Isolated Perfused Rabbit Lung As a Model for Intravascular and Intrabronchial Administration of Bronchodilator Drugs I: Isoproterenol

The absorption, uptake, and metabolism of isoproterenol was studied following intravascular, intrabronchial, and aerosol administration of the drug to the isolated perfused rabbit lung. Capacity-limited metabolism of isoproterenol was observed following the addition of five doses, ranging from 10−7 to 10−5 moles, directly into the circulation of the lung system. A physiologically based perfusion model was developed to describe the disposition of the drug and metabolite in the isolated lung preparation. This model was also used to analyze data collected following intrabronchial and aerosol administration of isoproterenol.