In vitro proguanil activation to cycloguanil is mediated by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in adult Chinese liver microsomes

AIM: To identify the cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in proguanil (PG) activation to cycloguanil (CG) in Chinese liver microsomes. METHODS: The kinetics of the CG formation from PG was determined in the liver microsomes of 6 Chinese subjects. Selective chemical inhibitors to various cytochrome P450 isoforms were employed to conduct inhibition experiments. The relationship between the CG formation and S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation was analyzed. RESULTS: The kinetic behaviors of CG formation were described well by a single-enzyme Michaelis-Menten equation in five livers. The apparent Km and Vmax were (82 +/- 47) mumol.L-1 and (8 +/- 6) pmol.min-1.mg-1 protein, respectively. However, the remaining one displayed a two-enzyme kinetic behavior. Inhibition experiments showed that troleandomycin (100 mumol.L-1) and diethyldithiocarbamate (100 mumol.L-1), as potent CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 inhibitors, respectively, reduced the formation rate of CG by 81.1% and 47.23%, while quinidine (10 mumol.L-1), furafylline (20 mumol.L-1), and sulfaphenazole (10 mumol.L-1), which were inhibitors towards CYP2D6, 1A2 and 2C9/10, respectively, did not display significant inhibition. At a low PG concentration of 5 mumol.L-1, the CG formation correlated well with S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation (r = 0.805, P < 0.05). Nevertheless, when a high substrate concentration (500 mumol.L-1) was used, the correlation coefficient decreased (r = 0.581, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 are involved in PG activation to CG in adult Chinese liver microsomes. CYP2C19 played an important role in the clearance of PG at a substrate concentration close to in vivo therapeutic concentrations, while CYP3A4 gradually made a dominant contribution with the increase of PG concentration.     

In vitro proguanil activation to cycloguanil by human liver microsomes is mediated by CYP3A isoforms as well as by S-mephenytoin hydroxylase.

1. The activation of proguanil to cycloguanil by human liver microsomes was studied to define the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms involved in this reaction. 2. Apparent Km values for proguanil ranged from 35 microM to 183 microM with microsomes from four human livers. 3. There was a 6.3-fold range of activity with microsomes from seventeen human livers. Rates of proguanil activation correlated significantly with CYP3A activities (benzo[a]pyrene metabolism, caffeine 8-oxidation and omeprazole sulphone formation) and CYP3A immunoreactive content. There was also a highly significant correlation with rates of hydroxyomeprazole formation. Correlations with activities selective for CYP1A2, CYP2C9/10 and CYP2E1, and with immunoreactive CYP1A2 content were not significant. 4. Proguanil activation was inhibited by R,S-mephenytoin, troleandomycin and by inhibitory anti-CYP3A antiserum and anti-CYP2C IgG and was activated by alpha-naphthoflavone. Inhibitors selective for CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP2A6 or CYP2C9/10 had little or no effect on proguanil activation. The extents of inhibition by R,S-mephenytoin, troleandomycin and the two antibodies varied with the immunoreactive CYP3A content of the microsomes used. 5. It is concluded that proguanil activation to cycloguanil by human liver microsomes is mediated both by S-mephenytoin hydroxylase and isoforms of the CYP3A subfamily. This has implications for the use of proguanil as an in vivo probe for the S-mephenytoin poor metaboliser phenotype.     

Relationship between proguanil metabolic ratio and CYP2C19 genotype in a Caucasian population

Aims To investigate the relationship between proguanil metabolic ratio (MR, proguanil/cycloguanil) and CYP2C19 genotype in a Caucasian population.
Methods Ninety-nine Caucasians (age range: 18–55 years, 54 female, 45 male) were genotyped for CYP2C19 and phenotyped for proguanil oxidation by collecting urine for 8  h after taking 100  mg proguanil hydrochloride. Proguanil and cycloguanil concentrations were measured by h.p.l.c. PCR was employed for CYP2C19 genotyping.
Results The three (3%) individuals who were homozygous for CYP2C19*2 ( *2/*2 ) had the highest proguanil MRs (range: 8.0–134.6). Seventy-three (74%) individuals were homozygous for the wild-type allele ( *1/*1 ) and 23 (23%) were heterozygous ( *1/*2 ). The *1/*1 individuals had lower MRs (median=1.4, range: 0.23–5.9, P= 0.003, Mann–Whitney U -test) than the *1/*2 subjects (median=2.5, range: 0.88–7.3).
Conclusions A CYP2C19 gene-dose effect for proguanil oxidation to cycloguanil was observed, confirming a role for CYP2C19 in cycloguanil formation in vivo . However, there was substantial overlap of proguanil MRs in subjects of different CYP2C19 genotypes, due possibly to variability in the activity of other enzymes contributing to the formation of cycloguanil.     

Metabolism of territrem B and C in liver microsomes from 14-wk-old Wistar rats is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 3A

The metabolism of territrem B (TRB) and territrem C (TRC) in liver microsomes of 14-wk-old male and female Wistar rats was investigated. Metabolism of TRB to 4beta-hydroxylmethyl-4beta-demethylterritrem B (MB2), O-demethylation of the methoxy group of the aromatic moiety of TRB to form MB4 (same structure as TRC), and metabolism of TRC to 4beta-hydroxylmethyl-4beta-demethylterritrem C (MC) were observed in both genders. However, the amounts of MB2, MB4, and MC formed in females were much lower than in males. To investigate which cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) isoforms were involved in each step, four CYP450 isotype-specific inhibitors (furafylline, orphenadrine, cimetidine, and troleandomycin) and antibodies against CYP1A1, CYP2B1, CYP2C11, or CYP3A2 were used. Formation of MB2, MB4, and MC was markedly inhibited by cimetidine and troleandomycin, but less by furafylline and orphenadrine. Anti-CYP3A2 antibody completely inhibited MB, MB, and MC formation, while antibodies against CYP1A1, CYP2B1, or CYP2C11 produced no marked effect. Of the seven tested supersomes from baculovirus-transformed insect cells expressing rat CYP450 isoforms (1Al, 1A2, 2B1, 2C11, 2C12, 3A1, and 3A2), only those expressing CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 metabolized TRB and TRC. The amounts of MB2, MB4, and MC formed by male and female rat liver microsome preparations were related to the testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity and CYP3A1/2 protein content of the preparation. Immunoblotting showed that CYP3A1 was expressed in both genders, but at different levels, while CYP3A2 was only expressed in males. These results suggest that the formation of MB2, MB4, and MC in liver microsomes from 14-wk-old rats of either gender is mediated by CYP3A1 and CYP3A2.     

Methadone N-demethylation in human liver microsomes: lack of stereoselectivity and involvement of CYP3A4

AIMS: To investigate the kinetics of CYP-mediated N-demethylation of methadone in human liver microsomes, and examine the role of stereoselectivity and CYP isoforms involved. METHODS: The kinetics of 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) formation via N-demethylation of rac-, (R)- and (S)-methadone in human liver microsomes prepared from six liver samples were determined by h.p.l.c., and inhibition of metabolic function was studied using isoform-specific chemical inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. Microsomes containing expressed CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 were also used to examine the formation of EDDP. RESULTS: The V max, Km, and CLint values for the formation of EDDP from rac-, (R)- and (S)-methadone were in the ranges of 20-77 nmol mg-1 protein h-1, 125-252 microm, and 91-494 ml h-1 g-1 protein. Km and CLint values for (R)- and (S)-methadone were not statistically significantly different (P >0.05), while V max values for (S)-methadone were 15% (P=0.045) lower than for (R)-methadone. Expressed CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 showed similar reaction rates for both (R)- and (S)-methadone, while CYP2D6 did not catalyse this reaction. Selective chemical inhibitors of CYP3A (troleandomycin, ketoconazole) and monoclonal human CYP3A4 antibodies significantly inhibited (P<0.05) the formation of EDDP in a concentration dependent manner by up to 80%. Sulphaphenazole (CYP2C9) also significantly inhibited (P<0.05) EDDP formation (range 14-25%). There were no statistically significant differences in the inhibition observed between the three substrates. Selective inhibitors of CYP1A2 (furafylline), CYP2A6 (coumarin), CYP2C19 ((S)-mephenytoin), CYP2D6 (quinidine) and CYP2E1 (diethyldithiocarbamic acid sodium salt and monoclonal human CYP2E1 antibodies) had no significant (P >0.05) effect. CONCLUSIONS: The N-demethylation of methadone in human liver microsomes is not markedly stereoselective, and is mediated mainly by CYP3A4 with the possible involvement of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. Thus, the large interindividual variation reported for methadone pharmacokinetics may be due to variability in the expression of these CYP isoforms, and the reported stereoselectivity in the systemic clearance of methadone in vivo is not due to stereoselectivity in N-demethylation.     

The human hepatic metabolism of simvastatin hydroxy acid is mediated primarily by CYP3A,and not CYP2D6

AIMS: To identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms responsible for the metabolism of simvastatin hydroxy acid (SVA), the most potent metabolite of simvastatin (SV). METHODS: The metabolism of SVA was characterized in vitro using human liver microsomes and recombinant CYPs. The effects of selective chemical inhibitors and CYP antibodies on SVA metabolism were assessed in human liver microsomes. RESULTS: In human liver microsomes, SVA underwent oxidative metabolism to three major oxidative products, with values for Km and Vmax ranging from about 50 to 80 microM and 0.6 to 1.9 nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein, respectively. Recombinant CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP2C8 all catalysed the formation of the three SVA metabolites, but CYP3A4 was the most active. CYP2D6 as well as CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2A6, CYP1A2 did not metabolize SVA. Whereas inhibitors that are selective for CYP2D6, CYP2C9 or CYP1A2 did not significantly inhibit the oxidative metabolism of SVA, the CYP3A4/5 inhibitor troleandomycin markedly (about 90%) inhibited SVA metabolism. Quercetin, a known inhibitor of CYP2C8, inhibited the microsomal formation of SVA metabolites by about 25-30%. Immunoinhibition studies revealed 80-95% inhibition by anti-CYP3A antibody, less than 20% inhibition by anti-CYP2C19 antibody, which cross-reacted with CYP2C8 and CYP2C9, and no inhibition by anti-CYP2D6 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolism of SVA in human liver microsomes is catalysed primarily (> or = 80%) by CYP3A4/5, with a minor contribution (< or = 20%) from CYP2C8. CYP2D6 and other major CYP isoforms are not involved in the hepatic metabolism of SVA.     

Concordance between proguanil phenotype and CYP2C19 genotype in Chinese

Objective To investigate whether urinary proguanil (chlorguanide) metabolite ratios incorporating its minor metabolite, 4-chlorophenylbiguanide, define individuals as extensive metabolisers (EMs) or poor metabolisers (PMs) of CYP2C19 more reliably than the standard phenotyping ratio [proguanil/cycloguanil (PG/CG)].Methods Thirty-eight ethnic Chinese subjects ingested 100 mg proguanil, collected urine for 8 h and were genotyped for CYP2C19*1, *2 and *3 alleles. Proguanil metabolite ratios (PG/CG; proguanil/4-chlorophenylbiguanide (PG/CPB); proguanil/(cycloguanil+4-chlorophenylbiguanide) [PG/(CG+CPB)] were determined from the urinary recoveries of proguanil, cycloguanil and 4-chlorophenylbiguanide. Proguanil phenotypes were determined from the ratios using frequency distribution histograms, probit and normal test variable plots.Results Data from 35 subjects were suitable for analysis. Of subjects, 5 were CYP2C19*2/*2, 1 was *2/*3, 21 were *1/*2 and 8 were *1/*1. A rank order of proguanil metabolic ratios was observed, with *1/*1 subjects having the lowest, *1/*2 intermediate and *2/*2, *2/*3 having the highest ratios (P<0.0001). All subjects with PM genotypes were classified as PMs of proguanil by probit analysis of PG/CPB and PG/(CG+CPB) ratios, but not PG/CG.Conclusion A gene-dose effect of CYP2C19 genotype on the conversion of proguanil to cycloguanil and 4-chlorophenylbiguanide has been demonstrated in ethnic Chinese subjects. Complete concordance between PM CYP2C19 genotype and PM phenotype was only achieved with probit analysis of proguanil metabolite ratios that incorporated 4-chlorophenylbiguanide.Work was completed at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.     

Genetic polymorphism of debrisoquine (CYP2D6) and proguanil (CYP2C19) in South Pacific Polynesian populations

Objective: Genetic oxidation polymorphisms of debrisoquine (CYP2D6) and proguanil (CYP2C19) were studied in unrelated healthy South Pacific Polynesian volunteers recruited in the South Island of New Zealand. Methods: Phenotyping for CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 activities was determined using debrisoquine and proguanil, respectively, as probe drugs by measuring the urinary metabolic ratio of parent drug and its␣metabolite. Results: Of 100 Polynesian subjects phenotyped, the metabolic ratio of debrisoquine ranged from 0.01 to 9.94. Therefore, all South Pacific Polynesians were classified as extensive metabolizers of debrisoquine according to previously established criteria of the antimode. The prevalence of poor metabolizers of debrisoquine (CYP2D6) in this Polynesian population is 0% (95% confidence interval of 0–3.6%). Oxidation polymorphism of CYP2C19 using proguanil as a probe was also studied in 59 Polynesian volunteers. The frequency distribution of the proguanil/cycloguanil ratio was bimodal. The proguanil/cycloguanil ratios for these subjects ranged from 0.09 to 34.4. Using a recommended proguanil/cycloguanil ratio cut-off point of 10 established in Caucasian populations, eight Polynesian subjects were identified as poor metabolizers of proguanil (CYP2C19), which corresponds to a poor metabolizer phenotype frequency of 13.6% (a 95% confidence interval of 5.9–24.6%). Conclusion: The incidence of poor metabolizer phenotypes for debrisoquine (CYP2D6) in South Pacific Polynesians appears to lower than in Caucasian populations, while the prevalence of poor metabolizers for proguanil (CYP2C19) in this ethnic population is higher. The frequencies of the poor metabolizer phenotype for debrisoquine and also for proguanil in South Pacific Polynesians are similar to those reported in Asian populations. Received: 18 December 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 30 April 1998     

Involvement of CYP2A6 in the formation of a novel metabolite, 3-hydroxypilocarpine, from pilocarpine in human liver microsomes.

Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist that is metabolized to pilocarpic acid by serum esterase. In this study, we discovered a novel metabolite in human urine after the oral administration of pilocarpine hydrochloride, and we investigated the metabolic enzyme responsible for the metabolite formation. The structure of the metabolite was identified as 3-hydroxypilocarpine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and NMR analyses and by comparing to the authentic metabolite. To clarify the human cytochrome P450 (P450) responsible for the metabolite formation, in vitro experiments using P450 isoform-selective inhibitors, cDNA-expressed human P450s (Supersomes; CYP1A2, -2A6, -2B6, -2C9, -2C19, -2D6, -2E1, and -3A4), and liver microsomes from different donors were conducted. The formation of 3-hydroxypilocarpine in human liver microsomes was strongly inhibited (>90%) by 200 microM coumarin. Other selective inhibitors of CYP1A2 (furafylline and alpha-naphthoflavone), CYP2C9 (sulfaphenazole), CYP2C19 [(S)-mephenytoin], CYP2E1 (4-methylpyrazole), CYP2D6 (quinidine), and CYP3A4 (troleandomycin) had a weak inhibitory effect (<20%) on the formation. The highest formation activity was expressed by recombinant CYP2A6. The K(m) value for recombinant CYP2A6 was 3.1 microM, and this value is comparable with that of human liver microsomes (1.5 microM). The pilocarpine 3-hydroxylation activity was correlated with coumarin 7-hydroxylation activity in 16 human liver microsomes (r = 0.98). These data indicated that CYP2A6 is the main enzyme responsible for the 3-hydroxylation of pilocarpine. In conclusion, we identified a novel metabolite of pilocarpine, 3-hydroxypilocarpine, and we clarified the involvement of CYP2A6 in the formation of this molecule in human liver microsomes.     

Contributions of human cytochrome P450 enzymes to glyburide metabolism

Glyburide (GLB) is a widely used oral sulfonylurea for the treatment of gestational diabetes. The therapeutic use of GLB is often complicated by a substantial inter‐individual variability in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug in human populations, which might be caused by inter‐individual variations in factors such as GLB metabolism. Therefore, there has been a continued interest in identifying human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms that play a major role in the metabolism of GLB. However, contrasting data are available in the present literature in this regard. The present study systematically investigated the contributions of various human CYP isoforms (CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19) to in vitro metabolism of GLB. GLB depletion and metabolite formation in human liver microsomes were most significantly inhibited by the CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole compared with the inhibitors of other CYP isoforms. Furthermore, multiple correlation analysis between GLB depletion and individual CYP activities was performed, demonstrating a significant correlation between GLB depletion and the CYP3A probe activity in 16 individual human liver microsomal preparations, but not between GLB depletion and the CYP2C19, CYP2C8 or CYP2C9 probe activity. By using recombinant supersomes overexpressing individual human CYP isoforms, it was found that GLB could be depleted by all the enzymes tested; however, the intrinsic clearance (V_max/K_m) of CYP3A4 for GLB depletion was 4–17 times greater than that of other CYP isoforms. These results confirm that human CYP3A4 is the major enzyme involved in the in vitro metabolism of GLB. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

体外人肝微粒体中阿米替林N-去甲基代谢的酶促动力学分析和抑制

采用6例人的肝微粒体应用酶促动力学分析和抑制研究阐明参与阿米替林（AT）N-去甲基代谢的CYP450的种类及性质. 去甲替林（NT）生成的酶促动力学数据符合一两酶模型，其中高亲和力酶具有Michaelis-Menten 动力学特征，而低亲和力酶则具有底物别构激活的特性. 当AT为2 μmol·L^-1时S-美芬妥英和呋喃茶碱均可使NT生成被抑制达50%左右；较高浓度的酮康唑也可使NT生成明显受到抑制，但醋竹桃霉素几乎对此没有影响; 而当AT为100 μmol·L^-1 时，酮康唑和醋竹桃霉素均是NT生成的强抑制剂. 结果提示：当底物的浓度较低时，CYP1A2和CYP2C19是催化AT体外人肝微粒体中N-去甲基代谢的主要CYP450酶类；当底物浓度较高时，由于底物别构激活的特性，CYP3A4逐渐占据主导地位.     

Identification of cytochrome P450 forms involved in the 4-hydroxylation of valsartan, a potent and specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist, in human liver microsomes

Valsartan is known to be excreted largely as unchanged compound and is minimally metabolized in man. Although the only notable metabolite is 4-hydroxyvaleryl metabolite (4-OH valsartan), the responsible enzyme has not been clarified at present. The current in vitro studies were conducted to identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes involved in the formation of 4-OH valsartan. Valsartan was metabolized to 4-OH valsartan by human liver microsomes and the Eadie-Hofstee plots were linear. The apparent Km and Vmax values for the formation of 4-OH valsartan were 41.9-55.8 microM and 27.2-216.9 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, respectively. There was good correlation between the formation rates of 4-OH valsartan and diclofenac 4'-hydroxylase activities (representative CYP2C9 activity) of 11 individual microsomes (r = 0.889). No good correlation was observed between any of the other CYP enzyme marker activities (CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4 and CYP4A). Among the recombinant CYP enzymes examined (CYPs 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5 and 4A11), CYP2C9 notably catalysed 4-hydroxylation of valsartan. For the specific CYP inhibitors or substrates examined (furafylline, diclofenac, S(+)-mephenytoin, quinidine and troleandomycin), only diclofenac inhibited the formation of 4-OH valsartan. These results showed that CYP2C9 is the only form responsible for 4-hydroxylation of valsartan in human liver microsomes. Although CYP2C9 is involved in valsartan metabolism, CYP-mediated drug-drug interaction between valsartan and other co-administered drugs would be negligible.     

体外研究人细胞色素P450在雌二醇代谢中的作用(英文)

目的:研究雌二醇在cDNA表达的P450和人肝微粒体中的代谢机制,为在体内研究细胞色素P450活性与肿瘤发生的关系提供依据。方法:用HPLC-ECD法测定雌二醇的代谢产物。通过雌二醇在不同cDNA表达的P450中代谢,13例人肝微粒体中相关性研究,抑制剂对代谢的影响以及微粒体中17β-羟基脱氢化和2-羟基化代谢的催化动力学的研究来推断雌二醇的代谢机理。结果:在cDNA表达的P450中,催化2-羟基化代谢的P450按活性排列依次为CYP1A2、CYP3A4、CYP2C9。CYP2C9、CYP2C19和CYP2C8均具有较高的催化17β-羟基脱氢化活性。抑制CYP1A2与抑制CYP3A4对2-羟基化代谢产物生成的影响相似,可认为CYP1A2和CYP3A4在人肝微粒体中催化2-羟基化代谢的作用相近。雌二醇代谢的途径与底物浓度有关,低浓度时(1,10μmol/L)17β-羟基脱氢化为主要代谢途径;高浓度时(100μmol/L),2-羟基化成为主要代谢途径。结论:高底物浓度时,雌二醇主要由CYP1A2和CYP3A4催化代谢为2-羟基化产物。低底物浓度时,主要由CYP2C9、CYP2C19和CYP2C8催化生成17β-羟基去氢化产物。     

Role of individual human cytochrome P450 enzymes in the in vitro metabolism of hydromorphone

1. The aim was to identify the individual human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes responsible for the in vitro N-demethylation of hydromorphone and to determine the potential effect of the inhibition of this metabolic pathway on the formation of other hydromorphone metabolites. 2. Hydromorphone was metabolized to norhydromorphone (apparent Km = 206 - 822 microM, Vmax = 104 - 834 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein) and dihydroisomorphine (apparent Km = 62 - 557 microM, Vmax = 17 - 122 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein) by human liver microsomes. 5. In pooled human liver microsomes, troleandomycin, ketoconazole and sulfaphenazole reduced norhydromorphone formation by an average of 45, 50 and 25%, respectively, whereas furafylline, quinidine and omeprazole had no effect. In an individual liver microsome sample with a high CYP3A protein content, troleandomycin and ketoconazole inhibited norhydromorphone formation by 80%. 5. The reduction in norhydromorphone formation by troleandomycin and ketoconazole was accompanied by a stimulation in dihydroisomorphine production.Recombinant CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6, but not CYP1A2, catalysed norhydromorphone formation, whereas none of these enzymes was active in dihydroisomorphine formation. 6. In summary, CYP3A and, to a lesser extent, CYP2C9 catalysed hydromorphone N-demethylation in human liver microsomes. The inhibition of norhydromorphone formation by troleandomycin and ketoconazole resulted in a stimulation of microsomal dihydroisomorphine formation.     

Territrems B and C metabolism in human liver microsomes: major role of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5

Human liver microsomes, supersomes from baculovirus-transformed insect cells expressing different human CYP450 isoforms, and control and CYP3A4 cDNA-transfected V79 Chinese hamster cells were tested for their ability to metabolize territrem B (TRB) and territrem C (TRC). Two TRB metabolites, designated MB(2) and MB(4), and one TRC metabolite, designated MC, were formed by all of these preparations. Of the nine supersomes from baculovirus-transformed insect cells expressing different human CYP450 isoforms (1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5), only those expressing CYP3A4 or CYP3A5 metabolized TRB and TRC. MB(2), MB(4), and MC were formed by CYP3A4 cDNA-transfected V79MZ Chinese hamster cells, but not by non-transfected cells. In order to investigate which CYP450 isoforms were responsible for MB(2), MB(4) and MC formation in human liver microsomal preparations, six isoform-specific chemical inhibitors (furafylline, sulfaphenazole, omeprazole, quinidine, ketoconazole, and diethyldithiocarbamate) and antibodies against CYP3A4 were used. MB(2), MB(4), and MC formation was markedly inhibited by ketoconazole, but less affected by quinidine and sulfaphenazole. Anti-CYP3A4 antibody markedly inhibited MB(2), MB(4), and MC formation and also 6 beta-hydroxytestosterone formation from testosterone. The CYP3A-dependent reaction of testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylation showed a high correlation with 4 beta-C hydroxylation of TRB (r(2)=0.97, P<0.0001), O-demethylation of TRB (r(2)=0.95, P<0.0001), and 4 beta-C hydroxylation of TRC (r(2)=0.99, P<0.0001). Immunoblotting and RT-PCR showed that CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 were expressed in all four human liver microsomal preparations tested (HLM1-HLM4). The amount of MB(2), MB(4), and MC formed using different HLM preparations was related to the 6 beta-testosterone hydroxylase activity of the preparations. However, the extent of MB(2), MB(4), and MC formation was not related to the age or gender of the person from whom the microsomal sample was prepared. It was therefore suggest that CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 are the major enzymes responsible for TRB and TRC metabolism by human liver microsomes.     

The influence of CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genotypes on the formation of the potent antioestrogen Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen in human liver

AIMS: To investigate in a large panel of 50 human liver samples the contribution of CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 to the overall formation of the potent antioestrogen Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen, and how various genotypes affect its formation from tamoxifen. METHODS: The formation of Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen from 10 microm tamoxifen was studied in human liver microsomes (n=50), characterized for CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 expression, and CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genotype. The effect of chemical and monoclonal antibody inhibitors, and the formation in supersomes expressing recombinant CYP isoforms was also investigated. Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen was quantified using LC-MS analysis. RESULTS: Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen was formed by supersomes expressing CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6, but not CYP3A4. In agreement with these data, the mean formation of Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen was inhibited 49% by sulphaphenazole (P=0.001), 38% by quinidine (P<0.05) and 13% by monoclonal antibody against CYP2B6 (MAB-2B6, P<0.05). Furthermore, Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen formation significantly correlated with both CYP2C9 expression (r(s)=0.256, P<0.05) and CYP2D6 expression (r(s)=0.309, P<0.05). Genotypes of CYP2D6, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 had an effect on metabolite formation in such a way that samples with two nonfunctional CYP2D6, or two variant CYP2C9 or CYP2B6 alleles, showed lower enzyme activity compared with those with two functional or wild-type alleles, (5.0 vs 9.9 pmol mg(-1) protein min(-1), P=0.046, 5.1 vs 9.9 pmol mg(-1) protein min(-1), P=0.053, and 6.8 vs 9.4 pmol mg(-1) protein min(-1), P=0.054, respectively). CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 contribute on average 45 and 46%, respectively, to the overall formation of Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. CONCLUSIONS: CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genotypes all affected Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen formation and can predict individual ability to catalyse this reaction.     

Effect of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) and ticlopidine on CYP1A2 activity and caffeine metabolism: an in vitro comparative study with human cDNA-expressed CYP1A2 and liver microsomes

The aim of the present study was to test the effect of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), which is regarded as a cytochrome P450 (CYP) CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 inhibitor, and ticlopidine, an efficient CYP2B6, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 inhibitor, on the activity of human CYP1A2 and the metabolism of caffeine (1-N-, 3-N- and 7-N-demethylation, and C-8-hydroxylation). The experiment was carried out in vitro using human cDNA-expressed CYP1A2 (Supersomes) and human pooled liver microsomes. The effects of DDC and ticlopidine were compared to those of furafylline (a strong CYP1A2 inhibitor). A comparative in vitro study provides clear evidence that ticlopidine and DDC, applied at concentrations that inhibit the above-mentioned CYP isoforms, potently (as compared to furafylline) inhibit human CYP1A2 and caffeine metabolism, in particular 1-N- and 3-N-demethylation.     

The role of S-mephenytoin hydroxylase (CYP2C19) in the metabolism of the antimalarial biguanides.

The effects of the CYP2C19 substrates, mephenytoin, methsuximide and mephobarbitone on the metabolism of proguanil and chlorproguanil by human liver microsomes were studied. All of the CYP2C19 substrates significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) the formation of both cycloguanil and chlorcycloguanil from their parent compounds. In the presence of mephenytoin (50 and 100 microM) the extent of proguanil cyclisation was decreased by 66% and 67% whilst the cyclisation of chlorproguanil was decreased by 51% and 70%, respectively. Methsuximide (50 and 100 microM) inhibited cycloguanil formation by 68% and 77% and chlorcycloguanil formation by 43% and 58%, respectively. In the presence of mephobarbitone (50 and 100 microM) the cyclisation of proguanil and chlorproguanil to their active metabolites was reduced by 24% and 42% and 48% and 63%, respectively. In addition, proguanil and chlorproguanil were shown to be mutual competitive inhibitors of metabolism to their triazine metabolites. In the presence of proguanil (50 and 100 microM) the Km value for chlorcycloguanil production was increased by 118% and 200%, respectively, with little change in Vmax. Similarly, chorproguanil (50 microM) increased the Km for the in vitro cyclisation of proguanil by 50% with no alteration in Vmax. These data suggest that both chlorproguanil and proguanil are metabolised in vitro by mephenytoin hydroxylase, CYP2C19.     

High-throughput inhibition screening of major human cytochrome P450 enzymes using an in vitro cocktail and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the high-throughput inhibition screening of the major human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) using an in vitro substrate cocktail and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). A cocktail consisting of the selective substrates phenacetin (CYP1A2), tolbutamide (CYP2C9), omeprazole (CYP2C19), bufuralol (CYP2D6), and midazolam (CYP3A4) was incubated with human liver microsomes. The metabolic reactions were terminated with methanol containing dextrorphan as an internal standard. Following centrifugation, the supernatant was analyzed by LC-MS-MS employing a fast gradient. The concentrations of the substrate metabolites-paracetamol, 4-hydroxytolbutamide, 5-hydroxyomeprazole, 1'-hydroxybufuralol, and 1'-hydroxymidazolam-in each sample were determined by LC-MS-MS in a single assay. The method was validated by incubating known CYP inhibitors (furafylline, CYP1A2; sulfaphenazole, CYP2C9; s-mephenytoin, CYP2C19; quinidine, CYP2D6; and troleandomycin, CYP3A4) with the individual substrates they were known to inhibit and with the substrate cocktail. IC50s (microM) determined using the substrate cocktail were in good agreement with those obtained with individual substrates (furafylline, 2.9 vs. 2.0; sulfaphenazole, 0.75 vs. 0.72; s-mephenytoin, 170 vs. 180; quinidine, 0.17 vs. 0.24; troleandomycin, 2.6 vs. 3.2) and with previously reported values in the literature.     

Induction of CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 in rat liver by histamine: binding and kinetic studies

Histamine (HA) may bind to cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in rat liver microsomes. The CYP450-HA complex seems to regulate some cellular processes such as proliferation. In the present work, it is shown that HA increases the activity and protein level of CYP1A1 and CYP2E1, in vivo. CYP1A1 is associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-mediated carcinogenesis and CYP2E1 with liver damage by oxidative stress. Studies of enzyme kinetics and binding with rat liver microsomes and supersomes were carried out to determine whether HA is a substrate of CYP1A1 and/or CYP2E1. The lack of NADPH oxidation in the presence of HA showed that it is not a substrate for CYP1A1. Activity measurements using the O-dealkylation of ethoxyresorufin indicated that HA is a mixed-type inhibitor of CYP1A1 in both microsomes and supersomes. On the other hand, HA induced a significant NADPH oxidation catalyzed by CYP2E1 supersomes, strongly suggesting that HA is a substrate for this isoform. Furthermore, HA is consumed in the presence of CYP2E1-induced microsomes and supersomes, as determined by o-phtalaldehyde complexes with HA by HPLC. The present findings may contribute to understand better the physiological function of CYP450 in relation with inflammation and other physiological processes in which HA may have a relevant role.