Dose-dependent metabolism and hepatic distribution of phenprocoumon in rats

The dose-dependency of phenprocoumon disposition was determined in rats by iv administration of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg doses to separate groups of animals. The intrinsic clearance (unbound clearance) was 33% lower in the animals given 1.0 mg/kg dose than in the animals given 0.1 mg/kg dose. The apparent unbound volume of distribution was 55% lower and the elimination rate constant 54% higher in the high dose group than in the lower dose group. Binding of phenprocoumon to liver showed saturability with a two- to threefold higher apparent unbound fraction of phenprocoumon in liver in animals given the high dose in comparison to animals given the low dose.     

The effect of liver cirrhosis on the pharmacokinetics of phenprocoumon

Summary Phenprocoumon was given orally to 9 patients with biopsy proven liver cirrhosis (dose range 0.12–0.25 mg/kg) and to 7 healthy volunteers (0.23 mg/kg). Concentrations of phenprocoumon were determined using HPLC in plasma and urine samples obtained for 6–7 days after drug administration. The binding of [³H]-phenprocoumon in plasma from all subjects was determined by equilibrium dialysis. Antipyrine plasma concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically following oral administration of antipyrine (1200 mg). The total body clearance of phenprocoumon was higher in the cirrhotic patients (1.64±0.16 ml/h/kg mean ± SEM) than in the healthy volunteers (0.90±0.07 ml/h/kg), however the free drug clearance was not significantly different in the patients (144±14 ml/h/kg) compared with normal (113±11 ml/h/kg). In contrast the clearance of antipyrine was much reduced in the cirrhotic group (17.5±2.9 ml/h/kg) compared with normal (35.6±3.9 ml/h/kg). The metabolic clearance of phenprocoumon via glucuronidation, is relatively unaffected during cirrhosis compared with antipyrine clearance via oxidation.     

Factors responsible for interindividual differences in the dose requirement of phenprocoumon

Summary The total and unbound plasma concentrations of phenprocoumon and the prothrombin complex activity were determined in 51 patients on phenprocoumon. A 7-fold difference in the dosing rate (10–70 μg/kg/day) was required to maintain the prothrombin complex activity at 11–30% of normal. The variation in dosing requirement was mainly due to inter-individual differences in the intrinsic clearance of phenprocoumon and only to a minor degree to differences in sensitivity to it. On average patients with myocardial infarction required only 2/3 of the daily dose of phenprocoumon of post cardiac surgery patients and patients with thrombosis and emboli. That difference appeared to be due to higher clearance in surgical patients and to greater resistance to phenprocoumon in patients with thrombosis and emboli. The total clearance in patients varied approximately 5-fold. It was better predicted by the interindividual intrinsic clearance (r=0.84) than by the unbound fraction (r=0.15).     

Reversal of stress-induced anhedonia by the dopamine receptor agonist,pramipexole

Chronic exposure to mild unpredictable stress has previously been found to depress the consumption of a palatable (1%) sucrose solution, and to attenuate food-induced place preference conditioning. In this study the effects of pramipexole (SND-919), a dopamine D₂ agonist, were studied during 7–9 weeks of chronic treatment. Pramipexole (1.0 mg/kg per day) reversed the suppression of sucrose intake in stressed animals, increasing sucrose intakes above the levels seen in untreated nonstressed controls. Pramipexole also increased sucrose intake in nonstressed animals; these effects were accompanied by increases in water intake and tended to correlate with weight loss. Drug-treated stressed animals also lost weight, but in this case water intake was unaffected. A second group of animals received a higher dose of pramipexole (2.0 mg/kg per day). The effects of the two doses were very similar. After three weeks of treatment, these animals were switched to a lower dose of pramipexole (0.1 mg/kg per day). Increases in sucrose intake were maintained over three weeks of treatment at the lower dose, with significant recovery of body weight. Two further groups received the same doses of pramipexole (1.0 mg/kg for 6 weeks or 2.0 mg/kg for 3 weeks followed by 0.1 mg/kg thereafter), but received intermittent (twice-weekly) drug treatment. Intermittent pramipexole treatments also tended to increase sucrose intakes, but the results were less consistent from week to week. Following 6–8 weeks of pramipexole treatment, food-induced place preference conditioning was studied in all animals. Untreated stressed animals showed no evidence of place conditioning. Normal conditioning was seen in both groups of stressed animals treated daily with pramipexole (at 1.0 and 0.1 mg/kg) and in the group treated twice weekly at the higher dose (1.0 mg/kg); intermittent treatment at the lower dose (0.1 mg/kg) was ineffective. The results indicate that pramipexole exerts rapid anti-anhedonic effects in the chronic mild stress model. This conclusion is complicated, but not undermined, by drug-induced weight loss and by the presence of significant drug effects in nonstressed control animals.     

Interaction of phenylbutazone with racemic phenprocoumon and its enantiomers in rats

The interaction of phenylbutazone with the enantiomers and racemic [ ³ H]phenprocoumon was studied in male inbred Wistar-Lewis rats following a single i.v. dose of the three forms of phenprocoumon and chronic oral treatment with phenylbutazone (average plasma concentration of about 60 g/ml). Phenylbutazone augmented the anticoagulant effect of R(+), S(–), and R, S (±) phenprocoumon to a similar extent. The free fraction of drug in the plasma of the enantiomers and racemic phenprocoumon increased in the presence of phenylbutazone. However, the rate of elimination of total drug from plasma and liver and the distribution between liver and plasma of all three forms of phenprocoumon remained nearly unaffected by phenylbutazone. Thus there is no evidence for a stereoselective drug interaction between phenprocoumon and phenyl-butazone. For racemic [ ³ H]phenprocoumon it was possible to follow the kinetics of free drug in plasma and liver along with the time course of anticoagulant activity. In these studies, free drug concentrations in plasma and liver increased during treatment with phenylbutazone, but the elimination rate constant of free racemic phenprocoumon in plasma and liver remained essentially unchanged. Phenylbutazone markedly decreased the volume of distribution referenced to free drug and the clearance of free phenprocoumon (i.e., intrinsic metabolic clearance). Whereas the total (bound and unbound) drug concentration-effect relationship in plasma and liver was shifted to the left in rats treated with phenylbutazone, such shift was not seen in the free drug concentration-response relationship. In conclusion, the increase in the free concentration of phenprocoumon in plasma and liver and the concomitant decrease in the clearance of free drug are the mechanisms responsible for the marked and sustained enhancement of the anticoagulant effect which follows treatment with phenbutazone.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Disposition of Azole Antifungal Agents. II. Hepatic Binding and Clearance of Dichlorophenyl-Bis-triazolylpropanol (DTP) in the Rat

DTP (dichlorophenyl-bis-triazolylpropanol) was evaluated as a probe of drug-cytochromes P450 interactions in vitro and in vivo. Studies with rat liver microsomes demonstrate that DTP shows similar P450 binding affinity to its analog, ketoconazole, as determined by P450 difference spectra and inhibition of the metabolism of methoxycoumarin. As a more polar azole, DTP shows less affinity for rat plasma albumin (fraction unbound 0.56) than ketoconazole (fraction unbound 0.037). DTP metabolism is simpler than that of ketoconazole, with only one pathway, N-dealkylation which removes a triazole ring to yield DTP glycol. This primary metabolite is further metabolised to a carboxylic acid, a glycol glucuronide and a third unknown secondary metabolite (probably an acid glucuronide). Over a dose range of 0.1-24mg/kg there is complete mass balance recovery in urine via the five metabolites and unchanged drug. However DTP metabolism is dose dependent and while the affinity of DTP for the cytochromes P450 carrying out the initial dealkylation is high (1.5 µM based on unbound blood concentration), the capacity of the reaction is low (1nmole/min). Under linear conditions, metabolic clearance is low (19ml/h), but ten-fold higher than renal clearance. The liver is the major distribution site for both DTP and ketoconazole. At low DTP concentrations, a specific high affinity process dominates the hepatic binding of DTP resulting in a liver:blood partition coefficient of approximately 30. Hepatic binding is concentration dependent and the progressive decrease in partition coefficient observed as the dose of DTP is escalated is coincident with a decrease in volume of distribution. The two saturable processes involved in the disposition of DTP result in an unusual concentration dependency in the blood concentration-time profile of this azole. Following administration of a high dose (l0mg/kg) of DTP the log concentration-time profile is sigmoidal. At high concentrations (above 1mg/L) both the N-dealkylation and the hepatic binding of DTP are saturated, but as concentrations fall to approximately 0.05mg/L the former process becomes linear and the time profile is convex over this concentration range. At later times as DTP concentrations decline further, the tissue binding also reaches the linear region and the time profile becomes concave. Only at low concentrations (below 0.05mg/L) do both processes become first order and the true half life is evident.     

Comparisons of the toxicokinetic parameters in rats determined for low and high dose of gamma-chlordane

Toxicokinetic parameters of gamma-chlordane (GCD) after oral administration of various doses of radio-labelled GCD (50 micrograms/kg-10 mg/kg) were compared. Absorption of GCD were about 80% in both 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg groups. Distributions of GCD (50 micrograms/kg and 10 mg/kg) into the liver and kidney were rapid and those into adipose tissues were relatively slow. Concentrations of GCD in adipose tissues became highest at 16 hr after administration and became about 10 times more than those in the liver. The initial concentrations of GCD calculated by two-compartment open model in high dose group (10 mg/kg) were about 200-300 times higher than those in low dose group (50 micrograms/kg). Half lives of GCD in low dose group had a tendency to be a little longer than those in high dose group. This difference seemed to be caused by the accumulation of oxychlordane in low dose group.     

ELIMINATION OF DIFLUNISAL AS ITS ACYL GLUCURONIDE, PHENOLIC GLUCURONIDE AND SULFATE CONJUGATES IN BILE-EXTERIORIZED AND INTACT RATS

1. The disposition of diflunisal (DF) was investigated in both bile-exteriorized and intact rats given 10 and 100 mg/kg doses intravenously (i.v.). 2. In addition to the phenolic glucuronide (DPG) and acyl glucuronide (DAG) conjugates, the sulfate conjugate (DS) was found to be a major metabolite. The glucuronides were excreted preferentially in bile, whereas DS was excreted almost exclusively in urine. 3. In bile-exteriorized animals, recoveries of DPG, DAG and DS in bile were 12.2%, 23.8%, 0.4%, respectively, and in urine, 10.3%, 5.6% and 15.2%, respectively, at the 10 mg/kg dose; and in bile, 11.3%, 41.6% and 1.0% respectively, and urine 2.9%, 1.1% and 17.0%, respectively, at the 100 mg/kg dose. 4. Total plasma clearance of DF and formation clearance of DF to DPG were reduced at the higher dose, suggesting saturation of this glucuronidation pathway. Formation clearances of DF to DAG and DS were little affected by the dose change. 5. Considerable enterohepatic recirculation of DF was apparent from the prolongation of DF and its conjugates in plasma of rats with an intact bile flow into the gut. The net metabolic effect of such cycling was enhancement of overall DS formation, from 15.6% and 18.0% of the 10 and 100 mg/kg doses, respectively, in bile-exteriorized rats to 28.5% and 42.1% of the doses respectively, in the intact animals.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of coumarin anticoagulants XLIII: Concentration-dependent hepatic uptake of warfarin in rats

The purpose of this study was to determine if hepatic warfarin uptake, which has a major quantitative effect on warfarin distribution in rats, is concentration dependent. Adult male rats received either 0.1 or 1.0 mg of racemic warfarin/kg iv and were killed 6 hr later. With increasing dose, the concentrations of free and total (free plus protein-bound) serum warfarin increased much more than proportionally, and the total warfarin concentration in the liver increased much less than proportionally. The liver to serum total warfarin concentration ratios 6 hr after injection of the 0.1- and 1.0-mg/kg doses were 11.3 +/- 1.7 and 0.814 +/- 0.222, respectively (mean +/- SD, n = 6, p less than 0.001). The ratio of the total drug concentration in the liver to the free drug concentration in serum (mean +/- SD) was 866 +/- 105 in animals that received the 0.1-mg/kg dose and 111 +/- 42 in animals that received the 1.0-mg/kg dose (p less than 0.001). It is concluded that hepatic warfarin uptake decreases with increasing drug concentration and that this may cause the apparent volume of distribution of warfarin to decrease with increasing dose in rats.     

Oxytocin increases the survival of musculocutaneous flaps

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oxytocin on survival of musculocutaneous flaps in male Sprague-Dawley rats. For this purpose oxytocin (0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg), an oxytocin antagonist (1-deamino-2-D-Tyr-(OEt)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin) (1.0 mg/kg) alone or in combination with oxytocin (1.0 mg/kg) or saline was given subcutaneously (s.c.), 24 hours and 1 hour before and 24 hours after flap surgery. In addition, oxytocin (1 μg/kg) or saline was given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) according to the same schedule. Six days after surgery the amount of viable tissue was measured. Oxytocin 1.0 (but not 0.1) mg/kg s.c. and 1.0 μg/kg i.c.v. increased survival of the flaps (s.c.: 13.8±14.6% versus 6.10±5.45%; p<0.05 and i.c.v.: 25.5±14.0% versus 10.3±5.79%; p<0.01). This effect was abolished by the oxytocin antagonist. Furthermore, the oxytocin-treated rats had significantly higher plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (p<0.05). These data indicate that oxytocin increases the survival of musculocutaneous flaps. The effect seems to be exerted within the central nervous system since a 1000 fold lower dose of oxytocin given i.c.v. increased flap survival to the same extent as the s.c. given dose. IGF-1 might be one of the mediators of this effect. Received: 18 December 1997 / Accepted: 18 March 1998     

Age-dependent differences in the anticoagulant effect of phenprocoumon in patients after heart valve surgery

Objective: An enhanced response to warfarin and an increased risk of major bleeding has been observed in older patients. The reason for this increase in sensitivity remains unknown. It could be due to pharmacodynamic reasons, pharmacokinetic reasons, or both. Methods: We therefore followed an anticoagulant regimen with phenprocoumon in 19 older (76 years) and 19 younger patients (50 years) following heart valve replacement. INR values were determined frequently. At the 4th and around the 24th day after starting treatment with phenprocoumon, we also measured the total and unbound plasma concentration of phenprocoumon. Results: The dose requirement to obtain the desired anticoagulant effect was significantly lower in the older patients than in the younger patients (26.3 vs. 37.3 μg · kg⁻¹ · day⁻¹). The total plasma concentration (2.19 vs. 2.43 μg · ml⁻¹), the percentage unbound drug in the plasma (0.61 vs. 0.64%) and the unbound plasma concentration (13.8 vs. 15.1 ng · ml⁻¹) did not differ significantly between older and younger patients. The dose-adjusted INR (INR/dose) was higher in the older patients (110 vs. 67) but the INR adjusted for the unbound plasma concentration (INR/C_uss) which reflects the intrinsic sensitivity to the drug, was not significantly different (192 vs. 173). However, the older patients had an about 30% significantly lower metabolic clearance based on unbound drug (84 vs. 115 ml · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹). Conclusions: Older patients (> 70 years) require a dose approximately 30% lower than younger patients (< 160␣years). Pharmacokinetic reasons (reduced metabolic clearance) are mainly responsible for the lower dose requirement of the older patients after heart valve surgery. Received: 23 August 1996 / Accepted November 11 1996     

Lack of carcinogenicity of chlorpyrifos insecticide in a high-dose, 2-year dietary toxicity study in Fischer 344 rats.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) was administered daily in the feed to evaluate toxicity and oncogenicity potential in male and female Fischer 344 rats, according to U.S. EPA guidelines. Doses for the 2-year study were based on findings in a 13-week feeding study in which lower body weights, urinary perineal staining, adrenal cortical vacuolization, and inhibition (slightly more than 60%) of brain cholinesterase (ChE) occurred at 15 mg/kg/day. The high dose in the subsequent 2-year study was 10 mg/kg/day, with lower doses of 0, 0.05, 0.1, or 1.0 mg/kg/day chosen to define dose-response patterns. Rats given 10 mg/kg/day for 2 years were healthy and there was no evidence of premature deaths. Mild toxicity occurred only in rats given 10 mg/kg/day and consisted of perineal urine soiling in females and a 6-8% body-weight decrease in males. Males given 10 mg/kg/day also had increased adrenal weights and vacuolation of the adrenal zona fasciculata. ChE was considered a measure of exposure. Plasma, RBC, and brain ChE activities were inhibited in rats given 10 mg/kg/day, and the plasma and RBC ChE activities were inhibited in rats given 1.0 mg/kg/day. Chronic exposure to 0.1 mg/kg/day was considered a threshold exposure level for inhibition of plasma ChE. Rats given 10 mg/kg/day, considered a maximum-tolerated dose, had approximately 60% chronic inhibition of brain ChE. This group had similar numbers and types of neoplasms as control rats. Consequently, CPF was not carcinogenic at dose levels up to 10 mg/kg/day.     

内毒素血症通过下调HNF4α表达加剧肝损伤

目的 探讨内毒素血症下调肝细胞核因子4α（HNF4α）表达介导肝损伤进展的机制。方法 144只BALB/c小鼠采用随机数字表法分组进行以下实验：（1）四氯化碳（CCl₄）诱导小鼠急性肝损伤。对照组和0.5 mL/kg、1.0 mL/kg、2.0 mL/kg CCl₄组。（2）筛选脂多糖（LPS）干预小鼠的剂量。对照组和0.1 mg/kg、0.5 mg/kg、2.5 mg/kg LPS组。（3）LPS干预CCl₄（1.0 mL/kg）诱导急性肝损伤模型小鼠。对照组、CCl₄组、0.1 mg/kg LPS+CCl₄组、0.5 mg/kg LPS+CCl₄组。每组12只。诱导24 h后处死小鼠,采用酶速率法检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）,重氮法检测总胆红素（TBil）水平;Western blot法检测肝组织HNF4α、胱天蛋白酶3剪切体（Cleaved caspase-3）蛋白表达;原位末端标记法检测肝细胞凋亡情况。结果 0.5、1.0、2.0 mL/kg CCl₄组的血清ALT、TBil及肝组织HNF4α、Cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平高于对照组,且呈剂量依赖性增高。2.5 mg/kg LPS组血清ALT、TBil及肝组织Cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平高于对照组和0.1、0.5 mg/kg LPS组,肝组织HNF4α蛋白表达水平低于对照组和0.1、0.5 mg/kg LPS组（P<0.05）。CCl₄组和0.1、0.5 mg/kg LPS+CCl₄组的血清ALT、TBil,肝组织HNF4α、Cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平及肝细胞凋亡指数均高于对照组（P<0.05）;0.1、0.5 mg/kg LPS+CCl₄组的血清ALT、TBil,肝组织Cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平及肝细胞凋亡指数高于CCl₄组,HNF4α蛋白表达水平低于CCl₄组（P<0.05）。结论 内毒素血症通过下调HNF4α表达增加肝细胞凋亡,可能是其介导肝损伤进展的机制之一。     

Use of Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) in inflammatory pain models: Consequences on the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of the non-peptidic delta receptor agonist SNC80 in the rat

This study was initiated to characterize the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of SNC80 in rats and to evaluate the impact of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced inflammation on its body disposition. In vitro, the disappearance and intrinsic clearance (CL_int) of SNC80 were measured following incubations in recombinant rat CYPs and in phenotyped liver microsomes from naive and 24-h FCA-treated rats. The unbound fraction (f_u) was assessed by ultrafiltration. Based on the Clint values, in vivo blood clearance of 3.35 and 2.48 L/h/kg were predicted in naive and FCA-treated rats. In vivo, SNC80 was administered to naive and 24-h FCA-treated rats at 10?µmol/kg i.v. and 50?µmol/kg p.o. The naive animals showed high plasma clearance (3.1 L/h/kg), low renal clearance (<0.02 L/h/kg) and poor bioavailability (<4%). Following i.v. administration, plasma clearance was lower (22%) in FCA-treated vs. untreated rats. Despite the decreases in f_u (～30%) and CL_int (～40%) in vitro, in vivo the apparent bioavailability and oral clearance were not significantly different between FCA-treated and naive rats. Hepatic and possibly intestinal losses contribute to the low bioavailability of SNC80. Non-hepatic mechanisms may compensate for the decrease in plasma clearance found in FCA-treated rats, preventing an increase in the oral bioavailability of SNC80.     

Comparison of Acute Cardiovascular Effects of Cadmium and Captopril in Relation to Oxidant and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Activity in Rats

Abstract

Cadmium (0.1, 0.32, 1.0 mg/kg i.v.) produced dose dependent hypertensive response in pentobarbitone anesthetized Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats. The peak hypertensive effect was observed within 15 min of cadmium administration. This response gradually decreased over 1-h observation period. Heart rate did not change significantly. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased with cadmium administration. The lower dose of cadmium (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) increased serum MDA to 0.14 ± 0.02 nmol/mL as compared to 0.12 ± 0.01 nmol/mL in the control group and was not statistically significant. However, mid (0.32 mg/kg i.v.) and high doses (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) raised serum MDA levels significantly (P<0.01). Cadmium inhibited serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels at all the three tested doses and was statistically significant (P<0.01). Captopril (1.0, 3.2 mg/kg i.v.) produced a dose dependent mild hypotensive response. The peak effect was observed within 5 min. Cadmium produced inhibition of serum ACE levels, however, a dose response effect was not observed. Captopril (3.2 mg/kg i.v.) decreased serum ACE levels to 5.4 ± 1.1 U/mL (control levels 10.7 ± 1.4 U/mL). Serum MDA levels were decreased by captopril treatment. A correlation between serum ACE and MDA following higher dose of cadmium was found. These results indicate that acute administration of cadmium, an inorganic blocker of ACE and calcium channels cadmium produced hypertensive response while captopril produced mild hypotensive response in rats.     

Low doses of naloxone and MIF-1 peptides increases fluid consumption in rats

Three studies were done with albino rats to determine the effects of low doses of opiate antagonists on fluid intake. In Experiment 1, male rats were deprived of water for 12 hr and then randomly injected IP with 0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg of naloxone. Ten min later they were given free access to a 20% sucrose solution and consumption was measured for the next 30 and 60 min on 2 consecutive days. Only animals injected with 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg drank significantly less than controls. The other doses were not reliably different from controls but on Day 1 animals injected with 0.01 mg/kg of naloxone drank slightly more than controls. Experiment 2 followed the same procedure with lower doses of 0.0, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mg/kg of naloxone. Although the effect of 0.1 mg/kg of naloxone was again not significant, this time animals injected with 0.001 and 0.01 mg/kg of naloxone consumed reliably more fluid than controls. Experiment 3 extended the findings to a peptide with opiate antagonistic properties and its analogs. Male and female rats were randomly assigned to receive an IP injection of 0.0, 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 mg/kg of naloxone, MIF-1 (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂), the pGlu analog (pGlu-Leu-Gly-NH₂), or Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂). Measurement of intake occurred every 30 min or 600 min. Consumption was significantly increased. Rats injected with MIF-1 drank the most, followed in order by those injected with the pGlu analog, naloxone, Tyr-MIF-1, and controls. Dose was also reliable in a dose-dependent fashion, with animals receiving the lowest dose of 0.01 mg/kg drinking the most. None of the groups drank less than the controls. Sex was also significant in interactions with substance and dose. The results suggest that in some situations low doses of opiate antagonists may facilitate fluid consumption even though high doses are known to suppress the same behavior. The data also support the role of MIF-1 and MIF-1 analogs as opiate antagonists.     

Effect of altered albumin concentrations on elimination of unbound prazosin in vivo in the rat and in the isolated perfused rat liver

Albumin is known to affect the intrinsic clearance of many compounds in the isolated perfused rat liver, but little is known of its effect in vivo. The influence of decreased albumin concentrations on clearance of unbound prazosin and intrinsic clearance of prazosin was therefore studied in vivo in rats that had undergone plasmapheresis. An approximate 30% reduction in the plasma albumin concentration was achieved in animals not given plasma expanders and an approximate 50% reduction was achieved in animals given Ficol 70 as a plasma expander. No differences were seen in the intrinsic clearances or in the clearances of unbound prazosin between control animals and plasmapheretic animals. The reason for this lack of effect is apparent from parallel studies in isolated perfused rat livers. An increase in the clearance of unbound prazosin of 27% was seen when the albumin concentration was increased from 0 to 30 microM, and of 49% when the concentration of albumin was increased to 90 microM, with no further increase at higher albumin concentration. These results, therefore, suggest that changes in the albumin plasma concentrations normally encountered clinically may have little effect on the intrinsic elimination of drugs.     

A Study of Carry-Over and Histopathological Effects after Chronic Dietary Intake of Citrinin in Pigs,Broiler Chickens and Laying Hens

Citrinin (CIT) is a polyketide mycotoxin occurring in a variety of food and feedstuff, among which cereal grains are the most important contaminated source. Pigs and poultry are important livestock animals frequently exposed to mycotoxins, including CIT. Concerns are rising related to the toxic, and especially the potential nephrotoxic, properties of CIT. The purpose of this study was to clarify the histopathological effects on kidneys, liver, jejunum and duodenum of pigs, broiler chickens and laying hens receiving CIT contaminated feed. During 3 weeks, pigs (n = 16) were exposed to feed containing 1 mg CIT/kg feed or to control feed (n = 4), while 2 groups of broiler chickens and laying hens (n = 8 per group) received 0.1 mg CIT/kg feed (lower dose group) and 3 or 3.5 mg CIT/kg feed (higher dose group), respectively, or control feed (n = 4). CIT concentrations were quantified in plasma, kidneys, liver, muscle and eggs using a validated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method. Kidneys, liver, duodenum and jejunum were evaluated histologically using light microscopy, while the kidneys were further examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histopathology did not reveal major abnormalities at the given contamination levels. However, a significant increase of swollen and degenerated mitochondria in renal cortical cells from all test groups were observed (p < 0.05). These observations could be related to oxidative stress, which is the major mechanism of CIT toxicity. Residues of CIT were detected in all collected tissues, except for muscle and egg white from layers in the lowest dose group, and egg white from layers in the highest dose group. CIT concentrations in plasma ranged between 0.1 (laying hens in lower dose group) and 20.8 ng/mL (pigs). In tissues, CIT concentrations ranged from 0.6 (muscle) to 20.3 µg/kg (liver) in pigs, while concentrations in chickens ranged from 0.1 (muscle) to 70.2 µg/kg (liver). Carry-over ratios from feed to edible tissues were between 0.1 and 2% in pigs, and between 0.1 and 6.9% in chickens, suggesting a low contribution of pig and poultry tissue-derived products towards the total dietary CIT intake for humans.     

用小鼠急性死亡率法测定山莨菪碱的表观药动学参数

用小白鼠急性死亡率法测定了山莨菪碱ip时的经时过程和药动学参数。山莨菪碱在小鼠体内的经时过程为二室开放模型,1.5h之前为分布相,1.5h之后为消除相。用最小二乘法和残余量法求得α、β、A和B四项表现动力学参数分别为3.608h~(-1),0.238h~(-1),529mg/kg(200.2％)和 95mg/kg(35.9％);按药动学公式分别求得分布相表观半寿期(t_(1/2)α)和消除相表现半寿期(t_(1/2)β)为0.2h和2.9h,表观转运速率常数k_(12),k_(21)和k_(10)分别为1.952h~(-1),0.749h~(-1)和1.144h~(-1);表观曲线下面积(AUC)是546mg.h/kg;表观清除率(CI)是0.48kg/(kg.h),表观分布容积V_c,V_p,V_t,和V_b分别为0.42kg/kg,1.10kg/kg,1.53kg/kg和2.04kg/kg.     

A chronic toxicity study of josamycin in F344 rats.

The chronic toxicity of josamycin was examined in Fischer 344 (F344) rats. Groups of 10 males and 10 females were given the test compound in the diet at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.02, 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5% for 52 weeks. Daily intake of josamycin was 0, 10, 50, 260 and 1310 mg/kg body weight in males and 0, 10, 60, 290 and 1460 mg/kg body weight in females, respectively. Body weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the male 2.5% group but no noticeable changes were found in food intake. In hematological examination, the platelet count was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the male groups given 0.02% or more of josamycin and in the 2.5% female group as compared with the control group values in a dose-dependent manner. In serum biochemical examination, blood urea nitrogen was significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) higher in males given 0.5 and 2.5% and total bilirubin was significantly (P<0.05) higher in females receiving 2.5% as compared with those of the control group. No death occurred at any dose levels during the dosing period. At necropsy, with the exception of cecal enlargement in the groups given more than 0.1% josamysin and a significant (P<0.01) increase in the relative liver weight of females in the 2.5% group, no particular findings related to the administration were observed. Histopathologically, the incidence and severity of liver bile duct proliferation in female 2.5% group were significantly (P<0.01) greater than those of the control group. Other histological changes found in the treated and control groups were similar to the spontaneous lesions in this strain of rats in terms of the incidence and severity. Interestingly, the josamycin treatment reduced the development of altered liver cell foci in females in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, it is concluded that, under the present experimental conditions, josamycin induces bile duct proliferation in female F344 rats at a high dose of 1460 mg/kg body weight. Based on the decrease of platelet count found in males given 10 mg/kg body weight or more, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was estimated to be less than 10 mg/kg body weight.