Disposition and toxicity of amphotericin-B in the hyperlipidemic zucker rat model

The pharmacokinetics and toxicity of the lipophilic antifungal agent, amphotericin-B (AmpB), were studied in the hyperlipidemic obese rat model and compared with lean litter-mates. Serial blood samples were obtained for 36 h following a single intravenous infusion of AmpB (1.2 mg/kg) with pre-and post-drug measurements of renal function. Although triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL+VLDL-cholesterol levels were elevated in the obese compared with lean rats, protein: lipoprotein ratios were similar. There was a 2-fold increase in the area under the serum concentration-time curve of AmpB in obese rats compared to lean litter-mates (15, 600 ± 6900 v. 78000 ± 2900 ng. h/ml; P < 0.05); no differences in elimination rate constants were found between groups. Weight-corrected volume of distribution and total body clearance were significantly lower in obese compared with lean rats; no differences were found in absolute clearance or volume. Kidney levels of AmpB were markedly increased in obese versus lean rats. Similarly, kidney to serum ratios of AmpB were greater in obese compared with lean rats (152 ± 113 v. 41 ± 23; P < 0.001). There was a significant decline in the creatinine clearance form baseline in the obese rats coupled with a rise in serum creatinine; no differences were found in lean rats. Similarities in absolute pharmacokinetic variables and protein: lipoprotein ratios suggest differences in AmpB disposition and toxicity are a result of differences in lipoprotein-mediated transport mechanisms between obese and lean rats.