Objective: The metabolic enzyme of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 (UGT1A6) has been considered to metabolize propofol intra- or extrahepatically. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of propofol and UGT1A6 mRNA expression in extrahepatic organs before and during the anhepatic status in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with propofol (10 mg/kg) intravenously and a blood sample was taken at 2–60 min after injection. The hepatic hilum was occluded under laparotomy and then the propofol injection and blood sampling were repeated as above 24 h later. The plasma concentrations of propofol were analyzed and UGT1A6 mRNA expression in the kidney, small intestine, lung and brain from other cohort rats at 30 and 60 min of anhepatic status were semiqualified by RT-PCR. Results: T1/2α,T1/2β and Vd of propofol were not changed significantly before and during the anhepatic status. The area under curve, derived from a time-dependent concentration response curve, was significantly increased whereas plasma clearance rate was decreased significantly in the anhepatic period when compared to that in the control period, respectively. UGT1A6 mRNA expression in extrahepatic organs was significantly increased at 30 or 60 min of the anhepatic status when compared to those in the control status. Conclusion: The pharmacokinetics of propofol during the prehepatic and anhepatic status are largely similar, which is associated with the upregulation of extrahepatic UGT1A6 gene. The marginal accumulation of propofol during anhepatic period is likely to be due to both the limited function of this metabolic pathway and physiological disturbance induced by hepatic hilum occlusion.

Keywords:
Anhepatic rats, Anhepatic status, Extrahepatic metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, Propofol, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A6
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.