Pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen enantiomers in dogs

Inversion of inactive (R)-ibuprofen to active (S)-ibuprofen has been suggested to occur presystemically only. In order to investigate the site of inversion in dogs we administered both enantiomers either intravenously or intraduodenally (10 mg/kg) to adult, male beagle dogs (n = 3) in a crossover design. Plasma, urine, and bile were collected for up to 6 h and analyzed stereospecifically by HPLC, according to a previously published method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a linear computer program. Absorption after intraduodenal administration occurred rapidly, resulting in maximum plasma concentrations 0.2 h after giving the enantiomer. Approximately 70% of the (R)-enantiomer (according to AUC) was inverted to the S-enantiomer independent of route of administration. No R-ibuprofen could be detected in plasma after (S)-ibuprofen administration. Mean residence time was found to be 2 to 3 times longer for (S)- than for (R)-ibuprofen. Total systemic clearance from plasma was twice as high for (R)- than for (S)-ibuprofen. There were no differences between plasma clearances after intravenous and intraduodenal administration. Between 8 and 17% of dose was recovered in bile [especially as free and conjugated (S)-ibuprofen] and 3-12% in urine [as (S)-ibuprofen, hydroxy- and carboxyibuprofen, free and conjugated forms]. Small amounts of (R)-ibuprofen were detected in bile after intraduodenal administration of (R)-ibuprofen only (1.8% of dose). In short, the unidirectional inversion of R-ibuprofen appears to occur systemically rather than presystemically in dogs.     

Stereoselective disposition of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen in rats

(R)-2-Arylpropionates are often inverted to the pharmacologically active S-enantiomers in vivo, although there is significant interspecies variability in inversion. In order to provide a basis for determining the biochemical consequences of this unique process using rats as a model, it was important to establish the pharmacokinetic disposition of the enantiomers of ibuprofen, a drug well inverted in man and flurbiprofen, a drug apparently poorly inverted in man. Rats were dosed i.v. with a single dose of (R)- or (S)-ibuprofen (20 mg/kg), (R,S)-ibuprofen (40 mg/kg), (R)- or (S)-flurbiprofen (10 mg/kg), or (R,S)-flurbiprofen (20 mg/kg). Each treatment group consisted of six animals. Serial blood samples were withdrawn over a period of 6 h for ibuprofen and 10 h for flurbiprofen. These drugs were assayed in plasma by a stereospecific HPLC assay. The pharmacokinetics of the ibuprofen and flurbiprofen enantiomers were evaluated using a two-compartment open model with conversion of the R- to S-enantiomers in the central compartment. There was 50 +/- 4% inversion of (R)-ibuprofen, a figure similar to that observed in man and (R)-ibuprofen had a higher clearance (12.6 +/- 1.3 ml/min/kg) than (S)-ibuprofen (7.7 +/- 0.7 ml/min/kg; P less than 0.01). The clearance of (R)-flurbiprofen after racemate (2.3 +/- 0.1 ml/min/kg) was higher than its clearance when administered alone (1.7 +/- 0.2 ml/min/kg; P less than 0.01), indicating a pharmacokinetic interaction between the enantiomers (most probably at plasma protein binding sites). A corresponding difference was not observed for ibuprofen. There was a small amount of inversion of (R)-flurbiprofen as determined by area analysis (4.5 +/- 1.6%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pulmonary inversion of 2-arylpropionic acids: influence of protein binding.

The possible contribution of pulmonary metabolism to the putative first-pass metabolism of 2-arylpropionic acid nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs has not been documented. Isolated perfused rabbit lungs, perfused with 4.5% bovine serum albumin or 5% dextran, were used to study the pulmonary elimination of (R)- and rac-ibuprofen, fenoprofen, and flurbiprofen. In the absence of protein binding, ibuprofen was metabolized via inversion and other pathways, whereas fenoprofen metabolism was essentially restricted to inversion of the (R)-enantiomer; fraction inverted (+/- SE) was 0.37 +/- 0.05 for (R)-ibuprofen and 0.85 +/- 0.03 for (R)-fenoprofen. In the presence of protein, neither ibuprofen nor fenoprofen was metabolized. Flurbiprofen did not undergo pulmonary elimination under any condition studied. This study illustrates that even though a tissue is capable of metabolism, particularly inversion of 2-arylpropionics, the quantitative importance of such elimination pathways may be minimal in the presence of the high degree of protein binding that is characteristic of these drugs.     

Microbial metabolism of 2-arylpropionic acids: Chiral inversion of ibuprofen and 2-phenylpropionic acid

The metabolism of (R,S)-ibuprofen has been investigated in 24 microbial cultures. Of these Cunninghamella elegans, Mucor hiemalis, and Verticillium lecanii catalyzed the oxidation of the drug to 2-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propionic acid, a known mammalian metabolite. The extent of metabolism was greatest with V. lecanii, with some 47% of the substrate being consumed over a 7-day incubation period. Enantiomeric analysis indicated stereoselective metabolism of (R)-ibuprofen, the enantiomeric composition of the residual substrate being R/S = 0.25. Following a preparative scale incubation of (R,S)-ibuprofen with V. lecanii, in which the reaction was allowed to go to completion, the metabolite was found to be predominantly of the S-configuration (S/R = 2.1), suggesting that chiral inversion of either the drug and/or the metabolite had taken place. Analysis of extracts following incubation of (R,S)-, (R)-, and (S)-2-phenylpropionic acid with V. lecanii, for 21 days, indicated that chiral inversion of the (R)-enantiomer to its optical antipode had taken place. The results of these investigations indicate that microorganisms, in addition to mammals, are able to mediate the chiral inversion of 2-arylpropionic acids. This observation may have implications for the preparation of optically pure 2-arylpropionic acids. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Topical administration of racemic ibuprofen

In vitro experiments to investigate possible stereoselective aspects of the topical administration of ibuprofen have been conducted. Incubation of ibuprofen with rat skin homogenates in the presence of coenzyme A, ATP, and magnesium provided no evidence for the formation of ibuprofenyl coenzyme A (the initial intermediate in the metabolic inversion of [R]- to [S]-ibuprofen). Similar incubation studies gave no indication of a change in the enantiomeric ratios of ibuprofen over the time course of the experiments. Percutaneous penetration studies of ibuprofen gel through porcine skin indicated that the ibuprofen enantiomer levels in the reservoir solutions were consistent with racemic ibuprofen having traversed the skin with no metabolic inversion. These results suggest that, in the models studied, skin metabolism does not result in the chiral inversion of (R)- to (S)-ibuprofen and that the topical administration of ibuprofen will result in the delivery of 50% “isomeric ballast.” Chirality 9:313–316, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An evaluation of ibuprofen bioinversion by simulation.

Using a pharmacokinetic model recently proposed to explain ibuprofen disposition in man, plasma concentrations of pure ibuprofen enantiomers were simulated following oral administration of (-)-(R)-ibuprofen, (+)-(S)-ibuprofen, or rac-ibuprofen. Simulated and literature values for AUC's were used to compare S/R ratios for different cases of the model and for different methods of calculating the fraction of R bioinverted to S. Numerical simulation using STELLA confirmed previous results for different cases of bioinversion. Simulated S/R AUC ratios, for administration of the racemate, ranged from 4.0 (presystemic bioinversion) to 1.66 (systemic bioinversion). Literature values for S/R AUC ratios averaged 1.53 +/- 0.2 for administration of the racemate; therefore, systemic bioinversion was concluded to be representative of ibuprofen disposition. Additional simulations of S/R AUC ratios, for administration of (-)-(R)-ibuprofen only, ranged from 1.5 (presystemic bioinversion) to 0.66 (systemic bioinversion). Literature values for S/R AUC ratios averaged 0.50 +/- 0.9 for administration of (-)-(R)-ibuprofen only, which again supported conclusions of systemic bioinversion. Using different equations for estimation of fraction of R inverted to S (FR----S), results based on simulated data were identical; however, FR----S values based on literature data were different. Therefore, assumptions made for different FR----S equations do not appear to be rigorous. Calculations of FR----S, based on literature data, averaged 0.52 overall, indicating bioavailability of (+)-(S)-ibuprofen may be similar for a 150 mg dose of (+)-(S)-ibuprofen compared to a 200 mg dose of racemate.     

Chromatographic analysis of allosteric effects between ibuprofen and benzodiazepines on human serum albumin

The effects of (R)- and (S)-ibuprofen on the binding of benzodiazepines to human serum albumin (HSA) were examined by biointeraction chromatography. The displacement of benzodiazepines from HSA by (R)- and (S)-ibuprofen was found to involve negative allosteric interactions (or possible direct competition) for most (R)-benzodiazepines. However, (S)-benzodiazepines gave positive or negative allosteric effects and direct competition when displaced by (R)- or (S)-ibuprofen. Association equilibrium constants and coupling constants measured for these effects indicated that they involved two classes of ibuprofen binding regions (i.e., low- and high-affinity sites). Based on these results, a model was proposed to explain the binding of benzodiazepines to HSA and their interactions with ibuprofen. This model gave good agreement with previous reports examining the binding of benzodiazepines to HSA.     

Influence of water activity on the enantioselective esterification of (R,S)-ibuprofen by Candida antarctica lipase B in solventless media

The lipase-catalyzed enantioselective esterification of ibuprofen has been studied in a media, composed only of substrates. When racemic ibuprofen is used, the alcohol-chain length affects the esterification rates of individual enantiomers, but it does not affect the enantioselectivity. Water activity affects the esterification rates of (R)- and (S)-ibuprofen differently, leading to higher enantioselectivity at lower water activities. Experiments were also conducted at various (R)- to (S)-ibuprofen ratios. It appears that the esterification rate of (R)-ibuprofen is always proportional to its concentration, whereas at low water activity the esterification rate of (S)-ibuprofen shows a saturation at higher concentrations. Other 2-phenyl carboxylic acids were studied, and the increase in apparent enantioselectivity at low-water activity was not observed for the molecules tested.     

Interindividual variability in the enantiomeric disposition of ibuprofen following the oral administration of the racemic drug to healthy volunteers

The plasma disposition of the enantiomers of ibuprofen has been investigated following the oral administration of the racemic drug (400 mg) to 24 healthy male volunteers. The plasma elimination of (R)-ibuprofen was found to be more rapid than that of the S-enantiomer [plasma half-life: (R) 2.03 h; (S) 3.05 h; 2P less than 0.001], resulting in a progressive enrichment in the plasma content of this isomer, some 64% of the total area under the plasma concentration time curves (AUC) being due to the pharmacologically active enantiomer. The influence of dose on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the enantiomers of ibuprofen, over the range 200-800 mg, was investigated in three subjects. Examination of dose-normalized AUC values and oral clearance indicate the dose dependence of (R)-ibuprofen disposition.     

Stereospecific determination,chiral inversion in vitro and pharmacokinetics in humans of the enantiomers of thalidomide

The purposes of this work were (1) to develop a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay for the enantiomers of thalidomide in blood, (2) to study their inversion and degradation in human blood, and (3) to study the pharmacokinetics of (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-thalidomide after oral administration of the separate enantiomers or of the racemate to healthy male volunteers. The enantiomers of thalidomide were determined by direct resolution on a tribenzoyl cellulose column. Mean rate constants of chiral inversion of (+)-(R)-thalidomide and (?)-(S)-thalidomide in blood at 37°C were 0.30 and 0.31 h^?1, respectively. Rate constants of degradation were 0.17 and 0.18 h^?1. There was rapid interconversion in vivo in humans, the (+)-(R)-enantiomer predominating at equilibrium. The pharmacokinetics of (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-thalidomide could be characterized by means of two one-compartment models connected by rate constants for chiral inversion. Mean rate constants for in vivo inversion were 0.17 h^?1 (R to S) and 0.12 h^?1 (S to R) and for elimination 0.079 h^?1 (R) and 0.24 h^?1 (S), i.e., a considerably faster rate of elimination of the (?)-(S)-enantiomer. Putative differences in therapeutic or adverse effects between (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-thalidomide would to a large extent be abolished by rapid interconversion in vivo. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enantiospecific disposition of pranoprofen in beagle dogs and rats

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of pranoprofen enantiomer were examined and compared with the disposition of the corresponding isomer after the administration of racemic pranoprofen to beagle dogs and rats. The plasma levels of (+)-(S)-isomer were significantly higher than those of (-)-(R)-isomer in dogs and rats by either intravenous or oral administration. Although the oral bioavailability and absorption rate constant between the (-)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-form was the same, the elimination rate constant of the (+)-(S)-form was significantly lower than that of the (-)-(R)-form in both dogs and rats. This discrepancy can be explained on the basis of differences in protein binding and the metabolism of the two enantiomers. The (-)-(R)-isomer was predominantly conjugated depending on its higher free plasma level and its faster metabolic rate than the (+)-(S)-form, and thus was excreted more rapidly in the urine and bile in the form of pranoprofen glucuronide. Furthermore, a (-)-(R)- to (+)-(S)-inversion occurred to the extent of 14% in beagle dogs, but not in rats. This chiral inversion might be an important factor in the slow elimination of the (+)-(S)-form in dogs. The most efficient organ for chiral inversion was the liver, followed by kidney and intestine.     

Production of S-(+)-ibuprofen from a nitrile compound by Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226.

S-(+)-2-(4'-Isobutylphenyl)propionic acid [S-(+)-ibuprofen] was produced from racemic 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionitrile (Ibu-CN) by an isolated bacterial strain, Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226. Ammonium acetate, acetonitrile, or n-butyronitrile as a carbon source in the culture medium was effective for bacterial growth and induction of this activity. The optimum pH of the reaction was around 8.0. S-(+)-Ibuprofen formed from Ibu-CN by resting cells was present in a 95% enantiomeric excess. Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226 appeared to possess a nitrilase for Ibu-CN because 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not detected in the reaction mixture and 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not hydrolyzed to S-(+)-ibuprofen. Since S-(+)-ibuprofen was preferentially produced while the R enantiomer of Ibu-CN was left almost intact over the time course of the reaction, the putative nitrilase appeared to be highly specific for the S enantiomer of Ibu-CN.     

Production of S-(+)-ibuprofen from a nitrile compound by Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226

S-(+)-2-(4'-Isobutylphenyl)propionic acid [S-(+)-ibuprofen] was produced from racemic 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionitrile (Ibu-CN) by an isolated bacterial strain, Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226. Ammonium acetate, acetonitrile, or n-butyronitrile as a carbon source in the culture medium was effective for bacterial growth and induction of this activity. The optimum pH of the reaction was around 8.0. S-(+)-Ibuprofen formed from Ibu-CN by resting cells was present in a 95% enantiomeric excess. Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226 appeared to possess a nitrilase for Ibu-CN because 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not detected in the reaction mixture and 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not hydrolyzed to S-(+)-ibuprofen. Since S-(+)-ibuprofen was preferentially produced while the R enantiomer of Ibu-CN was left almost intact over the time course of the reaction, the putative nitrilase appeared to be highly specific for the S enantiomer of Ibu-CN.     

Stereoselective arylpropionyl-CoA thioester formation in vitro

The inversion from R- to S-enantiomer that occurs for some arylpropionic acids may have both toxicological and therapeutic implications. To characterize some properties of this inversion, arylpropionyl-CoA thioester formation was studied in rat tissue homogenates and subcellular fractions for the enantiomers of fenoprofen, ibuprofen, and flurbiprofen. Thioesters were formed from (R)-fenoprofen (64%) and (R)-ibuprofen (33%) but not from the corresponding S-enantiomers or the enantiomers of flurbiprofen. This correlates with the extensive inversion of fenoprofen and ibuprofen and lack of inversion of flurbiprofen in vivo. Subcellular fractions from rat liver showed thioester formation to occur in mitochondria and microsomes but not cytosol. Once formed, the thioesters were readily racemized by whole rat liver homogenate, mitochondria, and cytosol, but only partially inverted (S:R = 0.3) in microsomes. Thioester formation from fenoprofen and ibuprofen was studied in tissue homogenate obtained from liver, diaphragm, kidney, lung, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, fat, caecum, and intestines. The liver was at least 50-fold more efficient than the other tissues studied and would be expected to be a major organ of enantiomeric inversion. Our data support the hypothesis that R- to S-enantiomeric inversion of arylpropionic acids proceeds via the stereoselective formation of CoA thioesters followed by enzymatic racemization and hydrolysis of the thioesters to regenerate free acid.     

Influence of benzylamine on the resolution of ibuprofen with (+)-(R)-phenylethylamine via supercritical fluid extraction

The resolution of racemic ibuprofen was studied by partial diastereomer salt formation. The resolution was performed via two methods: resolution with (+)-(R)-phenylethylamine as chiral agent and resolution with a mixture of (+)-(R)-phenylethylamine and benzylamine. The diastereomers and unreacted enantiomers were separated by supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide at 15 MPa and 33 degrees C. The influence of the achiral benzylamine on the resolution efficiency was studied by varying the concentrations of the structurally related amines in their mixtures, keeping the sum molar ratio of the amines to racemic ibuprofen constant at 0.55 +/- 0.02. The presence of benzylamine positively influenced the resolution efficiency at certain concentrations. The crystal structure of the salts of (+)-(R)-phenylethylamine with (-)-(R)-ibuprofen and (+)-(S)-ibuprofen, respectively, as well as the cocrystal of the benzylamine-ibuprofen salt with neutral ibuprofen molecules are presented. These structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, proving the significantly different stoichiometry of the related amines with the chiral acid, in accordance with mass balance calculations.     

Commercially viable resolution of ibuprofen

Ibuprofen belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) family known as profens. Studies demonstrate that (S-ibuprofen is 160 times more potent than (R-ibuprofen in vitro, while the accumulation of (R-ibuprofen can cause serious side effects such as gastrointestinal pain. Candida rugosa lipase was used to enantioselectively esterify racemic ibuprofen with decan-1-ol and butan-1-ol in cyclohexane with an enantiomeric ratio (E) of 130 and 46, respectively, in up to 46% conversion. Separation by bulb-to-bulb distillation of (R)-ibuprofen and unreacted alcohol from the corresponding (S)-alkyl ibuprofen ester was possible for the decyl but not the butyl case. The enantioselective hydrolysis of (S)-alkyl ibuprofen esters with the same biocatalyst in aqueous phosphate buffer was twice as slow for the decyl alcohol versus the butyl example. The combined environmentally friendly enantioselective esterification and hydrolysis of ibuprofen insured the isolation of (S)-ibuprofen with a greater than 99% enantiomeric excess.     

Cyclic resolution of racemic ibuprofen via coupled efficient lipase and acid-base catalysis

Extracellular lipase LIP prepared in our lab from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was used for the resolution of racemic ibuprofen. The (S)-enantiomer was preferred by lipase LIP, and the unreacted (R)-enantiomer was extracted and racemized in basic solvent-water medium to be re-resolved. Solvent, content of solvent, base concentration, and temperature have a strong effect on racemization. The (S)-ester was separated and hydrolyzed to (S)-ibuprofen in acidic dimethyl sulfoxide-water mixture containing 70% dimethyl sulfoxide. The high purity (S)-ibuprofen (ee = 0.98) was obtained using lipase LIP to catalyze hydrolysis of (S)-ester in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH = 8).     

Isotope effects in 3-dehydroquinate synthase and dehydratase. Mechanistic implications.

The mechanism of 3-dehydroquinate synthase was explored by incubating partially purified enzyme with mixtures of [1-14C]3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate (DAHP) and one of the specifically tritiated substrates [4-3H]DAHP, [5-3H]DAHP, [6-3H]DAHP, (7RS)-[7-3H]DAHP, (7R)-[7-3H]DAHP, or (7S)-[7-3H]DAHP. Kinetic and secondary 3H isotope effects were calculated from 3H:14C ratios obtained in unreacted DAHP, 3-dehydroquinate, and 3-dehydroshikimate. 3H was not incorporated from the medium into 3-dehydroquinate, indicating that a carbanion (or methyl group) at C-7 is not formed. A kinetic isotope effect kH/k3H of 1.7 was observed at C-5, and afforded support for a mechanism involving oxidation of C-5 with NAD. A similar kinetic isotope effect was found at C-6 owing to removal of a proton in elimination of phosphate, which is reasonably assumed to be the next step in 3-dehydroquinate synthase. Hydrogen at C-7 of DAHP was not lost in the cyclization step of the reaction, indicating that the enol formed in phosphate elimination participated directly in an aldolase-type reaction with the carbonyl at C-2. In the dehydration of 3-dehydroquinate to 3-dehydroshikimate the (7R) proton from (7RS)- or (7R)-[7-3H]DAHP is lost, indicating that the 7R proton occupies the 2R position in dehydroquinate. Hence the cyclization step occurs with inversion of configuration at C-7. A kinetic isotope effect kH/k3H = 2.3 was observed in the conversion of (2R)-[2-3H]dehydroquinate to dehydroshikimate. Hence loss of a proton from the enzyme-dehydroquinate imine contributed to rate limitation in the reaction.     

Bidirectional chiral inversion of the enantiomers of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug oxindanac in dogs

The nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug oxindanac exists as two enantiomers, with most of its pharmacological activity residing in the (S)-isomer. The behavior of its enantiomers was investigated in dogs. Bidirectional inversion occurred in heparinised plasma and blood, with a ratio of enantiomers [S:R] of 7.3:1 being achieved at equilibrium after incubation for 24 h at 37°C. There was no detectable inversion of either isomer in plasma incubated at 4°C for up to 8 h or in aqueous solution at 37°C for up to 36 h. Bidirectional inversion also occurred in vivo, with a ratio of plasma AUC (0 ∞)s [S:R] of 8.1:1. The ratio of enantiomers reached equilibrium within 2 hr following (S)- or rac-oxindanac, and within 8 h following (R)-oxindanac. Elimination t^½s of the isomers were the same (R, 12.1 h, S, 13.3 h). There were no differences in the ratio of enantiomers following oral or intravenous application, suggesting that a systemic site for inversion was predominant. Although concentrations of the respective isomers were similar at equilibrium following administration of either (R)-, (S)-, or rac-oxindanac, AUC (0 ∞)s differed due to the delay in reaching equilibrium. The extent of inversion to the (S)-isomer was 100, 73.2, and 60.7% after administration of (S)-, rac-, and (R)-oxindanac, respectively. Although pharmacological activity might be equivalent at equilibrium following administration of either (R)-, (S)-, or rac-oxindanac; efficacy at early time points should be superior in the order (S) > racemate > (R). In conclusion both enantiomers of oxindanac undergo conversion to their respective antipodes in dogs, although the inversion of R to S is more efficient than that of S to R. This bidirectional inversion occurred in vivo, and in vitro in plasma and blood. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Microbial metabolism of 2-arylpropionic acids: effect of environment on the metabolism of ibuprofen by Verticillium lecanii

The effect of environment on the growth of Verticillium lecanii and its metabolic transformation of racemic ibuprofen are reported. The growth of V. lecanii exhibited a lag phase of up to 12 h followed by a period of rapid growth for up to 4 d. The optimal conditions for growth of the micro-organism were determined to be 24°C at pH 7.0 with a culture volume of up to one-tenth of the culture flask volume.
The metabolic oxidation of (R,S)-ibuprofen occurred in both growing cultures and washed cell suspensions of V. lecanii. Examination of the stereochemical composition of the remaining substrate indicated that under both conditions the oxidation was substrate stereoselective for the R-enantiomer of the drug. Using growing cultures of the micro-organism, quantitative conversion of the substrate to the metabolite was achieved following incubation for 14 d. Examination of the enantiomeric composition of the metabolic product indicated an excess of the S-isomer (ratio S/R = 2.1). The possible mechanisms for the apparent anomaly in the stereoselectivity of (R,S)-ibuprofen metabolism and the enantiomeric composition of the metabolite are discussed.