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The bioavailability of 11 brands of phenoxymethylpenicillin was investigated in a cross-over-study in healthy volunteers. There were found some differences in the velocity of absorption, in the peaks and in the blood levels after 4 hours. The absorption rate was evaluated by comparison of area under the curve and urine-recovery after oral administration of different brands. It is suggested to control each brand of oral antibiotic preparations on bioavailability.

1.2 mega U Penicillin V potassium was given to 20 patients 2 hours (group 1) and another 19 patients 3 hours (group 2) before tonsillectomy. After the operation biological determinations of the levels of active principle were made from tonsillar tissue and serum with statistical evaluation of the results (Spearman's rank correlation). There was a significant connection between the serum and tonsillar tissue concentrations (in children and adults) in both groups. The level of the active principle in group 2 was only slightly lower than in group 1. Many of the micro-organisms responsible for tonsillitis can be influenced by the concentrations found here, so that application of Penicillin V can often be expected to have a good therapeutic effect.

This paper is dealing with the enzymatic problem raised by two strains of Ps. aeruginosa resistant to classical beta lactam antibiotics including carbenicillin. These two strains hydrolyse all these antibiotics. In both cases, we have shown the simultaneous biosynthesis of two enzymes: an inducible and chromosome cephalosporinase frequently found in this germ, and a constitutive beta lactamase, with a penicillinase activity which has been identified with the extrachromosomic beta lactamase R-TEM. These two enzymes have been separated by affinity chromatography, characterized by their kinetic constants given by computerized microacidimetry, and their isoelectric points which are respectively 9.2 for the cephalosporinase and 5.40 for the penicillinase R-TEM. Isoelectric focussing also shows the separation of these two enzymes.

The interaction between the exocellular DD-carboxypeptidase-transpeptidase of Streptomyces R61 and beta-lactam antibiotics is a multistep process during which a rather stable enzyme - antibiotic complex is formed. This mechanism of interaction is compatible with Lineweaver-Burk plots that are typical of a competitive inhibition of the hydrolysis of the peptide donor by the antibiotic. In fact, however, the same Lineweaver-Burk plots can be obtained on the basis of a non-competitive type of inhibition. At present, a choice between the two models cannot be made.

The utility of cholesterol, cholesteryl acetate, and beta-sitosterol in protecting and improving the oral absorption efficiency of acid-labile antibiotics is discussed. The potassium salts of penicillin G and penicillin V and erythromycin lactobionate were studied. The stability of the two penicillins in simulated gastric fluid was determined iodometrically. The rank order of acid protective activity was: cholesteryl acetate greater than beta-sitosterol greater than cholesterol. Oral administration of erythromycin lactobionate coated with cholesteryl acetate produced a twofold increase in human urinary excretion of erythromycin when compared with the uncoated material. Potassium salts of penicillin G and penicillin V coated with cholesteryl acetate yielded 1.6- and 2-fold higher urine levels, respectively, as compared with the uncoated candidates.

Isotopic exchange of (35)S between penicillins and 6-amino-penicillanic acid (6-APA) was observed in cell-free extracts of Penicillium chrysogenum. Sulfhydryl-containing compounds were required for activity. Dithiothreitol, dithioerythritol, mercaptoethanol, and glutathione served as activators. The acyltransferase was purified threefold by adsorption on calcium phosphate gel at pH 6 and elution at pH 8. The partially purified enzyme showed maximal activity at pH 8. The enzyme was stable at 25 C for at least 30 min at pH 8. Dissociable inhibitors or activators, other than the sulfhydryl-containing compounds, could not be demonstrated in the enzyme preparation. An apparent Michaelis constant of 1.5 +/- 0.5 mm was determined for penicillin G at a 6-APA concentration of 5 mm. The enzyme did not appear to possess penicillin amidase activity. The exchange mechanism probably involves an acyl-enzyme intermediate. Penicillins V, G, K, X, and dihydro F showed isotopic exchange with (35)S-6-APA. Penicillin N, methylpenicillin, and phenyl-penicillin did not show exchange. The level of acyltransferase in P. chrysogenum 51-20F3 was measured at times during the fermentation. The level of activity increased threefold between 40 and 55 hr, remaining high until about 90 hr.