Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Dołowy M, Pyka A. Evaluation of lipophilic properties of betamethasone and related compounds. Acta Pol Pharm. 2015 Jul-Aug;72(4):671-81.

Abstract. The lipophilicity (R(MW)) of betamethasone and its four related compounds: betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate, betamethasone-17-valerate, betamethasone-21-valerate and also betamethasone disodium phosphate was determined by reversed phase HPTLC and various mobile phase systems (methanol-water, dioxane-water and acetonitrile-water). The chromatographic lipophilicity parameters obtained for all examined compounds using abovementioned mobile phases onto three chromatographic plates (RP-2F254, RP-8F254, RP-18WF254) were compared with the theoretical partition coefficients which have been calculated by different computing programs: AlogPs, AClogP, AlogP, MlogP, KOWWIN, xlogP2, xlogP3, logP(ChemDraw) as well as with logP measured by shake-flask method. The results of this work demonstrate that regardless of applied method the greatest similarity in lipophilic properties show betamethasone-17-valerate, betamethasone-21-valerate and also betamethasone 17,21-dipropionate. The influence of solvent system as mobile phase on R(MW) values of examined compounds was observed. Among different mobile phases (organic modifier-water) proposed in this study, which allowed obtaining the reliable chromatographic lipophilicity parameters for all studied compounds is methanol-water mixture. The performance investigations showed that RP-HPTLC method has proved to be a rapid and cost effective analytical tool for describing the lipophilic properties of betamethasone and its related compounds.

Chaiswing L, Xu F, Zhao Y, Thorson J, Wang C, He D, Lu J, Ellingson SR, Zhong W, Meyer K, Luo W, St Clair W, Clair DS. The RelB-BLNK Axis Determines Cellular Response to a Novel Redox-Active Agent Betamethasone during Radiation Therapy in Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jun 8;23(12):6409. doi: 10.3390/ijms23126409.

Abstract. Aberrant levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are potential mechanisms that contribute to both cancer therapy efficacy and the side effects of cancer treatment. Upregulation of the non-canonical redox-sensitive NF-kB family member, RelB, confers radioresistance in prostate cancer (PCa). We screened FDA-approved compounds and identified betamethasone (BET) as a drug that increases hydrogen peroxide levels in vitro and protects non-PCa tissues/cells while also enhancing radiation killing of PCa tissues/cells, both in vitro and in vivo.

Perna-Barrull D, Murillo M, Real N, Gomez-Muñoz L, Rodriguez-Fernandez S, Bel J, Puig-Domingo M, Vives-Pi M. Prenatal Betamethasone Exposure and its Impact on Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Preliminary Study in a Spanish Cohort. J Diabetes Res. 2022 Mar 10;2022:6598600. doi: 10.1155/2022/6598600. 

Abstract. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between betamethasone prenatal exposure and T1D in humans.

Kakoulidis I, Ilias I, Linardi A, Stergiotis S, Togias S, Michou A, Koukkou E. Glycemic profile assessment during betamethasone administration in women with twin pregnancies after IVF with or without gestational diabetes. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2022 Jun;16(6):102534. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102534. 

Abstract. We assessed the glycemic profile of 30 women with twin pregnancies after in-vitro-fertilization who were given betamethasone.

Fachin EV, Scarparo RK, Pezzi AP, Luisi SB, Sant'ana Filho M. Effect of betamethasone on the pulp after topical application to the dentin of rat teeth: vascular aspects of the inflammation. J Appl Oral Sci. 2009 Jul-Aug;17(4):335-9. doi: 10.1590/s1678-77572009000400012. 

Abstract. This study investigated the pulpal effect of topically applied betamethasone to the dentin of rat molars in the vascular phase of inflammation... Betamethasone applied on the dentin of rat teeth proved to reduce the vascular phase of pulp inflammation regarding vessel diameter and number of blood vessels.

Verdurmen KMJ, Warmerdam GJJ, Lempersz C, Hulsenboom ADJ, Renckens J, Dieleman JP, Vullings R, van Laar JOEH, Oei SG. The influence of betamethasone on fetal heart rate variability, obtained by non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram recordings. Early Hum Dev. 2018 Apr;119:8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2018.02.011.

Abstract. To describe the effect of betamethasone on fetal heart rate variability, by applying spectral analysis on non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram recordings.

Salem II, Najib NM. Pharmacokinetics of betamethasone after single-dose intramuscular administration of betamethasone phosphate and betamethasone acetate to healthy subjects. Clin Ther. 2012 Jan;34(1):214-20. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2011.11.022.

Abstract. Betamethasone is used for its antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in disorders of many organ systems. However, the pharmacokinetic properties of betamethasone in plasma after intramuscular injection of betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate dual-acting suspension need further investigation.

Salim R, Suleiman A, Colodner R, Nachum Z, Goldstein LH, Shalev E. Measurement of betamethasone concentration in maternal serum treated for fetal lung maturity; Is it feasible? Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2016 Feb 10;14:7. doi: 10.1186/s12958-016-0142-4.

Abstract. The association between maternal serum concentration of betamethasone given for fetal lung maturity and perinatal outcome has not been investigated. This may be due to an absence of a reliable method for measuring serum betamethasone concentrations. We aimed in the current study to assess the feasibility of a specific ELISA kit to measure the concentrations of betamethasone in maternal serum and to examine the trend of sequential measurements after a course of betamethasone for fetal lung maturity.

Jobe AH, Nitsos I, Pillow JJ, Polglase GR, Kallapur SG, Newnham JP. Betamethasone dose and formulation for induced lung maturation in fetal sheep. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Dec;201(6):611.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.07.014. 

Abstract. We hypothesized that maternal treatments with betamethasone acetate induce fetal lung maturation comparably to the betamethasone phosphate+betamethasone acetate used clinically.... A single maternal dose of betamethasone acetate effectively induces fetal lung maturation in sheep with minimal fetal exposure.

Knych HK, Stanley SD, Harrison LM, Mckemie DS. Pharmacokinetics of betamethasone in plasma, urine, and synovial fluid following intra-articular administration to exercised thoroughbred horses. Drug Test Anal. 2017 Sep;9(9):1385-1391. doi: 10.1002/dta.2170.

Abstract. The use of corticosteroids, such as betamethasone, in performance horses is tightly regulated. The objective of the current study was to describe the plasma pharmacokinetics of betamethasone as well as time-related urine and synovial fluid concentrations following intra-articular administration to horses.