Mechanism and rate of placental transfer of zalcitabine (2',3'-dideoxycytidine) in Macaca nemestrina
Article Abstract:
Pregnant women infected with HIV who receive zalcitabine may pass 60% of the drug dose to their fetuses. Zalcitabine may be used as an alternative to zidovudine to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to fetus. Researchers used the pregnant Macaca nemestrina monkey as a model for the pregnant human to determine whether zalcitabine crosses the placenta. Zalcitabine was found to cross the placenta by passive diffusion, as opposed to active transport. Diffusion across the placenta took place at a constant rate and remained unchanged when zidovudine was administered. Zalcitabine taken orally by pregnant mothers may expose the fetus to 60% of the dose. Amniotic fluid contained the highest level of the drug, and the possibility of increased drug exposure for the fetus is unknown.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1996
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In vitro models to predict the in vivo mechanism, rate, and extent of placental transfer of dideoxynucleoside drugs against human immunodeficiency virus
Article Abstract:
Laboratory studies of placental samples appear to be an accurate measurement of drug transfer across the placenta. Researchers catheterized pregnant monkeys and gave them several AIDS drugs, including zidovudine, didanosine, and zalcitabine. Drug levels in maternal blood, fetal blood and amniotic fluid were measured. The results were compared to studies that used placental samples to estimate the transfer rate. Both methods gave similar results. This means that placental samples can be used to test whether drugs can cross the placenta. This will help determine if the drugs are safe to use during pregnancy.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1999
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Fetal, infant, and maternal toxicity of Zidovudine (azidothymidine) administered throughout pregnancy in Macaca nemestrina
Article Abstract:
The use of AZT throughout the duration of pregnancy does not seem to produce any irreversible adverse effects on the fetus and infant. A study was done of 14 healthy female macaques, all mated with the same male. The group was divided in two parts, one receiving a continuing dose of AZT which brought blood concentration levels to the same as a pregnant human female would have in treatment, the other receiving water. The infants whose mothers received AZT were slightly anemic at birth, and had some visual and olfactory deficits, which corrected themselves in time.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1998
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