title: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intramuscular dermatan sulfate revisited : a single- and repeated-dose study in healthy volunteers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the pharmacokinetics and effects on blood coagulation of dermatan sulfate (DS), a glycosaminoglycan with antithrombotic properties, following intravenous and single and repeated intramuscular administrations. The mean molecular weight of DS is currently 22kD, i.e. 5kD lower than batches used in the early development of the compound.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each of 14 male healthy volunteers received DS 300mg as an 8-hour intravenous infusion and as single and repeated (once daily for 9 days) intramuscular injections. Nine of the same subjects were also given DS 100mg and 200mg as single intramuscular doses. Plasma DS concentrations were measured with a specific chromogenic assay. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin clotting time (TCT) responses were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean +/- SD volume of distribution and terminal half-life of DS were 6.0 +/- 1.4L and 0.9 +/- 0.2h after intravenous infusion. Maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve after single intramuscular injections were dose-proportional. After repeated intramuscular administration, steady state was reached by day 3. On day 9, plasma DS fluctuated between 4.3 +/- 1.5 (C(max)) and 0.9 +/- 0.4 (minimum plasma concentration at steady state) mg/L, time to C(max) was 3.4 +/- 0.8h, terminal half-life was 12.2 +/- 4.1h and the accumulation factor was 2.0 +/- 0.5. Geometric mean bioavailability of intramuscular DS was 54% and 79% after single and repeated 300mg administration, respectively. aPTT and TCT responses were both linearly related to plasma DS concentrations, with TCT showing greater responsivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As compared with earlier DS studies, the present data showed a greater extent of DS absorption after single intramuscular administration and a faster absorption rate after repeated dosing, and provided evidence of dose-response predictability. These findings may explain the improved antithrombotic efficacy of DS observed in a recent clinical trial.
authors.affiliation: Cinétique des Xénobiotiques, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Toulouse, FranceLaboratoire de Pharmacocinétique et Toxicologie Clinique, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saivin
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cambus
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thalamas
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boneu
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Houin
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gianese