Pharmacokinetic analysis of adriamycin (doxorubicin) and related fluorescent compounds in Ehrlich tumor-bearing mouse plasma and tissues.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of the distribution and concentration of adriamycin (ADM) in mouse plasma and tissues was carried out by differentiating the unmetabolized form from metabolized ones using high-performance liquid chromatography after a single intravenous injection. Marked differences between ADM and total ADM equivalent values (total ADM values) or its metabolized forms were observed in the pharmacokinetic behavior in plasma and tissue distributions. The ratios of tissue per plasma for total ADM and for ADM values in the liver, kidney and heart showed a two-digit magnitude each time they were examined. Twenty four h later, the ratios for ADM values in the liver, kidney, heart and lung were at high levels; 43.1, 48.1, 57.9 and 45.5 times, respectively. Twenty min after injection the ratios for total ADM values in the spleen, lung and tumors were comparatively small, but 24 h later, the ratio had increased 36.5, 45.5 and 6.8 times respectively.