Pharmacokinetics of amino acid phosphoramidate monoesters of zidovudine in rats

Heng Song, George W. Griesgraber, Carston R. Wagner, Cheryl L. Zimmerman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

In vitro studies have demonstrated that water-soluble, nontoxic phosphoramidates of azidothymidine (zidovudine [AZT]) have significant and specific anti-human immunodeficiency virus and anticancer activity. Although polar, these compounds are internalized and processed to the corresponding nucleoside monophosphates. Eight methyl amide and methyl ester phosphoramidate monoesters composed of D- or L-phenylalanine or tryptophan and AZT were synthesized. The plasma stability and protein binding studies were carried out in vitro. Then in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluations of six of the compounds were conducted. Sprague-Dawley rats received each compound by intravenous bolus dose, and serial blood and urine samples were collected. AZT and phosphoramidate concentrations in plasma and urine were quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV or fluorescence detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by standard noncompartmental means. The plasma half-lives of the phosphoramidates were 10- to 20-fold longer than the half-life of AZT. Although the renal clearances of the phosphoramidates were similar to AZT, their total body clearances were significantly greater than that of AZT. The 3- to 15-fold-larger volume of distribution (Vss) for the phosphoramidates relative to AZT appeared to be dependent on the stereochemistry of the amino acid, with the largest values being associated with the L-amino acids. The increased Vss indicates a much greater tissue distribution of the phosphoramidate prodrugs than of AZT. Amino acid phosphoramidate monoesters of AZT have improved pharmacokinetic properties over AZT and significant potential as in vivo pronucleotides.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1357-1363
Number of pages7
JournalAntimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Volume46
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pharmacokinetics of amino acid phosphoramidate monoesters of zidovudine in rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this