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An ESI-MS/MS method through direct infusion was validated for quantitative analysis of meropenem powder for injection. The validation parameters were established in a rapid analysis of 30 s. Drug stability was studied through the submission to stress testing, resulting on four degradation products. Under hydrolytic conditions, in acid, neutral and alkaline media, the major degradation product was formed through the cleavage of the β-lactam ring. Oxidation of the drug using H2O2 (3%) showed the formation of two degradation products from a decarboxylation reaction and N-oxide formation. Under high humidity conditions, there was detected a dimer product. The stability of meropenem after reconstitution was studied in conditions that simulate its clinical use. In samples reconstituted and diluted in infusion fluids, an extensive degradation was observed. At room temperature meropenem maintained its content > 90% for up to 4 h when prepared in 5% glucose and for up to 12 h when prepared in 0.9% NaCl. Through ESI-MS/MS analyzes it was observed a degradation product formed by β-lactam ring cleavage, detected in all conditions studied. It was also identified a degradation product formed only in 5% glucose, generated by the hydrolysis of β-lactam followed by the attachment of a glucose molecule to the nitrogen of the pyrrolidine ring. In general, all the results obtained in the stability studies contribute to the knowledge about this antibiotic and future candidates of this class.

Carbapenems show recognized instability in aqueous solutions; therefore some care must be taken in their handling and preparation and their use in the hospital environment. The stability and degradation products of imipenem were investigated from conditions that simulate its clinical use. For this, a simple stability-indicating method by HPLC-DAD was validated with a focus on the quantitation of drug concentration remaining from infusion solutions (sodium chloride 0.9% and glucose 5%). The degradation products formed were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS), with detection of the [M + H]+ ions at m/z 318 (DP-1), m/z 599 (DP-2) and m/z 658 (DP-3). The most probable elemental compositions were obtained with a high degree of confidence, where the error between the masses observed and calculated was 1.25 ppm for DP-1, -0.33 ppm for DP-2 and 1.82 ppm for DP-3. The DP-1 degradation product resulted from cleavage of the β-lactam ring; DP-2 corresponded to the drug dimer; and DP-3 was generated from the interaction between imipenem and cilastatin. The proposed method provides a safe and reliable alternative for the quantitation of imipenem, and the stability data obtained by ESI-Q-TOF help in understanding the drug behavior under the conditions of clinical use.

The vascular effects of nitrolinoleate (LNO2), an endogenous product of linoleic acid (LA) nitration by nitric oxide-derived species and a potential nitrosating agent, were investigated on rat endothelial-leukocyte interactions. Confocal microscopy analysis demonstrated that LNO2 was capable to deliver free radical nitric oxide (·NO) into cells, 5 min after its administration to cultured cells, with a peak of liberation at 30 min. THP-1 monocytes incubated with LNO2 for 5 min presented nitrosation of CD40, leading to its inactivation. Other anti-inflammatory actions of LNO2 were observed in vivo by intravital microscopy assays. LNO2 decreased the number of adhered leukocytes in postcapillary venules of the mesentery network. In addition to this, LNO2 reduced mRNA and protein expression of β2-integrin in circulating leukocytes, as well as VCAM-1 in endothelial cells isolated from postcapillary venules, confirming its antiadhesive effects on both cell types. Moreover, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, a nitric oxide scavenger, partially abolished the inhibitory action of LNO2 on leukocyte-endothelium interaction, suggesting that the antiadhesion effects of LNO2 involve a dual role in leukocyte adhesion, acting as a nitric oxide donor as well as through nitric oxide-independent mechanisms. In conclusion, LNO2 inhibited adhesion molecules expression and promoted ·NO inactivation of the CD40-CD40L system, both important processes of the inflammatory response. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved., This study was supported by Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/Instituto do Milênio-Redoxoma.