RESUMO
Methyl [5-[[4-(2-pyridinyl-1-piperazinyl] carbonyl]-1H- benzimidazol-2-yl] carbamate (CDRI Compound 81-470) exhibits a long prophylactic action against experimental ancylostomiasis, when given parenterally but not orally. To find out an explanation for such a behaviour, metabolic disposition studies were performed in hamsters using [3H] compound 81-470. Following intramuscular administration, the compound was found to form a depot at the site of injection and to remain there in substantial amount for more than 7 weeks. The compound was fairly distributed in all the organs studied and the presence of radioactivity could be easily detected up to 7 weeks of observation period. The compound was very slowly eliminated from the body and only 38% of the radioactivity could be recovered in the urine and faeces during 14 days. The oral dose, to the contrary, was poorly absorbed and more than 62.8% was excreted in the faeces within 48 hr. Consequently, this dose yielded lesser area under plasma curve. More than 95% of the oral dose was eliminated within a week and hardly and radioactivity could be detected in the tissues after day 14. In accord with this pattern, in blood also the im dose was detected up to 7 weeks while the orally given compound reached undetectable level within 6 days only. The lower clearance and prolonged stay in the body of the im dose compared to quick elimination of the oral dose may be responsible for the long chemoprophylactic action of compound 81-470 when given through im route.