Troleandomycin effects on methylprednisolone and methylprednisone interconversion and disposition in the rabbit

A study of the effects of troleandomycin (TAO) on the disposition of intravenous methylprednisolone in rabbits was performed in order to develop an animal model to further evaluate the mechanism of TAO/steroid beneficial effects in severe asthma. The plasma concentration-time profiles of methylprednisolone and methylprednisone were determined in the presence and absence of single and multiple dose TAO regimens. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a significant decrease in total plasma clearance of methylprednisolone in the presence of multiple dose TAO. Alterations in the disposition of the reversible metabolite, methylprednisone, were also observed. The TAO-methylprednisolone interaction may involve decreasing the degree of interconversion between the steroid and its reversible metabolite. TAO also decreases metabolite turnover more than three-fold. The antibiotic does not cause marked deviation from linear biexponential elimination of methylprednisolone as observed in man. The rabbit may serve as a useful animal model for further studies of the TAO/methylprednisolone interaction.