Absorption of clonazepam after intranasal and buccal administration.

Serum concentrations of clonazepam after intranasal, buccal and intravenous administration were compared in a cross-over study in seven healthy male volunteers. Each subject received a 1.0 mg dose of clonazepam intranasally and buccally and 0.5 mg intravenously. A Cmax of 6.3 +/- 1.0 ng ml-1 (mean; +/- s.d.) was measured 17.5 min (median) (range 15-20 min) after intranasal administration. A second peak (4.6 +/- 1.3 ng ml-1) caused by oral absorption was seen after 1.7 h (range 0.7-3.0 h). After buccal administration a Cmax of 6.0 +/- 3.0 ng ml-1 was measured after 50 min (range 30-90 min) with a second peak of 6.5 +/- 2.5 ng ml-1 after 3.0 h (range 2.0-4.0 h). Two minutes after i.v. injection of 0.5 mg clonazepam the serum concentration was 27 +/- 18 ng ml-1. It is concluded that intranasal clonazepam is an alternative to buccal administration. However, the Cmax of clonazepam after intranasal administration is not high enough to recommend the intranasal route as an alternative to intravenous injection.     

Pharmacokinetics of ketotifen fumarate after intravenous,intranasal, oral and rectal administration in rabbits

The pharmacokinetics of ketotifen fumarate (KF) was examined after administration in rabbits through four different routes (intravenous, intranasal, oral and rectal). The time-course of the plasma concentration of KF after intravenous administration (1 mg/kg dose) fitted a two-compartment open model. KF was rapidly absorbed and showed a high plasma concentration within 0.33 h after intranasal administration. The absolute bioavailability of KF after intranasal administration was 66%. After oral administration at a dose of 1 mg/kg, the plasma concentration of KF was below the detection limit of HPLC analysis. Even at 5 mg/kg, the value of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) after oral administration of KF was significantly lower than that after intranasal administration of 1 mg/kg. Oral bioavailability was only 8%. The very low bioavailability of KF after oral administration might be due to the first-pass effect in the liver. We also prepared suppositories containing KF (1 mg/kg) for rectal administration in rabbits. After rectal administration, KF was rapidly absorbed and its bioavailability was 34%. These results indicated that the intranasal route appears the most effective for administering KF, and that rectal administration may be superior to oral administration in terms of bioavailability.     

Pharmacokinetics of tramadol in rat plasma and cerebrospinal fluid after intranasal administration

We have evaluated the potential of intranasal administration of tramadol. The pharmacokinetic behaviour of tramadol in rat plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after intranasal administration was determined and compared with those after intravenous and oral administration. Serial plasma and CSF samples were collected for 6 h, and the drug concentrations were assayed by an HPLC-fluorescence method. The plasma absolute bioavailability values of tramadol after intranasal and oral administration were 73.8% and 32.4%, respectively, in conscious rats. The Cmax (maximum concentration) value after the intranasal dose was lower (P<0.05), and the MRT (mean retention time) was longer (P<0.05) than the values obtained after intravenous administration. A pharmacokinetic study of tramadol in plasma and CSF was undertaken in anaesthetized rats. The absolute bioavailability values in plasma and CSF after intranasal administration were 66.7% and 87.3%, respectively. The Cmax values in plasma and CSF after a nasal dose were lower (P<0.05) than after the intravenous dose. The values of Cmax and AUC0-->6 h in plasma and CSF after intranasal administration were higher than after the oral dose. The mean drug-targeting efficiency after intranasal administration was significantly greater than after the oral dose. In conclusion, intranasal administration of tramadol appeared to be a promising alternative to the traditional administration modes for this drug.     

Pharmacokinetics of l-propranolol during repetitive dosing in normal and uranyl nitrate-induced renal failure rats

The effect of experimental renal failure on the intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of l-propranolol was studied in rats. Renal failure was induced by a single intravenous injection of uranyl nitrate (5 mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out on the fifth day after injection of the renal toxin (renal failure group) or saline (control group). Serum concentration time course of l-propranolol was characterized after a single intravenous or oral dose as well as after five consecutive doses of the drug given at 3-hr intervals. During repetitive intravenous drug administration, steady state was reached by the second dose, i.e., within 6 hr after initiation of repetitive dosing. No significant difference in the serum concentration time course of l-propranolol was observed between control and renal failure animals. In both groups the AUC over the steady-state dosing interval was on the average 21-27% higher than the AUC after a single dose, indicating a slight decrease in the systemic clearance of l-propranolol during repetitive intravenous drug administration. An approximately two- to three-fold higher serum l-propranolol concentration was observed in renal failure animals as compared to the normal controls after both single or repetitive oral dosing. The apparent reduction in oral clearance probably reflected an inhibition of the hepatic first-pass metabolism of l-propranolol in the renal failure rat. An unexpectedly high and protracted accumulation of serum l-propranolol concentration was observed during repetitive oral drug administration. Continuing accumulation was still evident after the fifth oral dose, i.e., a period of 15 hr or approximately 10 half-lives. The mean AUC over the last dosing interval was 32.0 and 17.8 times higher than the predicted steady-state estimate based on single oral dose data for control and renal failure rats, respectively. The substantial reduction in the oral clearance during repetitive drug administration may be due to an auto-inhibition of l-propranolol metabolism.     

Evaluation of brain-targeting for the nasal delivery of ergoloid mesylate by the microdialysis method in rats.

The aim of this study was to quantify the nasal delivery of ergoloid mesylate (EM) to the brain by comparing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma EM levels after nasal administration at a dose of 4 mg/kg with those after intravenous administration. Following nasal delivery, EM reached a Cmax value (mean+/-SD) in plasma of 348.41+/-19.47 ng/ml and in CSF of 87.35+/-6.37 ng/ml after 107 and 20 min, respectively, while after intravenous injection, EM reached a Cmax value (mean+/-S.D.) in CSF of 54.81+/-4.92 ng/ml at 60 min and the Cmax in plasma was 1255.51+/-133.59 ng/ml. The AUC(CSF)/AUC plasma ratio (0.48+/-0.05) after intranasal delivery differed greatly from the ratio (0.14+/-0.04) observed after intravenous injection (P<0.05). The further analyzed data demonstrated a statistically significant distribution advantage of EM to the brain via the nasal route, and further suggesting that nasal administration can be a promising alternative for EM that undergoes first-pass metabolism following oral administration.     

Microdialysis pharmacokinetic study of scopolamine in plasma,olfactory bulb and vestibule after intranasal administration

The purpose of this study was to investigate the microdialysis pharmacokinetic of scopolamine in plasma, olfactory bulb and vestibule after intranasal administration. The pharmacokinetic study of subcutaneous and oral administration was also performed in rats. From the in vivo results, scopolamine intranasal administration can avoid hepatic first-pass effect. T_max plasma samples after intranasal administration were significantly faster than oral administration and subcutaneous injection. The relative bioavailability of intranasal administrations was 51.8–70% when compared with subcutaneous injection. Moreover, one can see that in comparison with scopolamine subcutaneous administration, scopolamine intranasal gel and solutions can increased drug target index (DTI) with olfactory bulb 1.69 and 2.05, vestibule 1.80 and 2.15, respectively. The results indicated that scopolamine can be absorbed directly through the olfactory mucosa into the olfactory bulb, and then transported to various brain tissue after intranasal administration, with the characteristics of brain drug delivery.     

Brain Disposition and Catalepsy After Intranasal Delivery of Loxapine: Role of Metabolism in PK/PD of Intranasal CNS Drugs

Purpose

To elucidate the role of metabolism in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intranasal loxapine in conscious animals.

Methods

At pre-determined time points after intranasal or oral loxapine administration, levels of loxapine, loxapine metabolites, and neurotransmitters in rat brain were quantified after catalepsy assessments (block test and paw test). Cataleptogenicity of loxapine was also compared with its metabolites.

Results

Intranasally administered loxapine was efficiently absorbed into systemic circulation followed by entering brain, with t_max ≤15 min in all brain regions. Oral route delivered minimal amounts of loxapine to plasma and brain. Brain AUC_0–240min values of 7-hydroxy-loxapine were similar after intranasal and oral administration. Intranasal loxapine tended to induce less catalepsy than oral loxapine, although statistical significance was not reached. The catalepsy score was positively and significantly correlated with the striatal concentration of 7-hydroxy-loxapine, but not with loxapine. 7-hydroxy-loxapine was more cataleptogenic than loxapine, while the presence of loxapine tended to reduce rather than intensify 7-hydroxy-loxapine-induced catalepsy. The increases in striatal dopamine turnover were comparable after intranasal and oral loxapine administration.

Conclusions

The metabolite 7-hydroxy-loxapine, but not loxapine, was the main contributor to the catalepsy observed after intranasal and oral loxapine treatment. Intranasal route could effectively deliver loxapine to brain.     

Brain microdialysate,CSF and plasma pharmacokinetics of ligustrazine hydrochloride in rats after intranasal and intravenous administration

The aim of this work was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of ligustrazine hydrochloride (LZH) in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cerebral cortex after intranasal (10 mg/kg) or intravenous administration (10 mg/kg) in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Plasma, CSF and cerebral cortex microdialysates were collected at timed intervals for the measurement of LZH by a quick and sensitive HPLC‐UV method. LZH entered the brain quickly following both routes of administration. No significant difference was observed between the AUC_{CSF or cortex}/AUC_plasma ratio of LZH after intranasal administration (38.4%, 17.4%) and that after intravenous injection (45.9%, 19.9%). The drug targeting index (DTI) was 0.85 and 0.91 in the CSF and cortex, respectively. In conclusion, LZH is rapidly absorbed into the systemic circulation following intranasal administration. There is no direct pathway for LZH transport from the nasal cavity to the brain. The rapidity and magnitude of LZH penetration into the brain indicate that intranasal administration of this agent is a promising alternative to intravenous administration. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dermal toxicity,eye and dermal irritation and skin sensitization evaluation of a new formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis SH-14

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the best known and most widely used of all pesticidal microbes. The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity of a new formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis SH-14 in rats through acute dermal toxicity, dermal and eye irritation experiments. The acute dermal toxicity and dermal and eye irritation studies were performed using rabbits according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines 885.3100, 870.2500 and 870.2500, respectively. The skin sensitization study was carried out in accordance to the EPA OPPTS 870.2600 using guinea pigs. There was no mortality and no evidence of treatment-related toxicity in acute dermal toxicity test. No dermal responses, including erythema/eschar or edema, were found in rabbits treated with the new formulation of Bti SH-14. Minimum response was observed after eye application of test substance. No skin sensitization reactions were observed after the challenge with the new formulation of Bti SH-14 in the Bti SH-14-treated guinea pigs. In summary, the present study demonstrated that the new formulation of Bti SH-14 is not acutely toxic via dermal route, has low eye irritation and would not cause dermal irritation or hypersensitivity to tested animals.     

Pharmacodynamics of acute intranasal administration of verapamil: comparison with i.v. and oral administration

The present study was conducted in order to examine the intranasal administration of verapamil and compare this route to oral and intravenous administration in a 3 way crossover protocol in five dogs. Unanesthetized, adult mongrel dogs were given verapamil intravenously (0.5 mg/kg), orally (2.5 mg/kg) and intranasally (0.75 mg/kg) with at least a 3-4 day washout period between each administration. Blood samples were collected over a 10 hour period and analyzed for verapamil using HPLC with fluorescence detection. A lead II ECG was monitored to determine the effects of verapamil on heart rate and P-R interval. Following intravenous administration, verapamil was distributed according to a two compartment model. Bioavailability (corrected for dose and elimination rate constant) following intranasal administration (36% +/- 7%) was approximately 3 fold that after oral administration (13% +/- 3%). Absorption from the nasal cavity appeared instantaneous compared to an absorption half-life of 50 +/- 6 min after oral administration. All three routes of administration resulted in significant increases in heart rate and increases in the P-R interval. Maximal P-R interval prolongation occurred after peak plasma concentrations of verapamil. The results of this study suggest that the intranasal route is a viable alternative route of administration for verapamil.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of single doses of doxylamine succinate following intranasal,oral and intravenous administration in rats

The intranasal route of administration provides a potential useful way of administering a range of systemic drugs. In order to assess the feasibility of this approach for the treatment of nausea and vomiting, doxylamine succinate was studied in rats for the pharmacokinetics (AUC, C(max), t(max)) following intranasal, oral and intravenous administrations. Subjects (six male Sprague-Dawley rats per time interval for each route of administration) received 2-mg doses of doxylamine succinate orally and I-mg doses intranasally and intravenously, respectively. The various formulations were formulated in isotonic saline (0.9% w/v) at 25 +/- 1 degrees C. Doxylamine succinate concentrations in plasma were determined with a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and a liquid-liquid extraction procedure. Intranasal and oral bioavailabilities were determined from AUC values relative to those after intravenous dosing. Intranasal bioavailability was greater than that of oral doxylamine succinate (70.8 vs 24.7%). The intranasal and oral routes of administration differed significantly from the intravenous route of administration. Peak plasma concentration (C(max)) was 887.6 ng/ml (S.D. 74.4), 281.4 ng/ml (S.D. 24.6) and 1296.4 ng/ml (S.D. 388.9) for the intranasal, oral and intravenous routes, respectively. The time to achieve C(max) for the intranasal route (t(max)=0.5 h) was faster than for the oral route (t(max)=1.5 h), but no statistically significant differences between the C(max) values were found using 95% confidence intervals. The results of this study show that doxylamine succinate is rapidly and effectively absorbed from the nasal mucosa.     

THE ABSORPTION,PHARMACODYNAMICS, METABOLISM AND EXCRETION OF 14C-SUMATRIPTAN FOLLOWING INTRANASAL ADMINISTRATION TO THE BEAGLE DOG

The pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and excretion of ¹⁴C-sumatriptan have been studied in the beagle dog following administration by the intranasal and other routes. The pharmacological response which was monitored, an increase in carotid arterial vascular resistance, correlated with the plasma levels of unchanged sumatriptan following intranasal, intravenous, or intraduodenal administration to the anaesthetised dog. The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of sumatriptan were then confirmed in conscious male and female dogs. Intranasal administration of ¹⁴C-sumatriptan resulted in rapid absorption of part of the dose. The overall bioavailability of sumatriptan was 40–50%. Sumatriptan was eliminated from plasma with a half-life of 1·5 or 1·9 h after intravenous or intranasal dosage respectively. Radioactivity was largely excreted in urine (up to 75% of the dose) with small amounts in the bile and faeces after intravenous and intranasal dosing, as sumatriptan and a major metabolite. The results from these studies suggest that intranasal administration provides a viable method for delivering sumatriptan to the systemic circulation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methadone disposition following oral versus parenteral dose administration in rats during chronic treatment

A single radiolabeled dose of dl-methadone was administered by the oral, subcutaneous and intravenous routes to rats that had been chronically treated with dl-methadone. Radiolabeled compound (methadone and metabolites) was found in all organs at all time points studied after 30 minutes to 24 hours. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis showed that approximately 30–40 per cent of this compound is unchanged methadone at the 1-hour time point in the liver of rats receiving an oral or intravenous dose and in the brain of rats receiving an oral dose. Ninety-four per cent of compounds in brain is unchanged methadone at 1 hour after intravenous dose administration. Twenty-four hours following dose administration, levels of methadone within any organ are found to be similar irrespective of route of administration. The liver was found to contain the largest amounts of methadone in all animals studied with whole blood, lungs, and kidneys also containing large total amounts of methadone and metabolites. The liver and adrenals contained the highest concentrations of radiolabeled compounds.     

Profiles of methotrexate in blood and CSF following intranasal and intravenous administration to rats

The aim of this paper was to investigate the levels of methotrexate (MTX) in blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in rats to find out whether there is any direct drug transport from nasal cavity to CSF following intranasal administration. Methotrexate was administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats either intranasally or intravenously. Drug concentrations were determined from CSF and plasma samples collected from the cisterna magna and caudal vein, respectively. To collect CSF sample continuously, blank artificial CSF was infused into the lateral ventricle. The plasma levels achieved following intranasal administration were significantly lower than those after intravenous administration (P<0.01) were, while CSF concentrations achieved after intranasal administration were significantly higher than those after intravenous administration (P<0.01). The ratio of the AUC(CSF) value between the intranasal route and the intravenous injection was 13.76, whereas the absolute bioavailability was only 6.3%, the drug targeting index (DTI) of nasal route was 21.7. In conclusion, these results showed that the antineoplastic MTX must be directly transported from the nasal cavity into the CSF in rats.     

雷公藤甲素在Beagle犬体内毒代动力学研究

目的：探索性研究雷公藤甲素在犬体内的毒代动力学特征,并观察其毒性反应,为雷公藤甲素毒性机制的深入研究提供研究数据.方法：25只Beagle犬随机分为5组,分别为灌胃给药A组（高剂量,0.1 mg/kg）、B组（中剂量,0.08 mg/kg）、C组（低剂量,0.05mg/kg）,静脉给药D组（0.08 mg/kg）和空白对照组E组,连续给药14d,于给药第1、7和14天采集血样或组织样本供毒代动力学研究及毒性检查（血常规、血生化、病理切片）;14 d给药过程中进行临床症状观察.结果：雷公藤甲素给药后第1天和第14天,静注和口服药代参数均有所变化,静注AUC0-从145.86增加到276.24 ng· h·mL-1,CL从548.45降到301.89mL·h^-1·kg^-1;口服高剂量 AUC0-∞从 151.54 增加到289.98 ng·h·mL^-1,Cmax从44.49增加到75.26 ng/mL;口服中剂量AUC0-∞从37.78增加到61.65 ng· h·mL^-1,Cmax从44.49增加到75.26 ng/mL;口服低剂量AUC0-∞从67.92增加到143.98 ng·h·mL^-1,Cmax从24.05增加到38.07 ng/mL.MRT、T1/2延长.毒性观察结果显示,毒性呈剂量和时间相关性,均出现不同程度的胃肠道反应,肝功能受损,白细胞降低等.结论：本文探索性研究了雷公藤甲素在犬体内的毒代动力学的性质,提示胃肠道和肝脏可能是两个主要的毒性靶器官,同时研究发现给药途径对雷公藤甲素的安全性有较大影响.     

Pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin. 2nd communication: distribution to and elimination from tissues and organs following single or repeated administration of [14C]ciprofloxacin in albino rats

1-Cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1, 4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-[U-14C]piperazinyl)-3-quinoline carboxylic acid (ciprofloxacin, Bay o 9867; designated tradename: Ciprobay) was administered to male and to pregnant albino rats with single intravenous or oral doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight and with repeated oral doses of 5 mg/kg (7 consecutive daily administrations to male rats). Following a single intravenous administration the [14C]ciprofloxacin related radioactivity was distributed rapidly and differentiated to the body. Compared to plasma high concentrations were determined in kidney, liver, skeleton muscle, pancreas, testes and cartilage, low concentrations occurred in brain and adipose tissue. In some selected tissues radioactivity was largely due to unchanged [14C]ciprofloxacin (57% to 100%). A good penetration of total radioactivity into tissues and organs with a similar distribution pattern as detected after intravenous dosing also occurred after a single oral administration. Highest concentrations were determined 1 h after dosing. Compared to plasma most tissues and organs showed higher concentrations and higher AUC-values. For brain and eye low values were determined. Compared to plasma a longer mean residence time of radioactivity was calculated for brain, eye, eye-wall, testes and blood cells. 6 d after single administration the radioactive residues in the body exclusive gastrointestinal tract amounted to less than 0.1% of the dose. Following a seven-day treatment the distribution pattern of total radioactivity in the body did not differ essentially from that after single dosing. Compared to single dosing AUC-values higher by the factor 2 to 4 were calculated after repeated administration for plasma and most of the tissues and organs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of midazolam administered as a concentrated intranasal spray. A study in healthy volunteers

AIMS: To investigate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of midazolam administered as a concentrated intranasal spray, compared with intravenous midazolam, in healthy adult subjects. METHODS: Subjects were administered single doses of 5 mg midazolam intranasally and intravenously in a cross-over design with washout period of 1 week. The total plasma concentrations of midazolam and the metabolite 1-hydroxymidazolam after both intranasal and intravenous administration were described with a single pharmacokinetic model. beta-band EEG activity was recorded and related to midazolam plasma concentrations using an exponential pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. RESULTS: Administration of the intranasal spray led to some degree of temporary irritation in all six subjects, who nevertheless found intranasal administration acceptable and not painful. The mean (+/-s.d.) peak plasma concentration of midazolam of 71 (+/-25 ng ml-1) was reached after 14 (+/-5 min). Mean bioavailability following intranasal administration was 0.83+/-0.19. After intravenous and intranasal administration, the pharmacokinetic estimates of midazolam were: mean volume of distribution at steady state 1.11+/-0.25 l kg-1, mean systemic clearance 16.1+/-4.1 ml min-1 kg-1 and harmonic mean initial and terminal half lives 8.4+/-2.4 and 79+/-30 min, respectively. Formation of the 1-hydroxymetabolite after intranasal administration did not exceed that after intravenous administration. CONCLUSIONS: In this study in healthy volunteers a concentrated midazolam nasal spray was easily administered and well tolerated. No serious complications of the mode of administration or the drug itself were reported. Rapid uptake and high bioavailability were demonstrated. The potential of midazolam given via a nasal spray in the acute treatment of status epilepticus and other seizure disruptions should be evaluated.     

Kinetics of cocaine in humans after intravenous and intranasal administration

Cocaine kinetics were studied in four subjects after intravenous and intranasal administration. For intravenous administration cocaine hydrochloride (32 mg) dissolved in physiological saline was injected in 1 ml volume over a 1 min period. Intranasal cocaine was administered as 100mg powder consisting of an appropriate dose of cocaine hydrochloride (64 and 96 mg) mixed with lactose powder. Subjects were instructed to inhale the mixture through a 5 cm straw within 1 min. Cocaine kinetics, after intravenous injection, conform to a one-compartment open model with first-order elimination. After intranasal administration, cocaine kinetics conform to a one-compartment model with first-order absorpton and first-order elimination. The mean half-life of cocaine for intravenous injection in four subjects was 41·4±8·2 min (mean ± S.E.M.) and the range was 19 to 64min. There were statistically significant differences in the mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) following intravenous and intranasal administration. The AUC was dose-dependent and the fraction of the dose absorbed after 64mg intranasal cocaine was significantly lower than after 96 mg dose (p < 0·05).     

Pharmacokinetics ofl-propranolol during repetitive dosing in normal and uranyl nitrate-induced renal failure rats

The effect of experimental renal failure on the intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of l-propranolol was studied in rats. Renal failure was induced by a single intravenous injection of uranyl nitrate (5 mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out on the fifth day after injection of the renal toxin (renal failure group or saline (control group). Serum concentration time course of l-propranolol was characterized after a single intravenous or oral dose as well as after five consecutive doses of the drug given at 3-hr intervals. During repetitive intravenous drug administration, steady state was reached by the second dose, i.e., within 6hr after initiation of repetitive dosing. No significant difference in the serum concentration time course of l-propranotol was observed between control and renal failure animals. In both groups the AUCover the steady-state dosing interval was on the average 21–27%higher than the AUCafter a single dose, indicating a slight decrease in the systemic clearance of l-propranolol during repetitive intravenous drug administration. An approximately two- to three-fold higher serum l-propranolol concentration was observed in renal failure animals as compared to the normal controls after both single or repetitive oral dosing. The apparent reduction in oral clearance probably reflected an inhibition of the hepatic first-pass metabolism of l-propranolol in the renal failure rat. An unexpectedly high and protracted accumulation of serum l-propranolol concentration was observed during repetitive oral drug administration. Continuing accumulation was still evident after the fifth oral dose, i.e., a period of 15hr or approximately 10 half-lives. The mean AUCover the last dosing interval was 32.0 and 17.8 times higher than the predicted steady-state estimate based on single oral dose data for control and renal failure rats, respectively. The substantial reduction in the oral clearance during repetitive drug administration may be due to an auto-inhibition of l-propranolol metabolism.This work was supported by Grant HL-25797 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the National Institutes of Health.     

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a pGT2-VEGF plasmid DNA after administration in rats

Intramyocardial administration of gene therapy vectors expressing angiogenic factors have been attempted as an alternative to conventional surgical methods for the management of myocardial ischemia. In this study, we have developed the pGT2-VEGF, a plasmid DNA vector expressing human VEGF165, for the management of ischemic cardiovascular disease and investigated in vivo pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of pGT2-VEGF after intramyocardial and intravenous administration in rats. A high concentration of pGT2-VEGF was observed in the heart after intramyocardial injection of 300 microg, which is in line with the assumption that direct intramyocardial delivery enables extended localization at the administration site. Leakage of the pGT2-VEGF to the blood circulation was observed after intramyocardial injection, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 3.8 microg min/mL, as compared with 37.3 microg min/mL after intravenous injection of the same dose. The pGT2-VEGF concentration in blood peaked at 5 minutes after intramyocardial administration and declined rapidly to undetectable levels by 2 hours post-administration. In tissue distribution studies, pGT2-VEGF peaked at 5 minutes post-administration in various organs but was undetectable at 2 hours in all organs except heart, lung, and liver. Taken together, the results suggest that intramyocardial-delivered pGT2-VEGF was degraded rapidly in vivo and mainly persisted in target tissues, the heart. In addition, intramyocardial-administered pGT2-VEGF was expressed for longer periods than the persistence of the pGT2-VEGF plasmid DNA in a target tissue. Therefore, a direct myocardial injection of pGT2-VEGF might be useful for local therapeutic angiogenesis.