Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Tissue Distribution”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Adrenomedullin immunoreactivity tissue distribution in parathyroids of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a new potent vasorelaxant peptide identified originally in extracts of pheochromocytoma, and is widely distributed within the tissue. Although histopathological studies have demonstrated the presence of ADM-immunoreactivity (ir-ADM) in some human neuroendocrine tumors (such as insulinoma, pituitary adenoma, and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors), data on the presence of ADM in normal and pathological parathyroid gland are not available. Plasma AM concentrations were recently reported to be elevated in patients with PHP (primary hyperparathyroidism). The aim of our study was to determine tissue distribution of ir-AM in 34 patients with PHP (27 female and 7 male, mean age 50 +/- 6 years) undergoing surgery. Six normal parathyroid samples incidentally found during thyroidectomy for neoplastic diseases and ten sections of human rectus abdominis muscle tissue were used as controls (C). Adenomatous parathyroids were found in 22 PHP and hyperplastic parathyroids in twelve PHP patients. Four hyperplastic parathyroids were found in three PHP patients and three parathyroids in 10 PHP patients. Eight parathyroids revealed a prevalent diffuse growth pattern and four showed a prevalent nodular growth pattern. Immunohistochemical ADM expression was seen in seven of twelve (58.3 %) hyperplastic parathyroids and in fourteen of twenty-two (66.6 %) adenomatous glands. Parathyroid chief cells showed strong cytoplasmatic staining, whereas oncocytic cells showed a faintly aspecific cytoplasmatic staining. Normal parathyroids were negative for ir-ADM. In conclusion, we found the presence of ADM in parathyroid chief cells of PHP patients using immunohistochemistry in our study.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2002

Structural, functional, and tissue distribution analysis of human transferrin receptor-2 by murine monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal antiserum.

Human transferrin receptor-2 (TFR-2) is a protein highly homologous to TFR-1/CD71 and is endowed with the ability to bind transferrin (TF) with low affinity. High levels of TFR-2 mRNA were found in the liver and in erythroid precursors. Mutations affecting the TFR-2 gene led to hemochromatosis type 3, a form of inherited iron overload. Several issues on distribution and function of the receptor were answered by raising a panel of 9 monoclonal antibodies specific for TFR-2 by immunizing mice with murine fibroblasts transfected with the human TFR-2 cDNA. A polyclonal antiserum was also produced in mice immunized with 3 peptides derived from the TFR-2 sequence, exploiting an innovative technique. The specificity of all the reagents produced was confirmed by reactivity with TFR-2(+) target cells and simultaneous negativity with TFR-1(+) cells. Western blot analyses showed a dominant chain of approximately 90 kDa in TFR-2 transfectants and HepG2 cell line. Analysis of distribution in normal tissues and in representative cell lines revealed that TFR-2 displays a restricted expression pattern--it is present at high levels in hepatocytes and in the epithelial cells of the small intestine, including the duodenal crypts. Exposure of human TFR-2(+) cells to TF-bound iron is followed by a significant up-regulation and relocalization of membrane TFR-2. The tissue distribution pattern, the behavior following exposure to iron-loaded TF, and the features of the disease resulting from TFR-2 inactivation support the hypothesis that TFR-2 contributes to body iron sensing.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Tissue distribution of DDVP after fatal ingestion.

Tissue distribution of dichlorvos (DDVP) was determined in a case of fatal ingestion using a rapid and simple gas chromatographic (GC) assay. Remarkable autopsy findings were congestion of the lung and kidneys and bleeding ulcer extending from the dorsum of the tongue to the upper pharynx. The serum cholinesterase activity was 2 IU/1, however, miosis was not observed. In the stomach, 250 ml of volatile fluid was found. Tissue distribution of DDVP was determined using a newly developed simple and rapid GC method. DDVP was found in the spleen and heart at higher concentrations (3340 and 815 micrograms/g, respectively), and also detected in the urine at the lowest level (4.5 micrograms/ml). The DDVP concentrations in blood, brain, lung, kidney and liver were 29, 9.7, 81, 80 and 20 micrograms/ml or g, respectively.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

Tissue distribution and bioconcentration factors of PCDD/Fs in the liver and adipose tissue following chronic ingestion of contaminated milk in rats.

The aim of this study was to determine the tissue distribution of 17 PCDD/Fs following the chronic ingestion of contaminated milk in rats and to assess the "target tissue/milk" BioConcentration Factors (BCFs) of these molecules. Contaminated milk, collected in a polluted area, has been incorporated into the diet of male rats at a low dose (31 pg I-TEQ/day/rat). For this exposure, the accumulation of PCDD/Fs in target tissues (liver and adipose tissue) was limited, the tissue concentrations stabilising between 90 and 120 days of daily intake to levels close to 3 pg/g of tissue (all tissues and molecules combined). The tissue distribution seemed to be governed by the congeners properties and by the tissue characteristics. An increase in the chlorination degree of dioxins caused a decrease in their incorporation in the adipose tissue, and consequently of the BCF values. Moreover, the distribution of dioxins between hepatocytes and adipocytes differed: unlike the liver, the quantities of dioxins in the adipose tissue were significantly (P<0.05) correlated to the quantity of tissue fat. Only in the liver, the incorporation of PCDDs seemed to be facilitated when the chlorination degree of these congeners increased, the reverse phenomenon having been observed for PCDFs. However, for the same level of chlorination, the BCFs of PCDFs were 2.4 times higher than those of PCDDs in this tissue. The absence of correlation between the quantity of dioxins and that of fat and the BCFs differences of theses congeners suggested that dioxins fixation process in the liver was selective.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Leptin: its pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution.

OBJECTIVE: The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of leptin in rats was investigated. DESIGN: A catheter was inserted in the right jugular vein of rats on the day prior to experiment. The next day, blood was sampled and then a tracer dose of radioiodinated hormone was administered via the catheter. Thereafter, small (200 microl) samples of blood were taken at regular intervals. Two experiments were conducted over different sampling times. TCA precipitated radioactivity was counted in samples of plasma and tissues. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated after fitting a bi-exponential equation describing a two-pool model of plasma leptin distribution. Selected time-point plasma samples were fractioned using size exclusion chromatography and the leptin distribution determined. RESULTS: The two pool model described the pharmacokinetics of leptin in two forms: an initial fast decaying pool (t(1/2) = 3.4 min) and a slower decaying pool (t(1/2) = 71 min) with an overall clearance rate of 6.16 ml/min/kg. Size exclusion chromatography showed a persistent peak (all time-points tested) of 125I-leptin corresponding to the plasma albumin peak. The size of the free 125I-leptin peak became diminished or absent in later time-point plasma samples. Tissue distribution of leptin at 60 min and 180 min time-points showed that the small intestine contained the highest concentration of leptin, almost four times the level found in kidneys, liver, stomach and lungs. 125I-leptin was least abundant in skin, muscle, heart, caecum and brain. CONCLUSION: The pharmacokinetics of leptin are affected by three important factors: 1) its ability to bind to a plasma carrier molecule which increases its half-life; 2) its association with abundant peripheral tissue binding sites which creates an additional pool of leptin and 3) the rate of synthesis of leptin which may be less important than originally believed as the prolonged half-life and the additional pool of tissue binding sites are important factors in determining its plasma concentration.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of vinflunine.

The plasma pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, excretion and binding to plasma proteins of vinflunine, were investigated after intravenous (iv) administration. We obtained plasma profiles after iv administration of vinflunine at the doses of 3.5, 7 and 14 mg/kg in rats. The t1/2 values for vinflunine were estimated to be 18.38+/-1.20, 17.05+/-0.77, 18.35+/-1.57 h, and the mean AUC0-t values were 3.48+/-0.38, 6.54+/-0.68, 12.79+/-2.93 microg x h/ml, respectively. Of the various tissues tested, vinflunine was widely distributed into tissues, with the highest concentrations of vinflunine being found in well perfused organs. Maximal concentration of vinflunine was reached at 0.5 h postdose in the majority of tissues. In tumor-bearing mice, the similar pattern of tissue distribution was observable, except that vinflunine can be distributed into tumor. The binding of vinflunine in human and rat plasma proteins were 39.6% and 58.4% respectively. Within 96 h after administration, 9.58%, 15.36% and 0.71% of the given dose was excreted in urine, feces and bile, respectively. In conclusion, Vinflunine had a longer terminal half-life, a wide tissue distribution and less than 25% of the given dose was excreted as unchanged drug, suggesting metabolism as a major style of elimination.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Differential tissue distribution and ontogeny of DC-1 and HLA-DR antigens.

The tissue distribution and the ontogeny of DC-1 antigens have been investigated and compared with those of HLA-DR antigens. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) staining of surgically removed normal tissues from adults with the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) BT3.4 has detected DC-1 antigens in tissues of various embryologic origin. The tissue distribution of DC-1 antigens is more restricted than that of HLA-DR antigens, as the former are not detected in duodenal epithelium, colon mucosa, and ductal mammary gland epithelium. In fetuses up to 26 weeks of age, DC-1 antigens were detected only on cortical and medullary thymic dendritic cells with an anatomic distribution similar to that of reticuloepithelial cells and in endothelial cells of the small intestine. At this stage of intrauterine life, HLA-DR antigens have already reached their full tissue distribution. The tissue distribution and the ontogeny of DC-1 antigens resemble those of their murine counterparts, i.e., the I-A antigens.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Altered tissue distribution and elimination of amikacin encapsulated in unilamellar, low-clearance liposomes (MiKasome).

PURPOSE: Amikacin in small unilamellar liposomes (MiKasome) has prolonged plasma residence (half-life > 24hr) and sustained efficacy in Gram-negative infection models. Since low-clearance liposomes may be subject to a lower rate of phagocytic uptake, we hypothesized this formulation may enhance amikacin distribution to tissues outside the mononuclear phagocyte system. METHODS: Rats received one intravenous dose (50 mg/kg) of conventional or liposomal amikacin. Amikacin was measured for ten days in plasma, twelve tissues, urine and bile. RESULTS: Liposomal amikacin increased and prolonged drug exposure in all tissues. Tissue half-lives (63-465 hr) exceeded the plasma half-life (24.5 hr). Peak levels occurred within 4 hours in some tissues, but were delayed 1-3 days in spleen, liver, lungs and duodenum, demonstrating the importance of characterizing the entire tissue concentration vs. time profile for liposomal drugs. Predicted steady-state tissue concentrations for twice weekly dosing were >100 microg/g. Less than half the liposomal amikacin was recovered in tissues and excreta, suggesting metabolism occurred. Amikacin was not detected in plasma ultrafiltrates. Tissue-plasma partition coefficients (0.2-0.8 in most tissues) estimated from tissue-plasma ratios at Tmax were similar to those estimated from tissue AUCs. CONCLUSIONS: Low-clearance liposomal amikacin increased and prolonged drug residence in all tissues compared to conventional amikacin. The long tissue half-lives suggest liposomal amikacin is sequestered within tissues, and that an extended dosing interval is appropriate for chronic or prophylactic therapy with this formulation.

Amikacin↗
PubMed1986

Steady state verapamil tissue distribution in the dog: differing tissue accumulation.

Plasma, heart, and extracardiac tissue verapamil concentrations were measured after sustained intravenous infusions in 11 dogs to determine the differential tissue accumulation of verapamil. A steady state verapamil concentration of 327 +/- 50 ng/ml decreased the mean arterial blood pressure from 104 +/- 9 to 90 +/- 6 mm Hg (p = 0.08) and the P-R interval increased from 118 +/- 4 to 176 +/- 13 ms (p less than 0.001) with second-degree atrioventricular block developing in 6 animals. Verapamil accumulated in organs in the following order: Lung much greater than kidney greater than spleen greater than ventricular myocardium = liver greater than atrial myocardium greater than cerebral cortex greater than fat = skeletal muscle. Levels in the ventricular free wall were consistently greater than atrial levels, but no difference was observed between left versus right-sided cardiac chambers. In summary, affinity of different organs for verapamil is highly variable and organ-specific; furthermore, differential intracardiac chamber accumulation occurs.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The effect of oxidizing cholesterol on gastrointestinal absorption, plasma clearance, tissue distribution, and processing by endothelial cells.

Little is known about the absorption or metabolism of oxysterols. Toward better appreciating the metabolic consequences of oxidizing cholesterol, we compared labeled cholesterol with the labeled oxysterols 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol prepared from [4-14C]cholesterol, [26,26,26,27,27,27-2H6]cholesterol, and [23,24,25,26,27-13C5] cholesterol. Gastrointestinal absorption of oxysterols in rats was 91.5 +/- 0.3% compared with 75 +/- 1.1% for cholesterol, determined by fecal collection (P < .001). When injected intravenously and followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol was cleared at 23 times the rate of cholesterol. After 5 minutes, only 1.2 +/- 0.2% of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol remained in the plasma, whereas 28.0 +/- 1.7% of cholesterol and 40.0 +/- 2.5% of a triglyceride emulsion injected simultaneously were still present. [14C]7 alpha-Hydroxycholesterol injected intravenously was also rapidly cleared from plasma, was widely distributed in tissues and organs, and showed evidence of extensive metabolism at 5 minutes. The fractional rate of uptake of radiolabeled oxysterols by cultured endothelial cells was 15.7 times that of cholesterol (P < .001), and the fractional rate of efflux was 3.4 times that of cholesterol (P < .001). Oxysterols passed through endothelial cells grown on transwell membranes at a rate 4.3 times that of cholesterol (P < .001). Fractional oxysterol transport across the endothelial cell monolayer was increased 62 +/- 17% when HDL was added to the medium in the lower chamber (P = .003). Oxysterols were extensively metabolized to even more polar metabolites during endothelial cell transit. These properties of oxysterols potentially provide a mechanism for enhancing transport of cholesterol through tissues and preventing accumulation of cholesterol in those cells that can oxidize it.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on tissue distribution and intestinal absorption of alpha-tocopherol in rats.

We conducted experiments to elucidate the mechanism by which alpha-tocopherol (alpha-toc) concentration in the liver remarkably increases in rats treated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) when excess amounts of DL-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate (alpha-toc-ac) were given. First, diets containing 5 and 50 mg of alpha-toc-ac per 100 g were respectively added with 0.05% of PCB and given to rats for 10 days, and alpha-toc distributions in tissues were determined. Next, the disappearance of alpha-toc from a ligated intestine of vitamin E (E)-deficient rats was then studied. There were no significant differences between the control and the PCB groups in alpha-toc concentrations in the liver and other tissues except a few tissues when a lower level of alpha-toc-ac (5 mg) was given. Conversely, when a higher level of alpha-toc-ac (50 mg) was given, alpha-toc concentration in the liver of the PCB group significantly increased compared to that of the control group. This agrees with the result previously reported, showing a remarkable reproducibility. In addition, alpha-toc concentrations in tissues other than the liver were also significantly higher in the PCB group than in the control group. Transmigration of alpha-toc to the liver from other tissues was therefore excluded. The alpha-toc absorption test using the ligated intestine of E-deficient rats revealed that alpha-toc disappears from the intestine at a higher rate in the presence of PCB compared to the untreated control group. This may indicate that alpha-toc absorption by passive diffusion is accelerated in the coexistence of PCB.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Physiologically based pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine A: extension to tissue distribution kinetics in rats and scale-up to human.

The tissue distribution kinetics of i.v. Cyclosporine A (CyA) was investigated extensively in rats. The concentration-to-time data of 11 organs were analyzed separately using local physiologically based pharmacokinetic models, involving nonlinear plasma-to-blood cell distribution, membrane-permeability-limited plasma-to-tissue distribution and either linear or nonlinear tissue binding. Two global physiologically based pharmacokinetic models were then evaluated, each comprising arterial and venous pools together with the 11 organs, adopting either of the two local models. Both global models successfully described the blood and tissue distribution kinetics of CyA. In nonlinear model, the estimated dissociation constants (Kd) for the intracellular saturable binding ranged 0.2 to 60 ng/ml among the organs, which are comparable with values reported for cyclophilin-CyA binding in vitro. The predicted human pharmacokinetic profile using the physiologically based pharmacokinetic models, after scale-up of physiological parameters from rat to human, generally agreed with the observations following i.v. and oral administration, with moderate discrepancies due presumably to uncharacterized species differences and/or the effect of i.v. vehicle on the CyA binding in plasma. Nevertheless, the models allow reasonable prediction of drug exposure at the biological target, i.e., intracellular, unbound CyA, which may differ among various organs according to the local physiological elements, e.g., tissue cellular membrane permeability. As well as helping optimize the CyA regimen in patients, who are likely to exhibit a variety of physiological and pathological conditions, the modeling suggests possible insights into the known grafted-organ specific efficacy of CyA.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Scar tissue distribution on palates and its relation to maxillary dental arch form.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between maxillary dental arch form and distribution of postsurgical scar tissue on previously denuded bone in isolated cleft palate patients. METHOD: The palatal blood flow of 21 Japanese isolated cleft palate patients (6 males, 15 females) was examined by laser doppler flowmetry to determine the scar tissue areas. All had undergone pushback operations for palatal repair at around 18 months of age. Tissue blood flow was examined at a time ranging from 11 years, 5 months to 19 years, 9 months of age. To evaluate the maxillary dental arch form, dental casts obtained at the start of orthodontic treatment (a mean age of 8 years, 4 months) were analyzed. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Scar tissue distribution in the 21 cases was classified into five types. Characteristic features in the maxillary dental arch form were found in each of the five types according to the extent of the scar tissue. It was evident that the severity of the maxillary dental arch constriction was closely related to the scar tissue distribution on palates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Immunochemical quantitation of fatty acid-binding proteins. Tissue distribution of liver and heart FABP types in human and porcine tissues.

1. Antisera against heart and liver fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) were used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to study the cross-reactivity between these FABP types of man, pig and rat, and to assess their tissue distribution in man and pig. 2. No cross-reactivities were found of heart FABPs with anti-liver FABP sera and vice versa. With the liver FABPs, marked species differences were found, but the three proteins are clearly related. Human and pig heart FABP are immunochemically closer related to each other than to this protein from rat heart. 3. The tissue distribution of the heart and liver FABP types is similar in man, pig and rat. Liver FABP is only found in liver and intestine, and heart FABP is present in heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, lung, brain and placenta. 4. Cardiac FABP is also found in cultured human and rat endothelial cells. 5. The FABP content of human and pig liver is comparable to that of rat liver, but the tissue concentrations of heart FABP are lower in man and pig than in rat. When the latter values are expressed relative to the FABP content in heart, analogous distribution patterns are observed in man, pig and rat.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Assessment of radioactive residues arising from radiolabel instability in a multiple dose tissue distribution study in rats.

Our study objectives were: To quantitatively determine the effect of radiolabel instability on terminal phase radioactive tissue residues in a multiple dose tissue distribution study. To quantitatively compare tissue residue artifacts (non drug-related radioactivity) from two chemically-distinct radiolabel locations. To conduct a definitive multiple dose tissue distribution study using the better of the two radiolabeled compounds. We compared the excretion and tissue distribution in rats of [(14)C]linezolid, radiolabeled in two different locations, after 7 consecutive once daily [(14)C] oral doses. The radiolabels were in the acetamide (two carbon) and oxazolidinone (isolated carbon) functional groups. Terminal phase tissue residue and excretion data were compared to data from rats dosed orally with [(14)C]sodium acetate. Drug-related radioactivity was excreted rapidly over 24 h. After a single dose, the acetamide and oxazolidinone radiolabel sites both gave 3% of dose as exhaled (14)CO(2). After 7 daily [(14)C] oral doses, terminal phase radioactive tissue residues were higher from the acetamide radiolabel, relative to the oxazolidinone radiolabel, and were primarily not drug-related. In the definitive tissue distribution study, low concentrations of drug-related radioactivity in skin and thyroid were observed. We conclude that although small amounts of radiolabel instability do not significantly affect single dose tissue radioactivity C(max) and AUC, artifacts arising from radiolabel instability can prolong the apparent terminal phase half life and complicate study data interpretation. When possible, it is always preferable to use a completely stable radiolabel site.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1983

Absorption and tissue distribution of doxorubicin entrapped in liposomes following intravenous or intraperitoneal administration.

Absorption and tissue distribution of free doxorubicin (Dxn) and Dxn entrapped into liposomes have been examined after intravenous (i.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection into C57/B1/6 mice. Liposomal encapsulation of Dxn altered its plasma kinetics and tissue distribution. After i.v. administration Dxn in liposomes has a half-life longer than that of free Dxn and it is taken up mostly by tissues rich in reticuloendothelial cells, such as liver and spleen. In the heart and kidney liposomal Dxn reaches a lower concentration than free Dxn. After i.p. injection the tissue distribution of liposomal Dxn is drastically changed. We did not observe the first peak of high concentration in the tissues, the Dxn content in liver and spleen is decreased and its concentration in heart is even more reduced. The results of this study suggest that the route of administration of liposome-entrapped drugs may change both the kinetics of absorption and their tissue distribution and this could result in a different pharmacological effect.

Absorption↗
PubMed1987

Role of acidic phospholipids in tissue distribution of quinidine in rats.

The mechanism of interorgan variation in tissue distribution of quinidine was investigated from a viewpoint of binding characteristics to phospholipids and the composition of phospholipids in various tissues. The order of binding of quinidine to an individual standard phospholipid, expressed as a product of the association constant (K) and the number of binding sites (n), was: phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PhE) less than dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (saturated PhC) less than or equal to phosphatidyl choline (unsaturated PhC) less than phosphatidyl inositol (PhI) less than phosphatidyl glycerol (PhG) less than phosphatidic acid (PhA) less than phosphatidyl serine (PhS). Thus, quinidine was found to bind preferentially to acid phospholipids such as PhS, PhA, PhG, and PhI. The greatest binding was obtained in PhS among the various phospholipids and was more than 300-fold that of neutral phospholipids such as PhC and PhE. The concentration of individual components of phospholipids in the lung, kidney, liver and heart was determined using a two dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The concentration of PhS, highly responsible for the quinidine binding to phospholipids in each tissue, was ranked in the following order: heart less than liver less kidney less than lung. The contribution of PhS to quinidine binding was more than 86% in all tissues. A good correlation between the concentration of PhS in each tissue and the Ct/Cp ratio in vivo was obtained (r = 0.984). Thus, it was concluded that the tissue distribution of quinidine in vivo depended on the composition of phospholipids in tissues and that a determinant of interorgan variation in the tissue distribution of quinidine was the concentration of PhS in the tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of cyclosporine A on the tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of etoposide.

PURPOSE: Cyclosporine A (CyA) is able to inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and to increase cytotoxicity of some anticancer drugs, including etoposide. However, the effect of CyA on the distribution of etoposide in normal tissues, which could affect their toxicity, has not been studied extensively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CyA on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of etoposide in rats. METHODS: Etoposide was administered as an i.v. bolus injection (3 mg) or as a constant-rate i.v. infusion (8 mg/h) 1 h after the beginning of infusion of CyA or saline. Animals were killed 1 h after the bolus administration or after the beginning of infusion of etoposide, and plasma and tissue (testicle, muscle, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, liver, colon, and intestine) concentrations of etoposide, blood concentrations of CyA were determined. All analyses were performed by HPLC. RESULTS: Infusion of CyA (1 mg/h) in rats treated with an i.v. bolus of etoposide caused a decrease in the plasma clearance (5.4+/-2.1 vs 9.3+/-2.4 ml/min), and an increase in plasma and tissue concentrations of etoposide, but the tissue-to-plasma concentration ratios of etoposide were not affected. When etoposide was infused at a constant rate to reach a steady-state plasma level, coinfusion of CyA (10 mg/h) also caused a decrease in the plasma clearance (4.8+/-1.5 vs 9.8+/-4.7 ml/min), and an increase in plasma and tissue concentrations of etoposide. Only lung and spleen showed tissue-to-plasma ratios of etoposide significantly higher than obtained in rats coinfused with saline, but the differences were small. CONCLUSIONS: The higher tissue concentrations of etoposide caused by CyA administration were mainly a direct consequence of the higher plasma concentration resulting from a decrease in the clearance of etoposide rather than a consequence of changes in the tissue distribution of etoposide. Extrapolation of the results obtained in rats to clinical practice suggests that the coadministration of etoposide and CyA would not lead to an increase in the toxicity of etoposide if the dose were decreased in the same proportion as clearance of etoposide is decreased by CyA administration.

Animals↗