Recombinant human transforming growth factor beta (rhTGF-beta 1) enhances the healing process after topical application to various animal wound models. A detailed pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study was performed to support the clinical development of rhTGF-beta 1 for wound healing indications. Rats received radioiodinated or unlabeled rhTGF-beta 1 as an intravenous (iv) bolus or as a topical formulation applied to a full thickness wound. Plasma concentrations of TGF-beta 1 were estimated from TCA-precipitable radioactivity or were measured by ELISA. Following iv administration, the initial half-life was rapid (< 11 min), regardless of whether radiolabeled or unlabeled rhTGF-beta 1 was used. The terminal half-life was long (163 min) when the test material was radioiodinated and administered as a trace dose and relatively short (< or = 61 min) when given at high doses and assayed by ELISA. Analysis of plasma radioactivity by SDS-PAGE revealed a time-dependent clearance of the 25-kDa parent molecule without a significant appearance of lower molecular weight radiolabeled metabolites. The majority of the radioactivity was associated with highly perfused organs, known iodide elimination pathways, and the thyroid at 1 and 8 hr after iv injection. After topical administration of a high dose (0.8 mg/kg), no immunoreactive TGF-beta 1 was detectable in plasma samples taken over a 48-hr period. However, trace amounts (< or = 0.05 ng/mL) of acid-precipitable radioactivity were detected in plasma after topical application of [125I]rhTGF-beta 1 (1 microgram/kg, 126 microCi/kg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)