| Abstract: | 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 t½s 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. |
