Pharmacokinetic evaluation and modeling of formulated levodopa intranasal delivery systems

Levodopa (L-dopa), the metabolic precursor of dopamine, has primarily been used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) in combination with carbidopa (C-dopa). This study aims to investigate the feasibility of L-dopa nasal delivery systems prepared using maleic acid solution containing 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and to develop pharmacokinetic models. Following oral or intravenous administration of L-dopa plus C-dopa and intranasal dosing of L-dopa in the presence and absence of C-dopa to the rat, the concentrations of L-dopa in plasma and brain were determined using HPLC. The pharmacokinetic profiles were analyzed using non-compartmental and compartmental modeling approaches. Simultaneous nonlinear regression was performed to improve the identifiability of model parameters. L-Dopa was rapidly absorbed into blood and brain. The absolute bioavailabilities of oral and nasal preparations containing C-dopa were 17.7 and 45.4%, respectively. C-dopa caused a 1.2-fold decrease in the elimination rate of L-dopa, indicating decreased metabolism. Although the half-life after nasal administration was relatively short (less than 30 min) in both blood and brain regardless of C-dopa addition, the systemic exposure was promising due to rapid absorption. In conclusion, the L-dopa nasal delivery system could be used as a good rescue therapy for PD patients who experience symptom fluctuation with oral L-dopa administration.