Saturable Tissue Binding and Imirestat Pharmacokinetics in Rats

To investigate the hypothesis that the pharmacokinetics of imirestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, are influenced by saturable binding to tissues, three experiments were done. (1) The nature of the dose dependence was characterized in rats. Two groups of nine adult male Sprague–Dawley rats received iv ¹⁴C-imirestat at doses of 2 or 8 mg/kg. Serial blood samples were obtained over 15 days. Volume of distribution at steady-state was significantly different between the high- and the low-dose groups (0.744 ± 0.103 1 and 1.10 ± 0.228 L, respectively). Clearance was independent of dose over this fourfold range (15 ml/hr). (2) The effect of either statil or AL3152, both aldose reductase inhibitors and potential competitors for aldose reductase binding, on the pharmacokinetics of a single 0.2-mg/kg iv dose of imirestat was assessed. A 2.4-mg/kg loading dose of statil was administered and a constant-rate infusion (56 µg/hr/kg) was begun 16 hr before imirestat. A 2-mg/kg loading dose of AL3152 and a constant-rate infusion (115 µg/kg/hr) were also administered 16 hr before imirestat. The infusions were maintained throughout the study. AL3152 administration decreased the imirestat steady-state volume of distribution by a mean of 63%. Statil administration decreased it by a mean of 39%. (3) The dosing regimen of the second study was repeated and, at two sampling times, nine tissues and plasma were obtained from four rats per sampling time for determination of imirestat tissue-to-plasma concentration ratio. The tissue/ plasma imirestat concentration ratio in the adrenals 24 hr after imirestat administration was 56.9 ± 20.0 in the imirestat group, 17.7 ± 1.27 in the statil-coadministered group, and 12.3 ± 2.59 in the AL3152-coadministered group. A similar trend of decrease in the ratios was observed in all tissues at both 24 and 168 hr. The results suggest that a saturable tissue binding phenomenon at least partially accounts for the nonlinear pharmacokinetics of imirestat.     

Time-Dependent Absorption of Phenprobamate Following Multiple Dosing in Rats

Unusual serum profiles of phenprobamate, a centrally skeletal muscle relaxant, were observed in Sprague Dawley rats receiving multiple doses of phenprobamate suspension. The concentrations of phenprobamate were higher after the morning doses than after the evening doses, synchronizing with the day–night pattern of drug administration. Crossover studies were conducted to investigate the apparent time-dependent kinetics of phenprobamate. Phenprobamate emulsion was orally administered as a single dose to a group of six rats at 0900 hr and again, after a washout period of 3 days, at 2100 hr. Another group of six rats was treated similarly with intraperitoneal drug administration. Blood samples were collected at various times for 12 hr. The AUCs were 146.56 ± 31.77 µg · hr/ml for the morning oral dose and 111.31 ± 21.32 µg · hr/ml for the evening oral dose (P < 0.001). Administered intraperitoneally, the AUCs were 179.89 ± 37.50 and 185.58 ± 28.51 µg · hr/ml for the morning and evening doses, respectively, the difference of which was not significant. The paired t test indicated a significant morning–evening difference in AUC following oral but not intraperitoneal drug administration. This suggests the absorption rather than metabolism as a contributing factor to the time-dependent kinetics of phenprobamate in rats.     

Pharmacokinetics of diminazene in sheep

The pharmacokinetic behavior of diminazene in plasma after administration of 2 mg/kg i.v. and 3.5 mg/kg i.m. was studied in four healthy Dala × Ryggja rams. Following i.v. injection, the data were satisfactorily described by a triexponential equation; the apparent volume of distribution at the steady-state was 0.56±0.04 L/Kg (X±sd; n=4); total body clearance averaged 1.1±0.09 ml/kg/min and elimination half-life was 9.30±1.40 hr. After intramuscular administration peak plasma levels of 6.30–7.57 g/ml were reached in 20 to 45 min and the mean absorption time averaged 5.83±1.61 hr. Systemic availability relative to the intravenous dose was 95.10±23.21% and mean residence time averaged 14.16±1.55hr. The partition of diminazene between erythrocytes and plasma averaged 0.64±0.10; plasma protein binding was high (65–85%) and concentration-dependent. Based on the experimental data obtained, an initial i.m. dose of 2.5 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg 24 hr later should be safe and effective in cases of babesiosis and trypanosomiasis sensitive to diminazene. A preslaughter withdrawal period of 14–26 days was estimated.     

Plasma kinetics of carbamazepine and its epoxide metabolite in man after single and multiple doses

Summary Carbamazepine (Tegretol^®) was administered orally to four patients as a single dose, and one week later three times daily for 15–21 days. The plasma half-lives of the drug were shorter in all patients after multiple doses (20.9±5.0 hours) than after the initial single dose (35.6±15.3 hours). During multiple doses the plasma concentrations of the metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide followed those of the parent drug. The steady-state plasma concentrations expected during multiple doses were calculated from the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in the single dose studies. The calculated levels were higher (17.2±7.2 µg/ml) than the observed maximal concentrations (8.4±1.6 µg/ml on day 4), which were obtained 3–4 days after starting the multiple doses. The levels tended to decrease further during the experimental period. The results suggest that carbamazepine induces its own metabolism in man.     

Accumulation Kinetics of Propranolol in the Rat: Comparison of Michaelis– Menten-Mediated Clearance and Clearance Changes Consistent with the “Altered Enzyme Hypothesis”

(+)-Propranolol was infused at two rates into the pyloric vein (a portal vein tributary) of 15 male Sprague Dawley rats until apparent steady-state conditions were established (i.e., 8 hr at each rate). One group (n = 7) received the high dose (40 µg/min/kg) first, and in the other group (n = 8) the low dose (20 µg/kg/min) was used to initiate treatment. Free and total serum concentrations of propranolol were measured. When the low dose was given first, the apparent steady-state concentrations achieved during low- and high-rate infusion steps were 166 ± 37 and 774 ± 235 ng/mL, respectively. These data are consistent with a simple Michaelis–Menten kinetic model and the key parameters of such a model (V _max and K _m) were estimated. However, a crucial test of such a model (and one which should give insight regarding the relevance of an altered enzyme hypothesis) is to reverse the order of infusion steps since, in a system controlled by Michaelis–Menten kinetics, the same steady-state concentrations should be achieved regardless of the order in which infusion steps are given. When the sequence of infusion rates was reversed, steady-state concentrations were 492 ± 142 and 298 ± 79 ng/mL for the high and low infusion rates, respectively. Clearly, a history of high-dose exposure reduces the intrinsic clearance of total drug (CL_SS) during a subsequent low-dose exposure (i.e., the apparent steady-state levels during the low-dose pyloric vein infusions were significantly different; P < 0.001). When these data were corrected for plasma protein binding, the same trends emerged. For example, the intrinsic clearance of free drug (CL_Uss) during low dose treatment, when this treatment was given first, was 27.4 ± 7.3 L/min/kg. However, when the low dose was given as the last step, CL_Uss was only 14.4 ± 5.6 L/min/kg. This highly statistically significant decrease in CL_Uss (P < 0.002) is inconsistent with any simple Michaelis–Menten model, but it is consistent with an altered enzyme hypothesis.     

Pharmacokinetics of a Mouse/Human Chimeric Monoclonal Antibody (C-17-1 A) in Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Patients

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of a mouse/human chimeric monoclonal antibody (C-17-1A) were determined in 10 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma following the administration of either 10-mg or 40-mg infusions as a single or multiple dose. The administration of single 10-mg (n = 5) and 40-mg (n = 5) doses infused over 1 hr resulted in mean apparent steady-state distribution volumes of 4.13 ± 0.97 and 5.16 ± 1.92 liters, respectively, indicating that C-17-1A appears to distribute throughout the vascular compartment and into limited extracellular fluid volume. The disposition of C-17-1A was adequately characterized using a two-compartment open model with mean distribution half-lives of 15.8 and 18.5 hr and mean elimination half-lives of 90.0 and 97.6 hr for the 10- and 40-mg groups, respectively. A linear relationship was observed between AUC and dose (µLg/kg). The clearance of C-17-1A was correlated linearly with total Ig, IgG, and tumor size. Multiple administration of either 10-mg (n = 3) or 40-mg (n = 3) doses of C-17-1A infused over 1 hr every 14 days for a total of three doses resulted in superimposable mean serum concentration versus time data and consistent mean pharmacokinetic characteristics. These data indicate that C-17-1A exhibits linear, nonsaturable distribution and elimination characteristics in man over the dose range studied (i.e., 130 to 880 µg/kg). The multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of C-17-1A were predictable, indicating a lack of an antibody response to C-17-1A over a period of 42 days. The clearance of C-17-1A exhibited large interindividual variability with significant correlations to circulating IgG levels and tumor size.     

Pulmonary Absorption of Recombinant Methionyl Human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (r-huG-CSF) After Intratracheal Instillation to the Hamster

Recombinant methionyl human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a molecule of 18.8 kDa, has been shown to induce a systemic response after delivery by aerosol. In this work, rate and extent of absorption as well as the response were determined after bolus administration of solutions by intratracheal instillation (IT). The protein was quantified using a specific ELISA and the biological response was assessed by monitoring the increase in numbers of circulating white blood cells (WBC). A dose–response curve was obtained after IT, subcutaneous injection (SC), and intracardiac injection (IC) of 100 µL of a nominal dose ranging from 1 to 1000 µg/kg G-CSF (n = 5). WBC numbers were determined 24 hr postadministration. Absorption and clearance kinetics were determined after IT and IC of 500 µg/kg protein over a 24-hr time period (n = 5). The response of the lung to G-CSF was monitored by WBC counts and differentials in lung lavage fluid. 73.6 ± 10.5% (n = 7) of the IT dose reached the lung lobes. The response to single doses of G-CSF by IT or SC was similar, with WBC numbers increasing over 4× baseline at the higher doses. Absorption from the lung was rapid and did not follow first-order kinetics. Clearance after the IC dose was described by a biexponential equation ( = 1.41, = 0.24 hr^–1). Peak serum levels were obtained 1–2 hr after IT. The bioavailability was 45.9% of the administered dose and 62.0% of the dose reaching the lung lobes. These results indicate that G-CSF is rapidly absorbed from the lung. Pulmonary delivery via the airways has promise as an alternative to parenteral injection.     

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous chloramphenicol sodium succinate in adult patients with normal renal and hepatic function

The pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol (CAP) and total chloramphenicol succinate (CAPS) were studied in eight hospitalized adult patients with normal renal and hepatic function receiving intravenous chloramphenicol sodium succinate therapy. The steady-state peak concentrations of CAP (8.4–26.0 g/ml) occurred at an average of 18.0 min (range 5.4–40.2) after cessation of the chloramphenicol sodium succinate infusion. Unhydrolyzed CAPS prodrug, representing 26.0±7.0% of the dose, was recovered unchanged in the urine indicating that the bioavailability of CAP from a dose of intravenous chloramphenicol succinate is not complete. A pharmacokinetic model was developed for simultaneous fitting of CAP and CAPS plasma concentration data. Pharmacokinetic parameters determined by simultaneous fitting were: V, 0.81±0.18 liters/kg; t_1/2, 3.20 ±1.02 hr; CL_B, 3.21±1.27 ml/min/kg for chloramphenicol; and V, 0.38±0.13 liters/kg; t_1/2, 0.57±0.12hr; CL_B, 7.72±1.87 ml/min/kg for total chloramphenicol succinate.Supported in part by Faculty Research Council Grant VF648 from the University of North Carolina.     

Disposition,Bioavailability, and Serum Protein Binding of Pentachlorophenol in the B6C3F1 Mouse

The toxicokinetics of pentachlorophenol (PCP) were studied in B6C3F1 mice, a strain in which PCP was previously found to be carcinogenic. In a crossover design, doses of 15 mg/kg were given intravenously (bolus) and orally (gastric intubation) to six animals. Concentrations of PCP in blood, urine, and feces were measured by capillary gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. After intravenous administration, the values of clearance and volume of distribution were 0.057 ± 0.007 L/hr/kg and 0.43 ± 0.06 L/kg, respectively. These two parameters exhibited low intermouse variability (coefficients of variation <14%). The elimination half-life was 5.2 ± 0.6 hr. After oral administration, the PCP peak plasma concentration (28 ± 7 µg/ml) occurred at 1.5 ± 0.5 hr and absorption was complete (bioavailability = 1.06 ± 0.09). The elimination half-life was 5.8 ± 0.6 hr. Only 8% of the PCP dose was excreted unchanged by the kidney. PCP was primarily recovered in urine as conjugates. A portion of the dose was recovered in urine as the mutagen, tetrachlorohydroquinone (5%) (TCHQ), and its conjugates (15%). For both PCP and TCHQ, sulfates accounted for 90% or more of the total conjugates (glucuronides and sulfates).     

Single and chronic dose pharmacokinetic studies of sodium valproate in epileptic patients

Summary In four refractory epileptic patients, peak plasma levels of sodium valproate occurred within 1.5 to 3 h after a single oral dose of valproate and the decline in plasma levels followed a monoexponential course with a t_1/2 of 11.4 ± 0.1 h. The mean value for apparent volume of distribution was 0.176 ± 0.013 l/kg and for total plasma clearance 0.0106 ± 0.0009 l/h/kg. Steady state plasma levels were predicted using the method of superposition utilizing pharmacokinetic parameters determined following a single dose of valproate and were 78–123% of the predicted values for two patients receiving valproate alone, and 37–64% of the predicted values for the two patients receiving carbamazepine in addition to valproate. In a further group of 20 patients the mean daily doses of valproate for 8 patients receiving valproate alone (25.4 ± 4.9 mg/kg) was significantly less than those for the 12 patients receiving concomitant anticonvulsant therapy (41.6 ± 12.3 mg/kg) (p<0.005). In addition, the steady state predose plasma levels of valproate were significantly higher in the valproate alone patients (90.3 ± 8.7 µg/ml) compared to the patients receiving additional anticonvulsants (75.3 ± 13.8 µg/ml) (p<0.01). The higher dose requirements of valproate and lower predose and steady state plasma levels for those patients on multiple anticonvulsants indicate an interaction between valproate and other anticonvulsants.     

Plasma levels of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide during treatment of epilepsy

Summary Carbamazepine and its epoxide in plasma were measured by liquid chromatography in 25 patients treated with a mean dose of carbamazepine of 12.5±3.3 mg/kg body weight. The mean concentrations of parent drug and metabolite were 5.4±2.5 µg/ml and 1.10±0.42 µg/ml, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the plasma concentrations of the two compounds (r=0.64; p<0.001), but marked interindividual variation existed in the ratio of carbamazepine to epoxide. Based on simultaneous measurements in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, the unbound fraction of carbamazepine in plasma was of the order of 20% as compared to 45% for the epoxide. Thirteen ambulant patients suffering from partial epilepsy with complex symptomatology, who were already being treated with phenytoin in optimal doses (plasma level 14–20 µg/ml) were also given carbamazepine. At plasma levels of the latter of about 5 µg/ml there was no further reduction in the frequency of partial or generalized epileptic seizures. In five patients the dose was increased to produce plasma concentrations of 7 – 8 µg/ml. There was still no improvement and side-effects were seen in three patients.     

Acetaminophen accumulation in pediatric patients after repeated therapeutic doses

Summary Acetaminophen serum concentrations were studied in 21 infants and children with fever. The maximum serum concentrations ranged from 9.96 to 19.6 μg/ml after a single dose of 12–14 mg/kg and 13.9 to 40.1 μg/ml after a single dose of 22–27 mg/kg. Ten patients were restudied at steadystate after repeat doses had been given every 4 or 8 h for 1 to 3 days. Total area under the acetaminophen serum concentration-time curve normalized for dose averaged 0.181 (ml/min/kg)⁻¹ after the first dose and 0.202 (ml/min/kg)⁻¹ at steady-state (p<0.05). Five patients showed a 13 to 44% increase in the AUC; one had a 10% decrease in the AUC; and four had less than 6% change in the AUC. There was no evidence of hepatotoxicity. These data suggest that acetaminophen may accumulate after repeated therapeutic doses in children with fever. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Atlanta, Georgia, March 1984     

Disposition of Azole Antifungal Agents. I. Nonlinearities in Ketoconazole Clearance and Binding in Rat Liver

The disposition of ketoconazole was characterized in the rat over a wide dose/concentration range. Bolus dose (0.03–10 mg/kg) studies indicate that plasma concentration–time profiles for ketoconazole are not superimposable when dose normalized because of nonlinearities occurring in both volume of distribution and clearance. The volume of distribution decreases from 3 to less than 1 L/kg, while the plasma clearance decreases 10-fold from 25 mL/min/kg as the dose is escalated. From these results, infusion rates were calculated to maintain the plasma concentrations achieved with particular bolus doses. The curvilinear relationship between steady-state plasma concentration (0.015–8.3 mg/L) and ketoconazole infusion rate (0.021–2.45 mg/hr/kg) was analyzed in terms of Michaelis–Menten kinetics. A V _max of 3.2 mg/hr/kg and K _m of 2.1 mg/L were obtained by nonlinear regression analysis. At the end of the ketoconazole infusion, liver, adrenals and kidneys were removed and assayed for ketoconazole. Tissue-to-plasma partition coefficients for the liver and adrenals showed a marked dependence upon steady-state plasma concentration. Both parameters (liver, 22; and adrenals, 53) showed a decrease of approximately 10-fold as the plasma concentrations were increased. In contrast, the kidney:plasma partition coefficient (1.8), blood:plasma concentration ratio (0.6), and plasma binding (96%) of ketoconazole did not show a concentration dependence over the range studied. It is concluded that the liver is an important determinant of ketoconazole's volume of distribution and that saturation of this process accounts largely for the reduction in volume of distribution with increasing dose. The characterization of ketoconazole's hepatic clearance and binding in the rat helps resolve the apparent discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo observations on this azole's interaction with cytochrome P450.     

The Bioavailability and Nonlinear Clearance of (–)-Carbovir in the Rat

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of (±)-carbovir, a carbocyclic nucleoside active against human immunodeficiency virus, have been described previously. To determine the bioavailability of (–)-carbovir, the biologically active enantiomer, four male Sprague–Dawley rats received 18 mg/kg of (–)-carbovir through the jugular vein and 54 mg/kg orally. Following the pilot studies, five rats were randomly assigned to receive (–)-carbovir in a three-way crossover design as either a single 18-mg/kg iv bolus, a single 54-mg/kg oral dose, or a single iv infusion of 18 mg/kg to achieve a target steady-state concentration (C _ss) of 1 µg/ml, the peak concentration after an oral dose. Blood and urine samples were analyzed by an improved ion-paired reversed-phase HPLC method with fluorescence detection. Blood concentrations of (–)-carbovir declined in a biphasic manner after the iv bolus dose. The terminal half-life was 116 and 106 min after the iv bolus and oral dose, respectively. The blood/plasma distribution ratio was approximately 1.0 in the range of 1 to 10 µg/ml of (–)-carbovir in blood. The free fraction in serum was concentration dependent. Significant differences in the renal, nonrenal, and total-body clearances after the iv bolus and iv infusion suggested nonlinear elimination of (–)-carbovir. The oral bioavailabilities derived from blood data were significantly different when the iv bolus was used as a reference rather than the iv infusion. However, the bioavailabilities were not significantly different when the total urinary excretion of unchanged (–)-carbovir after iv bolus or infusion was used as a reference. Concomitant saturation of renal and nonrenal clearances might explain these findings. The oral bioavailability was about 20% at concentrations approximating 1 µg/ml in blood.     

Plasma and salivary pharmacokinetics of caffeine in man

Summary Plasma and salivary caffeine concentrations were measured by gas-liquid chromatography in 6 healthy caffeine-free volunteers following oral administration of 50, 300, 500 and 750 mg caffeine. Caffeine was also given to a single subject intravenously in doses of 300, 500 and 750 mg. Caffeine was rapidly absorbed and was completely available at all doses. The apparent first-order elimination rate constant decreased linearly with dose and was 0.163±0.081 h^–1 for 50 mg and 0.098±0.027 h^–1 for 750 mg. The total body clearance was unaffected by dose and was 0.98±0.38 ml/min/kg. There was a trend towards increasing apparent volume of distribution with increasing dose. A linear relationship existed between the area under the plasma concentration, time curve and dose and dose-normalised plasma concentration, time plots were superimposable. These findings suggest that caffeine obeys linear pharmacokinetics over the dose range investigated. Despite significant inter-individual differences in pharmacokinetic parameters there was good reproducibility within 5 subjects given 300 mg caffeine orally on 3 occasions. Salivary caffeine levels probably reflect the unbound plasma caffeine concentration and can be used to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug. Overall the saliva/plasma concentration ratio was 0.74±0.08 but within subjects some time-dependence of the ratio was found with higher ratios initially (even after intravenous administration) and lower ratios at longer time intervals after the dose. Urinary elimination of caffeine was low and independent of dose: 1.83% of the dose was eliminated unchanged.     

Aging,cigarette smoking and oral theophylline requirement

Summary In a prospective study in 73 patients with obstructive pulmonary disease, aged 63.5±13.5 years (SD), it was found that theophylline dose, cigarette smoking and age were all significant determinants of the steady-state trough plasma theophylline level during oral administration of the drug. As the predictive efficiency of the three factors combined amounted only to 25%, firm dosage recommendations cannot be made. Even among elderly patients, tobacco smokers had significantly lower plasma concentrations of theophylline. It is suggested that in order to obtain trough plasma concentrations of 50 µmol/l (9 µg/ml), a non-smoking 50 year-old patient would require 9.8 mg/kg/day of oral theophylline, the dose increasing to 14.2 mg/kg/day in smokers of the same age. These doses should probably be reduced by 15–20% in 75 year-old patients.     

Studies on the autonomic nervous system in borderline hypertension

Summary Parameters of the autonomic nervous system were studied in normotensive subjects (NT; standing blood pressure (BP)125/85 mmHg) and in subjects with borderline hypertension (BHT; 140/90standing BP<60/100 mmHg). No differences in plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels were found between NT and BHT subjects, neither at rest nor during exercise at 75% of maximum work capacity. The dose of noradrenaline required to increase systolic BP by 10 mmHg was significantly higher in NT than in BHT subjects (5.13±0.42 vs 3.50±0.57 µg · min^–1). No difference between NT and BHT subjects was found in the dose of isoprenaline required to increase heart rate by 20 beats · min^–1 (1.21±0.12 vs 1.09±0.11 µg · min^–1). Resting salivary flow was significantly lower in BHT than in NT subjects (0.39±0.06 vs 0.98±0.06 g · min^–1), suggesting decreased parasympathetic activity in the former group. The enhanced pressor effect of noradrenaline, together with the decreased parasympathetic activity, could explain the elevated blood pressure and heart rate in subjects with borderline hypertension.     

Pharmacokinetics of a Single Intravenous and Oral Dose of Pafenolol—a Beta1Adrenoceptor Antagonist with Atypical Absorption and Disposition Properties—in Man

The pharmacokinetics of pafenolol were studied in eight young healthy individuals. The doses were 10 mg iv and 40 mg orally. Each dose was labeled with 100 µCi [³H]pafenolol. The plasma concentration–time curve of the oral dose exhibited dual maxima. The second peak was about four times higher than the first one. Maximum concentrations were attained after 0.9 ± 0.2 and 3.7 ± 0.6 hr. The mean bioavailability (F) of the oral dose was 27.5 ± 15.5%. The reduction in F was due mainly to incomplete gastrointestinal absorption. The drug was rapidly distributed to extravascular sites; t _1/2l was 6.6 ± 1.8 min. The volumes of distribution were V _c = 0.22 ± 0.08 liter/kg, V _ss = 0.94 ± 0.17 liter/kg, and V _z = 1.1 ± 0.16 liters/kg. The iv dose of pafenolol was excreted in unchanged form in the urine to 55.6 ± 5.1% of the given dose and in the feces to 23.8 ± 5.7% within 72 hr. The corresponding recoveries of the oral dose were 15.8 ± 5.9 and 67.0 ± 10.2%, respectively. About 10% of both doses was recovered as metabolites in the excreta. Approximately 6% of the oral dose was metabolized to nonabsorbable compounds in the intestine. The mean total plasma clearance was 294 ± 57 ml/min, of which renal clearance, metabolic clearance, and gastrointestinal and/or biliary clearance were responsible for 165 ± 31, 31 ± 15, and 95 ± 32 ml/min, respectively. The half-life of the terminal phase determined from plasma levels up to 24 hr after dosing was 3.1 ± 0.3 hr for the iv dose and 6.7 ± 0.7 hr for the oral dose.     

Pharmacokinetics of Gold Sodium Thiomalate in Rabbits

Male, New Zealand white rabbits (3.5–4.3 kg) received a single 2-mg/kg dose of gold sodium thiomalate (Myochrysine) via intramuscular (N = 4) and intravenous (N = 3) routes. Blood samples were drawn from the marginal ear vein for a period of 5–10 days. The concentration of gold in whole blood was determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The blood concentration–time profiles obtained following both routes of administration were best described by a two-compartment open model with first-order absorption for the intramuscular route. Gold was absorbed rapidly with a mean (harmonic) absorption half-life of 9.0 min, with a peak concentration of 6.0 ± 1.0 µg/ml (N = 4). Blood concentrations declined in a biphasic manner; the mean half-lives were 0.738 and 1.78 hr for the iv and im routes, respectively. The corresponding terminal () half-lives were 54.1 and 63.0 hr. The estimated volume of the central compartment (70 to 93 ml/kg) agreed closely with the rabbit blood volume. The mean ( ±SD) extent of the dose absorbed following intramuscular injection was 68.9 ± 12.4%.     

Yawning induced by apomorphine,physostigmine or pilocarpine is potentiated by dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers

Previous studies have shown that dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blockers can potentiate yawning induced by apomorphine in rats. The present study was undertaken to examine whether or not this interaction was seen with other compounds that induce yawning or if it represented a specific interaction with dopaminergic mechanisms. Yawning induced by apomorphine (40 µg/kg SC), physostigmine (50 µg/kg SC) or pilocarpine (1 mg/kg SC) was dose-dependently potentiated by the DHP calcium channel blocker nifedipine (1.25–10 mg/kg IP). Nimodipine (1.25–5 mg/kg IP) and nitrendipine (1.25–5 mg/kg IP) also significantly increased the yawning response. The DHP calcium channel blockers alone induced only a low incidence of yawning. The effects of nifedipine on physostigmine-induced yawning were reversed by the DHP calcium channel activator BAY K 8644 which also inhibited yawning induced by physostigmine (100 µg/kg SC) and pilocarpine (2 mg/kg SC). In contrast to the DHP compounds, diltiazem (2.5–10 mg/kg IP) and verapamil (2.5–10 mg/kg IP) failed to potentiate yawning. Sulpiride (10 mg/kg SC) antagonised the nifedipine potentiation of apomorphine-induced yawning but not that of physostigmine-induced yawning; atropine (2.5 mg/kg SC) antagonised both effects. These results support the hypothesis that this effect of dihydropyridine compounds is not dependent on, nor mediated through, dopaminergic mechanisms.