Multiple hepatic excretory mechanisms for organic anions. A study with succinylsulfathiazole and taurocholate in the...

A study was done to investigate interactions in the biliary excretion of [14-C]succinylsulfathiazole and [3-H]taurocholate after intravenous administration of the two compounds to anesthetized rats. Either compound administered alone increased bile flow and was excreted in the bile. The simultaneous infusion of both significantly increased bile flow above the values seen when either was given alone. However, the biliary-excretion rates of both compounds and their concentrations in bile were reduced when they were administered concomitantly. The simultaneous injection of radioactive taurocholate and succinylsulfathiazole did not alter significantly the plasma concentrations of either compound or their binding to plasma proteins from the values obtained when each was given alone. These results are consistent with a concept of competition between these compounds for the same liver-to-bile transport system. They contrast with previous observations that indicated that the concomitant administration of taurocholate increased the biliary excretion of acidic compounds. In the light of this work, it might be suggested that there are more than one transport system for the biliary excretion of organic anions.