Effect of Aspirin on Protein Binding and Tissue Disposition of Oligonucleotide Phosphorothioate in Rats

Pharmacokinetic studies of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (PS-oligonucleotides) in animals show that following intravenous administration, PS-oligonucleotide clears out rapidly from the plasma and is distributed to majority of the organs. PS-oligonucleotides are bound to plasma proteins extensively. This study was aimed to determine the effect of aspirin, a commonly used drug, on pharmacokinetics of PS-oligonucleotides. In the present study, PS-oligonucleotide was administered to rats that had received aspirin by gavage. Pharmacokinetic study shows that if PS-oligonucleotide was administered following aspirin administration in rats, a) plasma pharmacokinetic parameters (t1/2alpha?, t1/2beta, AUC, etc.) had lower values, b) tissue disposition was different, and c) rate and route of elimination was affected in animals compared to rats receiving PS-oligonucleotide alone. This finding suggests that pharmacokinetics of PS-oligonucleotides can be affected with certain class of drugs, which may have direct impact on biological activity and safety.