Interpretation and utilization of effect and concentration data collected in an in vivo pharmacokinetic and in vitro pharmacodynamic study.

The effect (E) of some drugs may be monitored in vitro using the plasma drug concentration (C) following the in vivo dosing of drug. When using a specific analytical assay, counterclockwise hysteresis in the E vs C relationship can be explained only by the presence of an agonistic metabolite (MA); the extent of hysteresis will depend upon the pharmacokinetics and relative "potency" of C and MA. If a nonspecific assay is used, plots of E vs C may actually relate to E vs total agonist (C + MA), and unusual hysteresis may be observed, e.g., clockwise hysteresis when C is more "potent" than MA. Here, we simulate data for three models of relative C and MA pharmacokinetics. The E vs C and E vs MA data are simulated for both linear and noncompetitive agonist Emax models. When C and MA are equally potent, hysteresis will not be observed in a plot of E vs C + MA. However, when C and MA are of differing "potencies," hysteresis will be observed (the direction of hysteresis is dependent on the relative potency of C and MA). By appropriately "weighting" a respective agonist (C or MA), hysteresis will "collapse" and the relative potencies of C and MA can be estimated.