Abstract

A study to investigate the disposition and biliary excretion of simvastatin (SV) was conducted in four cholecystectomy patients with T-tube drainage. Each patient received a single oral dose of 100 mg of [14C]SV (20 microCi). Of the 14C-labeled dose, approximately 35% was excreted in urine, 25% in bile, and 20% in feces. Thus, at least 60% of the oral dose was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Of the AUC for radioactivity in plasma, 13% was contributed by the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. In addition, only 2% of the 14C-dose was eliminated in urine as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Thus, most of the SV-related compounds in plasma and urine have little or no HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity. The same is probably true for these compounds in bile. Two major active metabolites were present in the bile. Based on HPLC and MS/MS data, they were identified as 6' beta-COOH-SVA and 6'-OH-SVA. In general, the majority of the radioactivity in the bile and urine was excreted within 24 hr postdose. Of the radioactivity excreted in the 0- to 24-hr bile, on average, approximately 30% was contributed by 6' beta-COOH-SVA and 6'-OH-SVA. These two metabolites accounted for the majority of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity in the bile. Little or SV or no SVA was present in the bile.