Ocular pharmacokinetics of a novel tetrahydroquinoline analog in rabbit: absorption, disposition, and non-compartmental analysis.

The pharmacologically active compound (33% reduction in rabbit intraocular pressure recovery rate assay) 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (MC4), which showed ocular hypotensive action and had optimum physicochemical properties, was characterized for its ocular absorption and distribution properties to better understand its in vivo potency in comparison with an inactive compound, N-ethyl-1,4-benzoxazine (MC1). Tissue distribution to various ocular tissues was determined after absorption by both corneal and conjunctival-scleral routes, following administration by the "topical infusion" technique. The rank order of penetration for both the compounds was cornea > iris-ciliary body > aqueous humor > lens > conjunctiva-sclera. Overall, MC4 had significantly higher concentrations than MC1 in various ocular tissues, but particularly in the iris-ciliary body, which is the site of action (biophase). Ocular disposition studies of the active compound MC4 were then conducted to characterize its elimination kinetics, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by non-compartmental and moment analysis using equations specific to "topical infusion" technique: first-order absorption rate constant, 4.1 × 10(-4) min(-1) ; elimination rate constant, 0.012 min(-1) ; mean residence time, 39.6 min; steady-state volume of distribution, 0.721 mL; and aqueous humor ocular clearance, 8.44 µL/min. The results were consistent with the conclusion that MC4 is well absorbed and distributed to the active site.