Study on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in depression model rats

Abstract

Drug metabolism is affected by many social-psychological factors including mood disorder. Organ transplantation recipients usually suffer from depression. The study aims to explore whether depression disorder alters immunosuppresant Tacrolimus (TAC) pharmacokinetic process in depression model rats. Eighteen female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into model group and control group. Depression model rats were built with Chronic Unpredicted Mild Stresses (CUMS) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks model establishment, all rats in both groups were given TAC (1.5 mg kg-1) i.g. Blood samples were collected at various time points. TAC concentration was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometiy (HPLC-MS/MS). TAC pharmacokinetic parameters were processed with DAS software. Compared to those in control group, there was significant decrease in Cmax and AUC in depression model group (p<0.05), from 0.87±0.06to 0.79±0.05 jig mL-l (Cmax) and from 2.35±0.23 to 2.14±0.08 jig mL-l·h(AUC), respectively. The results indicated that depression disorder alter TAC pharmacokinetic process which might be induced by enhancing the drug metabolism. © 2013 Asian Network for Scientific Information.