Influence of MK-467, a peripherally acting α2-adrenoceptor antagonist on the disposition of intravenous dexmedetomidine in dogs

Drug Metab Dispos. 2012 Mar;40(3):445-9. doi: 10.1124/dmd.111.042671. Epub 2011 Nov 23.

Abstract

Growing evidence supports the use of (2R-trans)-N-(2-(1,3,4,7,12b-hexahydro-2'-oxo-spiro(2H-benzofuro(2,3-a)quinolizine-2,4'-imidazolidin)-3'-yl)ethyl) methanesulfonamide (MK-467), a peripherally acting α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, in conjunction with the sedative-anesthetic agent dexmedetomidine in animals to avoid hemodynamic compromise. We evaluated the possible effects of different doses of MK-467 on the plasma concentrations of dexmedetomidine in eight beagle dogs. Both drugs were administered intravenously. Each dog received five treatments: dexmedetomidine alone (10 μg/kg), MK-467 alone (250 μg/kg), and dexmedetomidine (10 μg/kg) combined with different doses of MK-467 (250, 500, and 750 μg/kg) in a randomized, crossover fashion. Selected pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The area under the time-concentration curve of dexmedetomidine was significantly greater after dexmedetomidine alone (by 101 ± 20%, mean ± 95% confidence interval) compared with that after dexmedetomidine and 250 μg/kg MK-467. Increasing the dose of the antagonist had no further effect on the exposure to dexmedetomidine. The apparent volume of distribution of dexmedetomidine was significantly smaller after dexmedetomidine alone compared with that after all treatments that included MK-467. Dexmedetomidine (10 μg/kg) did not significantly influence the plasma concentrations of MK-467 (250 μg/kg). The results suggest that the peripherally acting α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist MK-467 markedly influenced the early disposition of dexmedetomidine without obvious effects on the later plasma concentrations of the drug.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacokinetics*
  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Anesthesia, Intravenous / methods
  • Animals
  • Dexmedetomidine / blood
  • Dexmedetomidine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Dexmedetomidine / pharmacology
  • Dogs
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / blood
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacokinetics
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Quinolizines / pharmacokinetics
  • Quinolizines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Quinolizines
  • vatinoxan
  • Dexmedetomidine