Caco-2细胞中药物转运蛋白的mRNA表达及活力评价

目的 系统研究Caco-2细胞中各药物转运蛋白的mRNA表达水平及转运活力,对比其与人正常肠道中药物转运蛋白表达的差异。方法 实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）方法测定Caco-2细胞中人肠道相关转运蛋白MDR1、BCRP、MRP2、OATP1A2、OATP2B1和PEPT1的表达水平;将Caco-2细胞接种于Transwell板内培养21 d并给予不同药物转运蛋白的底物及抑制剂,评价Caco-2细胞中相关转运蛋白的转运活性。结果 qRT-PCR结果表明,药物转运蛋白MDR1、MRP2、BCRP和OATP2B1在Caco-2细胞中均有相对高的表达,表达量的顺序为：MDR1 > MRP2 > OATP2B1 > BCRP,在正常人肠道表达量顺序为BCRP > MDR1 > MRP2 > OATP2B1;转运蛋白活力评价表明,各药物转运蛋白的活力测试结果均为阳性,验证了基因的表达水平结果。结论 Caco-2细胞中表达正常人体肠道表达的部分药物转运蛋白（MDR1、MRP2、BCRP和OATP2B1）,表达水平与正常人体肠道中大致相当,但也存在一定差异。     

Peptide prodrugs: improved oral absorption of lopinavir, a HIV protease inhibitor

Lopinavir (LVR) is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4 and is prevented from entering the cells by membrane efflux pumps such as P-gp and MRP2. In an approach to evade the first-pass metabolism and efflux of LVR, peptide prodrugs of LVR [valine-valine-lopinavir (VVL) and glycine-valine-lopinavir (GVL)] were synthesized. Prodrugs were identified with 1H and 13C NMR spectra and LC/MS/MS was employed to evaluate their mass and purity. Solubility studies indicated that the prodrugs have enhanced aqueous solubilities relative to parent LVR. Accumulation and transport data of VVL and GVL across MDCKII-MDR1 and MDCKII-MRP2 cells indicated evasion of prodrugs' efflux by P-gp and MRP2 significantly. Permeability studies across Caco-2 cells indicated that the prodrugs are transported by peptide transporters and have increased permeability as compared with LVR. VVL and GVL exhibited significantly better degradation rate constants as compared with LVR in rat liver microsomes. Enzymatic stability studies in Caco-2 cell homogenate indicated that the peptide prodrugs are first converted to the ester intermediate (amino acid prodrug VL) and then finally to the parent drug. Overall, the advantages of utilizing peptide prodrugs include chemical modification of the compound to achieve targeted delivery via peptide transporters present across the intestinal epithelium, significant evasion of efflux and CYP3A4 mediated metabolism and significantly better solubility profiles. Therefore, in vitro studies demonstrated that peptide prodrug derivatization of LVR may be an effective strategy for evading its efflux and enhancing its systemic concentrations.     

Both P-gp and MRP2 mediate transport of Lopinavir, a protease inhibitor

Polarized epithelial non-human (canine) cell lines stably transfected with human or murine complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding for various efflux transporters (P-gp/MDR1, MRP1, MRP2, and Bcrp1) were used to study transepithelial transport of Lopinavir (LVR) and compare results with the MDCKII-wild type cells. These transmembrane proteins cause multidrug resistance by decreasing the total intracellular accumulation of drugs. Lopinavir efflux was directional and was completely inhibited by MK-571, a selective MRP family inhibitor in the MDCKII-MRP2 cell line. Similarly, LVR efflux was also inhibited by P-gp inhibitors P-gp-4008 and GF120918 in the MDCKII-MDR1 cell line. The efflux ratios of LVR in the absence of any efflux inhibitors in the MDCK-wild type, MDCKII-MDR1, MDCKII-MRP1 and MDCKII-MRP2 cell monolayers were 1.32, 4.91, 1.26 and 2.89 respectively. The MDCKII-MDR1 and MDCKII-MRP2 cells have significantly increased LVR efflux ratio relative to the parental cells due to the apically directed transport by MDR1 and MRP2 respectively. The efflux ratios in MRP2 and MDR1 transfected cell lines were close to unity in the presence of MK-571 and P-gp-4008, respectively, indicating that LVR efflux by MRP2 and P-gp was completely inhibited by their selective inhibitors. MDCKII-MRP1 cells did not exhibit a significant reduction in the LVR efflux relative to the parental cells, indicating that LVR is not a good substrate for MRP1. Transport studies across MDCKII-Bcrp1 cells indicated that LVR is not transported by Bcrp1 and is not a substrate for this efflux protein. In conclusion, this study presents direct evidence that LVR is effluxed by both P-gp and MRP2 which may contribute to its poor oral bioavailability and limited penetration into the CNS.     

Delineating the contribution of secretory transporters in the efflux of etoposide using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells overexpressing P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), and canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT).

Multidrug resistance conferred to cancer cells is often mediated by the expression of efflux transporter "pumps". It is also believed that many of the same transporters are involved in drug efflux from numerous normal endothelial and epithelial cell types in the intestine, brain, kidney, and liver. Etoposide transport kinetics were characterized in Caco-2 cells and in well established Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCKII) cell lines that were stably-transfected with a human cDNA encoding P-glycoprotein (Pgp), human multidrug resistance protein (MRP1), or the canalicular multispecific organic anion (cMOAT) transporters to determine the roles of these transporters in etoposide efflux. Etoposide transport kinetics were concentration-dependent in the MDCKII-MDR1 and MDCKII-cMOAT cells. The apparent secretory Michaelis constant (Km) and carrier-mediated permeability (Pc) values for Pgp and cMOAT were 254.96 +/- 94.39 microM and 5.96 +/- 0.41 x 10(-6) cm/s and 616.54 +/- 163.15 microM and 1.87 +/- 0.10 x 10(-5) cm/s, respectively. The secretory permeability of etoposide decreased significantly in the basal to apical (B to A) (i.e., efflux) direction, whereas the permeability increased 2.3-fold in the apical to basal (A to B) direction in MDCKII-MDR1 cells in the presence of elacridar (GF120918). Moderate inhibition of etoposide efflux by leukotriene C4 (LTC4) was observed in MDCKII-cMOAT cells. Furthermore, etoposide inhibited LTC4 efflux, confirming the involvement of cMOAT. The flux of etoposide in MDCKII-MRP1 cells was similar to that in MDCKII/wt control cells. The current results demonstrate that the secretory transport mechanism of etoposide involves multiple transporters, including Pgp and cMOAT but not MRP1. These results demonstrate that Pgp and cMOAT are involved in the intestinal secretory transport of etoposide. Since the intestinal secretion of etoposide was previously reported in the literature, it also suggests that they may be involved in the in vivo intestinal secretion of etoposide; however, mechanistic in vivo studies are required to confirm this.     

Involvement of P-glycoprotein,Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein in the Transport of Belotecan and Topotecan in Caco-2 and MDCKII Cells

Purpose  To investigate the underlying mechanism of low bioavailabilities of the water-soluble camptothecin derivatives, belotecan and topotecan. Methods  The bioavailability of belotecan and topotecan in rats was determined following oral administration of each drug at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. The vectorial transport of each drug was measured in Caco-2 and engineered MDCK II cells. Results  The bioavailability of belotecan (11.4%) and topotecan (32.0%) in rats was increased to 61.5% and 40.8%, respectively, by the preadministration of CsA at a dose of 40 mg/kg. Contrary to the absorptive transport, the secretory transport of these drugs across the Caco-2 cell monolayer was concentration-dependent, saturable, and significantly inhibited by the cis presence of verapamil (a P-gp substrate), MK-571 (an MRP inhibitor), bromosulfophthalein (BSP, an MRP2 inhibitor), fumitremorgin C (FTC, a BCRP inhibitor) and cyclosporine A (CsA, an inhibitor of P-gp and BCRP, and a substrate of P-gp) suggesting the involvement of these transporters, which could be further confirmed in MDCKII/P-gp, MDCKII/MRP2 and MDCKII/BCRP cells. Conclusion  The involvement of secretory transporters P-gp, MRP2 and BCRP, particularly for belotecan, as well as a low passive permeability, appears to be responsible for the low bioavailability of belotecan and topotecan. Hong Li and Hyo-Eon Jin have contributed equally to this work.     

Is Ciprofloxacin a Substrate of P-glycoprotein?

INTRODUCTION: Studies using MDCKII and LLC-PK1 cells transfected with MDR1 cDNA indicate that ciprofloxacin is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein. However, our data has shown that transport studies done using different P-gp overexpressing cell lines (MDCKI-MDR1, MDCKII-MDR1 and L-MDR1), could lead to contradictory conclusion on whether a compound is a substrate of P-gp. The aim of our study was to determine if ciprofloxacin is indeed not a P-glycoprotein substrate using MDCKI cells transfected with human MDR1 cDNA. METHODS: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA level of MDR1 while Western blot was performed to determine the protein expression level of P-gp, MRP1 and MRP2 in various cells. Ciprofloxacin bidirectional transport studies were performed in MDCKI, MDCKI-MDR1, MDCKII, MDCKII-MDR1, MDCKII-MRP2, LLC-PK1, L-MRP1 and L-MDR1 cells. RESULTS: Ciprofloxacin showed net secretion in MDCKI-MDR1 but net absorption in MDCKI cells. Various P-gp inhibitors decreased the B to A and increased the A to B transport of ciprofloxacin in MDCKI-MDR1 cells while having no effect in MDCKI cells. The B to A transport of ciprofloxacin in MDCKI-MDR1 cells was not affected by non-P-gp inhibitors. In the presence of indomethacin, ciprofloxacin showed net secretion instead of net absorption in MDCKI cells while in the presence of probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, there was no net secretion and absorption. There was no difference in ciprofloxacin transport between MDCKII and MDCKII-MDR1, LLC-PK1 and L-MDR1, LLC-PK1 and L-MRP1 and MDCKII and MDCKII-MRP2. CONCLUSIONS: Transport data in MDCKI and MDCKI-MDR1 cells indicate that ciprofloxacin is a substrate of P-gp but data from MDCKII, MDCKII-MDR1, LLC-PK1 and L-MDR1 cells indicate that ciprofloxacin is not a substrate of P-gp. Vinblastine, a well-known P-gp substrate, also did not show differences between LLC-PK1 and L-MDR1 cells. Further studies need to be performed to characterize these P-gp overexpressing cell lines and the transport of ciprofloxacin.     

Differential effect of P-gp and MRP2 on cellular translocation of gemifloxacin

Fluoroquinolones are broad spectrum antibiotics widely indicated in the treatment of both human and animal diseases. The primary objective of this study was to assess short and long term affinities of gemifloxacin towards efflux transporters (P-gp, MRP2) and nuclear hormone receptor (PXR). Uptake and dose dependent inhibition studies were performed with [¹⁴C] erythromycin (0.25 μCi/ml) on MDCKII-MDR1 and MDCKII-MRP2 cells. Cellular accumulation of calcein-AM was further determined to confirm the affinity of gemifloxacin towards P-gp and MRP2. Transport studies were conducted to determine bi-directional permeability and to assess efflux ratio of gemifloxacin. LS-180 cells were treated with three different concentrations of gemifloxacin for 72 h and real-time PCR analysis was performed to study the quantitative gene expression levels of PXR, MDR1 and MRP2. Further, [¹⁴C] erythromycin uptake was also performed on LS-180 treated cells to better delineate the functional activity of efflux transporters. Results from our study suggest that gemifloxacin may be a substrate of both the efflux transporters studied. This compound inhibited both P-gp and MRP2 mediated efflux of [¹⁴C] erythromycin in a dose dependent manner with IC₅₀ values of 123 ± 2 μM and 16 ± 2 μM, respectively. The efflux ratio of [¹⁴C] erythromycin lowered from 3.56 to 1.63 on MDCKII-MDR1 cells and 4.93 to 1.26 on MDCKII-MRP2 cells. This significant reduction in efflux ratio further confirmed the substrate specificity of gemifloxacin towards P-gp and MRP2. Long term exposure significantly induced the expression of PXR (18 fold), MDR1 (6 fold) and MRP2 (6 fold). A decrease (20%) in [¹⁴C] erythromycin uptake further confirmed the elevated functional activity of P-gp and MRP2. In conclusion, our studies demonstrated that gemifloxacin is effluxed by both P-gp and MRP2. Long term exposure induced their gene expression and functional activity. This substrate specificity of gemifloxacin towards these efflux transporters may be one of the major factors accounting for low oral bioavailability (71%). Better understanding of these mechanistic interactions may aid in the development of newer strategies to achieve adequate therapeutic levels and higher bioavailability.     

Ochratoxin A secretion by ATP-dependent membrane transporters in Caco-2 cells

The ATP-dependent membrane transporters, P-gp, MRP2 and BCRP, localized in the luminal membranes of the intestines, liver and kidney, counteract absorption and increase excretion of xenobiotics and drugs. Previously, it has been suggested that the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is a substrate for ATP-dependent transporters, and hence the absorption and secretion of OTA in the Caco-2 cell model was investigated. To this end, Caco-2 cells were cultured as confluent monolayers in bicameral inserts and the transepithelial transport of the mycotoxin was assessed. Caco-2 cells secreted OTA to the luminal side in a concentration-dependent manner. This secretory permeability was higher than the absorptive permeability, while the absorptive permeability remained constant for all OTA concentrations tested. The secretion decreased and absorption increased in the presence of the MRP-inhibitor MK571, the P-gp and BCRP inhibitor GF120918, and the BCRP-inhibitor Ko143, suggesting that the secretion of OTA is mediated by MRP2 and BCRP. Cyclosporine A also decreased the secretory permeability, but did not affect absorptive permeability, while PSC833 did neither change absorption nor secretion of OTA. Hence it can be suggested that OTA is a substrate for MRP2 as well as BCRP. These findings are of interest in evaluating mycotoxin absorption after oral ingestion, tissue distribution and particularly excretion pathways, including renal, biliary and mammary gland excretion.     

Variability in mRNA expression of ABC- and SLC-transporters in human intestinal cells: comparison between human segments and Caco-2 cells.

The Caco-2 cell monolayer model is widely used as a tool for evaluating human intestinal permeability and interaction with transporters. Therefore, we determined mRNA levels for 15 of the most frequently studied uptake and efflux transporters (MDR1, MRP2-3, BCRP, OCTN2, PepT1, OATP-B, OATP8, OCT1-3, OAT1-3, MCT1) using real-time PCR in Caco-2 cells and in human jejunum and colon. The expression levels in the Caco-2 cells did not significantly vary between different passages (p29-43) and batches for any of the genes measured. However, levels increased with culture time (1-5 weeks) for PepT1, MDR1, MRP2, OATP-B and BCRP. The general rank order of the gene expression levels in Caco-2 cells was established as follows: MRP2>OATP-B>PepT1>MDR1>MCT1 approximately MRP3 approximately BCRP approximately OCTN2>OCT3>OCT1>OAT2. Four genes were absent: OATP8, OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3. Ranking of 11 expressed genes showed a significant correlation between human jejunum and 2-5-week-old Caco-2 cells. The expression profile in colon was, however, very different compared to both Caco-2 cells and jejunum. We conclude that the Caco-2 cells in our hands express similar transporters as the human jejunum, but are different from colon, indicating their usefulness for obtaining small intestinal transport data. In addition, we also suggest that cells with a well-defined range of culture ages should be used to minimize variability in data from experiments and even erroneous conclusions.     

Differential selectivity of efflux transporter inhibitors in Caco-2 and MDCK-MDR1 monolayers: a strategy to assess the interaction of a new chemical entity with P-gp, BCRP, and MRP2

Determining the interaction of a molecule with membrane transporters is challenging because of overlapping substrate and inhibitor specificities and coexpression of multiple transporters. Caco-2 and MDCK-MDR1 cells were used to evaluate the selectivity of zosuquidar (LY335979), fumitremorgin C (FTC), and MK571 as inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), respectively. Although these compounds are commonly used as transporter inhibitors, the concentrations at which they selectively inhibit P-gp, BCRP, and MRP2 have not been definitively assessed. In Caco-2 cells, which express P-gp, BCRP, and MRP2, FTC (1 μM) selectively inhibited the efflux of BCRP substrates estrone-3-sulfate and genistein; however, at 10 μM, FTC partially inhibited the efflux of P-gp substrates paclitaxel and digoxin. MK571 (50 μM), commonly used to inhibit MRP2, inhibited the efflux of P-gp and BCRP probe substrates in Caco-2 cells. In MDCK-MDR1 cells, which express human P-gp but not BCRP or MRP2, MK571 (50 μM) and FTC (10 μM) did not inhibit paclitaxel and digoxin efflux. Using Caco-2 cell monolayers, selected probe substrates, and optimized concentrations of LY335979 (3 μM) and FTC (1 μM), we propose a strategy to evaluate the interaction of a molecule with P-gp, BCRP, and MRP2.     

Presence or absence of a gallate moiety on catechins affects their cellular transport

The accumulation of (-)-epicatechin (EC), a non-gallate catechin, was significantly lower than that of (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), a gallate catechin, in Caco-2 cells. Using Caco-2 cell monolayers cultured in transwells, the transport of catechins in the basolateral-to-apical direction was much higher than that in the apical-to-basolateral direction, suggesting the involvement of an efflux transporter. Moreover, the results suggest that involvement of a transporter in EC efflux is greater than that for ECG. Treatment with transporter inhibitors MK571, quinidine or mitoxantrone, which inhibit MRP2, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and BCRP, respectively, led to an increase in the accumulation of EC into Caco-2 cells and a decrease in the Papp ratio (Papp B-->A/Papp A-->B) for EC. These transporters seemed to be involved in EC efflux. BCRP was not an efflux transporter for ECG, and the influences of MRP2 and P-gp on ECG efflux were lower than for EC. Thus, efflux transporters appear to be responsible for the difference in cellular accumulation of EC versus ECG, suggesting that the presence or absence of a gallate moiety in the catechin structure influences the transporters.     

Intestinal efflux transporters and drug absorption

BACKGROUND: The intestinal epithelial membrane expresses ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multi-drug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), in addition to various solute carrier (SLC) transporters. These ABC transporters affect the oral bioavailability of their substrate drugs. OBJECTIVE: To review the contribution of ABC efflux transporters such as P-gp, MRP2, MRP3, and BCRP in the intestinal absorption of substrate drugs. METHODS: Discussion was made by focusing on the site-specific expression and function of these ABC transporters, and the solubility and permeability of their substrate compounds. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The increase in the solubility and permeability of orally administered drugs could be the key to escape barrier function of ABC transporters, especially P-gp.     

Application and limitation of inhibitors in drug-transporter interactions studies

The objective of the present study was to investigate the reliability of transporter inhibitors in the elucidation of drug-transporter interactions when multiple transporters are present in a test system. The bidirectional permeabilities of digoxin, estrone-3-sulfate (E3S), and sulfasalazine, substrates of P-gp, BCRP/MRP2 and unspecified efflux transporters, respectively, were examined in Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK cells in the absence and presence of transporter inhibitors: CsA (P-gp), FTC (BCRP) and MK571 (MRP). Digoxin showed significant efflux ratios (ER) in both Caco-2 (ER=17) and MDR-MDCK (ER=120), whereas E3S and sulfasalazine only showed significant efflux in Caco-2 (ER=15 and 88, respectively) but not in MDR-MDCK cells (ER=1.1 and 1.3, respectively). CsA at 10 microM showed complete inhibition of digoxin efflux, partial inhibition of E3S efflux and no effect on sulfasalazine efflux. FTC and MK571 had different inhibitory effects on the efflux of these compounds. The present study shows evidence of the functional expression of multiple efflux transporter systems in Caco-2 cells. Although the use of Caco-2 cells and selected inhibitors of efflux transporters can provide useful mechanistic information on drug-drug interactions involving efflux transporters, the potential cross-reaction of inhibitors with multiple transporters makes it difficult to discern the role of individual transporters in drug transport or drug-drug interactions.     

Vectorial transport of fexofenadine across Caco-2 cells: involvement of apical uptake and basolateral efflux transporters

Fexofenadine is a nonsedative antihistamine that exhibits good oral bioavailability despite its zwitterionic chemical structure and efflux by P-gp. Evidence exists that multiple uptake and efflux transporters play a role in hepatic disposition of fexofenadine. However, the roles of specific transporters and their interrelationship in intestinal absorption of this drug are unclear. This study was designed to elucidate vectorial absorptive transport of fexofenadine across Caco-2 cells involving specific apical uptake and efflux transporters as well as basolateral efflux transporters. Studies with cellular models expressing single transporters showed that OATP2B1 expression stimulated uptake of fexofenadine at pH 6.0. Apical uptake of fexofenadine into Caco-2 cells was decreased by 45% by pretreatment with estrone 3-sulfate, an OATP inhibitor, at pH 6.0 but not at pH 7.4, indicating that OATP2B1 mediates apical uptake of fexofenadine into these cells. Examination of fexofenadine efflux from preloaded Caco-2 cells in the presence or absence of (i) the MRP inhibitor MK-571 and (ii) the P-gp inhibitor GW918 showed that apical efflux is predominantly mediated by P-gp, with a small contribution by MRP2, whereas basolateral efflux is predominantly mediated by MRP3. These results also showed that while OSTαβ is functionally active in the basolateral membrane of Caco-2 cells, it does not play a role in the export of fexofenadine. MK-571 decreased the absorptive transport of fexofenadine by 17%. However, the decrease in absorptive transport by MK-571 was 42% when P-gp was inhibited by GW918. The results provide a novel insight into a vectorial transport system mainly consisting of apical OATP2B1 and basolateral MRP3 that may play an important role in delivering hydrophilic anionic and zwitterionic drugs such as pravastatin and fexofenadine into systemic circulation upon oral administration.     

噻吩诺啡在Caco-2细胞上的转运特征

目的探讨噻吩诺啡在Caco-2细胞上的转运特征及其对P-糖蛋白(P-gp)功能和表达的影响。方法采用高效液相色谱-质谱-质谱法测定噻吩诺啡浓度,研究噻吩诺啡在单层细胞中的双向转运,考察时间及转运蛋白抑制剂对噻吩诺啡在Caco-2细胞上转运的影响;流式细胞仪检测胞内钙黄绿素-AM浓度,评价噻吩诺啡对P-gp的抑制作用;采用Western蛋白印迹法检测P-gp表达。结果噻吩诺啡通过Caco-2单层细胞的转运量在1.5h内随时间延长呈线性增加,表观渗透系数(Papp)2.338×10-6cm.s-1;加入P-gp及多药耐药相关蛋白2(MRP2)抑制剂环孢素A和MK571后分别提高2.8和2.3倍;在噻吩诺啡作用下,胞内钙黄绿素-AM浓度无显著变化,P-gp表达无显著增加。结论噻吩诺啡在Caco-2细胞吸收中等偏差,是P-gp和MRP2的共同底物,噻吩诺啡对P-gp无诱导或抑制作用。     

LC-MS测定雷公藤甲素及其在Caco-2细胞上的转运特征

目的：建立体外模拟体内肠道细胞的Caco-2细胞Transwell模型,以此研究雷公藤甲素在Caco-2细胞模型上的跨膜转运特征。方法：采用聚酯碳酸酯膜连续培养Caco-2细胞21天,形成致密的单层细胞模型。然后对影响雷公藤甲素在Caco-2细胞模型上转运特征的因素包括浓度、时间及跨膜转运蛋白（P-糖蛋白,多药耐药蛋白,乳腺癌耐药蛋白）进行考察;同时采用LC-MS对溶液中的雷公藤甲素的含量进行测定。结果：雷公藤甲素主要以主动转运的方式进行吸收,且随着时间和药物浓度的增加,转运量明显增加。结论：雷公藤甲素在Caco-2细胞上转运存在一定的浓度及时间依赖性,且P-gp介导雷公藤甲素在Caco-2细胞上转运。     

Effect of structural modification of α-aminoxy peptides on their intestinal absorption and transport mechanism

A representative α-aminoxy peptide 1 has been demonstrated to have a potential for the treatment of human diseases associated with Cl(-) channel dysfunctions. However, its poor intestinal absorption was determined. The purpose of this study was to delineate the transport mechanism responsible for its poor absorption and also to prepare peptide analogues by structural modifications of 1 at its isobutyl side chains without changing the α-aminoxy core for retaining biological activity to improve the intestinal absorption. The poor intestinal absorption of 1 was proved to be due to the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated efflux transport in Caco-2 cell monolayer, intestinal segments in Ussing chamber and rat single pass intestinal perfusion models. Four analogues with propionic acid (2), butanamine (3), methyl (4) and hydroxymethyl side chains (5) were synthesized and tested using the same models. Except for the permeability of 2, the absorbable permeability of the modified peptides in Caco-2 cell monolayer and their intestinal absorption in rats were significantly improved to 7-fold (3), 4-fold (4), 11-fold (5) and 36-fold (2), 42-fold (3), 55-fold (4), 102-fold (5), respectively, compared with 1 (P(app), 0.034 ± 0.003 × 10(-6) cm/s; P(blood), 1.61 ± 0.807 × 10(-6) cm/s). More interestingly, the structural modification remarkably altered transport mechanism of the peptides, leading to the conversion of the active transport via P-gp mediation (1, 2), to MRP mediation (3), MRP plus BCRP mediation (4) or a passive diffusion (5). Furthermore, P-gp mediated efflux transport of 1 and 2 was demonstrated to not alter the P-gp expression, while 1 but not 2 exhibited uncompetitive inhibitory effect on P-gp ATPase. The results demonstrated that intestinal absorption and transport mechanism of the α-aminoxy peptides varied significantly with different structures, and their absorption can be dramatically improved by structural modifications, which allow us to further design and prepare better α-aminoxy peptide candidates with appropriate pharmacokinetic fates, including intestinal absorption, for potential clinical use.     

Transport characteristics of isorhamnetin across intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers and the effects of transporters on it

Flavonoid isorhamnetin occurs in various plants and herbs, and demonstrates various biological effects in humans. This work will clarify the isorhamnetin absorption mechanism using the Caco-2 monolayer cell model. The isorhamnetin transport characteristics at different concentrations, pHs, temperatures, tight junctions and potential transporters were systemically investigated. Isorhamnetin was poorly absorbed by both passive diffusion and active transport mechanisms. Both trans- and paracellular pathways were involved during isorhamnetin transport. Active transport under an ATP-dependent transport mechanism was mediated by the organic anion transporting peptide (OATP); isorhamnetin’s permeability from the apical to the basolateral side significantly decreased after estrone-3-sulfate was added (p < 0.01). Efflux transporters, P-glycoproteins (P-gp), breast cancer resistance proteins (BCRP) and multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs) participated in the isorhamnetin transport process. Among them, the MRPs (especially MRP2) were the main efflux transporters for isorhamnetin; transport from the apical to the basolateral side increased 10.8-fold after adding an MRP inhibitor (MK571). This study details isorhamnetin’s cellular transport and elaborates isorhamnetin’s absorption mechanisms to provide a foundation for further studies.