The seminal excretion, plasma elimination, tissue distribution and metabolism of naltrexone in the rabbit

SM Taylor, RM Rodgers, RK Lynn and N Gerber

The pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and metabolism of naltrexone were studied in male New Zealand White rabbits. After an i.v. bolus, the plasma half-life of naltrexone between 30 min and 3 hr was 55 +/- 5 min and 53 +/- 3 min for 1 and 5 mg/kg doses of naltrexone . HCl, respectively. The drug concentration in the semen reached a maximum value between 15 and 30 min after the injection. At 120 min, the semen/plasma drug concentration ratio was 14 and 11 for the 1 and 5 mg/kg doses, respectively. Three minutes after injection, 95% of the drug had left the plasma. After 5 min, the conjugate levels exceeded the free drug levels in the plasma suggesting rapid glucuronidation of the drug. The concentrations of naltrexone and 6-beta-naltrexol were measured in different tissues 90 min after injection. Most of the tissues had drug concentrations which exceeded the concurrent plasma concentration. The highest concentrations were observed in the submaxillary gland. Relatively high amounts of 6-beta-naltrexol were found in the brain, fat, spleen, heart, testis, kidney and urine. The principle urinary metabolite was the glucuronide of naltrexone. Minor metabolites identified in urine treated with Glusulase were 6-beta- naltrexol and N-dealkylated naltrexone.

Volume 213, Issue 2, pp. 289-299, 05/01/1980
Copyright © 1980 by American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics