Structural identifiability of "first-pass" models.

This paper considers the structural identifiability of two compartmental models classically used to describe the pharmacokinetics of drugs orally administered and transformed into a metabolite with a first-pass effect at the hepatic level. The simplest model proves not to be globally identifiable even when plasma and urinary measurements of the drug and metabolite concentrations are made. It admits two sets of admissible solutions, so that a priori knowledge must be introduced to distinguish them. The more complex model appears globally identifiable when blood and urine measurements are made.