The N-oxide metabolite contributes to bladder selectivity resulting from oral propiverine: muscarinic receptor binding and pharmacokinetics.

We characterized contribution of N-oxide metabolites [1-methyl-4-piperidyl diphenylpropoxyacetate N-oxide (M-1) and 1-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate N-oxide (M-2)] to the binding of muscarinic receptors in relation to the pharmacokinetics of propiverine in rats. The in vitro muscarinic receptor binding activity of M-2 was equipotent to that of propiverine, whereas M-1 was much less active. After the oral administration of propiverine (24.8-248 micromol/kg), there was relatively selective and longer-lasting binding of muscarinic receptors in the rat bladder compared with the submaxillary gland as shown by a significant increase in the apparent dissociation constant (K(d)) for specific binding of [N-methyl-(3)H]scopolamine ([(3)H]NMS). In addition, the intravesical instillation of M-2 produced a significant increase in K(d) for specific [(3)H]NMS binding in the rat bladder. Extremely high concentrations of M-1 and M-2 were detected in plasma after the oral administration of propiverine. The concentration of unbound M-2 was much higher than that of M-1 and propiverine in the rat plasma. The sum of maximal plasma unbound propiverine equivalents (C(max)) after the oral administration of propiverine at doses of 24.8, 74.3, and 248 micromol/kg was 66.0, 303, and 509 nM, respectively. The sum of corresponding area under the time-concentration curve from 0 to 12 h was 194, 2123, and 4645 nM . h, respectively. In fact, the unbound concentration of M-2 comprised more than 90% of sum of unbound propiverine equivalents in the plasma. After oral treatment with propiverine, the bladder showed the highest concentration of M-2, indicating specific distribution of this metabolite into the target organ. Thus, M-2 may contribute greatly to the relatively selective and long-lasting occupation of bladder muscarinic receptors after oral administration of propiverine.