Influence of a benzoquinolizinyl derivative on serum and hepatic alkaline phosphatase activity in the dog and rat.

Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of TR2379, N-(1,3,4,6,7-hexahydro-11bH-benzo[a]quinolizin-2-yl) propionanilide hydrochloride, for 20--29 days to 6 dogs resulted in significant elevations of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in serum and in liver microsomes. Results of biochemical and histochemical experiments revealed that the liver was the sole source of the increased AP activity but there was no evidence of liver damage. The subchronic (7-35 day) p.o. administration of TR2379 at 820 mg/kg to 20 rats did not produce elevation of AP activity in serum or liver. Relative liver weights (g/100 g body wt) of rats receiving TR2379 were significantly increased during the 2nd week and thereafter. The results of these studies suggest that high doses of TR2379 induce protein synthesis in dog and rat liver and induce AP activity in the dog but not in the rat. The elevation of AP in the dog is not considered to have toxicologic implications.