The maternal-fetal transfer of lamivudine in the ex vivo human placenta.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to measure the transfer of lamivudine ([-]-2'-deoxy-3'-thiacytidine) across the human placenta both alone and in the presence of zidovudine.


METHODS
Nine placentas from term, elective cesarean deliveries were analyzed with use of the ex vivo single cotyledon perfusion system. Antipyrine was used as the reference compound to measure the clearance index values of lamivudine alone and in combination with zidovudine. Lamivudine concentrations in the perfusates and tissues were quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
The clearance index of lamivudine at a maternal concentration of 1.39 micrograms/ml was 0.23 +/- 0.14. At a peak concentration of 14.68 micrograms/ml the clearance index was 0.14 +/- 0.06. These index values did not significantly change in the presence of 1 or 10 micrograms/ml of zidovudine. In a closed recirculating system the fetal lamivudine concentration increased as more lamivudine was added to the maternal perfusate. The addition of zidovudine did not influence this transfer.


CONCLUSIONS
Lamivudine appears to cross the placenta by simple diffusion and its transfer does not appear to be altered by zidovudine.
Bloom
S L
SL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9032, USA.
Dias
K M
KM
Bawdon
R E
RE
Gilstrap
L C
LC
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine