Pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital and propylhexedrine after administration of barbexaclone in the mouse

The antiepileptic barbexaclone is the salt of the base propylhexedrine (indirect sympathomimetic) and phenylethylbituric acid. After i.v. and oral administration of 66 mg/kg barbexaclone to mice the time course of propylhexedrine and phenobarbital concentrations was studied in plasma, brain, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the kinetics of phenobarbital were studied after treatment with an equimolar dose of phenobarbital-Na (40 mg/kg). In contrast to the i.v. bolus of phenobarbital-Na, barbexaclone was non-lethal only when infused over a period of 3 min. After the i.v. administration of either salt, phenobarbital plasma levels declined monoexponentially with a half-life of 7.5 h; the volume of distribution was 0.78 l/kg. After oral application absorption of phenobarbital was complete with both salts, though it was delayed after barbexaclone. The latter was the result of a delayed gastro-intestinal passage. Brain uptake of phenobarbital was a slow process, equilibrium with plasma concentrations being reached only 30 min after injection. Propylhexedrine reduced phenobarbital concentrations in brain as evident from steady state tissue-plasma ratios. This was observed after i.v. as well as after oral application. After i.v. application of barbexaclone the following pharmacokinetic parameters for propylhexedrine were determined: t0.5 alpha 0.31 h, t0.5 beta 2.5 h, Vd beta 19.3 l/kg; bioavailability (AUC oral/AUC i.v.) 0.37. Propylhexedrine penetrated the blood-brain barrier rapidly. High but unequal tissue accumulation was observed: lung = kidney greater than liver = brain greater than spleen greater than heart greater than skeletal muscle.     

A drug toxicity death involving propylhexedrine and mitragynine

A death involving abuse of propylhexedrine and mitragynine is reported. Propylhexedrine is a potent α-adrenergic sympathomimetic amine found in nasal decongestant inhalers. The decedent was found dead in his living quarters with no signs of physical trauma. Analysis of his computer showed information on kratom, a plant that contains mitragynine, which produces opiumlike effects at high doses and stimulant effects at low doses, and a procedure to concentrate propylhexedrine from over-the-counter inhalers. Toxicology results revealed the presence of 1.7 mg/L propylhexedrine and 0.39 mg/L mitragynine in his blood. Both drugs, as well as acetaminophen, morphine, and promethazine, were detected in the urine. Quantitative results were achieved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry monitoring selected ions for the propylhexedrine heptafluorobutyryl derivative. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reactions monitoring mode was used to obtain quantitative results for mitragynine. The cause of death was ruled propylhexedrine toxicity, and the manner of death was ruled accidental. Mitragynine may have contributed as well, but as there are no published data for drug concentrations, the medical examiner did not include mitragynine toxicity in the cause of death. This is the first known publication of a case report involving propylhexedrine and mitragynine.     

Propylhexdrine

Propylhexedrine, a sympathomimetic with varied medicinal uses, is one of the compounds to be reviewed by the Expert Committee convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) to determine whether the compound should be scheduled under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This paper reviews the pharmacology, medicinal uses, toxicity and abuse-potential of propylhexedrine, with special emphasis on toxicity and abuse potential. The primary medicinal use of propylhexedrine is temporary symptomatic relief of nasal decongestion due to colds, allergies and allergic rhinitis. When used as a nasal inhaler for this indication, propylhexedrine reduces nasal airway resistance without producing rebound congestion. Abuse does not occur by nasal inhalation; however, a small amount of abuse of the propylhexedrine containing nasal inhalers occurs by oral ingestion of the contents of the inhaler or by intravenous injection. Propylhexedrine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of low abuse potential, a stimulant of low preference for stimulant abusers compared with amphetamine, methylphenidate, phenmetrazine.     

The antagonism between reserpine and some antiparkinson drugs in electroseizure

Summary The effects of amphetamine, metamphetamine, propylhexedrine, biperiden and atropine were studied in experiments on electroseizure threshold in rats. In high doses these drugs lowered the threshold of electroseizures and antagonized the threshold lowering produced by reserpine, with the exception of atropine, which enhanced the action of reserpine. Low doses of the drugs and combinations of low doses of metamphetamine, propylhexedrine and biperiden did not influence electroseizure threshold, but inhibited the action of reserpine. The effect of phenytoin on the threshold lowered by reserpine was enhanced by low doses of metamphetamine, propylhexedrine and biperiden. Tetrabenazine caused threshold lowering which was antagonized by metamphetamine, propylhexedrine, biperiden and atropine. Pretreatment with -methyl-p-tyrosine, but not with diethyldithiocarbaminate abolished the effect of high doses of metamphetamine or propylhexedrine on the electroseizure threshold. Inhibition of the formation of DOPA or noradrenaline did not influence the action of reserpine or the antagonism between reserpine and the drugs of the amphetamine group. After a repeated injection of metamphetamine tachyphylaxis developed.Supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Kinetics of phenobarbital in normal subjects and epileptic patients

Summary The kinetics of phenobarbital (PB) were evaluated in six normal subjects and six epileptic patients treated with phenytoin or carbamazepine. Each normal subject received three single doses of PB: PB-sodium 130 mg i.v. (IV), PB sodium 130 mg i.m. (IM), and PB acid 100 mg orally (PO), in random order at least one month apart. After IV PB distributive half-lives varied from 0.13 to 0.70 h, disposition half-lives were 75 to 126 h, steady state volume of distribution (V_ss) was 0.54±0.03 l/kg, and clearance (CL) was 3.8±0.77 ml/h/kg. Absolute bioavailability of IM PB was 101±13%, of PO PB (corrected for dose) 100±11%. Peak serum PB concentrations were achieved from 2 to 8 h after IM administration, and from 0.5 to 4 h after PO administration. Epileptic patients exhibited similar PB kinetics: disposition half-lives were 77 to 128 h, V_ss 0.61±0.05 l/kg, and Cl 3.9±0.76 ml/h/kg. Phenobarbital appears to represent an exception among antiepileptic drugs, in that pharmacokinetic data obtained in normals can reasonably be extrapolated to the epileptic population.     

Dependence of pentobarbital kinetics upon the dose of the drug and its pharmacodynamic effects

Pentobarbital (PB), at dose range of 20--50 mg/kg, displays in rabbits non-linear, dose-dependent kinetics. Pharmacokinetics parameters of drug elimination depend largely upon the dose, while the distribution phase is dose-independent. The rate of disappearance of PB from the central compartment (plasma) decreases with the increase of the dose. The analysis of pharmacodynamic parameters has shown that this dose-dependent retardation of PB elimination is probably caused by an impairment of metabolic processes, resulting from disturbance of the circulatory system. A close correlation has been found between the hypotensive effect of PB and the elimination constant, k13, and also between the hypotensive effect and beta.Vd(extrap), a coefficient proportional to the rate of metabolism of PB [23, 29]. The results indicate the necessity of considering the changes in the functional state of the organism, related to the action of a drug, in pharmacokinetic studies.     

Desensitization of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors facilitates use-dependent inhibition by pentobarbital

Although the mechanisms underlying the use-dependent inhibition of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) by barbiturates are not well understood, it has generally been assumed to involve open channel block. We examined the properties of the inhibition of AMPARs by the barbiturate pentobarbital (PB) in acutely isolated and cultured hippocampal neurons. PB caused a use- and concentration-dependent inhibition (IC50 = 20.7 microM) of AMPAR-mediated currents evoked by kainate. Contrary to the properties of an open channel blocker, the inhibition by PB developed with double exponential kinetics was reduced under conditions that favor the open channel state of AMPARs and was independent of membrane voltage. In addition, the inhibition was reduced at basic pH, indicating that the uncharged form of PB is active at AMPARs. Preventing AMPAR desensitization with cyclothiazide reduced the potency of inhibition by PB and prevented its trapping after the removal of agonist. PB preferentially reduced the steady-state (IC50 = 92.8 microM), rather than peak (IC50 > 1 mM) component of responses evoked by glutamate and accelerated the onset of desensitization in a concentration-dependent manner. Miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents recorded from cultured hippocampal neurons, the time course of which is minimally influenced by desensitization, are not inhibited by PB. The sensitivity of AMPAR-mediated synaptic responses to inhibition by PB therefore depends on the contribution of desensitization to these events. Our results suggest that PB does not act as an open channel blocker of AMPARs. Rather, the sensitivity, use dependence, and trapping of inhibition by PB are determined by AMPARs desensitization.     

Effect of phenobarbital on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, an active metabolite of carbamazepine

The single oral dose kinetics of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E), the active metabolite of carbamazepine, were studied in six epileptic patients, stabilized on phenobarbital (PB) monotherapy, and in six drug-free health volunteers. The epoxide metabolite was administered as an enteric-coated tablet at the dose of 200 mg to the patients and at the dose of 100 mg to the volunteers. Patients had a significantly higher plasma clearance of CBZ-E than the control group (mean values +/- SD = 220.2 +/- 63.5 versus 112.5 +/- 46.0 ml/h/kg, p less than 0.007) and a significantly shorter plasma half-life (mean values +/- SD = 4.3 +/- 1.0 versus 6.7 +/- 0.8 h, p less than 0.0015). These results suggest that PB induces CBZ-E metabolism.     

P-hydroxylation of phenobarbital: relationship to (S)-mephenytoin hydroxylation (CYP2C19) polymorphism

The aim of the current study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital (PB) in extensive metabolizers (EMs) and poor metabolizers (PMs) of S-mephenytoin. Ten healthy volunteers (5 EMs and 5 PMs) were given 30 mg PB daily for 14 days. PB and p-hydroxyphenobarbital (p-OHPB) in serum and urine were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Urinary excretion (12.5% versus 7.7%) and formation clearance (29.8 versus 21.1 mL/h) of p-OHPB, one of the main metabolites of PB, were significantly lower (p < .05) in PMs than in EMs. However, area under the serum concentration-time curve (153.3 in the EMs versus 122.9 microg x h/mL in the PMs), total (210.8 versus 254.9 mL/h) and renal clearance (53.1 versus 66.1 mL/h) of PB were identical between the two groups. To compare the inducibility of CYP2C19, mephenytoin was also given prior to and on the last day of PB treatment. The urinary level of 4'-hydroxymephenytoin was analyzed by a validated gas chromatograpy/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. The mephenytoin hydroxylation index did not change in either EMs (1.42 versus 1.42) or PMs (341.4 versus 403.5), showing that CYP2C19 was not induced by treatment with PB. These results indicated that the p-hydroxylation pathway of PB co-segregates with the CYP2C19 metabolic polymorphism. However, the overall disposition kinetics of PB were not different between EMs and PMs, and therefore polymorphic CYP2C19 seems have no major clinical implications.     

小鼠周边活动累积数据比率法评价药物镇静效应

目的建立一种基于累积周边活动时间/周边时间的比值(accumulate peripheral active time percent,APATP)的行为学评价模型。方法利用视频跟踪系统检测戊巴比妥钠和地西泮诱导小鼠自发活动并提取相应数据,并计算得到APATP。采用DAS软件对数据进行处理,得到小鼠活动趋稳半衰期((T_1/2)α)、对数曲线下面积(lgAUC0-60)和对数尾点回归值(lgPmin)进行统计学分析。结果各组小鼠的APATP随时间的延长而逐步下降,均符合方程P=Ae-αt+Be-βt。与正常组比较,PB5mg.kg-1组T12α、lgAUC0-60和lgPmin略有下降,而PB10mg.kg-1组(均为P<0.01)和PB15mg.kg-1组(P<0.01,P<0.01和P>0.05)均能不同程度的抑制3参数;与PB10mg.kg-1组比较,PB15mg.kg-1组3参数有所回升(P>0.05,P<0.05和P<0.05)。本模型参数lgAUC0-60和lgPmin与总路程具有较好的一致性(r2=1.0000和r2=0.9995,均为P<0.01)。应用地西泮进一步证实了模型的可行性,具有类似的特点;与正常组比较,地西泮2、4mg.kg-1组3参数均下降(均为P<0.01),认为两组的镇静效应与正常等同;与PB10mg.kg-1比较,地西泮2、4mg.kg-1组的3参数差异均无显著性,认为两组地西泮镇静作用与之等同。结论ICR小鼠累积周边活动时间占比模型可用于评价小鼠自发活动及药物干预效果。     

Effect of cimetidine and phenobarbital on metabolite kinetics of omeprazole in rats

Omeprazole (OMP) is a proton pump inhibitor used as an oral treatment for acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. In the liver, it is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) isoenzymes such as CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. 5-Hyroxyomeprazole (5-OHOMP) and omeprazole sulfone (OMP-SFN) are the two major metabolites of OMP in human. Cimetidine (CMT) inhibits the breakdown of drugs metabolized by CYP450 and reduces the clearance of coadministered drug resulted from both the CMT binding to CYP450 and the decreased hepatic blood flow due to CMT. Phenobarbital (PB) induces drug metabolism in laboratory animals and human. PB induction mainly involves mammalian CYP forms in gene families 2B and 3A. PB has been widely used as a prototype inducer for biochemical investigations of drug metabolism and the enzymes catalyzing this metabolism, as well as for genetic, pharmacological, and toxicological investigations. In order to investigate the influence of CMT and PB on the metabolite kinetics of OMP, we intravenously administered OMP (30 mg/kg) to rats intraperitoneally pretreated with normal saline (5 mL/kg), CMT (100 mg/kg) or PB (75 mg/kg) once a day for four days, and compared the pharmacokinetic parameters of OMP. The systemic clearance (CLt) of OMP was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in CMT-pretreated rats and significantly (p<0.05) increased in PB-pretreated rats. These results indicate that CMT inhibits the OMP metabolism due to both decreased hepatic blood flow and inhibited enzyme activity of CYP2C19 and 3A4 and that PB increases the OMP metabolism due to stimulation of the liver blood flow and/or bile flow, due not to induction of the enzyme activity of CYP3A4.     

Distinguishing sympathomimetic amines from amphetamine and methamphetamine in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Derivatives of seven commonly used sympathomimetic amines and two "designer amines" were isolated from urine, separated chromatographically from amphetamine and methamphetamine, and determined by mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. The drugs included ephedrine, propylhexedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, hydroxynorephedrine, phenylephrine, phentermine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA). The drugs were liquid extracted from urine and derivatized by either heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) or 4-carbethoxyhexafluorobutyryl chloride (4-CB). Because the base peak ions for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylhexedrine, MDMA, and phentermine are identical to methamphetamine (e.g. 254 amu for HFBA) and those for phenylephrine, hydroxynorephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and MDA are identical to amphetamine (e.g. 240 amu for HFBA), a table of selected ions was developed for all 11 drugs that distinguished amphetamine and methamphetamine from the sympathomimetic amines with either HFBA or 4-CB. The distinguishing ions rely on the ring structure of the different drugs and fragmentation associated with that structure. The 4-CB reagent partially derivatized the hydroxy-containing sympathomimetic amines, while the HFBA completely derivatized all the sympathomimetic amines. Furthermore, false positive results for the 4-CB reagent were found only for methamphetamine (20-2250 ng/mL of methamphetamine) when high concentrations (greater than 5 micrograms) of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were present in the specimen. These results are related to a combination of injection port temperature and cleanliness of the injection port sleeve.     

Effects of age and antiepileptic drugs on plasma levels and kinetics of clobazam and N-desmethylclobazam

The authors monitored the plasma levels of clobazam (CLO) and its principal metabolite, N-desmethylclobazam (NCLO) during chronic treatment of more than 400 epileptic patients receiving different co-medications, such as phenytoin (PH), carbamazepine (CBZ), sodium valproate (VPA) and phenobarbital (PB). This study investigated the influence of age and antiepileptic drugs on plasma levels of CLO and NCLO. Plasma concentrations measured 3 hr after morning administration of CLO varied from 30 to 700 [formula; see text] for CLO, and from 160 to 7000 [formula; see text] for NCLO. Plasma levels of CLO were higher in patients aged 20-30 years. NCLO concentrations increased with age up to 20 years. Coadministered antiepileptic compounds significantly decreased maximal plasma levels of CLO. Moreover, PH and CBZ a significantly increased the plasma levels of NCLO. Results on the influence of CBZ on CLO kinetics were confirmed in a group of ten patients receiving PB and VPA and later PB, VPA and CBZ as CLO associated drugs. The influence of VPA on the pharmacokinetics parameters of CLO was also evaluated in a patient in the latter group.     

Induction effect of phenobarbital on carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide kinetics in the rhesus monkey

A previous study showed that coadministration of phenobarbital (PB) and carbamazepine (CBZ) to the rhesus monkey resulted in an increase in the steady-state ratio of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (EPO) to CBZ. Several postulates were proposed suggesting in induction in the formation pathway of EPO. This study was undertaken to determine whether PB can also modify the elimination kinetics of EPO in monkey. Five rhesus monkeys received an intravenous bolus dose of EPO on day 1, day 5, and day 15. In addition, the animals received an acute loading dose (110 mg) of PB on day 5 followed by 10 daily maintenance doses (35 mg/day). Plasma samples were assayed for PB and EPO by GC/CI/MS. The mean (±SD) of plasma clearance (CL), volume of distribution (V),and half-life (t_1/2)during the control period for EPO were 5.57±2.15 liters/hr, 7.48±2.50 liters and 0.95±0.16 hr, respectively. An acute loading dose of PB had no significant effect on any of these pharmacokinetic parameters at p=0.05. Subchronic administration of PB caused an increase in CL (8.23 ±2.03 liters/hr, pless than 0.05), a decrease in t_1/2 (0.67±0.09, plarger than 0.05 but less than 0.10), and no change in V.This study suggests that PB produces an increase in systemic and intrinsic hepatic clearance of EPO. Therefore, the reported increase in the EPO-CBZ steady-state ratio after PB administration could occur only if the formation clearance of EPO is increased to a greater extent than its elimination clearance.This work was supported in part by NINCDS Research Grant NS-04053 and Research Training Grant NS 04053.     

Depression by antiparkinson drugs of reserpine rigidity

Summary The effect of metamphetamine, propylhexedrine and biperiden on reserpine rigidity in the rat was assessed in an electromyographical study. For comparison the anticonvulsant agent phenytoin was also included in the investigation. Tonic electromyographical activity during stretch of the calf muscles served as an indicator of rigidity. All drugs tested and their combinations depressed the rigidity elicited by an intravenous injection of a high dose of reserpine.Supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

甲基莲心碱在大鼠肝微粒体CYP450系统中的代谢特征

目的研究甲基莲心碱(Nef)在大鼠肝微粒体系的代谢特性,探明参与Nef代谢的CYP450亚酶种类及其在Nef代谢中的作用。方法应用CYP3A特异性诱导剂地塞米松(DEX)、CYP2B诱导剂苯巴比妥(PB)、CYP1A诱导剂β-萘黄酮(β-NF)分别对W istar大鼠进行在体诱导,建立肝微粒体温孵及NADPH再生体系,HPLC紫外检测法测定Nef及其代谢产物。观察Nef代谢消失率与代谢特征,研究上述各诱导剂和CYP3A特异性抑制剂三乙酰竹桃霉素(TAO)对Nef体外代谢的影响。结果Nef在大鼠微粒体系代谢呈饱和现象;温孵液中代谢产物生成的量与底物Nef的浓度具有良好的相关性(r=0.993);Nef在DEX、PB诱导组大鼠肝微粒体温孵液中的生物转化较对照组明显加快(P<0.01),DEX组又较PB组的Nef药物代谢率差异有显著性(P<0.01),而β-NF组未显现诱导作用,其药物代谢率分别为:DEX组80.6%±9.5%;PB组61.5%±6.7%;β-NF组20.7%±1.5%;对照组19.9%±1.6%;TAO呈量效依赖性抑制Nef在肝微粒体温孵液中的代谢。结论研究结果提示Nef具有酶促动力学代谢特性;CYP3A及CYP2B是介导Nef在大鼠体内生物转化的CYP450亚酶,其中主要参与Nef代谢的为CYP3A。     

Inhalation pharmacokinetics of 1,2-dichloroethane after different dietary pretreatments of male Sprague-Dawley rats

The effect of the pretreatment of male Sprague-Dawley rats with phenobarbital (PB), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and disulfiram (DSF) on the inhalation kinetics of 1,2-dichloroethane [ethylene dichloride (EDC)] was studied by the gas uptake method. A closed recirculating system was constructed and characterized. The rate curves in all the pretreatment regimens showed saturable dependence on EDC concentration. These saturable dependencies (Michalis-Menten) appeared to be associated with enzymatic metabolism. In general, a two-compartment, steady-state pharmacokinetic model described the uptake data. Data were transformed by Hanes plots to calculate the inhalational K_m, the ambient EDC concentration at which uptake proceeded at half maximum rate, and V_max, the maximum rate of uptake (i. e., maximum rate of metabolism). Although PB and BHA pretreatments did not affect the K_m of EDC, PB pretreatment increased the V_max while DSF pretreatment decreased both the K_m and V_max.     

4种抗癫痫药物单用与合用的疗效观察

报道128例癫痫患者4种抗癫痫药单用与合用的临床疗效以及中毒情况,对128例癫痫患者的血药浓度监测结果进行了分析,着重分析了PHT中毒病例与血药浓度的关系.举例说明TDM工作有助于诊断、处理药物过量中毒;对合并用药的合理性具有指导作用,建议尽量避免多药合用;同时必须密切注意PHT的饱和动力学特征.     

A Mechanism-Based Integrated Pharmacokinetic Enzyme Model Describing the Time Course and Magnitude of Phenobarbital-Mediated Enzyme Induction in the Rat

Purpose To characterize the magnitude, time course, and specificity of phenobarbital (PB)-mediated enzyme induction, and further, to develop an integrated pharmacokinetic (PK)-enzyme model describing the changes in the activities of CYP enzymes as well as in the PK of PB. Methods PB plasma concentrations and in vitro activities of several CYP enzymes were measured in rats treated with PB between 0 and 14 days. A PB PK-enzyme induction model was developed using the program nonmem. Results PB treatment both induces and reduces the activity of CYP enzymes by stimulating the enzymes' formation or elimination rates. Certain CYP enzymes affected the PB PK through autoinduction. The half-life of the induction process was estimated to be 2 days for CYP1A2, CYP3A1/2, and CYP2B1/2, and 3 days for androstenedione producing enzymes. The CYP2C11 activity was rapidly reduced by PB treatment. A lag time for the PB autoinduction was observed. This lag time is explained by the rate difference between induction and reduction in CYP activities. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first example of an induction model that simultaneously describes plasma PK and in vitro data. It does so by integrating the bidirectional interaction between drug and enzymes in a mechanistic manner.     

The effect of phenobarbital on the methylation level of the p16 promoter region in rat liver

It has been suggested that non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGCs) may cause modification of the DNA methylation status. We studied the effects of phenobarbital (PB) -- a non-genotoxic rodent liver carcinogen -- on the methylation level of the promoter region of the p16 suppressor gene, as well as on hepatomegaly, DNA synthesis, and DNA-methyltransferase (DNMTs) activity in the rat liver. Male Wistar rats received PB in 1, 3 or 14 daily oral doses (at 24-h intervals), each equivalent to 1/10 of the LD(50) value. The study showed that PB has caused persistent elevation in relative liver weight (RLW) as well as a transient increase in DNA synthesis. This suggests that the PB-induced increase in RLW was due to a combination of both hyperplasia and hypertrophy of liver cells. The effect of PB on DNA synthesis corresponded to an increase in the methylation pattern of the p16 promoter sequence. Methylation of cytosine in the analyzed CpG sites of the p16 gene was found after short exposure of the animals to PB. Treatment of rats with PB for 1 and 3 days also produced an increase in nuclear DNMTs activity. After prolonged administration (14 days), DNA synthesis declined, returning to the control level. No changes in methylation of the p16 gene nor in DNMTs activity were observed. The reversibility of early induced changes in target tissues is a mark characteristic of tumor promoters. Thus, transient changes in methylation of the p16 gene, although their direct role in the mechanisms of PB toxicity, including its carcinogenic action, remains doubtful, may therefore be a significant element of such processes.