Several studies in the literature suggest that the biotransformation
of foreign compounds in man is more similar to that in
the non-human primate than to that in other laboratory animal species.
However, published information about the pharmacokinetics of foreign
compounds in non-human primates is limited and usually derived from
one species, the rhesus monkey. In view of the often limited availability
of this species for use in the development and safety evaluation
of new drugs, pesticides, etc., it is necessary to search for potential
replacement species for future use. This thesis compares the pharmacokinetics
of seven well-known or commonly used drugs, i.e. antipyrine,
diazepam, frusemide, ibuprofen, isosorbide dinitrate, paracetamol and
pentobarbitone in the rhesus monkey, cynomolgus monkey and baboon with
a view to defining further the suitability of these species for the
study of newer substances. These three non-human primate species are
those that are most frequently used in pharmacology and toxicology
studies. The drugs were chosen for study because they are extensively
used clinically and related human pharmacokinetic data are available
for comparison. [Continues.
