PHARMACOKINETICS OF A NEW NITRODERIVATIVE OF ACETYLSALICYLIC-ACID AFTER A SINGLE-DOSE IN RATS

The pharmacokinetics of a new ASA-nitroderivative compound, NCX 4016 ( ASA-NO2), was evaluated using an HPLC method. After single equimolar d oses of ASA (35 mg kg(-1)) or ASA-NO2 (65 mg kg(-1)), no detectable le vels of these compounds have been observed in rat plasma samples. SA p eak levels were obtained at 3 h and 6 h after ASA and ASA-NO2 administ ration respectively. The elimination rate constants of SA were similar after ASA and ASA-NO2, suggesting a similar elimination phase of this metabolite in rats. From these data it is evident that ASA-NO2, is sl owly metabolized in ASA, which is rapidly converted to SA.