Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/32601
Title: Comparative Activity of the Enantiomers of Fenfluramine and Norfenfluramine in Rodent Seizure Models, and Relationship with their Concentrations in Plasma and Brain.
Austin Authors: Erenburg, Natalia;Hamed, Roa'a;Shaul, Chanan;Perucca, Emilio;Bialer, Meir
Affiliation: Institute of Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Medicine (University of Melbourne)
Issue Date: Jun-2023
Date: 2023
Publication information: Epilepsia 2023; 64(6)
Abstract: To investigate the comparative antiseizure activity of the individual enantiomers of fenfluramine and its major active primary metabolite norfenfluramine in rodent seizure models, and its relationship with the pharmacokinetics of these compounds in plasma and brain. The antiseizure potency of d,l-fenfluramine (racemic fenfluramine) was compared with the respective potencies of its individual enantiomers and the individual enantiomers of norfenfluramine using the maximal electroshock (MES) test in rats and mice, and the 6-Hz 44 mA test in mice. Minimal motor impairment was assessed simultaneously. The time course of seizure protection in rats was compared with the concentration profiles of d-fenfluramine, l-fenfluramine and their primary active metabolites in plasma and brain. All compounds tested were active against MES-induced seizures in rats and mice after acute (single-dose) administration, but no activity against 6-Hz seizures was found even at doses up to 30 mg/kg. Estimates of median effective doses (ED50 ) in the rat-MES test were obtained for all compounds except for d-norfenfluramine, which caused dose-limiting neurotoxicity. Racemic fenfluramine had approximately the same antiseizure potency as its individual enantiomers. Both d- and l-fenfluramine were absorbed and distributed rapidly to the brain, suggesting that seizure protection at early time points (≤2 h) was mainly related to the parent compound. Concentrations of all enantiomers in brain tissue were >15-fold higher than those in plasma. Although there are differences in antiseizure activity and pharmacokinetics among the enantiomers of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine, all compounds tested are effective in protecting against MES-induced seizures in rodents. In the light of the evidence linking the d-enantiomers to cardiovascular and metabolic adverse effects, these data suggest that l-fenfluramine and l-norfenfluramine are potentially attractive candidates for a chiral switch approach leading to development of a novel, enantiomerically-pure antiseizure medication.
URI: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/32601
DOI: 10.1111/epi.17598
ORCID: 0000-0001-8703-223X
0000-0003-2046-4171
Journal: Epilepsia
PubMed URL: 36995363
ISSN: 1528-1167
Type: Journal Article
Subjects: fenfluramine
pharmacodynamics
pharmacokinetics
rodents
seizures
stereoselectivity
Appears in Collections:Journal articles

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