Abstract

The transport mechanisms of beta-lactam antibiotics in the rat kidney and liver were studied with an in vivo tissue-sampling single-injection technique using [3H]benzylpenicillin [( 3H]PCG) as a substrate. Concentration-dependent uptake of [3H]PCG was observed in the kidney, and the in vivo kinetic parameters were estimated as follows: the maximum uptake rate (Jmax) was 6.88 mumol/min/g of kidney, MIchaelis constant (Kt) was 1.39 mM and nonsaturable first-order rate constant (kd) was 0.414 ml/min/g of kidney. The uptake of [3H]PCG was inhibited by organic anions but not by organic cations. Several beta-lactam antibiotics also reduced the uptake of [3H]PCG. Furthermore, the organic anion, probenecid, and beta-lactam antibiotic, cefpiramide, showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect. These results suggest participation of an organic anion transport system in uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics across the renal plasma membrane. Saturable uptake of [3H]PCG was also observed in the liver and Jmax, Kt and Kd were estimated to be 3.62 mumol/min/g of liver, 3.59 mM and 0.223 ml/min/g of liver, respectively. The in vivo influx rate calculated from Jmax/Kt in the liver was 1.01 ml/min/g of liver and was close to the in vitro value, 1.54 ml/min/g of liver, estimated previously from isolated hepatocytes. Although dipeptides and organic cations showed no effect on the hepatic uptake of [3H]PCG, probenecid significantly reduced its uptake. Several beta-lactam antibiotics also reduced the uptake of [3H]PCG by the liver. These features of the hepatic uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics through an organic anion transport system are in agreement with the previous results obtained in isolated hepatocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)