Distribution of pyrrolidinomethyl-tetracycline (rolitetracycline) and tetracycline in blood and various organs of mice measured by high pressure liquid chromatography.

By means of a newly developed high-pressure liquid chromatographic method the organ distribution of tetracycline (TC) and pyrrolidinomethyl-tetracycline (PMT) has been studied. When mice were treated with 50 mg/kg i.v. TC or PMT these antibiotics could be detected in all organs investigated (liver, kidney, heart, lung, muscle, spleen). Especially high concentrations were found in liver and kidneys, where TC and PMT could be detected up to 6 h. In animals treated with PMT part of the PMT applied decomposed slowly yielding TC, which was found together with PMT in blood and all organs.