Effects of nocloprost (9 beta-chloro-16,16-dimethyl PG E2) on absorption and disposition of antipyrine and sulfamethazine in healthy volunteers.

: Prostaglandins are known to interfere with drug metabolizing processes. Nocloprost (9 beta-chloro-16,16-dimethyl PG E2) is a promising new cytoprotective prostaglandin in clinical evaluation for the treatment of ulcer disease and prophylaxis of gastric lesions caused by NSAID. Pharmacokinetic interactions of 400 micrograms nocloprost with 15 mg/kg antipyrine and 500 mg sulfamethazine (all given p.o.) were studied with a controlled, single-blind crossover trial in 16 healthy male volunteers (age 22-25 years, body weight 63-94 kg, body height 175-187 cm) in order to measure potential interferences with oxidative and conjugative drug metabolism. All individuals were extensive metabolizers of debrisoquine, 9 were slow and 7 rapid acetylators of sulfamethazine. Antipyrine and its major metabolites were measured in serum respectively, urine with the HPLC-method, sulfamethazine and its acetylated metabolite with a colorimetric technique. Nocloprost premedication (30 min prior to the test drugs) did neither interfere significantly with the oxidative processes involved in the disposition of antipyrine nor with the N-acetylation of sulfamethazine. Higher metabolic and renal clearance values of sulfamethazine in slow acetylators were most likely the result of the affected drug absorption. Nocloprost significantly reduced absorption rates of antipyrine and sulfamethazine in the group of slow but not of rapid acetylators. The extent of bioavailability remained unchanged. This phenomenon was certainly caused by the effects of the cytoprotective prostaglandin on those gastrointestinal functions which are determinants of drug absorption.