Disposition of radiolabeled ifetroban in rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans.

Ifetroban is a potent and selective thromboxane receptor antagonist. This study was conducted to characterize the pharmacokinetics, absolute bioavailability, and disposition of ifetroban after i.v. and oral administrations of [14C]ifetroban or [3H]ifetroban in rats (3 mg/kg), dogs (1 mg/kg), monkeys (1 mg/kg), and humans (50 mg). The drug was rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations occurring between 5 and 20 min across species. Plasma terminal elimination half-life was approximately 8 h in rats, approximately 20 h in dogs, approximately 27 h in monkeys, and approximately 22 h in humans. Based on the steady-state volume of distribution, the drug was extensively distributed in tissues. Absolute bioavailability was 25, 35, 23, and 48% in rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans, respectively. Renal excretion was a minor route of elimination in all species, with the majority of the dose being excreted into the feces. After a single oral dose, urinary excretion accounted for 3% of the administered dose in rats and dogs, 14% in monkeys, and 27% in humans, with the remainder excreted in the feces. Extensive biliary excretion was observed in rats with the hydroxylated metabolite at the C-14 position being the major metabolite observed in rat bile. Ifetroban was extensively metabolized after oral administration. Approximately 40 to 50% of the radioactivity in rat and dog plasma was accounted for by parent drug whereas, in humans, approximately 60% of the plasma radioactivity was accounted for by ifetroban acylglucuronide.     

Pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and excretion of the intestinal peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1)-targeted prodrug (1S,2S,5R,6S)-2-[(2'S)-(2-amino)propionyl]aminobicyclo[3.1.0.]hexen-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY544344) in rats and dogs: assessment of first-pass bioactivation and dose linearity.

The peptidyl prodrug (1S,2S,5R,6S)-2-[(2'S)-(2-Amino)propionyl]a-minobicyclo[3.1.0.]hexen-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, also known as LY544344, was discovered to improve the oral bioavailability of the parent drug (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY354740), a potent group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist. This prodrug has been shown to deliver high plasma concentrations of the active drug via intestinal peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1) (PepT1)-mediated intestinal transport and presystemic hydrolysis in preclinical species. The current data describe the pharmacokinetic behavior of LY544344 and LY354740, with a specific focus on the first-pass activation processes and dose linearity in rats and dogs. The PepT1 transporter makes an attractive prodrug target because of its high capacity and relatively broad substrate specificity. This was demonstrated by the wide dose proportionality observed in both species (up to 1000 mg/kg in rats and 140 mg/kg in dogs). After oral administration of LY544344, absorption and bioactivation were extensive and rapid, with greater than 97% of prodrug hydrolysis occurring before its appearance in the hepatic portal vein. Systemic activation was likewise extensive, with 100% conversion of a 7-mg/kg intravenous dose in dogs. Radiolabeled studies confirmed that hydrolysis to LY354740 was the only metabolic pathway and that the excretion pattern of the active drug was not altered by administration of the prodrug. These results demonstrate the nearly ideal prodrug properties of LY544344 and further validate the utility of the peptide transporter-directed approach to prodrug design.     

Disposition and metabolism of a new benzothiophene antiestrogen in rats, dogs and monkeys

A new benzothiophene-derived antiestrogen (LY156758) when orally administered was well absorbed in rats and monkeys while approx. 20% was absorbed in dogs. In the rat the compound was subject to first-pass hepatic metabolism which led to low levels of parent drug in the systematic circulation together with a small amount as the glucuronide conjugate. In monkeys the compound occurred primarily as the glucuronide conjugate of parent drug with very little circulating free drug. The systemic bioavailability of free parent drug in plasma was 39% in rats, 17% in dogs and 5% in monkeys. Excretion of the drug in rats and dogs was primarily via the bile. Approx. 1% of the dose was excreted in the urine of rats and dogs after oral dosing. In rats, at least 50% of an oral dose was excreted in bile as the glucuronide conjugate of parent drug.     

Disposition of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor sitagliptin in rats and dogs.

The pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and excretion of sitagliptin [MK-0431; (2R)-4-oxo-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-7(8H)-yl]-1-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butan-2-amine], a potent dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, were evaluated in male Sprague-Dawley rats and beagle dogs. The plasma clearance and volume of distribution of sitagliptin were higher in rats (40-48 ml/min/kg, 7-9 l/kg) than in dogs ( approximately 9 ml/min/kg, approximately 3 l/kg), and its half-life was shorter in rats, approximately 2 h compared with approximately 4 h in dogs. Sitagliptin was absorbed rapidly after oral administration of a solution of the phosphate salt. The absolute oral bioavailability was high, and the pharmacokinetics were fairly dose-proportional. After administration of [(14)C]sitagliptin, parent drug was the major radioactive component in rat and dog plasma, urine, bile, and feces. Sitagliptin was eliminated primarily by renal excretion of parent drug; biliary excretion was an important pathway in rats, whereas metabolism was minimal in both species in vitro and in vivo. Approximately 10 to 16% of the radiolabeled dose was recovered in the rat and dog excreta as phase I and II metabolites, which were formed by N-sulfation, N-carbamoyl glucuronidation, hydroxylation of the triazolopiperazine ring, and oxidative desaturation of the piperazine ring followed by cyclization via the primary amine. The renal clearance of unbound drug in rats, 32 to 39 ml/min/kg, far exceeded the glomerular filtration rate, indicative of active renal elimination of parent drug.     

The metabolic disposition of acifran, a new antihyperlipidemic agent, in rats and dogs

The metabolic disposition of the antihyperlipidemic agent acifran (AY-25, 712) was determined in rats and dogs. The synthesis of 14C-labelled acifran is described. Serum levels of 14C and acifran were measured in rats and dogs after p.o. and i.v. administration of 14C-acifran at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Over 80% of the 14C in serum was due to acifran. The drug was rapidly absorbed and the pharmacokinetics, unaffected by increasing the dose or by daily multiple doses, were characterized by a two-compartment open model. Food reduced the bioavailability of acifran by 27% in the dog. About 65% of the dose was absorbed in rats, and at least 88% in dogs. The elimination t 1/2 of acifran from serum was 1.5 h in the rat and 3 h in the dog. Acifran was partially bound to serum proteins, man greater than rat greater than dog; the drug was found to displace protein-bound warfarin in rat and dog, but not in human serum. Radioactivity did not tend to accumulate in tissues, except for the kidney, where the 14C concentration was five times higher than in the serum; elimination of 14C from all the tissues was similar to that from serum. Most of the absorbed dose was excreted in the urine. Acifran did not undergo enterohepatic circulation in the rat. Virtually all the urinary 14C in both species was due to the unchanged compound. In conclusion, the disposition of acifran was similar in rats and dogs. The drug was rapidly absorbed and eliminated, and underwent no detectable biotransformation. There was no tissue retention and excretion was mainly in the urine.     

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, in rats, dogs, and humans.

The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor, ximelagatran, and its active form, melagatran, were separately investigated in rats, dogs, and healthy male human subjects after administration of oral and intravenous (i.v.) single doses. Ximelagatran was rapidly absorbed and metabolized following oral administration, with melagatran as the predominant compound in plasma. Two intermediates (ethyl-melagatran and OH-melagatran) that were subsequently metabolized to melagatran were also identified in plasma and were rapidly eliminated. Melagatran given i.v. had relatively low plasma clearance, small volume of distribution, and short elimination half-life. The oral absorption of melagatran was low and highly variable. It was primarily renally cleared, and the renal clearance agreed well with the glomerular filtration rate. Ximelagatran was extensively metabolized, and only trace amounts were renally excreted. Melagatran was the major compound in urine and feces after administration of ximelagatran. Appreciable quantities of ethyl-melagatran were also recovered in rat, dog, and human feces after oral administration, suggesting reduction of the hydroxyamidine group of ximelagatran in the gastrointestinal tract, as demonstrated when ximelagatran was incubated with feces homogenate. Polar metabolites in urine and feces (all species) accounted for a relatively small fraction of the dose. The bioavailability of melagatran following oral administration of ximelagatran was 5 to 10% in rats, 10 to 50% in dogs, and about 20% in humans, with low between-subject variation. The fraction of ximelagatran absorbed was at least 40 to 70% in all species. First-pass metabolism of ximelagatran with subsequent biliary excretion of the formed metabolites account for the lower bioavailability of melagatran.     

Metabolism and disposition of a beta 3-adrenergic receptor agonist LY 368842 in male Fisher 344 rats

The metabolism and disposition of LY 368842, a beta 3-adrenergic receptor agonist, were characterized in F344 rats following oral or intravenous administration of [(14)C]LY 368842. These studies were conducted as part of the investigation of the mechanism of dark liver pigmentation in LY 368842-treated F344 rats. The maximum plasma concentration of LY 368842 was reached at 3 h after an oral dose, with an elimination half-life of 4 h. The oral bioavailability of LY 368842 was determined as 8%. A tissue distribution study by quantitative whole-body autoradiography indicated high concentrations of radiocarbon in gastrointestinal contents and moderate concentrations in liver. The radiocarbon was rapidly eliminated in rats, with approximately 3% of the dose recovered in urine and 90% in faeces over 168 h. In bile duct-cannulated rats, about 42% of the dose was recovered in bile and 41% remained in the faeces. Metabolites of LY 368842 were identified in rat urine, faeces, bile and plasma samples. Oxidative metabolism of LY 368842 led to the formation of a hydroxy metabolite, an indole-2,3-dione metabolite and oxidative cleavage products such as amine and diol metabolites. Several glucuronide conjugates were also identified in rat bile. These data suggest that LY 368842 is not completely absorbed but is widely distributed, extensively metabolized and rapidly eliminated in rats after oral administration.     

Disposition and metabolic fate of atomoxetine hydrochloride: pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and excretion in the Fischer 344 rat and beagle dog.

These studies were designed to characterize the disposition and metabolism of atomoxetine hydrochloride [(-)-N-methyl-gamma-(2-methylphenoxy)benzenepropanamine hydrochloride; formerly know as tomoxetine hydrochloride] in Fischer 344 rats and beagle dogs. Atomoxetine was well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and cleared primarily by metabolism with the majority of its metabolites being excreted into the urine, 66% of the total dose in the rat and 48% in the dog. Fecal excretion, 32% of the total dose in the rat and 42% in the dog, appears to be due to biliary elimination and not due to unabsorbed dose. Nearly the entire dose was excreted within 24 h in both species. In the rat, low oral bioavailability was observed (F = 4%) compared with the high oral bioavailability in dog (F = 74%). These differences appear to be almost purely mediated by the efficient first-pass hepatic clearance of atomoxetine in rat. The biotransformation of atomoxetine was similar in the rat and dog, undergoing aromatic ring hydroxylation, benzylic oxidation (rat only), and N-demethylation. The primary oxidative metabolite of atomoxetine was 4-hydroxyatomoxetine, which was subsequently conjugated forming O-glucuronide and O-sulfate (dog only) metabolites. Although subtle differences were observed in the excretion and biotransformation of atomoxetine in rats and dogs, the primary difference observed between these species was the extent of first-pass metabolism and the degree of systemic exposure to atomoxetine and its metabolites.     

Absorption, distribution and excretion of lacidipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, in rat and dog

1. The absorption, distribution and excretion of lacidipine have been studied in rat and dog after i.v. (0.05 mg/kg for rat; 0.5 mg/kg for dog) and oral dosage (2.5 mg/kg for rat; 2.0 mg/kg for dog). 2. Lacidipine was rapidly and extensively absorbed after oral dosing, in both species. Oral bioavailability was up to 26% in rat and up to 32% in dog, due to extensive first-pass metabolism. 3. After oral administration, peak levels of radioactivity were reached at 4-8 h in rat and 1-2 h in dog. Unchanged lacidipine peaked at 1-2 h in both species. Plasma levels of radioactivity were higher in female rats than in males but there was no difference in levels of unchanged drug. 4. After i.v. dosing the terminal half-life of unchanged drug was 2.9 h in rat and 8.2 h in dog. The half-life of radioactivity in plasma was longer in both species. 5. After both routes of administration, radioactivity was rapidly distributed in rat tissues with the highest concentration in liver, fat and gastrointestinal tract. Only traces of radioactivity were detected in the CNS and in rat foetuses. 6. Extensive biliary elimination occurred, and most of the radioactivity (73-95%) was excreted in the faeces after i.v. or oral administration. 7. The compound was extensively metabolized, no significant amount of unchanged drug was excreted in bile or urine.     

Disposition and metabolism of a new benzothiophene antiestrogen in rats,dogs and monkeys

1. A new benzothiophene-derived antiestrogen (LY156758) when orally administered was well absorbed in rats and monkeys while approx. 20% was absorbed in dogs.

2. In the rat the compound was subject to first-pass hepatic metabolism which led to low levels of parent drug in the systematic circulation together with a small amount as the glucuronide conjugate.

3. In monkeys the compound occurred primarily as the glucuronide conjugate of parent drug with very little circulating free drug.

4. The systemic bioavailability of free parent drug in plasma was 39% in rats, 17% in dogs and 5% in monkeys.

5. Excretion of the drug in rats and dogs was primarily via the bile. Approx. 1% of the dose was excreted in the urine of rats and dogs after oral dosing. In rats, at least 50% of an oral dose was excreted in bile as the glucuronide conjugate of parent drug.     

Absorption,distribution and excretion of lacidipine,a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist,in rat and dog

1. The absorption, distribution and excretion of lacidipine have been studied in rat and dog after i.v. (0.05 mg/kg for rat; 0.5 mg/kg for dog) and oral dosage (2.5 mg/kg for rat; 2.0 mg/kg for dog).

2. Lacidipine was rapidly and extensively absorbed after oral dosing, in both species. Oral bioavailability was up to 26% in rat and up to 32% in dog, due to extensive first-pass metabolism.

3. After oral administration, peak levels of radioactivity were reached at 4-8 h in rat and 1-2 h in dog. Unchanged lacidipine peaked at 1-2 h in both species. Plasma levels of radioactivity were higher in female rats than in males but there was no difference in levels of unchanged drug.

4. After i.v. dosing the terminal half-life of unchanged drug was 2.9 h in rat and 8.2 h in dog. The half-life of radioactivity in plasma was longer in both species.

5. After both routes of administration, radioactivity was rapidly distributed in rat tissues with the highest concentration in liver, fat and gastrointestinal tract. Only traces of radioactivity were detected in the CNS and in rat foetuses.

6. Extensive biliary elimination occurred, and most of the radioactivity (73-95%) was excreted in the faeces after i.v. or oral administration.

7. The compound was extensively metabolized, no significant amount of unchanged drug was excreted in bile or urine.     

Metabolism and disposition of a β3-adrenergic receptor agonist LY368842 in male Fisher 344 rats

The metabolism and disposition of LY368842, a β₃-adrenergic receptor agonist, were characterized in F344 rats following oral or intravenous administration of [¹⁴C]LY368842. These studies were conducted as part of the investigation of the mechanism of dark liver pigmentation in LY368842-treated F344 rats. The maximum plasma concentration of LY368842 was reached at 3?h after an oral dose, with an elimination half-life of 4?h. The oral bioavailability of LY368842 was determined as 8%. A tissue distribution study by quantitative whole-body autoradiography indicated high concentrations of radiocarbon in gastrointestinal contents and moderate concentrations in liver. The radiocarbon was rapidly eliminated in rats, with approximately 3% of the dose recovered in urine and 90% in faeces over 168?h. In bile duct-cannulated rats, about 42% of the dose was recovered in bile and 41% remained in the faeces. Metabolites of LY368842 were identified in rat urine, faeces, bile and plasma samples. Oxidative metabolism of LY368842 led to the formation of a hydroxy metabolite, an indole-2,3-dione metabolite and oxidative cleavage products such as amine and diol metabolites. Several glucuronide conjugates were also identified in rat bile. These data suggest that LY368842 is not completely absorbed but is widely distributed, extensively metabolized and rapidly eliminated in rats after oral administration.     

The pharmacokinetics of nitrendipine. I. Absorption, plasma concentrations, and excretion after single administration of [14C]nitrendipine to rats and dogs

[14C]nitrendipine (3-ethyl 5-methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridine dicarboxylate, Bay e 5009, Baypress, Bayotensin) was administered to rats and dogs (intravenously, orally, intraduodenally, 0.5-50 mg/kg) in order to investigate absorption, disposition, and excretion of parent compound and metabolites. The absorption of radioactivity following oral administration of [14C]nitrendipine was rapid and almost complete in both species. Maximum concentrations of total radioactivity in plasma were reached after 1.2 (rat) or 0.7 h (dog). The radioactivity was eliminated from plasma with terminal half-lives of 57 (rat) and 188 h (dog) during an observation period up to 10 and 9 days, respectively. Unchanged nitrendipine contributed to the AUC of total radioactivity only 8-9% after intravenous and 1-2% after oral administration. The bioavailability of nitrendipine after oral administration amounted to 12% in rats and 29% in dogs due to a strong first pass elimination process. About two thirds of the radioactivity administered were excreted via faeces, one third via urine. Distinct sex-differences in the excretion pattern could be found in rats but not in mice. They were attributed to well-known sex differences of the metabolic capacities in rat liver. In rats the radioactivity excreted via bile (about 75% of the dose) was subject to a marked entero-hepatic circulation, about 50% of the amount excreted being reabsorbed. The radioactive residues in the body were low (0.5% of the dose after 2 days in rats; less than or equal to 0.6% after 9 days in dogs).     

The metabolic disposition of etodolac in rats, dogs, and man

The metabolic disposition of etodolac (etodolic acid) was studied after oral and intravenous administration of the 14C-labeled or unlabeled drug to rats and dogs, and after oral administration of the drug to man. In all species, peak serum drug levels were attained within 2 hr after dosing. In rats and dogs, virtually all of the oral dose was absorbed; etodolac represented 95% of the serum radioactivity in rats and 75% in dogs. Serum levels in all species were generally dose-related. The elimination portion of the serum drug concentration/time curves was characterized by several peaks, which in rats were shown to be due to enterohepatic circulation. Tissue distribution studies in rats showed that radioactivity localized primarily in blood vessels, connective tissue, and highly vascularized organs (liver, heart, lung, and kidney) and that the rate of elimination of radioactivity from tissues was similar to that found in the serum. The apparent elimination half-life of etodolac averaged 17 hr in rats, 10 hr in dogs, and 7 hr in man. Etodolac was extensively bound to serum proteins. Liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels were unaltered in rats given etodolac daily for 1 week. The primary route of excretion in rats and dogs was via the bile into the feces. Preliminary biotransformation studies in dogs showed the presence of the glucuronide conjugate of etodolac in bile, but not in the urine. Glucuronide conjugates were not seen in the rat. Four hydroxylated metabolites in rat bile were tentatively identified. It was concluded that, in rats and dogs, etodolac is well absorbed, is subject to extensive enterohepatic circulation, undergoes partial biotransformation, and is excreted primarily into the feces.U     

Pharmacokinetics of nisoldipine. I. Absorption, concentration in plasma, and excretion after single administration of [14C]nisoldipine in rats, dogs, monkey, and swine

The absorption, disposition and excretion of (+/-) 3-isobutyl-5-methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (nisoldipine, Bay k 5552) have been studied following a single administration of the 14C-labelled compound to rats, dogs, monkey and swine via different routes (intravenous, oral, intraduodenal) in the dose range of 0.05-10 mg.kg-1. [14C]nisoldipine was absorbed rapidly and almost completely. Peak concentrations of radioactivity in plasma were reached 0.9 h (rat), 1.4 h (dog), and 3.6 h (monkey) after oral administration with normalized maximum concentrations being in the same range for all three species (0.49-0.79). The radioactivity was eliminated from plasma with half-lives between 42 h and 54 h within an observation period up to 3 days. The contribution of unchanged [14C]nisoldipine to the concentration of total radioactivity in plasma was low after oral administration (between 0.5% (monkey) and 3.4% (dog) in the peak) indicating an extensive presystemic elimination of this compound. The bioavailability was estimated at 3.4% in rats and 11.7% in dogs. [14C]nisoldipine was highly bound to plasma proteins with free fractions of 0.9-2.9%. The excretion of the radioactivity via urine and feces/bile both after oral and intravenous administration of [14C]nisoldipine occurred rapidly and almost completely within 48 h in all species. Very small residues in the body were recovered at the end of the experiments in rats and dogs (less than 1.6% of the dose). The biliary/fecal route of excretion was preferred in rats, dogs and swine, whereas in monkey 76% of the dose was excreted renally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Disposition of sucrose octa-isobutyrate in rats, dogs and monkeys

The disposition of 200 mg/kg of ¹⁴C-labelled sucrose octa-isobutyrate (¹⁴C-SOIB), a component of sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), a beverage emulsion stabilizer, was studied in rats, dogs and monkeys. After oral administration of ¹⁴C-SOIB to three rats, 3–15% of the dose was excreted as volatile products, 1–2% appeared in urine and 78–93% was recovered in faeces. In dogs, recoveries of radiolabel in CO₂, urine and faeces were approximately 1%, less than 2% and 77–94%, respectively. Monkeys excreted the majority of the dose in faeces; less than 2% of the administered radioactivity was eliminated in either CO₂ or urine. The biliary excretion of radiolabel from ¹⁴C-SOIB was negligible in rats and monkeys; however, in dogs, 3–10% of the dose was excreted into bile. It was demonstrated by chromatographic analyses of faeces that ¹⁴C-SOIB was more extensively hydrolysed in the gastro-intestinal tract of rats and dogs than in monkeys. The results indicate that after oral administration, rats and dogs absorb SOIB following hydrolysis of the sugar ester in the gut. The proportion of the dose that is absorbed by the rat is oxidized to CO₂. In the dog, little of the absorbed product is oxidized; rather, it is circulated through an enterohepatic pathway. In contrast, in the monkey, SOIB is not detectably hydrolysed in the gut or absorbed. These findings show that there is a species difference in the disposition of SOIB; the most salient findings relate to a difference in the disposition of SOIB in the dog compared with the rat.     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of a leukotriene D4/E4-antagonist (2-[3'-(2"-quinolylmethoxy)phenylamino]benzoic acid) in rat, dog,guinea pig and man

1. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of 2-[3'-(2"-quinolyl-methoxy)phenylamino]benzoic acid (QMPB), a novel leukotriene D4/E4 antagonist, were investigated in rat, dog, guinea pig and man. 2. The oral absorption of the potassium salt of QMPB was rapid and almost complete (90%) in rats, and about 50% in dogs. In man, high oral bioavailability was indicated. Absorption in dogs of the zwitterion form was only 7%. 3. The distribution of 3H-QMPB was examined in rats and guinea pigs. Whole-body autoradiography in rats showed that radioactivity was concentrated predominantly in the liver, bile and intestinal lumen, after both oral and i.v. administration. 4. A major metabolite was identified as the O-ester beta-glucuronide of QMPB. 5. Renal excretion in rat, dog and man was very low. In rat, almost complete biliary excretion of QMPB as the glucuronide conjugate was demonstrated. 6. Pronounced enterohepatic circulation of QMPB was demonstrated in rats, and the plasma concentration curves and the negligible renal excretion in dog and man also indicate enterohepatic circulation in these species.     

Metabolic disposition of enciprazine, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, in rat, dog and man.

1. The excretion and metabolism of enciprazine, an anxiolytic drug, was examined in rat, dog and man. 2. In rats and dogs that received 14C-enciprazine dihydrochloride orally and by i.v. injection, the drug was well absorbed. Radioactivity was excreted predominantly in the faeces of rats, equally in urine and faeces of dogs, and to a major extent in human urine. 3. Metabolic profiles, which were evaluated in urine and in rat bile, were similar following oral and i.v. dosing to rats and dogs. 4. Unchanged drug was not detected in rat, dog or human excreta. Glucuronide conjugates of 4-hydroxyenciprazine, m-desmethylenciprazine, p-desmethylenciprazine and enciprazine were detected in the excreta of all three species. A glycol metabolite was present only in rat bile and human urine. A metabolite desmethylated in the phenyl ring of the phenylpiperazine moiety also appeared to be present only in human urine. 5. Structural confirmation of the major metabolites in human urine and rat bile was accomplished by h.p.l.c.-mass spectrometry.     

Metabolic disposition of enciprazine,a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug,in rat,dog and man

1. The excretion and metabolism of enciprazine, an anxiolytic drug, was examined in rat, dog and man.

2. In rats and dogs that received ¹⁴C-enciprazine dihydrochloride orally and by i.v. injection, the drug was well absorbed. Radioactivity was excreted predominantly in the faeces of rats, equally in urine and faeces of dogs, and to a major extent in human urine.

3. Metabolic profiles, which were evaluated in urine and in rat bile, were similar following oral and i.v. dosing to rats and dogs.

4. Unchanged drug was not detected in rat, dog or human excreta. Glucuronide conjugates of 4-hydroxyenciprazine, m-desmethylenciprazine, p-desmethylenciprazine and enciprazine were detected in the excreta of all three species. A glycol metabolite was present only in rat bile and human urine. A metabolite desmethylated in the phenyl ring of the phenylpiperazine moiety also appeared to be present only in human urine.

5. Structural confirmation of the major metabolites in human urine and rat bile was accomplished by?h.p.l.c.-mass spectrometry.     

Metabolic fate of premazepam, a new anti-anxiety drug, in the rat and the dog

A study of the disposition and metabolism of premazepam, 3,7-dihydro-5-phenyl-6,7-dimethyl-pyrrole[3,4-e][1,4]diazepin-2-(1 H) -one, a new anti-anxiety agent, was carried out in rats and dogs given the 14C-labeled compound iv and po. In both species, after oral administration, both total radioactivity and the unchanged drug are rapidly absorbed and peak plasma levels are reached within 0.5-1 hr in rats and 2 hr in dogs. Unchanged premazepam is cleared faster in rats than in dogs, with half-lives about 1.7 and 2.7 hr, respectively. Following oral dosage, two-thirds of the dose is eliminated in urine. From the urine of the two species, eight metabolites and unchanged premazepam were identified. N-7-Desmethyl premazepam (l) is the major metabolite in rat urine (18% of the dose) but is not present in dog urine, while 6-hydroxymethyl premazepam is the most abundant metabolite in dog urine (25% of the dose) but is absent in rat urine. Metabolites III and IV from rat and dog urine are stable derivatives of the intermediate formed by the cleavage of the imine bond of the diazepine ring. A successive hydrolysis of the amidic bond of the same intermediate originates metabolites V-VIII, which are quantitatively minor ones.