Distribution of diuretics and hypoglycemic sulfonylureas in rabbit erythrocytes

The distribution of three sulfonylureas and six diuretics in rabbit erythrocytes was studied in vitro at 37 degrees C. The drugs were taken up by the erythrocyte compartment, and distribution equilibrium was reached within 60 min of incubation. A distribution percentage in erythrocyte compartment was maintained at roughly constant value over the whole concentration range of drugs. Therefore, a linear relationship was established between total concentrations of drug in whole blood or erythrocyte suspension and in the erythrocyte compartment. Bovine serum albumin combined with the erythrocyte suspension appeared to reduce drug distribution in the erythrocyte compartment. Whole blood obtained from renal failure rabbits showed greater distribution of drug in the erythrocyte compartment compared with the whole blood of a normal rabbit. This might be due to a change in plasma protein binding ability related to the progress of renal failure.