Approach to predict the contribution of cytochrome P450 enzymes to drug metabolism in the early drug-discovery stage: The effect of the expression of cytochrome b5 with recombinant P450 enzymes

In order to evaluate the potential adverse effects due to genetic polymorphism and/or inter-individual variation, it is necessary to calculate the cytochrome P450 (CYP) contribution to the metabolism of new drugs. In the current study, the in vitro intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values of marker substrates and drugs were determined by measuring metabolite formation and substrate depletion, respectively. Recombinant CYP microsomes expressing CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 with co-expressed cytochrome b₅ were used, but those expressing CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 did not have co-expressed cytochrome b₅. The following prediction methods were compared to determine the CL_int value using data from recombinant CYP enzymes: (1) relative CYP enzyme content in human liver microsomes; (2) relative activity factor (RAF) estimated from the V_max value; and (3) RAF estimated from the CL_int value. Estimating RAF from CL_int proved the most accurate prediction method among the three tested, and differences in the CYP3A4 marker reactions did not affect its accuracy. The substrate depletion method will be useful in the early drug-discovery stage when the main metabolite and/or metabolic pathway has not been identified. In addition, recombinant CYP microsomes co-expressed with cytochrome b₅ might be suitable for the prediction of the CL_int value.     

Prediction of metabolic clearance of diclofenac in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats using a substrate depletion assay

1.?The purpose of this study was to evaluate drug clearance measured by the metabolic intrinsic clearance (CL_int) in a substrate depletion assay in comparison with the in vivo clearance (CL_tot) observed in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats. 2.?After intravenous administration of diclofenac as a model drug, CL_tot was 2.8-fold higher in AA rats than in control rats. In two different substrate depletion assays with liver microsomes for glucuronidation and hydroxylation, the CL_int values for glucuronidation was significantly decreased in AA rats to 60% of the value in control rats, whereas the CL_int values for hydroxylation were similar. The unbound fraction of diclofenac in plasma (f_{u, plasma}) was significantly higher (2.8-fold) in AA rats than in control rats. 3.?Hepatic clearance predicted from the CL_int values for both biotransformation pathways and f_{u, plasma} was higher in AA rats than in control rats, with good consistency between predicted and observed values. The same results were obtained for experiments using hepatocytes. 4.?The plasma protein-binding activities, rather than metabolic clearance, in both types of rats would be a determining factor in the pharmacokinetic behaviour differences between control and AA rats. 5.?In summary, substrate depletion assays with liver microsomes and hepatocytes in combination with protein binding assessment can help to predict changes in pharmacokinetics under AA conditions.     

Identification and relative contributions of human cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of glibenclamide and lansoprazole: evaluation of an approach based on the in vitro substrate disappearance rate

1.?The identification and relative contributions of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes involved in the metabolism of glibenclamide and lansoprazole in human liver microsomes were investigated using an approach based on the in vitro disappearance rate of unchanged drug.

2.?Recombinant CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 catalysed a significant disappearance of both drugs. When the contribution of CYPs to the intrinsic clearance (CL_int) of drugs in pooled human microsomes was estimated by relative activity factors, contributions of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 were determined to be 4.6 and 96.4% for glibenclamide, and 75.1 and 35.6% for lansoprazole, respectively.

3.?CL_int of glibenclamide correlated very well with CYP3A4 marker activity, whereas the CL_int of lansoprazole significantly correlated with CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 marker activities in human liver microsomes from 12 separate individuals. Effects of CYP-specific inhibitors and anti-CYP3A serum on the CL_int of drugs in pooled human liver microsomes reflected the relative contributions of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4.

4.?The results suggest that glibenclamide is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4, whereas lansoprazole is metabolized by both CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. This approach, based on the in vitro drug disappearance rate, is useful for estimating CYP identification and their contribution to drug discovery.     

Approach to the prediction of the contribution of major cytochrome P450 enzymes to drug metabolism in the early drug-discovery stage

It is important to determine the cytochrome P450 (CYP) contribution of certain drugs by taking into consideration the attrition due to issues such as genetic polymorphism and inter-individual variation. In many cases in the early discovery stage, the metabolites of a new chemical have not been identified. Therefore, the present paper devised an approach in which the in vitro intrinsic clearance (CL_int) value for new chemicals was determined by measuring substrate depletion. The following prediction methods were compared to calculate CL_int using data from recombinant CYP enzymes: (1) the relative CYP content in human liver microsomes; (2) the relative activity factor (RAF) based on the V_max value; and (3) the RAF value based on the CL_int value. The most accurate prediction method was RAF based on CL_int. This method would be useful in the early drug-discovery process in cases in which the main metabolite is not identified.     

Monkey liver cytochrome P450 2C9 is involved in caffeine 7-N-demethylation to form theophylline

Abstract

1. Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a phenotyping substrate for human cytochrome P450 1A2. 3-N-Demethylation of caffeine is the main human metabolic pathway, whereas monkeys extensively mediate the 7-N-demethylation of caffeine to form pharmacological active theophylline.

2. Roles of monkey P450 enzymes in theophylline formation from caffeine were investigated using individual monkey liver microsomes and 14 recombinantly expressed monkey P450 enzymes, and the results were compared with those for human P450 enzymes.

3. Caffeine 7-N-demethylation activity in microsomes from 20 monkey livers was not strongly inhibited by α-naphthoflavone, quinidine or ketoconazole, and was roughly correlated with diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation activities. Monkey P450 2C9 had the highest activity for caffeine 7-N-demethylation. Kinetic analysis revealed that monkey P450 2C9 had a high V_max/K_m value for caffeine 7-N-demethylation, comparable to low K_m value for monkey liver microsomes. Caffeine could dock favorably with monkey P450 2C9 modeled for 7-N-demethylation and with human P450 1A2 for 3-N-demethylation.

4. The primary metabolite theophylline was oxidized to 8-hydroxytheophylline in similar ways by liver microsomes and by recombinant P450s in both humans and monkeys.

5. These results collectively suggest a high activity for monkey liver P450 2C9 toward caffeine 7-N-demethylation, whereas, in humans, P450 1A2-mediated caffeine 3-N-demethylation is dominant.     

Are there differences in the catalytic activity per unit enzyme of recombinantly expressed and human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 2C9? A systematic investigation into inter‐system extrapolation factors

The ‘relative activity factor’ (RAF) compares the activity per unit of microsomal protein in recombinantly expressed cytochrome P450 enzymes (rhCYP) and human liver without separating the potential sources of variation (i.e. abundance of enzyme per mg of protein or variation of activity per unit enzyme). The dimensionless ‘inter‐system extrapolation factor’ (ISEF) dissects differences in activity from those in CYP abundance. Detailed protocols for the determination of this scalar, which is used in population in vitro–in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), are currently lacking. The present study determined an ISEF for CYP2C9 and, for the first time, systematically evaluated the effects of probe substrate, cytochrome b5 and methods for assessing the intrinsic clearance (CL_int). Values of ISEF for S‐warfarin, tolbutamide and diclofenac were 0.75 ± 0.18, 0.57 ± 0.07 and 0.37 ± 0.07, respectively, using CL_int values derived from the kinetic values V_max and K_m of metabolite formation in rhCYP2C9 + reductase + b5 BD Supersomes?. The ISEF values obtained using rhCYP2C9 + reductase BD Supersomes? were more variable, with values of 7.16 ± 1.25, 0.89 ± 0.52 and 0.50 ± 0.05 for S‐warfarin, tolbutamide and diclofenac, respectively. Although the ISEF values obtained from rhCYP2C9 + reductase + b5 for the three probe substrates were statistically different (p < 0.001), the use of the mean value of 0.54 resulted in predicted oral clearance values for all three substrates within 1.4 fold of the observed literature values. For consistency in the relative activity across substrates, use of a b5 expressing recombinant system, with the intrinsic clearance calculated from full kinetic data is recommended for generation of the CYP2C9 ISEF. Furthermore, as ISEFs have been found to be sensitive to differences in accessory proteins, rhCYP system specific ISEFs are recommended. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Drug interactions of diclofenac and its oxidative metabolite with human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 1A2-dependent drug oxidation

Abstract

1.?The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of diclofenac on human cytochrome P450 1A2-, 2C19- and 3A4-mediated drug oxidations and to evaluate the drug interaction potential of diclofenac and 4′-hydroxydiclofenac.

2.?Diclofenac was converted to 4′-hydroxydiclofenac by recombinantly expressed human P450 1A2 with K_m and V_max values of 33?µM and 0.20?min^?1, respectively. Diclofenac and 4′-hydroxydiclofenac suppressed flurbiprofen 4′-hydroxylation by P450 2C9 strongly and moderately, respectively; however, they did not affect P450 2C19-dependent S-mephenytoin hydroxylation or P450 3A4-dependent midazolam hydroxylation.

3.?Although the caffeine 3-N-demethylation activity of liver microsomal P450 1A2 was inhibited by simultaneous incubation with diclofenac, the riluzole N-hydroxylation activities of recombinant P450 1A2 and human liver microsomes were inhibited after preincubation with diclofenac or 4′-hydroxydiclofenac for 20?min in the presence of NADPH. Using the inhibition constant (37?µM) of diclofenac on caffeine 3-N-demethylation and the reported 95th percentiles of maximum plasma concentration (10.5?µM) after an oral dose of diclofenac, the in vivo estimated increase in area under the plasma concentration–time curve was 29%.

4.?These results suggest that diclofenac could inhibit drug clearance to a clinically important degree that depends on P450 1A2. Clinically relevant drug interactions in vivo with diclofenac are likely to be invoked via human P450 1A2 function in addition to those caused by the effect of diclofenac on P450 2C9.     

Comparative study of the metabolism of drug substrates by human cytochrome P450 3A4 expressed in bacterial,yeast and human lymphoblastoid cells

1. The aim was to compare the metabolic activity of human CYP3A4 expressed in bacteria (E. coli), yeast (S. cerevisiae) and human lymphoblastoid cells (hBl), with the native CYP3A4 activity observed in a panel of human livers. 2. Three CYP3A4 substrates were selected for study: dextromethorphan (DEM), midazolam (MDZ) and diazepam (DZ). The substrate metabolism in each of the four systems was characterized by deriving the kinetic parameters K_m or S₅₀, V_max and intrinsic clearance (CL_int) or maximum clearance (CL_max) from the kinetic profiles; the latter differing by 100-fold across the three substrates. 3. The K_m or S₅₀ for the formation of metabolites 3-methoxymorphinan (MEM), 1'-hydroxymidazolam (1'-OH MDZ) and 3-hydroxydiazepam (3HDZ) compared well in all systems. For CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of DEM, MDZ and DZ, the V_max for hBl microsomes were generally 2-9-fold higher than the respective yeast and human liver microsomes and E. coli membrane preparations, resulting in greater CL_int or CL_max. In the case of 3HDZ formation, non-linear kinetics were observed for E. coli, hBl microsomes and human liver microsomes, whereas the kinetics observed for S. cerevisiae were linear. 4. The use of native human liver microsomes for drug metabolic studies will always be preferable. However, owing to the limited availability of human tissues, we find it is reasonable to use any of the recombinant systems described herein, since all three recombinant systems gave good predictions of the native human liver enzyme activities.     

Contribution of cytochrome P450 3A4 and 3A5 to the metabolism of atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor that is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. A recent study showed that the lipid-lowering effect of statins is affected by the CYP3A5 polymorphism. Therefore, it was investigated whether CYP3A5 contributes to the metabolism of atorvastatin. Two metabolites of atorvastatin, para- and ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin, were produced by human liver microsomes and human recombinant CYP3A enzymes, and the enzyme kinetic pattern exhibited substrate inhibition. The intrinsic clearance (CL_int) rates of para- and ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin by CYP3A4 were 2.4- and 5.0-fold of the respective CL_int rates of CYP3A5, indicating that CYP3A4 is the major P450 isoform responsible for atorvastatin metabolism. These results suggest that atorvastatin is preferentially metabolized by CYP3A4 rather than by CYP3A5, and thus the genetic CYP3A5 polymorphism might not be an important factor in the inter-individual variation of atorvastatin disposition and pharmacodynamics in human.     

Species differences in hepatic and intestinal metabolic activities for 43 human cytochrome P450 substrates between humans and rats or dogs

Abstract

1. Prediction of human pharmacokinetics might be made more precise by using species with similar metabolic activities to humans. We had previously reported the species differences in intestinal and hepatic metabolic activities of 43 cytochrome P450 (CYP) substrates between cynomolgus monkeys and humans. However, the species differences between humans and rats or dogs had not yet been determined using comparable data sets with sufficient number of compounds.

2. Here, we investigated metabolic stabilities in intestinal and liver microsomes obtained from rats, dogs and humans using 43 substrates of human CYP1A2, CYP2J2, CYP2C, CYP2D6 and CYP3A.

3. Hepatic intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values for most compounds in dogs were comparable to those in humans (within 10-fold), whereas in rats, those for the human CYP2D6 substrates were much higher and showed low correlation with humans. In dog intestine, as with human intestine, CL_int values for almost all human CYP1A2, CYP2C, CYP2D6 substrates were not determined because they were very low. Intestinal CL_int values for human CYP3A substrates in rats and dogs appeared to be lower for most of the compounds and showed moderate correlation with those in humans.

4. In conclusion, dogs showed the most similar metabolic activity to humans.     

Metabolism of deltamethrin and cis- and trans-permethrin by human expressed cytochrome P450 and carboxylesterase enzymes

1. The metabolism of the pyrethroids deltamethrin (DLM), cis-permethrin (CPM) and trans-permethrin (TPM) was studied in human expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) and carboxylesterase (CES) enzymes.

2. DLM, CPM and TPM were metabolised by human CYP2B6 and CYP2C19, with the highest apparent intrinsic clearance (CL_int) values for pyrethroid metabolism being observed with CYP2C19. Other CYP enzymes contributing to the metabolism of one or more of the three pyrethroids were CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9*1, CYP2D6*1, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. None of the pyrethroids were metabolised by CYP2A6, CYP2E1, CYP3A7 or CYP4A11.

3. DLM, CPM and TPM were metabolised by both human CES1 and CES2 enzymes.

4. Apparent CL_int values for pyrethroid metabolism by CYP and CES enzymes were scaled to per gram of adult human liver using abundance values for microsomal CYP enzymes and for CES enzymes in liver microsomes and cytosol. TPM had the highest and CPM the lowest apparent CL_int values for total metabolism (CYP and CES enzymes) per gram of adult human liver.

5. Due to their higher abundance, all three pyrethroids were extensively metabolised by CES enzymes in adult human liver, with CYP enzymes only accounting for 2%, 10% and 1% of total metabolism for DLM, CPM and TPM, respectively.

     

Roles of two allelic variants (Arg144Cys and Ile359Leu) of cytochrome P4502C9 in the oxidation of tolbutamide and warfarin by human liver microsomes

1. Tolbutamide methyl hydroxylation and racemic warfarin 7-hydroxylation activities were determined in liver microsomes of 39 Japanese and 45 Caucasians genotyped for the cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) 2C9 gene into three groups, namely the wild-type (Arg144·Ile359), and two heterozygous Cys allele (Cys144·Ile359) and Leu allele (Arg144·Leu359) variants. 2. Good correlations were found between tolbutamide methyl hydroxylation and racemic warfarin 7-hydroxylation activities in liver microsomes of Japanese and Caucasians. Humans with the Cys allele CYP2C9 variant, which was detected in 22% of Caucasians, were found to have similar catalytic rates to those of the wild-type in the oxidations of tolbutamide and racemic warfarin, whereas humans with the Leu allele, which was detected in 8% Japanese and 7% Caucasian samples, had lower catalytic rates than those of other two groups. 3. The rates of 6- and 7-hydroxylation of racemic warfarin were correlated well with those of S-warfarin, but not R-warfarin, in human liver microsomes. 4. Both human liver microsomes and recombinant CYP2C9 catalysed 7-hydroxylation of S-warfarin more extensively than those of R-warfarin. K_m's for the 7-hydroxylation of S-warfarin were not very different in liver microsomes of humans with these three genotypes. Anti-CYP2C9 antibodies and sulphaphenazole inhibited the 6- and 7- hydroxylation of S-warfarin, but not R-warfarin,by > 90% and the methyl hydroxylation of tolbutamide by about 50%. 5. These results suggest that humans with Leu allele of CYP2C9 have lower V_max's for S-warfarin 7-hydroxylation and tolbutamide methyl hydroxylation than those with wildtype and Cys allele CYP2C9, although the K_m's are not very different in liver microsomes m of these three groups of humans. R-warfarin hydroxylation may be catalysed by P450 enzymes other than CYP2C9 in man.     

Interindividual variability in catalytic activity and immunoreactivity of three major human liver cytochrome P450 isozymes

Objective: Interindividual variations in immunoreactivity and function of three major human drug metabolising P450 monooxygenases has been investigated in liver microsomes from 42 Caucasians (kidney donors or liver biopsies). Methods: Diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation, dextromethorphan O-demethylation and midazolam 1′-hydroxylation, measured by HPLC in incubates, were used as probes to determine CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 function kinetics, respectively. Immunoquantification of the three isoforms was achieved by Western blotting, using rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against human CYP2C9 and human CYP3A4, and mouse monoclonal antibody raised against human CYP2D6. Results: Diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics with k_M= 3.4 μmol ⋅l⁻¹ and V_max = 45 nmole ⋅mg⁻¹P ⋅h⁻¹. Relative immunoreactivity of CYP2C9 was correlated with V_max and CL_int. Dextromethorphan O-demethylation in EM (extensive metabolisers) liver microsomes also showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with k_M = 4.4 μmol ⋅l⁻¹ and V_max = 5.0 nmol ⋅mg⁻¹P ⋅h⁻¹. Relative immunoreactivity of CYP2D6 was correlated with V_max and CL_int. Midazolam 1′-hydroxylation also exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics with k_M = 3.3 μmol ⋅l⁻¹ and V_max = 35 nmol ⋅mg⁻¹P ⋅h⁻¹. Relative immunoreactivity of CYP3A4 was correlated with V_max and CL_int. Immunoreactivity and function were correlated for each isozyme, but there was no cross correlation between isozymes. Conclusion: The velocity of metabolite formation (V_max) by the three major human drug metabolising P450 monooxygenases is correlated with their immunoreactivity in liver microsomes. Interindividual variation was much larger for V_max than k_M. Interindividual variability was more pronounced for CYP2D6, probably due to the presence of several different functional alleles in the population of extensive metabolisers. Received: 27 December 1995/Accepted in revised form: 29 March 1996     

Screening of ten cytochrome P450 enzyme activities with 12 probe substrates in human liver microsomes using cocktail incubation and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Testing for potential drug interactions of new chemical entities is essential when developing a novel drug. In this study, an assay was designed to evaluate drug interactions with 10 major human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes incubated in liver microsomes, involving 12 probe substrates with two cocktail incubation sets used in a single liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) run. The P450 substrate composition in each cocktail set was optimized to minimize solvent effects and mutual drug interactions among substrates as follows: cocktail A was composed of phenacetin for CYP1A2, bupropion for CYP2B6, amodiaquine for CYP2C8, diclofenac for CYP2C9, S‐mephenytoin for CYP2C19, and dextromethorphan for CYP2D6; cocktail B was composed of coumarin for CYP2A6, chlorzoxazone for CYP2E1, astemizole for CYP2J2, and midazolam, nifedipine, and testosterone for CYP3A. Multiple probe substrates were used for CYP3A owing to the multiple substrate‐binding sites and substrate‐dependent inhibition. After incubation in human liver microsomes, each incubation mixture was pooled and all probe metabolites were simultaneously analysed in a single LC–MS/MS run. Polarity switching was used to acquire the negative‐ion mode for hydroxychlorzoxazone and positive‐ion mode for the remaining analytes. The method was validated by comparing the inhibition data obtained from incubation of each individual probe substrate alone and with the substrate cocktails. The half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values obtained from the cocktail and individual incubations were well correlated and in agreement with previously reported values. This new method will be useful in assessing the drug interaction potential of new chemical entities during new drug development.     

Suitable albumin concentrations for enhanced drug oxidation activities mediated by human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 2C9 and other forms predicted with unbound fractions and partition/distribution coefficients of model substrates

1. Albumin has reportedly enhanced cytochrome P450 (P450)-mediated drug oxidation rates in human liver microsomes. Consequently, measurements of clearances and fractions metabolized could vary depending on the experimental albumin concentrations used.

2. In this study, the oxidation rates of diclofenac and warfarin by human liver microsomes were significantly enhanced in the presence of 0.10% (w/v) bovine serum albumin, whereas those of tolbutamide and phenytoin required 1.0% and 2.0% of albumin for significant enhancement. Values of the fractions metabolized by P450 2C9 for four substrates did not markedly change in the presence of albumin at the above-mentioned concentrations.

3. The oxidation rates of bupropion, omeprazole, chlorzoxazone and phenacetin in human liver microsomes were reportedly enhanced by 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 2% of albumin, respectively. Analysis of reported intrinsic clearance values and suitable albumin concentrations for the currently analyzed substrates and the reported substrates revealed an inverse correlation, with warfarin as an outlier.

4. Suitable albumin concentrations were multivariately correlated with physicochemical properties, that is, the plasma unbound fractions, octanol–water partition coefficient and acid dissociation constant (r?=?0.98, p<.0001, n?=?10). Therefore, multiple physicochemical properties may be determinants of suitable albumin concentrations for substrate oxidations in human liver microsomes.

     

Identification of human cytochrome P(450)s that metabolise anti-parasitic drugs and predictions of in vivo drug hepatic clearance from in vitro data

Objective Knowledge about the metabolism of anti-parasitic drugs (APDs) will be helpful in ongoing efforts to optimise dosage recommendations in clinical practise. This study was performed to further identify the cytochrome P₄₅₀ (CYP) enzymes that metabolise major APDs and evaluate the possibility of predicting in vivo drug clearances from in vitro data.Methods In vitro systems, rat and human liver microsomes (RLM, HLM) and recombinant cytochrome P₄₅₀ (rCYP), were used to determine the intrinsic clearance (CL_int) and identify responsible CYPs and their relative contribution in the metabolism of 15 commonly used APDs.Results and discussion CL_int determined in RLM and HLM showed low (r²=0.50) but significant (P<0.01) correlation. The CL_int values were scaled to predict in vivo hepatic clearance (CL_H) using the 'venous equilibrium model'. The number of compounds with in vivo human CL data after intravenous administration was low (n=8), and the range of CL values covered by these compounds was not appropriate for a reasonable quantitative in vitro–in vivo correlation analysis. Using the CL_H predicted from the in vitro data, the compounds could be classified into three different categories: high-clearance drugs (>70% liver blood flow; amodiaquine, praziquantel, albendazole, thiabendazole), low-clearance drugs (<30% liver blood flow; chloroquine, dapsone, diethylcarbamazine, pentamidine, primaquine, pyrantel, pyrimethamine, tinidazole) and intermediate clearance drugs (artemisinin, artesunate, quinine). With the exception of artemisinin, which is a high clearance drug in vivo, all other compounds were classified using in vitro data in agreement with in vivo observations. We identified hepatic CYP enzymes responsible for metabolism of some compounds (praziquantel—1A2, 2C19, 3A4; primaquine—1A2, 3A4; chloroquine—2C8, 2D6, 3A4; artesunate—2A6; pyrantel—2D6). For the other compounds, we confirmed the role of previously reported CYPs for their metabolism and identified other CYPs involved which had not been reported before.Conclusion Our results show that it is possible to make in vitro–in vivo predictions of high, intermediate and low CL_int drug categories. The identified CYPs for some of the drugs provide a basis for how these drugs are expected to behave pharmacokinetically and help in predicting drug–drug interactions in vivo.     

Caffeine 7-N-demethylation and C-8-oxidation mediated by liver microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes in common marmosets

1.?3-N-Demethylation of caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is mediated by human cytochrome P450 1A2, whereas 7-N-demethylation and C-8-hydroxylation are reportedly catalyzed by monkey P450 2C9 and rat P450 1A2, respectively.

2.?Roles of marmoset P450 enzymes in caffeine oxidation were investigated using nine marmoset liver microsomes and 14 recombinantly expressed marmoset P450 enzymes.

3.?Predominant caffeine 7-N-demethylation and C-8-hydroxylation activities in marmoset liver microsomes were moderately (r?=?0.78, p?<?0.05) and highly (r?=?0.82, p?<?0.01) correlated with midazolam 1′-hydroxylation activities, respectively, while the former was not strongly affected by ketoconazole or α-naphthoflavone.

4.?Caffeine C-8-hydroxylation in liver microsomes was inhibited by ketoconazole and activated by α-naphthoflavone, suggesting main involvements of P450 3As.

5.?Recombinant marmoset P450 3As had high V_max/K_m values for C-8-hydroxylation, comparable to K_m values for marmoset liver microsomes. Marmoset P450 1As efficiently mediated caffeine 3-N-demethylation and C-8-hydroxylation with apparently lower K_m values than those of liver microsomes.

6.?These results collectively suggest highly active marmoset P450 3A enzymes toward caffeine 8-hydorxylaiton and involvement of multiple P450 isoforms including P450 1A in caffeine 7-N- and 3-N-demethylations in marmoset livers. Marmoset P450s have slightly different properties to human or monkey P450s regarding caffeine metabolic pathways.     

甘草次酸在人细胞色素CYP450中体外代谢研究(英)

甘草根是中医临床常用解毒草药, 其活性成分甘草次酸主要是通过肝脏代谢。本文研究了人肝微粒体以及人源性CYP450s对甘草次酸的体外代谢影响, 以及甘草次酸对几种CYP450酶活性的影响。实验结果表明, 甘草次酸体外主要代谢酶为CYP3A4。体外药代动力学参数K_m, V_max和CL_int分别为18.6 μmol·L⁻¹, 4.4 nmol·mg⁻¹(protein)·min⁻¹和0.237 mL·mg⁻¹(protein)·min⁻¹。体外抑制试验显示, 50 μmol·L⁻¹甘草次酸可以抑制CYP2C19、CYP2C9、CYP3A4酶的活性, 其抑制率可高达50%以上。     

Metabolite kinetics of ondansetron in rat. Comparison of hepatic microsomes,isolated hepatocytes and liver slices,with in vivo disposition

1. The kinetics of hydroxylation and N-demethylation of ondansetron have been determined in freshly isolated hepatocytes, hepatic microsomes and precision-cut liver slices from the male Sprague-Dawley rat. In vivo studies have also been carried out to characterize the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron and in vitro data have been assessed for their value as predictors of hepatic clearance.

2. In the three in vitro systems, the formation of hydroxylated and demethylated metabolites were characterized as a function of substrate concentration by a high-affinity, low-capacity site and a low-affinity, high-capacity site which was not saturated over the concentration range studied (2.5–500 μM). Slices gave consistently higher K_m's (20 and 30 μM for hydroxylation and demethylation respectively) than hepatocytes (3 and 13 μM respectively) and microsomes (2 and 5 μM respectively). The rank order of V_max and CL_int was the same for each system; hydroxylation rates exceeding demethylation rates. Although two hydroxylations (7- and 8-hydroxy metabolites) occurred exclusively in microsomes, these are believed to originate from a common precursor.

3. The high CL_int of ondansetron (150 ml/min/SRW, where SRW is a standard rat weight of 250 g) is well predicted by scaling either microsomal clearance for microsomal protein recovery or hepatocyte clearance for hepatocellularity (212 and 135 ml/min/SRW respectively). In contrast, the use of liver slice data scaled to a whole liver substantially underestimates CL_int (9 ml/min/SRW).     

Identification of the cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the O-demethylation of 4-nitroanisole in human liver microsomes

1. 4-Nitroanisole is O-demethylated to 4-nitrophenol by human liver microsomes. Kinetic studies indicate that this metabolic route is mediated by two cytochrome P450 isoforms, one with a K_m = 2.1 μM and the other with a K_m = 220 μM. 2. Chemical inhibition and correlation studies in human liver microsomes indicate that the low K_m enzyme is CYP2A6 and the high K_m enzyme is CYP2E1 suggesting that 4-nitroanisole is not a general cytochrome P450 substrate. 3. Studies using expressed recombinant cytochrome P450s indicated that all the cytochrome P450s investigated metabolized 4-nitroanisole but CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 produced the highest rates. Kinetic studies with these two isoforms produced a K_m for CYP2A6 of 9 μM and 54 μM for CYP2E1. 4. The involvement of these two isoforms in the O-demethylation of 4-nitroanisole can be rationalized in terms of a hydrogen bond interaction with the nitro group and the active site of CYP2A6 and a hydrophobic interaction with the active site of CYP2E1.