title: Pharmacokinetic analysis of multi PEG-theophylline conjugates.
abstract: In the attempt of prolonging the effect of drugs, a new branched, high-molecular weight multimeric poly(ethylene glycol) (MultiPEG), synthesized with a simple assembling procedure that devised the introduction of functional groups with divergent and selective reactivity, was employed as drug carrier. In particular, the attention was focused on the study of theophylline (THEO) and THEO-MultiPEG conjugates pharmacokinetic after oral administration in rabbit. Pharmacokinetic behavior was studied according to an ad hoc developed mathematical model accounting for THEO-MultiPEG in vivo absorption and decomposition into drug (THEO) and carrier (MultiPEG). The branched high-molecular weight MultiPEG proved to be a reliable drug delivery system able to prolong theophylline staying in the blood after oral administration of a THEO-MultiPEG solution. The analysis of experimental data by means of the developed mathematical model revealed that the prolongation of THEO effect was essentially due to the low THEO-MultiPEG permeability in comparison to that of pure THEO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering and Information Technology, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, 34127 Trieste, Italy. mariog@dicamp.univ.trieste.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: Gian Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bonora
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Drioli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cateni
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zacchigna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011817:Rabbits; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013806:Theophylline