Application of 4-hydroxyantipyrine and acetaminophen O-sulfate as biodistribution promoter

The effects of 4-hydroxyantipyrine (4-OH), a major metabolite of antipyrine and its sulfate, 4-hydroxyantipyrine O-sulfate (4-S), on the pharmacokinetics of citicoline and thiopental sodium were investigated in rats. The concomitant use of 4-OH increased significantly the tissue-to-plasma concentration ratio (K_p) of citicoline in the brain and liver and that of thiopental sodium in the brain, liver, and heart, while 4-S did not affect them. The permeability clearance of blood-brain barrier (BBB) (K_in) and the total distribution volume (V_dbr) of citicoline were not affected by either 4-OH or 4-S. However, those of thiopental sodium were significantly increased by not only 4-OH but also by 4-S. On the other hand, the plasma concentration of antipyrine was significantly decreased by the intravenous bolus coadministration of N-acetyl-p-aminophenyl O-sulfate (APAPS) at steady-state plasma concentration of antipyrine. A similar reduction was not observed with the intravenous coadministration of acetaminophen (APAP). The K_p value of antipyrine was significantly increased in the brain by the coadministration of APAPS, but was not affected by APAP. The increment in the drug distribution to the brain with the concomitant use of 4-OH (or APAPS) observed in this study is useful information for the application of drug combinations as biodistribution promoters.