Nephrotoxic effect of subchronic exposure to S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine in mice.

The effect of subchronic exposure of S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC), an active metabolite of trichloroethylene (TCE), was investigated in mice, as a part of mechanistic assessment of renal toxicity of TCE. To examine the subchronic effects of DCVC on kidney function, Balb/c male mice were administered DCVC orally and intraperitoneally once a week for 13 weeks at 1, 10 and 30 mg/kg (Main Study) and for 8 weeks at 30 mg/kg (PCR Study). At the terminal sacrifice, mice orally and intraperitoneally administered with 10 and 30 mg/kg showed significantly lower kidney weight and significantly higher blood urea nitrogen levels than the control group. Pathological examination revealed that a dose of 30 mg/kg delivered by both routes resulted in renal tubular degeneration characterized by tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis, and in degradation of the cortex. Degenerative changes were accompanied by the increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNAs in the kidney of mice treated with 30 mg/kg for 8 weeks. These pathohistological observations mostly corresponded to those in short-term toxicity studies on DCVC. DCVC might be a direct cause of renal toxicity, which is suggested from the aggravation in these symptoms with the dose increase.

Pharmacokinetics of TJ-8117(Onpi-to), a drug for renal failure (II): effects of food, repeated administration and renal failure to plasma concentration of [3H]-(-)epicatechin 3-O-gallate in rats.

TJ-8117 (Onpi-to) is a herbal medicine extracted from mixture of five crude drugs (Rhei Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ginseng Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma and Aconiti Tuber), which has been developed as a drug for chronic renal failure. (-)Epicatechin 3-O-gallate (ECG), one of the active compounds of TJ-8117, was labeled with tritium and spiked to TJ-8117. Effects of food, renal failure and repeated administration to pharmacokinetics of ECG-related radioactivity in the plasma were investigated after oral administration of TJ-8117 containing [3H]ECG ([3H]TJ-8117) in male rats. After oral administration of [3H]TJ-8117, the radioactivity in the plasma in non-fasted rats was higher than that in fasted rats. AUC(0-72 h) and Cmax in the non-fasted was 123% and 248% of those in the fasted. After oral administration of [3H]TJ-8117, the radioactivity in the plasma in 5/6 nephrectomized rats was higher than that in sham-operated rats. AUC(0-72 h) and Cmax in 5/6 nephrectomized was 332% and 236% of those in sham-operated. After repeated administration of TJ-8117 for 6 days, [3H]TJ-8117 was administered on 7th day. Radioactivity in plasma in first day was similar to that in 7th day. The pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly different between single and repeated administration.

Pharmacokinetics of TJ-8117 (Onpi-to), a drug for renal failure (I): Plasma concentration, distribution and excretion of [3H]-(-)epicatechin 3-O-gallate in rats and dogs.

TJ-8117 (Onpi-to) is an herbal medicine extracted from a mixture of five crude medicinals (Rhei Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ginseng Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma and Aconiti Tuber), which has been developed as a drug for chronic renal failure. (-)Epicatechin 3-O-gallate (ECG), one of the active components of TJ-8117, was labeled with tritium and added to TJ-8117. Pharmacokinetics in plasma, tissue distribution and excretion of radioactivity were investigated following a single oral administration of TJ-8117 containing [3H]ECG ([3H]TJ-8117) in rats and dogs. 1. Following oral administration of [3H]TJ-8117, radioactivity exhibited linear pharmacokinetics in Cmax. Linearity of AUC(0-72 h) was lost at the highest dose of [3H]TJ-8117. Cmax and AUC(0-72 h) were higher in female rats than in male rats, a finding which suggested a sex difference in rats. Plasma levels of radioactivity displayed curves with one peak in dogs, which suggested a species difference between rats and dogs. 2. No accumulation was observed in any tissues in male rats. 3. Within 168 h after administration of [3H]TJ-8117 to male rats, 18.7%, 84.1% and 0.9% of the dose was excreted in urine, feces and expired air, respectively. Data from bile-duct cannulated rats indicated that at least 18.4% of the dose was absorbed.

Absorption, distribution and excretion of 3H-labeled cephaeline- and emetine-spiked ipecac syrup in rats.

The maximum plasma radioactivity levels of tritium (3H)-labeled cephaeline, (24.3, 28.7 and 40.6 ng eq./mL) were reached at 2.00-3.33 hours following oral dosing of ipecac syrup. The maximum plasma radioactivity levels of 3H-emetine (2.71, 6.47 and 9.62 ng eq./mL) were reached at 1.08-2.33 hours following ipecac syrup administration. The Cmax values of 3H-cephaeline were followed by a biexponential decrease with half-lives t 1/2(lambda z) of 3.45-9.40 hours. On the other hand, the t 1/2 (lambda z)of 3H-emetine were 65.4-163 hours, which revealed a biexponential decrease. The radioactivity of both tritium-labeled compounds was distrbuted maximally in most tissues at 24 hours. For 3H-cephaeline, the maximum radioactivity levels in tissues were approximately 100-150 times greater than in plasma. For 3H-emetine, the radioactivity levels in tissues were approximately 1000-3000 times greater than in plasma. Tissue radioactivity levels decreased at a substantially slower rate than that observed in plasma. Tissue radioactivity of 3H-emetine decreased more slowly than that of 3H-cephaeline. For 3H-cephaeline, the cumulative biliary excretion of radioactivity was 57.5% at 48 hours. The cumulative urinary and fecal excretion of radioactivity in these rats was 16.5% and 29.1%, respectively, of the dose at 48 hours following dosing. For 3H-emetine, the cumulative biliary excretion of radioactivity was 12.5% at 48 hours. The cumulative urinary and fecal excretion of radioactivity was 9.4% and 34.1%, respectively, of the administered dose at 48 hours. The radioactivity level of 3H-emetine remaining in the carcasses at 48 hours was equivalent to approximately 50% of the dose. A portion of each tritium-labeled compound was subjected to entero-hepatic circulation. Thus, the absorption rate of 3H-cephaeline and 3H-emetine was estimated to be approximately 70% on the basis of the data obtained from excretion studies. There was no difference in the absorption process between these two compounds. However, the difference was admitted in the biliary clearance, which is the main excretion route of both compounds. Delayed excretion of 3H-emetine may be primarily due to its resorption as related to entero-hepatic circulation and tissue retention. This study has determined the absorption, distribution and excretion of 3H-cephaeline and 3H-emetine in rats.