Effect of influenza immunization on CYP3A4 activity in vivo

Many reports of interactions between drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 and influenza vaccine have been made. The authors hypothesized that changes in CYP3A4 activity following influenza immunization would correlate with cytokine production or age. Twenty-four subjects had an erythromycin breath test (ERMBT) and blood draw for lymphocyte culture prior to and on day 7 following influenza immunization. Cytokine production by lymphocytes cultured with influenza antigen was measured by ELISA. Eight men and sixteen women ranging in age from 20 to 66 years (mean = 38.7 years; SE = 2.9) participated in the study. Interferon gamma (IFNgamma) production inversely correlated with change in ERMBT (correlation coefficient = -0.614; p < 0.02), although the overall change in ERMBT was not statistically significant (mean = -4%; p = 0.28). The IFNgamma production correlates with change in ERMBT. This correlation supports in vitro findings of decreased CYP3A4 expression and activity with IFNgamma exposure.     

Effect of methylprednisolone on CYP3A4-mediated drug metabolism in vivo

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of methylprednisolone on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of triazolam. METHODS: In this three-phase cross-over study, ten healthy subjects received 0.25 mg oral triazolam on three occasions: on day 1 (no pretreatment, control), on day 8 (1 h after a single dose of 32 mg oral methylprednisolone) and on day 18 (after further treatment with 8 mg oral methylprednisolone daily for 9 days). The plasma concentrations of triazolam were determined up to 10 h, and its effects were measured using four psychomotor tests up to 6 h. RESULTS: The single dose of methylprednisolone showed no significant effects on the pharmacokinetics of triazolam. However, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test result was better (P < 0.05) during the single-dose methylprednisolone phase than during the control phase, the other three tests showing no differences between the phases. The multiple-dose treatment with methylprednisolone reduced the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of triazolam by 30% (P < 0.05) but had no significant effects on the time to Cmax (tmax), elimination half-life (t 1/2), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 h to 10 h (AUC(0-10 h)) and AUC(0-infinity) and did not alter the effects of triazolam. CONCLUSION: A single, relatively high dose of methylprednisolone (32 mg) did not affect cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 activity, and treatment with 8 mg methylprednisolone daily for 9 days did not result in clinically significant induction of CYP3A4.     

Bufalin inhibits CYP3A4 activity in vitro and in vivo

Aim： To investigate the inhibitory interactions of bufalin and CYP3A4. Methods： Recombinant human CYP3A4 was incubated with bufalin in vitro. Bufalin was administered ig and iv to Wistar rats to further estimate its impact on CYP3A4, and midazolam was given to index the activity of CYP3A4. Results： The IC50 of bufalin was 14.52 μmol/L. Bufalin affected CYP3A4 activity with increases in AUC0-t and t1/2, and decreases in CL and the formation of 1-hydroxy-midazolam after ig or iv administration of midazolam （P〈0.05）. An increase in Cmax after ig bufalin administration （P〈0.05） was observed. Conclusion： Bufalin showed a modest but significant inhibition of CYP3A4 both in vitro and in vivo. The likelihood of an interaction between bufalin and the CYP3A4-metabolized drugs in human might not be negated.     

Effect of tofisopam on CYP3A4 enzyme activity on human recombinant 3A4 supersome

Tofisopam is an anxiolytic agent of the BZD group, chemically 1(3-4 dimethoxyphenyl)-4methyl-5-ethyl-7,8 dimethoxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine. TZP differs from the traditional 1,4-benzodiazepines regarding the positions of the nitrogen atoms. Three clinical cases were reported where tofisopam increased the blood level of immunosuppressive agent leading clinically relevant adverse drug reaction and necessitating reduction of the dose of the drugs or discontinuation of the administration of tofisopam. The administered immunosuppressive agent is a substrate of the CYP3A4 system, so the effect of tofisopam on the CYP3A4 enzyme was investigated in vitro using human recombinant CYP3A4 supersome. Benzyoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)-coumarin (BFC) was used as substrate. Tofisopam in 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 5 micromol/l concentrations inhibited dose dependently the enzyme activity. Activity inhibition rates were 4%, 29%, 40%, 56%, 61% and 94%, respectively and the IC50 was 0.8 micromol/l. The IC50 of positive control substance ketoconazole was 0.03 micromol/l. In in vitro experiments the inhibitory effect of tofisopam was lower than that of ketoconazole (potent CYP3A4 inhibitor) with an order of magnitude. According to the in vitro results it could be concluded that tofisopam is an inhibitor of CYP3A4 but to clarify the clinical importance of this inhibition further human clinical data are needed.     

中药止咳橘红颗粒对CYP3A4和CYP1A2抑制作用的研究

目的：在人体内研究止咳橘红对CYP3A4和CYP1A2的抑制作用，以预测止咳橘红与常用临床药物的相互作用。方法：咪哒唑仑和咖啡因分别作为CYP3A4和A2的探针药物，采取交叉设计，10名受试者在服用3d止咳橘红的前后均服用7.5mg咪哒唑仑和100mg咖啡因，服药后采血测定两者及代谢产物的代谢动力学参数，探讨针药物及代谢物的浓度用HPLC-MS法测定，Cmax,tmax从药时曲线中直接读出，AUC用梯形法计算，Ke用3P87程序进行拟合计算，分析服药前后CYP3A4和CYP1A2被抑制的情况，结果 服用止咳橘红后，咪哒唑仑的代谢受到了轻微的抑制，它的血药浓度，达峰时间和药时曲线下面积都有了升高趋势，但无显著差异。而咖啡因的代谢未受到影响。结论 止咳橘红对CYP3A4的活性有较弱的抑制作用，能够导致CYP3A4底物咪哒唑仑代谢的轻微抑制，而对CYP1A2的活性没有影响。止咳橘红长期使用或超过治疗剂量使用时是否会对CYP3A4产生显著性影响。尚需进一步的研究证明。     

In vitro/in vivo scaling of alprazolam metabolism by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in humans.

We attempted to predict the in vivo metabolic clearance of alprazolam from in vitro metabolic studies using human liver microsomes and human CYP recombinants. Good correlations were observed between the intrinsic clearance (CL(int)) for 4-hydroxylation and CYP3A4 content and between the CL(int) for alpha-hydroxylation and CYP3A5 content in ten human liver microsomal samples. Using the recombinant CYP isoforms expressed in insect cells, the CL(int) for CYP3A4 was about 2-fold higher than the CL(int) for CYP3A5 in the case of 4-hydroxylation. However, the CL(int) for CYP3A5 was about 3-fold higher than the CL(int) for CYP3A4 in the case of alpha-hydroxylation. The metabolic rates for 4- and alpha-hydroxylation increased as the added amount of cytochrome b(5) increased, and their maximum values were 3- to 4-fold higher than those without cytochrome b(5). The values of CL(int), in vivo predicted from in vitro studies using human liver microsomes and CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 recombinants were within 2.5 times of the observed value calculated from literature data. The average CL(int) value (sum of 4- and alpha-hydroxylation) obtained using three human liver microsomal samples was 4-fold higher than that obtained using three small intestinal microsomal samples from the same donors, indicating the minor contribution of intestinal metabolism to alprazolam disposition. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of alprazolam is reported to increase following co-administration of ketoconazole and the magnitude of the increase predicted from the in vitro K(i) values and reported pharmacokinetic parameters of ketoconazole was 2.30-2.45, which is close to the value observed in vivo (3.19). A quantitative prediction of the AUC increase by cimetidine was also successful (1.73-1.79 vs 1.58-1.64), considering the active transport of cimetidine into the liver. In conclusion, we have succeeded in carrying out an in vitro/in vivo scaling of alprazolam metabolism using human liver microsomes and human CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 recombinants.     

Simultaneous assessment of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 activity in vivo with alprazolam and caffeine

Alprazolam (ALP) and caffeine (CAF) were suggested as probe drugs for the activities of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2, respectively. We investigated the disposition of oral ALP (1 mg) and CAF (100 mg) in 17 normal volunteers to establish and validate a procedure for the simultaneous assessment of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 enzyme activity. Nine received ALP alone, ALP and CAF and CAF alone in an open three-way crossover study to test for pharmacokinetic interaction. Four received ALP after a 2-day pretreatment with ketoconazole, an inhibitor of CYP3A4, and four normal volunteers received ALP after 4 days of rifampin, an inducer of CYP3A4. AUC values of ALP and CAF administered alone were not different from AUC values when both drugs were administered combined, indicating that there is no metabolic interaction. The ratio formed of paraxanthine and CAF correlated significantly with systemic CAF clearance at 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 24 h. There was a strong correlation between AUC values of ALP and CAF and the plasma concentration obtained 6, 8, 10, or 24 h after ingestion of the drug. Ketoconazole and rifampin pretreatment significantly changed AUC values of ALP (mean AUC values in microg/l h: ALP = 242.2, ALP + ketoconazole = 426.2, ALP + rifampin = 28.4, ANOVA F = 17.7, P < 0.001). We conclude that ALP and CAF can be administered simultaneously for the assessment of CYP activity. Plasma concentrations 6, 8, 10, and 24 h after drug ingestion reflect AUC of ALP and CAF and therefore in-vivo CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 activity, respectively.     

丹参注射液对家兔体内CYP1A2、CYP2D6和CYP3A4活性的影响

目的：用Cocktail探针药物法研究丹参注射液对家兔细胞色素P450亚型酶活性的影响。方法：将家兔随机分成四组,耳缘静脉注射给予丹参注射液,分低、中、高剂量三个实验组,空白对照组给予生理盐水。用HPLC法测定各组Cock-tail探针药物（咖啡因、美托洛尔和氨苯砜）的血药浓度,比较药时曲线及药代动力学参数的变化,评价各组细胞色素P450亚型酶的活性。结果：丹参注射液低、中、高剂量组CYP2D6的活性与对照组相比降低,具有统计学意义（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;CYP1A2和CYP3A4的活性与对照组相比差异均无统计学意义。结论：丹参注射液对家兔CYP2D6有抑制作用,对CYP1A2和CYP3A4的影响不显著。提示临床应用丹参注射液时,应关注其对CYP2D6的抑制作用,避免联合用药引发CYP2D6介导的药物相互作用,促进临床安全合理用药。     

天然维生素E对CYP3A4活性影响的体内研究

目的：阐明天然维生素E在体内对CYP3A4活性的影响。方法：12名健康男性志愿者,随机分两组,采用两阶段双周期交叉设计,一组口服天然维生素E600mg/d,另一组不服药,连续14d。在第15天两组均口服咪达唑仑7.5mg,在0、0.25、0.5、0.75、1、1.5、2、2.5、3、4、6、8、12、24h采外周静脉血5mL,洗脱4周交叉进行下阶段试验。采血后0.5h内进行离心和分离血浆,运用HPLC-MS-MS分别测定血浆中咪达唑仑总药物浓度、1-OH咪达唑仑药物浓度,分析比较不同处理组间药代动力学参数的差异。结果：天然维生素E服用组与对照组咪达唑仑及其代谢产物1-OH咪达唑仑的血浆药物浓度变化相近。天然维生素E服用组与对照组之间咪达唑仑及其代谢产物1-OH咪达唑仑的曲线下面积AUC0-24h和峰浓度Cmax数据相近（P〉0.05）。结论：在本试验中服用天然维生素E并未影响CYP3A4的体内活性。     

CYP3A4基因多态性对健康受试者体内替硝唑药代动力学的影响（英文）

研究中国汉族人群CYP3A4^*18B基因多态性的频率,并探讨CYP3A4^*18B基因多态性对替硝唑药代动力学的影响。本研究共招募100名来自中国汉族的健康志愿者,采用PCR-RFLP方法检测CYP3A4^*18B的基因多态性。选择CYP3A4^*1/^*1(n=10)野生型受试者和CYP3A4^*1/^*18B(n=9)突变杂合型受试者进行替硝唑的药代动力学研究。单剂量口服替硝唑片剂后采集72h内的血样,使用高效液相色谱法测定血浆样本中替硝唑的浓度。发现88名健康志愿者携带CYP3A4^*1/^*1基因型,12人携带CYP3A4^*1/^*18B基因型,未发现携带CYP3A4^*18B/^*18B基因型。CYP3A4^*18B等位基因频率为6%。CYP3A4*1/*1基因型和CYP3A4^*     

候选新药对大鼠肝细胞色素P4503A4影响的研究

目的研究候选新药(HSH)对大鼠肝细胞色素P4503A4是否有抑制或诱导作用,以及这种作用是否具有性别差异。方法取大鼠雌雄各半,随机分为4个组:雄性对照组(Ⅰ)、雄性给药组(Ⅱ)、雌性对照组(Ⅲ)、雌性给药组(Ⅳ),均采用钙离子沉淀法制备肝微粒体。在各组肝微粒体中同时给予一定剂量的探针药物及目标药物,进行孵育,于不同时间点取样,测定该探针药物的剩余浓度并计算其体外半衰期。结果HSH对肝细胞色素P4503A4无影响。结论就大鼠而言,药物对肝细胞色素P4503A4无影响,HSH在同各种与CYP3A4代谢有关的药物合用时,相对安全。     

CYP3A5~*3和CYP3A4~*18B基因多态性对肾移植患者环孢素药代动力学的影响

目的回顾性研究肾脏移植后1mon,CYP3A5*3和CYP3A4*18B基因多态性对CsA药代动力学参数的影响。方法采用PCR-RFLP方法分析了63名肾脏移植患者CYP3A5*3和CYP3A4*18B基因型;荧光偏正免疫法用于检测肾移植患者静脉全血中的CsA浓度。结果在63名肾移植患者中,CYP3A5*3和CYP3A4*18B突变等位基因发生频率分别为0.770(95CI:0.767～0.773),0.235(95CI:0.235～0.241),而且这些等位基因表现出完全连锁不平衡。在移植术后1mon内,携带CYP3A4*1/*1野生型纯合子患者的C0以及剂量校正谷血浓度(C0/D)均明显高于携带CYP3A4*1/*18B杂合子或CYP3A4*18B/*18B突变型纯合子患者(P<0.05,Mann-WhitneyUtest);CYP3A5*1/*1基因型组的给药剂量明显高于CYP3A5*1/*3或CYP3A5*3/*3基因型组(P=0.004<0.01,Kruakal-Wallistest);CYP34*18B和CYP3A5*3联合考虑,对于CYP3A5表达组,同样发现C0、C0/D在CYP3A4*1/*1组C0以及C0/D均明显高于CYP3A4*1/*18B或CYP3A4*18B/*18B组(P<0.05,Mann-WhitneyUtest);而其他药动学参数在CYP3A5*3及CYP3A4*18B各组间相比差异则没有统计学意义。结论CYP3A5*3和(或)CYP3A4*18B基因多态性对肾移植后1monCsA药代动力学有一定影响,移植前CYP3A5*3基因型的分析仍需进一步研究。     

Exposure-dependent inhibition of intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4 in vivo by grapefruit juice

Consumption of typical quantities of grapefruit juice (GFJ) increases the oral bioavailability of several CYP3A4 substrates without affecting their elimination, consistent with selective inhibition of intestinal but not hepatic CYP3A4. However, increases in the AUCs of CYP3A4 substrates recently associated with the consumption of large amounts of GFJ were similar to those observed with potent inhibitors of hepatic CYP3A4. The current study compared the effects of consuming large quantities and more typical amounts of GFJ on the activity of hepatic and intestinal cytochrome P450 3A4 in vivo, employing the erythromycin breath test (EBT) and oral midazolam pharmacokinetics. This was a two-phase, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study, with each phase conducted with a separate panel of subjects. In Phase I, 8 male volunteers were randomized to the order of receiving one glass (240 mL) of water (placebo) or double-strength (DS) GFJ tid for 2 days and then 90, 60, and 30 minutes prior to administration of probe drugs on the 3rd day. In Phase II, 16 male volunteers were randomized to the order of receiving one glass of (1) single-strength (SS) GFJ, (2) DS GFJ, and (3) water (placebo). All treatments were administered in a fasted state. There was at least a 7-day washout period between treatments. Probe drugs, administered 30 minutes or 1 hour following each treatment in Phase I or II, respectively, consisted of oral midazolam (2 mg) coadministered with IV [14G N-methyl] erythromycin (0.03 mg). The EBT was performed 20 minutes following erythromycin administration. Blood was collected during the 24 hours following probe drug administration for the analysis of midazolam pharmacokinetics. In Phase I, consumption of one glass of DS GFJ tid for 3 days increased the Cmax of midazolam 3-fold, the AUC 6-fold, and the t1/2 2-fold and decreased the amount of exhaled 14CO2 in all 8 subjects, with a mean decrease in EBT of 18%. In Phase II, consumption of one glass of DS GFJ significantly increased the AUC and Cmax of midazolam approximately 2-fold without a significant effect on the t1/2 of midazolam or the EBT. The effects of consuming one glass of SS GFJ on midazolam pharmacokinetics and the EBT were not significantly different from those of one glass of DS GFJ. It was concluded that consumption of one glass of DS GFJ tid for 3 days significantly increased the AUC, Cmax, and t1/2 of midazolam and reduced EBT values, reflecting inhibition of both hepatic and intestinal CYP3A4. In contrast, consumption of one glass of SS or DS GFJ increased midazolam AUC and Cmax, with little effect on the midazolam t1/2 and EBT values, reflecting preferential inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4. Alterations of midazolam AUC and Cmax induced by nine glasses of DS GFJ were significantly greater than those produced by one glass of SS or DS GFJ. These data suggest that GFJ inhibits intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4 in an exposure-dependent fashion and that patients taking medications that are CYP3A4 substrates are at risk for developing drug-related adverse events if they consume large amounts of grapefruit juice.     

CYP3 phylogenomics: evidence for positive selection of CYP3A4 and CYP3A7

OBJECTIVE: CYP3A metabolizes 50% of currently prescribed drugs and is frequently involved in clinically relevant drug interactions. The understanding of roles and regulations of the individual CYP3A genes in pharmacology and physiology is incomplete. METHODS: Using genomic sequences from 16 species we investigated the evolution of CYP3 genomic loci over a period of 450 million years. RESULTS: CYP3A genes in amniota evolved from two ancestral CYP3A genes. Upon the emergence of eutherian mammals, one of them was lost, whereas, the other acquired a novel genomic environment owing to translocation. In primates, CYP3A underwent rapid evolutionary changes involving multiple gene duplications, deletions, pseudogenizations, and gene conversions. The expansion of CYP3A in catarrhines (Old World monkeys, great apes, and humans) differed substantially from New World primates (e.g. common marmoset) and strepsirrhines (e.g. galago). We detected two recent episodes of particularly strong positive selection acting on primate CYP3A protein-coding sequence: (i) on CYP3A7 early in hominoid evolution, which was accompanied by a restriction of its hepatic expression to fetal period and (ii) on human CYP3A4 following the split of the chimpanzee and human lineages. In agreement with these findings, three out of four positively selected amino acids investigated in previous biochemical studies of CYP3A affect the activity and regioselectivity. CONCLUSIONS: CYP3A7 and CYP3A4 may have acquired catalytic functions especially important for the evolution of hominoids and humans, respectively.     

Mdr1 limits CYP3A metabolism in vivo

We determined whether the drug efflux protein P-glycoprotein (Pgp) could influence the extent of CYP3A-mediated metabolism of erythromycin, a widely used model substrate for CYP3A. We compared CYP3A metabolism of erythromycin (a Pgp substrate) using the erythromycin breath test in mice proficient and deficient of mdr1 drug transporters. We first injected mdr1(+/+) mice with [(14)C]N-methyl erythromycin and measured the rate of appearance of (14)CO(2) in the breath as a measure of hepatic CYP3A activity. Animals treated with CYP3A inducers or inhibitor showed accelerated or diminished (14)CO(2) in the breath, respectively. The erythromycin breath test was next administered to mdr1a(-/-) and mdr1a/1b(+/+) and (-/-) mice. These animals had equivalent levels of immunoreactive CYP3A and CYP3A activity as measured by erythromycin N-demethylase activity in liver microsomes. Nevertheless, the rate of (14)CO(2) appearance in the breath showed no relationship with these measurements of CYP3A, but changed proportionally to expression of mdr1. The average breath test (14)CO(2) area under the curves were 1.9- and 1.5-fold greater in mdr1a/1b(-/-) and mdr1a(-/-) mice, respectively, compared with (+/+) mice, and CER(max) was 2-fold greater in mdr1a/1b(-/-) compared with (+/+) mice. We conclude that Pgp, by limiting intracellular substrate availability can be an important determinant of CYP3A metabolism of numerous medications that are substrates for CYP3A and Pgp.     

Comparative metabolic capabilities of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7.

The human cytochromes P450 (P450) CYP3A contribute to the biotransformation of 50% of oxidatively metabolized drugs. The predominant hepatic form is CYP3A4, but recent evidence indicates that CYP3A5 contributes more significantly to the total liver CYP3A than was originally thought. CYP3A7 is the major fetal form and is rarely expressed in adults. To compare the metabolic capabilities of CYP3A forms for 10 substrates, incubations were performed using a consistent molar ratio (1:7:9) of recombinant CYP3A, P450 reductase, and cytochrome b5. A wide range of substrate concentrations was examined to determine the best fit to kinetic models for metabolite formation. In general, K(m) or S(50) values for the substrates were 3 to 4 times lower for CYP3A4 than for CYP3A5 or CYP3A7. For a more direct comparison of these P450 forms, clearance to the metabolites was determined as a linear relationship of rate of metabolite formation for the lowest substrate concentrations examined. The clearance for 1'-hydroxy midazolam formation at low substrate concentrations was similar for CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. For CYP3A5 versus CYP3A4, clearance values at low substrate concentrations were 2 to 20 times lower for the other biotransformations. The clearance values for CYP3A7-catalyzed metabolite formation at low substrate concentrations were substantially lower than for CYP3A4 or CYP3A5, except for clarithromycin, 4-OH triazolam, and N-desmethyl diltiazem (CYP3A5 - CYP3A7). The CYP3A forms demonstrated regioselective differences in some of the biotransformations. These results demonstrate an equal or reduced metabolic capability for CYP3A5 compared with CYP3A4 and a significantly lower capability for CYP3A7.     

The potent mechanism-based inactivation of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 with fusidic acid in in vivo bioaccumulation

1.?The accumulation of fusidic acid (FA) after multiple doses of FA has been reported on in previous studies but the related mechanisms have not been clarified fully. In the present study, we explain the mechanisms related to the mechanism-based inactivation of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4.

2.?The irreversible inhibitory effects of FA on CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 were examined via a series of experiments, including: (a) time-, concentration- and NADPH-dependent inactivation, (b) substrate protection in enzyme inactivation and (c) partition ratio with recombinant human CYP enzymes. Metoprolol α-hydroxylation and midazolam 1′-hydroxylation were used as marker reactions for CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 activities, and HPLC-MS/MS measurement was also utilised.

3.?FA caused to the time- and concentration-dependent inactivation of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. About 55.8% of the activity of CYP2D6 and 75.8% of the activity of CYP3A4 were suppressed after incubation with 10?μM FA for 15?min. K_I and k_inact were found to be 2.87?μM and 0.033?min^?1, respectively, for CYP2D6, while they were 1.95?μM and 0.029?min^?1, respectively, for CYP3A4. Inhibition of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 activity was found to require the presence of NADPH. Substrates of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 showed that the enzymes were protected against the inactivation induced by FA. The estimated partition ratio for the inactivation was 7 for CYP2D6 and 12 for CYP3A4.

4.?FA is a potent mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, which may explain the accumulation of FA in vivo.     

Effect of danshen extract on the activity of CYP3A4 in healthy volunteers

AIMS

To assess the effect of danshen extract on CYP3A4 activity using midazolam as an in vivo probe.

METHODS

A sequential, open-label, two-period pharmacokinetic interaction study design was used to compare midazolam pharmacokinetic parameters before and after 14 days of administration of danshen tablets. Twelve healthy volunteers received a single oral dose (15 mg) of midazolam followed by danshen tablets (four tablets orally, three times a day) for 14 days. On the last day of the study they received four danshen tablets with a 15 mg midazolam tablet and plasma concentrations of midazolam and its corresponding metabolite 1–hydroxylmidazolam were measured prior to and after the administration of danshen tablets periodically for 12 h.

RESULTS

The 90% confidence intervals of C_max,t_1/2, CL/F and AUC(0,∞) of midazolam before and after administration of danshen tablets were (0.559, 0.849), (0.908, 1.142), (1.086, 1.688) and (0.592, 0.921), respectively; and those of C_max, t_1/2 and AUC(0,∞) of 1-hydroxylmidazolam after vs. before administration of danshen tablets were (0.633, 0.923), (0.801, 1.210) and (0.573, 0.980), respectively. Ratios of geometric LS means of C_max(1OHMid) : C_max(Mid) and AUC_max(1OHMid) : AUC_max(Mid) (after vs. before 14-day danshen) were 1.072 and 1.035, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that multiple dose administration of danshen tablets may induce CYP3A4 in the gut. Accordingly, caution should be taken when danshen products are used in combination with therapeutic drugs metabolized by CYP3A.