Effects of turpentine oil pretreatment on β-blocker pharmacokinetic parameters in rats

Abstract— Turpentine oil treatment (0·2 mL kg^?1, s.c.) was used to increase the plasma concentration of α₁-acid glycoprotein (0·13 mg mL^?1 in control rats) to 1·72 mg mL^?1 after 2 days, and allow assessment of its effects on the pharmacokinetics and stereoselective binding of three β-blockers. Racemates (5 mg kg^?1) were administered intravenously to control and turpentine oil-pretreated rats and the plasma concentrations were determined up to 90 min. Stereoselective analysis showed the apparent distribution volume and the area under plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) of R-(+)-propranolol to be, respectively, one-quarter and twice those of the S-(–)-enantiomer and differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two were magnified by turpentine oil pretreatment. Pharmacokinetic parameters of oxprenolol enantiomers were essentially similar for the controls but after turpentine oil pretreatment, a higher affinity of the R-(+)-enantiomer for plasma was observed. Acebutolol enantiomers behaved non-stereospecifically throughout. These results were consistent with predictions from the in-vitro stereospecific binding properties of these agents to purified rat α₁-acid glycoprotein.     

Serum protein binding of noscapine: Influence of a reversible hydrolysis

Abstract— The binding of the antitussive drug noscapine to human serum, pure albumin and α₁-acid glycoprotein has been investigated by ultrafiltration and equilibrium dialysis, using radiolabelled noscapine. The binding in serum pooled from volunteers was 93 ± 0.2% (at 100 ng mL^?1). After incubation for 24 h the binding decreased to about 85% (ultrafiltration 87.0 ± 1.0%; equilibrium dialysis 84.3 ± 1.2%), because of the conversion of noscapine to noscapinic acid. Only unbound drug underwent this hydrolysis, and as noscapine is extensively bound in healthy volunteers, this elimination process is probably unimportant. The major binding protein of noscapine was albumin (K = 3060 M^?1, n = 5.62), but the binding to ai-acid glycoprotein was also substantial (K = 31500 M^?1, n = 1.73). The interindividual variation in binding was low and binding was linear at the concentrations observed after therapeutic doses (0–500 ng mL^?1).     

The pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of selegiline in the dog

Selegiline is beneficial to Parkinsonian patients as an adjunct to levodopa therapy. Currently no pharmacokinetic data are available for selegiline in the literature, mainly due to lack of analytical methods that can measure concentrations below 10 ng mL^?1 in plasma. A sensitive fluorimetric assay based on inhibition of rat brain monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) in vitro has been developed to measure selegiline in plasma as low as 0.25 ng mL^?1. The pharmacokinetics of selegiline were investigated following intravenous and oral administration to four female mongrel dogs. Each dog received 1 mg kg^?1 selegiline in solution via gavage or by an intravenous route separated by one week. The mean terminal half-life, volume of distribution of the central compartment, and systemic clearance of selegiline were 60.24 ± 9.56 min, 6.56 ± 0.56 L kg^?1, and 159.91 ± 19.28 mL min^?1 kg^?1, respectively. After oral administration selegiline appeared to be absorbed rapidly with a t_max and C_max of 25 ± 5.8 min and 5.2 ± 1.36 ng mL^?1, respectively. The absolute bioavailability of selegiline in the dog was 8.51 ± 3.31%.     

Alterations in Renal Uptake Kinetics of the Xanthine Derivative Enprofylline in Endotoxaemic Mice

The pharmacokinetics and renal uptake of enprofylline, which is primarily excreted into the urine by an active tubular secretion mechanism, were investigated in endotoxaemic mice by lipopolysaccharide isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Lipopolysaccharide (1 mg kg^?1) was infused 2 h before starting the examination, thereby inducing a decrease in the systemic clearance and an increase in the steady-state volume of distribution of enprofylline while inducing no changes in the urinary recovery (> 90%). The protein binding of enprofylline significantly decreased in the presence of lipopolysaccharide. Both the systemic clearance for unbound enprofylline and glomerular filtration rate decreased in the treated mice. A nonlinear relationship was found in both groups between the steady-state unbound plasma concentration and renal uptake of enprofylline after constant infusion for 1 h. The renal uptake rate of enprofylline decreased in the treated mice. Lipopolysaccaharide caused increases in the apparent maximum capacity for renal uptake (V_max) from 17.3 to 32.2 μg h^?1 g^?1 of kidney and in the Michaelis–-Menten constant (K_m) from 2.7 to 21.7 μg mL^?1 and decrease in the nonsaturable uptake rate constant (K_d) from 0.87 to 0.43 mL h^?1 g^?1 of kidney. These results indicate that lipopolysaccharide decreases the renal tubular secretion of enprofylline by inducing a decrease in the renal uptake ability.     

Disposition and bioavailability of the β1-adrenoceptor antagonist talinolol in man

In an open randomized crossover study, the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of the selective β₁-adrenoceptor antagonist talinolol (Cordanum®—Arzneimittelwerk Dresden GmbH, Germany) were investigated in twelve healthy volunteers (five female, seven male; three poor and nine extensive metabolizers of the debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype) after intravenous infusion (30 mg) and oral administration (50 mg), respectively. Concentrations of talinolol and its metabolites were measured in serum and urine by HPLC or GC-MS. At the end of infusion a peak serum concentration (C_max) of 631 ± 95 ng mL^?1 (mean ± SD) was observed. The area under the serum concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC_0-∞) was 1433 ± 153 ng h mL^?1. The following parameters were estimated: terminal elimination half life (t_1/2), 10.6 ± 3.3 h; mean residence time, 11.6 ± 3.1 h; volume of distribution, 3.3 ± 0.5 L kg^?1; and total body clearance, 4.9 ± 0.6 mL min^?1 kg^?1. Within 36 h 52.8 ± 10.6% of the administered dose was recovered as unchanged talinolol and 0.33 ± 0.18% as hydroxylated talinolol metabolites in urine. After oral administration a C_max of 168 ± 67 ng mL^?1 was reached after 3.2 ± 0.8h. The AUC_0-∞ was 1321 ± 382 ng h mL^?1. The t_1/2 was 11.9 ± 2.4 h. 28.1 ± 6.8% of the dose or 55.0 ± 11.0% of the bioavailable talinolol was eliminated as unchanged talinolol and 0.26 ± 0.17% of the dose as hydroxylated metabolites by kidney. The absolute bioavailability of talinolol was 55 ± 15% (95% confidence interval, 36–69%). Talinolol does not undergo a relevant first-pass metabolism, and its reduced bioavailability results from incomplete absorption. Talinolol disposition is not found to be altered in poor metabolizers of debrisoquine type.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics and urinary and biliary excretion of a new potent tripeptide HIV-1 protease inhibitor,KNI-272, in rats after intravenous administration

The pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of KNI-272, a potent and selective HIV-1 protease inhibitor, were evaluated in rats after intravenous (IV) administration. The effect of dose on KNI-272 plasma kinetics, and the urinary and biliary elimination kinetics of KNI-272, were examined. After IV administration of 10.0 mg kg^?1 KNI-272, the mean terminal elimination half-life, t_1/2λz, was 3.49 ± 0.19 (SE) h, the total plasma clearance, CL_tot, was 15.1 ± 1.2 mL min^?1 and the distribution volume at steady state, V_d,ss, was 3790±280 mL kg^?1. On the other hand, after 1.0mg kg^?1 IV administration, t_d,ss, was 3.04±0.11 h, CL_tot was 15.9±0.2mL min^?1, and V_d,ss was 6950±600 mL kg^?1. The PK parameters of KNI-272 after IV administration showed that the disposition of KNI-272 in the rat plasma is linear within the dose range from 1.0 to 10.0mg kg^?1. Using an equilibrium dialysis method, the plasma binding of KNI-272 was measured in vitro. The free fractions were 17.7 ± 0.6%, 12.1±1.5%, and 13.8 ± 1.4% at the total concentration ranges of 9.898 ± 0.097 μg mL^?1, 0.888 ± 0.008 μg mL^?1, and 0.470±0.55 μg mL^?1, respectively. The percentages of the dose excreted into the urine and bile as the unchanged form were 1.20 ± 1.06% and 1.61 ± 0.32% at 1.0mg kg^?1 dose, and 0.164 ± 0.083% and 1.42 ± 0.26% at 10.0 mg kg^?1 dose, respectively. The renal clearance (CL_R) and the biliary clearance (CL_B) were calculated to be 0.191 and 0.256mL min^?1 for 1.0mg kg^?1, and 0.0248 and 0.215 mL min^?1 for 10.0 mg kg^?1, respectively. When comparing these values with the CL_tot values, the urinary and biliary excretion of KNI-272 are minor disposition routes.     

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.     

Influence of smoking on serum protein composition and the protein binding of drugs1

The influence of smoking on α₁-acid glycoprotein (α₁-AGP) and serum albumin concentrations and the protein binding of phenytoin and propranolol in healthy volunteers was investigated. α₁-AGP concentrations were found to be statistically different (P < 0·05) in the smokers (mean = 84·3 mg dl⁻¹) versus non-smokers (mean = 62·8 mg dl⁻¹). There was a trend for lower serum albumin concentrations and lower fraction unbound of propranolol in the smokers. Smoking did not affect the protein binding of phenytoin.     

Effects of sensory (teasing) exposure to food on oral propranolol bioavailability

In order to further examine the mechanism of the increase in the plasma propranolol concentration versus time curve (AUC) caused by ingestion of propranolol with food, we administered R, S-propranolol tablets (0.5mg kg^?1) orally to healthy human volunteers and dogs in the presence and absence of sensory exposure to food without ingestion (teasing). Six healthy human volunteers were fasted on one occasion and on the other they were presented with an appetising meal, without eating it (teasing protocol). There was a strong trend to a greater propranolol AUC in the teasing protocol (139.54 mg mL^?1 h^?1 fasting, 178.105 mg mL^?1 h^?1 teasing; p=0.1), and time of peak concentration (t_max) was significantly prolonged (80.22min and 120.32 min, respectively; p<0.03). Further studies were carried out in dogs who received R-propranolol (2 mg kg^?1) as an oral solution by gavage tube on four different occasions: fasting, following intragastric administration of a high-value liquid meal, following teasing with food in the animal house at normal feeding time (high-intensity teasing), and following teasing with food at a time and place not associated with feeding (low-intensity teasing). There were no significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the fasting and intragastric food protocols. Low-intensity teasing resulted in significantly lower AUC and peak concentration (C_max) compared with fasting (p<0.05), confirming food effect patterns known to occur in dogs. High-intensity teasing resulted in significantly greater AUC and C_max compared with fasting (p<0.05), reproducing in dogs the increase in propranolol AUC known to occur with food ingestion in humans. These findings suggest that the mechanism of the ‘food effect’ may involve physiological responses to the sight and smell of food additional to mechanisms activated by ingestion.     

The influence of food on the disposition of the antiepileptic rufinamide in healthy volunteers

The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of the antiepileptic rufinamide was investigated in healthy volunteers. Twelve subjects were treated with single per-oral doses of 600 mg of rufinamide after overnight fasting or a fat and protein rich breakfast. Mean (±S.D.) areas under the plasma concentration–time curves (AUCs) of the unchanged compound were 57.2 (16) μg mL⁻¹ h when given to the fasted volunteers and 81.7 (22.2) μg mL⁻¹ h (p = 0.0001) when given after the breakfast. The average AUC was increased by 44% when rufinamide was given with food and the maximum concentration (C_max) by about 100%. The time at which C_max was reached (t_max) was shorter (8 h in fasted conditions and 6 h in fed after breakfast); the terminal half-life was not influenced by concomitant intake of food. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

硫酸沙丁胺醇缓释胶囊人体药代动力学和生物利用度

目的　研究健康受试者单剂量和多剂量口服硫酸沙丁胺醇缓释胶囊的人体生物利用度和药代动力学。方法　以英国Glaxo公司生产的硫酸沙丁胺醇控释片为参比制剂,HPLC-UV法测定20名健康男性志愿受试者按交叉试验单剂量和多剂量口服硫酸沙丁胺醇缓释胶囊和控释片后血浆中沙丁胺醇的浓度。结果　单剂量服用硫酸沙丁胺醇缓释胶囊和控释片后,二者的C_max,T_max和T_1/2均无显著性差异,缓释胶囊的相对生物利用度为99.68%±10.27%。多剂量给药达稳态时,缓释胶囊和控释片的C^ss_max,C^ss_min,波动度(DF),均无显著性差异。结论　两种制剂具有生物等效性,缓释胶囊有与控释片相似的缓释特征。     

Kinetics of disopyramide in decreased hepatic function

Summary The elimination kinetics of disopyramide was studied in 9 patients with decreased hepatic function (DHF) due to histologically verified cirrhosis of the liver, and in 11 patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Disopyramide 100 and 150 mg was given intravenously as a bolus to the patients with IHD and DHF, respectively, followed by a continuous infusion of disopyramide 0.3 (DHF group) and 0.4 mg · min^–1 (IHD group) until steady-state was achieved. A significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between the percentage unbound and total serum concentration of disopyramide was demonstrated in both groups. The percentage of unbound disopyramide at a total serum concentration of 5.9 µmol·l^–1 was 45.5% and 19.4% in the DHF and IHD groups, respectively. A negative correlation (r=–0,751,p<0.05, and r=–0.827,p<0.01 in the IHD and DHF patients, respectively) between the free fraction of disopyramide and alpha₁-acid glycoprotein was observed. The serum concentration of alpha₁-acid glycoprotein, the major binding protein of disopyramide, was significantly lower in the patients with DHF. The clearance of unbound disopyramide and its total volume of distribution and half-life were significantly lower in the DHF patients. No difference in total elimination clearance could be demonstrated. The clinical implication of the present findings appear to be that the dosage of disopyramide should be reduced by 25% when it is given intravenously to patients with decreased hepatic function.     

Extensive Binding of the Bioflavonoid Quercetin to Human Plasma Proteins

Although the bioflavonoids, a large group of polyphenolic natural products, exert chemopreventive effects in cardiovascular disease and cancer, there is little information about the disposition of these dietary components in man. The objective of this study was to investigate the plasma-protein binding of the most abundant bioflavonoid, quercetin, using ¹⁴C-labelled quercetin. An ultracentrifugation assay (170 000 g for 16 h at 20°C) was shown to sediment plasma proteins. Binding of quercetin to normal plasma was extensive (99.1 ± 0.5%, mean ± s.d., n = 5). The unbound fraction varied as much as 6-fold, 0.3–1.8%, between subjects. This high binding was independent of quercetin concentration over the range 1.5–15 μM (0.5–5 μg mL^?1). Human serum albumin was the primary protein responsible for the binding of quercetin in plasma (99.4 ± 0.1%). Binding by α₁-acid glycoprotein (39.2 ± 0.5%) and very-low-density lipoproteins (< 0.5% of total quercetin) did not make substantial contributions to overall plasma binding. The equilibrium association constant for the binding of quercetin to serum albumin was 267 ± 33 times 10³ M^?1 (n=15). Thermodynamic data for the binding of quercetin to serum albumin indicated spontaneous, endothermic association. Displacement studies suggested that in man the ‘IIA’ subdomain binding site of human serum albumin was the primary binding site for quercetin. Association of quercetin with erythrocytes was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced by plasma protein binding. These data indicate poor cellular availability of quercetin because of its extensive binding to plasma proteins.     

Differences between blacks and whites in plasma protein binding of drugs

Objective: Disopyramide and salicylic acid were used as model compounds to characterize racial differences in binding of drugs by alpha₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and albumin, respectively. Drug-free plasma was collected from 29 healthy volunteers (15 white, 14 black). Disopyramide and salicylic acid unbound fractions (fu) in plasma were determined by equilibrium dialysis using ¹⁴C-disopyramide and ¹⁴C-salicylic acid. Results: Disopyramide unbound fractions were significantly higher in blacks than whites (0.131 vs 0.113) as were salicylic acid unbound fractions (0.053 vs 0.048). When unbound fractions were corrected for AGP and albumin concentration, racial differences were no longer present. Conclusion: Many drugs which bind to AGP and/or albumin may exhibit racial differences in unbound fractions. However, these differences are likely explained by differences in protein concentrations rather than differences in the number of binding sites on the protein or racial differences in affinity of the protein for drugs. Received: 22 April 1996 / Accepted in revised form: 17 July 1996     

Pharmacokinetics of the antiarrhythmic agent tiracizine: Steady state kinetics in comparison with single-dose kinetics

Serum and urine kinetics of unchanged tiracizine (T), a new class I antiarrhythmic agent, and three metabolites (M1, 2, and 3) were assessed in eight healthy extensive metabolizers after a single oral administration of 50 mg tiracizine and during steady state (50 mg b.i.d.). Additionally, tiracizine-induced ECG changes were measured. Considerable accumulation of M1 and M2 was observed during repeated dosing (M1, C_max,ss = 391.8 ng mL^?1 against C_max,sd = 132.8 ng mL^?1; M2, C_max,ss = 143.2 ng mL^?1 against C_max,sd = 25.8 ng mL^?1). However, significant increases of AUC (AUCτ = 261.9 ng h mL^?1 against AUC_0–∞,sd = 182.9 ng h mL^?1), C_max (C_max,ss = 75.9 ng mL^?1 against C_max,sd = 56.9 ng mL^?1) and t_1/2β (t_1/2β,ss = 4.0 h against t_1/2β,sd = 2.4 h) of the parent compound indicate non-linear kinetics. The significant decrease in renal clearance of all four substances as well as the decrease of non-renal tiracizine clearance with repeated dosing led to the assumption that non-linearity is due to saturable renal excretion and a fall in intrinsic tiracizine clearance. PQ time was prolonged significantly during steady state and culminated at the t_max of the parent compound, whereas there was no change in any ECG parameter after a single-dose administration of 50 mg tiracizine.     

The influence of pyruvic acid on the pharmacokinetics of sulphadiazine in rabbits

During the past few years, acetylation polymorphism has been shown to be a proven, established fact, and N-acetyltransferase, an enzyme that transfers an acetyl group to the substrate, has been recognized as the main factor in acetylation polymorphism. In a recent study, a significant difference between the acetylation phenotype and plasma pyruvic acid (PA) concentration in rabbits was found. In this report, the influence of PA on the pharmacokinetics of sulphadiazine (SDZ), a drug that has been used in pharmacogenetic studies of acetylation, was studied. By using a loading dose of 300 mg kg^?1, and an infusion rate of 7.5 mg min^?1 of kg^?1 of PA, the concentration of PA reached a steady state (C_ss∽100 μg mL^?1) in 30 min. During PA infusion in rapid-acetylation rabbits, no significant changes were found in any of the pharmacokinetic parameters for SDZ. However, differences were found in the β half-life, AUC, clearance, and k₁₀ of SDZ in slow acetylators: the β half-life decreased from 115.74 ± 12.47 min to 62.96 ± 4.36 min (p < 0.001); AUC decreased from 10 617.38 ± 1179.81 μg mL^?1 to 6217.14 ± 391.32 μg min mL^?1 (p < 0.001); clearance increased from 0.0044 ± 0.0008 L min^?1 kg^?1to 0.0068 ± 0.0007 L min^?1 kg^?1 (p < 0.001); and k₁₀ increased from 0.0090 ± 0.0009 min^?1 to 0.0193 ± 0.0028 min^?1 (p < 0.005). The reason for this may be that PA influences the elimination of SDZ in slow-acetylation rabbits.     

Influence of food on the disposition of the monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor brofaromine in healthy volunteers

The effect of food on the bioavailability of brofaromine hydrochloride was investigated in a randomized cross-over study. Eight healthy male volunteers were given single peroral doses of 75 mg brofaromine hydrochloride after overnight fasting or a fat- and proteinrich breakfast. Mean (± SD) areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) were 9.66 (2.35) μmoll^?1 h when given to the fasted volunteers and 11.82 (3.78) μmoll^?1 h (p = 0.0413) when given after a substantial breakfast. Mean (± SD) maximum plasma concentrations (C_max) were 0.71 (0.13) μmoll^?1 when given to the fasted volunteers and 0.85 (0.22) μmoll^?1 (p > 0.05) when given after breakfast. Thus, both the average AUC and C_max were increased by approximately 20 per cent when brofaromine hydrochloride was given with food. The times when C_max was reached (t_max) as well as the elimination half-lives were not influenced by concomitant intake of food. The tolerability was the same whether brofaromine was given before or after food in healthy volunteers. The slight effect of food on the bioavailability of brofaromine should be of little therapeutic consequence because of the observed wide inter-subject variability of the plasma levels.     

A PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY WITH THE HIGH-DOSE ANTICANCER AGENT MENADIONE IN RABBITS

The aim of this investigation was to assess the pharmacokinetic properties of high-dose menadione (VK₃), as an anticancer agent, in plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) in rabbits. An extremely high dose of 75 mg menadiol sodium diphosphate (Synkayvite) was intravenously injected. HPLC analysis was applied to measure the major metabolite, menadione, VK₃. The kinetic properties of VK₃ in both plasma and red blood cells showed a short elimination half-life, high clearance, and large volume of distribution in plasma and RBCs. The mean elimination t_1/2 values of menadione in plasma and in RBCs were 27·17±10·49 min and 35·22±11·82 min, respectively. The plasma clearance (CL/F) of VK₃ was 0·822±0·254 L min⁻¹. The systemic clearance in RBCs was 0·407±0·152 L min⁻¹. The apparent volume of distribution (V_d/F) in plasma was 30·833±12·835 L and that in RBCs 20·488±9·401 L. The plasma AUC was 32·453±9·785 μg min mL⁻¹ and that of RBCs 67·219±24·449 μg min mL⁻¹. Menadiol was rapidly biotransformed to menadione in blood. The formation rate constant (k_f) of menadione in plasma was 0·589±0·246 min⁻¹, and that of RBCs 1·520±1·345 min⁻¹. Through this study the estimated menadione dosage needed to maintain a plasma level of 1 μg mL⁻¹ for anticancer purposes was 19·7 mg kg⁻¹ every hour.     

In-vivo Distribution and Erythrocyte Binding Characteristics of Cyclosporin in Renal Transplant Patients

The pharmacokinetic parameters of cyclosporin, a potent immunosuppressive agent, show large intra-and inter-individual variability, possibly because of the different analytical methods used. A recently developed cyclosporin-specific radioimmunoassay has been used to study the in-vivo distribution and binding characteristics of cyclosporin in whole blood, plasma and erythrocytes of fifteen renal transplant patients. The profiles of cyclosporin concentration-time curves after an oral dose of cyclosporin had either one peak (ten patients, group A) or two (five patients, group B). Essentially no difference was observed between the two groups in the relationship between equilibrium cyclosporin concentrations in erythrocyte and plasma as a function of whole-blood concentration. The equilibrium in-vivo cyclosporin concentrations in erythrocytes and plasma were, however, markedly lower than those previously observed under in-vitro conditions. The ratio of cyclosporin concentration in erythrocytes (C_E) to that in plasma (C_P) changed with time, in inverse proportion to the change in cyclosporin concentration in blood, over the range 0.63-2.80 in individual patients with an average of 1.36 ± 007 (mean ± s.e.m.) for group A and 1.42 ± 0.23 for group B. The apparent cyclosporin binding affinity (K_d) to erythrocytes under in-vivo conditions averaged 452.2 ± 47.6 nm (543.5 ± 57.2 ng mL^?1) for group A and 419.4 ± 41.2 nm (504.1 ± 49.5 ng mL^?1) for group B, whereas apparent cyclosporin binding capacity (B_max) of the blood cell averaged 0.83 ± 0.07 nmol mL^?1 for group A and 0.78 ± 0.07 nmol mL^?1 for group B. Significantly reduced average K_d (262.7 ± 40.2 nm or 315.8 ± 48.9 ng mL^?1, P < 001) and B_max (0.56 ± 008 nmol mL^?1, P < 005) values were observed during the period after T_max (4–12 h after the drug ingestion) in group A patients. Apparent K_d and B_max, determined by a nonlinear regression technique, were 131.6 ± 29.4 and 1088.0 ± 114.7 nm (158.2 ± 35.4 and 1307.8 ± 137.9 ng mL^?1) and 0.178 ± 0.024 and 0.814 ± 0.078 nmol mL^?1, respectively, during the 4–12 h period in group A patients. These findings reveal distinct differences in in-vivo distribution of cyclosporin and the binding characteristics of the compound to erythrocytes from those previously observed under in-vitro conditions. The significantly lower K_d of cyclosporin binding to erythrocytes during the elimination phase suggests a potential effect of cyclosporin-containing erythrocytes or of cyclosporin contained in erythrocytes during cyclosporin treatment.     

Bioavailability of intramuscularly administered tenoxicam

Bioavailability of intramuscularly administered tenoxicam relative to single oral and relative to intravenous doses was determined in two separate randomized crossover studies. Twelve healthy volunteers (12 males, age 20–30 years) received a rapid intravenous injection and a single intramuscular dose and 12 other subjects (11 males, 1 female, age 21–25 years) a single oral and a single intramuscular dose of 20 mg of tenoxicam on two different occasions. The wash-out period between the two consecutive treatments was 4 weeks. Plasma concentrations after dosing were determined by a specific HPLC method. Differences in tenoxicam concentration-time profiles after the different routes of administration were limited to the first 2 h after dosing. Later, plasma concentrations were almost superimposable within and across the two studies. The extent of absorption of intramuscularly administered tenoxicam was complete (mean ± CV per cent: F_abs 0.99 ± 20 per cent) with no difference between the two extravascular administrations (F_rel 0.95 ± 10 per cent, intramuscular vs oral). After intramuscular administration tenoxicam was more rapidly absorbed compared to the oral dose (T_max 0.71 h ± 80 per cent vs 1.4 h ± 62 per cent; p>0.05). Peak concentrations after oral and intramuscular administration (C_max 2.5 mg 1^?1 ± 19 per cent vs 2.7 mg l^?1 14 per cent; p <0.05) were very similar.