Biliary excretion of foreign compounds. Biphenyl, stilboestrol and phenolphthalein in the rat: molecular weight, polarity and metabolism as factors in biliary excretion

Molecular Basis Underlying Hepatobiliary and Renal Excretion of Phenolic Acids of Salvia miltiorrhiza Roots (Danshen)

Phenolic acids are cardiovascular constituents (originating from the Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza root/Danshen) of DanHong and many other Danshen-containing injections. Our earlier pharmacokinetic investigation of DanHong suggested that hepatic and/or renal uptake of the Danshen compounds was the crucial steps in their systemic elimination. This investigation was designed to survey the molecular basis underlying hepatobiliary and renal excretion of the Danshen compounds, i.e., protocatechuic acid, tanshinol, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid D, salvianolic acid A, lithospermic acid, and salvianolic acid B. A large battery of human hepatic and renal transporters were screened for transporting the Danshen compounds and then characterized for the uptake kinetics and also compared with associated rat transporters. The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Because the Danshen phenolic acids are of poor or fairly good membrane permeability, their elimination via the liver or kidneys necessitates transporter-mediated hepatic or renal uptake from blood. Several human transporters were found to mediate hepatic and/or renal uptake of the Danshen compounds in a compound-molecular-mass-related manner. Lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid B (both >500 Da) underwent systemic elimination, initiated by organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1/OATP1B3-mediated hepatic uptake. Rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acids D (350–450 Da) underwent systemic elimination, initiated by OATP1B1/OATP1B3/organic anion transporter (OAT)2-mediated hepatic uptake and by OAT1/OAT2-mediated renal uptake. Protocatechuic acid and tanshinol (both <200 Da) underwent systemic elimination, initiated by OAT1/OAT2-mediated renal uptake and OAT2-mediated hepatic uptake. A similar scenario was observed with the rat orthologs. The investigation findings advance our understanding of the disposition of the Danshen phenolic acids and could facilitate pharmacokinetic research on other Danshen-containing injections.

A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

The ubiquitous exposure of humans to microplastics (MPs) through inhalation of particles in air and ingestion in dust, water, and diet is well established. Humans are estimated to ingest tens of thousands to millions of MP particles annually, or on the order of several milligrams daily. Available information suggests that inhalation of indoor air and ingestion of drinking water bottled in plastic are the major sources of MP exposure. Little is known on the occurrence of MPs in human diet. Evidence is accumulating that feeding bottles and medical devices can contribute to MP exposure in newborns and infants. Biomonitoring studies of human stool, fetus, and placenta provide direct evidence of MP exposure in infants and children. MPs <20 µm were reported to cross biological membranes. Although plastics were once perceived as inert materials, MP exposure in laboratory animals is linked to various forms of inflammation, immunological response, endocrine disruption, alteration of lipid and energy metabolism, and other disorders. Whereas exposure to MPs itself is a concern, MPs can also be sources of exposure to plastic additives and other toxicants. Exposure of human cell lines to MP additives such as phthalates, bisphenols, and organotins causes adverse effects through the activation of nuclear receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α, β, and γ, and retinoid X receptor (RXR), leading to oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, thyroid hormone disruption, and altered adipogenesis and energy production. The size, shape, chemical composition, surface charge, and hydrophobicity of MPs influence their toxicity. Maternal transfer of MPs to the developing fetus has been demonstrated in exposed laboratory animals and through the analysis of human placenta. In laboratory animal studies, maternal exposure to MPs altered energy and lipid metabolism in offspring and subsequent generations. Moreover, concomitant with the global increase in plastics production, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in human populations has increased over the past five decades, and there is evidence to support the hypothesis that MPs and their additives are potential obesogens. Even though MP exposures are ubiquitous and toxic effects from such exposures are a concern, systematic studies on this topic remain urgently needed.

Design of G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1, TGR5) soft drugs with reduced gallbladder-filling effects

The G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor TGR5 agonists were widely developed in type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders, but were also full of challenges, due to the systemic on-targeted side effects, especially the gallbladder-filling effects. Here, to circumvent these risks, several TGR5 agonists with soft-drug designation had been designed and synthesized with the properties of rapid metabolized after drug effect. Among them, compound 19 showed negligible systemic exposure and favorable gallbladder safety on a 3-day continuous administration, providing a novel strategy for developing TGR5 agonists.

Role of enterohepatic recirculation in drug disposition: cooperation and complications

Enterohepatic recirculation (EHC) concerns many physiological processes and notably affects pharmacokinetic parameters such as plasma half-life and AUC as well as estimates of bioavailability of drugs. Also, EHC plays a detrimental role as the compounds/drugs are allowed to recycle. An in-depth comprehension of this phenomenon and its consequences on the pharmacological effects of affected drugs is important and decisive in the design and development of new candidate drugs. EHC of a compound/drug occurs by biliary excretion and intestinal reabsorption, sometimes with hepatic conjugation and intestinal deconjugation. EHC leads to prolonged elimination half-life of the drugs, altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Study of the EHC of any drug is complicated due to unavailability of the apposite model, sophisticated procedures and ethical concerns. Different in vitro and in vivo methods for studies in experimental animals and humans have been devised, each having its own merits and demerits. Involvement of the different transporters in biliary excretion, intra- and inter-species, pathological and biochemical variabilities obscure the study of the phenomenon. Modeling of drugs undergoing EHC has always been intricate and exigent models have been exploited to interpret the pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs witnessing multiple peaks due to EHC. Here, we critically appraise the mechanisms of bile formation, factors affecting biliary drug elimination, methods to estimate biliary excretion of drugs, EHC, multiple peak phenomenon and its modeling.

Estimation of biliary excretion of foreign compounds using properties of molecular structure

Biliary excretion is one of the main elimination pathways for drugs and/or their metabolites. Therefore, an insight into the structural profile of cholephilic compounds through accurate modelling of the biliary excretion is important for the estimation of clinical pharmacokinetics in early stages of drug discovery. The aim of this study was to develop quantitative structure-activity relationships as computational tools for the estimation of biliary excretion and identification of the molecular properties controlling this process. The study used percentage of dose excreted intact into bile measured in vivo in rat for a diverse dataset of 217 compounds. Statistical techniques were multiple linear regression analysis, regression trees, random forest and boosted trees. A simple regression tree model generated using the CART algorithm was the most accurate in the estimation of the percentage of bile excretion of compounds, and this outperformed the more sophisticated boosted trees and random forest techniques. Analysis of the outliers indicated that the models perform best when lipophilicity is not too extreme (log P < 5.35) and for compounds with molecular weight above 280 Da. Molecular descriptors selected by all these models including the top ten incorporated in boosted trees and random forest indicated a higher biliary excretion for relatively hydrophilic compounds especially if they are anionic or cationic, and have a large molecular size. A statistically validated molecular weight threshold for potentially significant biliary excretion was above 348 Da.

Bioactive benzoxazinoids in rye bread are absorbed and metabolized in pigs

Recently, bioactive benzoxazinoids were discovered in cereal grains and bakery products. In this study, we studied the uptake, distribution, and metabolism of these secondary metabolites using a pig model. Twelve benzoxazinoid compounds and their 4 transformation products were quantified in the pigs' diets and biofluids using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The 2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-4-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA-glc) was the most dominant benzoxazinoid (232 nmol/g DM) seconded by the double-hexose derivative of DIBOA (provisionally characterized here as DIBOA-glc-hex) in the rye-based diet. DIBOA-glc (derived from the diet and intestinal deglycosylation of DIBOA-glc-hex) was apparently reduced to 2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (HBOA-glc), the most dominant benzoxazinoid in the blood (829 nmol/L). The benzoxazinoid compounds were excreted in the urine, with HBOA-glc (18 μmol/L) as a major metabolite. In this study, we determined for the first time the bioavailability of dietary benzoxazinoids that have high digestibility, distribution, and metabolism in mammals. These findings could be a milestone for the exploitation of healthful and pharmacological properties of benzoxazinoids.

Organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1b2 (Oatp1b2) is important for the hepatic uptake of unconjugated bile acids: Studies in Oatp1b2-null mice

The organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1b family (Oatp1b2 in rodents and OATP1B1/1B3 in humans) is liver-specific and transports various chemicals into the liver. However, the role of the Oatp1b family in the hepatic uptake of bile acids (BAs) into the liver is unknown. Therefore, in Oatp1b2-null mice, the concentrations of BAs in plasma, liver, and bile were compared with wild-type (WT) mice. It was first determined that livers of the Oatp1b2-null mice were not compensated by altered expression of other hepatic transporters. However, the messenger RNA of Cyp7a1 was 70% lower in the Oatp1b2-null mice. Increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 15 in intestines of Oatp1b2-null mice might be responsible for decreased hepatic expression of Cyp7a1 in Oatp1b2-null mice. The hepatic concentration and biliary excretion of conjugated and unconjugated BAs were essentially the same in Oatp1b2-null and WT mice. The serum concentration of taurine-conjugated BAs was essentially the same in the two genotypes. In contrast, the serum concentrations of unconjugated BAs were 3-45 times higher in Oatp1b2-null than WT mice. After intravenous administration of cholate to Oatp1b2-null mice, its clearance was 50% lower than in WT mice, but the clearance of taurocholate was similar in the two genotypes.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that Oatp1b2 has a major role in the hepatic uptake of unconjugated BAs.

Biliary excretion of foreign compounds. Benzene and its derivatives in the rat

1. The extent of the excretion in the bile of the rat of benzene and 21 of its simple derivatives was studied. 2. Some 16 compounds of molecular weight less than 200, and including neutral molecules (benzene and toluene), aromatic acids, aromatic amines and phenols, were injected in solution intraperitoneally into biliary-cannulated rats. Metabolites in the bile were identified and estimated. The extent of biliary excretion of these compounds was low, i.e. 0-10% of the dose in 24hr., and most appeared in the bile mainly as conjugates. 3. The biliary excretion of six conjugates of molecular weight less than 300, including three glycine conjugates, one sulphate conjugate, one glucuronic acid conjugate and two acetyl derivatives, was low (less than 3% of the dose). 4. It is concluded that simple benzene derivatives of molecular weight less than about 300 are poorly excreted in rat bile.

Biliary excretion in foreign compounds. Sulphonamide drugs in the rat

1. The extent of biliary excretion in the rat of 15 sulphonamide compounds was studied. 2. Most of the sulphonamides studied, with molecular weights from 172 (sulphanilamide) to 352 (N(4)-acetylsulphadimethoxine) are poorly excreted in the bile (0-4% of the dose), except sulphapyridine, sulphamethoxypyridazine and sulphadimethoxine. The last three are partly metabolized to glucuronides, whose molecular weights and polarities are such as to allow them to be excreted in the bile in appreciable amounts. 3. Succinylsulphathiazole and phthalylsulphathiazole are polar and have molecular weights (355 and 403) of an appropriate order, and are excreted unchanged in the bile in appreciable amounts. 4. Sulphadimethoxine N(1)-glucuronide (mol.wt. 487) is extensively excreted in the bile unchanged. 5. The results are examined in the light of the hypotheses put forward in the preceding paper (Millburn, Smith & Williams, 1967).

Biliary excretion in foreign compounds. Species difference in biliary excretion

1. The biliary excretion of injected [(14)C]aniline, [(14)C]benzoic acid, 4-amino-hippuric acid and 4-acetamidohippuric acid in six or eight species of animal (rat, dog, hen, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, rhesus monkey and sheep) was studied. 2. These compounds, with molecular weights in the range 93-236, are poorly excreted in the bile in all the species examined and, in effect, there is little significant species difference in the extent of their biliary excretion. 3. Compounds of higher molecular weight (355-495) were also studied, namely succinylsulphathiazole, [(14)C]stilboestrol glucuronide, sulphadimethoxine N(1)-glucuronide and phenolphthalein glucuronide. 4. With these compounds a clear species difference in the extent of biliary excretion was found, the rat, dog and hen being good excretors, the rabbit, guinea pig and monkey poor excretors, and the cat and sheep taking an intermediary position. 5. There was a general trend for biliary excretion to be higher in all species when the compounds were of higher molecular weight. 6. These results are discussed in their relation to species differences in drug metabolism.

Biliary excretion of [C]succinylsulphathiazole in the rat and rabbit

1. After intravenous injection about 30% of the dose (20mg./kg.) of succinylsulphathiazole is excreted unchanged in the bile in 3hr. by the rat, whereas only about 1% is excreted by the rabbit. When the renal pedicles are ligated the biliary excretion of succinylsulphathiazole in the rat increases to about 80% of the dose, but in the rabbit under these conditions the biliary excretion is only 2% of the dose. 2. In the rat, the sulphonamide readily enters the liver and biliary excretion occurs against a concentration gradient from liver to bile; further, the excretory process can be saturated, and can be depressed by the simultaneous administration of phenolphthalein glucuronide or bile salts. 3. In the rabbit, these conditions have not been found; succinylsulphathiazole does not readily enter the liver from the plasma, there is no transfer of the drug from the liver cells to the bile against a concentration gradient, and no saturation or depression of the biliary excretion of succinylsulphathiazole is found. 4. It is suggested that two factors responsible, at least partly, for the low biliary excretion of succinylsulphathiazole in the rabbit are the poor entry of the sulphonamide into the liver in this species and a deficiency of the concentrative mechanism for its excretion in the bile.

In silico prediction of biliary excretion of drugs in rats based on physicochemical properties

Evaluating biliary excretion, a major elimination pathway for many compounds, is important in drug discovery. The bile duct-cannulated (BDC) rat model is commonly used to determine the percentage of dose excreted as intact parent into bile. However, a study using BDC rats is time-consuming and cost-ineffective. The present report describes a computational model that has been established to predict biliary excretion of intact parent in rats as a percentage of dose. The model was based on biliary excretion data of 50 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. compounds with diverse chemical structures. The compounds were given intravenously at <10 mg/kg to BDC rats, and bile was collected for at least 8 h after dosing. Recoveries of intact parents in bile were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Biliary excretion was found to have a fairly good correlation with polar surface area (r = 0.76) and with free energy of aqueous solvation (DeltaG(solv aq)) (r = -0.67). In addition, biliary excretion was also highly corrected with the presence of a carboxylic acid moiety in the test compounds (r = 0.87). An equation to calculate biliary excretion in rats was then established based on physiochemical properties via a multiple linear regression. This model successfully predicted rat biliary excretion for 50 BMS compounds (r = 0.94) and for 25 previously reported compounds (r = 0.86) whose structures are markedly different from those of the 50 BMS compounds. Additional calculations were conducted to verify the reliability of this computation model.

Prediction of biliary excretion in rats and humans using molecular weight and quantitative structure-pharmacokinetic relationships

The aims were (1) to evaluate the molecular weight (MW) dependence of biliary excretion and (2) to develop quantitative structure-pharmacokinetic relationships (QSPKR) to predict biliary clearance (CL(b)) and percentage of administered dose excreted in bile as parent drug (PD(b)) in rats and humans. CL(b) and PD(b) data were collected from the literature for rats and humans. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was utilized to determine whether a MW threshold exists for PD(b). Stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) was used to derive QSPKR models. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated by internal validation using the leave-one-out method and external test groups. A MW threshold of 400 Da was determined for PD(b) for anions in rats, while 475 Da was the cutoff for anions in humans. MW thresholds were not present for cations or cations/neutral compounds in either rats or humans. The QSPKR model for human CL(b) showed a significant correlation (R (2) = 0.819) with good prediction performance (Q (2) = 0.722). The model was further assessed using a test group, yielding a geometric mean fold-error of 2.68. QSPKR models with significant correlation and good predictability were also developed for CL(b) in rats and PD(b) data for anions or cation/neutral compounds in rats and humans. Both CL(b) and PD(b) data were further evaluated for subsets of MRP2 or P-glycoprotein substrates, and significant relationships were derived. QSPKR models were successfully developed for biliary excretion of non-congeneric compounds in rats and humans, providing a quantitative prediction of biliary clearance of compounds.

Quantitative aspects of the metabolism of lignans in pigs fed fibre-enriched rye and wheat bread

A diet rich in lignans has been suggested to be protective against a range of chronic diseases. The distribution and metabolic fate of lignans is, however, very poorly understood. We fed high-fibre wheat breads low in lignans (n 8) or high-fibre rye breads (n 9) rich in plant lignans to pigs for 58-67 d, and analysed the content of plant lignans and their metabolites in the diet, blood, bile, faeces, urine and selected tissues. Apparent faecal digestibility of dietary precursors was higher than of total (plant- and entero-) lignans due to conversion to enterolactone and enterodiol. The digestibility of lariciresinol and matairesinol was lower than that of the sum of plant lignans. This suggests that interconversion of plant lignans during digestion and enterohepatic circulation occur without complete conversion to enterolignans. The majority of lignans present in plasma and urine was in the form of enterolignans, but up to 23 % in the plasma, and 11 % in the urine of the rye-fed pigs were in the form of plant lignans. There was a very high concentration of lignans in bile from the rye-fed pigs with as much as 77 % in the form of plant lignans. Lignans were detected in the tissue of colon, liver, breast and brain at a much higher level with rye than with wheat, but only in the form of enterolactone. The importance and implications of systemic exposure to plant lignans remain to be elucidated.

Studies on the metabolism of Orange Rn in the pig

Orange RN (monosodium salt of 1-phenylazo-2-naphthol-6-sulphonic acid) was administered to female pigs either by intraveneous injection or by stomach tube. After intravenous injection of Orange RN, 7.8 mg/kg, the following metabolites were indentified in 24-hour urines: Orange RN (31%), 1-(4-hydroxyphenlazo)-2-naphthol-6-sulphonic acid (3%), p-aminophenol and 0-aminophenol (34% and 4% of the theoretical yield, respectively). 1-Amino-2-naphthol-6-sulphonic acid was present, but not determined. When the urine collection was extended to 72 hours the excretion of p-aminophenol accounted for the remainder of the phenylazo moiety. The excretion pattern for p-aminophenol suggest that Orange RN is partly excreted in the bile and thereafter undergoes azo reduction in the gut. After administration of Orange RN, 78 mg/kg, by stomach tube the following metabolites were identified in the urine: Total coloured metabolites (Orange RN and 1-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)-2-naphtholphenol-6-sulphinic acid) (0.4% of the theoretical yield), p-aminophenol and o-aminophenol (52% and 6% of the theoretical yield, respectively) and aniline (0.3% of the theoretical yield). 1-Amino-2-naphthol-6-sulphonic acid was present, but not determined.

Choleretic activity of phloracetophenone in rats: structure-function studies using acetophenone analogues

The relationship between the chemical structure and choleretic activity of phloracetophenone (2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone) was investigated in adult male rats. Fourteen acetophenone analogues, with different substituents on the benzene nucleus, were intraduodenally administered and bile samples were collected via a bile fistula. All of the compounds tested immediately induced choleresis. For the same number of substituents on the benzene ring, hydroxy analogues induced a greater choleresis. The number and position of hydroxy substituents on the benzene nucleus play an important role in determining choleretic activity and biliary secretion of bile acid, but had no relation to biliary excretion of cholesterol. The choleretic activity of the hydroxylated compounds was inversely related to hydrophobicity, as inferred by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Among the hydroxylated acetophenone analogues, 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone was identified as the most potent, with a choleretic activity of 231.8+/-6.1 microl/mmol/min. It induced both a high bile flow rate and a high bile salt output and led to lower plasma cholesterol levels. This bile had a low lithogenic potential. The results suggest that a structural requirement for high choleretic activity of 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone is a substituent hydroxy group at 4-position. Additional hydroxy groups at 2- and 6-positions are essential for the induction of higher an output of bile acid, and possibly, other solid materials.

Hepatobiliary disposition of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) in the rat: effect of phenobarbitone induction

Isolated liver with a recirculating perfusate was used to study 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) disposition in phenobarbitone-pretreated rats at 68 microM AZT concentration in the reservoir. Clearance of AZT in the livers obtained from control animals was 0.42 +/- 0.01 (mean +/- s.d.) mL min-1/10 g liver. Over the study period of 105 min, 12.7 +/- 2.6% of the dose was excreted in bile and of this 95% was recovered as 3'-azido-3'-deoxy-5'-O-beta-D-glucopyranuronosylthymidine (GAZT). The amount of GAZT found in the perfusate after 105 min of liver perfusion was < 1% of the AZT dose introduced into the reservoir. Phenobarbitone pretreatment of rats resulted in a 5.5-fold increase of AZT clearance. In addition, the area under the perfusate concentration-time curve (AUC0-105 min) for 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine (AMT) and for a catabolite of unknown structure was increased 3- and 10-fold, respectively, and the amount of AZT dose excreted in the bile was nearly doubled. Thus phenobarbitone was capable of stimulating both detoxification of AZT to GAZT and bioactivation of AZT to AMT, a catabolite known to be highly toxic to human bone marrow cells. This induction was the result of enhancement of AZT catabolism rather than its transport into the cells, since on incubation of AZT (0-250 microM) with rat isolated hepatocytes, a linear relationship between concentration and amount taken up by the cells was shown. In addition, the rate of AZT uptake was not influenced by KCN, dinitrophenol, or temperature, which is consistent with a simple diffusion of AZT through the hepatocellular membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fate of dipropyl sulphide and dipropyl sulphoxide in rat

1. Dipropyl [35S]-sulphide and dipropyl [35S]-sulphoxide were administered by gavage (4.24 mM/4 ml/kg body wt) to adult male Wistar rats following an overnight fast. 2. Urine was the major route of excretion for both compounds, with more radioactivity appearing during the second day (c. 43%) than the first (c. 26%). Only small amounts were found in the faeces (c. 5%). Biliary excretion played an important role with substantial amounts of the dose (c. 25%) passing through the bile duct during 0-48 h. Following ingestion of the sulphide large quantities of radioactivity (18%) were detected in exhaled air. Near total recoveries were achieved for both compounds, although 13% of the radioactivity remained within the carcass 3 days after administration of the sulphoxide. 3. Absorption and elimination half-lives were in the region of 5 and 8 h, respectively, for both compounds, with the sulphoxide plasma profile showing a prolonged plateau region. 4. Metabolism was limited to oxidation of the sulphur with the formation of the sulphoxide and sulphone, and trace amounts of inorganic sulphate.

Biliary excretion of chenodeoxycholyllysylrhodamine in Wistar rats: a possible role of a bile acid as a carrier for drugs

The effect on biliary excretion of rhodamine after its conjugation to give chenodeoxycholyl-lysyl-rhodamine (cheno-lys-R) was studied in male Wistar rats. Following its intravenous injection via the jugular vein of animals cheno-lys-R was efficiently excreted into bile with a peak biliary excretion of 31.6 +/- 1.2% dose 5 min-1 and a cumulative biliary excretion of 96.4 +/- 2.0% in 30 min of the total dose administered. Unlike cheno-lys-R, rhodamine had a poor biliary excretion of 1.0 +/- 0.1% dose 5 min-1 and a cumulative biliary excretion of 3.3 +/- 0.6% in 30 min. Cheno-lys-R had a short plasma half-life (t1/2 alpha) of 4.0 +/- 0.5 min, whereas free rhodamine had a longer half life (t1/2 alpha) of 82.1 +/- 1.4 min. The plasma clearances of cheno-lys-R and rhodamine were 41.2 +/- 6.5 and 9.0 +/- 1.2 ml/min per kg, respectively. The data indicate that the cationic fluorescent xenobiotic, rhodamine, when conjugated to the bile salt analogue, greatly increased the biliary excretion of rhodamine and that cheno-lys acted as a carrier for hepatic uptake of rhodamine. Thus, an appropriate bile salt derivative may be used to target a drug to the liver.

Effect of various antidotes on biliary excretion of arsenic in isolated perfused livers of guinea pigs after acute experimental poisoning with As2O3

The effect of the dithiols British Anti-Kewisite (BAL), dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid (DMPS), dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and a new metal binding agent 2,3-bis-(acetylthio)- propanesulfonamide (BAPSA) on the biliary excretion of arsenic in perfused livers of guinea pigs after acute experimental poisoning with As2O3 was investigated. Guinea pigs received As2O3, 10.0 mg/kg subcutaneously at 9 a.m. as a single injection. One hour after the injection the livers were perfused (2.5 ml x min.-1 x g-1 liver) with Krebs-Henseleit buffer and glucose for 80 min. After 40 min. of saline perfusion (control) 0.1 or 0.7 mmol/l BAL, DMSA, DMPS, or BAPSA were added to the perfusate and arsenic elimination in the bile and effluent perfusate was measured. The biliary excretion of arsenic in control livers between 40 and 80 min. was 0.7% of the total arsenic liver content before perfusion (= arsenic liver content after perfusion + portion excreted in the bile+perfusate). After antidote addition (0.1 mmol/l) the excretion was 0.2% for livers perfused with BAL, 6.8% for DMSA, 10.6% for DMPS, and 11.1% for BAPSA, respectively. After 0.7 mmol/l antidote the excretion of arsenic was 0.1% in livers perfused with BAL, 9.6% for DMSA, 12.3% for DMPS, and 13.3% for BAPSA, respectively. Except BAL, all compounds and most effectively BAPSA increased biliary excretion of arsenic. This indicates that excretion of arsenic which normally is mainly renal is shifted towards faecal excretion by the dithiols.

Species differences in blood profiles, metabolism and excretion of 14C-propofol after intravenous dosing to rat, dog and rabbit

1. Bolus i.v. doses of 14C-propofol (7-10 mg/kg) to rat, dog and rabbit, or an infusion dose (0.47 mg/kg per min for 6 h) to dog were eliminated primarily in urine (60-95% dose); faecal elimination (13-31%) occurred for rat and dog, but was minimal (less than 2%) for rabbit. 2. After bolus administration, blood 14C concentrations were maximal (8-30 micrograms equiv./ml) at 2-15 min; these declined rapidly during the 0-2 h period and thereafter more slowly. Propofol concentrations were maximal (4-16 micrograms/ml) at 2 min and the profiles were best fitted by a tri-exponential (rat and dog) or bi-exponential (rabbit) equation. Duration of sleep ranged from 5 to 8 min. 3. Infusion of 14C-propofol in dog gave a blood 14C concentration of 117 micrograms equiv./ml at the end of the 6 h infusion period; this declined at a similar rate to that after the bolus dose. Propofol concentration on termination of infusion was 13 micrograms/ml; thereafter, propofol concentrations declined less rapidly than after the bolus dose. Waking occurred about 44 min post-infusion. 4. Propofol was cleared by conjugation of the parent molecule or its quinol metabolite; hydroxylation of an isopropyl group also occurred in rat and rabbit. Biliary excretion leading to enterohepatic recirculation, and in turn increased sulphate conjugation, occurred in rat and dog, but not rabbit, resulting in a marked interspecies variation in drug clearance and metabolite profiles.

Pharmacokinetics of biliary excretion of N-nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPA) in animals of different species

Pharmacokinetic investigations into the biliary excretion of N-nitrosodiphenylamine given as an i.p. dose of 50 mg/kg were conducted and results compared in three animal species; rat, guinea pig and rabbit following bile duct cannulation and collection of bile in vitro. The guinea pig excreted NDPA into bile fastest while the rabbit, which excreted it slowest, eliminated it fastest. Both appearance and disappearance of the nitrosamine were comparatively slow in the rat. NDPA elimination half-life values in the animal species were 510, 240 and 95 min respectively, while cumulative excretions amounted to 12, 3 and 0.3 percent. The toxicological implications of these species differences are highlighted.

Effect of butylated hydroxyanisole on hepatic glucuronidation and biliary excretion of drugs in mice

Inhibition of glucuronidation by depletion of UDP-glucuronic acid from liver impairs the hepatobiliary transport of glucuronidated xenobiotics. However, it is not known if enhancement of hepatic glucuronidation increases the biliary excretion of these compounds. Therefore, the effect of treatment with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), which increases hepatic glucuronidation capacity, on the biliary excretion of compounds undergoing glucuronidation was studied in mice. BHA-feeding (1% for 10 days) increased hepatic UDP-glucuronic acid content by 240% and enhanced hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities (expressed per kg body weight) toward valproic acid, phenolphthalein, iopanoic acid and bilirubin 220, 180, 120 and 60%, respectively. BHA treatment did not influence the biliary excretion of unmetabolized cholephils, phenol-3,6-dibromphthalein disulphonate and phenolphthalein glucuronide, but enhanced that of phenolphthalein (+108%), iopanoic acid (+63%) and bilirubin (+33%) as glucuronides. However, these increases were apparent only in the initial phase of excretion. In contrast, BHA markedly decreased (-43%) the biliary excretion of valproic acid glucuronides. Simultaneously, BHA increased the urinary excretion of the glucuronides of phenolphthalein (+48%), iopanoic acid (+450%) and valproic acid (+150%). A shift in the distribution of iopanoic acid and valproic acid and metabolites from liver to kidney was also apparent in BHA-fed mice. Thus, enhanced glucuronidation does not facilitate the biliary excretion of all glucuronidated compounds and only transiently increases others. It is likely that this phenomenon is the result of the glucuronides readily entering the plasma and being excreted by the kidney.

The enterohepatic circulation of perhexiline metabolites in the male Wistar rat

1. The biliary excretion of some perhexiline metabolites has been assessed in male Wistar rats with biliary cannulation. 2. After intragastric administration of perhexiline maleate (2 mg/kg body weight) multiple perhexiline metabolites were detected in bile. 3. When aliquots of this metabolite-laden bile were administered intraduoduodenally to further 'recipient' rats with biliary cannulation, similar metabolites were detected in the bile of these rats, but at reduced concentrations equivalent to 30-35% of those present in the bile of 'donor' rats. 4. These findings indicate that in the male Wistar rat, there may be substantial enterohepatic circulation of some perhexiline metabolites.

Studies on laxatives: biliary and urinary excretion in rats given danthron by intravenous infusion or gastric intubation

Rats were infused with danthron (I) at doses of 0.48, 2.2 and 5.8 mumol/100 g body weight, or given 12 mumol/100 g with gastric tube. TLC of bile and urine demonstrated a number of metabolites, at both administration routes. These included I monosulphate (II) and -glucuronide (III), two other phase 2 metabolites which behaved as the corresponding diconjugates, and several phase 1 metabolites (IV) in conjugated form. IV as a group were estimated by photometry of hydrolysed samples, using I as a reference. Danthron conjugates as a group were determined in such samples by a specific method for I. Moreover, II and III were determined individually in unhydrolysed specimens. Following infusion, about 80% of the danthron conjugates in bile were excreted after 1 hour; the dose fractions found after 5 hours represented about 20%, 30%, and 40% at the low, intermediate and high dose level, respectively. The corresponding fractions in urine were 16%, 12% and 10%, giving rise to bile:urine excretion ratios of 1.3, 2.7 and 4.0, respectively. This change in excretion pattern was associated with changes in metabolite muster, which involved a decrease in the balance of IV:I conjugates, as well as an increase in III:II ratio. IV was more abundantly present in bile than in urine, and showed a more sustained excretion than the I conjugates. By intragastric administration, the cumulated excretion (bile + urine) of I conjugates were only 6%, 8% and 5% of dose, in three consecutive 6 hours' periods (0-6, 6-12 and 12-18 hours after dosing). The bile:urine excretion ratios seemed to decrease with time, as did the III:II ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relation between renal and hepatic excretion of drugs: I. Phenol red in comparison with p-aminohippurate and indocyanine green

Phenol red is a suitable compound for the simultaneous assay of renal and hepatic excretion in the rat. Its elimination has been compared with those of p-aminohippurate (PAH) and indocyanine green (ICG) which are eliminated nearly exclusively via kidneys or liver, respectively. The interruption of one elimination route one day before the experiment, that means bile duct ligation (DL) in the case of ICG or bilateral nephrectomy (NX) in the case of PAH are followed by a slight increase in the elimination via the alternative pathway, but no effective compensation occurs. On the other hand, the renal excretion of phenol red is significantly increased after DL only following administration of high doses. This intensification is caused by an increase in the unbound amount of phenol red depending on the plasma concentration and reflects an enhanced glomerular filtration fraction. The biliary excretion increases significantly after NX, but only after infusion of low doses. The maximal biliary secretion capacity cannot be exceeded following NX, either. The competitive inhibition of phenol red excretion by probenecid supports the findings of NX or DL experiments. An influence of the three test substances on arterial blood pressure has been excluded. The most important factors influencing the switch over from one to the other elimination route seem to be at least in the case of phenol red the amount of unbound substance, the influence of the administered dose on the glomerular filtration, and disturbances in the volume of distribution, e.g. the possible reduction of hepatic uptake after DL.

Species differences in response to trichloroethylene. II. Biotransformation in rats and mice

Detailed analysis of urine from two strains of rats and mice dosed po with trichloroethylene at four doses from 10 to 2000 mg/kg failed to detect any major species or strain differences in the metabolism of trichloroethylene. Although a greater proportion of the dose was metabolized in mice than in rats, the relative proportions of the major metabolites were very similar in both strains and were unaffected by the dose amount. Analysis of the same urine samples for minor metabolites failed to establish a major species difference. Small amounts of dichloroacetic acid (less than 1% of the dose) were present in both rat and mouse urine and were not considered significant. Monochloroacetic acid accounted for less than 0.1% of the dose. Daily dosing of trichloroethylene (1000 mg/kg po) for 180 days did not induce the overall metabolism of trichloroethylene but did double the urinary excretion of trichloroacetic acid. This finding was accompanied by an equivalent percentage decrease in the concentration of trichloroethanol. CO2 has been shown to be a major metabolite of trichloroacetic acid, suggesting that this is the source of trichloroethylene-derived CO2. Trichloroacetic acid was also excreted in bile in both rats and mice suggesting possible conjugation of this metabolite in the liver. Very little evidence was found for the formation of chemically reactive species from trichloroethylene in either rats or mice and none that could be the basis of a major species difference. The increased rate of metabolism in the mouse, the resulting high blood concentrations of trichloroacetic acid, and stimulation of hepatic peroxisome proliferation in this species appears to be the major species difference possibly related to tumor formation in the liver. The conjugation of trichloroacetic acid and its metabolism to CO2 may be related to peroxisome proliferation.

Hepatic presystemic elimination of diethylstilbestrol by rats and effect of pretreatment with inducers of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

In order to determine if the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) undergoes hepatic presystemic elimination, male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered [3H]DES (0.005, 0.05, 0.5 mg/kg) into either the ileocolic (portal administration) or femoral (systemic administration) vein. Plasma and bile samples were collected and the concentrations of both DES and DES glucuronide fractions were determined. The concentration of the DES fraction was lower and the proportion of glucuronides was higher after portal than after systemic administration of all three doses. Comparison of the areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma concentration versus time for the DES fraction indicates that the liver diminishes this fraction by 50-70%. Biliary excretion of DES also showed route-dependent differences, in that it was higher for 10-20 min after portal than after systemic administration. To determine if these effects could be enhanced by induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, rats were pretreated for 4 d with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, or pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile and then administered DES (0.5 mg/kg) by the portal or systemic route. 3-Methylcholanthrene and pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile enhanced the plasma disappearance of the DES fraction to a greater extent after portal than systemic administration and thus further increased the apparent hepatic presystemic elimination. This effect does not appear to involve increased glucuronidation or biliary excretion. These data provide evidence that hepatic presystemic elimination of DES occurs in rats, and this effect can be enhanced by some microsomal enzyme inducers.

Selectively reduced biliary excretion of cholyldiglycylhistamine but not of cholyltetraglycylhistamine in ethinyl estradiol-treated rats. A possible indicator of increased bile canalicular permeability

A series of bile acid derivatives were synthesized, purified and radiolabelled. These were [125I]cholylglycylhistamine [( 125I]CGH), [125I] cholyldiglycylhistamine [( 125I]CG2H), [125I]cholyltriglycylhistamine [( 125I]CG3H), and [125I]cholyltetraglycylhistamine [( 125I]CG4H). These derivatives were rapidly excreted unchanged into the bile of bile-fistula rats. In normal rats the 30-min cumulative excretion following intravenous administration was only 39.0 +/- 0.7% for [125I]CGH but greater than 80% for the three larger compounds. This marked difference in biliary recovery between CGH and the other larger compounds could be due to a threshold biliary permeability, and we postulated that the critical molecular weight threshold for effective biliary retention of such compounds falls between [125I]CGH (MW 683) and [125I]CG2H (MW 740). Increased permeability, involving a shift to a higher molecular weight threshold would then be anticipated to diminish biliary excretion of [125I]CG2H (MW 740) before exerting a major influence on the biliary excretion of [125I]CG4H (MW 854). We previously reported functional and morphological studies which suggest that ethinyl estradiol (EE) may alter the permeability of bile canalicular tight junctions. In this study we have looked for further evidence of a progressive permeability change in EE-induced cholestasis by observing the biliary excretion of CG2H and CG4H in rats. Treatment with EE (5 mg/kg/day) for 3 days (EE3) or with the injection vehicle propylene glycol for 7 days (C7) reduced biliary excretion to a significant extent when compared to 3-day controls (C3) but had no differential effect on the 30-min recoveries from bile of CG2H and CG4H, respectively: C3 (81.2 +/- 1.8% and 81.7 +/- 2.1%, P = CN): C7 (72.3 +/- 3.0% and 73.5 +/- 3.6%, P = NS): EE3 61.8 +/- 2.5% and 61.9 +/- 2.7%, P = NS). However, treatment with EE for 7 days significantly reduced the biliary recovery of CG2H (46.8 +/- 9%) compared to EE3 rats (P less than 0.0025) but there was no significant change of biliary CG4H recovery (61.0 +/- 2.5%, P = NS) compared with EE3 rats. These results are compatible with our hypothesis that EE-induced cholestasis is associated with a change of biliary permeability which, as it progresses, affects successively larger molecules.

Species difference in biliary excretion of methylmercury

Species difference in the biliary excretion of methylmercury was studied in male rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs. The rates of mercury excretion (% dose/2 hr) into the bile of the rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs during the 2 hr from 2 to 4 hr after the administration of methylmercury were 0.61, 0.091, 0.036 and 0.019, respectively. These results suggest that biliary excretion and enterohepatic circulation of methylmercury in the latter three species may not influence the fate of this compound as significantly as in rats. Most of the methylmercury excreted into the bile of rats was bound to glutathione (GSH). In the mouse bile, 40% of the methylmercury was bound to GSH and the rest was found in a fraction eluted at the void volume of the Sephadex G-15 column. However, in the case of the rabbits and guinea pigs, methylmercury-GSH was scarcely detectable in the bile and almost all of the methylmercury was eluted at the void volume of the column.

Increased tight junction permeability: a possible mechanism of oestrogen cholestasis

Ethinyl oestradiol increased rat biliary permeability for 3H-inulin and 14C-sucrose, and significantly raised serum concentrations of bile acids after 3 and 7 days' treatment (P less than 0.0005) and bilirubin after 7 days (P less than 0.005) but not after 3 days. Following intravenous infusion of bromsulphthalein or phenolphthalein, ethinyl oestradiol-treated rats had elevated plasma concentrations of the three bile constituents, bromsulphthalein (P less than 0.0005 after 3 and 7 days), bromsulphthalein-glutathione conjugate (P less than 0.005 after 3 days; P less than 0.0005 after 7 days) and phenolphthalein glucuronide (P less than 0.005 after 3 days; P less than 0.0005 after 7 days), but the plasma concentration of unconjugated phenolphthalein, which was undetectable in bile, was unchanged. Similar changes followed partial biliary obstruction produced by bile cannula elevation. This pattern suggests that biliary constituents are refluxing from bile to plasma via the paracellular pathway, a concept further supported by structural changes in tight junction morphology in the oestrogen-treated rats. 'Leakiness' of canalicular tight junctions may explain the pathophysiology of oestrogen-induced cholestasis.

The metabolic and pharmacokinetic disposition of mebendazole in the rat

The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of mebendazole was studied in rats using [2'-3H]-mebendazole (biologically stable; specific activity 383.9 (mCi/mMol) and [2-14C]-mebendazole (specific activity 2.57 mCi/mMol). Analyses were performed by high pressure liquid chromatography and liquid scintillation spectrometry. About 85% of an intravenous dose was eliminated with the bile and the remainder with the urine. The majority of the dose was recovered as conjugated metabolites. The major metabolite (methyl-5(6)-(alpha-hydroxybenzyl)-2-benzimidazole carbamate) accounted for about 77% of the total recovered and 99% of it was conjugated. Anaerobic metabolism studies conducted in vitro with intestinal microorganisms obtained from rats indicated that metabolism of mebendazole did not occur in the gut, but that the intestinal microflora was able to hydrolyse conjugated metabolites which were eliminated with the bile. Mebendazole was found to have a biphasic elimination profile after intravenous administration. Its terminal plasma elimination half-life was 3.2 hours and its re-distribution half-life was 0.4 hour. After oral administration, as a solution in aqueous dimethyl sulphoxide, a bioavailability of 53% was obtained.

The biotransformation of three 14C-labelled phenolic compounds in twelve species of freshwater fish

1. The urinary and biliary excretion of 14C-labelled m-cresol, 1-naphthol and o-chlorophenol were investigated in 12 species of freshwater fish (bitterling, Rhodeus sericeus amarus; bream, Abramis brama; crucian carp, Carassius carassius; goldfish, Carassius auratus; gudgeon, Gobio gobio; guppy, Poecilia reticulata; minnow, Phoximus phoximus; perch, Perca fluviatilis; roach, Rutilus rutilus; rudd, Scardinius erythropthalmus; three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus; tench, Tinca tinca) when immersed in sub-lethal concentrations of the compounds in the aquarium water for 48 h. 2. The sulphate and glucuronic acid conjugates of 1-naphthol and o-chlorophenol were detected in both the aquarium water and the bile of all the fish species. 3. The oxidation product of m-cresol, m-hydroxybenzoic acid, and the sulphate conjugate of the phenol, were excreted into the aquarium water of all species except the guppy, which did not excrete m-hydroxybenzoic acid. In addition to these two metabolites, the glucuronic acid conjugate of m-cresol was found in the bile of all species, except for guppies whose small size precluded study of biliary excretion.

Interaction between diphenolic laxatives and intestinal bacteria in vitro

The ability of the laxative diphenols desacetylbisacodyl, oxyphenisatin, and phenolphthalein to inhibit growth and cause leakage of potassium ion from microbial cells in vitro was studied with 25 aerobic and 25 anaerobic bacterial strains. None of the aerobes, but some of the anaerobes showed growth inhibition. Potassium release assayed by flame photometry was observed in strains which showed growth inhibition, but also in other strains including anaerobes and aerobes. The highest antibacterial activity among the diphenols was observed with phenolphthalein and the least with desacetylbisacodyl; this relationship as noted for both growth inhibition and potassium release. Enzymatic hydrolysis of picosulphate to the free diphenol desacetylbisacodyl carried out by three strains of anaerobic bacteria was indicated by high pressure liquid chromatography.

Biliary excretion of bisacodyl and picosulphate in man: studies in gallstone patients after biliary tract surgery

Bisacodyl (=BIS) and picosulphate (=PICO) have been given perorally to postoperative gallstone patients, who have undergone biliary tract surgery with the insertion of an indwelling T-tube. The doses corresponded to 7.7 mg of their common free diphenol desacetylbisacodyl (=DES). The bile was sampled in hourly fraction from the external limb of the T-tube; these fractions were analysed by a modification of the HPLC method previously used to study biliary excretion in the rat. In the BIS-patients (n=8), DES in conjugated form occurred in significant concentration already in the first fractions; peak excretion values equivalent to 4-8 microgram DES/ml bile were reached in 2-5 hours. Unchanged BIS could not be detected, and the concentration levels of unconjugated DES were insignificant. The PICO-patients (n=8) on the other hand showed low DES concentrations (conjugated + free less than or equal to 0.5 microgram DES/ml) in all fractions, or low initial concentrations followed by a more or less pronounced rise in the later fractions. These results are, qualitatively, as in the rat. However, the dose fractions excreted in bile (assuming a total hepatic output of 50ml/hours) seem smaller than those to be expected from rat experiments, at least as far as BIS is concerned.

The enhanced biliary secretion of a taurine conjugate in the rat after intraduodenal administration of high doses of fenclozic acid

1. The metabolic fate of [14C]fenclozic acid (ICI 54450) in rat was determined after intraduodenal administration at different doses. 2. Increasing the dose from 2 to 100 mg/kg resulted in a five-fold increase in drug-related material secreted in bile. 3. At a dose of 2 mg/kg the taurine conjugate was a relatively minor metabolite, whereas at 100 mg/kg this conjugate was the major metabolite in bile and urine. 4. Enhanced biliary secretion of the taurine conjugate in rats receiving multiple doses of fenclozic acid results in exposure of the intestinal cells to much greater concn. of drug-related metabolites.