Paxlovid Crosses Biological Barriers in Rats
Author Information
Author(s): Lee Wan-Hsin, Sun Chung-Kai, Chang Chun-Hao, Yang Muh-Hwa, Tsai Tung-Hu
Primary Institution: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Hypothesis
Nirmatrelvir may cross biological barriers to reach an effective concentration and pharmacokinetic synergistic effect occurring in nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir.
Conclusion
Nirmatrelvir effectively crosses the blood-placenta and blood-brain barriers in rats, with enhanced levels when combined with ritonavir.
Supporting Evidence
- Nirmatrelvir rapidly penetrates the blood-placenta barrier in pregnant rats.
- Nirmatrelvir crosses the blood-brain barrier in male and nonpregnant female rats.
- Ritonavir enhances the pharmacokinetics of nirmatrelvir.
- Concentrations of nirmatrelvir in blood, conceptus, and brain were higher than the effective concentration needed to inhibit viral replication.
Takeaway
The study shows that a COVID-19 drug called Paxlovid can pass through important barriers in the body of rats, which is good for treating pregnant women.
Methodology
Multisite microdialysis coupled with validated UHPLC-MS/MS was used to monitor nirmatrelvir levels in maternal blood and conceptus in pregnant rats, and in blood and brain in male and nonpregnant female rats.
Limitations
Detailed mechanisms of how nirmatrelvir crosses biological barriers were not investigated.
Participant Demographics
Sprague-Dawley rats (pregnant female, male, and nonpregnant female).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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