Pharmacokinetics Of Oral Dose Research Articles

Effects of Hypericum perforatum on Ivabradine Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers: An Open‐Label, Pharmacokinetic Interaction Clinical Trial

The effects of the CYP3A4 inducer, Hypericum perforatum, on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of ivabradine were assessed. An open-label, 2-period, nonrandomized, phase-I, pharmacokinetic interaction design was used. Twelve healthy volunteers received a single oral dose of ivabradine (10 mg) followed by H perforatum (300 mg orally, 3 times a day) for 14 days, combining the last dose with another single dose of ivabradine. Pharmacokinetic data for ivabradine (S16257) and its main active metabolite (S18982) prior to and after the administration of H perforatum were analyzed. After repeated administration of H perforatum, highest observed concentration in plasma (C(max)) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) were significantly decreased for ivabradine (32.7 +/- 16.6 vs 15.4 +/- 7.0 ng/mL, P < .01; 114 +/- 39.1 vs 43.7 +/- 12.0 ng x h/mL, P < .01, respectively), and for S18982 (C(max), 6.8 +/- 3.7 vs 5.1 +/- 2.0 ng/mL, P < .05; AUC, 56.2 +/- 23.4 vs 38.3 +/- 25.1 ng x h/mL, P < .01). Tendencies toward shorter time to C(max) and lower apparent terminal half-life values were found. Pharmacokinetic results are consistent with an induction of ivabradine metabolism by H perforatum.

The lung in the balance: arginine, methylated arginines, and nitric oxide

the lung is a major source of nitric oxide (NO), be it from nitric oxide synthase (NOS) III in the endothelium of the vast pulmonary circulation, NOS II in the epithelium of the large surface area of the airways, or NOS I in the nonadrenergic noncholinergic nerves ([6][1]). NO produced in the lung

Induction of the metabolism of etizolam by carbamazepine in humans

To examine the effect of carbamazepine on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics of etizolam. Eleven healthy male volunteers received carbamazepine 200 mg/day or placebo for 6 days in a double-blind, randomized, crossover manner, and on the sixth day they received a single oral 1-mg dose of etizolam. Blood samplings and evaluation of psychomotor function by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Stanford Sleepiness Scale were conducted up to 24 h after etizolam dosing. Plasma concentration of etizolam was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Carbamazepine treatment significantly decreased the peak plasma concentration (17.5±4.1 ng/ml versus 13.9±4.1 ng/ml; P<0.05), total area under the plasma concentration–time curve (194.8±88.9 ng h/ml versus 105.9±33.0 ng h/ml; P<0.001), and elimination half-life (11.1±4.6 h versus 6.8±2.8 h; P<0.01) of etizolam. No significant change was induced by carbamazepine in the two pharmacodynamic parameters. The present study suggests that carbamazepine induces the metabolism of etizolam.

Rifampicin Markedly Decreases Plasma Concentration and Hypnotic Effect of Brotizolam

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of rifampicin on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of brotizolam. Thirteen healthy male volunteers received rifampicin 450 mg/day, or matched placebo, for 7 days in a double-blind randomized crossover manner. On the sixth day they received a single oral 0.5-mg dose of brotizolam, and blood sampling was performed for 24 hours, together with an assessment of psychomotor function using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale. Rifampicin treatment significantly (P<0.001) decreased the peak plasma concentration (69%), total area under the plasma concentration-time curve (90%) and elimination half-life (79%) of brotizolam. Rifampicin significantly increased the area under the score-time curve of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (P<0.01), and decreased that of the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (P<0.05). The present study suggests that rifampicin markedly decreases plasma concentration and hypnotic effect of brotizolam and, therefore, this combination is not recommended in clinical practice.

Effect of carbamazepine on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics of perospirone and its active metabolite

Perospirone is a serotonin 5-HT 2A and dopamine D 2 receptor antagonist which originated in Japan. It has been shown that perospirone is metabolized to ID-15036 mainly by CYP3A4 based on an in vitro study. To investigate the metabolism of perospirone in humans, the authors measured the concentration of perospirone and ID-15036 after a single oral dose of perospirone (8 mg) in 10 healthy male subjects, before and during coadministration of carbamazepine, known as a potent inducer of CYP3A4. Before carbamazepine coadministration, the peak plasma concentrations ± SD of perospirone and ID-15036 were 4.0 ± 4.3 and 11.7 ± 7.1 ng/ml, respectively. During carbamazepine coadministration, the concentration of perospirone was decreased below the detection limit, and that of ID-15036 was 6.0 ± 1.7 ng/ml. The concentrations of perospirone and ID-15036 were influenced significantly by the treatment with carbamazepine, and this was probably attributable to the induction of CYP3A4. This study provided an in vivo evidence of involvement of CYP3A4 in the metabolism of perospirone.

Effects of Itraconazole and Tandospirone on the Pharmacokinetics of Perospirone

Perospirone is an atypical antipsychotic agent originated and clinically used in Japan. Based on an in vitro study, it is reported that perospirone is mainly metabolized to ID-15036 by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of itraconazole, which is a specific inhibitor of CYP3A4, or tandospirone, which is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4 and is expected to competitively inhibit the activity of this enzyme, on single oral dose pharmacokinetics of perospirone. After pretreatment with 200 mg daily of itraconazole or 10 mg daily of tandospirone for 5 days, 9 healthy male subjects received 8 mg of perospirone. Plasma concentrations of perospirone and ID-15036 up to 10 hours after perospirone dosing were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The metabolism of perospirone was significantly inhibited by treatment with itraconazole but not by tandospirone. The present study suggests that CYP3A4 is significantly involved in metabolism of perospirone in humans.

Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of a Single Dose of DN-101, a New Formulation of Calcitriol, in Patients with Cancer

Intermittent administration allows substantial dose escalation of calcitriol but limited bioavailability of the commercially available formulations at high doses is limiting. In this dose escalation study, we sought to evaluate the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of DN-101, a high-dose calcitriol formulation. DN-101 doses were escalated in sequential groups of three to six patients with advanced solid tumors. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as grade > or =2 hypercalcemia or grade > or =3 persistent treatment-related toxicities. Single-dose administration of 15, 30, 60, 75, 90, 105, 135, and 165 mug was tested. Thirty-eight patients were enrolled in 2002 and 2003. The median age was 70 years (range, 44-91 years). Dose escalation was stopped at the 165 microg level when the number of capsules required at one time reached 11. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred. Transient and self-limited grade 3 toxicities were hyponatremia (2) and proteinuria (1). A dose-proportional increase in peak concentration (C(max)) and area under the concentration curve (AUC) was seen across the full range of DN-101 doses tested. At the 165 microg dose, C(max) was 6.21 +/- 1.99 ng/mL, AUC(0-24) was 41.3 +/- 9.77 ng h/mL, AUC(0-infinity) was 55.4 +/- 8.44, and half-life (T(1/2)) was 16.2 hours. At doses between 15 and 165 microg, DN-101 exhibits linear pharmacokinetics. At 165 microg, DN-101 achieves systemic exposure that is 5- to 8-fold higher than that achieved with commercial formulations of calcitriol, which makes DN-101 comparable to that required for antitumor activity in vivo in a murine squamous cell carcinoma model.

Single oral dose pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) in patients with solid tumors

2071 Background: 2ME2 is an endogenous metabolite of estrogen and possesses potent antiangiogenic and pro-apoptotic activities. The objectives of this Phase I study were to characterize the toxicit...

MDR1 genotype do not influence the absorption of a single oral dose of 100 mg talinolol in healthy Chinese males

Objective We investigated the linkage between SNPs in exon 12 (C1236T), exon 21 (G2677T/A) and exon 26 (C3435T) of MDR1, and explored the effect of linked polymorphism on the absorption of talinolol after a single oral dose of 100 mg. Methods The genotype of 192 healthy Chinese volunteers was determined using PCR-RFLP with respect to the MDR1 alleles of interest, C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T. Linkage disequilibrium was analyzed using PHASE software. Consecutive eligible subjects received a single oral dose of 100 mg talinolol. Venous blood samples were taken at intervals up to 60 h post dose for HPLC analysis of plasma concentration of talinolol to obtain a pharmacokinetic profile. Results Linkage disequilibrium existed between exon 21 (G2677T/A) and exon 26 (C3435T), exon 12 (C1236T) and exon 21 (G2677T/A), but not between exon 12 (C1236T) and exon 21 (G2677T/A). AUC (0,3h), AUC (0,∞), C max and C max/AUC (0,∞), used as indices of talinolol absorption, were not significantly different between the genotype groups of 2677GG/3435TT, 2677TT/3435TT, 2677GT/3435CT and 2677AT/3435CT. For these 4 groups, AUC(0,3h) were 436.8 ± 50.1, 510.1 ± 86.3, 466.1 ± 77.8 and 437.2 ± 73.4 (μg × h/l) and the C max/AUC (0,∞) were 0.097 ± 0.018, 0.093 ± 0.022, 0.105 ± 0.014 and 0.102 ± 0.027 (h −1), respectively. ( P > 0.05). Conclusions The linked MDR1 polymorphisms in exon 21 G2677T/A and exon 26 C3435T apparently did not contribute to the absorptive pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of 100 mg talinolol.

Induction of the metabolism of etizolam by carbamazepine in humans

To examine the effect of carbamazepine on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics of etizolam. Eleven healthy male volunteers received carbamazepine 200 mg/day or placebo for 6 days in a double-blind, randomized, crossover manner, and on the sixth day they received a single oral 1-mg dose of etizolam. Blood samplings and evaluation of psychomotor function by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Stanford Sleepiness Scale were conducted up to 24 h after etizolam dosing. Plasma concentration of etizolam was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Carbamazepine treatment significantly decreased the peak plasma concentration (17.5+/-4.1 ng/ml versus 13.9+/-4.1 ng/ml; P<0.05), total area under the plasma concentration-time curve (194.8+/-88.9 ng h/ml versus 105.9+/-33.0 ng h/ml; P<0.001), and elimination half-life (11.1+/-4.6 h versus 6.8+/-2.8 h; P<0.01) of etizolam. No significant change was induced by carbamazepine in the two pharmacodynamic parameters. The present study suggests that carbamazepine induces the metabolism of etizolam.

Differences in the single-oral-dose pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of paracetamol and its conjugates between Hong Kong Chinese and Caucasian subjects

The present study was conducted to determine if ethnic differences exist for single oral dose pharmacokinetics of paracetamol and its conjugates between Hong Kong Chinese and Caucasian subjects. Twenty healthy Chinese (n = 11) and Caucasian (n = 9) subjects, aged 21-44 years, 11 male and nine female, were given oral paracetamol syrup 20 mg/kg, following an overnight fast. Paracetamol and its metabolites (glucuronide, sulphate, cysteine and mercapturic acid conjugates) were measured in serial plasma samples (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2, 3,...,12, 24 h) and urine collections (0-24 h) by high-performance liquid chromatography. In Chinese subjects, the (mean range) peak plasma concentration of paracetamol was 23.8 mug/mL (17.9-32.3) and time to attain this peak 0.66 h (0.5-0.75). This was lower (P < 0.015) at 18.7 microg/mL (14.4-22.9) and achieved later (P < 0.033) at 1.06 h (0.5-2.0) in Caucasians. In Chinese subjects, plasma levels of glucuronide were lower, sulphate higher and cysteine conjugates significantly lower than in Caucasians (P < 0.05). Chinese subjects excreted 6% more sulphate and 5% less glucuronide. They also excreted significantly less mercapturic acid conjugates (P < 0.001). Chinese subjects show more rapid absorption of paracetamol, a tendency to produce less glucuronide but more sulphate conjugates and reduced production of cysteine and mercapturic acid conjugates. The latter may help to protect against hepatotoxicity following paracetamol overdose.

Pharmacokinetics (PK) of multiple oral doses of desloratadine (DCL) and fexofenadine (FEX) in a population of healthy adults identified phenotypically as desloratadine slow metabolizers (DSMS)

Purpose To characterize the PK of DCL and FEX in adults identified as DSMs. Methods This was a randomized, double blind, crossover study with a 21-day washout between treatments. DSM subjects received DCL 5 mg or FEX HCI 180 mg QD for 7 days during each treatment period. Serial blood sampling was performed on days 1 and 7, trough samples were collected on Days 5 and 6 and samples were collected 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hrs after the Day 7 dose. Plasma was assayed for DCL, 3-OH-DCL, and FEX by LC/MS/MS. Results 18 subjects (15 M, 3 F) with a mean (SD) age of 32.2 (±7.33) years and BMI of 27.0 (±3.7) kg/m2 were enrolled. Exposure to DCL increased 5-fold on Day 7. Relatively low concentrations of 3-OH-DCL were quantifiable more often on Day 7 than Day 1. The disposition of FEX was consistent with previous reports in subjects and patients, with no significant accumulation after 7 days of dosing. Mean (SD) half-lives of 112±56.2 and 17.2±7.3 hrs were estimated for DCL and FEX, respectively, compared with 27 hrs reported for DCL normal metabolizers. Conclusions In DSMs substantial accumulation of DCL was observed; however, steady-state was not reached by Day 7, which suggests continued accumulation with treatment beyond 7 days. There was no apparent alteration of FEX PK in DSMs. The safety of prolonged increased DCL exposure in a variety of clinical settings has not been established. The metabolic pathway responsible for the DSM phenotype remains unknown. (see Table) Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P45–P45; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.066 Table 1. DCL Day 1 DCL Day 7 FEX Day 1 FEX Day 7 AUC(0–24) (ng · hr/mL) Mean ± SD 40.29 ± 12.62 196.80 ± 53.76 2096 ± 1002 2357 ± 909 Cmax (ng/mL) Mean ± SD 2.48 ± 0.95 9.84 ± 2.67 367 ± 222 384 ± 180 Tmax (hrs) Median (Min, Max) 7 (2.5, 12) 7 (6, 12) 2.5 (1, 6) 1.5 (1, 6) C24h (ng/mL) Mean ± SD 1.62 ± 0.48 7.57 ± 2.26 11.0 ± 3.1 18.4 ± 8.5

Effects of the CYP2C19 genotype and cigarette smoking on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam

The effects of the cytochrome P450 (CYP)2C19 genotype and cigarette smoking on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam were studied in 16 healthy male volunteers. The two mutated alleles (CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3) causing absent CYP2C19 activity were identified by PCR-based restriction enzyme analysis. Five subjects had no mutated allele, five had one mutated allele, and six had two mutated alleles. Seven subjects were smokers, and nine were nonsmokers. The subjects received a single oral 4-mg dose of estazolam, and blood samplings and evaluation of psychomotor function were conducted up to 72 h after dosing. There was no significant difference among the groups with no, one, and two mutated alleles for the peak plasma concentration (145.2+/-36.5 vs. 142.1+/-33.6 vs. 113.2+/-29.7 ng/ml), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (0- infinity ) (4916.0+/-1276.4 vs. 4389.6+/-736.1 vs. 4047.3+/-613.8 ng x h/ml), apparent oral clearance (0.22+/-0.05 vs. 0.25+/-0.03 vs. 0.25+/-0.03 ml/min/kg), and elimination half-life (24.4+/-4.6 vs. 29.6+/-8.5 vs. 30.7+/-3.9 h). Similarly, none of the pharmacokinetic parameters was significantly different between the nonsmoker and smoker groups. Neither the number of mutated allele nor cigarette smoking affected the psychomotor function parameters significantly. The present study suggests that neither the CYP2C19 genotype nor cigarette smoking affects the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of multiple oral doses of sustained-release 4-aminopyridine (fampridine-sr) in subjects with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury

Hayes KC, Potter PJ, Hsieh JT, Katz MA, Blight AR, Cohen R. Pharmacokinetics and safety of multiple oral doses of sustained-release 4-aminopyridine (Fampridine-SR) in subjects with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:29–34. Objective To examine the pharmacokinetics and safety of sustained-release 4-aminopyridine (Fampridine-SR), a potassium channel blocker, in subjects with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Open-label. Setting Clinical research unit in Ontario. Participants Sixteen neurologically stable subjects with chronic, incomplete SCI (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade B, C, or D). Intervention Oral administration of Fampridine-SR (25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60mg twice daily, each for 1wk). Main outcome measures Steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters: maximum observed plasma concentration (C max), minimum observed plasma concentration (C min), average observed plasma concentration (C av), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 hours (AUC 0–12), time to C max (t max), plasma half-life (t 1/2), apparent volume of distribution (V d/F), and apparent total clearance (Cl/F). Safety assessments: physical examinations, vital sign measurements, clinical laboratory tests, electrocardiogram recordings, and adverse events. Results Mean steady-state C max, C min, C av, and AUC 0–12 increased over the entire Fampridine-SR dosage range and were dosage dependent up to 50mg twice daily. Fampridine-SR had a mean t max of 2.2 to 3.0 hours and a mean t 1/2 of 5.7 to 6.9 hours. Mean V d/F (415.4–528.0L) and Cl/F (51.4–57.7L/h) were independent of dosage, as were mean t max and t 1/2 across dosages. Adverse events were mild or moderate and were not dosage related. During the entire study period (17wk), dizziness was the most frequently reported adverse event, followed by urinary tract infection, paresthesia, ataxia, and insomnia. Conclusion In subjects with chronic, incomplete SCI, Fampridine-SR was slowly absorbed and eliminated, which will allow Fampridine-SR to be administered in a convenient twice-daily manner. Fampridine-SR was well tolerated at dosages from 25 to 60mg twice daily.

Metabolism, excretion, and pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in healthy adult male volunteers

Background: Rosuvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A-reductase inhibitor, or statin, that has been developed for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Objective: This study assessed the metabolism, excretion, and pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of radiolabeled rosuvastatin ([ 14C]-rosuvastatin) in healthy volunteers. Methods: This was a nonrandomized, open-label, single-day trial. Healthy adult male volunteers were given a single oral dose of [ 14C]-rosuvastatin 20 mg (20 mL [ 14C]-rosuvastatin solution, nominally containing 50 μCi radioactivity). Blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected up to 10 days after dosing. Tolerability assessments were made up to 10 days after dosing (trial completion) and at a follow-up visit within 14 days of trial completion. Results: Six white male volunteers aged 36 to 52 years (mean, 43.7 years) participated in the trial. The geometric mean peak plasma concentration (C max) of rosuvastatin was 6.06 ng/mL and was reached at a median of 5 hours after dosing. At C max, rosuvastatin accounted for ∼50% of the circulating radioactive material. Approximately 90% of the rosuvastatin dose was recovered in feces, with the remainder recovered in urine. The majority of the dose (∼70%) was recovered within 72 hours after dosing; excretion was complete by 10 days after dosing. Metabolite profiles in feces indicated that rosuvastatin was excreted largely unchanged (76.8% of the dose). Two metabolites—rosuvastatin-5S-lactone and N-desmethyl rosuvastatin—were present in excreta. [ 14C]-rosuvastatin was well tolerated; 2 volunteers reported 4 mild adverse events that resolved without treatment. Conclusions: The majority of the rosuvastatin dose was excreted unchanged. Given the absolute bioavailability (20%) and estimated absorption (∼50%) of rosuvastatin, this finding suggests that metabolism is a minor route of clearance for this agent.

Pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of baclofen in pediatric patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (TLESR) is the predominant mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in adults and children. Baclofen [4-amino-3-(p-chlorophenyl)-butanoic acid], a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-B receptor agonist used for the management of spasticity, has been recently shown to significantly inhibit GER in healthy adults without any relevant side effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of baclofen in a pediatric population with GER disease. In an open-label single-dose pharmacokinetic study, eight children with the diagnosis of GER made on clinical grounds received an oral dose of baclofen, 2.5 mg. Blood samples were drawn from an indwelling venous catheter, and urine was collected during a postdose period of 8 hours. The concentration of baclofen in these body fluids was determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with electrochemical detection after OPA-sulfite derivatization. Pharmacokinetic data were analyzed using the nonlinear regression program Scientist. Serum concentration-time curves could be best described using a two-compartment open model with a lag time. Mean plasma clearance (Cl) was 315.9 mL/h/kg; volume of distribution (Vd) was 2.58 L/kg; and half-life (T(1/2)beta) was 5.10 hours. No side effects were noted. As half-lives were comparable with those found in adult studies, the risk for accumulation seems not greater in children than in adults. Body composition can have a strong influence on the Vd of baclofen and, therefore, on the dose needed to obtain therapeutic plasma levels. Dosing according to clearly defined age groups with the help of therapeutic drug monitoring seems preferable. In view of the negative correlation between body weight and Vd, dosing according to body weight using adult pharmacokinetic data does not seem an effective way for using baclofen in children.

Effects of the CYP2C19 genotype and cigarette smoking on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam

The effects of the cytochrome P450 (CYP)2C19 genotype and cigarette smoking on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam were studied in 16 healthy male volunteers. The two mutated alleles (CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3) causing absent CYP2C19 activity were identified by PCR-based restriction enzyme analysis. Five subjects had no mutated allele, five had one mutated allele, and six had two mutated alleles. Seven subjects were smokers, and nine were nonsmokers. The subjects received a single oral 4-mg dose of estazolam, and blood samplings and evaluation of psychomotor function were conducted up to 72 h after dosing. There was no significant difference among the groups with no, one, and two mutated alleles for the peak plasma concentration (145.2±36.5 vs. 142.1±33.6 vs. 113.2±29.7 ng/ml), area under the plasma concentration–time curve (0–∞) (4916.0±1276.4 vs. 4389.6±736.1 vs. 4047.3±613.8 ng·h/ml), apparent oral clearance (0.22±0.05 vs. 0.25±0.03 vs. 0.25±0.03 ml/min/kg), and elimination half-life (24.4±4.6 vs. 29.6±8.5 vs. 30.7±3.9 h). Similarly, none of the pharmacokinetic parameters was significantly different between the nonsmoker and smoker groups. Neither the number of mutated allele nor cigarette smoking affected the psychomotor function parameters significantly. The present study suggests that neither the CYP2C19 genotype nor cigarette smoking affects the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam.

Effect of grapefruit juice on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans

Grapefruit juice is responsible for drug interactions mediated by intestinal cytochrome P4503A4 inhibition and possibly P-glycoprotein inhibition in enterocytes. Our main objective was to determine whether grapefruit juice alters the bioavailability of digoxin, a P-glycoprotein substrate. The secondary objective was to determine whether the magnitude of the pharmacokinetic interaction was influenced by P-glycoprotein genetic polymorphism. Twelve healthy volunteers participated in this open randomized crossover study comparing the effect of grapefruit juice consumption (versus water) on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of digoxin (0.5 mg). The P-glycoprotein genotype was determined according to MDR1 genetic polymorphism in exon 26 (C3435T). Grapefruit juice had no significant effect on the maximum plasma drug concentration (C(max)) of digoxin or the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) from time zero to 48 hours. However, there was a 9% increase in the digoxin AUC from time zero to 4 hours and from time zero to 24 hours (P =.01) during grapefruit juice administration. The digoxin renal clearance remained unchanged during both periods. No relationship between MDR1 C3435T genotype and early digoxin pharmacokinetic changes could be detected. The modest changes in digoxin pharmacokinetics observed during grapefruit juice ingestion do not support an important P-glycoprotein inhibition. Under our experimental conditions, grapefruit juice-mediated P-glycoprotein inhibition does not appear to play a relevant role in drug interactions, at least when assessed by use of digoxin disposition kinetics.

Effect of niprisan on single oral dose pharmacokinetics of paracetamol in rats.

The single oral dose pharmacokinetics of paracetamol was studied alone and after coadministration with NIPRISAN In rats. Paracetamol concentrations were measured in rat plasma using UV-spectrophotometer and the data were fitted into an open two-compartment pharmacokinetic model using the computer program (STATIS Version 3.0). Results indicated no significant difference in the absorption of paracetamol between study and control groups but a significant reduction (p < 0.05) at some sampling time as the dose of NIPRISAN was increased double-fold. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed only 1.51 and 7.19% reduction in AUC(0-infinity) and Cmax respectively for paracetamol (20 mg/kg) + NIPRISAN (500 mg/kg). It was thus concluded that the gastric presence of NIPRISAN did not significantly reduce the absorption of paracetamol in rats.

Placental transfer and pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of [14C]p-nitrophenol in rats.

The pharmacokinetics and placental transfer of a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg (10 microCi/kg, 16% of acute oral LD50) of uniformly phenyl-labeled [14C]p-nitrophenol were investigated in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at 14-18 days of gestation. Three animals were killed on gestation day 18, at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48 h after dosing. Radioactivity was rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the maternal and fetal tissues. The gastrointestinal tract contents retained 20% and 2% of the dose at 0.5 h and 4 h after dosing. The peak maternal plasma concentration of radioactivity (microg p-nitrophenol equivalent/ml) was 7.17 compared with 0.37 for fetal plasma at 0.5 h. Maximum concentration of radioactivity (microg p-nitrophenol equivalent/g fresh tissue) was detected in most tissues 0.5 h after dosing and was in descending order: kidney 23.27, liver 12.37, placenta 3.56, fetus 2.17, and brain 1.99. Radioactivity was eliminated from plasma and all tissues beiexponentially. The half-lives of elimination of 14C were 34.65 h and 69.30 h for maternal and fetal plasma, respectively. p-Nitrophenol, detected by HPLC, was the major compound identified in plasma and tissues. While p-nitrophenol disappeared biphasically from maternal plasma and kidney, it was eliminated monophasically from brain, placenta, and liver. p-Nitrocatechol and p-aminophenol were detected in the liver with peak concentrations at 0.5 h of 1.13 and 1.00 microg/g fresh tissue, respectively. While the change in the concentration of p-nitrocatechol with time was monophasic, that of p-aminophenol showed a biphasic pattern with elimination half-lives of 1.93 h and 4.95 h, respectively. Radioactivity was rapidly excreted in the urine mostly as polar metabolites, while only 3% of the dose was recovered in the feces. Radioactive materials excreted in the urine comprised: glucuronides 4%, sulfates 8%, hot-acid hydrolysates 11%, nonconjugated compounds 16%, and water-soluble metabolites 61%. This study demonstrated that although orally administered p-nitrophenol is a rapidly absorbed and excreted compound, it is transported to the maternal brain and the fetus and may pose a health risk following exposure to toxic doses during pregnancy.