Recovery and long-term renal excretion of propofol, its glucuronide, and two di-isopropylquinol glucuronides after propofol infusion during surgery.
BACKGROUND
The metabolism of the short-acting anaesthetic agent propofol has been described over the first 24 h. However, the long-term disposition of propofol and its metabolites is unclear. We describe the pharmacokinetics (renal excretion rates and renal clearance) of propofol and its metabolites over 60 h.


METHODS
Ten patients undergoing lung surgery were included in the study. They received anaesthesia with continuous i.v. propofol at an average rate of 10 mg min(-1). During surgery and 60 h thereafter, we sampled blood and urine. Propofol and its metabolites were measured using gradient high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
In nine patients, propofol and its glucuronides were found in the plasma over the first 15 h. In the urine, however, even after 60 h, propofol and its quinol glucuronides were still detectable. One patient had a markedly different pharmacokinetic profile, showing a limited renal excretion or absorption of 12% of the dose.


CONCLUSIONS
After an infusion of propofol, patients excrete propofol and its metabolites in the urine over a period in excess of 60 h. We hypothesize that (re)absorption of propofol and its metabolites by the kidney is a major process in elimination and that the reabsorbed compounds are gradually conjugated in the kidney and excreted in the urine. One patient showed a different pharmacokinetic profile for which we currently have no explanation.
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Lung Clinic Dekkerswald, Groesbeek, The Netherlands. c.bleeker@anes.umcn.nl
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Bleeker
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Vree
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Lagerwerf
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Willems-van Bree
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D020719:Glucuronides / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000652:urine; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015742:Propofol / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D013908:Thoracotomy
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D020719:Glucuronides; D006873:Hydroquinones; C028231:quinol glucuronide; D015742:Propofol