{"title":"[Development of Functional Solubilized Formulations of Water-insoluble Drugs].","authors":"Kengo Banshoya","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.25-00112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.25-00112","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biopharmaceutics Classification System Class II and IV drugs face significant challenges owing to poor water solubility, restricting their formulation in liquid delivery forms. The use of polymers, including the loading of drugs into nanoparticles, has attracted attention as an effective strategy for improving the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. These polymer carrier systems possess a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic inner core that can encapsulate poorly water-soluble drugs and improve their dispersibility in aqueous environments. Nanosizing techniques provide advantages including increased surface area and dissolution rate. Polymeric carrier systems also provide enhanced delivery efficiencies to specific tissues via passive and active targeting. This review article describes the development of solubilized formulations of water-insoluble drugs using several functional polymers, including polyvinyl alcohol, hyaluronic acid, and styrene-maleic acid copolymers.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 9","pages":"741-746"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144971446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Clinical Pharmacological Research Aiming to Optimize Therapeutic Strategies in Specific Populations].","authors":"Ryota Tanaka","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.25-00113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.25-00113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the field of drug development, pharmacokinetic studies primarily focus on adult and pediatric populations, resulting in limited pharmacokinetic data for specific populations such as neonates, pregnant women, and critically ill patients. Optimizing drug therapy for these populations requires dosing strategies that are personalized for individual patients, and are based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses and therapeutic drug monitoring. In our study of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), the pharmacokinetic parameters of doripenem differed from those in non-ICU patients, with higher pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic breakpoints in ICU patients. Population pharmacokinetic modeling of doripenem revealed that prolonged infusion for 4 h was necessary for critically ill patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy. In patients with hematological malignancies, inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) significantly affected the intra-individual pharmacokinetic variability of voriconazole, highlighting the need for dose titration according to CRP levels. Furthermore, febrile neutropenia (FN) significantly increased vancomycin clearance in children, requiring higher daily doses than in children without FN. In contrast, augmented renal clearance, but not FN, significantly affected teicoplanin clearance in adults. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of sublingual buprenorphine facilitated prediction of drug exposure in pregnant women and their fetuses. Post hoc optimization of sublingual absorption using concentrations observed in the mothers markedly improved prediction of fetal exposure. These findings underscore the importance of personalized pharmacokinetic assessments to improve individualized therapeutic strategies in specific populations, and to aim for optimizing efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Future research integrating mathematical modeling and simulation techniques is expected to improve dosing precision.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 10","pages":"843-847"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Qualitative Research Focusing on the Psychology of Patients and Pharmacists: What I Learned from Discussions with Students During Graduation Research Guidance].","authors":"Rieko Takehira","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00167-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.24-00167-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the 2022 version of the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Education, scientific inquiry is highlighted as a crucial professional competency for pharmacists. Graduation research offers pharmacy students an excellent opportunity to develop an inquisitive and scientific perspective. While various types of pharmacy-related research exist, qualitative research is essential for understanding human psychology and behavior. At the laboratory where I am affiliated, students undertake qualitative research focused on the psychological aspects of patients and pharmacists as their graduation research themes. Students conducting qualitative research encounter various challenges. For instance, they might (1) rephrase text data using inappropriate terms when coding or (2) select unsuitable terms due to a lack of contextual understanding of the text data. My goal during graduate research supervision is to provide tailored guidance based on students' common analytical errors. Furthermore, to support students' independent research efforts, I engage in thorough discussions with them regarding the appropriateness of the coded terms they use. Even if these interventions seem inefficient, the persistent repetition of conversations with students is believed to enhance their scientific inquiry skills.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 5","pages":"421-426"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144064602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kensuke Yoshida, Anna Kiyomi, Akira Kurokawa, Chie Saito, Munetoshi Sugiura
{"title":"[Educational Effects of Introducing a Dental Seminar for Pharmacy Students: Questionnaire on Changes in Learning Attitudes and Knowledge Improvement].","authors":"Kensuke Yoshida, Anna Kiyomi, Akira Kurokawa, Chie Saito, Munetoshi Sugiura","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.24-00223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the educational impact of dental seminars involving practicing pharmacists and dentists on pharmacy students. Its primary objective was to assess changes in learning attitudes and improvements in oral care knowledge through lectures and group discussions. The dental seminars were conducted during October-November 2024, and participants included 14 second-year pharmacy students. Participants completed surveys before and after the seminars that addressed topics such as \"antibiotics in dental care\" and \"pharmacist-dentist collaboration.\" Survey results indicated that the proportion of students recognizing the relationship between pharmacy and dentistry increased from 71.5 to 100%. Furthermore, the percentage of students who expressed a desire to learn more about dentistry increased from 42.9 to 85.7%. Knowledge assessments revealed significant improvements in the understanding of appropriate use of antibiotics for tooth extraction and oral care during cancer therapy. However, no improvement was observed in foundational knowledge of dental anatomy, underscoring the necessity of reinforcing basic education. This study provided preliminary insights into the effectiveness of incorporating dental education into the pharmacy curricula. These findings can contribute to the development and refinement of educational programs at other universities and institutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 6","pages":"561-569"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Information on the Latest Bacterial Taxonomy Focusing on Microbiome-related Bacteria].","authors":"Yoshiaki Kawamura","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00190-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.24-00190-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bacterial taxonomy has often changed significantly with the introduction of new technology. Most recently, next-generation sequencers (NGS) have substantially impacted bacterial taxonomy. With NGS, it has become possible to determine with high accuracy the interrelationships and taxonomic positions of even distantly related bacterial groups by determining whole genome sequences and comparing and examining them in detail. As a result, the Phylum, a higher taxonomic rank, has officially been approved. Furthermore, rapid taxonomic reorganization is occurring at all taxonomic ranks, from classes to genera. Meanwhile, anyone can now perform microbiota analysis using NGS as long as they have the equipment. The name of each detected bacterial group must be based on the latest classification. However, there are some points to be aware of, such as discrepancies between the OTUs used in microbiota analysis and the correct taxonomic definition of bacterial species. There are also pitfalls lurking in public databases. With these points in mind, I hope that accurate analysis will progress, and that research on the microbiome and macrobiota will continue to develop.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 8","pages":"659-666"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Oral Ingestion of Umami during the Developmental Period Is Involved in Emotion Formation via the Vagus Nerve in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Model Rats].","authors":"Hideki Hida","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00190-3","DOIUrl":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00190-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Monosodium glutamate (MSG), an umami substance, activates the gut-brain axis via vagus nerves. However, the brain mechanism involved in the effect of MSG on aggression during the developmental period has not been clarified. SHR/Izm, a known model of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was used to investigate the effect of MSG oral ingestion (60 mM solution) on aggression. The resident-intruder test was performed in rats, with a detailed analysis of aggressive behavior, including the frequency, duration, and latency of anogenital sniffing, aggressive grooming, and attack behavior. Immunohistochemistry of c-Fos expression was then investigated in aggression-related brain areas such as the pre-frontal cortex (PFC), lateral hypothalamus (LH), and central amygdala (CeA). The resident intruder test conducted during the dark phase revealed that MSG ingestion significantly decreased the frequency and duration of aggressive grooming and attack behavior and increased the latency of attack behavior compared with the control group. The immunostaining of c-Fos revealed that MSG ingestion increased the number of positive cells in the intermediate nucleus of the solitary tract (iNTS), a terminal of the gastrointestinal sensory afferent fiber of the vagus nerve (p=0.0094), and decreased c-Fos expression in the CeA (p=0.0084). However, c-Fos expression in the PFC and LH was comparable between the MSG-treated and control groups. Data suggest that MSG ingestion decreased isolation-induced aggression in the rat model of ADHD, SHR/Izm, which was mediated by the vagus nerve related to c-Fos activation in the iNTS and c-Fos inactivation in the CeA.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 8","pages":"673-677"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Skin Microbiome and Dermatitis: Focusing on Two Distinct Skin Diseases, Atopic Dermatitis and Androgenetic Alopecia].","authors":"Takashi Sugita","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00190-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.24-00190-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is in a state of dysbiosis, having a microbiome of reduced diversity dominated by exacerbators such as Staphylococcus aureus and by fungal taxa such as Malassezia. As the symptoms of AD improve, microbial diversity increases and the level of colonization by exacerbators decreases. The level of skin colonization is correlated with scores on AD evaluation indices, thus the goal of AD treatment is to improve dysbiosis. Although Malassezia species exacerbate AD, they also secrete proteases that inhibit the formation of biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus at non-lesional sites. Therefore, species in this genus may be either beneficial or harmful depending on the host environment. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) develops when the growth phase of the hair cycle shortens, leading to an increase in the proportion of resting hair follicles. The scalp sebum of individuals with AGA has a higher triglyceride content than those without AGA, leading to greater colonization by Malassezia, which use triglycerides as nutrients. Furthermore, the scalp of AGA individuals (?) is in a state of dysbiosis, and Cutibacterium is replaced by Corynebacterium. This can lead to lipophilic bacterium-induced inflammation, which contributes to the progression of hair loss. This review focuses on two aspects of dermatitis linked to dysbiosis. First, we assess the changes in skin microbiome and cross-domain (bacteria versus fungi) microbial interactions in AD; then we consider the mechanism by which an altered scalp-sebum composition leads to the development of AGA.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 8","pages":"689-695"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Development of High-Performance Countercurrent Chromatography and Its Application in the Separation of Bioactive Compounds].","authors":"Kazufusa Shinomiya","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00187","DOIUrl":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00187","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is a form of liquid-liquid partition chromatography that eliminates the solid support used in column chromatography. This allows the recovery of all samples subjected to CCC separation of bioactive components without denaturation and adsorption caused by interacting with the column matrix. The CCC apparatus requires numerous and continuous partitioning processes composed of the sufficient mixing of the two-phase solvent system, separating into two liquid phases, and moving the mobile phase. The present paper introduces my studies over 35 years on the development and improvement of CCC including the rotation behavior of the coiled column, column configuration, tube design, and two-phase solvent system followed by the application to the separation of bioactive compounds. Among the CCC instruments developed or improved in those studies, the floor-standing type of cross-axis CCC was first domestically produced and prompted the fabrication of benchtop type small-scale cross-axis CCC to achieve satisfactory separation of proteins and enzymes without loss of their bioactivity using aqueous two-phase solvent systems. The coil satellite centrifuge designed and fabricated in our laboratory enabled sufficient separation using a two-phase solvent system after adjusting the suitable rotation speed combination of the sun axis, planet axis, and satellite axis. Better partition efficiency was achieved using an eccentric coil for the analytical-scale and multilayer coil for the preparative-scale. Notably, the multilayer coil wound with long-pressed locular tubing increased the peak resolution within shortened separation times. The high-performance of the CCC apparatus developed will expand the ability to reveal the mechanisms of cell particles.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 4","pages":"299-312"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143773266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Development of Antibody-polymer Conjugates for the Treatment of Intractable Cancers].","authors":"Yuki Mochida","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.24-00186-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.24-00186-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antibody therapeutics have become a major modality for cancer treatment. Particularly, immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy against various cancers. However, similar to other antibody therapeutics, they have not demonstrated clinical efficacy against malignant brain tumors. The primary reason for this is the presence of the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB) in the endothelial cells of malignant brain tumors, which prevents antibodies from entering the tumor parenchyma. Additionally, treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors is clinically challenged by the occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) owing to non-specific and excess activation of the immune system. To address these issues, we integrated synthetic polymer-based drug delivery systems with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Specifically, we modified anti-PD-L1 antibodies with multiple glucosylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains via disulfide bonds. This glucose-PEG-conjugated anti-PD-L1 antibody effectively accumulates in glioblastoma by penetrating the BBTB through the interaction of glucose ligands with glucose transporter-1, which is overexpressed in glioblastoma endothelial cells. Subsequently, the PEG chains detach from the antibodies in response to the reductive environment within the glioblastoma, thereby blocking PD-L1 expression. Conversely, the PEG chains remain conjugated to antibodies in the bloodstream and normal tissues, masking their functions. The glucose-PEG-conjugated anti-PD-L1 antibody demonstrated significant efficacy against glioblastoma, while reducing the risk of irAEs in normal tissues. This technology is applicable to various antibody therapeutics and can be adapted to target other organs or specific cell types by exchanging ligand molecules, offering broad potential therapeutic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 6","pages":"523-532"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hitoshi Yamamoto, Satish Dayal, Charlotte Nortvedt, Ichiro Takumi
{"title":"[Low Abuse Potential of Plant-Derived Highly Purified Cannabidiol: A Narrative Review].","authors":"Hitoshi Yamamoto, Satish Dayal, Charlotte Nortvedt, Ichiro Takumi","doi":"10.1248/yakushi.25-00086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.25-00086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cannabidiol (CBD) is an abundant phytocannabinoid extracted from Cannabis sativa L., along with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Plant-derived, highly purified CBD oral solution (100 mg/mL) is approved as Epidiolex<sup>®</sup> in the United States and as Epidyolex<sup>®</sup> in Europe for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex with country-specific labels. CBD appears to reduce the neuronal hyperexcitability through a multimodal mechanism of action, although the precise mechanism remains unknown. Notably, unlike delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD has low affinity for the euphoria-inducing cannabinoid receptor type 1 therefore lacks euphoric effects. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated a low abuse and dependence potential, as well as an absence of withdrawal syndrome of CBD. Despite the lack of abuse potential for CBD, there are concerns related to cannabis and consequently cannabis-derived pharmaceutical products in Japan. Plant-derived, highly purified CBD is currently under investigation for the treatment of drug-resistant seizures in Japanese patients with early-onset epilepsies (jRCT2031220041). This narrative review aims to update healthcare professionals in Japan with results from preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the abuse and dependence potentials of CBD.</p>","PeriodicalId":23810,"journal":{"name":"Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan","volume":"145 9","pages":"777-790"},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144971408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}