Abstract

The effects of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) on the metabolism of theophylline were studied in rats and humans. Rats were randomized into three groups and prepared with iv jugular catheters. Group I (N = 4) received a single ip injection of 27 mg/kg of 8-MOP, group II (N = 5) vehicle (corn oil), and group III (N = 4) 50 mg/kg/day of 8-MOP for 3 days. Rats were subsequently administered 15 mg/kg of theophylline iv, and timed blood samples (0.2 ml) were assayed for theophylline by HPLC. Theophylline clearance (ml/min/kg; mean +/- SD) was 1.7 +/- 0.3, 2.4 +/- 0.5, and 9.5 +/- 1.6 in groups I, II, and III, respectively. The half-life (harmonic mean) from 0.5 to 12 hr was 7.2, 3.6, and 0.8 hr. Urinary excretion of unchanged theophylline (mean +/- SD) from 0 to 24 hr was 60 +/- 10, 41 +/- 6, and 13 +/- 3% of the administered dose. In a crossover study, three healthy, male, nonsmokers received 600 mg of oral theophylline. Urine and plasma were collected for 48 hr. One week later, subjects received 1.2 mg/kg of oral 8-MOP followed in 1 hr by 600 mg of oral theophylline. Mean residence time of theophylline increased from 10.7, 17.2, and 12.2 hr in the control period, to 20.3, 19.0, and 18.4 hr after 8-MOP. The AUC (microgram.hr/ml) of theophylline increased from 204, 213, and 204, to 555, 364, and 432, while clearance (ml/min/kg) decreased from 0.74, 0.57 and 0.63, to 0.27, 0.33, and 0.30, respectively. Urinary excretion of unchanged theophylline from 0 to 48 hr increased from 14, 14, and 15, to 24, 21, and 20%. We conclude that 8-MOP administered acutely is a potent inhibitor of theophylline metabolism and chronically in the rat is a powerful inducer.