Ex vivo human placental transfer of trovafloxacin

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the ex vivo human placental transfer of trovafloxacin from the maternal circulation to the fetal circulation. Methods: Six placentas from uncomplicated, term, vaginal or cesarean deliveries were studied using the ex vivo isolated cotyledon perfusion chamber; ¹⁴C-antipyrine was used as a reference compound to determine the clearance index (CI) of trovafloxacin. Results: The CI of trovafloxacin was 0.19 ± 0.13 at a mean trough concentration of 1.38 ± 0.22 μg/ml and 0.16 ± 0.10 at a mean peak concentration of 7.48 ± 2.3 μg/ml as determined by our newly developed high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay. Tissue concentration did not exceed maternal concentration, and there was little or no accumulation when the perfusion system was closed for 1 hr. Conclusions: Trovafloxacin crosses the placenta by simple diffusion and does not accumulate in the media to any extent, nor does it bind to tissue or accumulate in the placenta.