Radioimmunoassay of plasma lisuride in man following intravenous and oral administration of lisuride hydrogen maleate: effect on plasma prolactin level.

The development of a sensitive radioimmunoassay for the determination of lisuride in plasma is described. The antiserum against lisuride-4-hemisuccinate-BSA was raised in rabbits. Using this method the plasma levels of lisuride were monitored following one intravenous (25 microgram) and two oral (100 microgram and 300 microgram) doses of lisuride hydrogen maleate in three female and three male volunteers (intra-individual comparison). The plasma prolactin was also determined by radioimmunoassay. Following i. v. injection, the concentration of lisuride declined in three phases, with half-lives of 5 min, 25 min and 2 h. The total plasma clearance of 800 +/- 250 ml X min-1 was in the range of "plasma flow" through the liver. In agreement with the high rate of biotransformation, the bioavailability of lisuride administered orally was 10% +/- 7% of the 100-microgram dose, and 22% +/- 7% of the 300-microgram dose. The plasma prolactin was lowered to 3%-18% of its pretreatment value depending on the route of administration and the dose. The reduction appeared to be short-lived and to be directly dependent on the plasma concentration of lisuride. Following intravenous injection, the prolactin level declined after a so far unexplained lag-time of 0.5 h.