Factors influencing the protein binding of azosemide using an equilibrium dialysis technique

Various factors most likely to influence the plasma protein binding of azosemide to 4% human serum albumin (HSA) were evaluated using equilibrium dialysis at the initial azosemide concentration of 10 μg mL^?1. It took approximately 8h of incubation to reach an equilibrium between 4% HSA and isotonic phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 containing 3% dextran (the ‘buffer’) using a Spectra/Por 2 membrane (molecular weight cut-off 12000–14000) in a water bath shaker kept at 37°C and a rate of 50 oscillations min^?1. Azosemide was fairly stable both in 4% HSA and in the ‘buffer’ for up to 24h. The binding of azosemide to 4% HSA was constant (95.5 ± 0.142%) at azosemide concentrations ranging from 5 to 100 μg mL^?1. However, the extent of binding was dependent on HSA concentration: the values were 88.4, 91.0, 92.2, 94.2, 94.9, 94.9, and 94.9% at albumin concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6% respectively. The binding was also dependent on incubation temperature; the binding values were 97.0, 94.9, and 94.9% when incubated at 6, 28, and 37°C, respectively. The binding of azosemide was also influenced by buffers containing various chloride ion concentrations and buffer pHs. The binding values were 95.3, 94.9, and 93.6% for the chloride ion concentrations of 0, 0.249, and 0.546%, respectively, and the unbound values were 6.8, 5.1, 3.8, 3.4, and 3.3% for buffer pHs of 5.8, 6.4, 7.0, 7.4, and 8.0, respectively. The binding of azosemide was independent of the quantity of heparin (up to 40 UmL^?1), AAG (up to 0.16%), sodium azide (NaN₃, up to 5%), its metabolite, Ml (up to 10 μg mL^?1), and anticoagulants (EDTA and citrate).     

Liver and Gastrointestinal First-pass Effects of Azosemide in Rats

Since considerable first-pass effects of azosemide have been reported after oral administration of the drug to rats and man, first-pass effects of azosemide were evaluated after intravenous, intraportal and oral administration, and intraduodenal instillation of the drug, to rats. The total body clearances of azosemide after intravenous (5 mg kg^?) and intraportal (5 and 10 mg kg^?) administration of the drug to rats were considerably smaller than the cardiac output of rats suggesting that the lung or heart first-pass effect (or both) of azosemide after oral administration of the drug to rats was negligible. The total area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) after intraportal administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug was significantly lower than that after intravenous administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug (1000 vs 1270 μg min mL^?) suggesting that the liver first-pass effect of azosemide was approximately 20% in rats. The AUC from time 0 to 8 h (AUC_{0–8 h}) after oral administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug was considerably smaller than that after intraportal administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug (271 vs 1580 μg min mL^?) suggesting that there are considerable gastrointestinal first-pass effects of azosemide after oral administration of azosemide to rats. Although the AUC_{0–8 h} after oral administration (5 mg kg^?) of azosemide was approximately 15% lower than that after intraduodenal instillation (5 mg kg^?) of the drug (271 vs 320 μg min mL^?), the difference was not significant, suggesting that the gastric first-pass effect of azosemide was not considerable in rats. Azosemide was stable in human gastric juices and pH solutions ranging from 2 to 13. Almost complete absorption of azosemide from whole gastrointestinal tract was observed after oral administration of the drug to rats. The above data indicated that most of the orally administered azosemide disappeared (mainly due to metabolism) following intestinal first-pass in rats.     

Stability and pharmacokinetic studies of a new immunosuppressant,mycophenolate mofetil (RS-61443), in rats

Mycophenolate mofetil (MPM), a new immunosuppressant, is a morpholinoethyl ester of mycophenolic acid (MPA). The enzymatic and non-enzymatic hydrolysis was studied in an artifical digestive fluid, rat plasma, and tissue homogenates. MPM was chemically stable in the artificial digestive fluid. In rat tissue homogenates and plasma, MPM was rapidly hydrolysed to MPA. The conversion rate of MPM to MPA in various rat tissue homogenates was in the order of liver > kidney > plasma > small-intestinal epithelial cells. After the intravenous injection of MPM at 16.7 mg kg^?1, the terminal elimination half-life,-t_1/2β, was 4.74 ± 0.33 (mean ± SD)h, and the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve, AUC, was 48.78 ± 6.01 μg h mL^?1. After intraduodenal (ID) administration of MPM at 16.7 mg kg^?1, t_1/2β was 3.92 ± 1.05 h, and the AUC was 38.08 ± 8.30 μg h mL^?1. The systemic availability of MPA after ID MPM dosing was 1.52 times higher than that after ID administration of MPA. This result supports the usefulness of MPM as an oral produrg of MPA as a new oral immunosuppressant.     

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Azosemide after Intravenous and Oral Administration to Rats with Alloxan-induced Diabetes Mellitus

Because physiological changes occurring in diabetes mellitus patients could alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drugs used to treat the disease, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of azosemide were investigated after intravenous and oral administration of the drug (10 mg kg^?1) to control and alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus rats (AIDRs). After intravenous administration of azosemide to the AIDRs, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) increased considerably (3120 compared with 2520 μg min mL^?1; P < 0.135) and the total body clearance decreased considerably (3.20 compared with 3.96 mL min^?1 kg^?1; P < 0.0593). The considerable reduction in time-averaged total body clearance in the AIDRs was a result of the significant decrease in renal clearance (1.01 compared with 1.55 mL min^?1 kg^?1) in the AIDRs, the non-renal clearance being comparable between the two groups of rats. After intravenous administration, the 8-h urinary excretion of azosemide (29.5 compared with 40% of intravenous dose; P < 0.0883) and one of its metabolites, M1 (2.15 compared with 2.60% of intravenous dose, expressed in terms of azosemide; P < 0.05) decreased in the AIDRs because of the impaired kidney function. The diuretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic and chloruretic efficiencies increased significantly in the AIDRs. After oral administration of azosemide, AUC decreased significantly in the AIDRs (115 compared with 215 μg min mL^?1) possibly because of the reduced gastrointestinal absorption of azosemide in the AIDRs. After oral administration of azosemide, the 8-h urine output decreased significantly in the AIDRs (9.32 compared with 16.1 mL per 100 g body weight) because of the significantly reduced 8-h urinary excretion of azosemide (3.00 compared with 9.14% of oral dose). After both intravenous and oral administration some pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of azosemide were significantly different in AIDRs.     

A pharmacokinetic evaluation of HIV protease inhibitors,cyclic ureas,in rats and dogs

The pharmacokinetics of a series of novel cyclic, non-peptide inhibitors of HIV protease were studied in rats or dogs after intravenous and oral administration. Six symmetrically substituted cyclic urea compounds (XK234, XM311, XM320, XM321, XM323, and XM412), which effectively inhibited HIV virus replication, with IC₉₀, values of 0.03–1.0 μM (0.017–0.76 μg mL^?1), were evaluated. Plasma concentrations were measured in rats and dogs using specific and sensitive HPLC methods. In rats, the maximum plasma concentrations of 0.21–1.88 μg mL^?1 were detected within 1 h of oral administration of 10 mg kg^?1 of the compounds. The elimination half-lives ranged from 1.25 to 3.3 h in rats and the absolute oral bioavailability ranged from 18 to 100%. In dogs, the maximum plasma concentration and absolute oral bioavailability were 4.37 μg mL^?1 and 48%, 1.07 μg mL^?1 and 16%, and 1.48 mg mL^?1 and 38% for XK234, XM311, and XM323, respectively. The data demonstrated that the maximum plasma concentrations of these cyclic ureas were several times higher than the IC₉₀ for inhibition of viral replication after single doses of 10 mg kg^?1 in rats and dogs. With this combination of high potency against virus replication and good oral bioavailability, these cyclic ureas represent a new class of compounds that are suitable for development as therapeutic agents for the treatment of HIV-associated diseases.     

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes of azosemide after intravenous and oral administration of azosemide to uranyl nitrate-induced acute renal failure rats

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences of azosemide were investigated after intravenous (IV) and oral administration of azosemide, 10 mg kg⁻¹, to the control and uranyl nitrate-induced acute renal failure (U-ARF) rats. After IV administration, the plasma concentrations of azosemide were significantly higher in the U-ARF rats and this resulted in a significant increase in AUC (2520 versus 3680 μg min mL⁻¹) and significant decrease in Cl (3.96 versus 2.72 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) of azosemide. The significant decrease in Cl in the U-ARF rats was due to the significant decrease in Cl_r of azosemide (1.55 versus 0.00913 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) due to the decrease in kidney function in the U-ARF rats. After IV administration, the urine output (38.5 versus 8.45 mL 100 g⁻¹ body weight) and urinary excretion of sodium (4.60 versus 0.420 mmol 100 g⁻¹ body weight) decreased significantly in the U-ARF rats. After oral administration, the AUC_{0–8 h} of azosemide decreased significantly (215 versus 135 μg min mL⁻¹) in the U-ARF rats possibly due to the decreased GI absorption of azosemide. After oral administration, the 24-h urine output decreased considerably (16.1 versus 11.2 mL 100 g⁻¹ body weight, p <0.098) and the 24-h urinary excretion of sodium (1.74 versus 0.777 mmol 100 g⁻¹ body weight) decreased significantly in the U-ARF rats. The IV and oral doses of azosemide needed to be modified in the acute renal failure patients if the present rat data could be extrapolated to humans. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Rauwolfia ligustrina on Smooth and Cardiac Muscles In-vitro

The actions of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Rauwolfia ligustrina (the whole plant) on agonist-induced contractions were analysed in the rat uterus and guinea-pig ileum and trachea, and also in rat atrium contracting spontaneously in-vitro. The HE (100–400 μg mL^?1) caused concentration-dependent rightward shifts of the concentration-response curves and reduced the maximal contraction induced by oxytocin, bradykinin, angiotensin II, prostaglandin F_2α and acetylcholine in the rat uterus. The calculated mean IC50 values were: 300, 147, 158, 197 and 105 μg mL^?1, respectively. In the guinea-pig ileum the HE also caused graded displacement to the right of the concentration—response curves for bradykinin, histamine and carbachol, associated with pronounced inhibition of the agonist-induced maximal contractions. The calculated mean IC50 values were 165, 134 and 241 μg mL^?1, respectively. The HE (100–3000 μg mL^?1) caused graded relaxation (IC50 of 271 μg mL^?1) of strips of guinea-pig trachea precontracted with carbachol (0.2 μM). This effect was not infuenced by propranolol (1 μM), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (1 μM) or methylene blue (10 μM), but was significantly potentiated (1.5-to 3-fold) by indomethacin (3 μM) and forskolin (1 nM). In addition, N^G-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 100 nM) significantly reduced the HE-induced maximal relaxation, while indomethacin (3 μM) potentiated the HE response. Finally, the HE caused a concentration-dependent and long-lasting inotropic effect in the rat right atrium, contracting spontaneously with a mean EC50 value of 409 μg mL^?1. It is suggested that the effects of the HE of R. ligustrina on smooth and cardiac muscles ‘in-vitro’ may result from its ability to interact, at least partially, with the cAMP pathway.     

Renal Excretion and Accumulation Kinetics of 2-Methylbenzoylglycine in the Isolated Perfused Rat Kidney

The effect of protein binding on kidney function has been studied by investigating the renal accumulation and secretion of the hippurate analogue 2-methylbenzoylglycine in the isolated perfused rat kidney in the absence and presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Experiments were performed with either 2.5% pluronic or a combination of 2.2% pluronic and 2% BSA as oncotic agents; a wide concentration range (1–190 μg mL^?1) of 2-methylbenzoylglycine was studied. Tubular secretion appeared to be a function of the amount of unbound drug in the perfusate and was best described by a model consisting of a high and low affinity Michaelis-Menten term. Parameters obtained after the analysis of renal excretion data were maximum transport velocity for the high affinity site (T_M,H) = 3.0 ± 2.8 μg min^?1, Michaelis-Menten constant for tubular transport for the high affinity site (K_T,H) = 0.5 ± 0.8 μg mL^?1, maximum transport velocity for the low affinity site (T_M,L) = 250 ± 36 μg min^?1, and Michaelis-Menten constant for tubular transport for the low affinity site (K_T,L) = 62 ± 17 μg mL^?1. The compound accumulated extensively in kidney tissue, ratios up to 175 times the perfusate concentration were reached. Accumulation data were best analysed by a two-site model similar to the model used to describe renal excretion. Calculated parameters were theoretical maximum capacity of the high affinity site (R_M,H) = 26 ± 23 μg g^?1, affinity constant for renal accumulation at the high affinity site (K_A,H) = 0.2 ± 0.4 μg mL^?1, theoretical maximum capacity of the low affinity site (R_M,L)= 1640 ± 1100 μg g^?1 and affinity constant for renal accumulation at the low affinity site (K_A,L) = 60 ± 58 μg mL^?1. The very high accumulation in kidney tissue could be explained by active tubular uptake, mediated by the secretory mechanisms involved, and dependent on the amount of free drug in the perfusate. This study shows that anionic drugs, subject to active secretion, may reach high concentrations in tubular cells even at low plasma concentrations.     

Amiodarone and desethylamiodarone tissue uptake in rats chronically treated with amiodarone is non-linear with the dose

Four groups of rats were given amiodarone chronically at 25, 37m?5, 50, 75 mg kg^?1/12 h for 3 weeks; on day 21 the animals were killed and blood, plasma, heart, lung, liver and fat were collected and assayed for amiodarone and desethylamiodarone. Amiodarone plasma concentrations ranged from 0m?74 to 4m?68 μg mL^?1 and desethylamiodarone from 0m?08 to 2m?05 μg mL^?1. Plasma, blood and tissue concentrations of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone increased significantly with the dose. Blood/plasma and tissue/plasma partition ratios of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone increased significantly at the higher doses. Blood/plasma ratio was a good predictor of tissue/plasma ratios of amiodarone and its metabolite, except in fat. Total phospholipid concentrations in lung were correlated with amiodarone and desethylamiodarone concentrations in plasma, blood and lung.     

EFFECT OF PHENOBARBITAL, 3-METHYLCHOLANTHRENE,AND CHLORAMPHENICOL PRETREATMENT ON THE PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS OF AZOSEMIDE IN RATS

The effects of pretreatment with the enzyme inducers phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and the enzyme inhibitor chloramphenicol (CM) on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of azosemide were examined after intravenous (IV) administration of azosemide, 10 mg kg⁻¹, to rats. The nonrenal clearance (1·63 versus 3·30 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) of azosemide increased significantly in 3-MC pretreated rats. This suggested that the nonrenal metabolism of azosemide increased by pretreatment with 3-MC. This relationship was supported by the significant decrease in 24 h urinary excretion of unchanged azosemide in 3-MC pretreated rats (54·1 versus 41·1% of IV dose). This relationship was also supported at least in part by the results of a liver homogenate study; the amount of azosemide remaining per gram of liver decreased significantly (48·2 versus 43·0 μg) and the amount of M1 formed increased significantly (4.88 versus 6.66 μg when expressed in terms of azosemide) in 3-MC pretreated rats after 30 min incubation of 50 μg azosemide in 9000 g supernatant fractions of liver homogenates. The content of hepatic cytochrome P-450 (0·751 versus 1·57 nmol/mg protein) and the weight of liver (3.53 versus 4·20% of body weight) increased significantly in 3-MC pretreated rats, suggesting that the metabolizing enzyme(s) for azosemide seemed to be induced by pretreatment with 3-MC. The 8 h urine output (29·2 versus 18·1 mL) and 8 h urinary excretion of sodium (4·02 versus 2·39 mmol) and chloride (4·01 versus 2·73 mmol) per 100 g body weight decreased significantly in 3-MC pretreated rats. However, the diuretic, natriuretic, kaluretic, and chloruretic efficiencies were not significantly different between the control and 3-MC pretreated rats. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of azosemide were not significantly different between the control and PB pretreated rats, and similar results were also obtained from the control and CM pretreated rats. The above data indicate that the metabolizing enzyme(s) for azosemide seem(s) to be neither induced by PB pretreatment nor inhibited by CM pretreatment. However, the content of hepatic cytochrome P-450 and the weight of liver increased significantly in PB pretreated rats, while the values were not significantly different between the control and CM pretreated rats. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Disposition of Thioperamide,a Histamine H3-Receptor Antagonist,in Rats

Abstract— An HPLC method using an ovomucoid-conjugated column has been developed for measurement of thioperamide, a histamine H₃ antagonist, with a minimum quantitation limit of 0·05 μg mL^?1 The assay was used to study the disposition of thioperamide in rats. After bolus intravenous administration of thioperamide (10 mg kg^?1), the plasma concentration decreased monoexponentially with a half-life of 26·9 min. The apparent total body clearance of thioperamide from rat plasma was 74·6 mL min^?1 kg^?1. Although thioperamide was quickly transferred to various tissues, its concentrations in peripheral tissues were higher than that in the brain. However, the brain regional tissue/plasma ratios of thioperamide increased continuously after its injection.     

Pharmacokinetic behaviour in polymorphonuclear leucocytes of N,N-dimethylcarbamoylmethyl α,2-dimethyl-5H-[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b]-pyridine-7-acetate (Y-23023), a new prodrug type of antiinflammatory agent,and indomethacin after oral administrations in rats

Abstract— N,N-Dimethylcarbamoylmethyl α,2-dimethyl-5H-[1]-benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine-7-acetate (Y-23023) is a prodrug developed as a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Y-23023 is rapidly hydrolysed to an active metabolite, α,2-dimethyl-5H-[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine-7-acetic acid (M₁) following its absorption and then exhibits a strong anti-inflammatory activity. We have examined the pharmacokinetic behaviour in polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) of M₁ and of indomethacin after oral administration to rats of Y-23023 and indomethacin, respectively. Y-23023 was rapidly absorbed, producing a mean C_max (1·13 μg mL^?1) of M₁ after 1 h in plasma. Indomethacin was less rapidly absorbed, producing a mean C_max (3·38 μg mL^?1) after 3 h in plasma. The mean AUC of M₁ and indomethacin in plasma were 5·45 μg h mL^?1 and 22·49 μg h mL^?1, respectively. The mean t_max, C_max and AUC of M1 in PMNs were 1 h, 11·1 ng (41 pmol)/10⁸ cells and 58·6 ng (164 pmol) h/10⁸ cells, respectively. The same parameters for indomethacin in the PMNs were 3 h, 15·4 ng (57 pmol)/10⁸ cells and 95·2 ng (266 pmol) h/10⁸ cells, respectively. The PMNs/plasma ratio of M₁ was about 2·8 times that of indomethacin. These results indicate that the association of M₁, an active metabolite of Y-23023, from blood to the PMNs is greater than that of indomethacin.     

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.     

PHARMACOKINETICS OF DA-125, A NEW ANTHRACYCLINE,AFTER INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION TO URANYL NITRATE-INDUCED ACUTE RENAL FAILURE RATS OR PROTEIN--CALORIE MALNUTRITION RATS

The pharmacokinetics of DA-125 were compared after intravenous (i.v.) administration of the drug, 10 mg kg⁻¹, to control male Sprague--Dawley rats ( n=9) and uranyl nitrate-induced acute renal failure (U-ARF, n=12) rats, or male Sprague--Dawley rats fed on a 23% (control, n=8) or a 5% (protein--calorie malnutrition, PCM, n=9) protein diet. After i.v. administration of DA-125, almost ‘constant’ plasma concentrations of M1, M2, and M4 were maintained from 1--2 h to 8--10 h in all rat groups due to the continuous formation of M2 from M1 and M4 from M3. The plasma concentrations of M3 were the lowest among M1--M4 for all rat groups due to the rapid and almost complete conversion of M3 to M4 and other metabolite(s). The AUC_t values of M1 (115 against 82·5 μg min mL⁻¹), M2 (33·0 against 23·6 μg min mL⁻¹), and M4 (26·3 against 15·1 μg min mL⁻¹) were significantly higher in the U-ARF rats than in the control rats. The percentages of i.v. dose excreted in 24 h urine as M1 (under the detection limit against 0·316%), M2 (under the detection limit against 5·58%), and M4 (0·0174 against 0·719%)---expressed in terms of DA-125---were significantly lower in the U-ARF rats than in the control rats, and this could be due to the decreased kidney function in the U-ARF rats. However, the percentages of i.v. dose recovered from the GI tract at 24 h as M1 (0·0532% against under the detcction limit), M3 (0·0286% against under the detection limit), and M4 (0·702% against 0·305%)---expressed in terms of DA-125---were significantly greater in the U-ARF rats than in the control rats. All U-ARF rats had ascites, but the concentrations of M1 (0·0320 μg mL⁻¹), M2 (0·0265 μg mL⁻¹), M3 (under the detection limit), and M4 (0·032 μg mL⁻¹) in the ascites from one rat were almost negligible. The plasma concentrations and most of the pharmacokinetic parameters of M1, M2, and M4 were not significantly different between the PCM rats and their control rats.     

Indomethacin and the role of prostaglandins in adipose tissue.

Indomethacin (2 or 10 μg/ml) or meclofenamic acid (4 μg/ml), two potent inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis, did not affect basal or noradrenaline (10^?6 M) stimulated lipolysis when added to isolated rat fat cells. Indomethacin (5 μg/ml blood) similarly was without effect on blood flow, on lipolysis or on ³H-noradrenaline overflow before, during and after nerve stimulation (4 Hz) in perfused canine subcutaneous adipose tissue in situ. Indomethacin given to rats 5 × 5 mg/kg at 10–14 hr intervals p.o. had no effect on arterial glycerol concentration, but caused a significant hypoglycemia. Fat cells or fat pads extracted from such rats had an unchanged basal lipolytic rate but a lowered responsiveness to high concentrations of noradrenaline (4 × 10^?7-2 × 10^?6 M), compared with controls. However, 10^?7 M noradpresumbaly caused a higher lipolytic response in fat cells from indomethacin-treated rats than from controls, presumably because the former caused a smaller degradation of naradrenaline during the incubation period. Indomethacin (0·2–20 μg/ml) had no effect on cAMP binding to protein kinase, but apparently caused membrane stabilization, since erythrocytes from indomethacin-treated rats were more resistant to hypotonic lysis than red cells from control animals. Our results suggest that indomethacin has a multitude of biological effects, some of which may be unrelated to inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. When considered together with previous results the findings also suggest that endogenous prostaglandins are of minor importance as feed back inhibitors of lipolysis in adipose tissue.     

Cr and Hg toxicity assessed in situ using the structural and functional characteristics of algal communities

The toxicity of mercury and chromium on algal community structure have been assessed using in situ N₂ase activity, pigment diversity, autotrophic index, and ¹⁴C uptake of algae. The location was in the river Ganga and controlled ecosystem pollution experiment enclosures were used. Maximum inhibition of algal number was observed at 0.8 μg Hg mL^?1 followed by 8.0 μg Cr mL^?1. Unicellular forms, except for Anorthoneis excentrica, were very sensitive to test metals used. The decline in algal number was concentration dependent and metal specific at generic and species levels. Complete elimination of three and six species was observed respectively at 8.0 μg Cr mL^?1 and 0.8 μg Hg mL^?1 after 12 days' exposure. Likewise, a concentration-dependent and metal-specific increase in autotrophic index and pigment diversity of phytoplankton was recorded for Hg and Cr. Inhibition of ¹⁴C uptake of phytoplankton in Ganga water was almost equal (79%) at 0.8 μg Hg mL^?1 and 8.0 μg Cr mL^?1 (78%). Although complete inhibition of in situ N₂ase was observed at 0.8 μg Hg mL^?1, it was only 80% with 8.0 μg Cr mL^?1. Our study suggests that heavy metals inhibit both structural and functional variables of phytoplankton in field microcosms. Hence this technique seems to hold potential for the biomonitoring of heavy metal toxicity in the field.     

Rat Protein Binding and Cerebral Phospholipid Affinity of the H3-receptor Antagonist Thioperamide

The binding of thioperamide, a known H₃-receptor antagonist, to rat plasma proteins and its affinity for rat cerebral phospholipids are investigated. Thioperamide is strongly bound to plasma proteins (95?80% at plasma concentrations of 3.5?400 μg mL^?1), and its binding can be resolved into two components: a high-affinity, saturable component and a non-specific component. The drug has a high affinity for cerebral phospholipids, with a partition coefficient of approximately 100 (log K = 2.06 ± 0.14), which should promote brain penetration and accumulation. Protein binding and cerebral phospholipid affinity can suggest the explanation of some differences reported in the literature on thioperamide distribution data: at low plasma concentrations of the drug, its protein binding (95% at 3.5 μg mL^?1) can prevent brain accumulation, while at higher concentrations the free plasma fraction suddenly increases (> 10% at 18 μg mL^?1) and it allows passive distribution to lipophilic tissues such as brain tissue.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition of danofloxacin in sheep

The plasma pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin administered at 1.25 mg kg⁻¹ body weight by the intravenous and intramuscular routes were determined in sheep. Tissue distribution was also determined following administration by the intramuscular route at 1.25 mg kg⁻¹ body weight. Danofloxacin had a large volume of distribution at steady state (V_ss) of 2.76±0.16 h (mean±S.E.M.) L kg⁻¹, an elimination half-life (t_1/2β) of 3.35±0.23 h, and a body clearance (C1) of 0.63±0.04 L kg⁻¹ h⁻¹. Following intramuscular administration it achieved a maximum concentration (C_max) of 0.32±0.02 μg mL⁻¹ at 1.23±0.34 h (t_max) and had a mean residence time (MRT) of 5.45±0.19 h. Danofloxacin had an absolute bioavailability (F) of 95.71±4.41% and a mean absorption time (MAT) of 0.81±0.20 h following intramuscular administration. Mean plasma concentrations of >0.06 μg mL⁻¹ were maintained for more than 8 h following intravenous and intramuscular administration. Following intramuscular administration highest concentrations were measured in plasma (0.43±0.04 μg mL⁻¹), lung (1.51±0.18 μg g⁻¹), and interdigital skin (0.64±0.18 μg g⁻¹) at 1 h, duodenal contents (0.81±0.40 μg mL⁻¹), lymph nodes (4.61±0.35 μg g⁻¹), and brain (0.06±0.00 μg mL⁻¹) at 2 h, jejunal (10.50±4.31 μg mL⁻¹) and ileal (5.25±1.67 μg mL⁻¹) contents at 4 h, and colonic contents (8.94±0.65 μg mL⁻¹) at 8 h. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

COMPARISON OF PHARMACOKINETICS OF M1, M2, M3, AND M4 AFTER INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF DA-125 OR ME2303 TO MICE AND RATS. NEW ADRIAMYCIN ANALOGUES CONTAINING FLUORINE

The pharmacokinetics of M1, M2, M3, and/or M4 were compared after intravenous (iv) administration of DA-125 and/or ME2303 to mice (25 mg kg⁻¹) and rats (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg kg⁻¹). The mean plasma concentrations of M1 were detected up to 8 h after iv administration of both DA-125 and ME2303 to mice, and were significantly higher for DA-125 than ME2303; this resulted in a considerably greater AUC (303 against 148 μg min mL⁻¹) and a considerably slower CL of M1 (69·3 against 136 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) after iv administration of DA-125. The MRT (371 against 189 min) and CL_NR of M1 (68·7 against 136 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) were considerably greater and slower, respectively, after iv administration of DA-125. The mean plasma concentrations of M2 were detected up to 8 and 4 h after iv administration of DA-125 and ME2303, respectively, to mice and were significantly higher for DA-125 than ME2303, resulting in a considerably greater AUC of M2 (148 against 27·1 μg min mL⁻¹) after iv administration of DA-125. The mean plasma concentrations of M3, being the lowest among M1–M4, were detected only up to 15 min after iv administration of both DA-125 and ME2303 to mice, and were comparable after iv adminstration of DA-125 and ME2303 to mice. The mean plasma concentrations of M4 were detected up to 8 h after iv administration of both DA-125 and ME2303 to mice, and were higher after iv administration of DA-125 than ME2303, resulting in a considerably greater AUC of M4 (197 against 61·9 μg min mL⁻¹) after iv administration of DA-125. Similar results on M1 and M2 were also obtained from rats: the mean plasma concentrations of both M1 and M2 were significantly higher after iv administration of DA-125, 10 mg kg⁻¹, than after ME2303. The plasma concentrations of M1, M2, and M4, and hence their AUCs, were significantly higher after iv administration of DA-125, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg kg⁻¹, to rats than after ME2303: the mean plasma concentrations of M2, approximately 0·1–0·4 μg mL⁻¹, were maintained from 30 min to 8–10 h after iv administration of DA-125, 20, 30, and 40 mg kg⁻¹, to rats; the plasma concentrations of M3 were the lowest among M1–M4 at all DA-125 doses; and those of M1 and M4 were maintained for a long period of time. However, after iv administration of M2, 5 mg kg⁻¹, to rats, the mean plasma concentrations of M2 were detected up to 60 min with a mean terminal half-life of only 38·8 min, and the concentrations of M3 were negligible. After iv administration of M3, 5 mg kg⁻¹, to rats, the mean plasma concentrations of M3 were detected up to 15 min; the plasma concentrations of M4, reaching their peak at 5 min, decayed more slowly and were higher than those of M3. The AUC of M4 after iv administration of M3, 5 mg kg⁻¹, was comparable to that after iv administration of M4, 5 mg kg⁻¹, to rats, suggesting that M4 is formed fast and almost completely from M3. M1 was not detected in plasma after iv administration of either M2 or M3 to rats. After iv administration of M4, 5 mg kg⁻¹, to rats, the mean plasma concentrations of M4 decayed fast with a mean terminal half-life of 43·9 min and neither M2 nor M3 were detected in plasma. The following disposition mechanisms for M1, M2, M3, and M4 after iv administration of DA-125 to rats could be obtained from the above data: (i) the maintenance of plasma concentrations of M2 for a longer period of time after iv administration of DA-125 than those after iv administration of M2 could be due to the continuous formation of M2 from M1; (ii) the lowest plasma concentrations of M3 among M1–M4 after iv administration of DA-125 could be due to the fast and almost complete formation of M4 from M3 as soon as M3 is formed from M1, and not due to the fast renal excretion of unchanged M3; (iii) M4 was exclusively and continuously formed from M3 and the formation of M4 from M2 was negligible; and (iv) reversible metabolism among M1–M4 did not take place. The following results could also be obtained after iv administration of DA-125 or ME2303 to mice and rats: (i) the lower plasma concentrations of M1 after iv administration of ME2303 than of DA-125 could be due to the greater biliary excretion of unchanged ME2303 (approximately 30% of iv dose) than unchanged DA-125 and (ii) the lower plasma concentrations of M2 and M4 after iv administration of ME2303 than after DA-125 could be due to lower plasma concentrations of M1 and hence less formation of both M2 and M4 from M1. Liver showed the highest metabolic activity for M1 and a considerable amount of M1 was also metabolized in the kidney after 30 min incubation of 50 μg of DA-125 in 9000 g supernatant fraction of rat tissue homogenates. The mean amount of M1 remaining per gram of tissue, the total amount of M1 remaining in whole tissue, and the tissue to plasma ratio of M1 were significantly higher in the heart, lung, large intestine, and kidney at 15 min after iv administration of DA-125, 25 mg kg⁻¹, to mice than after ME2303. M1, the active antineoplastic moiety of DA-125, had higher affinity for the lung after iv administration of DA-125 to mice than after ME2303, indicating that lung tumours could be subjected to a greater exposure to M1 after iv administration of DA-125 than ME2303. The 24 h biliary excretion of M1 was significantly greater after the iv administration of ME2303 than after DA-125 (344 against 79·3 μg). However, reversed results were obtained for M2 (267 against 467 μg). M3 and M4 were under the detection limit in the bile sample after iv administration of either DA-125 or ME2303.