Disposition and metabolism of indeloxazine hydrochloride, a cerebral activator, in rats

1. The disposition and metabolism of indeloxazine hydrochloride ((+/-)-2-[(inden-7-yloxy)methyl]morpholine hydrochloride) were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. After oral administration of 14C-indeloxazine hydrochloride, the plasma concentration of total radioactivity reached a maximum at 15 min and declined with an apparent half-life of 2.2 h in the first 6 h period and declined more slowly thereafter. Unchanged drug in the plasma represented 13.5%, 5.9% and 0.4% of the total radioactivity at 15 min, 1 h and 6 h respectively after administration and levels decayed with a half-life of 0.9 h. 3. After oral and i.v. administration of the labelled compound, the urinary and faecal excretion of radioactivity in 72 h were 61-65% and 31-36% of the dose, respectively. Biliary excretion in bile duct-cannulated animals amounted to 49% of the dose in 72 h. 4. Seven metabolites have been isolated from the plasma or urine and characterized by i.r., n.m.r. and mass spectrometry. They were derived through dihydrodiol formation in the indene ring, hydroxylation of the indene ring and N-acetylation, oxidation and oxidative degradation of the morpholine ring. Some metabolites were excreted as their glucuronic acid or glucose conjugates. The major metabolite appeared to the trans-indandiol analogue of indeloxazine. 5. Possible metabolic pathways of degradation of the morpholine ring are discussed.     

Disposition and metabolism of amosulalol hydrochloride,a new combined α- and β-adrenoceptor blocking agent,in rats,dogs and monkeys

1. The disposition and metabolism of amosulalol hydrochloride, a combined α- and β-adrenoceptor blocking agent, were studied in rats, dogs and monkeys.

2. After oral administration of [¹⁴C]amosulalol hydrochloride, the plasma concentration of radioactivity reached a maximum at 05 to 1 h in all species and declined with half-lives of about 2 h in both rats and monkeys, and of about 4 h in dogs. The ratios of unchanged drug to total radioactivity in the rat and dog plasma were 8 and 43% at 05 h after administration, respectively. The radioactivity in the rat tissues was high in the liver, kidney, blood and pancreas after oral administration.

3. Following oral dosage, the urinary excretion of radioactivity was 26-34% of the dose in rats, 45% in dogs and 46% in monkeys in 48 h. The biliary excretion after oral dosage amounted to 66% and 41% in rats and dogs, respectively.

4. Six metabolites were isolated and identified from the urine of rats and dogs. They were derived from one or two of the following pathways: I, hydroxylation of the 2-methyl group of the methylbenzenesulphonamide ring; II, demethylation of the o-methoxy group of the methoxyphenoxy ring; III, hydroxylation at the 4 or 5 position of the methoxy-phenoxy ring; IV, oxidative cleavage of the C—N bond yielding o-methoxyphenoxy acetic acid. Moreover, some metabolites were metabolized to glucuronide or sulphate.     

Metabolic disposition of gefitinib,an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor,in rat,dog and man

1.?Following oral administration of [¹⁴C]-gefitinib to albino and pigmented rats, radioactivity was widely and rapidly distributed, with the highest levels being found in liver, kidney, lung and gastrointestinal tract, but with only low levels penetrating the brain. Levels of radioactivity persisted in melanin-containing tissues (pigmented eye and skin).

2.?Binding to plasma proteins was high (86–94%) across the range of species examined and was 91% in human plasma. Substantial binding occurred to both human serum albumin and α-1 acid glycoprotein.

3.?Following oral and intravenous administration of [¹⁴C]-gefitinib, excretion of radioactivity by rat, dog and human occurred predominantly via the bile into faeces, with <7% of the dose being eliminated in urine.

4.?In all three species, gefitinib was cleared primarily by metabolism. In rat, morpholine ring oxidation was the major route of metabolism, leading to the formation of M537194 and M608236 as the main biliary metabolites. Morpholine ring oxidation, together with production of M523595 by O-demethylation of the quinazoline moiety, were the predominant pathways in dog, with oxidative defluorination also occurring to a lesser degree.

5.?Pathways in healthy human volunteers were similar to dog, with O-demethylation and morpholine ring oxidation representing the major routes of metabolism.     

Absorption,metabolism and excretion of tamsulosin hydrochloride in man

1. The absorption, excretion and metabolism of tamsulosin hydrochloride (TMS), a potent α₁-adrenoceptor blocking agent, were studied in four healthy male subjects after a single oral administration of ¹⁴C-TMS at a dose of 0·2?mg.

2. Plasma and blood radioactivity concentrations attained peak levels (C_max) within 1?h after dosing and then declined biphasically. Mean terminal elimination half-lives were 11·8?h for plasma and 9·1?h for blood. The respective mean area under the radioactivity concentration-time curves (AUC_0-∞) were 122·8 and 57·8 ng equivalents h/ml.

3. Mean plasma C_max of unchanged TMS was 13·0 ng/ml. Plasma levels of TMS declined biphasically. Mean terminal elimination half-life and AUC_0-∞ were 8·4?h and 90·3 ng h/ml. The percentage of unchanged TMS to total radioactivity was 91% for C_max and 74% for AUC_0-∞ indicating small amounts of metabolites in plasma.

4. By 1 week post-dosing, 76·4% of the administered radioactivity was recovered in urine and 21·4% in faeces. The major part of radioactivity excreted in urine was recovered within the first 24?h (62·2% of the dose).

5. Unchanged TMS and 11 metabolites in 0-24-h urine samples were quantified. TMS accounted for 8·7% of the dose. Extensive excretion of the sulphate of the O-deethylated metabolite (M-1-Sul) and o-ethoxyphenoxy acetic acid (AM-1) was seen, accounting for 15·7 and 7·5% of the dose respectively.     

Absorption,metabolism and excretion after oral administration of a new Ca antagonist, 14C-benidipine hydrochloride to man

1. In healthy male volunteers, the absorption, metabolite profiles and excretion of Cbenidipine hydrochloride, a new Ca antagonist, were investigated after oral administration at a dose of 8?mg. 2. C-benidipine hydrochloride was rapidly absorbed, and the plasma concentration of radioactivity and unchanged drug reached a maximum of 71 2 ng eq. ml at 1 1?h and 2 56 ng ml at 0 6?h respectively, and then declined bi-exponentially. The half-life in the elimination phase was 14 7 and 5 3?h respectively. AUC of unchanged drug was low, about 1% of that of radioactivity. 3. Five days after administration,36 4% of the administered radioactivity was excreted in urine and 58 9% in faeces. 4. The metabolite profiles in plasma, urine and faeces were analysed by hplc. At 1?h after administration the predominant metabolites in plasma were M9 and M2, which accounted for 13 8 and 8 2% of the radioactivity respectively, whereas unchanged drug represented 1 2%. Predominant metabolites in urine 12?h after administration were M3 andM8,whichaccountedfor2 22and2 21%oftheadministeredradioactivityrespectively. Metabolites excreted in faeces 120?h after administration were very complex and poorly separated by hplc and could not be characterized: unchanged drug was not detected in the faeces.     

Species Differences in Metabolism of Tiaramide Hydrochloride,a New Anti-inflammatory Agent

1. Urinary excretion of the radioactivity in 24?h after oral administration of [¹⁴C]tiaramide hydrochloride was 67% of the dose in mice, 59% in rats, 41% in dogs and 74% in monkeys.

2. The serum half-lives of tiaramide after intravenous administration were approximately 0·2?h in mice, 0·8?h in rats and 0·5?h in dogs.

3. Marked species variations were noted in the composition of metabolites in the serum and urinary radioactivity. The major metabolites found were 1-[(5-chloro-2-oxo-3(2H)-benzothiazolyl)acetyl]-piperazine (DETR) and 4-[(5-chloro-2-oxo-3(2H)-benzothiazolyl)acetyl]-1-piperazineacetic acid (TRAA) in mice, TRAA and 4-[(5-chloro-2-oxo-3(2H)-benzothiazolyl)acetyl]-1-pipera-zineethanol 1-oxide (TRNO) in rats, TRNO and tiaramide-O-glucuronide (TR-O-Glu) in dogs, and TRAA and TR-O-Glu in monkeys.

4. The binding of tiaramide to plasma protein of the various species of animals and human was about 24–34% and the extent of the binding of tiaramide to human plasma protein was independent of drug concentration within the range of 1–100 μM.     

Studies on Metabolism of Trazodone,I. Metabolic Fate of [14C]Trazodone Hydrochloride in Rats

Abstract

1. One of the main metabolites of [¹⁴C]trazodone hydrochloride by rat liver in vitro is hydroxylated trazodone.

2. [¹⁴C]Trazodone HCI is absorbed very rapidly and the blood level of radioactivity attains a maximum within 15 min after oral administration of 4 mg/kg to rats and thereafter decreases rapidly.

3. Urinary and faecal excretions of radioactivity are 49.0 and 46.1% of the dose respectively, during the first 7 days after ingestion, and biliary excretion is 80.0% in 8 h.

4. After oral administration of [¹⁴C]trazodone HCI to rats the main metabolites in urine and bile are hydroxylated trazodone, β-{3-oxo-s-triazolo[4,3a]-pyridin-2-yl}-propionic acid and their glucuronides.

5. Unchanged and hydroxylated trazodone alone are present in brain of rats after oral administration (20 mg/kg); both compounds in brain decrease with similar half-lives to those in plasma.     

Absorption,distribution, metabolism and excretion of gemigliptin,a novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor,in rats

Abstract

1.?The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of a novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor, gemigliptin, were examined following single oral administration of ¹⁴C-labeled gemigliptin to rats.

2.?The ¹⁴C-labeled gemigliptin was rapidly absorbed after oral administration, and its bioavailability was 95.2% (by total radioactivity). Distribution to specific tissues other than the digestive organs was not observed. Within 7 days after oral administration, 43.6% of the administered dose was excreted via urine and 41.2% was excreted via feces. Biliary excretion of the radioactivity was about 17.7% for the first 24?h. After oral administration of gemigliptin to rats, the in vivo metabolism of gemigliptin was investigated with bile, urine, feces, plasma and liver samples.

3.?The major metabolic pathway was hydroxylation, and the major circulating metabolites were a dehydrated metabolite (LC15-0516) and hydroxylated metabolites (LC15-0635 and LC15-0636).     

Disposition and metabolism of (2S,3S,4R)-N′′-cyano-N-(6-amino-3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-dimethoxy methyl-2H-benzopyran-4-yl)-N′-benzylguanidine,a novel neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage,in rats

The metabolism and disposition of KR31378 (a benzopyran derivative and a novel neuroprotective agent) were investigated following single oral or intravenous administration of [¹⁴C]-KR31378 to rats. [¹⁴C]-KR31378 was rapidly absorbed after oral dosing with an oral bioavailability of greater than 71%. The maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve of total radioactivity in rat plasma increased proportionally to the administered dose. KR31378 was distributed over all organs and tissues except for brain, eyeball and testis, and declined by first order kinetics up to 24?h after dosing. Excretion of the radioactivity was 29.5% of the dose in the urine and 58.5% in the feces within 2 days after oral administration. Biliary excretion of the radioactivity in bile duct-cannulated rats was about 66.0% for the first 24?h. KR31378 was extensively metabolized by ring hydroxylation, O-demethylation, oxidation and reduction with subsequent N-acetylation and O-glucuronide conjugation. N-acetylated conjugates (M2, M10, M11, M12, M14, and M15) were identified as the predominant metabolites in rats.     

Absorption,Excretion and Metabolism of a New Dihydropyridine Diester Cerebral Vasodilator in Rats and Dogs

1. After oral administration of [¹⁴C]dihydropyridine diester, the plasma concn. of radioactivity was similar in rats and dogs, reaching a maximum at 0·5 to 1?h and decreasing with a half life of about 3·5 h. The plasma concn. of unmetabolized drug in dogs was 10 times higher than in rats. Radioactivity in rat tissue was high in liver, kidney and lung after both oral and intravenous administration.

2. In both species, 66–72% of radioactivity was excreted in faeces and 23–29% in urine in 48?h, regardless of the route of administration. Biliary excretion in rats after oral dosage amounted to 65%.

3. Eight metabolites were identified from urine of dogs and rats. They were derived from one or several of the following pathways: I, debenzylation of the N-benzyl-N-methylaminoethyl side chain; II, reduction of the 3-nitro group on the phenyl substituent; III, oxidation of the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring to the corresponding pyridine; IV, oxidative removal of the N-benzyl-N-methylamino group yielding a carboxylic acid; V, hydrolysis of the N-benzyl-N-methylamino-ethyl ester to the corresponding carboxylic acid; VI, hydroxylation of the 2-methyl group of the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring to hydroxymethyl.     

Evaluation of the excretion and metabolism of the new analgesic agent RWJ-22757 in male and female CR Wistar rats

The excretion and metabolism of (+/-)-trans-3-(2-bromophenyl)octahydroindolizine hydrochloride (RWJ-22757) have been investigated in male and female CR Wistar rats. Radiolabeled [14C] RWJ-22757 was administered orally to each of the rats as a single 60 mg/kg suspension dose. Plasma (0-48 h), urine (0-168 h) and fecal (0-168 h) samples were collected and analyzed. There were no significant gender differences observed in the data. The estimated elimination half-life of the total radioactivity from plasma was 19 h while the estimated elimination half-life of RWJ-22757 was 15 h. Recoveries of total radioactivity in urine and feces were 58.4+/-5.8 and 42.4+/-6.3%, respectively. RWJ-22757 and a total of 11 metabolites were isolated in rat plasma, urine, and fecal extracts. The structures of four of these metabolites were tentatively identified. Unchanged RWJ-22757 accounted for < 4% of the dose in plasma and urine and 28% in feces; thus, indicating the drug was extensively metabolized and either not absorbed well or biliary excreted. Identified metabolites accounted for > 80% of the total radioactivity contained in the samples. The following pathways were used to describe the formation of the metabolites identified in rats: octahydroindolizine ring oxidation, phenyl hydroxylation, octahydroindolizine ring oxidation followed by ring opening to a carboxylic acid function and octahydroindolizine ring oxidation followed by ring opening and N-methylation.     

Absorption,Distribution, Metabolism,and Excretion of N-Octylbicycloheptene Dicarboximide (MGK 264) Administered Orally to Rats

Abstract

Experiments were conducted in four groups of rats to determine the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) patterns following oral administration of [hexyl-1-¹⁴C] N-octylbicycloheptene dicarboximide (MGK 264).

Ten rats (five males and five females) were used in each of the four experiments. Fasted rats were administered fhexyl-1-¹⁴C] MGK 264 at a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg, at a single oral dose of 1000 mg/kg, and at a daily oral dose of 100 mg/kg of nonradiolabeled compound for 14 days followed by a single dose of ¹⁴C-labeled compound at 100 mg/kg. Rat blood kinetics were determined in the fourth group following a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg. Each animal was administered 18-30 μCi radioactivity.

Urine and feces were collected for all groups at predetermined time intervals. Seven days after dose administration, the rats were euthanized and selected tissues and organs were harvested. Samples of urine, feces, and tissues were subsequently analyzed for ¹⁴C content.

In the blood kinetics study, radioactivity peaked at approximately 4 h for the males and 6 h for the females. The decline of radioactivity from blood followed a monophasic elimination pattern. The half-life of blood radioactivity was approximately 8 h for males and 6 h for females.

Female rats excreted 71.45-73.05% of the radioactivity in urine and 20.87-25.28% in feces, whereas male rats excreted 49.49-63.49% of the administered radioactivity in urine and 31.76-46.67% in feces. Total tissue residues of radioactivity at 7 days ranged from 0.13 to 0.43% of the administered dose for all dosage regimens. The only tissues with ¹⁴C residues consistently higher than that of plasma were the liver, stomach, intestines, and carcass. The total mean recovered radioactivity of the administered dose in the studies ranged between 93.1 and 97.4%. No parent compound was detected in the urine.

Four major metabolites and one minor metabolite were isolated from the urine by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by gas chromatography/mass spectometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The four major metabolites were shown to be carboxylic acids produced by either ω-1 oxidation or β-oxidation of the side chain and oxidation of the norbornene ring double bond. The minor metabolite was the carboxylic acid of the intact norbornene ring.

The gender of the animals affected the rate, route of excretion, and metabolic profile. The urinary excretion rate was faster in females than in males and the amount excreted was also greater in female rats.     

Kinetics and disposition of picumeterol in animals

1. The pharmacokinetics and disposition of picumeterol, a novel β₂ receptor agonist agent, have been studied in the rat and dog following administration by inhalation, intravenous and oral routes at various dose levels.

2. Picumeterol was found to be transferred across the lung of the rat and dog following inhalation dosage. After i.v. dosage picumeterol was eliminated from plasma with a half-life of about 1?h in the rat and about 2?h in the dog. Plasma clearance in the rat was about twice liver blood flow and the plasma levels of picumeterol were low after oral administration.

3. Following instillation of ¹⁴C-picumeterol to the trachea of isolated respiring rat lung preparations radioactivity was transferred from the airways to perfusion media as unchanged drug within 2?min. After 2?h perfusion, no metabolites were detected in the recirculation perfusate or lung.

4. Picumeterol was extensively metabolized in vivo in the rat (about 95%) and dog (about 90%) and in vitro in microsomal preparations of rat, dog and human liver. O-dealkylation and β-oxidation are important as routes of metabolism.

5. Radioactivity was largely excreted in the urine of the rat and dog (> 50% of dose), as metabolites, following i.v. administration. There was some excretion of radioactivity in dog bile. Extensive first-pass metabolism was found after oral administration in the rat.     

Absorption,disposition and metabolic pathway of amiselimod (MT-1303) in healthy volunteers in a mass balance study

1. The absorption, metabolism and excretion of MT-1303 were investigated in healthy male subjects after a single oral dose of 0.4?mg [14C]-MT-1303 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02293967).

2. The MT-1303 concentration in the plasma reached a maximum at 12?h after administration. Thereafter, the concentration declined with a half-life of 451?h. At the final assessment on Day 57, 91.16% of the administered radioactivity was excreted, and the cumulative excretion in the urine and faeces was 35.32% and 55.84%, respectively.

3. The most abundant metabolite in plasma was MT-1303-P, which accounted for 42.6% of the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) of the total radioactivity. The major component excreted in urine was Human Urine (HU)4 (3066434), accounting for 28.1% of radioactivity in the sample (4.05% of the dose), whereas MT-1303 was a major component in the faeces, accounting for 89.8% of radioactivity in the sample (25.49% of the dose) up to 240?h after administration.

4. This study indicates that multiple metabolic pathways are involved in the elimination of MT-1303 from the human body and the excretion of MT-1303 and MT-1303-P via the kidney is low. Therefore, MT-1303 is unlikely to cause conspicuous drug interactions or alter pharmacokinetics in patients with renal impairment.

     

Pharmacokinetics,metabolism, excretion and plasma protein binding of 14C-levofloxacin after a single oral administration in the Rhesus monkey

Levofloxacin's metabolism, excretion, and in vitro plasma protein binding, together with its pharmacokinetics, were studied in the Rhesus monkey in support of an anthrax efficacy study in this species. Three males and three female Rhesus monkeys were dosed with a single oral dose of ¹⁴C-levofloxacin at 15?mg?kg^?1 (2?MBq?kg^?1). Following dose administration, blood samples were collected up to 48?h post-dose, and urine and faeces were quantitatively collected up to 168?h post-dose. Blood, plasma, urine, and faeces were analysed for total radioactivity. Metabolite profiling and identification was performed using radio-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS). Additionally, the plasma protein binding of levofloxacin was determined in vitro by means of equilibrium dialysis. Peak plasma levels of total radioactivity and levofloxacin were rapidly reached after oral administration with a total radioactivity blood: plasma ratio close to unity. The elimination half-life of levofloxacin was estimated at about 2?h. Total radioactivity was mainly excreted in urine (about 57–86% of the dose) with faecal excretion accounting for only a minor fraction of the total amount of excreted radioactivity (about 7.4–14.7%). In the plasma, the majority of total radioactivity was accounted for by levofloxacin. In addition, two minor metabolites, i.e. levofloxacin n-oxide and presumably a glucuronide conjugate of levofloxacin, were detected. In the urine, five components were found, with levofloxacin being the major component. Minor metabolites included desmethyl levofloxacin, levofloxacin n-oxide, and a glucuronide conjugate of levofloxacin. In the faeces, the major analyte was a polar metabolite, tentatively identified as a levofloxacin glucuronide. The in vitro plasma protein binding was low (on average 11.2%) and independent of concentration (1.0–10.0?µg?ml^?1). No sex differences were noted in any of the investigations. The present data indicated that the metabolism and excretion pattern, and also the in vitro plasma protein binding of levofloxacin in the Rhesus monkey, were comparable with those previously reported in man, hereby supporting the use of this animal species in the efficacy evaluation of levofloxacin against inhalation anthrax. The shorter half-life of levofloxacin in the Rhesus monkey relative to man (2 versus 7?h) prompted the development of an alternative dosing strategy for use in the efficacy study.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetics of NS-49, a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist. 4th communication: tissue distribution, placental transfer and milk secretion of radioactivity in rats after a single oral administration of 14C-NS-49, and effects of repeated administration on its pharmacokinetics.

The tissue distribution, placental transfer and milk secretion of 14C-NS-49 ((R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoro-methanesulfonanilide hydrochloride, CAS 137431-04-0), a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist, have been studied after a single oral administration (1 mg/kg) of a suspension formulation to rats. Radioactivity concentrations in tissues were generally highest 1 or 4 h, and for most tissues, exceeded those in the corresponding plasma. Concentrations were generally similar in male and female rats and persisted for at least 24 h. Radioactivity concentrations in most tissues declined in parallel with those in plasma. Placental transfer of radioactivity was low accounting for < 0.1% of the maternal dose. In milk, concentrations were of a similar order to those in the plasma but reached a peak later: the data implied that 14C-NS-49 readily diffused from the plasma into the milk. The absorption, distribution and excretion of 14C-NS-49 have been studied after the repeated administration (1 mg/kg) of a suspension formulation to rats for up to 21 days. At 21 days, radioactivity concentrations in plasma reached a peak 1 h and declined with a terminal half-life of 67 h. Steady state concentrations were reached during 14 days. Peak concentrations in tissues occurred 1 h and, in most tissues exceeded the plasma value. Radioactivity concentrations in tissues appeared to reach steady state during the 21-day dosing period. Tissue and blood cell concentrations declined more slowly than those in the plasma. Radioactivity excretion was relatively constant during the repeated administration and similar in urine (mean 45.8% total dose) and feces (mean 48.2% total dose). At 7 days after the last of 21 daily oral doses, only 0.2% of the total dose remained in the body, indicating that there is no marked accumulation of radioactivity in the tissues. The results obtained in these studies indicated that rats receiving NS-49 at 24 h intervals during chronic and reproductive toxicity studies would be continually exposed to the parent compound and/or its metabolites.     

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of nufenoxole in animals and humans: an example of stereospecific hydroxylation of an isoquinuclidine ring

1. Nufenoxole, a novel antidiarrhoeal agent, was well absorbed in rat, monkey and human after oral administration. Systemic availability of nufenoxole was 85% in monkey and 102% in man.

2. The elimination rate was much faster in rat (t_1/2 of 1.8?h) and monkey (t_1/2 of 4.9?h) compared with human (t_1/2 of 35.8?h).

3. After oral and i.v. ¹⁴C-nufenoxole, concentrations of ¹⁴C in human erythrocytes and saliva were approx. 3- and 4-fold lower, respectively, than plasma concentrations.

4. Nufenoxole was metabolized to metabolites hydroxylated on the methyl substituent and isoquinuclidine ring in rat and monkey. The isoquinuclidine ring hydroxylation, a major pathway in human, was stereospecific.

5. Following oral doses of ¹⁴C-nufenoxole the urinary excretion of radioactivity (about 8%) was less than the faecal excretion (66.6%) in rat, while urinary excretion was the major route of drug elimination (about 60%) in man. In monkey, urinary and faecal excretion were equally important.     

Metabolic disposition of gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in rat, dog and man

Following oral administration of [14C]-gefitinib to albino and pigmented rats, radioactivity was widely and rapidly distributed, with the highest levels being found in liver, kidney, lung and gastrointestinal tract, but with only low levels penetrating the brain. Levels of radioactivity persisted in melanin-containing tissues (pigmented eye and skin). Binding to plasma proteins was high (86-94%) across the range of species examined and was 91% in human plasma. Substantial binding occurred to both human serum albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. Following oral and intravenous administration of [14C]-gefitinib, excretion of radioactivity by rat, dog and human occurred predominantly via the bile into faeces, with < 7% of the dose being eliminated in urine. In all three species, gefitinib was cleared primarily by metabolism. In rat, morpholine ring oxidation was the major route of metabolism, leading to the formation of M537194 and M608236 as the main biliary metabolites. Morpholine ring oxidation, together with production of M523595 by O-demethylation of the quinazoline moiety, were the predominant pathways in dog, with oxidative defluorination also occurring to a lesser degree. Pathways in healthy human volunteers were similar to dog, with O-demethylation and morpholine ring oxidation representing the major routes of metabolism.     

Disposition and metabolism of [14C]PTZ601 in healthy volunteers

1.?Six healthy male subjects were given a single dose of 500 mg of [14C]PTZ601 (mean radioactivity 79.2 μCi) by intravenous (IV) infusion over 1 h, and observed for 5 days post-dose during which pharmacokinetic (PK) samples were collected. Plasma PTZ601 concentrations and metabolite identification were determined using LC-MS/MS; PK parameters were estimated by non-compartmental analysis. Excretion and mass balance were determined with liquid scintillation analysis and metabolites profiling was characterized by HPLC online radiochemical detection.

2.?The disposition of PTZ601 was best described by a fast absorption, followed by a biphasic elimination phase. Peak PTZ601 plasma concentrations were reached within 0.5–1 h. The mean elimination half-life was 1.6 h and clearance was 13 L/h.

3.?Recovery of the radioactivity dose was complete (mean 92%). The main route of excretion (parent and metabolites) was the renal route, as urine accounted for 69–77%, while feces only 13–22%, of the total radioactivity.

4.?The majority of the drug was excreted in urine as multiple open ring metabolites: M17.3 (oxidative ring-opened product) and M22.2 (di-cysteine conjugate of 17.3); unchanged PTZ601 in urine contributed to 15% of radioactivity. The major metabolites detected in plasma were M17.3, M12.8 (acetylated M17.3), M22.2, and M41.4 (methylated M17.3).

5.?PTZ601 was well tolerated.