Effect of 5-fluorouracil on the anticoagulant activity and the pharmacokinetics of warfarin enantiomers in rats.

The interaction between the antineoplastic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the oral anticoagulant warfarin enantiomers was investigated in rats. An increase in hypoprothrombinaemic response, assessed by means of percent changes of prothrombin complex activity and clotting factor VII activity, to warfarin, was observed following oral administration of 1.5 mg/kg racemic warfarin to rats during a 8-day intraperitoneal dose regimen of 5-FU (13.3 mg/kg daily). 5-FU had no apparent effect on the baseline blood coagulation, the in vitro rat serum protein binding as well as the absorption and distribution of the S- and R-enantiomers of warfarin in rats. Yet treatment with 5-FU produced a significant decrease in the total serum clearance value of S-warfarin in rats. The decreased total clearance was attributed mainly to a significant decrease in the formation rate of the overall oxidative metabolites of the more potent S-enantiomer of warfarin.     

Effect of omeprazole on the hydroxylation of warfarin enantiomers in human: in-vitro studies with liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 isozymes

Clinically observed warfarin-omeprazole interaction has been found to be associated with the inhibition of R-warfarin hydroxylation by omeprazole. The present study was conducted in human liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450s to assess the inhibitory potential of omeprazole on the hydroxylation of warfarin enantiomers, and to identify the cytochrome P450 isozymes involved in the inhibition of hydroxylation of warfarin enantiomers by omeprazole, and to evaluate the extent to which the in vitro data is predictive of the actual pharmacokinetic interaction between warfarin and omeprazole observed in vivo. Omeprazole inhibited the formation of R-6-, R-7- and S-7-hydroxywarfarin with the Ki values of 40, 22 and 116 microM, respectively. Its inhibitory effect was selective towards R-warfarin. Further study conducted in cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450s (CYPs) demonstrates that the inhibition of the in-vitro biotransformation of warfarin enantiomers by omeprazole is attributed to its inhibitory effect on the activities of CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. The extent of the in vivo warfarin-omeprazole interaction was underestimated as based on the Ki values obtained from the in-vitro inhibition study, suggesting an underestimation of the effective concentration of the inhibitor at the site of interaction or some other mechanisms involved in the drug interaction between warfarin and omeprazole.     

Effect of coenzyme Q10 on warfarin hydroxylation in rat and human liver microsomes

Our previous animal study has suggested that the accelerated metabolism of warfarin enantiomers with concurrent coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) treatment accounts for the reduced anticoagulant effect of warfarin in rats. The present study was to assess the effect of CoQ(310) on individual hydroxylation pathways of the in vitro microsomal metabolism of warfarin enantiomers and to extrapolate in vitro data to in vivo situation. The effect of the antioxidant CoQ(10) on the hydroxylation of warfarin enantiomers was examined using rat and human liver microsomes. Based on the in vitro kinetic data, together with the information retrieved from the literature, the magnitude of warfarin-CoQ(10) interaction in man was quantitatively predicted. In rat liver microsomes, CoQ(10) exhibited a selective activation effect on the 4'-hydroxylation of S-warfarin, with a K(A) value (i.e. dissociation constant of the enzyme-activator complex) being one third and one fifth of those for the 6- and 7-hydroxylation, respectively. The activation effect of CoQ(10) was selective towards the 6- and 7-hydroxylation of R-warfarin at low substrate concentrations, but towards the 4'-hydoxylation of the R-enantiomer at high substrate concentrations. In human liver microsomes, CoQ(10) was a selective activator of the 7-hydroxylation of both R- and S-enantiomers of warfarin, with K(A) values being half to one twelfth of those for the other pathways. A relatively accurate prediction was made for the increase in the total and hepatic clearance of both S- and R-warfarin in rats with concurrent CoQ(10) treatment based on their respective overall hydroxylation, when the active transport of CoQ(10)into the hepatocytes was taken into consideration. In man, one would expect about 32% and 17% increase in the total clearance of S- and R-warfarin, respectively, with coadministration of 100 mg CoQ(10). In both species, CoQ(10) had enzyme activation effect, which appeared to be regioselective but not stereoselective, on the formation of the phenolic metabolites of warfarin enantiomers. A moderate increase in the total clearance of warfarin enantiomers could occur with coadministration of CoQ(10)in humans.     

Comparison of the rat liver microsomal metabolism of the enantiomers of warfarin and 4'-nitrowarfarin (acenocoumarol)

1. Rat liver microsomal metabolism of the enantiomers of warfarin and acenocoumarol (4'-nitrowarfarin) has been studied. The enantiomers of both compounds were hydroxylated mainly at the 6- and 7-positions. Acenocoumarol enantiomers were much better substrates for cytochromes P-450 than the corresponding warfarin enantiomers; Km values for the 6- and 7-hydroxylations were 2 to 19 times lower for R- and S-acenocoumarol than for warfarin. 2. Formation of the 6-, 7-, and 8-hydroxy-metabolites of warfarin was stereoselective for the R-enantiomer (the R/S ratio for total intrinsic clearance was about 3). 4'-Hydroxylation was not stereoselective. In contrast, formation of acenocoumarol metabolites was stereoselective for the S-enantiomer (the S/R ratio for total intrinsic clearance was about 3). 3. From the effects of phenobarbitone and methylcholanthrene induction, and inhibition by cimetidine, on in vitro metabolism of the enantiomers of both compounds, it was concluded that the differences between warfarin and acenocoumarol can be explained partly by the involvement of different enzymes.     

Human liver microsomal metabolism of the enantiomers of warfarin and acenocoumarol: P450 isozyme diversity determines the differences in their pharmacokinetics.

1. To explain the large differences in (the stereoselectivity of) the clearances of the enantiomers of warfarin and acenocoumarol (4'-nitrowarfarin) their human liver microsomal metabolism has been studied and enzyme kinetic parameters determined. The effects of cimetidine, propafenone, sulphaphenazole, and omeprazole on their metabolism has been investigated. 2. The 4-hydroxycoumarins follow similar metabolic routes and are mainly hydroxylated at the 6- and 7-position (accounting for 63 to 99% of the metabolic clearances). 3. Due to the lower Km values of R- and S-acenocoumarol and higher Vmax values of S-acenocoumarol, the overall metabolic clearances of R/S acenocoumarol exceed those of R/S warfarin 6 and 66 times respectively. 4. The metabolism of both compounds is stereoselective for the S-enantiomers, which is 10 times more pronounced in the case of acenocoumarol. 5. Except for the 7-hydroxylation of the R-enantiomers (r = 0.90; P < 0.025), the 6- and 7-hydroxylation rates of R/S warfarin do not correlate with those of R/S acenocoumarol. 6. Sulphaphenazole competitively inhibits the 7- and in some samples partly (up to 50%) the 6-hydroxylation of S-warfarin as well as the 7-hydroxylation of R- and S-acenocoumarol and the 6-hydroxylation of S-acenocoumarol (Kis ranging from 0.5-1.3 microM). 7. Omeprazole partly (40-80%) inhibits the 6- and 7-hydroxylation of R-warfarin (Ki = 99 and 117 microM) and of R- (Ki = 219 and 7.2 microM) and S-acenocoumarol (Ki = 6.1 and 7.7 microM) but not S-warfarin in a competitive manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stereoselective interaction of omeprazole with warfarin in healthy men

The effect of concomitant treatment with omeprazole (20 mg/day) on the plasma concentration and anticoagulation effect of warfarin was studied in 21 young healthy men. An initial three weeks' treatment with warfarin alone was administered to determine the doses required for the subjects' vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors to fall within 10-20% of the normal range, as determined by the Trombotest. Omeprazole and placebo were then administered concomitantly with warfarin for 2 weeks each in a double-blind, randomized, crossover fashion. Plasma concentrations of (R)- and (S)-warfarin, and Trombotest values were measured daily on weekdays throughout the crossover period. Omeprazole had no apparent effect on the mean (S)-warfarin plasma concentration (379 ng/ml with, versus 387 ng/ml without, omeprazole), but caused a slight (12%) although statistically significant increase in the mean (R)-warfarin concentration from 490 to 548 ng/ml (95% confidence interval for difference of means: 28-88). The Trombotest values exhibited large inter- and intrasubject variability during both omeprazole and placebo treatment; however, there was a small, although statistically significant decrease in the mean value from 21.1% without to 18.7% with omeprazole treatment (95% CI for difference of means: -4.6- -0.1). Those subjects with Trombotest values nearest the therapeutic range (5-15%) exhibited less change during omeprazole treatment, and no changes occurred that required a change in warfarin dosing. The interaction of omeprazole with warfarin was attributed to a stereoselective inhibition of the hepatic metabolism of the less potent (R)-warfarin enantiomer. The small effect of omeprazole on the anticoagulation activity of warfarin is not likely to be of clinical importance.     

Comparison of the rat liver microsomal metabolism of the enantiomers of warfarin and 4′-nitrowarfarin (Acenocoumarol)

1. Rat liver microsomal metabolism of the enantiomers of warfarin and acenocoumarol (4′-nitrowarfarin) has been studied. The enantiomers of both compounds were hydroxylated mainly at the 6- and 7-positions. Acenocoumarol enantiomers were much better substrates for cytochromes P-450 than the corresponding warfarin enantiomers; K_m values for the 6- and 7-hydroxylations were 2 to 19 times lower for R- and S-acenocoumarol than for warfarin.

2. Formation of the 6-, 7-, and 8-hydroxy-metabolites of warfarin was stereoselective for the R-enantiomer (the R/S ratio for total intrinsic clearance was about 3). 4′-Hydroxylation was not stereoselective. In contrast, formation of acenocoumarol metabolites was stereoselective for the S-enantiomer (the S/R ratio for total intrinsic clearance was about 3).

3. From the effects of phenobarbitone and methylcholanthrene induction, and inhibition by cimetidine, on in vitro metabolism of the enantiomers of both compounds, it was concluded that the differences between warfarin and acenocoumarol can be explained partly by the involvement of different enzymes.     

Effect of ketoprofen and its enantiomers on the renal disposition of methotrexate in the isolated perfused rat kidney

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to inhibit the renal tubular secretion of methotrexate. However, the relative contribution of the active S- and inactive R-enantiomers is unknown. This study examined the effect of racemic ketoprofen and its enantiomers on the renal disposition of methotrexate in the isolated perfused rat kidney (IPK). Nineteen kidneys were divided between a control and three treatment groups. Controls were perfused with methotrexate alone (25 micrograms mL-1, n = 5) over three 30-min periods. Treatment groups were perfused with methotrexate (25 micrograms m-1) for the first period, followed by a second period of methotrexate (25 micrograms mL-1) plus R- (n = 5), S- (n = 5) or RS-ketoprofen (n = 4) at 25 micrograms mL-1, and a third period of methotrexate (25 micrograms mL-1) plus R-, S- or RS-ketoprofen (50 micrograms mL-1). Perfusate and urine were collected over 10-min intervals. Methotrexate was measured by HPLC and its binding in perfusate by ultrafiltration. The clearance ratio (CR) for methotrexate was obtained by dividing the renal clearance by the product of its fraction unbound and the glomerular filtration rate. During control experiments, there was no significant change in the CR over 90 min. R-, S- and RS-ketoprofen at 50 micrograms mL-1 reduced the CR of methotrexate significantly, but there was no difference between the three groups. While the enantiomers of ketoprofen reduced the renal excretion of methotrexate, the interaction was not enantioselective.     

Effect of rutin on warfarin anticoagulation and pharmacokinetics of warfarin enantiomers in rats

Objectives The effects of the flavonoid rutin on the anticoagulant activity of oral warfarin and the protein binding and pharmacokinetics of its enantiomers were investigated in rats. Methods A single dose of racemic warfarin, 1.5 mg/kg, was administered orally to rats either alone or on day 5 of an 8‐day oral regimen of rutin, 1 g/kg daily. Results Rutin reduced the anticoagulant effect of racemic warfarin, evident as a 31% reduction in the area under the prothrombin complex activty–time curve (P < 0.05). Key findings Rutin had no apparent effect on pre‐treatment baseline blood coagulation. It enhanced the in‐vitro serum protein binding of S‐ and R‐warfarin (reflected by 40% and 26% reductions in unbound fraction, respectively), and thus restricted distribution by 33 and 21%, respectively. Treatment with rutin significantly decreased the elimination half‐life of S‐warfarin by 37% as a result of the 69% increase in unbound clearance of the S‐enantiomer. This effect was attributed to a significant 77% increase in the unbound formation clearance of the overall oxidative and reductive metabolites, and an increase in the unbound renal clearance of the more potent S‐enantiomer of warfarin. Conclusions Concurrent rutin administration is likely to reduce the anticoagulant effect of racemic warfarin, reflecting a significant decrease in the elimination half‐life of the more potent S‐enantiomer.     

Induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes by the enantiomers of normephenytoin in the rat

The influence of the S- and R-enantiomers of normephenytoin on various hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme systems has been investigated in the rat. Both enantiomers proved to be potent enzyme inducers. In vivo, 14C-aminopyrine breath test half-life was decreased and 24-hr urine recovery of 14C after 14C-diphenylhydantoin administration was increased. In vitro, hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentration was increased and there were increases in activity of oxidative metabolism of aminopyrine, aniline, hexobarbital, and p-nitroanisole, and in activities of glucuronyltransferase and glutathionetransferase enzymes. There were differences in the disposition of R- and S-enantiomers indicating that (S)-normephenytoin was eliminated more rapidly. Taking this into consideration, the two enantiomers were equipotent enzyme-inducing agents.     

Effect of sodium salicylate on the fate of warfarin in the rat

Salicylate (88.9 mg/kg, po) decreased the blood level of radioactivity emanating from [¹⁴C]warfarin (1 mg/kg, iv and po) during the 24 hr following drug administration, reduced the area under the blood radioactivity vs time curve, and shortened the half-life for elimination of radioactivity from the blood. During the first 6 hr after drug administration, salicylate increased the biliary excretion of radioactivity, which resulted in enhanced fecal excretion of warfarin and its metabolites. Salicylate administration initially increased and later decreased the amount of radioactivity in the liver, and increased the proportion of warfarin metabolites to unchanged warfarin in this organ. It did not affect the proportion of unchanged warfarin to metabolites in the blood, bile and urine, or the total amount of radioactivity excreted during 48 hr in the urine and feces. In vitro, salicylate decreased the binding of [¹⁴C]warfarin to rat serum proteins in a linear manner. It is concluded that, in the rat, salicylate competes with warfarin for serum protein binding sites, thereby facilitating its uptake by the liver. Second, through a combination of its choleretic action and effect on membrane transport, salicylate enhances the biliary excretion of warfarin and its metabolites, thus accounting for the decreased concentration in the blood and lowered antiboagulant action.     

The role of cytochrome P2C19 in R-warfarin pharmacokinetics and its interaction with omeprazole

Previous studies reported omeprazole to be an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 and suggested the pharmacokinetic interaction of omeprazole with R-warfarin. The aim of this study was to compare possible effects of omeprazole on the stereoselective pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin between CYP2C19 genotypes. Seventeen subjects, of whom 10 were homozygous extensive metabolizers (hmEMs) and seven were poor metabolizers (PMs) for CYP2C19, were enrolled in this randomized crossover study, and they ingested 20 mg omeprazole or placebo once daily for 11 days. On day 7, they administered a single dose of 10 mg racemic warfarin. The plasma concentrations of warfarin enantiomers and prothrombin time expressed as international normalized ratio were monitored up to 120 hours. During the placebo phase, area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and elimination half-life (t1/2) of R-warfarin in PMs was significantly greater than those in hmEMs (AUC[0-infinity], 42,938/34,613 ng h/mL [PM/hmEM], P = 0.004; t1/2, 48.8/40.8 hours [PM/hmEM], P = 0.013). Omeprazole treatment significantly increased the AUC(0-infinity) (41,387 ng h/mL, P = 0.004) and t1/2 (46.4 hours, P = 0.017) of R-warfarin in hmEMs to levels comparable to those in the PMs. There were no differences in S-warfarin pharmacokinetics between the CYP2C19 genotypes (AUC[0-infinity], 15,851/16,968 ng*h/mL [PM/hmEM]; t1/2, 22.7/25.4 h [PM/hmEM]), or between the two treatment phases (AUC[0-infinity], 14,756/18,166 ng h/mL [PM/hmEM]; t1/2, 27.0/25.4 hours [PM/hmEM] in the omeprazole phase) as well as anticoagulant effects. These results indicate that CYP2C19 activity was one of determinants on the R-warfarin disposition because the pharmacokinetics of warfarin enantiomers were different between the CYP2C19 genotypes and the omeprazole affected the R-warfarin pharmacokinetics of CYP2C19 in only hmEMs. However, the phamacodynamic effect of the interaction of warfarin with omeprazole would be of minor clinical significance.     

Enantioselective structure-pharmacokinetic relationships of ring substituted warfarin analogues in the rat

The enantiomer specific pharmacokinetics of ring substituted warfarin analogues have been studied in the rat after the administration of 2 mg kg-1 of the racemates. The stereoselective differences observed were due to stereoselective plasma protein binding and stereoselective intrinsic hepatic clearance. Greater binding was observed for the S-enantiomers except for 2'-substituted analogues where the R-enantiomers were more tightly bound. The stereoselectivity in the binding ranged up to a factor of about 4. All substituted warfarins showed a higher intrinsic clearance than warfarin. Enantiomer selectivity depended on the position of the substituent; warfarin and 3'-substituted analogues showed R greater than S; 4'- and 2' substituted warfarins showed S greater than R stereoselectivity. Exceptions to this generality were seen for 4'- methoxy- and 4'-methylwarfarin which did not show stereoselective hepatic clearance.     

Identification of human liver cytochrome P450 isoforms mediating omeprazole metabolism

1 The in vitro metabolism of omeprazole was studied in human liver microsomes in order to define the metabolic pathways and identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms responsible for the formation of the major omeprazole metabolites. 2 The four major metabolites identified in vitro, in tentative order of importance, were hydroxyomeprazole, omeprazole sulphone, 5-O-desmethylomeprazole, and an unidentified compound termed metabolite X. Omeprazole pyridone was also detected but could not be quantitated. Incubation of hydroxyomeprazole and omeprazole sulphone with human microsomes resulted in both cases in formation of the hydroxysulphone. The kinetics of formation of the four primary metabolites studied were biphasic suggesting the involvement of multiple CYP isoforms in each case. Further studies used substrate concentrations at which the high affinity activities predominated. 3 Formation of the major metabolite, hydroxyomeprazole, was significantly correlated with S-mephenytoin hydroxylase and with benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and CYP3A content. Inhibition studies with isoform selective inhibitors also indicated a dominant role of S-mephenytoin hydroxylase with some CYP3A contribution in the formation of hydroxyomeprazole. Correlation and inhibition data for the sulphone and metabolite X were consistent with a predominant role of the CYP3A subfamily in formation of these metabolites. Formation of 5-O-desmethylomeprazole was inhibited by both R, S-mephenytoin and quinidine, indicating that both S-mephenytoin hydroxylase and CYP2D6 may mediate this reaction in human liver microsomes and in vivo. 4 The Vmax/Km (indicator of intrinsic clearance in vivo) for hydroxyomeprazole was four times greater than that for omeprazole sulphone. Consistent with findings in vivo, the results predict that omeprazole clearance in vivo would be reduced in poor metabolisers of mephenytoin due to reduction in the dominant partial metabolic clearance to hydroxyomeprazole.     

Blood–brain barrier penetration of the enantiomers of venlafaxine and its metabolites in mice lacking P-glycoprotein

According to in vitro studies the enantiomers of venlafaxine display different degrees of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition. Therefore, clarification of the enantiomeric drug distribution between serum and brain is highly warranted. To elucidate if P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in a stereoselective manner transports venlafaxine and its metabolites out of the brain we used abcb1ab double-knockout mice that do not express P-gp. A single dose of racemic venlafaxine (10 mg/kg bw) was intraperitoneally injected to knockout (−/−) and wildtype (+/+) mice. Serum and brain samples were collected 1, 3, 6 and 9 h following drug administration for analysis by LC/MS/MS. One to six hours post-dose, the brain concentrations of venlafaxine, O-desmethylvenlafaxine and N-desmethylvenlafaxine were 2–3, 2–6 and 3–12 times higher in abcb1ab (−/−) mice compared to abcb1ab (+/+) mice, respectively. No major differences in the serum and brain disposition of the S- and R-enantiomers of venlafaxine and its metabolites were found between the groups. We conclude that P-gp decreases the penetration of the S- and R-enantiomers of venlafaxine and its major metabolites into the brain. No evidence of a stereoselective P-gp mediated transport of these substances was observed.     

Stereoselectivity and species difference in plasma protein binding of KE-298 and its metabolites.

In vitro protein binding of KE-298 and its plasma metabolites, deacetyl-KE-298 (M-1) and S-methyl-KE-298 (M-2), was high in rat (>97%), dog (>89%) and human plasma (>99%), respectively. Human serum albumin (>93%) was the main protein involved in the binding to plasma proteins, while the binding to human serum globulins was low (16-33%). The binding of KE-298 and its metabolites in all species of plasma was stereoselective. The (+)-(S)-enantiomers of these compounds bound rat, dog and human plasma proteins to a greater extent than did the (-)-(R)-enantiomers, except that the case of KE-298 was opposite in rat plasma. The stereoselective plasma levels of these compounds in rats, dogs, or humans would likely be due to stereoselective differences in binding to plasma albumin. The protein binding of M-1 in adjuvant-induced arthritis rat plasma was >97%, and the stereoselectivity was similar to the case of normal rat plasma. KE-298 and its metabolites remarkably displaced [14C]warfarin, which bound on albumin in a solution of diluted rat serum albumin. Similarly, there was a displacement of [14C]warfarin in solutions of dog and human serum albumin, and concomitantly the displacement of [14C]diazepam. [3H]Digitoxin was not displaced by any of the enantiomers in each albumin solution. No stereoselectivity was found in displacement by enantiomers of the three compounds. These results suggest that stereoselective protein binding can be attributed to quantitative differences in binding to albumin rather than to the different binding sites.     

Stereoselective glucuronidation of ofloxacin in rat liver microsomes.

The stereoselective glucuronidation of ofloxacin [(+/-)-OFLX], a new quinolone antibacterial agent, was studied in vitro using rat liver microsomes. OFLX glucuronidation exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics in rat liver microsomes. Stereoselective glucuronidation of the optical enantiomers occurred. S-(-)-OFLX glucuronide was produced 7-fold more than R-(+)-OFLX glucuronide with little or no difference in the values of KM of the enantiomers. The value of Vmax/KM for the glucuronide conjugate of S-(-)-OFLX was 8-fold greater than for the conjugate of R-(+)-OFLX. These results demonstrate that OFLX undergoes stereoselective glucuronidation in vitro. Moreover, we studied the in vivo interaction between enantiomers of OFLX in rats to clarify the effects of R-(+)-OFLX on the metabolism and disposition of S-(-)-OFLX. When the racemate [(+/-)-OFLX (20 mg/kg)] or single enantiomer [S-(-)-OFLX (10 mg/kg)] is administered iv to the rat, the serum concentrations of S-(-)-OFLX were higher after racemate administration than those after enantiomer administration, although the dose of S-(-)-OFLX was identical in both cases. These results indicate that R-(+)-OFLX may compete with S-(-)-OFLX in the in vivo glucuronidation. Furthermore, the results of the enantiomeric inhibition study showed that R-(+)-OFLX competitively inhibited S-(-)-OFLX glucuronidation in vitro with a Ki value of 2.92 mM.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of coumarin anticoagulants XXXIII: frequency distribution of dicumarol total clearance in rats.

The total clearance of dicumarol was determined in 172 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Clearance values ranged from 1.46 to 27.0 ml/hr/kg. Statistical analysis of a histogram of the total clearance values indicated a trimodal distribution, with modes at 6.28, 14.8, and 23.7 ml/hr/kg. The percentage of animals in each of these components was 60.5, 33.7, and 5.8. A previous study had shown that the total clearance of dicumarol was proportional to the fraction of nonprotein-bound drug in serum (serum free fraction) and that interindividual differences in total clearance of dicumarol in rats were due almost entirely to corresponding differences in the serum free fraction. Therefore, it is likely that the observed trimodal frequency distribution of total clearance values reflects a similar distribution of serum free fraction values of dicumarol. The frequency distribution curve for dicumarol total clearance is very similar to the trimodal frequency distribution curve for warfarin serum free fraction values in rats. This observation is consistent with the previously demonstrated strong correlation of serum free fraction values of dicumarol and warfarin in individual animals.     

Effect of rosuvastatin on warfarin pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The effect of rosuvastatin on warfarin pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics was assessed in 2 trials. In trial A (a randomized, double-blind, 2-period crossover study), 18 healthy volunteers were given rosuvastatin 40 mg or placebo on demand (o.d.) for 10 days with 1 dose of warfarin 25 mg on day 7. In trial B (an open-label, 2-period study), 7 patients receiving warfarin therapy with stable international normalized ratio values between 2 and 3 were coadministered rosuvastatin 10 mg o.d. for up to 14 days, which increased to rosuvastatin 80 mg if the international normalized ratio values were <3 at the end of this period. The results indicated that rosuvastatin can enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. The mechanism of this drug-drug interaction is unknown. Rosuvastatin had no effect on the total plasma concentrations of the warfarin enantiomers, but the free plasma fractions of the enantiomers were not measured. Appropriate monitoring of the international normalized ratio is indicated when this drug combination is coadministered.     

Comparison of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of the Aldose Reductase Inhibitors,AL03152 (RS), AL03802 (R), and AL03803 (S)

The pharmacokinetics of AL03152 (RS) and its enantiomers, AL03802 (R) and AL03803 (S), were studied in the Sprague–Dawley rat following intravenous bolus administration. The enantiomers had differing pharmacokinetic profiles, while the racemic compound exhibited pharmacokinetic parameters approximating the mean values of the individual enantiomers. The total clearance (CL_T) values of the two enantiomers were similar, but the intrinsic clearance (Cl_int) was much greater for the S-enantiomer than for the R-enantiomer. The volume of distribution (V_ss) for AL03802 (R) was threefold greater than that for AL03803 (S). The stereoselectivity in V _ss could not be totally accounted for by the slight difference in serum protein binding of the isomers and resulted in a difference in the half-lives of the enantiomers. Only the R-isomer exhibited a persistent terminal elimination phase, consistent with more extensive tissue binding than the S-isomer. AL03152 enantiomers were equivalent in potency assessed from in vitro IC₅₀ values toward rat lens aldose reductase and rat kidney L-hexonate dehydrogenase and lens EC₅₀ values in diabetic rats.