PH.D. University of Western Ontario |
The laboratory is equipped for the development of drug analyses using chromatographic techniques. Most of this work is performed by high performance liquid chromatography. Other instrumentation is available for high performance thin layer and gas chromatography. The following are some classes of drugs which have been analysed in the laboratory. The current interests of Dr. Freeman are 1) the therapeutic monitoring of clozapine for optimizing treatment of refractory schizophrenia. 2) Development of in vitro cell toxicity assays to predict drug hypersensitivity reactions to clozapine in suseptible individuals. 3) The effect of dietary components and other factors on plasma homocysteine concentrations in the context of vascular disease. Pharmacokinetic studies are done mainly in human subjects but animal models (pig, rabbit, rat) are also used if appropriate. Various computer software is available to the laboratory for pharmacokinetic modelling. The laboratory acts as a resource for collaborative pharmacokinetic studies with the Pharmaceutical Industry and with investigators at the University of Western Ontario. Many of the assays listed above have been developed for such studies.
Freeman, D.J., Oyewumi, K. Will Routine Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Have a Place in Clozapine Therapy? Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 1997, 32(2):93-100 Laslo A, Eastwood J, Urquhart B, Lee T, Freeman D. Subcutaneous Administration of Nimodipine Improves Bioavailability in Rabbits. J Neuroscience Methods 2004,139; 195-201. Thiol Exchange: An In Vitro Assay To Predict The Efficacy of Novel Homocysteine Lowering Therapies. BL Urquhart, AA House, MJ Cutler, JD Spence, and DJ Freeman. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2006, in press)