• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.299-304
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of coadministration (2.5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and 3 or 7 days-pretreatment (10 mg/kg) of diltiazem on the pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel (50 mg/kg) given orally in rats. The plasma concentrations of paclitaxel coadministered or pretreated with diltiazem were significantly (p<0.05 at 20 mg/kg coadmin., p<0.05 at pretreat.) increased compared to that of control, from 0.5 hr to 24 hr. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of paclitaxel coadministered or pretreated with diltiazem was significantly (p<0.05 at 20 mg/kg coadmin., p<0.01 at pretreat.) higher than that of control. Peak concentrations $(C_{max})$ of paclitaxel with diltiazem were significantly (p<0.05 at 20 mg/kg coadmn. and pretreat.) increased compared to that of control. Elimination rate constants $(K_{el})$ of paclitaxel with diltiazem were significantly (p<0.05 at 20 mg/kg and 7 days-pretreat.) reduced compared to those of control. Half-life $(t_{1/2})$ and mean residence time (MRT) of paclitaxel with diltiazem was significantly (p<0.05 at 20 mg/kg ad 7 days-pretreat.) prolonged compared to those of control. Absolute bioavailability (AB%) of paclitaxel with diltiazem was significantly (p<0.05 at 20 mg/kg and 3 days-pretreat, p<0.01 at 7 days -pretreat.) increased compared to that of control. Based on these results, it might be considered that diltiazem may inhibit cytochrome $P_{450}$ and P-glycoprotein, which are respectively engaged in paclitaxel absorption and metabolism in liver and gastrointestinal mucosa.