[Dynamic computer models of xenobiotics]

On the basis of the physical substance transport in the circulatory system a dynamic pharmacokinetic model is developed. The method describes the behaviour of xenobiotics and their metabolites by direct simulation of the transport and the distribution in the bloodstream and tissues by suitable algorithms in discrete steps. The cardiovascular system represented by a 2-(or 3-)dimensional array is connected to other kinetic relevant components, likewise represented by arrays of suitable dimensions and acting as transport-, storage, distribution-, exchange- and reaction areas. (Bio-)chemical transformation is accounted for by introducing an identical new set of arrays, one set for each metabolite. The overall characterisation of a model needs a great variety of coefficients, thus creating a highly flexible tool for the study of kinetic processes. The result being a time- and position-dependent discrete distribution of substance reflects the heterogeneity and complexity of a real biological system. The compartmental (deterministic and stochastic) models are of course a subset of the DVM.