ABSORPTION OF ZINC DEUTEROPORPHYRIN-IX 2,4-BIS-GLYCOL BY THE NEONATALRAT SMALL-INTESTINE INVIVO

Zinc deuteroporphyrin IX 2,4-bis-glycol (ZnBG) is a potent inhibitor o f heme oxygenase and may be useful in the prevention of neonatal jaund ice. Enteral administration could be advantageous clinically, but it h as been only minimally effective with other metalloporphyrins in rats and humans. Thus, the absorption of ZnBG by the small intestine in viv o was examined. ZnBG was administered enterally at 40-mu-mol/kg to 2-w eek-old suckling rats via in situ catheterization of the small intesti ne. Within 15 min ZnBG was absorbed by the small intestine, as it was measured in portal and systemic venous plasma, intestine, kidney, live r, and spleen. Concentrations exceeding 5.0-mu-M were found in plasma within 30 min, and 9.4-mu-M was found in the liver after 30 min. A tot al of 4.6% of the administered ZnBG dose was measured in plasma and ti ssues.