The enterohepatic circulation of perhexiline metabolites in the male Wistar rat

Abstract

1. The biliary excretion of some perhexiline metabolites has been assessed in male Wistar rats with biliary cannulation.

2. After intragastric administration of perhexiline maleate (2 mg/kg body weight) multiple perhexiline metabolites were detected in bile.

3. When aliquots of this metabolite-laden bile were administered intraduoduodenally to further ‘recipient’ rats with biliary cannulation, similar metabolites were detected in the bile of these rats, but at reduced concentrations equivalent to 30-35% of those present in the bile of ‘donor’ rats.

4. These findings indicate that in the male Wistar rat, there may be substantial enterohepatic circulation of some perhexiline metabolites.