Evaluation of the impact of waterpipe tobacco smoke exposure on the activity and expression of rat hepatic CYP450: a pharmacokinetic study

Abstract

Waterpipe smoke contains many toxic constituents that can alter drug pharmacokinetics. This study assessed the effect of waterpipe smoke exposure on the activity and expression of CYP450 enzymes in rats. Animals (n?=?10/group) were exposed to either waterpipe smoke or side-stream cigarette smoke for 1?h/day (6 days/week) for 31 days, or fresh air (control). An intragastric cocktail solution containing three probe drugs, phenacetin, chlorzoxazone and testosterone was administered to assess the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A, respectively. Serum concentrations were determined using LC-MS/MS and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The mRNA expression of hepatic enzymes was also quantified. Waterpipe and cigarette smoke exposure did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of phenacetin, chlorzoxazone and testosterone. For example, the clearance and drug exposure values were comparable among groups for all probe drugs. Additionally, there was no significant effect of waterpipe and cigarette smoke on mRNA expression of hepatic CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A2. The results demonstrate that waterpipe smoke exposure had no effect on the functional expression of three key CYP450 isoforms in rats. Future research is required with longer exposure periods to waterpipe smoke. Such work serves to enhance current understanding of effect of waterpipe smoke exposure on pharmacokinetics.     

Phenacetin and chlorzoxazone biotransformation in aging male Fischer 344 rats

We evaluated the role of specific isoforms in the biotransformation of phenacetin and chlorzoxazone and examined the effect of age on these reactions using liver microsomes from Fischer 344 rats between 3 and 26 months of age. Using rat cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, we found that phenacetin biotransformation was primarily mediated by CYP2C6 and CYP1A isoforms, while chlorzoxazone biotransformation was largely mediated by CYP2E1 and CYP1A1. Incubations with liver microsomes prepared from rats of varying ages demonstrated that both phenacetin and chlorzoxazone biotransformation declined with age. Metabolite formation rates in the old rats (25-26 months) were reduced by approximately 60-70% for these reactions. This study suggests that the activity of CYP2E and CYP1A enzymes decline with age in the rat liver. Also, the relative specificity of the index substrates phenacetin (for CYP1A2) and chlorzoxazone (for CYP2E1) in man appears not to be applicable in rats.     

丹参-红花药对配伍前后对大鼠肝药酶亚型CYP1A2、CYP2E1和CYP3A4活性的影响

目的 研究丹参、红花药对配伍前后对大鼠肝药酶亚型CYP1A2、CYP2E1和CYP3A4活性的影响。方法 分别选用咖啡因、氯唑沙宗和咪达唑仑作为CYP1A2、CYP2E1和CYP3A4的探针药物。将大鼠随机分为4组,即空白对照组、丹参（1.2 g生药/kg）组、红花（0.4 g生药/kg）组、丹参（1.2 g生药/kg）+红花（0.4 g生药/kg）组,按上述剂量ig给药7 d。于末次给药后30 min,尾iv探针药物咖啡因、氯唑沙宗和咪达唑仑溶液,在不同的时间点取血进行检测;以甲硝唑为内标,采用HPLC法检测探针药物咖啡因、氯唑沙宗和咪达唑仑的量,评价各药物组对大鼠CYP3A4、CYP2E1和CYP1A2活性的影响。结果 与空白对照组比较,丹参组咖啡因、氯唑沙宗和咪达唑仑的清除率（CL）有所增强,曲线下面积（AUC）减少,其半衰期（t_1/2）有减少趋势,但差异均不显著;红花组咖啡因和氯唑沙宗的CL有所降低,但差异不显著,咪达唑仑的CL显著降低（P<0.01）,氯唑沙宗的AUC增加,但差异不显著,咖啡因和咪达唑仑的AUC明显增加（P<0.05、0.01）;丹参+红花组咖啡因和氯唑沙宗的CL明显降低（P<0.05）,曲线下面积（AUC）明显增加（P<0.05）,其t_1/2有延长趋势,但差异不显著。结论 丹参、红花配伍后对CYP450亚型CYP1A2和CYP2E1有抑制作用,这可能是丹参、红花配伍协同增效的作用机制之一。     

酒精性肝损伤大鼠细胞色素P450 CYP2E1和细胞色素P450 CYP3A的代谢活性

目的观察酒精性肝损伤对大鼠细胞色素P450CYP3A(CYP3A)和细胞色素P450CYP2E1(CYP2E1)代谢活性的影响。方法采用ig给予白酒制备大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型,检测血清中谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性,采用HE染色法光镜下观测酒精对肝脏损伤程度。大鼠ip给予CYP3A探针药物咪达唑仑10mg·kg-1或ig给予CYP2E1探针药物氯唑沙宗50mg·kg-1后,采用高效液相色谱法测定不同时间点大鼠血浆中咪达唑仑和氯唑沙宗的血药浓度,并应用3P87软件计算其药代动力学参数,以考察CYP2E1和CYP3A的代谢活性的变化。大鼠ig给予氯唑沙宗80mg·kg-1后,热板方法测定大鼠添足次数和添足反射潜伏期。结果酒精性肝损伤可致大鼠肝小叶结构不清,肝索排列紊乱,肝细胞体积增大,呈弥漫性中度水变性,肝窦受压,大部分肝细胞胞浆内见大小不等的脂肪空泡;与正常对照组相比,酒精性肝损伤组大鼠GPT和GOT活性分别增加了16.0%和20.0%(P<0.05,P<0.01)。酒精性肝损伤致大鼠CYP2E1对探针药物氯唑沙宗的代谢活性增强,AUC,t1/2和cmax分别降低了38.0%,30.5%和35.0%(P<0.05);酒精肝损伤组大鼠氯唑沙宗镇痛效果明显降低;酒精性肝损伤致大鼠CYP3A对探针药物咪达唑仑的代谢活性增强,AUC,t1/2和cmax分别降低了122.6%,54.9%和56.9%(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论酒精性肝损伤可使大鼠CYP2E1和CYP3A代谢活性增强。     

糖尿病模型大鼠肝脏CYP2E1酶活性的变化

采用四氧嘧啶诱发糖尿病大鼠模型,测定肝苯胺羟化酶及其他药酶活性,同时用氯唑沙宗探针间接评价CYP2E1的活性。结果表明,糖尿病大鼠苯胺羟化酶活性增加80%,伴有其他药酶活性增加。大鼠单次po氯唑沙宗50mg·kg^-1,糖尿病组氯唑沙宗的C_max和AUC分别减少37%和34%,6 羟氯唑沙宗的Tpeak缩短,羟化指数(OH-CZX与CZX的AUC比或浓度比)升高表明糖尿病大鼠可诱导CYP2E1活性。提示糖尿病患者服用经CYP2E1酶代谢的药物应慎重。     

木犀草素对大鼠CYP450酶活力和mRNA表达的影响

目的 研究木犀草素对大鼠细胞色素P450（CYP450）酶活力和mRNA表达的影响。方法 SD大鼠随机分为实验组和对照组,连续灌胃木犀草素或水14 d后,同时给予探针药非那西丁、安非他酮、氯唑沙宗和咪达唑仑,并用LC-MS测定给药后不同时间点的血药浓度,计算药动学参数并评估CYP1A2、CYP2B1、CYP2E1和CYP3A1酶活力变化。此外,实时荧光定量PCR （RT-PCR）测定CYP450的mRNA表达水平。结果 实验组大鼠非那西丁、安非他酮、咪达唑仑的药动学参数与对照组相比具有显著性差异,推测木犀草素能诱导大鼠CYP1A2、CYP2B1和CYP3A1活力,而氯唑沙宗的药动学参数2组间没有显著性差异。RT-PCR实验发现,木犀草素能显著上调大鼠CYP1A2、CYP2B1和CYP3A1的mRNA水平,对CYP2E1没有影响。结论 木犀草素会上调CYP1A2、CYP2B1和CYP3A1酶活力及mRNA表达水平。     

Chronic administration of caderofloxacin,a new fluoroquinolone,increases hepatic CYP2E1 expression and activity in rats

Aim:

Caderofloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone that is under phase III clinical trials in China. Here we examined the effects of caderofloxacin on rat hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms as well as the potential of caderofloxacin interacting with co-administered drugs.

Methods:

Male rats were treated with caderofloxacin (9 mg/kg, ig) once or twice daily for 14 consecutive days. The effects of caderofloxacin on CYP3A, 2D6, 2C19, 1A2, 2E1 and 2C9 were evaluated using a “cocktail” of 6 probes (midazolam, dextromethorphan, omeprazole, theophylline, chlorzoxazone and diclofenac) injected on d 0 (prior to caderofloxacin exposure) and d 15 (after caderofloxacin exposure). Hepatic microsomes from the caderofloxacin-treated rats were used to assess CYP2E1 activity and chlorzoxazone metabolism. The expression of CYP2E1 mRNA and protein in hepatic microsomes was analyzed with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

Results:

Fourteen-day administration of caderofloxacin significantly increased the activity of hepatic CYP2E1, leading to enhanced metabolism of chlorzoxazone. In vitro microsomal study confirmed that CYP2E1 was a major metabolic enzyme involved in chlorzoxazone metabolism, and the 14-d administration of caderofloxacin significantly increased the activity of CYP2E1 in hepatic microsomes, resulting in increased formation of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone. Furthermore, the 14-d administration of caderofloxacin significantly increased the expression of CYP2E1 mRNA and protein in liver microsomes, which was consistent with the pharmacokinetic results.

Conclusion:

Fourteen-day administration of caderofloxacin can induce the expression and activity of hepatic CYP2E1 in rats. When caderofloxacin is administered, a potential drug-drug interaction mediated by CYP2E1 induction should be considered.     

Cocktail探针药物法评价生、醋莪术对CYP450酶亚型的影响

目的用Cocktail探针药物法,研究生、醋莪术对大鼠CYP1A2、CYP3A4和CYP2E1活性的影响并进行比较,探讨其通过炮制增强或改变作用的趋向性。方法将SD大鼠随机分组,生、醋莪术组分别给予生、醋莪术提取液(9 g.kg-1),以生理盐水为空白对照,在一定时间点采集血样,用HPLC检测探针药物在大鼠体内的代谢情况,以评价生、醋莪术对CYP450酶的影响。结果生莪术的茶碱、氨苯酚和氯唑沙宗的代谢情况与空白组相比差异无显著性;但醋莪术与空白组相比,茶碱和氯唑沙宗的T12、Tmax和AUC明显增加,CL/F明显降低;氨苯酚的T12变化不明显,AUC明显降低,CL/F明显增加;氯唑沙宗的T12、Tmax、AUC明显增加,CL/F明显降低。结论单次给予大鼠生、醋莪术后,生莪术对CYP450酶的作用不明显,醋莪术对CYP1A2和CYP2E1具有抑制作用,对CYP3A4具有诱导作用。     

In vitro inhibitory effect of 1-aminobenzotriazole on drug oxidations in human liver microsomes: a comparison with SKF-525A

1-Aminobenzotriazole (ABT) is extensively used as a non-specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitor. In this study, the inhibitory effect of ABT on CYP-dependent drug oxidations was investigated in human liver microsomes (HLM) and compared with that of SKF-525A, another non-specific inhibitor. The following probe activities for human CYP isoforms were determined using pooled HLM: phenacetin O-deethylation (CYP1A2); diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation (CYP2C9); S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation, (CYP2C19); bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation (CYP2D6); chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (CYP2E1); midazolam 1'-hydroxylation, nifedipine oxidation, and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation (CYP3A). ABT had the strongest inhibitory effect on the CYP3A-dependent drug oxidations and the weakest effect on the diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation. SKF-525A potently inhibited the bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, but weakly inhibited chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation. The inhibitory effects of ABT and SKF-525A were increased by preincubation in some probe reactions, and this preincubation effect was greater in ABT than in SKF-525A. The remarkable IC50 shift (> 10 times) by preincubation with ABT was observed on the phenacetin O-deethylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation. In conclusion, ABT and SKF-525A had a wide range of IC50 values in inhibiting the drug oxidations by HLM with and without preincubation.     

Effects of Guanxinning injection on rat cytochrome P450 isoforms activities in vivo and in vitro

Abstract

1. We aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of Guanxinning injection (GXNI) on activities of cytochrome P1A2 (CYP1A2), CYP2C11, CYP2D1 and CYP3A1/2 by probe drugs in rats in vivo and in vitro.

2. GXNI-treated and blank control groups were administered GXNI and physiological saline by caudal vein for 14 days consecutively, then they were given the probe drugs of caffeine (10?mg/kg), tolbutamide (10?mg/kg), metoprolol (20?mg/kg) and dapsone (10?mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. The blood samples were collected at different times for ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis. Changes of the pharmacokinetics parameters between the GXNI-treated and the blank control groups were used to evaluate the effects of GXNI on the four CYP450 isoforms in rats in vivo. After blood collection, the livers of rats were taken and made microsomes for in vitro tests. The relevant metabolites of phenacetin, tolbutamide, dextromethorphan and testosterone were analyzed quantitatively by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after microsome incubation. The statistical differences between the two groups were observed to detect the effects of GXNI on the four CYP450 isoforms in rats in vitro.

3. The in vivo and in vitro results demonstrated that GXNI could induce CYP1A2 activity in rats, but had no significant effects on CYP2C11, CYP2D1 and CYP3A1/2.     

In vitro evaluation of valproic acid as an inhibitor of human cytochrome P450 isoforms: preferential inhibition of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9)

AIMS: To evaluate the potency and specificity of valproic acid as an inhibitor of the activity of different human CYP isoforms in liver microsomes. METHODS: Using pooled human liver microsomes, the effects of valproic acid on seven CYP isoform specific marker reactions were measured: phenacetin O-deethylase (CYP1A2), coumarin 7-hydroxylase (CYP2A6), tolbutamide hydroxylase (CYP2C9), S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan O-demethylase (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylase (CYP2E1) and midazolam 1'-hydroxylase (CYP3A4). RESULTS: Valproic acid competitively inhibited CYP2C9 activity with a Ki value of 600 microM. In addition, valproic acid slightly inhibited CYP2C19 activity (Ki = 8553 microM, mixed inhibition) and CYP3A4 activity (Ki = 7975 microM, competitive inhibition). The inhibition of CYP2A6 activity by valproic acid was time-, concentration- and NADPH-dependent (KI = 9150 microM, Kinact=0.048 min(-1)), consistent with mechanism-based inhibition of CYP2A6. However, minimal inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP2E1 activities was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Valproic acid inhibits the activity of CYP2C9 at clinically relevant concentrations in human liver microsomes. Inhibition of CYP2C9 can explain some of the effects of valproic acid on the pharmacokinetics of other drugs, such as phenytoin. Co-administration of high doses of valproic acid with drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP2C9 may result in significant drug interactions.     

A convenient five-drug cocktail for the assessment of major drug metabolizing enzymes: a pilot study

AIMS: To assess the feasibility of administering at the same time low doses of five probe drugs, metoprolol (25 mg), chlorzoxazone (250 mg), tolbutamide (250 mg), dapsone (100 mg) and caffeine (100 mg) to determine simultaneously the activities of CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP1A2, N-acetyltransferase-2 and xanthine oxidase. METHODS: Ten healthy young non-smoking males received the following drugs or combinations of drugs over a 5-week period: week 1) metoprolol; 2) tolbutamide; 3) caffeine, chlorzoxazone and dapsone; 4) caffeine, chlorzoxazone, dapsone and metoprolol; 5) caffeine, chlorzoxazone, dapsone, metoprolol and tolbutamide. The drugs were self-administered at bedtime and urine was collected for the following 8 h. RESULTS: Mean molar phenotypic ratios obtained after administering metoprolol (mean change of -11%) or tolbutamide (mean change of -0.3%) alone, were not significantly different from those obtained when other drugs were co-administered (P > 0.05). The mean within-subject coefficients of variation were 33%, 18%, 22%, 13%, 16%, 13% and 5% for CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2E1, CYP1A2, N-acetyltransferase 2 and xanthine oxidase metabolic ratios, respectively. No significant interactions (P > 0.5) were observed during the simultaneous administration of various combinations of the five probe drugs. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that this cocktail, composed of five widely available drugs, constitutes a promising means of simultaneously determining the activities of the major CYP enzymes in large populations.     

Cocktail探针药物法评价灯盏花素对大鼠CYP450体内代谢活性的影响

目的用Cocktail探针药物法研究灯盏花素对大鼠CYP1A2、CYP2C9、CYP2E1和CYP2D6体内代谢活性的影响。方法将大鼠随机分为3组,空白对照组、低剂量组和高剂量组。低剂量组和高剂量组分别尾静脉给予灯盏花素粉针剂1.8,5.4 mg.kg-1.d-1,空白对照组给予生理盐水,共14 d。各组分别于第15 d注射Cocktail探针溶液,用HPLC检测各探针药物的血药浓度,用DAS2.0计算药代动力学参数,评价相应的CYP450亚型的体内代谢活性。结果高剂量组美托洛尔的AUC和t1/2显著高于空白对照组,CL显著低于空白对照组(P<0.05)。低剂量组美托洛尔虽然也有相同趋势,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。各组咖啡因、氯唑沙宗和甲苯磺丁脲的主要药代动力学参数均无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论高剂量灯盏花素粉针剂可明显抑制大鼠CYP2D6的体内代谢活性,而对CYP1A2、CYP2E1和CYP2C9无显著性影响。     

Differential inhibition of cytochrome P450 isoforms by the protease inhibitors, ritonavir, saquinavir and indinavir

Aims To compare the inhibitory potential of the HIV protease inhibitors saquinavir, ritonavir and indinavir against CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 catalysed metabolic reactions in human liver microsomes in vitro .
Methods Microsomes from six human livers were utilized in this study. The probe substrates were phenacetin (CYP1A2), tolbutamide (CYP2C9), chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1) and testosterone (CYP3A4). Metabolites were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. I C ₅₀ (concentration of inhibitor giving 50% decrease in enzyme activity) and, where appropriate, K _i values were calculated.
Results Ritonavir was a very potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 mediated testosterone 6β-hydroxylation (mean K _i=0.019±0.004  μm, mean±s.d.; n =6) and also inhibited tolbutamide hydroxylation (I C ₅₀=4.2±1.3  μm, mean±s.d.; n =6). Inhibition of phenacetin O -deethylation and chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation was negligible. Indinavir was an order-of-magnitude less potent in inhibiting CYP3A4 ( K _i=0.17±0.01  μm ) and did not produce appreciable inhibition of the CYP1A2, CYP2C9 or CYP2E1 catalysed reactions. Saquinavir was the least potent CYP3A4 inhibitor ( K _i =2.99±0.87  μm ) and produced some inhibition of CYP2C9 (approximately 50% at 50  μm ).
Conclusions The HIV protease inhibitors have differential effects on CYP isozymes. There is obvious potential for clinically significant drug interactions particularly with ritonavir. Pharmacokinetic drug interaction studies are crucial to gain an overall understanding of the beneficial and potentially harmful effects of this important group of drugs.     

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate and its interactions with human CYP450s

1.Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, a famous Chinese medicine used for many years to treat cardiovascular disorders. However, the role of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the metabolism of STS was unclear. In this study, we screened the main CYPs for the metabolism of STS and studied their interactions in vitro.

2.Seven CYPs were screened for the metabolism of STS by human liver microsomes (HLMs) or recombinant CYP isoforms. To determine the potential of STS to affect CYP-mediated phase I metabolism in humans, phenacetin (CYP1A2), coumarin (CYP2A6), tolbutamide (CYP2C9), metoprolol (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1), S-Mephenytoin (CYP2C19), and midazolam (CYP3A4) were used as the respective probe substrates. Enzyme kinetic studies were performed to investigate the mode of inhibition of the enzyme–substrate interactions.

3.STS inhibited the activity of CYP3A4 in a dose-dependent manner in the HLMs and CYP3A4 isoform. Other CYP isoforms, including CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP2C19, showed minimal or no effect on the metabolism of STS.

4.The results suggested that STS primarily inhibits the activities of CYP3A4 in vitro, and STS has the potential to perpetrate drug–drug interactions with other CYP3A4 substrates.     

Effects of Alismatis rhizome on rat cytochrome P450 enzymes

Context: Alismatis rhizome (RA) (Water Plantain Family, also called “Zexie” in Chinese), one of the commonly used components of traditional Chinese medicines, is derived from the dried rhizomes of Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep. (Alismataceae).

Objective: This study explores the RA influences on rat cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4) by using cocktail probe drugs in vivo.

Materials and methods: A cocktail solution at a dose of 5?mL/kg, which contained phenacetin (20?mg/kg), tolbutamide (5?mg/kg), chlorzoxazone (20?mg/kg) and midazolam (10?mg/kg), was orally administration to rats treated twice daily with RA (10, 20 and 40?g/kg) for consecutive 14?days. Blood samples (0.2?mL) were collected at a series of time-points and the concentrations of probe drugs in plasma were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by the software of DAS 2.0 (Wenzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, China).

Results: In the experiment, there was a statistically significant difference in the t_1/2, C_max, AUC_(0-∞) and CL for phenacetin and midazolam, while there was no statistical pharmacokinetics difference for tolbutamide and chlorzoxazone. Our study showed that treatment with multiple doses of RA had an inductive effect on rat CYP1A2 and an inhibitory effect on rat CYP3A4 enzyme activity. However, RA has no inductive or inhibitory effect on the activities of CYP2C9 and CYP2E1.

Conclusions: Caution is needed when RA is co-administration with some CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 substrates in clinic, because it may result in treatment failure and herb–drug interactions.     

苦碟子注射液对大鼠肝微粒体CYP450酶5个亚型的体外抑制作用

目的研究苦碟子注射液对大鼠肝微粒体CYP450酶的体外抑制作用。方法制备大鼠肝微粒体。将苦碟子注射液分别与混合探针药物非那西丁、甲苯磺丁脲、奥美拉唑、睾酮和氯唑沙宗共同孵育,UPLC-MS/MS法检测各探针药物的代谢物。结果在测定浓度范围内,苦碟子注射液对CYP2E1、CYP2C9和CYP2C19的活性抑制率小于50%;对CYP1A2、CYP3A4的IC_(50)值分别为12.68%、8.11%,远高于临床日用药浓度0.20%~0.80%。结论在正常剂量下,苦碟子注射液对大鼠CYP2E1、CYP2C9、CYP2C19几乎不显示抑制作用,对CYP1A2、CYP3A4几乎没有抑制作用。     

Ephedra water decoction and cough tablets containing ephedra and liquorice induce CYP1A2 but not CYP2E1 hepatic enzymes in rats

1. Ephedra water decoction (EWD) and cough tablets containing ephedra and liquorice (maxing cough tablets, MXCT) have been widely used in the treatment of asthma. In the clinic, EWD and MXCT may be prescribed with theophylline, one of the most popular antiasthmatic drugs. CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 are mainly involved in the oxidative metabolism of theophylline in human liver. Drug interactions involving the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms generally are of two types: enzyme induction or enzyme inhibition. Enzyme inhibition reduces metabolism, whereas induction can increase it.

2. To evaluate the pretreatment effect of EWD and MXCT on CYP1A2 and CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 activity, the protein expression and mRNA expression levels were determined. After pretreatment with EWD or MXCT, the enzyme activity, mRNA expression and protein expression of CYP1A2 were increased significantly (p?<?0.05), but enzyme activity of CYP2E1 did not change compared with the control.

3. It was demonstrated that EWD or MXCT pretreatment obviously induced CYP1A2, therefore, in patients taking EWD or MXCT, possible CYP-induced drug interaction should be noted to decrease the risk of therapeutic failure or adverse effects resulting from the use of additional therapeutic agents.     

振源胶囊对细胞色素P_(450)酶CYP1A2、CYP3A4、CYP2E1的影响

目的:研究振源胶囊对细胞色素P450酶CYP1A2、CYP3A4、CYP2E1的影响。方法:用Cocktail探针药物法,将Wistar大鼠随机分组,灌胃给予振源胶囊溶液,以生理盐水组为空白对照,诱导10d,于股动脉插管,注射给予3种探针药物咖啡因、氨苯砜、氯唑沙宗,通过高效液相色谱法检测各探针药物的代谢率来评价各组CYP1A2、CYP3A4、CYP2E1亚型酶的活性;药动学计算采用DAS2.0软件完成。结果:给予振源胶囊的大鼠,咖啡因代谢加快,半衰期缩短;氨苯砜代谢减慢,半衰期延长;氯唑沙宗半衰期与空白对照组比较无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论:振源胶囊对大鼠CYP1A2有诱导作用,对CYP3A4有抑制作用,对CYP2E1的作用不明显。     

Effects of catalpol on the activity of human liver cytochrome P450 enzymes

Abstract

1. Catalpol possesses numerous pharmacological activities, and however, little data available for the effects of catalpol on the activity of human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes.

2. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of catalpol on the main human liver CYP isoforms. In this study, the inhibitory effects of catalpol on the eight human liver CYP isoforms 1A2, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19, 2C8 and 3A4 were investigated in human liver microsomes.

3. The results indicated that catalpol could inhibit the activity of CYP3A4, CYP2E1 and CYP2C9, with IC₅₀ values of 14.27, 22.4 and 14.69?μM, respectively, but those other CYP isoforms were not affected. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that catalpol was not only a noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP3A4, but also a competitive inhibitor of CYP2E1 and CYP2C9, with Ki values of 7.40, 10.75 and 7.37?μM, respectively. In addition, catalpol is a time-dependent inhibitor for CYP3A4, with maximum inactivation (kinact) and 50% maximum inactivation (K_I) values of 0.02?min^?1 and 1.86?μM, respectively.

4. The in vitro studies of catalpol with CYP isoforms suggest that catalpol has the potential to cause pharmacokinetic drug interactions with other co-administered drugs metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2E1 and CYP2C9. Further in vivo studies are needed in order to evaluate the significance of this interaction.