endothelial cell line, GPNT.
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    ABSTRACT: The brain distribution of the enantiomers of the antimalarial drug mefloquine is stereoselective according to the species. This stereoselectivity may be related to species-specific differences in the properties of some membrane-bound transport proteins, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The interactions of racemic mefloquine and its individual enantiomers with the P-glycoprotein efflux transport system have been analysed in immortalised rat brain capillary endothelial GPNT cells. Parallel studies were carried out for comparison in human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells. The cellular accumulation of the P-glycoprotein substrate, [(3)H]vinblastine, was significantly increased both in GPNT cells and in Caco-2 cells when treated with racemic mefloquine and the individual enantiomers. In GPNT cells, the (+)-stereoisomer of mefloquine was up to 8-fold more effective than its antipode in increasing cellular accumulation of [(3)H]vinblastine, while in Caco-2 cells, both enantiomers were equally effective. These results suggest that racemic mefloquine and its enantiomers are effective inhibitors of P-gp. Furthermore, a stereoselective P-glycoprotein inhibition is observed in rat cells but not in human cells. The efflux of [(14)C]mefloquine from GPNT cells was decreased when the cells were incubated with the P-gp modulators, verapamil, cyclosporin A or chlorpromazine, suggesting that MQ could be a P-gp substrate.
    Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 01/2001; 1524(2-3):212-9. · 4.66 Impact Factor
  • Article: Stereospecific versus nonstereospecific assessments for the bioequivalence of two formulations of racemic chlorpheniramine.
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    ABSTRACT: Chlorpheniramine (chlorphenamine, CPAM) is a racemic antihistaminic H1 drug containing two enantiomers. The aim of this study was to assess the bioequivalence of two formulations (reference and Vietnamese-tested formulation) of racemic chlorpheniramine combined with phenylpropanolamine in an open-labeled, randomized, crossover two-period study, after administration of 8 mg of racemic chlorpheniramine in 12 healthy Vietnamese subjects. First, dissolution of both formulations was tested in vitro according to USP requirements. Then the 12 subjects received both formulations after an overnight fast and a 7-day wash-out period. Plasma samples were collected up to 168 h. Plasma concentrations of total chlorpheniramine and its individual enantiomers were determined with a validated chiral HPLC method and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using model-independent analysis. For the reference formulation, Cmax and AUC values were higher for (+)S-chlorpheniramine ((+)S-CPAM) compared to (-)R-chlorpheniramine ((-)R-CPAM) (13.3 vs. 6.8 ng/ml and 409 vs. 222 ng/ml/h, respectively) while Clt/F and Vd/F were lower (9.8 vs. 17.6 l/h and 321 vs. 627 l, respectively). No difference was observed for Tmax, t(1/2), and MRT. Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar for the reference and the Vietnamese-tested formulation. Bioequivalence was assessed by Schuirmann test, as recommended by the current FDA and European Community criteria. Dissolution tests showed that both formulations were equivalent. A nonstereospecific, but not a stereospecific, approach indicated bioequivalence between the formulations.
    Chirality 09/2000; 12(8):599-605. · 2.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the antiretroviral agents amprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, delavirdine and efavirenz in human plasma.
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    ABSTRACT: This article describes a method for the simultaneous determination of four licensed HIV protease inhibitors (amprenavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir and ritonavir) and two novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (efavirenz and delavirdine) in human plasma in a single run. Plasma samples (500 microl) were treated by liquid-liquid extraction with methyl tert.-butyl ether. The compounds were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography on a C(18) column with spectrophotometric detection at 260 nm. The method is linear over the specific ranges investigated, accurate (inaccuracy <11.7%) and showed intra-day and inter-day precision within the ranges of 0.9-7.0 and 1.9-8.8%, respectively. The six compounds were stable in plasma after 6 months of storage at -20 degrees C and after five freeze-thaw cycles.
    Journal of chromatography. B, Biomedical sciences and applications 06/2000; 742(2):453-8.
  • Article: Halofantrine metabolism in microsomes in man: major role of CYP 3A4 and CYP 3A5.
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    ABSTRACT: We have clarified the contribution of the different enzymes involved in the N-debutylation of halofantrine in liver microsomes in man. The effect of ketoconazole and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A substrates on halofantrine metabolism has also been studied. The antimalarial drug halofantrine is metabolized into one major metabolite, N-debutylhalofantrine. In microsomes from nine livers from man, N-debutylation of halofantrine was highly variable with apparent Michaelis-Menten constant V(max) and K(m) values of 215+/-172 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) and 48+/-26 micromol L(-1), respectively, (mean+/-standard deviation). Formation of N-debutylhalofantrine was cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated. Studies using selective inhibitors of individual CYPs revealed the role of CYP 3As in the formation of N-debutylhalofantrine. alpha-Naphthoflavone, a CYP 3A activator, increased metabolite formation. In microsomes from 12 livers from man the rate of N-debutylation of halofantrine correlated strongly with CYP 3A4 relative levels (P = 0.002) and less strongly, but significantly, with CYP 2C8 levels (P = 0.025). To characterize CYP-mediated metabolism of halofantrine further, incubations were performed with yeast microsomes expressing specific CYP 3A4, CYP 3A5, CYP 2D6, CYP 2C8 and CYP 2C19 from man. The rate of formation of N-debutylhalofantrine was six- and twelvefold with CYP 3A4 than with CYP 3A5 and CYP 2C8, respectively. CYP 2D6 and CYP 2C19 did not mediate the N-debutylation of halofantrine, but, because in-vivo CYP 2C8 is present at lower concentrations than CYP 3A in the liver in man, the involvement of CYP 3As would be predominant. Diltiazem, erythromycin, nifedipine and cyclosporin (CYP 3A substrates) inhibited halofantrine metabolism. Similarly, ketoconazole inhibited, non-competitively, formation of N-debutylhalofantrine with an inhibition constant, K(i), of 0.05 microM. The theoretical percentage inhibition of halofantrine metabolism in-vivo by ketoconazole was estimated to be 99%. These results indicate that both CYP 3A4 and CYP 3A5 metabolize halofantrine, with major involvement of CYP 3A4. In-vivo, the other CYPs have a minor role only. Moreover, strong inhibition, and consequently increased halofantrine cardiotoxicity, might occur with the association of ketoconazole or other CYP 3A4 substrates.
    Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 05/1999; 51(4):419-26. · 2.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Binding of chlorpheniramine enantiomers to human plasma proteins.
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    ABSTRACT: The in vitro binding of RS-chlorpheniramine to human proteins was studied by equilibrium dialysis. The binding to total plasma proteins and to individual albumin and alpha-glycoprotein acid is stereoselective. (+)S-chlorpheniramine is more extensively bound than its antipode to total plasma proteins (38% vs. 23%), to albumin (20% vs. 15%) and to alpha-glycoprotein acid (23% vs. 5%).
    Chirality 02/1999; 11(5-6):501-4. · 2.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cerebral uptake of mefloquine enantiomers in fatal cerebral malaria.
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    ABSTRACT: The brain disposition of the enantiomers of the antimalarial mefloquine was studied in two post-mortem human cerebral biopsies after oral administration of the racemic mixture. Mefloquine (MQ) is an effective antimalarial drug used both for prophylaxis and treatment of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum. MQ is generally well tolerated in treatment. Minor side-effects have been described. Potentially serious neuropsychiatric reactions occur. The mechanism underlying the neurotoxicity is unknown, although a dose relationship is evidently involved. Mefloquine enantiomer concentrations were determined using a chiral liquid chromatographic method. Mefloquine concentrations were higher in brain compared to plasma. Studied in one patient, white matter concentrations were higher compared to grey matter concentrations. Based on the ratios brain concentration/plasma concentration, the brain penetration of the (+) enantiomer is much higher than that of the (-) enantiomer.
    International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics 02/1999; 37(1):58-61. · 1.18 Impact Factor
  • Article: Stereoselective binding of zopiclone to human plasma proteins.
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    ABSTRACT: The binding of racemic zopiclone (ZOP) and of its two enantiomers to plasma proteins, albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein were compared. Our work shows that the binding of ZOP to human plasma proteins is stereoselective. The total plasma protein binding percentages were 79.3 +/- 5.5%, 83.8 +/- 5.2%, and 75.1 +/- 2.1%, for racemic zopiclone, (-)zopiclone and (+)zopiclone, respectively. These results were confirmed by the analysis of samples obtained from healthy volunteers after the oral administration of ZOP. The anticoagulant used for sampling was also shown to have an influence on the percentage binding and on its stereoselectivity. Considering albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein separately, stereoselectivity was also observed.
    Chirality 02/1999; 11(2):129-32. · 2.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: Chiral chromatographic method to determine the enantiomers of halofantrine and its main chiral desbutyl metabolite in erythrocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: We describe a direct liquid chromatographic method with spectrofluorimetric detection to quantify the two enantiomers of halofantrine and the two enantiomers of its main chiral N-monodesbutylated metabolite in erythrocyte pellets. The method involves a Chiralpak AD column and a rapid one-step extraction procedure with acetonitrile. The method was validated for the four enantiomers within the range 0-1000 ng/ml. The absence of stereoconversion was studied in samples stored frozen for up to eight months. The optical rotation of the halofantrine and metabolite enantiomers was determined after separation on a semi-preparative Chiralcel OD column with polarimetric detection.
    Journal of chromatography. B, Biomedical sciences and applications 09/1998; 712(1-2):259-62.
  • Article: Determination of the enantiomers of chlorpheniramine and its main monodesmethyl metabolite in urine using achiral-chiral liquid chromatography.
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    ABSTRACT: The enantiomers of chlorpheniramine and its monodesmethyl metabolite were determined separately in urine by using a coupled achiral-chiral chromatographic system. The two enantiomers of the studied compound and the internal standard were separated from the biological matrix on a cyanopropyl column and reinjected into a chiral amylose AD column where the two enantiomers were separated and quantified by UV detection. The method was validated for chlorpheniramine and for the metabolite within the range 0-1000 ng/ml. It was also applied in a pilot pharmacokinetic study to samples from a volunteer given 8 mg of racemic chlorpheniramine by mouth.
    Journal of chromatography. B, Biomedical sciences and applications 05/1998; 707(1-2):235-40.
  • Article: Stereoselective passage of mefloquine through the blood-brain barrier in the rat.
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    ABSTRACT: The pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of mefloquine were studied in the rat after administration of a racemic mixture and of the separate enantiomers (+)-mefloquine and (-)-mefloquine. When 50 mg kg-1 racemic mixture was administered orally for 22 days, plasma concentrations of the (+) enantiomer were 2-3 times higher than those of the (-) enantiomer whereas the opposite was true in every part of the brain (cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus and striatum). Different concentrations of mefloquine were found in the different regions of the brain; the lowest concentrations of (+/-)-mefloquine (27.0 nmol g-1) were in the cerebellum and the highest (110.0 nmol g-1) in the hippocampus. The main metabolite, carboxymefloquine, was detected in plasma but not in the brain. The results indicate the mefloquine crosses the blood-brain barrier stereoselectively.
    Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 12/1997; 49(11):1086-90. · 2.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Variations of teicoplanin concentrations in neutropenic patients.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to measure the trough plasma concentrations of teicoplanin in neutropenic patients with a view to optimizing the loading dose. Teicoplanin trough plasma concentrations were followed in 11 neutropenic patients after repeated administration of a 6 mg/kg i.v. bolus. The first three injections were given at 12-h intervals, and the rest every 24 h. Trough plasma concentrations at 48 h varied from 5.6 to 13.1 mg/I. The mean trough plasma concentration-time curve indicated a trend towards accumulation. In conclusion, the loading dose of teicoplanin should be tailored to individual neutropenic patients.
    Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 07/1997; 22(3):187-90. · 1.57 Impact Factor
  • Article: Critical issues in chiral drug analysis in biological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography.
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    ABSTRACT: This review article focuses on the specificities of chiral liquid chromatography, with particular emphasis on stability, stereoconversion, enantiomeric separation, recovery and drug concentration determinations. In addition, the paper presents an overview of the different steps which have to be followed for a chiral method to be validated. Sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, precision and accuracy all have to be ensured for three chemical entities, the two enantiomers and the racemate. Only accurate and precise concentrations of the parent drug and its metabolites will lead to the reliable description of their in vitro stability and in vivo body disposition.
    Journal of chromatography. B, Biomedical applications 12/1996; 686(1):65-75.
  • Article: Uptake of mefloquine enantiomers into uninfected and malaria-infected erythrocytes.
    Drug Metabolism and Disposition 07/1996; 24(6):689-91. · 3.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of mefloquine in young children.
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    ABSTRACT: the stereospecificity of mefloquine pharmacokinetics in children has been investigated. Twelve children aged 6 to 24 months were treated for uncomplicated falciparum malaria with a single oral dose of 25 mg.kg-1 racemic mefloquine in combination with sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine. concentrations of mefloquine enantiomers were determined using a coupled achiral-chiral chromatographic system. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using model-independent analysis. Maximum plasma concentrations, areas under the curve and apparent plasma elimination half-lives were higher for the (-) enantiomer than its antipode. In contrast, the apparent volume of distribution (V/f) and total clearance (Cl/f) values were higher for the (+) enantiomer. the stereoselectivity of mefloquine pharmacokinetics is similar to that observed in adults.
    European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 02/1996; 50(3):241-4. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinical pharmacokinetics of zopiclone.
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    ABSTRACT: Zopiclone is a cyclopyrrolone hypnotic agent. It possesses a chiral centre and is commercially available as a racemic mixture. Methods involving high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography, capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high performance thin layer chromatography have been developed for the quantitation of zopiclone and its 2 main metabolites in biological samples. For the chiral determination of the enantiomers of zopiclone and its metabolites, HPLC and CE methods are available. After oral administration, zopiclone is rapidly absorbed, with a bioavailability of approximately 80%. The plasma protein binding of zopiclone has been reported to be between 45 and 80%. Zopiclone is rapidly and widely distributed to body tissues including the brain, and is excreted in urine, saliva and breast milk. Zopiclone is partly metabolised in the liver to form an inactive N-demethylated derivative and an active N-oxide metabolite. In addition, approximately 50% of the administered dose is decarboxylated and excreted via the lungs. Less than 7% of the administered dose is renally excreted as unchanged zopiclone. In urine, the N-demethyl and N-oxide metabolites account for 30% of the initial dose. The terminal elimination half-life (t1/2z) of zopiclone ranges from 3.5 to 6.5 hours. The pharmacokinetics of zopiclone in humans are stereoselective. After oral administration of the racemic mixture, Cmax (time to maximum plasma concentration), AUC (area under the plasma time-concentration curve) and t1/2z values are higher for the dextrorotatory enantiomer owing to the slower total clearance and smaller volume of distribution (corrected by the bioavailability), compared with the levorotatory enantiomer. In urine, the concentrations of the dextrorotatory enantiomers of the N-demethyl and N-oxide metabolites are higher than those of the respective antipodes. The pharmacokinetics of zopiclone are altered by aging and are influenced by renal and hepatic functions. Drug interactions have been observed with erythromycin, trimipramine and carbamazepine.
    Clinical Pharmacokinetics 01/1996; 29(6):431-41. · 5.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: Carbamazepine and its epoxide: an open study of efficacy and side effects after carbamazepine dose increment in refractory partial epilepsy.
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    ABSTRACT: We evaluated the efficacy, development of adverse effects, and possible correlation between the plasma concentration of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its major metabolite, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E), in a group of epileptic patients in whom selective increases in CBZ doses were made. Eighteen patients with refractory partial epilepsy participated in an open trial. Five were on monotherapy and 13 on polytherapy. All the patients were on CBZ before the trial and had plasma levels within the therapeutic range (17-42 mumol/L). After a baseline period, CBZ doses were progressively increased either to reach a 50% reduction in seizure frequency for 2 months or until side effects appeared. Thirty-nine percent of the patients had a 50% decline in seizure frequency, but only 17% improved for > 6 months. Mild or moderate side effects were observed in 78% of the patients. Side effects were correlated with CBZ plasma levels but not with CBZ-E plasma levels. Correlation between CBZ and CBZ-E plasma levels were found in the monotherapy group, but not in the polytherapy group. Our results confirm that higher doses of CBZ can successfully be used in some patients with refractory partial epilepsy. Furthermore, the plasma level of CBZ-E does not seem to be a useful indicator of toxicity in CBZ-treated ambulatory epileptic patients.
    Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 12/1994; 16(6):537-40. · 2.49 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics of micronized halofantrine for the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria in nonimmune patients.
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    ABSTRACT: Twenty-eight nonimmune patients with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria returning from subSaharan Africa were treated with a micronized formulation of halofantrine hydrochloride (three doses of 250 mg at 6-hr intervals) to investigate the drug's efficacy, tolerance, and pharmacokinetics. In vitro drug susceptibility patterns were determined by the isotopic semimicrotest. Twenty-four of 28 patients were cured. Two of the four patients experiencing recrudescence were associated with low absorption of the drug and parasites susceptible in vitro to halofantrine. The other two patients had adequate plasma concentrations of halofantrine and its main human metabolite, N-desbutylhalofantrine, but the isolates were also resistant in vitro to the drugs, suggesting drug resistance as the cause of treatment failure. Only mild, transitory side effects were noted. A wide interindividual variation in plasma concentrations of halofantrine and its metabolite was observed. Pharmacokinetic studies suggested that the micronized formulation of halofantrine hydrochloride may not increase drug absorption considerably. Further studies using higher doses or longer treatment periods are needed to ensure that adequate plasma concentrations of the drug are used.
    The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 09/1994; 51(2):204-13. · 2.59 Impact Factor
  • Article: Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of mefloquine in healthy Caucasians after multiple doses.
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    ABSTRACT: Mefloquine (MQ) is a chiral antimalarial agent effective against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. It is commercially available as a racemic mixture of the (+) and (-) enantiomers for oral administration. The pharmacokinetics of the (+) and (-) enantiomers of MQ were studied in eight healthy volunteers after administration of a first oral dose of 250 mg of racemic MQ and at steady state after 13 repeated doses of 250 mg given at 1-week intervals. Plasma samples were collected, and concentrations of each enantiomer were determined using a previously described achiral-chiral double column-switching liquid chromatographic method. At each time point, higher plasma concentrations values were found for the (-) enantiomer (p < 0.001). At steady state, Cmax values of (-)-MQ were higher than those of (+)-MQ (1.42 +/- 0.19 versus 0.26 +/- 0.05 mg/L; p < 0.001). Similarly, the plasma concentrations 7 days after the final dose were higher for (-)-MQ (1.01 +/- 0.26 versus 0.11 +/- 0.04 mg/L; p < 0.001). AUC values at steady state were also higher for (-)-MQ (197.3 +/- 36.7 versus 30.1 +/- 8.9 mg/L x h; p < 0.001). The terminal half-life values (T1/2beta) were longer for (-)-MQ (430.4 +/- 225.2 versus 172.8 +/- 56.5 h; p < 0.001). This study shows that the pharmacokinetics of MQ is highly stereoselective.
    Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 06/1994; 83(6):824-7. · 3.06 Impact Factor
  • Article: In vitro activity of the enantiomers of N-desbutyl derivative of halofantrine.
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    ABSTRACT: The in vitro activity of the enantiomers of N-desbutylhalofantrine, the major human metabolite of halofantrine, was compared using the semi-microtest against the multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum FCM 29/Cameroon clone. The mean 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values (+/- standard deviation) of the enantiomers were equivalent (2.07 +/- 0.41 and 1.70 +/- 0.33 nmol/L). The enantiomers of the metabolite of halofantrine, as well as those of the parent compound, have the same antimalarial activity. Since (+)-halofantrine and enantiomer-1 of the metabolite attain higher plasma concentrations in man, our study suggests that these enantiomers may be more active in vivo.
    Tropical medicine and parasitology: official organ of Deutsche Tropenmedizinische Gesellschaft and of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) 04/1994; 45(1):45-6.

Institutions

  • 2001
    • Georgetown University
      • Department of Pharmacology
      Washington, D. C., DC, USA
  • 1994
    • Hôpital "Bichat - Claude-Bernard" – Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Nord Val de Seine
      Paris, Ile-de-France, France
  • 1990
    • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
      Memphis, TN, USA