Salivary excretion of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU). III. Non-linear kinetics of salivary excretion of 5-FU following bolus intravenous administration in rats

Salivary excretion profiles of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were investigated following bolus intravenous administration at three dose levels (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) in rats. Mandibular (M) and parotid (Pr) saliva samples were periodically collected separately via cannulas inserted into the ducts by stimulating salivation with pilocarpine infused intravenously. Simultaneously, salivary pH, flow rate, and protein concentration were determined.(1) Plasma and saliva 5-FU concentration decreased bi-exponentially with time. A relatively scattered relationship but a statistically significant correlation was found between each of the saliva concentrations and plasma 5-FU concentration (p