Identification of CYP isozymes involved in benzbromarone metabolism in human liver microsomes

Benzbromarone (BBR) is metabolized to 1′‐hydroxy BBR and 6‐hydroxy BBR in the liver. 6‐Hydroxy BBR is further metabolized to 5,6‐dihydroxy BBR. The aim of this study was to identify the CYP isozymes involved in the metabolism of BBR to 1′‐hydroxy BBR and 6‐hydroxy BBR and in the metabolism of 6‐hydroxy BBR to 5,6‐dihydroxy BBR in human liver microsomes. Among 11 recombinant P450 isozymes examined, CYP3A4 showed the highest formation rate of 1′‐hydroxy BBR. The formation rate of 1′‐hydroxy BBR significantly correlated with testosterone 6β‐hydroxylation activity in a panel of 12 human liver microsomes. The formation of 1′‐hydroxy BBR was completely inhibited by ketoconazole in pooled human liver microsomes. On the other hand, the highest formation rate of 6‐hydroxy BBR was found in recombinant CYP2C9. The highest correlation was observed between the formation rate of 6‐hydroxy BBR and diclofenac 4′‐hydroxylation activity in 12 human liver microsomes. The formation of 6‐hydroxy BBR was inhibited by tienilic acid in pooled human liver microsomes. The formation of 5,6‐dihydroxy BBR from 6‐hydroxy BBR was catalysed by recombinant CYP2C9 and CYP1A2. The formation rate of 5,6‐dihydroxy BBR was significantly correlated with diclofenac 4′‐hydroxylation activity and phenacetin O‐deethylation activity in 12 human liver microsomes. The formation of 5,6‐dihydroxy BBR was inhibited with either tienilic acid or α‐naphthoflavone in human liver microsomes. These results suggest that (i) the formation of 1′‐hydroxy BBR and 6‐hydroxy BBR is mainly catalysed by CYP3A4 and CYP2C9, respectively, and (ii) the formation of 5,6‐dihydroxy BBR is catalysed by CYP2C9 and CYP1A2 in human liver microsomes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.