Intestinal absorption of captopril and two thioester analogs in rats and dogs.

The objectives of this study were (i) to determine whether the reduced absorption of captopril from the colon of humans also occurs in rats and (ii), after confirmation of the relevance of a new rat model, to evaluate the intestinal absorption of captopril and several of its analogs. A model was developed and validated in which specific sites within the GI tract of rats were surgically implanted with a cannula such that animals could be dosed while conscious and unrestrained. The absorption of captopril after administration into the lower GI tract of rats was significantly reduced relative to the upper GI tract, which was consistent with results reported previously in humans. In rats, the absorption of the S-benzoyl thioester prodrug of captopril (SQ-25868) from the lower GI tract was substantially greater than that of captopril. However, the absorption of the S-benzoyl thioester prodrug of 4-phenyl thio-captopril (SQ-26991) from the lower GI tract was only marginally better than that of captopril. In additional studies in dogs, a 12h controlled-release formulation of SQ-25868 provided sustained blood levels of captopril while maintaining acceptable bioavailability (> 80%). Two approaches were tried, without success, to stabilize captopril in vivo: (i) complexation with zinc (SQ-26284) and (ii) use of ascorbic-acid-buffered (pH 3.5) vehicle. The zinc complex might have failed because it has very low solubility, whereas the pH-3.5-buffered vehicle was quickly neutralized within the colonic lumen in rats, and did not stabilize captopril against oxidation. Rapid neutralization might explain why the colonic bioavailability of captopril was not substantially increased when this pH-3.5-buffered vehicle was tried in humans.

Relative contribution of the gut, liver, and lung to the first-pass hydrolysis (bioactivation) of orally administered 14C-fosinopril sodium in dogs. In vivo and in vitro studies.

The relative contribution of the gut, liver, and lung to the first-pass hydrolysis (bioactivation) of the orally administered prodrug, fosinopril sodium (FS), to the active angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, SQ 27,519 (S), was determined. Two dogs each received 14C-FS by the following routes of administration: oral, intraportal, and intra-arterial. Extraction ratios (E) for the gut and liver were calculated based on the relative ratios of the AUC of FS in arterial plasma after administration of FS by various routes. The high intrinsic capability of the gut and liver to hydrolyze FS was reflected by E values which ranged from 69 to 91%. Since the gut is the first site after an oral dose, its contribution to the overall first-pass hydrolysis (greater than 75% of the absorbed dose) was estimated to be significantly greater than that of the liver (less than 25% of the absorbed dose). Concentrations of FS were similar in central arterial and venous plasma after a steady state arterial infusion of 14C-FS, indicating that the lung is apparently not a site of prodrug hydrolysis. This conclusion was consistent with the results of in vitro studies that indicated the following order of esterase activity: liver = kidney much greater than small intestine greater than blood, aorta, and lung. When data from in vitro studies were extrapolated to the in vivo situation, the blood itself was not a significant site for hydrolysis of FS in dogs. Based on the body clearance of FS (approximately 30 ml/min/kg) estimated after the intra-arterial route, roughly 50% of the systemic hydrolysis of the prodrug appears to occur at extrahepatic site(s), such as the kidney.

Biotransformation of tipredane, a novel topical steroid, in mouse, rat, and human liver homogenates.

The in vitro biotransformation pathways of 3H-tipredane (3H-TP) were studied. 3H-TP, at concentrations of 1 and 250 microM, was incubated with the 10,000g supernatant fraction of the liver homogenates of mice, rats, and one human. The incubation mixtures were deproteinated with methanol and, after removal of methanol by evaporation, extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane extracts were then fractionated by HPLC. 3H-TP was extensively biotransformed by the liver homogenates of the three species studied; 17 metabolites were isolated and characterized by their retention times on HPLC compared to those of the reference standards. Fourteen metabolites were identified using MS and, for some, NMR spectroscopy. Three major biotransformation pathways of TP were identified: 1) sulfoxidation, 2) elimination of the alkylthio groups, and 3) hydroxylation of the steroid nucleus. Combinations of these processes and subsequent reactions resulted in the formation of numerous metabolites whose biological activities were significantly less than that of TP. The separation of local anti-inflammatory activity from systemic side effects observed for TP in animals and humans is most probably due to its metabolic inactivation, primarily in the liver.

Rapid metabolic inactivation of tipredane, a structurally novel topical steroid.

[3H]Tipredane ([3H]TP), [3H]triamcinolone acetonide ([ 3H]TAAC), [3H]hydrocortisone ([3H]HC), and [3H]betamethasone-17 alpha-valerate ([3H]BMV), each at a concentration of 1 microM, were separately incubated with the 10,000 g supernatant fraction of the liver and skin homogenates of humans, rats and mice (BMV was studied only in human liver). Sequential samples were taken for up to 1 h during each incubation. The radioactivity in each sample was extracted with methanol, and the methanolic extracts were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Among the four compounds studied, [3H]TP was most rapidly biotransformed by the liver preparations of the three species. The rates of in vitro biotransformation of TP were 2.5-30 times faster than those of TAAC, HC and BMV. In the human liver preparation, the rates of biotransformation were in the order of: TP greater than TAAC greater than HC = BMV. In the mouse and rat liver preparations, the orders were: TP greater than TAAC greater than HC and TP greater than HC greater than TAAC, respectively. In the skin preparations, little, if any, biotransformation of [3H]TP and [3H]TAAC was observed in any of the species studied; however, [3H]HC underwent a slow, steady biotransformation in the skin preparations of humans and rats but not of mice. [3H]TP was biotransformed by the liver preparations of all three species to numerous metabolites, thirteen of which have been identified. The biotransformation reactions included: (1) sulfoxidation; (2) elimination of either one or both alkylthio groups; and (3) hydroxylation of the steroid nucleus. Some metabolites were synthesized and tested for glucocorticoid receptor binding and anti-inflammatory activities; all were found to be much less potent than TP. The observed separation of local anti-inflammatory activity from systemic side effects of TP is most probably due to its rapid metabolic inactivation; the liver, rather than the skin, is mainly responsible for the metabolic inactivation of TP.

Pharmacokinetics of captopril in healthy subjects and in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Captopril, the first orally active inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, is used widely in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. The pharmacokinetics of this agent have been studied extensively in healthy subjects and in patients with hypertension, congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure. Captopril contains a sulphydryl group and binds readily to albumin and other plasma proteins. The drug also forms mixed disulphides with endogenous thiol-containing compounds (cysteine, glutathione), as well as the disulphide dimer of the parent compound. These components in blood and urine are measured collectively as total captopril. Because of the reversibility of the formation of these inactive disulphides, total captopril may serve as a reservoir of the pharmacologically active moiety, and thus contribute to a duration of action longer than that predicted by blood concentrations of unchanged captopril. To measure free or unchanged captopril concentrations, a chemical stabiliser must be added to the biological samples to prevent the formation of captopril disulphides ex vivo. In healthy subjects given captopril intravenously, the body clearance of captopril and steady-state volume of distribution were about 0.7 L/h/kg and 0.8 L/kg, respectively. The elimination half-life of unchanged captopril was approximately 2 hours. The primary route of elimination of captopril is the kidney. The renal clearance of unchanged captopril exceeds the glomerular filtration rate, due to active tubular secretion of the drug. In healthy subjects, about 70 to 75% of an oral dose is absorbed and the bioavailability of captopril is approximately 65%. Peak blood concentrations are reached about 45 to 60 minutes after oral administration. The bioavailability of captopril is not altered by age or concomitant medications including diuretics, procainamide, allopurinol, cimetidine or digoxin. However, the co-administration of food or antacids, or probenecid with captopril has been shown to diminish the bioavailability of the latter and decrease its clearance, respectively. The decreased bioavailability of captopril when taken with meals does not significantly alter clinical responses to the drug. Over a wide range of oral (10 to 150 mg) and intravenous doses (2.5 to 10 mg) captopril had linear kinetics in healthy volunteers. In healthy subjects with normal renal function and patients with congestive heart failure given captopril 3 times daily, blood concentrations of total captopril accumulated, whereas those of unchanged captopril did not. Severe renal insufficiency was associated with an accumulation of both unchanged and total captopril.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Relationship between metabolism and pharmacologic activity of SQ 27,786, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor with potent diuretic activity.

SQ 27,786 is a sulfhydryl-containing angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which also possesses potent diuretic activity in dogs after intravenous administration. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of 35S-labeled SQ 27,786 was studied in dogs to determine if the observed pharmacologic activities were intrinsic to this compound or the result of metabolism to separate ACE-inhibitory and diuretic moieties. The poor pharmacologic activity observed after oral administration was found to be due to poor absorption of the ACE-inhibitory-diuretic compound. The results of this study indicated that SQ 27,786 was excreted largely intact, either as the parent compound, the symmetrical disulfide of the parent compound, or as mixed disulfides of the parent compound with endogenous sulfhydryl compounds (e.g., SQ 27,786-L-cysteine) in a manner similar to captopril. It was concluded that the observed diuretic and ACE inhibitory activities were the result of intact SQ 27,786 and not of metabolites resulting from cleavage of the molecule to separate diuretic and ACE inhibitory moieties.

Application of pharmacokinetics in drug safety evaluation.

The discipline of pharmacokinetics plays an important role in safety evaluation of drugs. In this presentation various kinds of pharmacokinetic studies have been discussed with specific examples of the studies that should be conducted in support of safety evaluation of new drugs. The design and evaluation of toxicologic and pathologic studies in animals, as well as of safety and efficacy studies in man, should take into consideration the pharmacokinetic characteristics of drugs.

Tissue distribution of 14C- and 35S-captopril in rats after intravenous and oral administration.

35S-Captopril (50 mg/kg) administered i.v. to rats resulted in radioactivity being widely distributed into highly vascular tissues and into excretory organs. After oral administration of 14C-captopril (50 mg/kg), radioactivity in most tissues declined at a rate similar to that in blood. Concn. greater than those in blood were found only in kidney, liver and lung. The high concn. of 14C in kidney and liver were due to the excretory role of these organs. The high concn. of 14C in lung may be due to the high binding affinity of captopril to angiotensin-converting enzyme, present in large quantity in lung.

Distribution of [14C]aztreonam in rat tissue.

[14C]aztreonam was administered intramuscularly (50 mg/kg) to male and female rats. Groups of 10 rats (five male and five female) were sacrificed at 0.25, 2, 6, and 24 h after dosing. Blood and various tissues were removed from six rats (three male and three female) in each group for determination of total radioactivity and unchanged aztreonam by liquid scintillation counting and thin-layer radiochromatography. The remaining rats were prepared for whole-body autoradiography. Radioactivity was distributed rapidly to most tissues and was rapidly eliminated from blood into urine and bile. Concentrations of total radioactivity in kidney, liver, small and large intestines and their contents, and urinary bladder were higher than those in serum at all the times examined. Concentrations of unchanged aztreonam in serum, kidney, liver, and lung declined at about the same rate as did that of total radioactivity in the same tissues. The results of whole-body autoradiography essentially confirmed the results of the distribution of [14C]aztreonam as determined by liquid scintillation counting. No major differences between males and females were observed when concentrations in organs common to both were compared.

Distribution of aztreonam into fetuses and milk of rats.

Subcutaneous administration of [14C]aztreonam (150 mg/kg) to pregnant rats was followed by the appearance of radioactive moieties in fetuses and amniotic fluid. Concentrations of both total radioactivity and unchanged aztreonam in maternal serum declined more rapidly than those in fetuses and amniotic fluid. [14C]aztreonam (150 mg/kg) was also administered subcutaneously to lactating rats. Radioactivity and unchanged aztreonam were found in the suckling pups and in the serum and milk of the dam. Results obtained by whole-body autoradiography were generally consistent with these obtained by measuring radioactivity present in the excised tissues. Autoradiographs of the pups showed detectable amounts of radioactivity in the brain; since no radioactivity was detectable in the brain of the dam, it appears that the blood-brain barrier was not fully developed in 7-day-old pups.

Quantitative determination of captopril in blood and captopril and its disulfide metabolites in plasma by gas chromatography.

A sensitive, quantitative gas chromatographic-electron capture (GC-EC) method for the determination of captopril in blood and captopril and its disulfide metabolites (collectively) in plasma was developed. After addition of an internal standard and N-ethylmaleimide to the biological samples, excess N-ethylmaleimide and naturally occurring interfering substances were removed by extraction with benzene followed by acidification and extraction with hexane. The N-ethylmaleimide adducts of captopril and of the internal standard were then extracted with benzene and converted to their hexafluoroisopropyl esters. For the assay of captopril and its disulfide metabolites, tributylphosphine was used to reduce the disulfide metabolites to captopril prior to derivatization. The hexafluoroisopropyl esters of the N-ethylmaleimide adducts of captopril and of the internal standard, the 4-ethoxyproline analogue of captopril, were separated by GC on a column packed with 3% OV-101 on Chromosorb W-HP. The lower limits of sensitivity were 20 ng/mL for captopril in blood and 50 ng/mL for captopril and its disulfide metabolites in plasma. Linearity, precision, and accuracy were excellent. The method was validated by comparison of results obtained for total captopril in dog plasma by the GC-EC assay with results obtained by a published GC-MS method. The assay was applied to dog and human samples to explore its general utility.

Captopril: pharmacology, metabolism and disposition.

By inhibiting ACE, captopril blocks the conversion of AI or AII and augments the effects of bradykinin both in vitro and in vivo. In rats, dogs, and monkeys with 2-kidney renal hypertension, orally administered captopril rapidly and markedly reduces blood pressure; this antihypertensive effect apparently occurs via a renin-dependent mechanism; that is, the inhibition of ACE. In 1-kidney renal hypertension studies in rats and dogs, it was determined that oral doses of captopril markedly lowered blood pressure, but only after several days of dosing; the mechanism is thought to be non-renin dependent. In SHR, daily oral doses of captopril progressively lowered blood pressure; normal levels were attained by the sixth month. In all species studied, the reduction in blood pressure resulted from a reduction in total peripheral resistance; cardiac output remained unchanged or increased. In humans, captopril reduces blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension with low, normal, and high renin levels, and in patients with renovascular hypertension and hypertension associated with chronic renal failure. In hypertensive patients with high plasma renin activity, captopril apparently exerts most of its pharmacologic effects through inhibition of ACE. The means by which captopril reduces high blood pressure associated with low or normal PRA is not known, but it is clear that captopril does not act on an overactive plasma renin-angiotensin system in these cases. The antihypertensive effect of captopril is enhanced when it is given in combination with a diuretic or after salt depletion. Captopril was rapidly and well absorbed in all species tested, including man. Studies in rodents indicated that ingestion of food caused a reduction in the extent of absorption and bioavailability of captopril. Captopril and/or its metabolites were distributed extensively and rapidly throughout most tissues of normal rats; no radioactivity was detected in the brain. In vitro and in vivo, captopril formed disulfide bonds with albumin and other proteins. This binding was reversible in nature. In vitro studies in blood indicates that the disulfide dimer of captopril and mixed disulfides of captopril with L-cysteine and glutathione were formed. In intact blood cells, captopril remained in the reduced form (sulfhydryl), whereas in whole blood or plasma, captopril was converted to its disulfide dimer and other oxidative products. Biotransformation of captopril may involve both enzymatic and nonenzymatic processes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Metabolism of captopril-L-cysteine, a captopril metabolite, in rats and dogs.

The metabolism of [14C]captopril-L-cysteine was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats and pure-bred beagles after a single i.v. dose (4 mg/kg). During the first 24 h, concn. of total radioactivity in blood were similar in both species. Captopril was found in small amounts in the blood of both species. In rats, captopril, bound covalently but reversibly to plasma proteins (CP-PR), was the major component in blood (70%), whereas captopril-L-cysteine was a minor component (23%) of the total radioactivity. In dog blood, CP-PR constituted a smaller fraction (45%) of the total radioactivity than in the rat and captopril-L-cysteine was the major component (53%). In 72 h, 89-91% of the dose was excreted in the urine of rats and dogs. Captopril-L-cysteine accounted for 7% (rat) and 68% (dog) of the radioactivity in urine; captopril accounted for 75% (rat) and 7% (dog). Other metabolites were present in the urine of both species. The greater net conversion of captopril-L-cysteine to CP-PR and to captopril in rats helps explain why captopril-L-cysteine is excreted in urine as a major metabolite of captopril in dogs but only a minor one in rats.

Induction of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats, dogs, and monkeys after repeated administration of an anti-inflammatory hexahydroindazole.

The effect of repeated administration of an anti-inflammatory hexahydroindazole, (+/-)-3,3 alpha,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2-[3-(4-morpholinyl)-propyl]-3-phenyl-7-(phenylmethylene)-2H-indazole (HMPPI), on hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats, dogs and monkeys was studied. Dose-dependent increases in the ratio of liver weight to body weight were observed in all three species. Microsomal protein concentration increased in rats and monkeys but not in dogs. Cytochrome P-450 concentration and aminopyrine N-demethylase activity increased in all species. Aniline hydroxylase activity increased only in dogs. In all three species, the largest increase in all parameters, except for the liver weight/body weight ratio, was observed in animals on the intermediate dose (50 mg/kg per d) of the hexahydroindazole, probably of the toxicity of the hexahydroindazole at the high dose (250 mg/kg per d).

Biotransformation of zeranol: disposition and metabolism in the female rat, rabbit, dog, monkey and man.

The disposition of [3H]zeranol has been studied in the female Wistar rat, New Zealand rabbit, beagle dog, rhesus monkey and man. The blood elimination half-life of total radioactivity in rabbit was 26 h, monkey 18 h and man 22 h. In all species studied the drug was absorbed, oxidized and/or conjugated, and was extensively excreted via the bile in all species except rabbit and man, in which urinary excretion predominated. Blood total radioactivity in man probably consisted entirely of conjugates of zeranol and/or its metabolites. Urinary metabolites in all species included conjugates (beta-glucuronides and/or sulphates) of zeranol and the major metabolite zearalanone. A more polar minor metabolite was isolated from human urine and was shown to be hydroxy-zeranol. Taleranol (7 beta-zearalanol, the lower-melting diastereoisomer), a probable metabolite of zeranol (7 alpha-zearalanol, the higher-melting diastereoisomer) in animals and in man, was shown to be a urinary metabolite in a female New Zealand white rabbit which had received [3H]zeranol (8 mg/kg per day) for seven days. A reverse isotope dilution method was developed for the quantification of both diastereoisomers of zearalanol, and also zearalanone, in urine.

Distribution of captopril to foetuses and milk of rats.

1. 14C-Captopril (50 mg/kg) administered orally to pregnant rats resulted in radioactivity passing the placental barrier into foetuses and amniotic fluid. Two hours after dosing, the mean (+/- S.E.M.) concentration of total radioactivity was 0.97 +/- 0.07 micrograms equiv. of captopril/g in foetuses and 7.8 +/- 0.54 micrograms equiv./g in maternal blood. The mean concentration of unchanged captopril at this time was 0.22 +/- 0.04 micrograms/g in foetuses and 2.4 +/- 0.27 micrograms/g in maternal blood. Results obtained by whole-body autoradiography generally were consistent with those obtained by measuring radioactivity in excised tissues. 2. Radioactivity was also found in suckling pups and in the milk of th dams. Autoradiographs of the pups showed detectable radioactivity in the brain; as no radioactivity was detectable in the brain of the dam, it appears that the blood-brain barrier was not fully developed in seven-day-old pups.

Renal handling of captopril: effect of probenecid.

14C-Captopril was given intravenously to four normal subjects in a 4-mg priming dose followed by constant intravenous infusion of 1.7 mg/hr for 3.5 hr with and without concomitant probenecid. Steady-state levels of unchanged captopril were obtained between 1.5 and 3.5 hr. In the presence of probenecid, the average steady-state blood levels of total radioactivity were higher (36%) than on captopril alone. Unchanged captopril levels were slightly higher (14%) in the presence of probenecid. Kinetic evaluations were carried out exclusively on data for unchanged captopril. The average total body clearance (ClT) and renal clearance (ClR) of captopril in the absence of probenecid were 775 and 388 ml/kg/hr. The corresponding values for captopril with probenecid (631 and 217 ml/kg/hr) were lower. The average ratio of ClR to ClT for captopril alone was 0.50 and fell to 0.35 in the presence of probenecid. When captopril alone was given, a minimum of 78% of the renal excretion of captopril during steady-state could be attributed to net tubular secretion, but when captopril was given with probenecid, net tubular secretion was only 56%. The volume of distribution of captopril during steady state was not altered by probenecid. For the first 3.5 hr, cumulative renal excretion of total radioactivity with and without probenecid was 55% and 60%, but cumulative excretion of unchanged captopril was higher after captopril alone (36% of dose) than after the combination (21% of dose).