Chronopharmacologic aspects of continuous AcSDKP infusion in mice

Inconsistent results characterized N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (AcSDKP or Goralatide) effects upon hematologic proliferation, possibly because its circadian organization had been overlooked. We investigated the circadian changes in AcSDKP disposition in plasma and in bone marrow during continuous infusion and AcSDKP effects upon the circadian rhythms in bone marrow granulomonocytic precursors (CFU-GM) and circulating blood cell counts. One hundred ninety-six male B6D2F1 mice received a constant infusion of AcSDKP (24 microg/ day) or 0.9% NaCl for 7 days, using an osmotic minipump. All mice were synchronized with an alternation of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness for 3 weeks prior to study. Mice were sacrificed on the fifth or seventh infusional day at 3, 9, 15, or 21 hours after light onset (HALO) in order to assess plasma and bone marrow AcSDKP concentrations, CFU-GM, and/or circulating blood cell counts. In control mice, plasma and bone marrow AcSDKP concentrations displayed a circadian rhythm with a maximum level during the dark span, at 21 and 15 HALO respectively, while CFU-GM, leukocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts peaked during early light. Continuous AcSDKP infusion increased fivefold mean plasma AcSDKP level at 3 or 9 HALO, thus inverted its physiologic rhythm and suppressed the CFU-GM peak that normally occurs at these times. This inhibition however, was indirect, because the rhythms in bone marrow AcSDKP concentration were similar with or without AcSDKP infusion. Conversely, mean leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were significantly reduced with AcSDKP infusion, while their circadian rhythms remained unaffected and were amplified. The results indicate that AcSDKP pharmacology displays circadian rhythmicity and warrant the exploration of chronopharmacologic schedules of AcSDKP delivery for further protecting bone marrow against chemotherapy insults.