Saturation kinetics of iopanoate in dogs with an intact enterohepatic circulation. Before and after phenobarbital induction.

: Capacity-limited elimination of sodium iopanoate and a reproducible apparent transport maximum (Tm) were demonstrated in nonoperated dogs having an intact enterohepatic circulation and normal endogenous bile salt pool. Using a multiple infusion technique, estimation of apparent Tm of iopanoate in the liver was possible without sampling either bile or urine. Values obtained for apparent Tm of iopanoate in dogs with normal bile salt pool were similar to those obtained in studies of dogs with chronic bile fistulas. Use of this technique in 4 dogs demonstrated that pretreatment with phenobarbital significantly increases apparent Tm of iopanoate.