1. The pharmacokinetics of methoxyacetic acid (MAA) and ethoxyacetic acid (
EAA) have been determined in the male and female rat. following bolus intra
venous administration at 100 mg/kg. The plasma-concentration data of MAA fi
tted well to a one-compartment model, and the plasma-concentration data of
EAA to a two-compartment model.
2. The elimination half-life of MAA estimated from plasma data was higher i
n females (18.6 +/- 2.0 h) than in males (13.2 +/- 0.4 h). There was no dif
ference in the elimination half-lives estimated from urine data. The appare
nt volume of distribution was lower in the male than in the female rat esti
mated from plasma data only, while ACC, total and non-renal clearances and
the relative amount MAA excreted unchanged in urine was similar in the male
and female rat.
3. Clearance of EAA is higher than of MAA, and this appears as a result of
metabolic capacity. The elimination half-lives of EAA were similar in the m
ale and female rat, 9.4 +/- 3.7 and 10.5 +/- 2.6 h respectively. AUC was hi
gher in the female compared with the male rat. The fraction of EAA eliminat
ed during the distribution phase was 44.0 +/- 15.4 and 41.0 +/- 17.4% in th
e male and female rat respectively. The initial volume of distribution, the
apparent volume of distribution, total and non-renal clearance are higher
in the male compared with the female rat.