Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Aug 21.
Published in final edited form as: Clin Pharmacokinet. 2011 Jan;50(1):1–24. doi: 10.2165/11536640-000000000-00000

Table II.

Summary of published pharmacokinetic (PK) models: parameter estimates, covariates, model variability and assessment

Study Outline of PK model Software EHC model PK parameter estimates Model variability Covariates Model assessment Model schematic
Funaki (1999)[67] 3-compartment based on a 1-compartment disposition modela NONMEM Yes CL/F (L/h) 25–46b
V1/F (L) 31.6–142c
V1/F (L) 43–193.3a
ke (h−1) 0.271–0.859
ka (h−1) 0.409–13.70
tlag (h) 0.412c
tlag (h) 0.274b
NS Food, race on ka, Food, race on ke, Food, race, WT, Maalox®, CLCR on V1/F, Maalox® on tlag
NS Figure 2a
Shum et al. (2003)[83] 2-compartment model with tlagd NONMEM Noe CL/F (L/h) 27.1 [1.42]
V1/F (L) 97.7 [12.6]
ka (h−1) 2.27 [0.18]
Q/F (L/h) 25.7 [3.45]
V2/F (L) 206 [55.7]
tlag (h) 0.145 [0.02]
BSV
CL/F 0.039 [0.024]
V1/F 0.31 [0.18]
V2/F 2.27 [2.22]
BOV
CL/F 0.017 [0.013]
V1/F 0.9 [0.27]
V2/F 0.26 [0.23]
ka 3.4 [0.7]
tlag 0.1 [0.36]
RUV
Exp 0.12 [0.076]
Add (mg/L) 0.57 [0.5]
NS Diagnostic plots
Le Guellec et al. (2004)[84] 2-compartment model with zero-order absorption NONMEM Noe CL/F (L/h) 15.7 [5]f
V1/F (L) 36 [19]
V2/F (L) 137 [17]
Q/F (L/h) 25.9 [36]
D1 (h) 0.69 [7]
BSV
CL/F (%) 28
V1/F (%) 63
Q/F (%) 45
D1 (%) 11
RUV
Prop NS
Add (mg/L) 2.04
WT on CL 0.246 Diagnostic plots
Staatz et al. (2005)[85] Bi-exponential elimination model with first-order absorptiong NONMEM Noe CL/F (L/h) 34.9h,i/25.4i,j
V1/F (L) 65 [7]
V2/F (L) 496 [20]
Q/F (L/h) 30.7 [10]
ka (h−1) 0.64 [14]
BSV
CL/F (%) 32 [29]
Q/F (%) 78 [28]
ka (%) 109 [21]
BOV
CL/F (%) 35 [14]
RUV
Prop (%) 41 [4]
Alb and ciclosporin dose on CL Diagnostic plots, bootstrap
Van Hest et al. (2005)[86] 2-compartment model, first-order absorption with lag timek NONMEM Noe CL/F (L/h) 33 [5.4]
V1/F (L) 91 [7.2]
V2/F (L) 237 [10]
Q/F (L/h) 35 [5.3]
ka (h−1) 4.1 [6.8]
tlag (h) 0.21 [1.3]
BSV
CL/F (%) 31 [15]
V1/F (%) 91 [13]
V2/F (%) 102 [25]
ka (%) 111 [15]
BOV
CL/F (%) 20 [11]
V1/F (%) 53 [17]
ka (%) 116 [11]
RUV
Add (mg/L) 0.45 [2.3]
CLCR on V1/F -0.62 [16]
Alb on V1/F -1.13 [23]
Sex on V1/F 1.11 [4.3]
CLCR on CL/F -0.12 [30]
Alb on CL/F -1.07 [11]
Ciclosporin on CL/F
0.31 [11]
Diagnostic plots, bootstrap
Payen et al. (2005)[68] 2-compartment model with zero-order absorption and lag timek NONMEM Noe CL/F (L/h) 17
a (h−1) 7.5
b (h−1) 0.0072 [28.6]
k21 (h−1) 0.017 [31.3]
V1/F (L) 5 [17]
ka (h−1) 0.63 [19.2]
tlag (h) 0.69 [4.7]
BSV
CL/F (%) 50.8
V1/F (%) 35.1
β (%) 32.1
k21 (%) 22.4
ka (%) 44.1
tlag (%) 99.5
RUV
Prop (%) 26.5
Add (mg/L) 0.57
WT on V1/F 4.75 [29.7] Diagnostic plots Figure 2b
Premaud et al. (2005)[87] Double gamma absorption model, de novo patients (day 3, 7, 30)l In-house software MMF® Noe Day 3
a1 9.45 [6.25]
b1 15.92 [8.97]
a2 16.59 [9.79]
b2 5.82 [4.47]
A 1.76 [1.22]
λ1 1.13 [0.62]
MAT1 (h) 0.71 [0.39]
MAT2 (h) 3.61 [1.86]
CL/F (L/h) 40.16 [18.87]
Day 7
a1 12.75 [8.4]
b1 25.57 [12.92]
a2 34.9 [15.15]
b2 12.25 [5.41]
A 1.49 [0.95]
l1 1.03 [0.61]
MAT1 (h) 0.56 [0.34]
MAT2 (h) 3.38 [2.34]
CL/F (L/h) 42.85 [15.21]
Day 30
a1 13.43 [8.82]
b1 21.79 [14.93]
a2 15.38 [10.14]
b2 5.46 [3.7]
A 2.49 [1.44]
λ1 1.95 [1.38]
MAT1 (h) 0.69 [0.26]
MAT2 (h) 3.01 [1.47]
CL/F (L/h) 34.05 [13.8]
NS NS Diagnostic plots
Single gamma absorption model, stable (>3 months)l >3 months
a 5.38 [2.5]
b 10.39 [4.7]
A 5.59 [5.1]
λ1 7.36 [4.04]
B 0.9 [0.6]
λ2 0.69 [0.53]
MAT (h) 0.53 [0.14]
CL/F (L/h) 31.63 [15.38]
Cremers et al. (2005)[42] 4-compartment model with rate constant describing transfer from fourth to first compartment for EHCm NONMEM Yes CL/F (L/h) 14.1h/11.9 [1.75]i
Q/F (L/h) 20.1h/11.2i
V1/F (L) 11.7h/10.3 [4.09]i
V2/F (L) 465h/183 [75]i
V4/F (L) MPAG 5.6h/8.9 [2.3]i
k40(MPAG) (h−1) 0.16h/ 0.12 [0.03]i
k41(MPAG) (h−1) 0.04 [0.02]i
RUV
PropMPA (%) 35i
PropMPAG (%) 14i
CLCR on k40 Diagnostic plots Figure 2c
Van Hest et al. (2007)[88] 2-compartment model, first-order absorption with tlagk NONMEM Noe CL/F (L/h) 23 [2]
V1/F (L) 69 [6]
V2/F (L) 298 [8]
Q/F (L/h) 34 [7]
ka (h−1) 4 [7]
tlag (h) 0.24 [1]
BSV
CL/F (%) 36 [9]
V1/F (%) 90 [16]
Q/F (%) 60 [21]
ka (%) 101 [14]
BOV
CL/F (%) 21 [10]
V1/F (%) 71 [12]
ka (%) 116 [10]
Q/F (%) 41 [39]
RUV
Add (mg/L) 0.44 [2]n
Ciclosporin on ka
9.8 × 10−4 [20]
Alb on V1/F −1.2 [17]
CLCR on V1/F −0.49 [10]
Antacids on V1/F 1.4 [8]
Ciclosporin on CL
4.8 × 10−4 [16]
Alb on CL −0.72 [13]
CLCR on CL −0.22 [7]
Hb on CL −0.48 [16]°
BSV
CLCR on CL (%) 66 [29]
Alb on CL (%) 112 [44]
Bootstrap
Jiao et al. (2008)[26] 5-chain-compartment model with gallbladder compartmentg NONMEM Yes CL/FMPA (L/h) 10.2 [5.7]
CL/FMPAG (L/h) 1.38 [6.9]
V2/F (L) 12.5 [8.3]
V3/F (L) 213 [9.1]
V4/F (L) 4.4 [6.4]
Q/F (L/h) 16.1 [5.1]
EHCP 29.1 [10.4]
tlag (h) 0.096 [15.8]
k12 (h−1) 3.53 [12.4]
k51 (h−1) 67.5 [12.7]
BSV
CLMPA/F (%) 18.9 [35.6]
V2/F (%) 34.5 [48.7]
V3/F (%) 22.7 [39.2]
V4/F (%) 23.1 [37.3]
Q/F (%) 13.7 [48.9]
EHCP (%) 29 [49.3]
tlag (%) 57.3 [44.5]
k12 (%) 60.3 [31.9]
θ (%) 1.33 [27.2]
RUV
PropMPA (%) 45.3 [9.3]
PropMPAG (%) 20.8 [16]
WT onCLMPA,Q and V3 Diagnostic plots, cross-method validation, VPC Figure 2d
de Winter et al. (2008)[89] 2-compartment model with first-order absorption and eliminationp NONMEM No tlag(EC-MPS, M1) (h) 0.95
tlag(EC-MPS, M2) (h) 1.88
tlag(EC-MPS, M3) (h) 4.83
tlag(EC-MPS, EV) (h) 9.04
tlag(MMF) (h) 0.3
ka(EC-MPS) (h−1) 3.0
ka(MMF) (h−1) 4.1
V1/F (L) 40
CL/F (L/h) 16.0
V2/F (L) 518
Q/F (L/h) 22
POPtlag(EC-MPS, M1) 0.51
POP tlag(EC-MPS, M2) 0.32
POP tlag(EC-MPS, M3) 0.17
BSV
tlag(EC-MPS, M) (%) 8.0
tlag(EC-MPS, EV) (%) 40
tlag(MMF) (%) 11
CL/F (%) 39
V1/F (%) 100
V2/F (%) 490
Q/F (%) 78
ka (%) 187
RUV
Add (mg/L) 0.39
NS Diagnostic plots, bootstrap, VPC
Zahr et al. (2008)[90] 1-compartment model with first-order elimination convoluted with a triple gamma distributionl In-house software MMF® No CL/F (L/h) 40.3 [50.7]
V1/F (L) 32.7 [18.6]
NS NS Diagnostic plots, jack-knife method
Yau et al. (2009)[69] 5-compartment drug and metabolite model with EHCl WinNonLin Yes CL/FMPA (L/h) 15 [5.6]q/ 18.2 [12.5]r
CL/FMPAG (L/h) 0.85 [0.4]q/ 0.86 [0.3]r
CLf/F (L/h) 13.2 [5.1]q/ 17.7 [11.9]r
CL/FMPAG,bile (L/h) 0.4
[0.3]q/0.7 [0.1]r
V1/F (L) 15.1 [10.9]q/7.6 [4.4]r
V2/F (L) 188 [154]q/68 [39]r
Vd/F (L) 203 [161]q/76 [43]r
Vm/F (L) 3.74 [1.5]q/6.4 [4.2]r
Q/F (L/h) 20.2 [11.9]q/ 9.7 [11.0]r
ka (h−1) 1.57 [1.04]q/2.6 [0.39]r
km (h−1) 1.69 [2.12]q/3.3 [3.45]r
kbile (h−1) 0.12 [0.09]q/ 0.13 [0.06]r
kr (h−1) 0.12 [0.1]q/0.11 [0.13]r
kr,m (h−1) 0.13 [0.1]q/ 0.02 [0.01]r
tlag (h) 0.13 [0.2]q/0.2 [0.3]r
tbile (h) 9.4 [1.2]q/6 [2.1]r
τgall (h) 1.4 [0.8]q/0.7 [0.3]r
NS Diagnostic plots Figure 2e
Sam et al. (2009)[70] Initial 2-compartment model, linear elimination of MPAG and AcMPAG with EHC of MPAs NONMEM Yes MPA
ka (h−1) 0.67 [24.8]
CL/F (L/h) 10.6 [11.1]
V1/F (L) 25.9 [34.9]
Q/F (L/h) 8.11 [24.2]
V2/F (L) 39.6 [86.9]
MPAG
FMAG (L−1) 0.38 [27.3]
k30(h−1): GFR <80 mL /min/ 1.73 m2 = a×(GFR/51.6)a, where a = 0.17 [34.7], b 0.33 [262]
k30(hr−1): GFR >80 mL /min/ 1.73 m2 = 0.32 [28.4]
k3G (hr−1) 0.15 [28.8]
KGB (h−1) 0.007 [167]
AcMPAG
FMAC (L−1): GFR ≤60mL/ min/ 1.73 m2 = c×(GFR/45.3)e, where c 0.014 [17.5] d−1.95 [11.7]
FMAC (L−1): GFR ≤60mL / min/ 1.73 m2 = 0.013 [15.1]
k40 (h−1) 0.21 [13.8]
k4G (h −1) 0.15 [26.5]
BSV
MPA
CL/F (%) 21.4 [66.1]
V1/F (%) 87.8 [32]
V2/F (%) 239 [248]
MPAG
FMAG (%) 34.6 [85.8]
a (%) 29.1 [199]
k30 (%) 29.1 [199]
kGB (%) 35.9 [260]
AcMPAG
c (%) 24.6 [68.7]
FMAC (%) 24.6 [68.7]
k40 (h−1) 48.8 [47.1]
k4G (h−1) 67.3 [41.1]
RUV
MPA (%) 69.9 [15.3]
MPAG (%) 19.4 [32.1]
AcMPAG (%) 17.8 [23]
GFR on k30 Diagnostic plots, VPC Figure 2f
de Winter et al. (2009)[71] 2-compartment model, EHC of MPA with absorption of MPA described with 2 first-order processes (short and long lag time)k NONMEM Yes Ffast 0.71 [9]
tlag short (h) 0.287 [5]
tlag long (h) 0.643 [3]
ka (h−1) 6.2 [22]
CL/F (L/h) 8.27 [5]
V1/F (L) 52.4 [17]
V2/F (L) 262 [5]
Q/F (L/h) 16.2 [222]
TGB1 (h) 6
TGB2 (h) TGB1+ 4
DGB (h) 0.1
EHCP 0.37
k63 (h−1) 1
BSV
tlag short (%) 32
ka (%) 182 [40]
CL/F (%) 34 [41]
V1/F (%) 53 [48]
TGB1 (%) 200
EHCP (%) 35
RUV
(%) 0.414 [6]
CLCR on CL/F 0.42 [26] Diagnostic plots, bootstrap, VPC Figure 2g
Musuamba et al. (2009)[91] 2-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination, with MPAG and EHC compartmentsk NONMEM Yest tlag (h) 0.26 [7.4]
k12 (h−1) 1.83 [32]
V1/F (L) 14.7 [22]
V2/F (L) 250 [32]
V3/Fm (L) 6.31 [17]
CL/F (L/h) 14.7 [11]
k20 (h−1) 0.36 [23]
Q/F (L/h) 21.1 [0.8]
k20 (h−1) 0.36 [23]
k40 0.12 [10.7]
BSV
V1/F (%) 3.2 [12]
Q/F (%) 17 [8]
k40 (%) 2 [16]
BOV
k12 (%) 62 [18]
V1/F (%) 21 [31]
CL/F (%) 13 [26]
k40 (%) 5 [39]
RUV
PropMPA (%) 0.4 [59]
PropMPAG (%) 0.2 [0.4]
AddMPA (μg/mL) 0.2 [63]
Sirolimus on k41 0.1 [14]
GFR on k40 0.008 [41]
AST/ALT on CL 3.1 [33]
Diagnostic plots, bootstrap, cross-method validation, VPC
de Winter et al. (2009)[92] 2- and 1-compartment models for unbound MPA and unbound MPAG, with EHC compartment NONMEM Yes tlag (h) 0.231
ka (h−1) 4.0
V1/F fmPA (L) 189
CL/F fmPA (L/h) 747
V2/F fmPA (L) 34300
Q/F fmPA (L/h) 2010
k24 (h−1 mmol−1) 0.153
Bmax (mmol) 35100
k42 (h−1) 169
V1/F fMPAG (L) 8.56
k56 (h−1 mmol−1) 0.0133
k65 (h−1) 93.1
CL/F fMPAG (L/h) 4.75
TGB (h) 7.9
DGB (h) 1
k72 (h−1) 10
k57 (h−1) 0.0796
BSV
tlag (%) 161
V1/F fmPA (%) 116
CL/F fmPA (%) 97
Bmax (%) 48
CL/F fMPAG (%) 106
TGB (%) 141
k57 (%) 71
RUV
tMPA (mmol/L) 0.52
fMPA (mmol/L) 0.993
tMPAG (mmol/L) 0.18
fMPAG (mmol/L) 0.55
CLCR on CL fMPAG 1.36
Alb on Bmax 1.39
Ciclosporin on k57 0.002
Diagnostic plots, VPC
a

Values are range of mean PK parameters among races and fasted, after-meal and before-meal states.

b

It was unknown if Maalox® was taken.

c

No Maalox® taken.

d

Summary of results of the final base model, mean estimates [SE].

e

Considered but not in final model.

f

Based on median study weight (kg) with corticosteroid co-medication.

g

Population PK estimates given as mean [SE%].

h

Ciclosporin co-therapy.

i

Tacrolimus co-therapy.

j

Based on median study albumin 26g/L.

k

Final population PK model estimates given as mean [CV%].

l

PK parameters values are expressed as mean [SD].

m

Final population PK estimates given as mean [SE].

n

RUV is on a natural logarithmic-scale as data were logarithmically transformed.

o

During first 6 months post-transplant.

p

Final population PK model estimates expressed as mean.

q

Received MMF, ciclosporin and prednisolone.

r

Received MM F and prednisolone.

s

Parameter estimates of final population PK model expressed as mean [%RSE].

t

EHC model only developed in those patients receiving concomitant medication with sirolimus.

α=apparent rate constant of distribution; β=apparent rate constant of elimination; θ=covariate effects and correlation between CL/FMPAG and Q/F; λ1, λ2 = disposition rate constants of the 2 compartments; τgall=gallbladder emptying interval; a, b = gamma distribution parameters with single gamma absorption model; a1,b1, a2, b2=gamma distribution parameters with double gamma distribution model; A, B = disposition coefficient standardized per 100 mg dose; AcMPAG = MPA acyl-glucuronide; Add=additive error; Alb = plasma albumin concentration; bile=amount of MPAG in the gallbladder compartment; Bmax=maximum number of binding sites; BOV=between-occasion variability; BSV= between-subject variability; CL = apparent total clearance; CLCR=creatinine clearance; CL/F=apparent oral clearance; CLf=apparent formation clearance of MPA to MPAG; CV=coefficient of variation; D1,=duration of input (absorption); DGB=duration of gall bladder opening; EC-MPS=enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium; EHC=enterohepatic circulation; EHCP=% of MPA recycled into the body; EV=evening; Exp = exponential; Ffast=part of dose ending up in the fast absorption compartment; Fm=fraction of the MPA dose converted to MPAG; FMAG= ratio of the fraction of MPA metabolized to MPAG to the volume of distribution of MPAG; fMPA = unbound MPA; fMPAG = unbound MPAG; GFR=glomerular filtration rate; Hb = haemoglobin; kxy=transfer rate constant from compartment x to y; ka=absorption rate constant; kbile=biliary excretion rate constant of MPAG; ke = renal elimination constant; kGB = rate constant for the release of recirculated MPA from MPAG and AcM PAG into the depot compartment; km=formation rate constant of MPAG; kr = renal excretion rate constant of MPA; kr,m = renal excretion rate constant of MPAG; Laglong = lag time long absorption; Lagshort= lag time short absorption; M = morning; M1 =morning 1; M2 = morning 2; M3=morning 3; MAT=mean absorption time with single gamma absorption model; MAT1, MAT2 = mean absorption times with double gamma absorption model; MMF = mycophenolate mofetil; MPA=mycophenolic acid; MPAG=7-O-MPA-β-glucuronide; NONMEM = nonlinear mixed-effects modelling; NS = not stated; POP = part of the population; Prop = proportional error; Q/F = apparent intercompartmental clearance; RSE=relative standard error; RUV=residual variability; SD=standard deviation; SE=standard error; Tbile=time of bile release after dosing; TGB„=time of nth opening gallbladder compartment; tlag=lag time; tMPA=total MPA; tMPAG=total MPAG; V1/F = apparent volume of distribution in the central compartment after oral administration; V2/F=apparent volume of distribution of the peripheral compartment of MPA; V3/F = apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment of MPAG; V4/F = apparent volume of distribution of MPAG; Vd = apparent volume of distribution (V1/F + V2/F) for MPA; Vm=volume of central compartment for MPAG; VPC=visual predictive check; WT=bodyweight.