Distribution of moricizine in human blood: binding to plasma proteins and erythrocytes.

Using equilibrium dialysis and incubation experiments, we determined the binding of moricizine to human plasma, isolated plasma proteins, and erythrocytes. The mean (% +/- SD) plasma protein binding at various moricizine concentrations ranged from 81.2 +/- 2.1 to 89.9 +/- 2.1%. There was no apparent relationship between drug concentration and extent of binding in pooled plasma over the concentration range tested. However, protein concentration-dependent binding was observed with albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP). The unbound fraction of moricizine fell from 61 to 19% and from 70 to 17% with increasing albumin (5 and 50 g/L, respectively) and alpha 1-AGP (0.2 and 1.2 g/L) concentrations. The binding of moricizine to beta-lipoprotein (5 g/L) was 70.6 +/- 3.1% and to gamma-globulin (12 g/L) was 13.6 +/- 3.3%. Moricizine partitioned into erythrocytes, showing an erythrocyte/plasma drug concentration ratio of 1.325 +/- 0.070 and erythrocyte/buffer ratio of 8.561 +/- 0.620. An estimation could be made that 57% of total drug in whole blood was associated with erythrocytes, 39% bound to plasma proteins, and 4% was free. The results of this study demonstrated that erythrocytes, albumin, and alpha 1-AGP were the major binding components in blood.     

Protein binding of chloroquine enantiomers and desethylchloroquine.

The protein binding of racemic chloroquine, its enantiomers and desethylchloroquine to plasma, purified human albumin, and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) was determined by equilibrium dialysis. The binding was not concentration dependent. (+)-Chloroquine bound more to plasma (66.6 +/- 1.9%) and albumin (45.9 +/- 0.8%) than (-)-chloroquine (48.5 +/- 2.4% and 35.3 +/- 0.6%, respectively). These differences were statistically significant. (-)-Chloroquine bound more to alpha 1-AGP (47.5 +/- 0.7%) than (+)-chloroquine (34.5 +/- 0.5%). The binding of desethylchloroquine to alpha 1-AGP is higher than to albumin (38.9 +/- 0.9% and 21.1 +/- 0.4%, respectively.     

Prazosin binding to human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid), human serum albumin, and human serum. Further characterization of the 'single drug binding site' of orosomucoid

The plasma protein binding of the alpha 1-adrenergic blocking agent prazosin was investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and equilibrium dialysis (ED) measurements. The interaction of prazosin with human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) results in pronounced negative extrinsic Cotton effects at 255 nm and a smaller negative band at 285 nm which are associated with the binding of prazosin to only one site of the protein. Various basic drugs, and warfarin also, at 50 microM displace prazosin 10 microM from its binding site on alpha 1-AGP and reduce the CD-spectra at 255 nm by 26% (disopyramide), 52% (mepivacaine), about 70% (verapamil, biperiden), and 90-100% (trihexyphenidyl, warfarin). (+/-)-Propranolol reduces the CD-spectra by 76%, its (-)-isomer by 89%, and the (+)-isomer by 65%. ED experiments indicated that the binding of prazosin to alpha 1-AGP is saturable with an association constant of 48 000 M-1 and 0.85 binding sites per protein molecule. Displacement of prazosin from alpha 1-AGP by the same drug as used for the CD experiments at displacer/prazosin ratios of 5 resulted in comparable reductions of the fraction bound as obtained by the CD experiments. Prazosin was also highly bound to human serum albumin (600 microM) with about 80-85% bound at prazosin concentrations from 1-100 microM. Since prazosin binding to human serum is only slightly higher (80-90%) it is concluded that prazosin binding in serum is largely mediated by the albumin fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stereoselective metabolism and pharmacokinetics of disopyramide enantiomers in humans

Metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and influence of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) plasma levels on protein binding of (R)-(-) and (S)-(+)-disopyramide (DP) were compared, in six healthy subjects, at the steady state, after oral administration of 100 mg twice daily. The mean unbound clearance of (R)-(-)-DP and (S)-(+)-DP were 8.59 and 14.9 ml/min/kg, respectively (p = 0.003). The mean unbound renal clearance of (R)-(-)-DP and (S)-(+)-DP were 6.26 and 8.75 ml/min/kg, respectively (p = 0.025). The nonrenal clearance, i.e. hepatic metabolic clearance, of (R)-(-)-DP and (S)-(+)-DP averaged 2.32 and 6.19 ml/min/kg, respectively (p = 0.002). The mean unbound volume of distribution of (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-DP were 225 and 381 liters, respectively (p = 0.023). The half-life of (R)-(-)-DP and (S)-(+)-DP averaged 4.17 and 3.91 hr, respectively (p = 0.21). The mean unbound renal clearance of (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-mono-N-dealkylated disopyramide (MND) were 3.21 and 7.02 ml/min/kg, respectively (p less than 0.001). The unbound fraction at steady state of (R)-(-)-DP and (S)-(+)-DP averaged 12.5 and 7.5%, respectively (p = 0.002). The unbound fraction at steady state of (R)-(-)-DP and (S)-(+)-MND averaged 62.6 and 60.5%, respectively (p = 0.36). The highest alpha 1-AGP plasma concentration resulted in lower unbound fraction for both DP and MND enantiomers, whereas the lowest alpha 1-AGP plasma concentration resulted in higher unbound fraction for (S)-(+)-DP only.     

Effects of a competitive inhibitor (mevinolin) of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase on human and bovine endothelial cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in vitro

Mevinolin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity, is a potent inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis. We have tested the effects of mevinolin on cell replication (3H-thymidine incorporation), prostacyclin production (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) and cell death (51Cr release) in cell cultures (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, bovine endothelial cells, human fibroblasts and bovine smooth muscle cells). Mevinolin concentrations ranging from 0.05 mumol/l (reported therapeutic concentration) to 20 mumol/l were used. In human endothelial cells the replication was reduced by 11% at a concentration of 2.0 mumol/l (P less than 0.01). In fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells the reduction was significant already at 0.1 mumol/l (10%, P less than 0.01). The prostacyclin production was reduced in endothelial cells at 1.0 mumol/l (19%, P less than 0.01) and in smooth muscle cells at 2.0 mumol/l (15%, P less than 0.05). At 20 mumol/l both cell replication and prostacyclin production was markedly reduced by about 40% in all cell types. No effects on 51Cr release or trypan blue staining was seen at any concentration. It is concluded that mevinolin has an effect on DNA synthesis and prostacyclin production on the tested cell types in vitro. These effects were, however, observed only at concentrations higher than those recommended for therapeutical use.     

Displacement of lidocaine from human plasma proteins by disopyramide

Displacement from human plasma proteins of lidocaine by disopyramide was investigated in serum from nine patients receiving lidocaine treatment because of severe ventricular arrhythmias. From each patient disopyramide in concentrations of 5.9 and 14.7 mumol/l was added to three different serum concentrations of lidocaine and the displacement was examined. At a serum concentration of disopyramide of 14.7 mumol/l the percentage of unbound lidocaine increased from 30.4 +/- 0.2 to 36.3 +/- 0.2% (mean +/- S.E.M., P less than 0.001) at an average total serum concentration of lidocaine of 22.7 mumol/l. The study implies a stronger binding affinity of disopyramide than lidocaine to alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. We recommend caution when using disopyramide immediately after an infusion of lidocaine. With the dosage regimen used serum concentrations considerably above the suggested therapeutic level were achieved in the majority of patients.     

The binding characteristics of some adrenergic beta-receptor antagonists to human serum proteins

Binding of pindolol and 8 related compounds was studied in vitro by equilibrium dialysis. The overall binding in serum was compared with the binding to the main, isolated, serum proteins. Most substances show both saturable and non-saturable binding in serum. The saturable and main binding is to alpha 1-AGP, the low non-saturable binding corresponds to albumin and lipoprotein binding. The binding to alpha 1-AGP is characterized by approximately one binding site and association constants K ranging from 10(4) to 10(6) M-1. The binding of pindolol to alpha 1-AGP is strongly inhibited by propranolol, lidocaine, erythromycin, imipramine and TBEP. Significant correlations were found between log NK and log partition coefficient octanol-phosphate buffer suggesting that the protein binding of the 9 adrenergic beta-receptor antagonists to all serum proteins, including alpha 1-AGP, is predominantly hydrophobic in nature.     

A comparative study of the interaction of warfarin with human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and human albumin

The interaction of warfarin with human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) and human albumin (HA) has been investigated using fluorescence and circular dichroism techniques. The fluorescence of warfarin is greatly enhanced following binding to alpha 1-AGP or HA, the binding constant for a single site being estimated by the Scatchard method. The binding constants for the two serum proteins are similar, but the thermodynamic parameters differ. The binding constants increase as the pH is raised to 9.0. Various basic drugs, such as chlorpromazine, propranolol and imipramine, markedly inhibited the binding of warfarin to alpha 1-AGP. But, some acidic drugs, including phenylbutazone, effectively displaced warfarin bound to HA. The difference in CD spectra observed for alpha 1-AGP and HA indicated that the drug-binding sites of the two proteins might have different asymmetries. It thus appears that the mode of interaction of warfarin with the two proteins differs.     

Interaction of plasma proteins with cytochromes P450 mediated metabolic reactions: inhibition by human serum albumin and alpha-globulins of the debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation (CYP2D) in liver microsomes of human, hamster and rat

The effect of human serum albumin (HSA), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (alpha1-AGP), and alpha- and gamma-globulins on the in vitro metabolism of debrisoquine in human, hamster and rat liver microsomes was studied. Interaction of albumin with cytochrome P450 mediated phenytoin metabolism has been reported. Since plasma protein binding of phenytoin is high, in the present study a weakly protein bound drug, debrisoquine, was studied. Debrisoquine is a substrate of CYP2D6. The debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation was measured using a radio-TLC method. Among the four plasma proteins, alpha-globulins had the strongest inhibitory effect on the debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase activity. The inhibition with 2% alpha-globulins was 42+/-18% for human and higher for hamster and rat liver microsomes (65-71%). HSA had less effect than alpha-globulins. In the presence of HSA, the decrease in activity was between 18 and 35% for all liver microsomes studied. The debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase activity was not significantly changed by alpha1-AGP or gamma-globulins. Using an ultra-filtration method, the protein binding of debrisoquine to 4% HSA, 0.5% alpha1-AGP, 2% alpha-globulins and 2% gamma-globulins was found to be 22, 20, 22 and 5%, respectively. Since the observed inhibition is inconsistent with level of protein binding, it appears, particularly in the case of alpha-globulins, that the plasma proteins interact with CYP2D directly.     

Propranolol disposition in renal failure.

1 Previous studies of propranolol disposition in renal failure have been conflicting. 2 Using simultaneous administration of [3H]-propranolol intravenously and unlabelled propranolol orally the principal determinants of drug distribution were calculated in normals, patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 14.5 +/- 2.8 ml/min) but not on haemodialysis and patients on haemodialysis (creatinine clearance less than 5 ml/min). 3 The effect of haemodialysis on propranolol binding and free fraction was also examined. The percentage of propranolol unbound rose from 7.1% to 9.9%. (P less than 0.001) 20 min following heparinization and beginning haemodialysis. This was accompanied by a large rise in free fatty acids from 0.567 +/- 0.059 to 3.326 +/- 0.691 mumol/ml (P less than 0.005). 4 The blood to plasma concentration ratios of propranolol were significantly higher in patients with renal failure (P less than 0.02) and on haemodialysis (P less than 0.001) and were significantly negatively correlated (P less than 0.001) with the haematocrit. 5 Although the half-life propranolol was significantly shortened in the patients with renal failure (P less than 0.02), there was no change in the apparent liver blood flow, extraction ratio or the principal determinants of steady-state drug concentrations in blood namely oral and intravenous clearance from blood. 6 There is, therefore, no pharmacokinetic basis to adjust the dosage of propranolol in patients with renal failure.     

Variations in drug free fraction during alcohol withdrawal.

1 Free fractions of diazepam, propranolol and warfarin were determined in 15 male chronic alcoholics in alcohol withdrawal. 2 On admission the mean free fraction of diazepam was 25% above and propranolol 44% below the limits of normal range, while the mean warfarin free fraction was in high normal range. One week later mean free fraction of diazepam declined by 20% while propranolol and warfarin increased by 24% and 19% respectively (P less than 0.05). 3 Propranolol free fraction and alpha 1-AGP concentrations were highly correlated (linear r = -0.83, P less than 0.001). In contrast the sources of variation in diazepam and warfarin free fraction were more complex and less certain. 4 Statistically significant changes of drug free fractions in serum of chronic alcoholics were observed during alcohol withdrawal. The extent and direction of these changes differed for various classes of drugs and their potential causes appear to be quite different. 5 Clinically important changes in drug effect may be present acutely, within the dosing interval, as a result of altered drug binding. These are more likely when the clinical response is closely related to drug concentration and will occur within the dosing interval due to larger fluctuations in free drug concentration, even though the average free drug concentration will remain unchanged. 6 Total drug level changes will be observed during alcohol withdrawal even in absence of detectable changes of drug metabolism.     

The stereoselectivity of the 'single drug binding site' of human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid)

The stereoselective binding of six pairs of basic, one pair of acidic drug enantiomers, and one pair of diastereomers for human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was investigated by means of competition experiments against [3H]propranolol- or [14C]nicardipine-labelled binding sites using equilibrium dialysis to separate free from bound marker ligand. The affinity constants (Ka) for association of [3H]propranolol and [14C]nicardipine with alpha 1-AGP were 1.2 +/- 0.6 X 10(5) M-1 and 3.4 +/- 1.4 X 10(5) M-1, respectively, and control binding amounted to 57 +/- 7 and 91 +/- 2%, respectively. The following selectivity factors, calculated as the ratio of the higher over the lower enantiomer concentrations displacing 15% of control radiomarker binding (IC15-value), were obtained against propranolol and nicardipine: (-)/(+) propranolol: 1.9 and 1.7.; (+)-/(-)-disopyramide: 2.8 and 1.4; (+)-/(-)-verapamil: 1.6 and 1.9; (+)-(S)-/(-)-(R)-202-791, a dihydropyridine derivative: 2.6 and 2.0; (-)-/(+)-asocainol: 1.7 and 3.0; (+)-/(-)-tilidine: 1.1 and approximately equal to 2; (-)-(S)-/(+)-(R)- warfarin: 1.6 and 2.4; (+/-)-cis/(+/-)-trans-trans-tilidine: 1.7 and 1.8. When the calculation of radioligand-free fractions is also taken into account, it is apparent that only the tilidine isomers show no selectivity at propranolol-marked, and the disopyramide isomers at nicardipine-marked alpha 1-AGP-binding sites, in all other cases, a weak selectivity is detectable, which is, however, far below the values obtained for most neurotransmitter receptors. It is concluded that the single drug binding site of alpha 1-AGP is only slightly stereoselective and that the stereoselective binding of the drugs investigated is probably of no clinical consequence.     

Decrease in penbutolol central response as a cause of changes in its serum protein binding

Penbutolol is a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist that is extensively bound to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP), a protein that increases in inflammatory diseases thereby binding more drug in such conditions. Changes in serum binding can lead to modifications in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a drug, therefore, the central effect (as the anticonvulsant response) and brain uptake of penbutolol given intravenously to mice with experimental inflammation have been measured. A significant decrease of the central effect of penbutolol and its brain uptake was seen in diseased when compared with control animals (P less than 0.01). A parallel decrease in free fraction of penbutolol in diseased vs normal animals was detected. These results suggest that there is an increase in serum binding of basic drugs related to increments in alpha 1-AGP concentration, which reduces their central pharmacological effect.     

The influence of age, smoking and hyperthyroidism on plasma propranolol steady state concentration.

1 Plasma propranolol steady state concentration (Css) was determined during chronic dosage (160 mg/day) in 22 hyperthyroid patients (aged 16-75 years, 11 smokers, 11 non-smokers) and again following treatment when euthyroid. 2 There was a positive correlation between plasma propranolol Css and age in patients both when hyperthyroid (r = 0.74, P less than 0.01) and when euthyroid (r = 0.58, P less than 0.05). 3 Plasma propranolol Css in hyperthyroid patients were lower (P less than 0.05) in smokers than in non-smokers. 4 Following correction of hyperthyroidism there was a significant increase (P less than 0.01) in both the plasma propranolol Css and degree of plasma protein binding of propranolol. 5 Hyperthyroidism and smoking are known to increase the rate of drug metabolism and it is suggested that these variables may give rise to or accentuate an age related reduction in propranolol clearance.     

Elimination kinetics of amsacrine in the rabbit: evidence of nonlinearity

Plasma amsacrine kinetics have been studied in rabbits after different doses (2.5-10 mg/kg) infused over 35 min. Amsacrine concentrations were measured by HPLC and plasma protein binding by equilibrium dialysis. All elimination curves were best fitted by a bi-exponential expression with a mean t 1/2 alpha of 0.56 h and t 1/2 beta of 2.47 h. At doses greater than 5 mg/kg, there appeared to be an overproportional increase in the area under the curve, suggesting non-linear kinetics. Comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters indicated a significant decrease in plasma Cl after the 10-mg/kg dose compared to the 5- and 2.5-mg/kg dose. Amsacrine was highly bound by plasma (96.8%) over the concentration range 1-100 mumol/l. It is concluded that the rabbit is an acceptable model for further studies of the pharmacokinetics of amsacrine and its analogues at doses less than or equal to 5 mg/kg.     

Relationship between alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and plasma binding of disopyramide and mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide.

Highly purified serum albumin did not bind either disopyramide (DP) or mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide (MND). The unbound fraction of DP and MND in highly purified serum alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) at 0.5 g/l was 57 and 62 and at 2.0 g/l 19 and 30% respectively. Unbound DP and MND were measured in spiked plasma (10 mumol/l of DP or MND), from 60 patients, having AAG concentrations varying from 0.4 to 3.0 g/l. Unbound drug varied from 13 to 58 and from 24 to 62% for DP and MND, respectively, and was inversely related to the plasma concentration of AAG (r = -0.9016, r = -0.9157). A linear relationship was found between the binding ratio (moles bound divided by moles unbound) and the plasma concentration of AAG for both DP (r = 0.9199) and MND (r = 0.9270), whereas no relationship was found between the binding ratios of DP or MND and the plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, haptoglobin, alpha 1-antitrypsin or the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA or IgM. In patients on DP maintenance therapy, a linear relationship was found between percent unbound DP and the plasma concentration of DP in samples with similar AAG concentrations. Furthermore, a linear relationship was found between the binding ratio of DP and the plasma concentration of AAG in samples with similar DP concentrations. The present findings support the concept that AAG is the major serum protein responsible for the binding of DP and MND.     

Effects of adrenergic antihypertensive drugs on sterol synthesis in freshly isolated human mononuclear leukocytes

The effects of the adrenergic antihypertensive drugs propranolol, clonidine, alpha-methyldopa, urapidil, indoramin, and prazosin on the relative rate of sterol synthesis were studied in freshly isolated human mononuclear leukocytes. Incubation of cells for 6 h in a medium containing lipid-depleted serum led to a threefold increase in the incorporation of [14C]acetate or tritiated water into sterols. (-)-Epinephrine added at zero time to the incubation medium inhibited the relative rate of sterol synthesis by 32% at a concentration of 1 mumol/L. The non-specific beta-blocker propranolol, added at equimolar concentrations, almost abolished the epinephrine-induced suppression. The beta-blocker per se had no effect on the incorporation of [14C]acetate into sterols up to a concentration of 1 mumol/l. The alpha 2-agonist clonidine and alpha-methyldopa, added in increasing concentrations at zero time, inhibited the relative rate of sterol synthesis, yielding a sigmoidal log dose-effect curve. The suppression was 43 and 24%, respectively, at a concentration of 0.1 mmol/L. The alpha 1-antagonists indoramin, prazosin, and urapidil, up to a concentration of 10 mumol/L, had no effect per se, or on the epinephrine-induced suppression of the relative synthesis rate of sterols. The results give evidence that various antihypertensive adrenergic drugs, depending on their action on beta- or alpha-adrenergic receptors, have different effects on cholesterol biosynthesis and therefore may affect cellular cholesterol homeostasis.     

Differences in the serum protein binding of prazosin in man and rat

The serum protein binding of prazosin in man and rat has been studied in vitro by equilibrium dialysis. Prazosin was more extensively bound in human serum than in rat serum with binding ratios (B/F) of 14.3 +/- 3.4 and 4.4 +/- 0.2 (corresponding to 93.4 and 81.4% bound), respectively. This difference in binding between the species was partly due to qualitative differences between human and rat serum albumin, but also to the lower concentration of albumin in rat serum. Rat serum albumin (RSA) apparently showed two different classes of binding sites for prazosin, one with high (KD = 5.78 X 10(-6) M) and one with low (KD = 1.1 X 10(-4) M) affinity; the former is suggested as representing alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) with one binding site for prazosin per molecule, the latter as representing RSA with 0.28 binding sites per molecule. Human serum albumin (HSA) and human alpha 1-AGP both showed one class of binding sites with KD values of 2.7 X 10(-5) and 1.95 X 10(-6) M, respectively. HSA possessed 0.5 and human alpha 1-AGP 1 binding site for prazosin per molecule. The binding parameters obtained for the isolated serum proteins overestimated to some degree the total serum protein binding of prazosin in man. This was explained by a specific deviation from the law of mass action. HSA was the major binding protein in human serum at therapeutic concentrations, with ca. 60% of the total binding, the remaining 40% being bound to alpha 1-AGP. Anticipating that the high affinity binding site on the RSA preparation represents the binding of prazosin to alpha 1-AGP, then this protein accounts for 70% of the binding in rat serum, while rat serum albumin accounts for approximately 23%. The binding of prazosin to lipoproteins was insignificant in both species. The observed differences between man and rat in the serum protein binding of prazosin implicate differences in the two species with respect to prazosin pharmacokinetics and the pharmacological effect.     

The interaction of human and bovine serum proteins with CYP3A in human liver microsomes: inhibition of testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation by albumin,alpha-globulins,alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein and gamma-globulins

The effects of human and bovine serum proteins on CYP3A activity, using testosterone as the probe substrate, were investigated in human liver microsomes. Serum albumin, alpha-globulins, and alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (alpha(1)-AGP) of both species significantly inhibited testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. When the inhibitory effects of serum proteins were compared with serum protein binding data, human alpha-globulins, with a ratio (relative metabolic activity/unbound fraction) of 0.3, showed higher, and bovine alpha(1)-AGP, with the ratio of 1.4, showed lower inhibitory effects than those expected from protein binding of testosterone. The effects of the other serum proteins were close to those expected from protein binding, according to the free drug hypothesis. The K(i) values obtained from the Dixon plots were 0.32% (w/v, 48 microM) for human serum albumin (HSA), 0.48% for human alpha-globulins, and 0.23% (52 microM) for human alpha(1)-AGP. K(i) values of bovine serum albumin, bovine alpha-globulins and bovine alpha(1)-AGP were 3-5 times higher than those of the respective human proteins. The results suggest a direct interaction of some of these serum proteins with the active site of the CYP3A isoform. Since the bovine serum proteins showed weaker inhibitory effects than human serum proteins, the wide use of BSA, which is viewed as interchangeable with HSA, needs to be cautioned.     

Binding of oxprenolol and propranolol to serum,albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein in man and other species

Species differences in binding of basic drugs have only occasionally been studied and we have therefore measured the binding of the β-adrenergic blockers oxprenolol and propranolol in (1) serum of healthy humans, dogs, rats and rabbits and of rabbits with experimental arthritis, (2) a solution of albumin of these species and (3) a solution of human α₁-AGP. In humans, dogs, rats and arthritic rabbits, binding of oxprenolol and propranolol was much higher in serum than in albumin solution; in healthy rabbits serum binding was very low and not different from albumin binding. For both drugs, concentration-dependency was seen in serum of dogs, humans and rats and of arthritic rabbits; a similar concentration-dependency was found for human α₁-AGP solution, but not for human albumin and for serum of healthy rabbits.Tris (2-butoxyethyl)-phosphate (TBEP), a known displacer of drugs from α₁-AGP in humans, decreased binding in serum of all species except the rabbit. For both β-blockers, species differences in capacity constants were found; species differences in affinity constants were present only for propranolol. These results suggest that in humans, dog and rat, but much less in rabbits, oxprenolol and propranolol bind mainly to α₁-AGP and that binding to α₁-AGP is more important for oxprenolol than for propranolol.