Bioactivation of loxoprofen to a pharmacologically active metabolite and its disposition kinetics in human skin

Loxoprofen (LX) is a prodrug‐type non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug which is used not only as an oral drug but also as a transdermal formulation. As a pharmacologically active metabolite, the trans‐alcohol form of LX (trans‐OH form) is generated after oral administration to humans. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the generation of the trans‐OH form in human in vitro skin and to identify the predominant enzyme for its generation. In the permeation and metabolism study using human in vitro skin, both the permeation of LX and the formation of the trans‐OH form increased in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner after the application of LX gel to the skin. In addition, the characteristics of permeation and metabolism of both LX and the trans‐OH form were examined by a mathematical pharmacokinetic model. The K_m value was calculated to be 10.3 mm in the human in vitro skin. The predominant enzyme which generates the trans‐OH form in human whole skin was identified to be carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) by immunodepletion using the anti‐human CBR1 antibody. The results of the enzyme kinetic study using the recombinant human CBR1 protein demonstrated that the K_m and V_max values were 7.30 mm and 402 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. In addition, it was found that no unknown metabolites were generated in the human in vitro skin. This is the first report in which LX is bioactivated to the trans‐OH form in human skin by CBR1. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biotransformation and mass balance of faldaprevir,a hepatitis C NS3/NS4 protease inhibitor in rats

Abstract

1.?The metabolism, pharmacokinetics, excretion and tissue distribution of a hepatitis C NS3/NS4 protease inhibitor, faldaprevir, were studied in rats following a single 2?mg/kg intravenous or 10?mg/kg oral administration of [¹⁴C]-faldaprevir.

2.?Following intravenous dosing, the terminal elimination t_1/2 of plasma radioactivity was 1.75?h (males) and 1.74?h (females). Corresponding AUC_0–∞, CL and V_ss were 1920 and 1900?ngEq?·?h/mL, 18.3 and 17.7?mL/min/kg and 2.32 and 2.12?mL/kg for males and females, respectively.

3.?After oral dosing, t_1/2 and AUC_0–∞ for plasma radioactivity were 1.67 and 1.77?h and 11?300 and 17?900 ngEq?·?h/mL for males and females, respectively.

4.?In intact rats, ≥90.17% dose was recovered in feces and only ≤1.08% dose was recovered in urine for both iv and oral doses. In bile cannulated rats, 54.95, 34.32 and 0.27% dose was recovered in feces, bile and urine, respectively.

5.?Glucuronidation plays a major role in the metabolism of faldaprevir with minimal Phase I metabolism.

6.?Radioactivity was rapidly distributed into tissues after the oral dose with peak concentrations of radioactivity in most tissues at 6?h post-dose. The highest levels of radioactivity were observed in liver, lung, kidney, small intestine and adrenal gland.     

Absorption,distribution and excretion of the new thienopyridine agent prasugrel in rats

Prasugrel is converted to the pharmacologically active metabolite after oral dosing in vivo. In this study, ¹⁴C-prasugrel or prasugrel was administered to rats at a dose of 5?mg?kg^–1. After oral and intravenous dosing, the values of AUC_0–∞ of total radioactivity were 36.2 and 47.1?µg?eq.?h?ml^–1, respectively. Oral dosing of unlabeled prasugrel showed the second highest AUC_0–8 of the active metabolite of six metabolites analyzed. Quantitative whole body autoradiography showed high radioactivity concentrations in tissues for absorption and excretion at 1?h after oral administration, and were low at 72?h. The excretion of radioactivity in the urine and feces were 20.2% and 78.7%, respectively, after oral dosing. Most radioactivity after oral dosing was excreted in bile (90.1%), which was reabsorbed moderately (62.4%). The results showed that orally administered prasugrel was rapidly and fully absorbed and efficiently converted to the active metabolite with no marked distribution in a particular tissue.     

Absorption,Metabolism, and Disposition of [14C]SDZ ENA 713, an Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor,in Minipigs Following Oral,Intravenous, and Dermal Administration

Purpose. SDZ ENA 713 (rivastigmine) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor intended for therapeutic use in Alzheimer's disease. The present study compared the pharmacokinetics of [¹⁴C]SDZ ENA 713 after intravenous, oral, and dermal administration to male minipigs, and also examined the effects of dose level and skin abrasion on transdermal absorption. Methods. Four groups of 3 minipigs each received a single intravenous (0.1 mg/kg), single oral (1.0 mg/kg), or topical doses of 18 mg or 54 mg of [¹⁴C]SDZ ENA 713. Topical doses were administered as dermal patches on two occasions 10 days apart. On Study Day 1, test patches were applied to a virgin skin site. Placebo patches were applied to a separate skin site and were replaced daily during Days 1–10. On Study Day 11, test patches were applied to the site on which the placebo patches had been previously applied. After each dose, serial blood and quantitative urine and feces were collected at designated intervals for 7 days. Concentrations of radioactivity, parent drug, and metabolite ZNS 114–666 were measured in whole blood. Radioactivity was also determined in excreta, skin application sites (at study termination), and on used dermal patches (at 24 hr after application). Results. Oral doses of [¹⁴C]SDZ ENA 713 were rapidly (t_max = 0.83 hr) and efficiently (ca. 93%) absorbed, although the bioavailability of the parent drug was low, ca. 0.5%, apparently due to extensive first-pass metabolism. Radioactivity was excreted mainly in the urine (90%) with a half-life of 56 hr, slightly longer than that observed after an intravenous dose, 46 hr. After dermal administration of [¹⁴C]SDZ ENA 713 to a virgin skin site, absorption was 8% at both dose levels investigated. Following daily application of placebo patches for 10 days, absorption from a [¹⁴C]SDZ ENA 713 dermal patch increased by approximately twofold, 17% and 19% of the 18 mg and 54 mg doses, respectively. The increase is possibly due to hydration or abrasion of the skin as a result of repeated application and removal of the adhesive patches. Whereas total absorption from the dermal dose was smaller than that from the oral dose, essentially all of the absorbed drug via the dermal route reached the systemic circulation intact, thus yielding a SDZ ENA 713 bioavailability 20–40 times greater than that of the oral dose. Metabolite ZNS 114–666 was rapidly formed and accounted for <4% of total drug-related material in the systemic circulation. Conclusions. Dermal administration in minipigs provided a markedly greater bioavailability of SDZ ENA 713 than the oral route. The extent of absorption was independent of dose within the range tested, and appeared to be enhanced by hydration or abrasion of the skin application site.     

Comparative single-dose pharmacokinetics of rasagiline in minipigs after oral dosing or transdermal administration via a newly developed patch

Abstract

1. A rasagiline transdermal patch was developed for the treatment of early and advanced Parkinson’s disease. Relevant pharmacokinetic parameters of rasagiline obtained after transdermal administration to minipigs were compared with those of rasagiline after oral administration.

2. A total of 18 minipigs were randomly divided into three groups (six animals for each group). A single dose of 1?mg rasagiline tablet was orally administrated to one group. Meanwhile, single dose of 1.25 and 2.5?mg (2 and 4?cm²) rasagiline patches were given (at the postauricular skin) to the other two groups, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as plasma half-life (t_1/2), time to peak plasma-concentration (T_max), mean residence time (MRT), area under the curve (AUC_(0–t)) were significantly (p?<?0.05) different between transdermal and oral administrations.

3. The plasma half-life (t_1/2) of rasagiline (1.25?mg patch: 11.8?±?6.5?h, 2.5?mg patch: 12.5?±?4.7?h) in minipig following transdermal administration was significantly prolonged as compared with that following the oral administration (1?mg tablet: 4.7?±?2.5?h). The dose-normalized relative bioavailability of rasagiline patch in minipig were 178.5% and 156.4%, respectively, for 1.25 and 2.5?mg patches compared with 1?mg rasagiline tablet. The prolonged t_1/2 and increased bioavailability of rasagiline patch suggested a possible longer dosing interval compared with oral tablet.     

Pharmacokinetics,metabolism and excretion of an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase,L-NIL-TA,in dog

1.?The pharmacokinetics, metabolism and excretion of L-NIL-TA, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, were investigated in dog.

2.?The dose of [¹⁴C]L-NIL-TA was rapidly absorbed and distributed after oral and intravenous administration (5?mg?kg^?1), with C_max of radioactivity of 6.45–7.07?μg equivalents?g^?1 occurring at 0.33–0.39-h after dosing. After oral and intravenous administration, radioactivity levels in plasma then declined with a half-life of 63.1 and 80.6-h, respectively.

3.?Seven days after oral and intravenous administrations, 46.4 and 51.5% of the radioactive dose were recovered in urine, 4.59 and 2.75% were recovered in faeces, and 22.4 and 22.4% were recovered in expired air, respectively. The large percentages of radioactive dose recovered in urine and expired air indicate that [¹⁴C]L-NIL-TA was well absorbed in dogs and the radioactive dose was cleared mainly through renal elimination. The mean total recovery of radioactivity over 7 days was approximately 80%.

4.?Biotransformation of L-NIL-TA occurred primarily by hydrolysis of the 5-aminotetrazole group to form the active drug L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (NIL or M3), which was further oxidized to the 2-keto acid (M5), the 2-hydroxyl acid (M1), an unidentified metabolite (M2) and carbon dioxide. The major excreted products in urine were M1 and M2, representing 22.2 and 21.2% of the dose, respectively.     

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.     

The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of [14C]-S-777469, a new cannabinoid receptor 2 selective agonist,in healthy human subjects

Abstract

1.?The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of S-777469 were investigated after a single oral administration of [¹⁴C]-S-777469 to healthy human subjects.

2.?Total radioactivity was rapidly and well absorbed in humans, with C_max of 11?308?ng eq. of S-777469/ml at 4.0?h. The AUC_inf ratio of unchanged S-777469 to total radioactivity was approximately 30%, indicating that S-777469 was extensively metabolized in humans.

3.?The metabolite profiling in human plasma showed that S-777469 5-carboxymethyl (5-CA) and S-777469 5-hydroxymethyl (5-HM) were the main circulating metabolites, and the AUC_inf ratio of 5-CA and 5-HM to total radioactivity were 24 and 9.1%, respectively. These data suggest that S-777469 was subsequently metabolized to 5-CA in humans although the production amount of 5-CA was extremely low in human hepatocytes.

4.?Total radioactivity was mainly excreted via the feces, with 5-CA and 5-HM being the main excretory metabolites in feces and urine. Urinary excretion of 5-CA was comparable with that of 5-HM, whereas fecal excretion of 5-CA was lower than that of 5-HM.

5.?In conclusion, the current mass balance study revealed the metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties of S-777469 in humans. These data should be useful to judge whether or not the safety testing of metabolite of S-777469 is necessary.     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of NO-1886, a lipoprotein lipase-promoting agent,in cynomolgus monkey

1. The study was conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of NO-1886 (diethyl 4-[(4-bromo-2-cyanophenyl) carbamoyl] benzylphosphonate) in cynomolgus monkeys.

2. After single intravenous administration of NO-1886 at a dose of 3?mg?kg^?1, the total clearance (CL_tot), area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC_0–t), half-life (t_1/2), and volume of distribution (V_d) in cynomolgus monkeys were 531?ml?h^?1?kg^?1, 5.63?µg?h?ml^?1, 0.96?h and 679?ml?kg^?1, respectively. The AUC_0–t for oral administration of NO-1886 (3?mg?kg^?1) was 4.23?µg?h?ml^?1 and the bioavailability was 75%.

3. M-2 (ethyl 4-[(4-bromo-2-cyanophenyl) carbamoyl] benzylphosphonate) and M-3 (4-[(diethoxy-phosphoryl) methyl)] benzoic acid) were present as metabolites in plasma and urine. In faeces, M-2 was present but M-3 was not.

4. The major metabolite of NO-1886 in liver S9 or microsomes was M-2 in the presence of NADPH. On the other hand, M-3 was formed in the absence of NADPH in liver S9 or microsomes and its formation was inhibited by bis-(?p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) in liver S9, suggesting that the formation of M-3 was catalysed by carboxylesterase.

5. The findings suggest that the main metabolic pathway of NO-1886 in cynomolgus monkeys is the O-deethylation of NO-1886 to M-2, as in rats and humans, and that the hydrolysis of the amide bond is a minor metabolic pathway.     

Influence of cholestyramine on the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone and its metabolite,desmethylrosiglitazone, after oral and intravenous dosing of rosiglitazone: Impact on oral bioavailability,absorption, and metabolic disposition in rats

The possible influence of the bile acid-sequestering agent cholestyramine (CSA), which is a basic co-medication in hypercholesterolemic patients, on the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone (RGL) and its circulating metabolite desmethylrosiglitazone (DMRGL) was investigated following a single oral and intravenous dose of RGL to Wistar rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of RGL and DMRGL were evaluated following oral or intravenous administration of RGL to rats at 10?mg?kg^?1 with and without pre-treatment (0.5?h before RGL administration) of CSA at 0.057, 0.115, 0.23 and 0.34?g?kg^?1 doses. With an increase in CSA dose there was dose-dependent decrease in area under the curve (AUC)_(0?∞) and C_max with no change in T_max, K_el and t_1/2 values for both RGL and DMRGL following oral administration of RGL. The oral bioavailability of RGL was reduced by 19.9, 35.6, 53.8 and 72.0% in rats following pre-treatment with CSA at 0.057, 0.115, 0.230 and 0.340?g?kg^?1, respectively. There was no change in the above-mentioned pharmacokinetic parameters for RGL and DMRGL in rats when RGL was given intravenously following pre-treatment with the above-mentioned oral doses of CSA. Another objective of the study was to determine the effect of staggered oral CSA dosing at 1, 2 and 4?h after oral RGL administration at 10?mg?kg^?1. AUC_(0?∞) of RGL and DMRGL was reduced following CSA staggered administration at 1?h, whereas 2- and 4-h staggered dose administration of CSA had no effect on the AUC_(0?∞) of RGL and DMRGL. Irrespective of CSA staggered dose administration there was no change in other pharmacokinetic parameters, namely C_max, T_max, K_el and t_1/2. The apparent formation rate constant (K_f) of DMRGL was also calculated to show that only the absorption of RGL was affected, not the apparent formation rate of DMRGL. The authors also studied the in vitro adsorption of RGL (100, 250, 500?µg?ml^?1) at various pH conditions (pH 2, 4 and 7) and different concentrations of CSA (15, 30, 60 and 120?mg?ml^?1). The percentage binding of CSA was in the range 50–72% (at pH 2), 74–89% (at pH 4) and 97–100% (at pH 7). In conclusion, we carried out a systematic investigation demonstrating mechanistically the interaction potential of RGL when co-administered with CSA. The applicability of the metabolite data after intravenous and oral dosing and pH-based binding experiments further adds credence to the key findings.     

Deposition of viprostol (a synthetic PGE2 vasodilator) in the skin following topical administration to laboratory animals

1. Topical application of ¹⁴C-viprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E₂ analogue, to laboratory animals resulted in a significant depot of radioactivity in the skin at the application site in all species studied: mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit and monkey, with longer residence times in the larger species.

2. The location of the ¹⁴C-label in the skin in mice and monkeys was determined by microscopic autoradiography. Evaluation of the autoradiograms show rapid penetration of the drug into the skin via the hair follicles.

3. In mouse distribution of radioactivity was evident in the stratum corneum and down the hair shafts by 30?min. after dosing. By 2?h radioactivity was also observed throughout the viable epidermis; in the dermis only the hair shafts contained significant radioactivity. At 72?h after dose removal, radioactivity was evident only in the hair follicles and hair shaft.

4. In monkey the residence time of radioactivity in the skin was significantly longer than in mouse, but the general distribution pattern was similar in both species.

5. The presence of viprostol in the hair follicles and epidermal layer after topical administration is consistent with its extensive skin metabolism previously reported.     

Metabolism and disposition of [14C]dimethylamine borane in male Harlan Sprague Dawley rats following gavage administration,intravenous administration and dermal application

Abstract

1. Dimethylamine borane (DMAB) is used as a reducing agent in the manufacturing of a variety of products and in chemical synthesis. National Toxicology Program is evaluating the toxicity of DMAB in rodents following dermal application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolism and disposition of DMAB in male Harlan Sprague Dawley (HSD) rats.

2. Disposition of radioactivity was similar between gavage and intravenous administration of 1.5?mg/kg [¹⁴C] DMAB, with nearly 84%–89% of the administered radioactivity recovered in urine 24?h post dosing. At 72?h, only 1% or less was recovered in feces, 0.3% as CO₂, and 0.5%–1.4% as volatiles and 0.3%–0.4 % in tissues.

3. The absorption of [¹⁴C]DMAB following dermal application was moderate; percent dose absorbed increased with the dose, with 23%, 32% and 46% of dose absorbed at 0.15, 1.5 and 15?mg/kg, respectively. Urinary and fecal excretion ranged from 18%–37% and 2%–4% of dose, respectively, and 0.1%–0.2% as CO₂, and 1%–3% as volatiles. Tissue retention of the radiolabel was low ～1%, but was higher than following the gavage or intravenous administration.

4. Following co-adminsitration of DMAB and sodium nitrite by gavage, N-nitrosodimethylamine was not detected in blood or urine above the limit of quantitation of the analytical method of 10?ng/mL.

5. Absorption of DMAB in fresh human skin in vitro was ～41% of the applied dose: the analysis of the receptor fluid shows that the intact DMAB complex can be absorbed through the skin.     

The multiple-dosing pharmacokinetics of artemether,artesunate, and their metabolite dihydroartemisinin in rats

1. The present study was designed to investigate the multiple-dosing pharmacokinetics of antimalarial drugs artemether (ARM), artesunate (ARS), and their metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in rats.

2. Rats were randomized into four groups. Two groups of rats received oral doses of ARM or ARS once daily for five consecutive days. And another two groups of rats were given a single oral dose of ARM or ARS. Plasma samples were analysed for artemisinin drugs and their active metabolite DHA, using a validated liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method.

3. ARM and ARS could be biotransformed to metabolite DHA almost immediately after oral administration to rats. The area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC_0–t) of ARM after 5-day oral doses significantly decreased from 50.3 to 23.4 ng×h/mL (P?<?0.05), and oral clearance (CL/F) of ARM increased from 10.5 to 27.2?L/min/kg (P?<?0.05). The AUC_0–t of its metabolite DHA of ARM significantly decreased from 42.1 to 16.4 ng×h/mL (P?<?0.05), and its CL/F increased from 11.7 to 33.4?L/min/kg (P?<?0.05). The 5-day oral doses of ARS did not result in significant changes (P?>?0.05) in pharmacokinetic parameters of ARS, whereas its metabolite DHA exhibited lower AUC (P?=?0.05), compared with that obtained after a single oral administration.

4. The results showed ARM and its metabolite DHA exhibited time-dependent pharmacokinetic characteristics with decreased plasma drug level after five consecutive days of oral administration to rats, whereas ARS and its metabolite DHA did not show similar characteristics.

     

Pharmacokinetics of lipoyl vildagliptin,a novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor after oral administration in rats

1. The pharmacokinetics of lipoyl vildagliptin, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibitor, was studied in rats after oral administration for developing it as an antidiabetic agent.

2. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to determine lipoyl vildagliptin in rat plasma. After an overnight fasting, rats were orally given lipoyl vildagliptin. Following a single oral dose of 25, 50, and 100?mg·kg^?1, T_max values were from 1.25 to 1.84?h, CL/F values were around 100?l h^?1 kg^?1. In the dose range, C_max values (63.9–296?μg·l^?1) and AUC_0–∞values (260–1214?μg·h·l^?1) were proportional to the doses.

3. In conclusion, this LC-MS/MS method for the determination of lipoyl vildagliptin in rat plasma was selective and sensitive. In rats, lipoyl vildagliptin displayed linear pharmacokinetics after a single oral dose in the range of 25–100?mg·kg^?1. Lipoyl vildagliptin might have very high CL/F values and V_d/F values, which indicated that the bioavailability of this drug might be low or lipoyl vildagliptin might distribute extensively or accumulate in tissues in view of its high liposolubility.

     

Pharmacokinetic study of darbepoetin alfa: Absorption,distribution, and excretion after a single intravenous and subcutaneous administration to rats

KRN321 is a hyperglycosylated analogue of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa), and its absorption, distribution, and excretion have been studied after a single intravenous and subcutaneous administration of ¹²⁵I-KRN321 at a dose of 0.5?µg?kg^?1 to male rats. The half-lives of immunoreactive radioactivity in the terminal phase after intravenous and subcutaneous administration were 14.05 and 14.36?h, respectively, and the bioavailability rate after subcutaneous administration was 47%. The total radioactivity in tissues was lower than that in the serum in all tissues excluding the thyroid gland and skin at the injection site (subcutaneous administration). The maximum concentrations were observed in the bone marrow or skin at the injection site followed by the thyroid gland, kidneys, adrenal glands, spleen, lungs, stomach and bladder. The radioactivity found in trichloroacetic acid-precipitated fractions suggested that a high-molecular weight compound, unchanged or mixed with endogenous protein, distributed to the tissues after administration. The whole-body autoradiographic findings in both groups were in agreement with the tissue distribution mentioned above. The blood cell uptake of KRN321 was low for both groups. The excretion ratios of radioactivity into urine and faeces up to 168?h were 71.4 and 14.1% after the intravenous administration and 74.9 and 12.0% after the subcutaneous administration. There was no difference in the excretion profile of radioactivity between the two groups.     

Metabolism and disposition of [14C]5-amino-o-cresol in female F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice

The metabolism and disposition of [¹⁴C]5-amino-o-cresol (AOC) in female F344 rats following oral, intravenous, and dermal administration and in female B6C3F1 mice following oral administration were studied. Greater than 80% of a single oral dose (4.0–357 mg kg^?1) or intravenous dose (2.7 mg kg^?1) was excreted in urine within 24 h. When the dosing site was protected from grooming, less than 10% of the dermal dose (2.5 and 26 mg kg^?1, rinsed off after 6 h) was absorbed within 24 h, and most of the absorbed radioactivity was excreted in urine. For the unprotected dermal dose, grooming played a major role in the absorption of AOC. Very little AOC-derived radioactivity was present in the surveyed tissues after 24 or 72 h regardless of route, dose level, or species. Five urinary metabolites were identified: 5-acetamido-1,4-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene glucuronide, AOC O-glucuronide, AOC O-sulfate, N-acetyl-AOC O-glucuronide, and N-acetyl-AOC O-sulfate.     

The biological fate of decabromodiphenyl ethane following oral,dermal or intravenous administration

1.?It was important to investigate the disposition of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) based on concerns over its structural similarities to decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), high potential for environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, and high production volume.

2.?In the present study, female Sprague Dawley rats were administered a single dose of [¹⁴C]-DBDPE by oral, topical or IV routes. Another set of rats were administered 10 daily oral doses of [¹⁴C]-DBDPE. Male B6C3F1/Tac mice were administered a single oral dose.

3.?DBDPE was poorly absorbed following oral dosing, with 95% of administered [¹⁴C]-radioactivity recovered in the feces unchanged, 1% recovered in the urine and less than 3% in the tissues at 72?h. DBDPE excretion was similar in male mice and female rats. Accumulation of [¹⁴C]-DBDPE was observed in liver and the adrenal gland after 10 daily oral doses to rats.

4.?Rat and human skin were used to assess potential dermal uptake of DBDPE. The dermis was a depot for dermally applied DBDPE; conservative estimates predict ～14?±?8% of DBDPE may be absorbed into human skin in vivo; ～7?±?4% of the parent chemical is expected to reach systemic circulation following continuous exposure (24?h).

5.?Following intravenous administration, ～70% of the dose remained in tissues after 72?h, with the highest concentrations found in lung (1223?±?723?pmol-eq/g), spleen (1096?±?369?pmol-eq/g) and liver (366?±?98?pmol-eq/g); 5?±?1% of the dose was recovered in urine and 26?±?4% in the feces.     

Pharmacokinetics of the 5-hydroxytryptamine1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(N,N-di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OHDPAT) in the rat after intravenous and oral administration

1. Plasma levels of ³H and unchanged drug were measured in the non-anaesthetized male rat after intravenous (i.v.) or oral administration of (±)-(R,S)-[propyl-³H]-8-OHD-PAT, at three dose levels per route of administration. The excretion of conjugated metabolites in bile was also studied following i.v. administration.

2. For unchanged 8-OHDPAT following i.v. administration, terminal t_1/2 was 1.56 ± 0.01?h (mean ± SD, n±4), k_elim 0.45 ± 0.01 h^?1, volume of distribution 0.14 ± 0.02 litres and clearance 1.10 ± 0.17 ml min^?1. After oral administration, terminal t_1/2, k_elim apparent volume of distribution and clearance were essentially the same when bioavailability was taken into account. Neither dose size nor route of administration had any significant effect on either terminal t_1/2 or k_elim. Comparison of AUCs following i.v. and oral administration yielded a mean for absolute oral bioavailabiltty of 2.60 ± 0.24%.

3. Comparison of AUCs for total plasma ³H showed that the extent of absorption was 80.1%, indicating that the low oral bioavailability of 8-OHDPAT is due to first-pass metabolism, rather than poor absorption from the GI tract.

4. Following i.v. administration, irrespective of dose, some 10% of the ³H dose was excreted in the bile in 6h, 8.5% as 8-OHDPAT-glucuronide and 1.5% as the glucuronide of the N-despropylated metabolite, 8-OHDPAT. The majority of the biliary excretion occurred within 3?h of dosing.     

Pharmacokinetics of liquiritigenin and its two glucuronides,M1 and M2, in rats with acute hepatitis induced by d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide or CCl4

1. Cytoprotective effects of liquiritigenin (LQ) against liver injuries have been reported, but its pharmacokinetics has not been studied in acute hepatitis. Thus, pharmacokinetics of LQ and its two conjugated glucuronide metabolites: 4′-O-glucuronide (M1) and 7-O-glucuronide (M2), in rats with acute hepatitis induced by d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS) rats or carbon tetrachloride-treated (CCl₄-treated) rats were evaluated.

2. LQ was administered intravenously (20?mg kg^?1) and orally (50?mg kg^?1) to control GalN/LPS and CCl₄-treated rats. Expression of uridine 5′-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases 1A (UGT1A) and in vitro metabolism of LQ in hepatic and intestinal microsomes were also measured.

3. After intravenous administration of LQ, area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of LQ in GalN/LPS rats was significantly smaller than that in controls due to faster non-renal clearance, as a result of its greater free fraction in plasma and faster hepatic blood flow rate than the controls. In CCl₄-treated rats, the AUC_{M1, 0?8 h}/AUC_LQ and AUC_{M2, 0?8 h}/AUC_LQ ratios were significantly greater than the controls due to decrease in biliary excretion of M1 and M2. However, no significant pharmacokinetic changes were observed in both acute hepatitis rats after oral administration due to comparable intestinal metabolism of LQ.

4. Modification of oral dosage regimen of LQ may not be necessary in patients with acute hepatitis; but human studies are required.

     

Comparative evaluation of absorption,distribution, and excretion of YM758, a novel If channel inhibitor,between albino and non-albino rats

1. YM758 is a novel If channel inhibitor for the treatment of stable angina and atrial fibrillation. The absorption, distribution, and excretion of YM758 have been investigated in albino and non-albino rats after a single oral administration of ¹⁴C-YM758 monophosphate.

2. YM758 was well absorbed from all segments of the gastrointestinal tract except for the stomach. After oral administration, the ratio of AUC_{0–1 h} between the plasma concentrations of radioactivity and the unchanged drug was estimated to be 17.7%, which suggests metabolism.

3. The distribution of the radioactivity derived from ¹⁴C-YM758 in tissues was evaluated both in albino and non-albino rats. The radioactivity concentrations in most tissues were higher than those in plasma, which indicates that the radioactivity is well distributed to tissues. Extensive accumulation and slower elimination of radioactivity were noted in the thoracic aorta of albino and non-albino rats as well as in the eyeballs of non-albino rats. The recovery rates of radioactivity in urine and bile after oral dosing to bile duct-cannulated albino rats were 17.8% and 57.3%, respectively.

4. These results suggest that YM758 was extensively absorbed, subjected to metabolism, and excreted mainly into the bile after oral administration to rats, and extensive accumulation of the unchanged drug and/or metabolites into tissues such as the thoracic aorta and eyeballs was observed.