Bridging the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of UK-279,276 Across Healthy Volunteers and Stroke Patients Using a Mechanistically Based Model for Target-Mediated Disposition

Purpose UK-279,276 is a recombinant glycoprotein and is a selective antagonist of CD11b, which in preclinical models of acute stroke blocks the infiltration of activated neutrophils into the site of infarction. Binding of UK-279,276 to the CD11b receptors is hypothesized to facilitate its elimination. The event of an acute stroke leads to proliferation of neutrophils and an up-regulation of CD11b, which results in different pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) in patients than in healthy volunteers. The aim of this current analysis was to develop a mechanistically based model to bridge the differences between healthy volunteers and patients.Methods PK samples, neutrophil counts, and total number and number of free CD11b receptors per neutrophils from three healthy volunteer studies (n = 98) and one patient study (n = 169) were modeled using the mixed effects modeling software NONMEM version VI (beta). Three mechanistic submodels were developed based on underlying physiology and pharmacology: (1) neutrophil maturation and proliferation, (2) CD11b up-regulation, and (3) three clearance pathways for UK-279-276 including CD11b-mediated elimination.Results The model accurately described the time course of CD11b expression, CD11b binding, and the measured PK of UK-279,276 and accounted for the PK/PD differences between healthy volunteers and patients.Conclusions A complex mechanistic model that closely resembled the “true” underlying system provided an effective bridge between healthy volunteers and patients by appropriately accounting for the underlying disease-dependent target mediated disposition.     

Evaluation of the role of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in the clearance of UK-279,276 (recombinant neutrophil inhibitory factor)

1. UK-279,276 or recombinant neutrophil inhibitory factor (rNIF) is a glycoprotein that has been investigated as an intravenous treatment for stroke. Previous data indicate that the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the liver might have a role in the uptake and clearance of UK-279,276 from plasma in rats and dogs. 2. Biliary elimination of sialo UK-279,276 can be inhibited by the co-administration of asialo fetuin, a known substrate for ASGPR. These data are in keeping with sialo UK-279,276 being cleared by ASGPR. 3. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that asialo UK-279,276 (Sialo UK-279,276 treated to remove the sialic acid residues present on the glycans) shows a significantly greater uptake in rat, dog and human precision-cut liver slices than the sialylated protein. The addition of asialo fetuin to precision-cut liver slice incubations (rat, dog and man) containing asialo UK-279,276 reduced the uptake to levels similar to those seen for the sialylated protein. These data support the potential role of the ASGPR in the clearance of UK-279,276 in rat, dog and man.     

Role of mechanistically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models in drug development : a case study of a therapeutic protein

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This case study describes the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling undertaken during the development programme for UK-279,276 (neutrophil inhibitory factor), focusing on the transition from early empirical-based models to a final mechanistic-based model. UK-279,276 binds to the CD11b/CD18 (MAC-1) on neutrophils and was under development for the treatment of ischaemic stroke. METHODS: The aims, data, models, results and value-to-drug development process across four stages of model development are described: (i) the validation of the pharmacokinetic assay; (ii) the development and application of an empirical patient pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model; (iii) the development of a mechanistic-based model to bridge between patients and healthy volunteers; and (iv) propagation of the stage III model to a large efficacy study. The analyses utilised available concentration measurements (stages I-IV), CD11b receptor occupancy data (stages I-III) and neutrophil count data (stages III-IV) from three healthy volunteers (study 1, n=51; study 2, n=31; study 4, n=15) and two patient studies (study 3, n=169; study 5, n=992). In studies 1-4, subjects received placebo or between three and six doses of UK-279,276 covering a range of 0.006 and 1.5 mg/kg as a single 15-minute intravenous infusion. In study 5, subjects received placebo or one of 15 possible doses of UK-279,276 (10--20mg) assigned through adaptive design and administered as a single 15-minute intravenous infusion. All model building was conducted using NONMEM version VI (beta).The empirical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model developed during stage I was used to demonstrate that the pharmacokinetic assay was measuring biologically active drug. Simulations from the stage II model, developed from study 3, were used in the design of study 5. The model supported the switch to a fixed-dose regimen and the selection of the maximum dose and dosage increments. The common mechanistic-based model developed during stage III was used to support the 'comparability strategy' for UK-279,276 and provided insight into the underlying clearance mechanisms. At stage 4, the prior functionality available with NONMEM was used to successfully propagate the model from stage III in order to analyse the pharmacokinetic data from study 5. The analysis indicated that the exposure in study 5 was consistent with prior data. The role of empirical-based models in providing the learning for future mechanistic model development was highlighted. Similarly, the qualitative and quantitative aspects to knowledge propagation and the ultimate benefits from the development of the mechanistic-based model were demonstrated.While the empirical-based models were used to guide some early drug development decisions for UK-279,276, the development of the mechanistic-based model was valuable in linking the complex pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of UK-279,276 across the phases of drug development.     

Evaluation of the role of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in the clearance of UK-279,276 (recombinant neutrophil inhibitory factor)

1. UK-279,276 or recombinant neutrophil inhibitory factor (rNIF) is a glycoprotein that has been investigated as an intravenous treatment for stroke. Previous data indicate that the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the liver might have a role in the uptake and clearance of UK-279,276 from plasma in rats and dogs. 2. Biliary elimination of sialo UK-279,276 can be inhibited by the co-administration of asialo fetuin, a known substrate for ASGPR. These data are in keeping with sialo UK-279,276 being cleared by ASGPR. 3. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that asialo UK-279,276 (Sialo UK-279,276 treated to remove the sialic acid residues present on the glycans) shows a significantly greater uptake in rat, dog and human precision-cut liver slices than the sialylated protein. The addition of asialo fetuin to precision-cut liver slice incubations (rat, dog and man) containing asialo UK-279,276 reduced the uptake to levels similar to those seen for the sialylated protein. These data support the potential role of the ASGPR in the clearance of UK-279,276 in rat, dog and man.     

Pharmacokinetics and disposition of a novel NMDA glycine site antagonist (UK-240,455) in rats,dogs and man

1. UK-240,455 ((+) 6,7-dichloro-5-[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)methanesulphonamido]-2,3 (1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione) is a potent, selective N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) glycine site antagonist that is being evaluated for the potential treatment of stroke. 2. UK-240,455 is predominately excreted unchanged in urine (58-68%) in rats, dogs and man following intravenous administration. The remainder of the dose is excreted unchanged in the faeces. It is considered that UK-240,455 is predominantly cleared by active renal tubular secretion and active hepatobiliary transport. In man, there is evidence that UK-240,455 undergoes glucuronidation. However, there is no evidence for this in rats and dogs. 3. UK-240,455 has a short elimination half-life in rats, dogs and man (0.4-1.4 h) and clearances of 12, 13 and 6 ml min(-1) kg(-1), respectively. The compound shows limited tissue distribution with volumes of distribution of 0.4-0.8 l kg(-1) in rats, dogs and man. The species' variation in pharmacokinetic parameters was related allometrically when plasma protein binding was taken in to account. Hence, active hepatic or renal clearance processes for this compound were conserved across species. 4. Cerebrospinal fluid and brain concentrations of UK-240,455 were determined in rats. The cerebrospinal fluid/plasma concentration ratio of UK-240,455 was 4.3%, which was similar to the plasma-free fraction of this compound (3%), indicating good blood-brain barrier permeability. Brain tissue concentrations were low (0.7% of the total plasma concentrations).     

Pharmacokinetics and disposition of a novel NMDA glycine site antagonist (UK-240,455) in rats,dogs and man

1. UK-240,455 ((+) 6,7-dichloro-5-{ N- (2-hydroxyethyl)methanesulphonamido}-2,3 (1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione) is a potent, selective N- methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) glycine site antagonist that is being evaluated for the potential treatment of stroke. 2. UK-240,455 is predominately excreted unchanged in urine (58-68%) in rats, dogs and man following intravenous administration. The remainder of the dose is excreted unchanged in the faeces. It is considered that UK-240,455 is predominantly cleared by active renal tubular secretion and active hepatobiliary transport. In man, there is evidence that UK-240,455 undergoes glucuronidation. However, there is no evidence for this in rats and dogs. 3. UK-240,455 has a short elimination half-life in rats, dogs and man (0.4-1.4?h) and clearances of 12, 13 and 6 ml?min ? 1 kg ? 1, respectively. The compound shows limited tissue distribution with volumes of distribution of 0.4-0.8?l kg ? 1 in rats, dogs and man. The species' variation in pharmacokinetic parameters was related allometrically when plasma protein binding was taken in to account. Hence, active hepatic or renal clearance processes for this compound were conserved across species. 4. Cerebrospinal fluid and brain concentrations of UK-240,455 were determined in rats. The cerebrospinal fluid/plasma concentration ratio of UK-240,455 was 4.3%, which was similar to the plasma-free fraction of this compound (3%), indicating good blood-brain barrier permeability. Brain tissue concentrations were low (0.7% of the total plasma concentrations).     

4-(1,3-Dimethoxyprop-2-ylamino)-2,7-dimethyl-8-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine: a potent, orally bioavailable CRF(1) receptor antagonist

Structure-activity studies in the pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine series led to the discovery that compound 11i (DMP696) is a potent hCRF(1) receptor antagonist (K(i) = 1.7 nM vs 7.5 nM for alpha-hel-CRF(9-41), hCRF(1) adenylate cyclase IC(50) = 82 nM vs 286 nM for alpha-hel-CRF(9-41)). Compound 11i has excellent oral pharmacokinetic profiles in rats and dogs (37% and 50% oral bioavailabilities, respectively). This compound displays good activity in the rat situational anxiety model (MED = 3 mg/kg (po)), whereas a literature standard 1 (CP154526-1) was inactive (MED > 30 mg/kg (po)). Analogue 11i reduced stereotypical mouth movements in rhesus monkeys by 50% at 21 mg/kg (po) using the human intruder paradigm. Overall, the profile of pyrazolotriazine 11i indicates that hCRF(1) receptor antagonists may be anxiolytic agents, which have reduced motor side effect profiles.     

Nonlinear oral pharmacokinetics of the alpha-antagonist 4-amino-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-2-[4-(morpholinocarbonyl)-perhydro-1,4-diazepin-1-yl]quinoline in humans: use of preclinical data to rationalize clinical observations.

4-amino-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-2-[4-(morpholinocarbonyl)-perhydro-1,4-diazepin-1-yl]quinoline (UK-294,315) is an antagonist of the human alpha1-adrenoceptor and exhibits nonlinear oral pharmacokinetics in humans. Superproportional increases in Cmax occur (220-fold, over a 1- to 50-mg dose range), area under the curve increases linearly, but time to maximum concentration decreases with dose, suggesting variation in rate but not extent of absorption. Oral absorption in humans is extensive, with only 14% of an orally administered (20 mg) radiolabeled dose excreted unchanged in the feces. In rats and dogs, UK-294,315 is partially eliminated as unchanged drug in feces (29 and 14% of an intravenous dose, respectively). Oral bioavailability is low in rats (11%) and high in dogs (71%), in keeping with systemic clearance. Fecal elimination of unchanged drug was 60% after oral administration to rats, indicating incomplete absorption in this species, whereas absorption in dogs is complete. UK-294,315 is a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate (Km, 15 microM) exhibiting polarized flux in Caco-2 cell monolayers, saturable across a concentration range of 5 to 200 microM. Furthermore, the observations in vitro occurred at similar concentrations to those estimated in the gut lumen in clinical trials (dose range, 1-100 mg). It is considered that P-gp acts as a saturable absorption barrier to UK-294,315, slowing the rate of absorption at low doses, and is responsible for the observed nonlinearity in oral disposition in humans. Rat and dog pharmacokinetic studies offered limited insight into the process(es) driving nonlinear pharmacokinetics in humans. Our current understanding of the functional effects of P-gp in the human intestine, in combination with in vitro studies at clinically relevant concentrations, has helped rationalize the clinical data for UK-294,315.     

Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and efficacy profiles of alogliptin, a novel inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4, in rats, dogs, and monkeys

The aim of the present research was to characterize the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and efficacy profiles of alogliptin, a novel quinazolinone-based dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. Alogliptin potently inhibited human DPP-4 in vitro (mean IC(50), ~ 6.9 nM) and exhibited > 10,000-fold selectivity for DPP-4 over the closely related serine proteases DPP-2, DPP-8, DPP-9, fibroblast activation protein/seprase, prolyl endopeptidase, and tryptase (IC(50) > 100,000 nM). Absolute oral bioavailability of alogliptin in rats, dogs, and monkeys was 45%, 86%, and 72% to 88%, respectively. After a single oral dose of alogliptin, plasma DPP-4 inhibition was observed within 15 min and maximum inhibition was > 90% in rats, dogs, and monkeys; inhibition was sustained for 12 h in rats (43%) and dogs (65%) and 24 h in monkeys (> 80%). From E(max) modeling, 50% inhibition of DPP-4 activity was observed at a mean alogliptin plasma concentration (EC(50)) of 3.4 to 5.6 ng/ml (10.0 to 16.5 nM) in rats, dogs, and monkeys. In Zucker fa/fa rats, a single dose of alogliptin (0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) inhibited plasma DPP-4 (91% to 100% at 2 h and 20% to 66% at 24 h), increased plasma GLP-1 (2- to 3-fold increase in AUC(0-20 min)) and increased early-phase insulin secretion (1.5- to 2.6-fold increase in AUC(0-20 min)) and reduced blood glucose excursion (31%-67% decrease in AUC(0-90 min)) after oral glucose challenge. Alogliptin (30 and 100 mg/kg) had no effect on fasting plasma glucose in normoglycemic rats. In summary, these data suggest that alogliptin is a potent and highly selective DPP-4 inhibitor with demonstrated efficacy in Zucker fa/fa rats and potential for once-daily dosing in humans.     

Preclinical pharmacokinetics and metabolism of 6-(4-(2,5-difluorophenyl)oxazol-5-yl)-3-isopropyl-[1,2,4]-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine, a novel and selective p38alpha inhibitor: identification of an active metabolite in preclinical species and human liver microsomes

The disposition of 6-(4-(2,5-difluorophenyl)oxazol-5-yl)-3-isopropyl-[1,2,4]-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine (1), a potent and selective inhibitor of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase p38alpha, was characterized in several animal species in support of its selection for preclinical safety studies and potential clinical development. 1 demonstrated generally favorable pharmacokinetic properties in all species examined. Following intravenous (i.v.) administration, 1 exhibited low volumes of distribution at steady state (Vd(ss)) ranging from 0.4-1.3 l/kg (2.4-26 l/m(2)) in the rat, dog and monkey. Systemic plasma clearance was low in cynomolgus monkeys (6.00 ml/min/kg, 72.0 ml/min/m(2)) and Sprague-Dawley rats (7.65+/-1.08 ml/min/kg, 45.9+/-6.48 ml/min/m(2) in male rats and 3.15+/-0.27 ml/min/kg, 18.9+/-1.62 ml/min/m(2) in female rats) and moderate in beagle dogs (12.3+/-5.1 ml/min/kg, 246+/-102 ml/min/m(2)) resulting in plasma half-lives ranging from 1 to 5 h in preclinical species. Moderate to high bioavailability of 1 was observed in rats (30-65%), dogs (87%) and monkeys (40%) after oral (p.o.) dosing consistent with the in vitro absorption profile of 1 in the Caco-2 permeability assay. In rats, the oral pharmacokinetics were dose dependent over the dose range studied (5, 50 and 100 mg/kg). The principal route of clearance of 1 in rat, dog, monkey and human liver microsomes and in vivo in preclinical species involved oxidative metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes. The major metabolic fate of 1 in preclinical species and humans involved hydroxylation on the isopropyl group to yield the tertiary alcohol metabolite 2. In human liver microsomes, this transformation was catalysed by CYP3A4 as judged from reaction phenotyping analysis using isozyme-specific inhibitors and recombinant CYP enzymes. Metabolite 2 was also shown to possess inhibitory potency against p38alpha in a variety of in vitro assays. 1 as well as the active metabolite 2 were moderately to highly bound to plasma proteins (f(u) approximately 0.1-0.33) in rat, mouse, dog, monkey and human. 1 as well as the active metabolite 2 did not exhibit competitive inhibition of the five major cytochrome P450 enzymes namely CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4 (IC(50)>50 microM). Overall, these results indicate that the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) profile of 1 is relatively consistent across preclinical species and predict potentially favorable pharmacokinetic properties in humans, supporting its selection for toxicity/safety assessment studies and possible investigations in humans as an anti-inflammatory agent.     

Novel, potent, and selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors as antiasthmatic agents: synthesis and biological activities of a series of 1-pyridylnaphthalene derivatives

The structural requirements for potent and selective PDE4 inhibition were revealed in a 1-pyridylnaphthalene series, and the best compound (3kg, T-2585.HCl) was chosen for further biological evaluation (PDE4 inhibition IC50 = 0.13 nM, selectivity PDE3/4 ratio = 14 000). Compound 3kg showed potent antispasmogenic activities (ED50 = 0.063 mg/kg for reduction of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, intravenously; ED50 = 0.033 mg/kg for reduction of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction, intraduodenally) in guinea pigs with little cardiovascular effects. Furthermore, 3kg induced significantly weaker emetic effects than RP73401 after oral administration in ferrets and intravenous administration in dogs (3kg, none of 4 ferrets vomited at a dose of 10 mg/kg, po and none of 8 dogs vomited at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg, iv; RP73401, 4 of 8 ferrets vomited at a dose of 3 mg/kg, po and 6 of 8 dogs vomited at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg, iv); that is compatible with the lower affinity for the high-affinity rolipram binding site (3kg, 2.6 nM; RP73401, 0. 85 nM). This may imply that 3kg has an improved therapeutic ratio because of a broad margin between the Ki value of binding affinity and the IC50 value of PDE4 inhibition (ratio = 0.050).     

The partitioning of cimetidine into canine cerebrospinal fluid

The pharmacokinetics and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) partitioning of cimetidine were studied in the dog. Four healthy male mongrel dogs were given a 22 mg/kg iv dose of cimetidine. The dogs demonstrated metabolic and pharmacokinetic characteristics similar to human volunteers, as the total body clearance of cimetidine averaged 7.5 ml/min/kg in the dog as compared to 7.7 ml/min/kg in humans. Autopsy tissue concentrations were similar to those measured in humans. There were no statistical differences between dogs and humans in any pharmacokinetic parameters. Cimetidine sulfoxide was the major metabolite in the dog, similar to that in humans. Cimetidine CSF partitioning, as determined by the ratio of cimetidine CSF:serum area under the curve was 0.125 +/- 0.03. Cimetidine appears to enter the CSF by passive diffusion, and is removed by passive diffusion, CSF bulk flow, and possibly by an active transport process. We conclude that the dog is an appropriate animal to investigate cimetidine pharmacokinetics and is a suitable model for examining the CSF uptake of H2-antagonists.     

Inhibition of phenol sulfotransferase (SULT1A1) by quercetin in human adult and foetal livers

1. Quercetin is one of the most abundant flavonoids in edible vegetables, fruit and wine. The aim was to study the type of inhibition of SULT1A1 by quercetin in the human adult and foetal livers. 2. The activity of SULT1A1 was measured with 4 microM 4-nitrophenol and 0.4 microM 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulphate-[(35)S], and its mean (+/-SD) and median were 769 +/- 311 and 740 pmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively (adult liver, n = 10), and 185 +/- 98 and 201 pmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively (foetal liver, n = 8, p < 0.0001). 3. In non-inhibited samples, K(m) for SULT1A1 (mean +/- SD) was 0.31 +/- 0.14 microM (adult liver) and 0.49 +/- 0.17 microM (foetal liver, n.s.). V(max) for SULT1A1 (mean +/- SD) was 885 +/- 135 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) (adult liver) and 267 +/- 93 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) (foetal liver, p = 0.007). 4. The IC(50) of quercetin for SULT1A1 was measured in three samples of adult and foetal livers and was 13 +/- 2.1 and 12 +/- 1.4 nM, respectively. 5. The type of inhibition was mixed non-competitive in adult and foetal livers and K(i) was 4.7 +/- 2.5 nM (adult liver) and 4.8 +/- 1.6 nM (foetal liver). 6. In the adult liver, the intrinsic clearance (mean +/- SD) was 3.3 +/- 1.5 ml min(-1) mg(-1) (non-inhibited samples), 0.9 +/- 0.4 ml min(-1) mg(-1) (12.5 nM quercetin) and 0.5 +/- 0.06 ml min(-1) mg(-1) (25 nM quercetin). In the foetal liver, the intrinsic clearance (mean +/- SD) was 0.5 +/- 0.2 ml min(-1) mg(-1) (non-inhibited samples), 0.12 +/- 0.01 ml min(-1) mg(-1) (12.5 nM quercetin) and 0.2 +/- 0.09 ml min(-1) mg(-1) (25 nM quercetin). 7. In conclusion, quercetin is a potent inhibitor of human adult and foetal liver SULT1A1. It reduces the sulphation rate and intrinsic clearance of 4-nitrophenol in both human adult and foetal livers. This suggests that quercetin may inhibit the sulfation rate of those drugs sulphated by SULT1A1. The inhibition of SULT1A1 is complex and not due solely to competition at the catalytic site of SULT1A1.     

Antipyrine and lidocaine are cleared faster in horses than in humans: acetaminophen may be handled similarly

The following studies were designed to evaluate plasma elimination kinetics of intravenously administered antipyrine, acetaminophen and lidocaine among 9 healthy adult horses and 9 healthy drug-free humans (3 each per drug group), in order to compare potential species differences in drug-metabolizing ability. Acetaminophen is largely biotransformed in humans by hepatic glucuronide and sulfate conjugation, whereas both antipyrine and lidocaine are oxidized by hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidases. Thus, plasma clearances of these drugs are thought to reflect differences in hepatic oxidative and conjugative activity, and possibly hepatic blood flow in the case of lidocaine. Results showed that mean (+/- SD, n = 3) acetaminophen clearance was similar in both horses (4.84 +/- 0.637 ml/min/kg) and humans (4.68 +/- 0.691 ml/min/kg). However, antipyrine clearance was 10 times greater in horses (5.83 +/- 2.21 ml/min/kg) than in humans (0.536 +/- 0.110 ml/min/kg), which may reflect enhanced hepatic microsomal activity in horses. Although lidocaine clearance in humans was similar to estimated hepatic blood flow (20.6 +/- 5.81 ml/min/kg), clearance in horses was more than 2 times greater (52.0 +/- 11.7 ml/min/kg). The cause of the higher clearance of lidocaine in horses (like dogs) remains unexplained, and may involve significant metabolism of lidocaine at extrahepatic, extravascular sites, for intravascular degradation and renal excretion of intact lidocaine in horses was negligible. Although precise biochemical mechanisms underlying pharmacokinetic parameters for these drugs in horses were not determined, it is nonetheless concluded from antipyrine results that horses may have an enhanced ability (compared with humans) to clear drugs from the circulation that are primarily metabolized in the liver by phase I oxidative reactions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

On the antipyrine test in laboratory animals. Studies in the dog and monkey

The antipyrine (AP) test has been challenged in species other than humans on the grounds that, in some nonhuman species, particularly on induction, hepatic blood flow may become as prominent a factor in AP clearance as hepatic metabolism. Therefore, we investigated in dogs and monkeys the disposition of AP to determine how well AP serves as a model drug to indicate changes in rates of hepatic clearance. After administration of an oral solution of AP (5 mg/kg) to control dogs, the percentage of the dose absorbed was 98%, based on urinary and fecal excretion of AP and its metabolites. Despite complete AP absorption, absolute bioavailability of AP was 78 +/- 12% under basal conditions, suggesting that AP does undergo some degree of presystemic elimination, approximately 22%. After PB administration of 20 mg/kg/day for 9 days, po, AP bioavailability decreased to 60 +/- 14%. The systemic clearance of AP increased from 9.4 +/- 2.3 ml/min/kg under basal conditions to 27.5 +/- 4.6 ml/min/kg following PB. PB decreased mean plasma AP half-life from 71.5 min under basal conditions to 27.7 min, and mean hepatic blood flow increased from 0.49 liters/min to 0.63 liters/min. Induction doubled the hepatic extraction ratio for AP to 0.4 from 0.2 under basal conditions. In beagle dogs after PB pretreatment, 97% of the total systemic clearance of AP was estimated to be due to enhanced hepatic AP metabolism, only 3% to increased hepatic blood flow. Therefore, for dogs under both basal and induced conditions it is concluded that AP clearance reflects predominantly hepatic AP metabolism, being negligibly influenced by hepatic blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of a selective PDE5 inhibitor (UK-343,664) in rat and dog

1. UK-343,664 is a novel potent and selective PDE5 inhibitor. Plasma clearances in the male and female rat were high (120 and 54 ml min(-1) kg(-1)), giving rise to short elimination half-lives (0.2 and 0.3h respectively). Lower clearance in dog (14 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) was the primary factor resulting in a longer elimination half-life (3.7 h). The higher clearance in rat than dog was in agreement with in vitro metabolism rates in hepatic microsomes. 2. The volume of distribution was lower in rat (1.3-2.11 kg(-1)) compared with dog (4.61 kg(-1)) probably due to increased plasma protein binding in rat (96 versus 81% in dog). 3. Oral bioavailabilities were 2, 12 and 70% in the male and female rat and dog respectively. Tmax < or = 0.5 h in all animals. 4. In multiple oral dose studies, increased systemic exposure was seen with increasing dose up to doses of 200 mg kg(-1) in rat and 150 mg kg(-1) in dog. A marked super-proportional increase in the male rat indicated a capacity-limited clearance at high doses. 5. At the maximal dose of 200 mg kg(-1) in the female rat, no clinical signs were observed after 14 days of treatment. Only minimal signs were recorded in the male rat and dog at the highest dose levels investigated. 6. After single oral or intravenous doses of [14C]-UK-343,664, the majority of radioactivity was excreted in the faeces of both species. 7. UK-343,664 was extensively metabolized in both rat and dog. The major primary pathways in dog involved piperazine N-deethylation and loss of a two carbon fragment from the piperazine ring (N,N'-de-ethylation). More extensive metabolism in the rat included additional notable metalbolites arising from hydroxylation and lactamization of the piperazine ring, which were only minor metabolites in the dog.     

Non-peptide corticotropin-releasing hormone antagonists: syntheses and structure-activity relationships of 2-anilinopyrimidines and -triazines

Screening of our chemical library using a rat corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor assay led to the discovery that 2-anilinopyrimidine 15-1 weakly displaced [125I]-0-Tyr-oCRH from rat frontal cortex homogenates when compared to the known peptide antagonist alpha-helical CRH(9-41) (Ki = 5700 nM vs 1 nM). Furthermore, 15-1 weakly inhibited CRH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the same tissue, but it was less potent than alpha-helical CRH(9-41) (IC50 = 20 000 nM vs 250 nM). Systematic structure-activity relationship studies, using the cloned human CRH1 receptor assay, defined the pharmacophore for optimal binding to hCRH1 receptors. Several high-affinity 2-anilinopyrimidines and -triazines were discovered, some of which had superior pharmacokinetic profiles in the rat. This paper describes the structure-activity studies which improved hCRH1 receptor binding affinity and pharmacokinetic parameters in the rat. Compound 28-17 (mean hCRH1 Ki = 32 nM) had a significantly improved pharmacokinetic profile in the rat (19% oral bioavailability at 30 mg/kg) as well as in the dog (20% oral bioavailability at 5 mg/kg) relative to the early lead structures.     

Disposition of a novel and potent alpha(v)beta3 antagonist in animals, and extrapolation to man

1. The disposition of 3-[2-oxo-3-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,8]naphthyridin-2-yl) propyl]-imidazolidin-1-yl]-3(S)-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)propionic acid (compound A), a potent and selective alpha(v)beta(3) antagonist, was characterized in several animal species in support of its selection for preclinical safety studies and potential clinical development. 2. Compound A exhibited marked species differences in pharmacokinetics; the plasma clearances and bioavailabilities ranged from 33-47 ml min(-1) kg(-1) in rats and mice to 4-9 ml min(-1) kg(-1) in dogs and monkeys, and about 20% in rats to 70-80% in dogs and monkeys, respectively. Both the intravenous (i.v.) and oral kinetics of compound A were linear over the dose range studied in dogs (0.1-5 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 0.25-20 mg kg(-1) orally [p.o.]) and rats (1-30 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 4-160 mg kg(-1) p.o.). 3. Compound A was eliminated substantially by urinary excretion; the urinary recovery of the unchanged drug was 67% in rhesus, 48% in dogs and about 30% in rats. In these animal species, biotransformation was modest. 4. Following i.v. administration of [(14)C]-compound A to rats, the radioactivity rapidly distributed to all tissues investigated, with high levels of the radioactivity detected in liver, kidney and intestine soon after the drug administration. The radioactivity declined rapidly, with less than 1% of the i.v. dose remaining at 30-h post-dose. 5. Compound A was moderately bound to plasma proteins, with unbound fractions of 26, 20, 14 and 5% for rats, dogs, monkeys and humans, respectively. It was bound primarily to human alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (about 85% binding at 0.1% concentration), as compared with human albumin (< 50% binding at 4% concentration). 6. Using simple allometry, compound A was predicted to exhibit relatively low clearance (1-3 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) and low volume of distribution (0.1-0.3 l kg(-1)) in humans. Based on the predicted values, compound A was projected to exhibit a favourable oral pharmacokinetic profile in humans, with good bioavailability (50-80%). These predicted values provided a basis for compound selection for further development.     

Disposition of CP-671, 305, a selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor in preclinical species

1. The disposition of (+)-2-[4-({[2-(benzo[1,3] dioxol-5-yloxy)-pyridine-3-carbonyl]-amino)-methyl)-3-fluoro-phenoxyl-propionic acid (CP-671,305), a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (subtype D), was characterized in several animal species in support of its selection for preclinical safety studies and potential clinical development. 2. CP-671,305 demonstrates generally favourable pharmacokinetic properties in all species examined. Systemic plasma clearance after intravenous administration was low in Sprague-Dawley rats (9.60+/-1.16 ml min(-1) kg(-1)), beagle dogs (2.90+/-0.81 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) and cynomolgus monkeys (2.94+/-0.87ml min(-1) kg(-1)) resulting in plasma half-lives > 5 h. Moderate to high bioavailability in rats (43-80%), dogs (45%) and monkeys (26%) was observed after oral dosing. In rats, oral pharmacokinetics were dose dependent over the dose range studied (10 and 25 mgkg(-1)). 3. CP-671,305 was > 97% bound to plasma proteins in rat, dog, monkey and human. 4. The principal route of clearance of CP-671,305 in rats and dogs was by renal and biliary excretion of unchanged drug. This finding was consistent with CP-671,305 resistance towards metabolism in hepatocytes and NADPH-supplemented liver microsomes from preclinical species and human. 5. CP-671,305 did not exhibit competitive inhibition of the five major cytochrome P450 enzymes, namely CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4 (IC50's > 50 microM). Likewise, no time-dependent inactivation of the five major cytochrome P450 enzymes was discernible with CP-671,305. 6. Overall, the results indicate that the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) profile of CP-671,305 is relatively consistent across preclinical species and predict potentially favourable pharmacokinetic properties in humans, supporting its selection for toxicity/safety assessment studies and possible investigations in humans.