PHARMACOKINETICS OF 5-FLUOROURACIL AND ITS PENETRATION INTO PANCREATIC-JUICE IN DOGS

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetic behavior of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in pancreatic juice in dogs and its correlation with 5-FU in plasma, and to evaluate its penetration characteristics. METHODS: After placing a pancreatico-drainage tube, 8 dogs were injected 5-FU 250 mg iv. Blood and pancreatic samples were collected and the 5-FU concentrations wer e determined by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained wit h statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean slopes of the terminal phase (K-10) in plasma and pancreatic juice were 9.4 h(-1) and 10.2 h(-1), respectively (P > 0.05). The pharmacokinetic behaviors of 5-FU in plas ma and pancreatic juice fitted a nonlinear model. Its penetration inde x was 3.39 +/- 2.84. The penetration of 5-FU from blood to pancreatic juice was relatively rapid, demonstrating a consistently higher concen tration in pancreatic juice than in plasma. CONCLUSIONS: The eliminati on phase of 5-FU in plasma was similar to that in pancreatic juice, in dicating that they were in the same kinetic compartment.