Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Studies of the Histamine H1-Receptor Antagonist Ebastine in Dogs

Abstract— The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ebastine at single oral doses of 10 and 20 mg were studied in six healthy beagle dogs. Plasma concentrations of the active metabolite of ebastine were measured at predetermined times after the dose. At these times an intradermal injection of 0·01 mL of a 0·2 mg mL^?1 histamine diphosphate solution was given, and wheal areas were computed. The plasma elimination half-life of ebastine was 4·38 ± 1·01 h after 10 mg ebastine and 4·09 ± 0·74 h after 20 mg ebastine; the distribution volume was 3·99 ± 0·88 and 3·65 ± 0·75 L kg^?1 after 10 and 20 mg of ebastine, respectively; the clearance after the 10 mg dose of ebastine was 0·67 ± 0·24 L h^?1 kg^?1 and after 20 mg ebastine was 0·63 ± 0·17 L h^?1 kg^?1. The mean histamine-induced wheal areas were significantly suppressed from 1 to 25 h after the 10 mg dose ebastine and from 1 to 32 h after the 20 mg dose ebastine, compared with the mean predose wheal areas (P < 0·001). Maximum suppression of the wheals was 75 and 82% from 10 and 20 mg ebastine, respectively. A combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model was used to analyse the relationship between inhibition of wheal skin reaction and changes in the active metabolite of plasma concentration after ebastine administration. A significant delay of 3–4 h was present between the maximum effect and the peak plasma concentration. Calculated from mean data, the rate constant for equilibration of the drug between plasma and effect site was 0·17 and 0·22 h^?1 after 10 and 20 mg ebastine with a half-life of 4·13 and 3·56 h, respectively, and the steady-state plasma concentration resulting in 50% of maximal effect was 18·9 ± 4.8 ng mL^?1 after 10 mg and 18·2 ± 5.7 ng mL^?1 after 20 mg ebastine.     

Pharmacokinetics and Cardiovascular Effects of YM-21095, a Novel Renin Inhibitor,in Dogs and Monkeys

Abstract— The pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of YM-21095 ((2 RS), (3S)-3-[N^α-[1,4-dioxo-4-morpholino-2-(1-naphthylmethyl)-butyl]-l-histidylamino]-4-cyclohexyl-1-[(1-methyl-5-tetrazolyl)thio]-2-butanol), a potent renin inhibitor, have been studied in beagle dogs and squirrel monkeys. Plasma levels of YM-21095 after 3 mg kg^?1 intravenous dosing to dogs declined biphasically and fitted a two-compartment model. Kinetics were as follows: t½α = 4·9±0·2 min, t½β = 2·76±0·79 h, Vd_ss = 3·86±1·04 L kg^?1, plasma clearance = 2·22 ± 0·39 L kg^?1, and AUC= 1445 ± 266 ng h mL^?1. After 30 mg kg^?1 oral dose, maximum plasma concentration, t_max and AUC of YM-21095 were 28·8 ± 9·6 ng mL^?1, 0·25 h and 23·6 ± 7·7 ng h mL^?1, respectively. Systemic bioavailability as determined on the basis of the ratio of AUC after intravenous and oral dose was 0·16 ± 0·04%. In conscious, sodium-depleted monkeys, YM-21095 at an oral dose of 30 mg kg^?1 lowered systolic blood pressure and inhibited plasma renin activity without affecting heart rate and plasma aldosterone concentration. Maximum plasma concentration of YM-21095 after 30 mg kg^?1 oral dose to monkeys was 71·8 ± 41·5 ng mL^?1, which was reached 0·5 h after the dose. At equihypotensive doses, captopril and nicardipine increased plasma renin activity markedly and slightly, respectively. These results suggest that oral absorption of YM-21095 is low in dogs and monkeys, and YM-21095 shows a blood pressure lowering effect by inhibiting plasma renin activity in sodium-depleted monkeys.     

The influence of vitamin C on antipyrine pharmacokinetics in elderly men

The influence of vitamin C on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine was investigated in eleven elderly men aged 65–74. Antipyrine (15 mg kg^?1) was administered intravenously on three separate occasions over a 7-week period: (a) before dietary vitamin C restriction, (b) after approximately 5 weeks of dietary vitamin C restriction, and (c) after 2 weeks of vitamin C supplementation (500 mg orally twice daily). The mean plasma and leucocyte vitamin C levels (±S.D.) before vitamin C restriction were 1·26 ± 0·31 mg dl^?1 and 26·6 ± 6·7 μg 10^?8 leucocytes, respectively. These values decreased and then increased significantly following vitamin C restriction and supplementation, respectively. The mean plasma half-life of antipyrine was 10·2h and the mean plasma clearance was 2·561h^?1 1·73 m^?2 before vitamin C restriction. No significant changes in the clearance, volume of distribution, or half-life of antipyrine occurred during the study, indicating that short-term alterations in vitamin C intake do not affect the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine in elderly males.     

Dose dependent absorption and linear disposition of cyclosporin A in rat

The pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin A (CyA) were investigated in the rat following intravenous doses of 1·7, 3·3, and 6·4 mg kg^?1 and oral doses of 3·1, 6·8, and 12·9 mg kg^?1. The blood concentration-time profile after intravenous administration was adequately described by a two-compartment model when all data were simultaneously analysed using NONMEM. The disposition pharmacokinetics were linear over the dose range studied; the average total blood clearance was 0·191 g^?1 kg^?1. The absorption process could not be adequately described by either a first- or a zero-order input. Therefore, a flexible, staircase input model was used and found to be superior to the standard models. The shape of this model was biphasic, with a higher initial input rate than expected from first-order absorption. The duration of this first phase increased with dose. The extent of absorption was also dose dependent. Bioavailability was higher at higher doses; the values were 45%, 67% and 76% for the three ascending dose levels. These results strongly indicate a saturable first-pass effect. Since the extraction of CyA in the liver is only 6%, the marked increase in bioavailability of CyA is most likely to be the result of saturated gut wall metabolism.     

Effects of Capsaicin on the Pharmacokinetics of Antipyrine,Theophylline and Quinine in Rats

Abstract— Capsaicin is the active principal of capsicum fruits, such as hot peppers. The influence of 1-week pretreatment of capsaicin (25 mg kg^?1) on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, theophylline and quinine was investigated in rats. The drugs were given as an intravenous bolus dose. The control rats received the vehicle solvent (polyethylene glycol) only. Clearance of antipyrine in the capsaicin-pretreated rats was significantly lower than that observed in the control rats (0·241 ± 0·029 vs 0·344 ± 0·034 L h^?1 kg^?1, P < 0·05). This is consistent with a prolongation in the elimination half-life of antipyrine in animals pretreated with capsaicin (2·06 ± 0·30 vs 1·61 ± 0·27 h), as the volume of distribution was not significantly changed. In contrast, capsaicin pretreatment had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline and quinine.     

Apparent dose-dependent oral absorption of cyclosporin a in rats

The oral absorption of cyclosporin A (CyA) was studied in rats after 6, 12, 18, and 23 mg kg^?1 doses were given in an olive oil solution to determine if CyA absorption from the gastrointestinal tract was dose-dependent. Using serial blood samples obtained at various times after the respective doses, analysis of the resultant blood CyA concentration–time curves suggested that the rate of CyA absorption for all four doses was an apparent zero-order process. Moreover, the rate of CyA absorption appeared to be dose-dependent, increasing as the dose of CyA increased. Similarly, the extent of CyA absorption (F) also exhibited dose-dependent characteristics in this study. F is increased from 0·13 after the 6 mg kg^?1 dose to 0·22 with the 18 and 23 mg kg^?1 doses (p < 0·05). In the present investigation, the observed values for the duration of drug absorption (T), terminal first-order rate constant (β) and corresponding elimination half-life (T_1/2β) of approximately 4–5 h, 0·030 h^?1 and 21–28 h, respectively, were similar for all CyA doses. Moreover, no difference in β was observed after oral or intravenous drug administration. Absorption lag times of 1–2 h were found. The results suggested that the apparent dose-dependent absorption of CyA observed in the present study was possibly related to the effects of olive oil on gastric emptying and that CyA might be unstable in the gastric fluids and/or metabolized by the gastric mucosa.     

THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF 1954U89, 1, 3-DIAMINO-7-(1-ETHYLPROPYL)-8-METHYL-7H-PYRROLO-(3, 2-f )QUINAZOLINE,IN DOGS AND RATS AFTER INTRAVENOUS AND ORAL ADMINISTRATION

1954U89, 1, 3-diamino-7-(1-ethylpropyl)-8-methyl-7H-pyrrolo-(3, 2-f )quinazoline, is a potent, lipid-soluble inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of 1954U89 were examined in male beagle dogs and male CD rats. Dogs received single intravenous (2·5 mg kg⁻¹) and oral (5·0 mg kg⁻¹) doses of 1954U89 with and without successive administration of calcium leucovorin. Single intravenous (5·0 mg kg⁻¹) and oral (10 mg kg⁻¹) doses of [1,3-¹⁴C₂]1954U89 were administered to rats. Plasma concentrations of total radiocarbon were determined by scintillation counting, and intact 1954U89 was measured by HPLC. The mean plasma half-life was 3·2 ± 0·62 and 4·2 ± 0·68 h after intravenous and oral administration, respectively, to dogs. The pooled plasma half-life after intravenous administration to rats averaged 1·2 h; a reliable plasma half-life value after oral administration could not be determined. Mean total-body clearance was 2·4 ± 0·39 and 4·5 ± 1·1 L h⁻¹ kg⁻¹ after intravenous and oral administration, respectively, to dogs, and averaged 12 and 77 L h⁻¹ kg⁻¹ after intravenous and oral administration, respectively, to rats. Neither clearance nor bioavailability of 1954U89 in dogs was affected significantly by administration of calcium leucovorin. Absolute bioavailability was 54 ± 12% in dogs and 16% in rats. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacokinetics of the novel anticonvulsant hepp after single intravenous administration of three different doses in dogs

HEPP (D, L-3-hydroxy-3-ethyl-3-phenylpropanamide) is a novel compound with a wide spectrum of anticonvulsant activity and relatively low toxicity. The aim of this investigation was to study the pharmacokinetics of HEPP in mongrel dogs and to assess its linearity after intravenous administration of 8, 15, and 30 mg kg^?1. A biphasic disappearance pattern with a rapid distribution phase was observed in the plasma concentration versus time curve. The mean terminal half-life (t_1/2β) was the same after the three doses (3.4±0.15h) and the mean half-lives of the distribution phase (t_1/2α) were not significantly different after the three doses (0.09±0.02, 0.08±0.07, and 0.11±0.03 h for 8, 15, and 30 mg kg^?1 respectively). The mean AUC_0-∞ values were 44.1±10.8, 72.1±8.8, and 127.4±23.2 μg h mL^?1, respectively, showing a linear increase. The individual values of AUC_0-∞ corrected for the administered dose (AUC_0-∞/D) were 0.29±0.04, 0.23±0.05, and 0.22±0.06 h mL^?1. These values were not statistically different. Neither the mean residence time (MRT=4.55±1.50, 4.90±1.32, and 5.07±1.95 h), the steady state volume of distribution (V_ss=0.86±0.11, 1.01±0.17, and 1.20±0.40 L kg^?1) nor the systemic clearance (Cl=3.36±0.82, 3.53±0.44, and 4.02±0.68 mL min^?1 kg^?1) showed significant differences between doses. The values of V_ss suggest that HEPP is distributed in the whole body fluid. The invariant pharmacokinetic parameters and the direct correlation between AUC_0-∞ and the dose suggest that the kinetics of HEPP in dogs are linear over the range of doses studied.     

Intestinal lymphatic absorption of cyclosporin a following oral administration in an olive oil solution in rats

The intestinal lymphatic absorption of cyclosporin A (CyA) following oral adminstration of 6·5 0·6 and 25·2±1·4mg kg^?1 doses of the drug dissolved in an olive oil solution was studied using a thoracic duct-cannulated rat model. Cumulative lymph samples were collected for up to 114h post-dosing and assayed by liquid scintillation counting. In this study, the estimated amount of lymphatically absorbed CyA was 0·35±0·13 and 0·47±0·29 per cent of the respective doses. In terms of the overall oral bioavailability of CyA (F_po) by all absorptive mechanisms, the intestinal lymphatics accounted for the absorption of approximately 2 per cent of the total amount of absorbed drug. F_po was 21·3±2·5 per cent. The results of this study suggested that lipophilicity alone was not the only factor governing intestinal lymphatic drug absorption. An explanation for the low level of lymphatic CyA absorption is presented. In addition, some reasons for the low overall oral bioavailability of CyA are discussed.     

Pharmacokinetics of Chlorimipramine,Chlorpromazine and their N-Dealkylated Metabolites in Plasma of Healthy Volunteers After a Single Oral Dose of the Parent Compounds

Abstract— A single oral dose of 0·7 mg kg^?1 clorimipramine (n= 18) and chlorpromazine (n= 16) was given to each subject 45 days apart and plasma concentrations of parent drugs and their monodesmethyl and didesmethyl metabolites were measured by GC. Ingestion of chlorimipramine resulted in an area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC _0–24) for parent drug plus metabolites 5-fold higher than that observed in the same subjects following chlorpromazine intake (600 ± 87 and 124 ± 14 ng mL^?1, respectively). Plasma chlorimipramine levels reached a mean peak value of 43·8 ng mL^?1, an average of 3·4 h after dosage, whereas the mean peak chlorpromazine level was 15·1 ng mL^?1, which occurred 2 h after administration. Desmethyl metabolite kinetics of chlorimipramine appeared to be elimination rate-limited and those of chlorpromazine appeared to be formation-rate-limited. The response to single doses of these two drugs in healthy subjects highlights the two distinct dispositional processes involved, thus offering pharmacokinetic explanation of the hitherto empirical discrepancy in dosage levels in chronic treatment.     

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Aspects of Artelinic Acid in Rodents

Abstract— The efficacy of artelinic acid and artemisinin, orally administered at 10 and 50 mg kg^?1 day^?1, was compared in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Subsequently, the pharmacokinetics of artelinic acid after intravenous, intramuscular, oral and rectal administration of a 20 mg kg^?1 aqueous solution to rabbits were studied in a four-way randomized cross-over experiment. After intravenous administration, artelinic acid concentrations in blood plasma were high (C₀: 76 ± 15 mg L^?1), and the drug was rapidly eliminated from the central compartment, showing linear elimination kinetics with an elimination half-life of 15 ± 3 min. A large inter-subject variation appeared in the absorption rate and the extent of absorption (2–92%) over the 120 min interval after intramuscular administration. Also, a large inter-subject variation in individual rectal bioavailability (17–100%) was shown, which was dependent on the site of absorption in the rectum. The estimated oral bioavailability was low (4·6 ± 1·7%), probably due to a high first-pass effect and possible decomposition in the acidic gastric environment.     

PHARMACOKINETICS AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN ERYTHROPOIETIN AFTER SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATIONS IN HORSES

The pharmacokinetics of recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo) were investigated after subcutaneous administration to horses. Four horses received a single 30 IU kg⁻¹ dose of rHuEpo. One horse received three repeated doses of 120 IU kg⁻¹ at 48 h intervals. Plasma erythropoietin (Epo) was measured by radioimmunoassay. In both cases pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated using a one-compartment open model and first-order input and output rates. The mean values (±SD) for elimination half-life, CL/F, and V_d/F after a single dose were 12·9±3·34 h, 11·8±4·96 L h⁻¹, and 233±126 L, respectively. After repeated doses, elimination half-life, CL/F, and V_dss/F were 11·3 h, 8·94 L h⁻¹, and 145·6 L, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the haematological parameters after a single 30 IU kg⁻¹ administration compared to baseline values. Multiple and high doses of rHuEpo modified red blood cells, haemoglobin, and hematocrit. According to our results, plasma Epo assay can help, during an antidoping control procedure, to support a positive result only up to 72 h after the last rHuEpo     

The actions of cimetidine hydrochloride and mepyramine maleate in rat adjuvant arthritis

Adjuvant arthritis in rats was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of Freund adjuvant into a hind paw. The injected paws' mean volume increased continuously by 80±26% after 6 h (acute local response). The injected paw displayed a biphasic response peaking at day 1–2 decreasing to day 5, then increased to day 14 by 123% while the contralateral non-injected paw showed little increase until day 10 and increased by 42% at day 14. The lateral diameter of both knee-joints also increased biphasically, peaking at day 4, decreasing to day 6, then increasing to day 14 (early and late systemic phase). Mepyramine maleate, 1 mg·kg^?1 (i.p.) daily, suppressed only the early systemic phase by 50%. Daily cimetidine hydrochloride, 1 mg·kg^?1·day^?1, almost completely abolished the inflammatory response in the knee joints up to day 12, while at day 14 the supression was 71%. The increase in mean paw volume was also suppressed by orally administered cimetidine. Intraperitoneal doses of cimetidine (3.5 μmol·kg^?1) totally suppressed paw oedema produced by subplantar injection of histamine (1.8 mM) but had no action on equiactive dose of the specific H₁-agonist, 2-pyridylethylamine. Mepyramine at 3.5 μmol·kg^?1 or greater produced no more than 50% suppression of the histamine response. A component of both adjuvant and histamine-induced responses thus appears to be histamine H₂-receptor mediated.     

Plasma Levels of Peptide YY Correlate with Cisplatin-induced Emesis in Dogs

Abstract— The effect of cisplatin on plasma peptide YY (PYY) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentrations was determined in conscious dogs (n = 6 per group) pretreated with either saline, or the 5-HT₃-receptor antagonists ondansetron or granisetron. Cisplatin (30 mg kg^?1, i.v.) caused emesis (18·8 ± 2·9 episodes; 75–284 min) and significantly increased the mean area under the curve (AUC) over a 6-h period of plasma PYY concentrations (7·4 ± 1·8 to 11·5 ± 3·7 ng) in all saline-pretreated dogs, whereas the mean AUC of plasma 5-HT concentrations did not significantly increase (34·7 ± 7·4 vs 35·6 ± 12·3 pM h). The concentrations of PYY correlated closely with the incidence of emesis (r = 0·99). In animals pretreated (36 min) with ondansetron (0·316 mg kg^?1, i.v.) or granisetron (0·316 mg kg^?1, i.v.), the number of cisplatin-induced emetic episodes was significantly (P < 0·005) decreased compared with control. In animals receiving cisplatin and pretreated with ondansetron, PYY concentrations were not significantly altered, whereas the mean AUC of plasma concentrations of 5-HT over 6 h increased (35·6 ± 12·3 to 82·3 ± 34·6 Pm h; P < 0·05). In animals receiving cisplatin and pretreated with granisetron, plasma concentrations of 5-HT were not significantly altered, whereas the mean AUC of plasma PYY concentrations were significantly reduced compared with control (6·2 ± 1·7 vs 11·5 ± 3·7 ng h). Furthermore, in animals receiving ondansetron without cisplatin treatment, there was no change in the mean AUC of 5-HT or PYY concentrations, whereas the mean AUC of plasma 5-HT concentrations increased significantly (34·7 ± 7·4 to 68·6 ± 37·2 Pm h; P < 0·05) in animals treated with granisetron alone. These studies indicate that plasma concentrations of PYY, and not 5-HT, correlate with cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs. Peptide YY may be an important mediator in cancer chemotherapy-induced emesis and other types of emesis.     

Responses to arachidonic acid and other dilator agonists and their modification by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the canine hindlimb

The influence of indomethacin, in doses that completely inhibit the response to arachidonic acid, has been examined on canine hindlimb vascular responses to intra-arterial administration of bradykinin, histamine, nitroglycerin, isoprenaline and papaverine. The hindlimb was perfused at constant flow. Dose-response curves to intra-arterial administration of arachidonic acid (12 to 200 μg kg^?1), bradykinin (0·4 to 100 ng kg^?1), histamine (1·8 to 120 ng kg^?1), nitroglycerin (15 to 100 ng kg^?1), isoprenaline (12 to 100 ng kg^?1) and papaverine (1·2 to 160 μg kg^?1) (all n = 4) were compared before and 30 min after indomethacin (5 mg kg^?1 i.v.). All the drugs produced dose-related decreases in hindlimb perfusion pressure. After indomethacin, responses for all dilator agonists except arachidonic acid, were significantly greater than control (P < 0·05), both in terms of absolute (mmHg) or percent change. Doseresponse curves after indomethacin had a left upward shift compared with control. Arachidonic acid responses were completely blocked by indomethacin. These findings suggest that indomethacin produces a non-specific increase in responsiveness of the hindlimb vascular bed to dilator substances, except arachidonic acid. The data presented do not support the hypothesis that the peripheral vasodilatation produced by bradykinin, nitroglycerin and histamine could be mediated by endogenous prostaglandin release.     

Pharmacokinetics of a novel retinoid AGN 190168 and its metabolite AGN 190299 after intravenous administration of AGN 190168 to rats

The pharmacokinetics of AGN 190168, a novel synthetic retinoid, and its major metabolite, AGN 190299, in rat blood after intravenous administration was investigated. Approximately 4.4 mg kg^?1 (high dose) or 0.49 mg kg^?1 (low dose) of AGN 190168 was administered to rats via the femoral vein. Blood was collected from the femoral artery at various time points during an 8 h period. Blood concentrations of AGN 190168 and AGN 190299 were determined by a specific and sensitive high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. AGN 190168 was rapidly metabolized in rats. The only detectable drug-related species in the blood was AGN 190299. Therefore, only pharmacokinetics of AGN 190299 were calculated. Elimination of AGN 190299 appeared to be non-linear after administration of the high dose, and linear after administration of the low dose. The maximum elimination rate (V_max) and the concentration at half of the V_max (k_m), as estimated by a Michaelis—Menten one-compartment model, were 7.58 ± 2.42 μg min^?1 (mean ± SD) and 6.10 ± 1.58 μg mL^?1, respectively. The value of the area under the blood concentration time curve (AUC) was 9.54 ± 1.68 μg h mL^?1 after administration of the high dose and 0.594 ± 0.095 μg h mL^?1 after administration of the low dose. The clearance value was 7.79 ± 1.20 mL min^?1 kg^?1 after the high dose, statistically significantly different from that after the low dose (p < 0.05), 14.0 ± 2.2 mL min^?1 kg^?1. The terminal half-life (t_1/2) was 1.25 ± 0.74 h for the high-dose group and 0.95 ± 0.16 h for the low-dose group. Study results demonstrate rapid systemic metabolism of AGN 190168 to AGN 190299, non-linear pharmacokinetics of AGN 190299 after the 4.4 mg kg^?1 dose, and the lack of difference in disposition profiles between sexes after intravenous administration of AGN 190168 to rats.     

Biodistribution of Cyclosporin Encapsulated in Liposomes Modified with Bioadhesive Polymer

The purpose of this investigation was to study the possibility of renewing the immunosuppressive activity of cyclosporin by formulating the compound in liposomes modified with bioadhesive polymers. The liposomes prepared were evaluated both pharmacokinetically and pharmacodynamically. Tissue distribution and plasma pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin and model dye, sudan black, which is as hydrophobic as cyclosporin, were studied in rats after intravenous infusion (10 mg kg^?). The immunosuppressive efficacy of liposomal cyclosporin preparations was studied in the allogenic rat-heart-transplantation model, where cyclosporin therapy (10 mg kg^?) continued for one week. The entrapment of sudan black in liposomes modified with bioadhesive polymers resulted in higher sudan black delivery to the spleen and the liver than with standard sudan-black-loaded liposomes. Among the modified liposomes, those modified with carbopol 941 showed the most remarkable enhancing effect on the delivery of sudan black to these organs and total plasma clearance of sudan black decreased to 38.6 ± 7.8 mL h^? kg^? (standard liposomes, 58.9 ± 64 mL h^? kg^?). Delivery of cyclosporin to the spleen and the liver was increased approximately twofold by modifying the liposomes with carbopol 941. In the preliminary study on the allogenic rat-heart-transplantation model, the mean survival days of the graft were 18.8 ± 2.9 days for the group receiving cyclosporin liposomes modified with carbopol 941, 14.2 ± 4.4 days for the group receiving standard cyclosporin liposomes and 7.6 ± 0.5 days for the group receiving cyclosporin solution. The encapsulation of cyclosporin in liposomes modified with bioadhesive polymer enhanced the residence time of cyclosporin in the systemic circulation, resulting in approximately twofold greater delivery of cyclosporin to the spleen and liver. However, in the allogenic rat-heart-transplantation model no significant difference was detected between the immunosuppressive efficacy of cyclosporin encapsulated in bioadhesive polymer-modified liposomes and that encapsulated in standard liposomes.     

Effect of Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone on Pentobarbitone-induced Sleep in Rats: Continuous Treatment with a Sustained Release Injectable Formulation

Abstract— The mode of action and the time course of the effects of continuous thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) treatment using a two-week sustained release injectable formulation of TRH-containing copoly(±)-lactic/glycolic acid) microspheres (TRH-SR) on pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time were studied in rats. Subcutaneous treatment with TRH-SR at doses corresponding to 0·05 and 0·2 mg of TRH kg^?1 day^?1 caused a dose-related shortening of pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time with a minimum effective dose (MED) of 0·05 mg kg^?1 day^?1, without affecting the body weight gain. On the other hand, the MED of TRH when given as a bolus subcutaneous injection was 40 mg kg^?1. The effect of TRH-SR treatment was blocked by intraperitoneal scopolamine (0·1 mg kg^?1) and mecamylamine (2 mg kg^?1) but not by scopolamine methyl bromide (0·1 mg kg^?1). The results indicate that continuous TRH treatment using TRH-SR causes shortening of pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time at doses lower than those required using bolus injection and probably by a mechanism involving the central cholinergic system.     

NASAL ADMINISTRATION OF MORPHINE-6-GLUCURONIDE IN SHEEP—A PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY

The pharmacokinetics of morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) after both intravenous dosing and nasal administration were studied in sheep. The nasal formulation consisted of M6G in combination with an absorption promoting delivery system in the form of chitosan. The mean half-life of M6G after intravenous administration was 51·0±8·2 min and that after intranasal dosing was 45·0±5·5 min. M6G clearance and volume of distribution were 5·4±1·5 mL min^±1 kg^±1 and 0·4±0·1 L kg^±1 respectively. The plasma profile after nasal administration demonstrated rapid absorption of M6G. The bioavailability of M6G in the chitosan formulation was found to be 31·4%. These results suggest that M6G administered in combination with the chitosan delivery system may be considered as a suitable non-parenteral means of administering this analgesic.     

Endotoxin-induced Fever Increases the Clearance of Methohexitone in Rabbits

Abstract— We have previously observed that the clearance of methohexitone, given by continuous infusion for sedation in the intensive care unit, was influenced by body temperature in patients with post-operative fever. The aim of the present study was to reproduce this finding in an animal model that can then be used to predict similar influences for other anaesthetic agents. Sixteen rabbits were infused for 2·0 h with methohexitone (8·4 ± 0·5 mg kg^?1 h^?1 (mean ± s.d.)) and in eight of them fever was induced with intravenous Escherichia coli endotoxin. Arterial blood samples were taken over 6 h and plasma concentrations of methohexitone were assayed by gas chromatography. The mean body temperatures of the rabbits over the periods of measurement varied between 38·5 and 41·8°C, and the total clearance of methohexitone (mean 50·7 mL min^?1 kg^?1) was positively correlated with temperature (r = 0·545, P = 0029). No significant correlations with temperature were found for other pharmacokinetic parameters. We conclude that these observations correspond to the findings in the clinical pharmacokinetic study, showing the validity of the animal model.