Tissue-selective uptake of pravastatin in rats: contribution of a specific carrier-mediated uptake system.

Previously we demonstrated that a hydrophilic HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, pravastatin, was actively taken up by the liver via the 'multispecific anion transporter' using isolated rat hepatocytes (M. Yamazaki, H. Suzuki, M. Hanano, T. Tokui, T. Komai, and Y. Sugiyama, Am. J. Physiol., 264, G36-G44 (1993)). Such a carrier-mediated uptake of pravastatin may contribute to the liver selective inhibition of the cholesterol synthesis in vivo. To examine the early-phase tissue distribution of this drug, we carried out a pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution analysis of pravastatin in rats. After i.v. bolus administration of [14C]pravastatin, the time profiles of [14C]radioactivity in plasma and several tissues were determined to calculate the tissue uptake clearance (CLuptake). Among the tissues examined, liver accounted for the major uptake (CLuptake,liver = 22.8 mL min-1 kg-1), followed by kidney (CLuptake,kidney (GFR corrected) = 2.36 mL min-1 kg-1). Other tissues showed no significant uptake (less than 0.2 mL min-1 kg-1). After portal vein administration, the distribution to the liver became much larger than that to the kidney due to the extensive first-pass removal by the liver. The first-pass hepatic uptake ratio was estimated as 0.66. Administering a range of doses (0.4-400 mumol kg-1) intravenously, an increase in early-phase half-life and a decrease in CLuptake,liver were observed simultaneously at doses over 40 mumol kg-1. In addition, CLuptake,kidney decreased at doses over 4 mumol kg-1. The effect of DBSP or PAH co-infusion (i.e. typical substrates for the transport system for organic anions in liver and kidney, respectively) on the initial uptake of pravastatin was also examined. DBSP clearly inhibited both the hepatic and renal uptake; however, PAH did not reduce the hepatic uptake of pravastatin although it inhibited the renal uptake. The transport systems in liver and kidney are thus considered different, based on the different saturability and inhibitory effect of organic anions.

Does paracellular permeability play a role in cholephilic dye-induced cholestasis?

Changes in hepatic paracellular permeability were investigated during the development of cholephilic dye-induced cholestasis in rats. For this purpose, four dyes with different cholestatic potency (phenol red, sulfobromophthalein, bromcresol green and rose bengal) were infused at a high, potentially damaging dose (280 nmol/min per 100 g body wt., i.v.), and changes in paracellular permeability were continuously monitored by measuring the access into bile of the permeability probe -14C-sucrose. The cholestatic potency of the different dyes was: rose bengal > bromcresol green > sulfobromophthalein > phenol red. All dyes increased [14C]sucrose bile-to-plasma ratio, producing a displacement towards curves of higher permeability. The capability of the dyes to increase biliary permeability followed the same order as their respective cholestatic potencies. The possible implications of the present results for cholephilic dye-induced cholestasis are discussed.

Functional changes of the biliary tree associated with experimentally induced cholestasis: sulfobromophthalein on manganese-bilirubin combinations.

Administration of combinations of manganese (Mn) and bilirubin (BR) to rats results in a severe, but reversible diminution of bile flow, an effect that can be abolished if sulfobromophthalein (BSP) is given at a specific time prior to BR. Some studies suggest that changes in the bile canalicular membrane (BCM) are critical to the response. One aim of the present work was to determine if functional changes in BCM also become more marked with increasing doses of BR. A second aim was to investigate the protective effects of BSP on MnBR-altered biliary function. The permeability of the biliary tree was evaluated by the segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection (SRII) procedure in male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with varying combinations and dosages of Mn, BR, and BSP. [3H]Mannitol and [3H]inulin were used as marker substances of the biliary tree (canalicular membrane and tight junctions, respectively). Administration of Mn, followed 15 min later by BR, led to a reduction in bile flow that was dose-dependent on BR. The percentage recovery of both inulin and mannitol in bile after SRII also decreased significantly with increasing dosages of BR. When BSP was given 10 min before BR, MnBR-induced reduction in bile flow was abolished. BSP treatment also prevented MnBR-induced reduction in biliary recovery of both inulin and mannitol after SRII; this was more evident with mannitol than with inulin. BSP protection against MnBR cholestasis depends upon when it is administered relative to BR injection. The relationship of BSP relative to BR injection was comparable for both reduced bile flow and the recoveries of marker substances in bile after SRII. The data are consistent with the conclusion that changes in biliary tree permeability, particularly at the canalicular membrane, likely lead to MnBR-induced cholestasis.

Reversible cholestasis induced by bromosulfophthalein in rabbits with enterohepatic circulation of bile acids maintained.

The effects of a constant infusion of bromosulfophthalein (BSP) at a rate exceeding its maximum excretory transport (Tm) on biliary secretion were investigated in anaesthetized rabbits with the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids (EHC) maintained by bile administration into the duodenum. BSP infusion resulted in a significant cholestasis coursing with decreases in the biliary output of sodium, bicarbonate and chloride. The Tm for total BSP was greater than that described in this species with the EHC interrupted but smaller than that noted after intravenous administration of bile acids. It is proposed that the cholestatic effect of BSP may be mainly due to a reduction of the bile acid-independent fraction of bile flow owing to the acute toxic effect of unconjugated BSP on the hepatic ATPase involved in the formation of this bile fraction. Possible explanations for the Tm values and other aspects of BSP metabolism and biliary excretion in the rabbit are discussed.