Drug Excretion Studies

By studying drug excretion, researchers can gain valuable insights into the pharmacokinetics and disposition of drugs, as well as potential drug-drug interactions and toxicity. Our expertise in drug excretion studies allows us to provide valuable insights into the clearance mechanisms of drug candidates, aiding in the design of safer and more effective therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and inflammation.

Introduction to Drug Excretion Studies

Drug excretion studies encompass the investigation of how drugs are eliminated from the body. The clearance of drugs is primarily governed by two major organs: the liver and the kidneys. The liver, being a vital metabolic hub, plays a pivotal role in metabolizing drugs, while the kidneys are responsible for the elimination of drugs and their metabolites through urine. Understanding the various mechanisms involved in drug clearance is essential for predicting drug behavior in vivo and optimizing therapeutic strategies.

In Vivo Studies of Drug Excretion

In vivo studies involve the use of animal models, such as bile-cannulated rats or dogs, to measure the excretion of drugs into bile. By measuring bile flow and drug concentrations in plasma and bile, researchers can calculate biliary clearance, an important parameter in understanding drug clearance mechanisms. These studies provide valuable data on the interplay between uptake and efflux transporters, aiding in the prediction of drug behavior in humans.

Examples of studies on excretions such as urine and feces after oral administration.Fig.1 Examples of excretion studies following oral administration. (Wen Y., et al., 2016)

Drug Excretion Study in Drug Discovery

  • In the realm of drug discovery, drug excretion studies play a crucial role in guiding lead optimization and predicting drug clearance. Metabolism has long been recognized as an important parameter in drug clearance prediction. However, it is now increasingly understood that many drugs can be eliminated from the body without undergoing significant metabolism. Renal clearance has been widely accepted as one of the primary routes of drug excretion, but recent advancements in the understanding of hepatic processes involved in clearing unchanged drugs are expanding our knowledge in this area.
  • Transporters, both in the liver and kidney, govern the active, energy-dependent processes that influence drug clearance. These transporters facilitate the movement of drugs across cellular membranes, either into or out of cells, thereby impacting their overall clearance from the body. Extensive research has been conducted on these transporters, and their roles in drug excretion have been well-documented. Notable examples include P-glycoprotein (MDR-1, ABCB1), multiple MRPs (ABCCs), BCRP (ABCG), and BSEP (ABCB11) in the bile canalicular side of hepatocytes.

Our Services

Our company offers a range of services in drug excretion studies, including mass balance studies, biliary excretion studies, and enterohepatic circulation studies. With our expertise and advanced analytical techniques, we empower researchers to gain valuable insights into drug excretion pathways, paving the way for the development of safer and more effective therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and inflammation.

Animal Species
Mouse, Rat, Pig, Dog, Monkey, Others
Dosing Routes
Oral administration (PO), Intraperitoneal (IP), Intravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM), and Subcutaneous (SC), Others
Content of Drug Excretion Studies
  • Mass Balance Studies
    Our company offers comprehensive mass balance studies services, enabling researchers to gain a deep understanding of drug excretion pathways. Our expertise in radiolabeling techniques and advanced analytical methods allows for accurate measurement of drug recovery and identification of metabolites. By conducting mass balance studies, we provide valuable data on the routes and rates of drug excretion, aiding in the optimization of drug candidates.
  • Biliary Excretion Studies
    Understanding the hepatic clearance mechanisms is crucial in drug development. Our company specializes in biliary excretion studies, providing researchers with insights into the elimination of drugs and metabolites into bile. Through the use of bile-cannulated animal models, we collect bile samples and measure drug concentrations, enabling the calculation of biliary clearance. Our expertise in this area allows us to assist in the design of drugs with optimized hepatic clearance profiles.
  • Enterohepatic Circulation Studies
    Enterohepatic circulation can significantly impact drug excretion pathways, and understanding this process is essential for predicting drug clearance. Our company offers comprehensive enterohepatic circulation studies, allowing researchers to explore the recycling of drugs and metabolites between the liver and intestines. Through careful administration of drugs and monitoring of their concentrations in plasma and feces, we provide valuable insights into the extent and impact of enterohepatic circulation on drug excretion.

Why Choose Us?

As an integrated CRO, we have the capabilities and resources to provide professional communication and problem-solving support to ensure that we can quickly respond to the changing needs of your autoimmune diseases and inflammation research projects. If you are interested in our services, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Reference

  1. Wen Y., et al. "Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, excretion and plasma protein binding studies of acteoside in rats." Drug Research 66.03 (2016): 148-153.
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.