Polymorphism of dextromethorphan oxidation in South Indian subjects.

One hundred fifty-six unrelated healthy South Indian subjects were phenotyped according to their ability to metabolize dextromethorphan to its O-demethylated metabolite dextrorphan. Each volunteer was administered 25 mg oral dextromethorphan hydrobromide (19.3 mg dextromethorphan). Urine was collected during an 8-hour period after drug administration and was analyzed for dextromethorphan and dextrorphan by HPLC with fluorescence detection. This analysis was performed with and without previous deconjugation. The log10 (metabolic ratio), calculated as the ratio of dextromethorphan to dextrorphan, was bimodally distributed, and it was inferred that the frequency of occurrence of poor metabolizers of dextromethorphan in South Indian subjects is 3.2%. Phenotype assignment remained the same with both methods of analysis. Furthermore, a fairly good correlation (Spearman rank order correlation coefficient [r(s)] = 0.61; P < .0001) was observed between the log-transformed metabolic ratio derived from both methods.

Oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of the new insulin sensitizer DRF-2189 in Wistar rats.

The pharmacokinetics of the new insulin sensitizing agent, DRF-2189 ([5-[4-[2-(1-indolyl) ethoxy]phenyl]methyl]thiazolidine-2,4-dione, CAS 172647-53-9) were studied in male Wistar rats following oral doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg as suspension in 0.25% carboxymethylcellulose. Drug was extracted from plasma samples using a solvent mixture containing ethylacetate and dichloromethane (3:2) and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. DRF-2189 was absorbed slowly, attaining maximum levels at 2-3 h, and was eliminated with a half-life (t1/2) of about 3 h. The Cmax and AUC(0-infinity) increased linearly (r2 = 0.99) with the dose, while the elimination half-life (t1/2) was independent of the dose. An intravenous pharmacokinetic study of DRF-2189 was carried out in Wistar rats at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(0-infinity), t1/2, plasma clearance (Cl) and volume of distribution (Vd) were found to be 49.52 micrograms x h/ml, 2.99 h, 16.31 ml/h and 45.11 ml. respectively. Oral bioavailability (f) of DRF-2189 in Wistar rats was 44%. Based on pharmacokinetic studies, DRF-2189 is a good choice for further development.