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Biomedical subjects

W Slikker

Publications and source records attributed to W Slikker.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Oral administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces selective serotonergic depletion in the nonhuman primate.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has been reported to produce serotonergic depletion in nonhuman primates at doses as low as 2.5 mg/kg (1-2 times the typical human dose). The current study evaluated the dose-response relationships of MDMA (1.25-20.0 mg/kg) using regional concentrations of serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and home cage behavior as endpoints. Adult female rhesus monkeys (n = 16) were treated orally with 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 20.0 mg/kg MDMA twice daily for 4 consecutive days. Eighteen behaviors were measured in the home cage prior to, during, and after MDMA treatment. One month after the last dose, the animals were sacrificed and brains dissected into several regions for neurochemical analyses. 5-HT and 5-HIAA were analyzed via HPLC/EC. The lower doses of MDMA (1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg) did not significantly alter 5-HT or 5-HIAA concentrations in any brain region except hippocampus in which 5-HT concentrations were decreased after 2.5 mg/kg. MDMA at 20.0 mg/kg significantly decreased 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations in several cortical and midbrain structures. However, 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations in brain stem and hypothalamus were not significantly altered after any dose of MDMA. Combined with previous data from this laboratory, these results indicate that the decreased concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in selected brain regions show a selective dose-response relationship for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity as measured by serotonergic depletion in the nonhuman primate.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid dosimetry in discrete areas of the rabbit brain.

A basic PBPK model for the dosimetry of organic acids in discrete areas of the brain was constructed using 2,4-D as a model compound. The PBPK model describes distribution of 2,4-D throughout the body and within discrete areas of the brain. The brain compartments in the model were the hypothalamus, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, forebrain, brainstem, and cerebellum. The remainder of the model consisted of two-body compartments and venous and arterial blood compartments. In the model, chemical uptake by the brain was membrane-limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with saturable clearance from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the venous blood by the choroid plexus. The body has both a central and a deep compartment with saturable clearance from the central compartment. The model was used to examine the brain and CSF concentrations of 2,4-D as a function of plasma 2,4-D, as well as plasma time-course behavior using experimental data from rabbits given 2,4-D 40 or 100 mg/kg, IP or Na-2,4-D 40 mg/kg, i.v. administration. Model parameters were adjusted to fit the observed 2,4-D concentrations in blood and brain regions over a 2-h time frame. PBPK models could be a useful tool for evaluating the safety of this class of organic acids.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Behavioral and neurochemical effects of chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) treatment in rhesus monkeys.

Effects of chronic treatment with the putative serotonergic neurotoxicant MDMA were assessed in rhesus macaques using behavior in an operant test battery (OTB) designed to model aspects of time estimation, short-term memory, motivation, learning, and color and position discrimination. After an initial acute dose-response assessment, escalating doses of MDMA (0.10-20.0 mg/kg, im, twice daily, for 14 consecutive days at each dose) were administered, followed by three additional acute dose-response assessments. In general, tolerance to MDMA's acute effects was evident in all OTB tasks by the second week of repeated exposure to each individual MDMA dose and as doses escalated. Baseline OTB performance after chronic treatment was not significantly altered. Residual behavioral tolerance to MDMA's acute effects, however, was evident in all OTB tasks but was least pronounced in the motivation task. Monkeys were sacrificed (21 months after chronic treatment) and brains were dissected into several regions for neurochemical analyses. Serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) were analyzed via HPLC. Although MDMA-treated monkeys tended to have lower 5-HT concentrations in the frontal cortex, chronic MDMA treatment had no significant effects on 5-HT concentrations in any brain area sampled. Hippocampal 5-HIAA concentration, 5-HT uptake sites, and turnover of 5-HT of MDMA-treated monkeys were significantly lower than control values. DA concentrations in the CN of MDMA-treated monkeys were significantly greater than control values. No significant effects on DA concentrations were noted in any other brain area sampled. The absence of significant decreases in 5-HT and the general increase in DA concentrations are dissimilar to neurochemical effects reported after a short course of MDMA treatment at relatively high doses. These data suggest that chronic administration of gradually increasing doses of MDMA results in long-lasting tolerance to the drugs acute effects on the complex brain functions modeled in the OTB. It is uncertain, however, if such tolerance is related to the observed decreases in uptake sites and turnover of 5-HT in the hippocampus of these monkeys.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Evaluation of brain and nerve pathology in rats chronically dosed with ddI or isoniazid.

The antiviral adenosine analog, 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI), and the antitubercular nicotinic acid analogue, isoniazid, have recently received widespread clinical application in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Clinical studies indicate that the primary dose limiting side effect of both drugs is neurological in nature. Most clinical studies are confounded by the fact that the observed neuropathy must be evaluated in the presence of the ongoing disease process associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a rat model of ddI-and isoniazid-induced neuropathy in the absence of any disease-induced pathology. Myelin splitting and intramyelin edema were the most frequent abnormalities observed in the sciatic nerves of ddI-dosed animals, whereas whorls, extracellular debris, macrophages, and reduced myelinated axon number were seen following chronic isoniazid administration. Isoniazid also resulted in myelinopathy of the CNS. Thus, contrary to previous reports, the rodent is a suitable model for ddI- and isoniazid-induced neuropathies.

Animals↗

Transplacental pharmacokinetics of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in plasma and hair of rhesus monkeys.

There is large variability in the rate and extent of fetal damage from cocaine in humans; however, the sources of such variability are not presently known. In order to study the relationship between maternal cocaine pharmacokinetics at the end of pregnancy and maternal or infant cocaine and benzoylecgonine hair concentrations at birth, ten rhesus monkeys were administered cocaine intramuscularly throughout pregnancy. Cocaine and benzoylecgonine hair concentrations were determined at birth and correlated with maternal pharmacokinetics during pregnancy. There were no correlations between either maternal cocaine Cmax or AUC0-infinity and maternal and infant hair cocaine or benzoylecgonine concentrations. There were no significant correlations between maternal hair benzoylecgonine concentrations and either maternal benzoylecgonine AUC0-120 (r = 0.60; P = 0.07) or benzoylecgonine Cmax (r = 0.60; P = 0.07). No correlations existed between infant hair benzoylecgonine concentrations and either maternal benzoylecgonine AUC0-120 (r = 0.30; P = 0.40) or benzoylecgonine Cmax (r = 0.30; P = 0.40). Also, no correlation was found between maternal cocaine dose and maternal or infant cocaine and benzoylecgonine hair concentrations. In comparison to toxicants such as nicotine and carbon monoxide for which there is a good correlation between maternal systemic exposure and neonatal concentrations, the lack of a similar relationship for cocaine is consistent with the role of the placenta in contributing to the variability in the amounts of cocaine reaching the fetus and hence, potentially to the risk of adverse fetal outcome.

Animals↗

Biochemical and morphological effects of fumonisin B(1) on primary cultures of rat cerebrum.

Chronic dietary consumption of the mycotoxin fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) is associated with leukoencephalomalacia and neuronal degeneration, but identification of the cellular mechanisms underlying this neurotoxicity is difficult due to concurrent adverse systemic changes. For this reason, the present investigation used an in vitro approach to assess the short-term consequences of direct FB(1) (0. 5-75 microM) exposure on astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in primary cultures of rat cerebrum. Beginning at 5 days in vitro, the cultures were exposed to FB(1) at five concentrations (0.5-75 microM), and the cultures were evaluated at 10 and 15 days in vitro. The levels of the sphingolipid-associated constituents sphingosine and sphinganine were determined with a high-performance liquid chromatography. Relative to untreated cultures, exposure to FB(1) diminished the levels of sphingosine at 15 days in vitro, whereas FB(1)-exposed cultures showed significantly increased sphinganine levels and sphinganine/sphingosine ratios. In addition to these changes in sphingolipid constituents, FB(1)-exposed (0.5-75 microM) cultures exhibited a two-fold increase in the number of process-bearing cells by 15 days in vitro. Also, the activity of 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase, an enzyme associated with myelin and oligodendrocytes, was increased in FB(1)-treated cultures. This study suggests that short-term exposure to FB(1) may modify the proliferation or differentiation of glial cells.

2',3'-Cyclic Nucleotide 3'-Phosphodiesterase↗

The effect of chronic cocaine exposure throughout pregnancy on maternal and infant outcomes in the rhesus monkey.

To explore the effects of gestational cocaine exposure in a nonhuman primate model, pregnant rhesus monkeys were either treated (N = 10) with escalating doses of cocaine up to 7.5 mg/kg (IM), three times per day, 5 consecutive days per week, prior to conception and throughout gestation, or were not treated (N = 10) with cocaine at all. Substantial levels of both cocaine and its major metabolite, benzoylecgonine, were observed in samples of hair taken at birth from mothers and infants of the cocaine-treated group. Despite these differences in cocaine exposure, the experimental groups did not differ significantly with respect to maternal outcome, as measured by body weight again during pregnancy and length of pregnancy. On the other hand, the experimental groups did differ significantly with respect to infant outcome, as measured at birth by body weight, overall length, and crown circumference, all of which were decreased in the cocaine-treated group. A variety of reflexes tested at birth were normal in the cocaine-treated group. It was concluded that, in a rhesus monkey model, chronic cocaine exposure throughout pregnancy had no significant effect on maternal outcome, but did significantly affect infant outcome as assessed in this investigation.

Animals↗

Effects of fumonisin B1 treatment on blood-brain barrier transfer in developing rats.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a toxic metabolite of the fungus Fusarium moniliforme found in contaminated corn, is considered an etiologic agent of equine leukoencephalomalacia. Because FB1 exposure is associated with alteration of sphingolipid metabolism, the purpose of this study was to elucidate whether blood sphinganine (Sa) levels affect brain Sa levels. Sa and sphingosine (So) levels in brain tissue and plasma were analyzed by HPLC. Area under the curve (AUC0-20h) ratios of brain Sa to plasma Sa levels were about 40 after a single 0.8 or 8 mg/kg SC dose of FB1. The AUC0-12h ratio of brain FB1 to plasma FB1 was 0.02. The fact that FB1 alters brain Sa levels and Sa/So ratios indicates that sphingolipid metabolism in the central nervous system of developing rats is vulnerable to FB1 exposure. These data support our hypothesis that alterations of the brain Sa levels are related to the direct action of FB1 on the brain rather than transport of peripheral Sa to the brain.

Animals↗

Temporal development of 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI)-induced peripheral myelinopathy.

The anti-HIV therapeutic dideoxyinosine (ddI) has been reported to produce a painful, dose-limiting peripheral myelinopathy in HIV-infected patients after chronic administration. We have previously demonstrated ddI-induced myelinopathy in a non-HIV-infected rat model after 20 weeks of dosing, characterized by myelin splitting and intramyelin edema. The present study examined the time course needed to produce the ddI-induced neuropathy. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with vehicle or 415 mg/kg ddI twice daily for up to 20 weeks. Groups of treated (n = 6-8) and control (n = 3-5) animals were killed after 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks of dosing and the distal end of the sciatic nerve was removed. The nerve was postfixed by immersion in neutral phosphate-buffered formalin, dehydrated in graded alcohols, and embedded in plastic embedding media. One-micrometer-thick sections were cut and stained with toluidine blue and basic fuchsin. Plasma levels of ddI on the day the animals were killed were greater than 10 microgram/ml within the first hour after dosing and fell rapidly to less than 1 microgram/ml (clinical range 1-2 microgram/ml) within 3 h after dosing. The abnormalities observed in the sciatic nerve were few, if any, after 5 or 10 weeks, but very prominent after 15 weeks of dosing. Four of the six ddI-treated rats exhibited abnormal morphology as evidenced by myelin splitting and ballooned myelin sheaths. Although abnormal morphology was present at 20 weeks of dosing, the effect was not as robust as at 15 weeks. This suggests that the nerve may partially recover from the effects of ddI with time. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.

Animals↗

Gender-based differences in rats after chronic dietary exposure to genistein.

Gender-based differences can be observed from pharmacokinetic, behavioral, or anatomical assessments. No single assessment tool will provide a complete answer, but the use of a variety of indices, each with known gender-related outcome differences, can reveal agent-induced gender-based alterations. In a series of initial range-finding studies in rats conducted at the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), the effects of dietary exposure to the weak estrogen, genistein, have been assessed using a number of techniques with validated gender-related outcome measures. The findings indicated that (1) the internal dose of genistein was higher in females than males after equivalent dietary exposure and this was consistent with the faster rate of genistein elimination in males; (2) in behavioral assessments, males and females in the high-dose dietary genistein group consumed more of a sodium-flavored solution; however, no genistein-related changes were observed in open field or running wheel activity, play behavior, or intake of a saccharin-flavored solution; and (3) dose-related alterations of the volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the medial preoptic area were observed in genistein-exposed male rats but not females. These observations describe the utility of a variety of gender-based assessment tools and indicate that dose-related effects of developmental and chronic dietary exposure to genistein can be observed in the rodent. Additional studies, perhaps in nonhuman primates, are necessary to further predict the effect(s) of genistein on human gender-based development.

Administration, Oral↗

Metabolism of 14C-labeled doxylamine succinate (Bendectin) in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

The time-course of the metabolic fate of [14C]doxylamine was determined after the p.o. administration of 13 mg/kg doxylamine succinate as Bendectin plus [14C]doxylamine succinate to the rhesus monkey. Urine and plasma samples were analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), chemical derivatization, and mass spectrometry. The cumulative 48-hr urinary metabolic profile contained 81% of the administered radiolabeled dose and consisted of at least six radiolabeled peaks. They were peak 1: unknown polar metabolites (8% of dose); peak 2: 2-[1-phenyl-1-(2-pyridinyl)ethoxy] acetic acid, 1-[1-phenyl-1(2-pyridinyl)ethoxy] methanol, and another minor metabolite(s) (31%); peak 3: doxylamine-N-oxide (1%); peak 4a: N,N-didesmethyldoxylamine (17%); peak 4b: doxylamine (4%); and peak 5: N-desmethyldoxylamine (20%). The plasma metabolic profile was the same as the urinary profile except for the absence of doxylamine-N-oxide. The maximum plasma concentrations and elapsed time to attain these concentrations were as follows. Peak 1: 540 ng/mL, 4 hr; peak 2: 1700 ng/mL, 1 hr; peak 4a: 430 ng/mL, 4 hr; peak 4b: 930 ng/mL, 2 hr; and peak 5: 790 ng/mL, 2 hr. These data suggest that in the monkey, doxylamine metabolism follows at least four pathways: a minor pathway to the N-oxide; a minor pathway to unknown polar metabolites; a major pathway to mono- and didesmethyldoxylamine via successive N-demethylation; and a major pathway to side-chain cleavage products (peak 2) via direct side-chain oxidation and/or deamination.

Animals↗

Metabolism of doxylamine succinate in Fischer 344 rats. Part II: Nonconjugated urinary and fecal metabolites.

Elimination and metabolic profiles of doxylamine and its nonconjugated metabolites were determined after the oral administration of [14C]-doxylamine succinate (13.3 mg/kg and 133 mg/kg doses) to male and female Fischer 344 rats. Total urine and fecal recovery of the administered dose was greater than 90% regardless of sex or dose. The cumulative urinary and fecal elimination of these nonconjugated doxylamine metabolites at the 13.3 mg dose was 44.4 +/- 4.4% and 36.0 +/- 5.8% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. The cumulative urinary and fecal elimination of the doxylamine nonconjugated metabolites at the 133 mg/kg dose was 38.7 +/- 2.7% and 41.4 +/- 1.0% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. In order to determine the contribution of mammalian and bacterial enzymes in the overall metabolism and excretion patterns for doxylamine, two in vitro techniques were investigated. Incubation of [14C]-doxylamine succinate with human and rat intestinal microflora indicated that anaerobic bacteria were not capable of effecting the degradation of [14C]-doxylamine succinate. However, the incubation of [14C]-doxylamine succinate with isolated rat hepatocytes generated several metabolites similar to those observed in vivo. The nonconjugated doxylamine metabolites isolated and identified include: doxylamine N-oxide, desmethyldoxylamine, didesmethyldoxylamine and ring-hydroxylated products of doxylamine and desmethyldoxylamine. The studies demonstrate the role of hepatic metabolism in the elimination of doxylamine succinate in the rat.

Animals↗

Metabolism of doxylamine succinate in Fischer 344 rats. Part III: Conjugated urinary and fecal metabolites.

Elimination and metabolic profiles of the glucuronide products of doxylamine and its N-demethylated metabolites were determined after the oral administration of (14C)-doxylamine succinate (13.3 and 133 mg/kg doses) to male and female Fischer 344 rats. The cumulative urinary and fecal eliminations of these conjugated doxylamine metabolites at the 13.3 mg/kg dose were 44.4 +/- 4.2% and 47.3 +/- 8.1% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. The cumulative urinary and fecal eliminations of conjugated doxylamine metabolites at the 133 mg/kg dose were 55.2 +/- 2.6% and 47.9 +/- 2.5% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. The conjugated doxylamine metabolites that were isolated, quantitated, and identified are doxylamine O-glucuronide, N-desmethyl-doxylamine O-glucuronide, and N,N-didesmethyldoxylamine O-glucuronide.

Administration, Oral↗

Trace level determination of doxylamine in nonhuman primate plasma and urine by GC/NPD and HPLC.

Bendectin contains doxylamine succinate and is used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. Trace level analytical chemical procedures for analysis of doxylamine in primate urine and plasma were required before toxicological tests with the drug in three species of nonhuman primates could be performed. A gas chromatographic procedure using a nitrogen phosphorus detector was developed to quantitate doxylamine in primate plasma at levels as low as 100 ppb. A high-pressure liquid chromatographic procedure was also developed to assay the drug in primate urine at levels as low as 250 ppb. Data from stability studies with the drug in plasma at -5 degrees and -20 degrees C, and recovery of the drug from Bendectin tablets, plasma, and urine are also presented.

Animals↗

Plasma pharmacokinetics and metabolism of 13-cis- and all-trans-retinoic acid in the cynomolgus monkey and the identification of 13-cis- and all-trans-retinoyl-beta-glucuronides. A comparison to one human case study with isotretinoin.

In order to compare the disposition and metabolism of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) and all-trans-retinoic acid (all-trans-RA) in the nonpregnant female cynomolgus monkey, the plasma concentrations of the parent compound, the oxidized metabolites 4-oxo-13-cis-retinoic acid and 4-oxo-all-trans-retinoic acid, and the conjugate metabolites 13-cis-retinoyl-beta-glucuronide (13-cis-RAG) and all trans-retinoyl-beta-glucuronide (all-trans-RAG), were determined on day 1 and day 10 after oral dosing of 2 and 10 mg 13-cis- and all-trans-RA/kg/day. Both 13-cis-RAG and all-trans-RAG have been identified as major plasma metabolites in these studies using thermospray/HPLC/mass-spectrometry of the intact conjugates. AUC comparisons from 0-24 hr after administration indicated that 13-cis-RA treatment resulted in primarily cis metabolites and all-trans-RA treatment resulted in primarily trans metabolites, although low levels of isomerization products were observed. Comparison of the two doses (2 and 10 mg/kg, po) revealed that the AUCs were proportional to the dose administered. Although qualitatively similar, elimination of 13-cis-RA in the monkey was more rapid than in the human, and approximately a 10-fold greater dose of 13-cis-RA was required in the monkey to produce the AUC values comparable to the human. The elimination of all-trans-RA in monkey was faster than that of 13-cis-RA and tended to increase with repeated dosing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Plasma elimination and urinary excretion of methapyrilene in the rat.

The metabolism and elimination of methapyrilene (2-[(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-2-thenylamino]pyridine) were characterized after the iv administration of 0.7 mg/kg or 3.5 mg/kg methapyrilene HCl plus [14C]methapyrilene HCl to adult male Fischer-344 rats. Approximately 40% and 35% of the administered dose was excreted in the urine in the first 24 hr in the low and high dose groups, respectively, as determined by liquid scintillation spectrophotometry. Fecal excretion accounted for 38% and 44% of the administered dose in the first 24 hr in the low and high dose groups, respectively, as confirmed via combustion analysis. The 24-hr urinary metabolic products consisted of one major and five minor radiolabeled compounds. The major metabolite was isolated with reversed-phase HPLC and identified as methapyrilene N-oxide. This was accomplished by comparison of the chromatographic and mass spectral characteristics of this metabolite with that of authentic methapyrilene N-oxide. Methapyrilene and mono-N-desmethyl methapyrilene also were identified after isolation with reversed-phase HPLC and comparison of their mass spectral and/or chromatographic properties with those of authentic compounds. The plasma metabolic profile was essentially the same as the urinary profile. The elimination of methapyrilene from plasma occurred through a first-order process. The terminal plasma elimination t1/2 of methapyrilene did not increase with increasing doses (2.75 hr, 0.7 mg/kg; 2.81 hr, 3.5 mg/kg); thus, methapyrilene does not exhibit dose-dependent elimination over this 5-fold dose range.

Animals↗

The metabolism and elimination of pyrilamine maleate in the rat.

The metabolism and elimination of pyrilamine (2-[(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)(p-methoxybenzyl)amino]pyridine) were characterized after the iv administration of 7.0 mg/kg or 0.7 mg/kg pyrilamine maleate plus [14C]pyrilamine maleate to adult male Fischer-344 rats. Approximately 29% and 38% of the administered dose was excreted in the urine in the first 24 hr in the high and low dose groups, respectively, as determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Fecal excretion accounted for 27% and 30% of the administered dose in the first 24 hr in the high and low dose groups, respectively, as confirmed via combustion analysis. The 24-hr urinary metabolic products consisted of one major and four minor radiolabeled compounds. The major metabolite was isolated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and identified as the O-glucuronic acid conjugate of O-demethyl pyrilamine. This was accomplished by comparison of the chromatographic characteristics of this metabolite's aglycon with that of an authentic standard of O-demethyl pyrilamine and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of the unhydrolyzed conjugate. Pyrilamine and its N-oxide and O-demethyl derivatives were also identified after isolation by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and comparison of their mass spectral and/or chromatographic properties with those of authentic compounds. The plasma metabolic profile was essentially the same as the urinary profile except for the absence of O-demethyl pyrilamine. The plasma elimination of pyrilamine fit a one-compartment open model and was first order. The terminal plasma elimination half-life of pyrilamine did not increase with increasing doses (2.3 hr, 0.7 mg/kg; 1.5 hr, 7.0 mg/kg) and thus pyrilamine does not exhibit dose-dependent elimination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aminopyridines↗

Chronic effects of diethylstilbestrol on estrogen metabolism in the mouse.

Female C3H mice were exposed to 0 (control) and 640 ppb DES (experimental) in the diet for 12 mon. Subsequently, both groups of animals were dosed orally with radiolabeled 3H-DES. Experimental animals received low (349 ng) and high (312 micrograms) doses while controls received low doses. Based on the total plasma radioactivity derived from 3H-DES, comparisons of the apparent volume of distribution (AVD), metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and the plasma half-life (T1/2) were made. The AVD's and MCR's calculated for both experimental groups were significantly less than the control group (P less than 0.05). However, the T1/2's did not differ between experimental and control groups. Metabolic studies with 14C-DES (312 micrograms) showed that control and experimental animals differed only in their urinary-conjugate patterns. Pharmacokinetic studies with intravenously administered 3H-estradiol (E2) were performed in control mice, 640 ppb DES fed mice and 5000 ppb E2 fed mice. Significant differences were observed (P less than 0.005) between the experimental and control groups with regard to plasma T1/2, but not AVD or MCR. These results indicate that chronic estrogen exposure alters some pharmacokinetic properties of both steroidal and non-steroidal estrogens.

Administration, Oral↗