Involvement of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases in the Extensive Liver and Intestinal First-Pass Metabolism of Flavonoid Baicalein

Purpose The present study aims to investigate the involvement of UDP-glucuronosyltranferase (UGT) in the extensive liver and intestinal first-pass glucuronidation of baicalein (B) in both rats and humans and also to study sulfation and P450 mediated hydroxylation of B.Materials and Methods B was incubated with liver and intestine microsome, cytosol, S9 fractions from human, rat and various human recombinant UGT isozymes, respectively. The generated metabolites were identified by HPLC/MS/MS and quantified by HPLC/UV.Results Three metabolites of B namely baicalein 7-O-glucuronide (BG), the isomer of baicalein 7-O-glucuronide (BG’), and baicalein sulfate were found. BG, the predominant metabolite of B, was extensively generated in liver and jejunum microsomes in both humans and rats. Its formation was mainly catalyzed by UGT 1A9 and also mediated by UGT 1A1, 1A3, 1A8, 1A7 and 2B15 with different kinetic profiles. UGT 1A8 mediated formation of BG’ was mainly found in human intestine and rat liver microsomes. Sulfation and P450 mediated hydroxylation of B were much less significant than glucuronidation.Conclusions Extensive liver and intestinal first-pass glucuronidation of B were found in both humans and rats. Under the current experimental conditions, UGT 1A9 and UGT 1A8 demonstrated the fastest formation rate of BG in human liver preparations and BG’ in human intestine preparations, respectively.     

Membrane Transporters in Drug Disposition

Many clinically used drugs and their metabolites as well as a variety of environmental toxins are organic cations at physiologic pH. Secretion in the renal proximal tubule constitutes a major pathway in the elimination of organic cations. In this report, the results of studies recently performed in this laboratory are presented. First, the molecular cloning of a novel splice variant of organic cation transporter from rat kidney (rOCTIA) is described. The functional characteristics of the transporter are discussed along with the implications of RNA splicing in enhancing transporter diversity. Second, the molecular cloning of the first human organic cation transporter (hOCTI) is described. Distinct interspecies differences in the tissue distribution and function of this transporter is presented. These studies have paved the way for elucidating molecular structure function relationships of organic cation transporters and for determining their physiologic role in drug absorption and elimination. The cloned transporters can be used in mammalian expression systems for screening candidate compounds identified during drug discovery and development and in the in vivo prediction of the pharmacokinetics of therapeutic agents.     

The Role of Transporters in the Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered Drugs

Drug transporters are recognized as key players in the processes of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. The localization of uptake and efflux transporters in organs responsible for drug biotransformation and excretion gives transporter proteins a unique gatekeeper function in controlling drug access to metabolizing enzymes and excretory pathways. This review seeks to discuss the influence intestinal and hepatic drug transporters have on pharmacokinetic parameters, including bioavailability, exposure, clearance, volume of distribution, and half-life, for orally dosed drugs. This review also describes in detail the Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) and explains how many of the effects drug transporters exert on oral drug pharmacokinetic parameters can be predicted by this classification scheme.     

Regulation of Renal Organic Ion Transporters in Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury and Uremia in Rats

Purpose  The purpose of this study was to examine the regulation of renal organic ion transporters in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and its relation with indoxyl sulfate (IS), a uremic toxin. Methods  The IS concentrations in the serum and kidney were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography. Uptake of p-aminohippuric acid, estrone-3-sulfate and tetraethylammonium were examined using renal slices. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting were performed to examine the mRNA and protein expression of rOATs, rOCTs and rMATE1 in the kidney, respectively. Results  The serum and renal IS levels were markedly elevated in cisplatin-treated rats. However, this effect was largely reversed by administration of AST-120, an oral charcoal adsorbent. The functions of renal basolateral organic anion and cation transporters were reduced in cisplatin-treated rats. The levels of mRNA and protein corresponding to rOAT1, rOAT3, rOCT2 and rMATE1, but not rOCT1, were depressed in the kidney of cisplatin-treated rats. Administration of AST-120 to cisplatin-treated rats partially restored the function and expression level of these transporters. Conclusions  Cisplatin-induced AKI causes down-regulation of renal organic ion transporters accompanied by accumulation of serum and renal IS. IS could be involved in the mechanism of down-regulation of rOAT1, rOAT3 and rMATE1 under cisplatin-induced AKI.     

Renal Glucuronidation of Morphine in the Human Foetus

Abstract: The glucuronidation of morphine was investigated in kidney microsomes from human foetuses. This reaction was found to be catalyzed in all specimens investigated and the UDP-glucuronyltransferase activities varied between 0.18 and 0.30 nmol per min. per mg microsomal protein. Intraindividual comparisons with the hepatic glucuronidation rates revealed the renal enzyme rate to be about 50 percent of the hepatic. Oxazepam, and to a lesser extent salicylamide, inhibited the glucuronidation of morphine in kidney microsomes in similarity to what previously was shown in human foetal liver microsomes.     

Differential Expression of the Phenol Family of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases in Hepatoma Cell Lines

Pharmaceutical Research -     

The Role of Plasma Membrane Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Transporters in the Killer Activity of Debaryomyces hansenii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus Toxins

The killer strains of Debaryomyces hansenii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus species secrete antimicrobial proteins called killer toxins which are active against selected fungal phytopathogens. In our research, we attempted to investigate the role of plasma membrane pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) transporters (Pdr5p and Snq2p) in the mechanism of defense against killer toxins. Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant strains with strengthened or weakened pleiotropic drug resistance due to increased or reduced number of mentioned PDR efflux pumps were tested for killer toxin susceptibility. The present study demonstrates the influence of the Snq2p efflux pump in immunity to W. anomalus BS91 killer toxin. It was also shown that the activity of killer toxins of D. hansenii AII4b, KI2a, MI1a and CBS767 strains is regulated by other transporters than those influencing W. anomalus killer toxin activity. In turn, this might be related to the functioning of the Pdr5p transporter and a complex cross-talk between several regulatory multidrug resistance networks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the involvement of PDR transporters in the cell membrane of susceptible microorganisms in resistance to killer yeasts’ toxins.     

Expression Levels of Renal Organic Anion Transporters (OATs) and Their Correlation with Anionic Drug Excretion in Patients with Renal Diseases

PURPOSE: Because the urinary excretion of drugs is often decreased in renal diseases, dosage regimens are adjusted to avoid adverse drug reactions. The aim of present study was to clarify the alteration in the levels of renal drug transporters and their correlation with the urinary drug excretion in renal diseases patients. METHODS: We quantified the mRNA levels of human organic anion transporters (hOATs) by real-time polymerase chain reaction and examined the excretion of the anionic drug, cefazolin, in renal disease patients. Moreover, transport of cefazolin by hOAT1 and hOAT3 were examined using HEK293 transfectants. RESULTS: Among four hOATs, the level of hOAT1 mRNA was significantly lower in the kidney of patients with renal diseases than in the normal controls. The elimination constant of cefazolin showed a significant correlation with the values of phenolsulfonphthalein test and mRNA levels of hOAT3. The uptake study using HEK293 transfectants revealed that cefazolin and phenolsulfonphthalein were transported by hOAT3. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hOAT3 plays an important role for anionic drug secretion in patients with renal diseases and that the expression levels of drug transporters may be related to the alteration of renal drug secretion.     

Characterization of Guanidine Transport in Human Renal Brush Border Membranes

Purpose. Organic cation transporters in the renal proximal tubule are important in the secretion of many clinically used drugs and their metabolites. The goal of this study was to determine the mechanisms of guanidine transport in human kidney. Methods. Brush-border membrane vesicles were prepared from donor human kidneys deemed unsuitable for renal transplantation. Results. Uptake of [¹⁴C]-guanidine (50 M) in the vesicles, as determined by rapid filtration, was significantly greater in the presence of an outwardly-directed proton gradient, at all early time points, than in the absence of the gradient. Proton-stimulated uptake of [¹⁴C]-guanidine at 30 sec (32.0 ± 1.24 pmol/mg protein) was significantly inhibited by a number of organic cations including 5 mM unlabeled guanidine (14.8 ± 1.84 pmol/mg protein) and 5 mM MIBA (9.14 ± 3.80 pmol/ mg protein), but not by 5 mM TEA (28.4 ± 5.67 pmol/mg protein). Guanidine, but not TEA, trans-stimulated [¹⁴C]-guanidine uptake. Conversely, TEA, but not guanidine, trans-stimulated [¹⁴C]-TEA uptake in the vesicles. The proton-dependent transport of guanidine was characterized by a K_m of 3.52 ± 0.42 mM (SE) and a V_max of 34.6 ± 8.64 pmol/mg protein/sec (SE). Conclusions. These results demonstrate that guanidine transport in human renal brush border membrane vesicles is stimulated by a proton gradient. Evidence was obtained suggesting that the transporter for guanidine is distinct from the previously described organic cation proton antiporter for TEA.     

Increased Expression of Renal Drug Transporters in a Mouse Model of Familial Alzheimer's Disease

It is well established that the expression and function of drug transporters at the blood-brain barrier are altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, we recently demonstrated in a mouse model of AD that the expression of key drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes was modified in peripheral organs, such as the small intestine and liver, suggesting that systemic drug absorption may be altered in AD. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the expression of drug transporters in the kidneys differed between 8- to 9-month-old wild-type mice and APPswe/PSEN1dE9 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice, a mouse model of familial AD, using a quantitative targeted absolute proteomics approach. The protein expression of the drug transporters—multidrug resistance-associated protein 2, organic anion transporter 3, and organic cation transporter 2—was upregulated 1.6-, 1.3-, and 1.4-fold, respectively, in kidneys from APP/PS1 mice relative to wild-type mice. These results suggest that in addition to modified oral absorption of certain drugs, it is possible that the renal excretion of drugs that are multidrug resistance-associated protein 2, organic anion transporter 3, and organic cation transporter 2 substrates could be altered in AD. These changes could affect the interpretation of studies conducted during drug development using this mouse model of AD and potentially impact dosage regimens of such drugs prescribed in this patient population.     

Role of organic anion and amino acid carriers in transport of inorganic mercury in rat renal basolateral membrane vesicles: influence of compensatory renal growth.

Susceptibility to renal injury induced by inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)) increases significantly as a result of compensatory renal growth (following reductions of renal mass). We hypothesize that this phenomenon is related in part to increased basolateral uptake of Hg(2+) by proximal tubular cells. To determine the mechanistic roles of various transporters, we studied uptake of Hg(2+), in the form of biologically relevant Hg(2+)-thiol conjugates, using basolateral membrane (BLM) vesicles isolated from the kidney(s) of control and uninephrectomized (NPX) rats. Binding of Hg(2+) to membranes, accounted for 52-86% of total Hg(2+) associated with membrane vesicles exposed to HgCl(2), decreased with increasing concentrations of HgCl(2), and decreased slightly in the presence of sodium ions. Conjugation of Hg(2+) with thiols (glutathione, L-cysteine (Cys), N-acetyl-L-cysteine) reduced binding by more than 50%. Under all conditions, BLM vesicles from NPX rats exhibited a markedly lower proportion of binding. Of the Hg(2+)-thiol conjugates studied, transport of Hg-(Cys)(2) was fastest. Selective inhibition of BLM carriers implicated the involvement of organic anion transporter(s) (Oat1 and/or Oat3; Slc22a6 and Slc22a8), amino acid transporter system ASC (Slc7a10), the dibasic amino acid transporter (Slc3a1), and the sodium-dicarboxylate carrier (SDCT2 or NADC3; Slc13a3). Uptake of each mercuric conjugate, when factored by membrane protein content, was higher in BLM vesicles from uninephrectomized (NPX) rats, with specific increases in transport by the carriers noted above. These results support the hypothesis that compensatory renal growth is associated with increased uptake of Hg(2+) in proximal tubular cells and we have identified specific transporters involved in the process.     

Dysregulation of Mucosal Membrane Transporters and Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in Ulcerative Colitis

Intestinal transporters and metabolizing enzymes are the important factors of the intestinal absorption barrier. Because there is evidence that their expression and function may be affected during inflammatory conditions, we investigated gene expression, protein abundance, and regulation of relevant intestinal transporters and metabolizing enzymes in the intestinal mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Specimens from inflamed and noninflamed tissues of 10 patients with UC as well as colonic control tissues of 10 patients without inflammation were subjected to gene (9 enzymes, 15 transporters, 9 cytokines) and microRNA (N = 54) expression analysis. Protein abundance was quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry–based targeted proteomics. Gene expression of several metabolizing enzymes (e.g., CYP2C9, UGT1A1) and transporters such as ABCB1 (ABCB1), ABCG2 (ABCG2), and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1, SLC16A1) were significantly decreased during inflammation and negatively correlated to microRNAs. On contrary, multidrug resistance-protein 4 (MRP4, ABCC4), organic anion–transporting polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1, SLCO2B1), and organic cation transporter-like 2 (ORCTL2, SLC22A18) were significantly elevated in inflamed tissue. However, at protein level, these findings could only be confirmed for MCT1. UC is associated with complex changes in the intestinal expression of enzymes, transporters, cytokines, and microRNAs, which may affect efficacy of anti-inflammatory drug therapy or the disease state itself.     

转运体稳定表达的验证方法及其研究进展

目的 介绍验证转运体稳定表达的方法和技术,为转运体细胞模型的应用提供依据。方法 对近年来研究转运体在细胞模型中稳定表达的相关文献进行综述。结果 实时定量PCR及Western blot是分别验证转运体转录水平和蛋白表达的经典方法。结论 与荧光检测技术相结合的验证方法在转录水平、蛋白表达与功能活性等三方面都显示出广阔的应用前景。     

Role of Tissue Kallikrein in Prevention and Recovery of Gentamicin-Induced Renal Injury

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that induces severenephrotoxicity and acute renal failure. In the current project,we investigated the protective effects of tissue kallikrein(TK) protein administration (1 µg/h via osmotic minipumps)on kidney damage, apoptosis, and inflammation both during andafter a 10-day regimen of gentamicin (80 mg/kg body weight/daysc) in Sprague-Dawley rats. TK infusion during gentamicin treatmentsignificantly attenuated drug-induced renal dysfunction, corticaldamage, and apoptosis. Moreover, TK reduced inflammatory cellaccumulation in conjunction with diminished superoxide productionand decreased expression of tumor necrosis factor-, monocytechemoattractant protein-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1.The protective effects of TK were blocked by coinfusion of icatibant(1.3 µg/h), indicating a kinin B2 receptor–mediatedsignaling event. After cessation of gentamicin treatment, TKinfusion for 2 weeks completely restored kidney histology andmorphology comparable to that of saline-treated animals. Furthermore,TK reduced gentamicin-induced renal dysfunction and fibrosisas evidenced by decreased myofibroblast and collagen accumulationin the kidney. In vitro, gentamicin increased the number ofapoptotic cells and caspase-3 activity, but decreased phosphorylationof the prosurvival kinase Akt, in immortalized rat proximaltubular cells; addition of TK and bradykinin prevented theseeffects. In conclusion, our findings indicate that kallikrein/kininprevents and promotes recovery of gentamicin-induced renal injuryby inhibiting apoptosis, inflammatory cell recruitment, andfibrotic lesions through suppression of oxidative stress andproinflammatory mediator expression in animals during and aftergentamicin treatment.     

万古霉素用药时间对小鼠肾脏及转运体的影响

目的:探讨万古霉素(VCM)用药时间与小鼠肾毒性的相关性及其作用机制.方法:选取25只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为VCM给药(600 mg/kg,腹腔注射,qd)1 d组、3 d组、7 d组、10 d组和空白对照组(生理盐水)各5只.末次给药后24 h,称取小鼠肾脏质量;采用全自动生化分析仪检测小鼠血清肌酐、尿素氮含...     

Metabolism and Urinary Excretion of Chlormethiazole in Humans

1. Chlormethiazole and five of its metabolites excreted in urine in man have been investigated by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry.

2. Four metabolites have been identified by comparison with authentic compounds as 5-acetyl-4-methylthiazole, 5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole, 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole and 4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid; 4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetaldehyde is proposed for the other metabolite.

3. The amounts of chlormethiazole and its identified metabolites excreted in urine have been quantitatively determined after a single oral dose in three healthy adults. Approximately 16% of the dose was excreted as chlormethiazole, 5-acetyl-4-methylthiazole, 5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole and 4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid.     

The Evolving Role of Drug Metabolism in Drug Discovery and Development

Drug metabolism in pharmaceutical research has traditionally focused on the well-defined aspects of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, commonly-referred to ADME properties of a compound, particularly in the areas of metabolite identification, identification of drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and associated metabolic pathways, and reaction mechanisms. This traditional emphasis was in part due to the limited scope of understanding and the unavailability of in vitro and in vivo tools with which to evaluate more complex properties and processes. However, advances over the past decade in separate but related fields such as pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics and drug transporters, have dramatically shifted the drug metabolism paradigm. For example, knowledge of the genetics and genomics of DMEs allows us to better understand and predict enzyme regulation and its effects on exogenous (pharmacokinetics) and endogenous pathways as well as biochemical processes (pharmacology). Advances in the transporter area have provided unprecedented insights into the role of transporter proteins in absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs and their consequences with respect to clinical drug–drug and drug–endogenous substance interactions, toxicity and interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics. It is therefore essential that individuals involved in modern pharmaceutical research embrace a fully integrated approach and understanding of drug metabolism as is currently practiced. The intent of this review is to reexamine drug metabolism with respect to the traditional as well as current practices, with particular emphasis on the critical aspects of integrating chemistry and biology in the interpretation and application of metabolism data in pharmaceutical research.     

Intestinal Absorptive Transport of the Hydrophilic Cation Ranitidine: A Kinetic Modeling Approach to Elucidate the Role of Uptake and Efflux Transporters and Paracellular vs. Transcellular Transport in Caco-2 Cells

Purpose The mechanism of intestinal drug transport for hydrophilic cations such as ranitidine is complex, and evidence suggests a role for carrier-mediated apical (AP) uptake and saturable paracellular mechanisms in their overall absorptive transport. The purpose of this study was to develop a model capable of describing the kinetics of cellular accumulation and transport of ranitidine in Caco-2 cells, and to assess the relative contribution of the transcellular and paracellular routes toward overall ranitidine transport. Methods Cellular accumulation and absorptive transport of ranitidine were determined in the absence or presence of uptake and efflux inhibitors and as a function of concentration over 60 min in Caco-2 cells. A three-compartment model was developed, and parameter estimates were utilized to assess the expected relative contribution from transcellular and paracellular transport. Results Under all conditions, ranitidine absorptive transport consisted of significant transcellular and paracellular components. Inhibition of P-glycoprotein decreased the AP efflux rate constant (k₂₁) and increased the relative contribution of the transcellular transport pathway. In the presence of quinidine, both the AP uptake rate constant (k₁₂) and k₂₁ decreased, resulting in a predominantly paracellular contribution to ranitidine transport. Increasing the ranitidine donor concentration decreased k₁₂ and the paracellular rate constant (k₁₃). No significant changes were observed in the relative contribution of the paracellular and transcellular routes as a function of ranitidine concentration. Conclusions These results suggest the importance of uptake and efflux transporters as determinants of the relative contribution of transcellular and paracellular transport for ranitidine, and provide evidence supporting a concentration-dependent paracellular transport mechanism. The modeling approach developed here may also be useful in estimating the relative contribution of paracellular and transcellular transport for a wide array of drugs expected to utilize both pathways.