Stereoselective degradation of metalaxyl and its enantiomers in rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes in vitro

1. The stereoselective degradations of racemate metalaxyl (rac-MX) and its single enantiomers in rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes were assayed by a chiral high-performance liquid chromatography method.

2. The t_1/2 of (+)-S-MX in rat liver microsomes was between 7–8?min tested by rac-MX and the individual (+)-S-enantiomer, respectively, and that for (?)-R-MX was 15–16?min. In contrast, t_1/2 in rabbit liver microsomes was much longer and showed great difference when using racemate and single enantiomer, which was similar to the results of in vivo study.

3. The enantioselectivity in rat hepatic microsomes was more evident and the degradations of MX enantiomers in rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes were Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent.

4. Michaelis constant (K_m) and intrinsic metabolic clearance (CL_int) of (+)-S-MX were larger than that of (?)-R-MX and there was no chiral inversion from (+)-S-MX to (?)-R-MX or vice versa in both rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes.

     

Determination of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of (−)-terpinen-4-ol by human liver microsomes

1. The in vitro metabolism of (?)-terpinen-4-ol was examined in human liver microsomes and recombinant enzymes.

2. The biotransformation of (?)-terpinen-4-ol was investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. (?)-Terpinen-4-ol was found to be oxidized to (?)-(1S,2R,4R)-1,2-epoxy-p-menthan-4-ol, major metabolic product by human liver microsomal P450 enzymes. The formation of metabolites of (?)-terpinen-4-ol was determined by relative abundance of mass fragments and retention times on GC.

3. CYP2A6 in human liver microsomes was a major enzyme involved in the oxidation of (?)-terpinen-4-ol by human liver microsomes, based on the following lines of evidence. First, of 11 recombinant human P450 enzymes tested, CYP2A6 had the highest activity for oxidation of (?)-terpinen-4-ol. Second, oxidation of (?)-terpinen-4-ol was inhibited by (+)-menthofuran. Finally, there was a good correlation between CYP2A6 maker activity and (?)-terpinen-4-ol oxidation activities in liver microsomes of 10 human samples.

4. Kinetic analysis showed that the V_max/K_m values for (?)-(1S,2R,4R)-1,2-epoxy-p-menthan-4-ol catalysed by liver microsomes of human sample HH-18 was 2.49 μL/min/nmol.

5. Human recombinant CYP2A6 catalysed (?)-(1S,2R,4R)-1,2-epoxy-p-menthan-4-ol with V_max values of 13.9 nmol/min/nmol P450 and apparent K_m values of 91 μM.

     

Enantioselective carbonyl reduction of eperisone in human liver microsomes

1. Eperisone, 4-ethyl-2-methyl-3-piperidinopropiophenone, is a centrally acting muscle relaxant widely used to relieve muscle stiffness and back pain. In this study, enantioselectivity for carbonyl reduction of eperisone was investigated in human liver microsomes, and the enzymes involved in the carbonyl reduction were characterised.

2. Carbonyl reduction of eperisone predominantly occurred in microsomal fractions and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1(11β-HSD 1) played a major role in this reaction as judged by selective inhibition of the activity by BVT-14225 and KR-66344. The kinetic study with (+)-S- and (?)-R-eperisone showed that the formation of the carbonyl reduced metabolite (M5) from the (?)-R-isomer was more efficient than that from the (?)-S-isomer.

3. As eperisone is a racemic compound with one chiral centre, the carbonyl reduced metabolite of eperisone (M5) may have four possible diastereoisomeric structures. Chiral separation of incubation mixtures of racemic eperisone with human liver microsome revealed that (1S, 2S)-M5 and (1R, 2R)-M5 were generated specifically from (+)-S- and (?)-R-eperisone, respectively. Selective formation of anti-diastereomers was further confirmed by incubation of individual enantiomer with microsomes.

4. Carbonyl reduction of eperisone by microsomal 11β-HSD 1 may significantly contribute to the metabolic disposition of eperisone in human and (?)-R-isomer is preferentially reduced by this enzyme.

     

Metabolism and distribution of two highly potent and selective peptidomimetic inhibitors of matriptase

1. Matriptase is a serine protease expressed by several types of cancer cells and it participates in tumour growth and progression through the activation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA).

2. The metabolism of two potent and selective peptidomimetic inhibitors of matriptase (CJ-1737 and CJ-672) was examined in vitro with enzyme preparations (9000g supernatants, microsomes, and plasma) from dog, pig, rat, and human.

3. It was found that both compounds displayed interesting species-dependent differences. Though CJ-1737 was not metabolized by microsomes, by 9000g supernatants from all species, or by human or rat plasma, canine and porcine plasma enzymes rapidly hydrolysed this compound. In contrast, CJ-672 was metabolized exclusively by enzymes from human liver (microsomes and 9000g supernatants) via a two-step metabolic pathway.

4. Additionally, the distribution of both compounds was investigated in mice. The highest amounts were measured in the kidney and liver, followed by the spleen, lung, and heart. In contrast to CJ-1737, high concentrations of CJ-672 were detected in the colon, indicating an additional biliary excretion.

5. In summary, this work clarifies both the metabolism and distribution of two new matriptase inhibitors and demonstrates important metabolic differences between human enzymes and those from commonly used laboratory animals.

     

The two enantiomers of tetrahydropalmatine are inhibitors of P-gp,but not inhibitors of MRP1 or BCRP

1. Tetrahydropalmatine (THP), with one chiral centre, is one of the major constituents of Rhizoma corydalis. THP is considered to possess analgesic, sedative, hypnotic actions and cardiac protection. The aim of this study was to elucidate the stereoselective interaction between THP and ABC transporters.

2. The present study investigated three most important ABC transporters, including P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). The intracellular accumulation and bidirectional transport suggested THP enantiomers were inhibitors of P-gp, but not of MRP1 or BCRP. The IC₅₀ values of (?)-THP and (+)-THP on rhodamine 123 (P-gp substrate) efflux were 48.6 and 20.0 µM, respectively, which showed obvious stereoselective difference. In the bidirectional transport, THP enantiomers showed high passive permeability and the contribution of P-gp could not be testified. The western blot and real-time RT-PCR assays showed that THP enantiomers reduced the protein expression of P-gp, but did not affect its mRNA expression. In in vitro cytotoxicity test, THP enantiomers showed the potential of increasing the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in P-gp-mediated multidrug resistant tumour cells.

3. The present study showed the stereoselective interaction between THP enantiomers and P-gp, which should be considered in clinical practice.

     

Species-dependent hepatic metabolism of immunosuppressive agent tacrolimus (FK-506)

1. The current study aims to investigate species-related differences in the in-vitro hepatic metabolism of tacroliums using liver microsomes obtained from rat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, pig, dog, baboon and humans.

2. Tacrolimus metabolism was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography- ultraviolet light (HPLC-UV) and two soft ionization mass spectrometric techniques; matrix-assisted lasers desorption/ionization (MALDI) and time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS).

3. The extent of tacrolimus metabolism, when normalized to the cytochrome P-450 content, was in the order: rat < hamster < rabbit < pig < guinea pig < dog < human < baboon. Tacrolimus metabolism exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative differences between the animal species tested.

4. Desmethyl- (MI–MIII), didesmethyl- (MIV–MVI), monohydroxy- (MVII), dihydroxy- (MVIII), epoxide- (MIX), dihydrodiol- (MX), monodesmethyl and monohydroxy- (MXI–MXIII), and didesmethyl and monohydroxy- (MXIV–MXVI) tacroliums metabolites were identified in the species tested. MI–MX were identified in all the species tested; MXI–MXVI were identified in all species except rat, rabbit and guinea pig; and MXIV–MXVI were identified only in baboon.

5. The current investigation was unable to detect any phase II metabolites due to the limitations of the test system used.

6. The analytical methods were not able to differentiate optical and positional isomers of metabolites due to the nature of the analytical tools used, therefore groups of metabolites were identified based on their molecular weights and available information.

7. From the current in-vitro metabolism studies, the pattern of tacroliums metabolism in baboons closely resembled that in humans and thus it is ideal for studying tacroliums metabolism-related work of clinical relevance.

     

CYP1A2 is the major isoform responsible for paeonol O-demethylation in human liver microsomes

1. Paeonol, the primary active component of a traditional Chinese medicine Moutan Cortex, has a wide range of pharmacological activities. In the present study, the metabolism of paeonol by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) was investigated in human liver microsomes.

2. One O-demethylated metabolite was detected in reaction catalysed by human liver microsomes, and was identified as resacetophenone by comparing the tandem mass spectra and the chromatographic retention time with that of the standard compound.

3. The study with a chemical selective inhibitor, cDNA-expressed human CYPs, a correlation assay, and a kinetics study demonstrated that CYP1A2 was the major isoform responsible for the paeonol O-demethylation in human liver microsomes.

     

Oxidation and rearrangements of flavanones by mammalian cytochrome P450

1. To clarify the metabolic pathways of flavanones in mammals, the metabolism of (±)-flavanone and (±)-4′-methoxyflavanone by rat liver microsomes and recombinant human P450s in which structural changes are readily identifiable were examined.

2. The β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent formation of flavone plus (±)-2,3-trans-flavanonol and of 4′-methoxyflavone plus (±)-2,3-trans-4′-methoxyflavanonol, respectively, by rat liver microsomes was observed.

3. The same metabolites were generated by recombinant human P450s in addition to the formation of isoflavone from (±)-flavanone.

4. The kinetic isotope effects in these reactions were examined using deuterated (±)-flavanone and (±)-4′-methoxyflavanone. There was a strong isotope effect in the production of flavanonols, but the isotope effect in the production of flavones was small. The results indicated that the P450-mediated conversion of (±)-flavanone and of (±)-4′-methoxyflavanone to the corresponding metabolites proceeded via abstraction of a hydrogen radical from the C-2- or C-3-position of the flavanone skeleton.

5. The antioxidant properties of flavanone and its metabolites were examined by measuring superoxide-scavenging activity in a xanthine–xanthine oxidase-cytochrome c system. (±)-2,3-trans-Flavanonol had higher activity than that of other flavonoids.

6. Flavanones are metabolized by mammalian P450s, providing important information relevant to the metabolism and pharmacological action of dietary flavanones.

     

Hydroxylation of tanshinone IIa in human liver microsomes is specifically catalysed by cytochrome P4502A6

1. Tanshinone IIa, the primary active component of a traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), has a wide range of pharmacological activities. In the present study, the metabolism of tanshinone IIa (5?μM) by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) was investigated in human liver microsomes.

2. One mono-hydroxylated metabolite was detected in a reaction catalysed by human liver microsomes, and was identified as tanshinone IIb by comparing the tandem mass spectra and the chromatographic retention time with that of the standard compound.

3. The study with a chemical selective inhibitor, cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450s, correlation assay, and kinetics study demonstrated that CYP2A6 was the specific isozyme responsible for the hydroxyl metabolism of tanshinone IIa (5?μM) in human liver microsomes.

     

In vitro metabolism of dexamethasone cipecilate,a novel synthetic corticosteroid,in human liver and nasal mucosa

1. Dexamethasone cipecilate (DX-CP, 9-fluoro-11β,17,21-trihydroxy-16α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione 21-cyclohexanecarboxylate 17-cyclopropanecarboxylate) is a novel synthetic corticosteroid used to treat allergic rhinitis. The pharmacological effect of DX-CP is considered to be mainly due to its active de-esterified metabolite (DX-17-CPC). To investigate the in vitro metabolism of DX-CP in human liver, DX-CP was incubated with human liver microsomes and S9. In addition, a metabolism study of DX-CP with human nasal mucosa was carried out in order to elucidate whether DX-17-CPC is formed in nasal mucosa, the site of action of DX-CP.

2. DX-17-CPC was the major metabolite in both liver microsomes and S9. Two new epoxide metabolites, UK1 and UK2, were detected in liver S9, while only UK1 was detected in liver microsomes. This suggests that cytosol enzymes are responsible for the formation of UK2.

3. In human nasal mucosa, DX-CP was mainly transformed into DX-17-CPC. By using recombinant human carboxylesterases (CESs), the reaction was shown to be catalyzed by CES2.

4. These results provide the evidence that the active metabolite DX-17-CPC is the main contributor to the pharmacological action after the intranasal administration of DX-CP to humans.

     

In vitro and in vivo phase II metabolism of combretastatin A-4: Evidence for the formation of a sulphate conjugate metabolite

1. Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4), is a natural compound with a potent tubulin polymerization and cell growth inhibitor properties. For these reasons CA-4 is one of the most potent anti-vascular agents that shows strong cytotoxicity against a variety of human cancer cells, including multi-drug-resistant cancer cell lines. In order to complete the knowledge of metabolic fate of CA-4, the in vitro and in vivo phase II metabolism was investigated.

2. Both in incubation with rat and human liver S9 preparation in the presence of 39-phosphoadenosine-5´-phosphosulfate (PAPS) as a cofactor the formation of a previously no reported sulphate metabolite was demonstrated through liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) data and comparison with a synthetic reference sample.

3. In incubation of CA-4 using rat and human liver microsomes, the formation of CA-4 glucuronide was observed and chromatographic and mass spectral properties of the metabolite were achieved and compared with those of a synthetic reference sample.

4. Incubation of CA-4 with rat and human liver S9 preparation in the presence of uridine-5´-diphosphoglucuronic acid trisodium salt (UDPGA) and an β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH)-regenerating system as cofactors resulted in the formation of glucuronides arising from phase I CA-4 metabolites.

5. When CA-4 was administered intraperitoneally to rat at a dose of 30 mg kg^?1, both glucuronide and sulphate metabolites were observed in LC-ESI-MS-MS chromatograms and their mass spectral data were identical to those obtained from synthetic standards.

     

Metabolism of human cytochrome P450 marker substrates in mouse: a strain and gender comparison

1. The aim was to characterize mouse gender and strain differences in the metabolism of commonly used human cytochrome (CYP) P450 probe substrates.

2. Thirteen human CYP probe substrates (phenacetin, coumarin, 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin, amiodarone, paclitaxel, diclofenac, S-mephenytoin, bufuralol, dextromethorphan, chlorzoxazone, p-nitrophenol, testosterone and lauric acid) were used in activity measurements. The metabolism of the probe substrates was compared in liver microsomes from male and female NMRI, CBA, C57bl/6, 129/SvJ and CD1 strains. The expression of proteins identified on Western blots with commonly available antibodies selective for specific human and rat CYP enzymes were compared in the different mouse strains.

3. Males had higher metabolism than corresponding females for phenacetin O-deethylation (human marker for CYP1A2 activity), and a high correlation was found between phenacetin activity and immunoreactivity in Western blots produced with rat CYP1A2 antibodies.

4. Protein detected by antibodies cross-reacting with human CYP2B6 and rat CYP2B1/2 antibodies was female specific except for the 129/SvJ strain, where it was absent in both genders.

5. Females generally had a higher metabolism of bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation and dextromethorphan O-demethylation (human markers for CYP2D activity).

6. Bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation correlated with a female-dominant mouse CYP, which was detected with antibodies against rat CYP2D4.

7. p-Nitrophenol 2-hydroxylation correlated better than chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation with the protein detected with antibodies against rat CYP2E1, indicating that p-nitrophenol is a more specific substrate for mouse CYP2E1.

     

Development of an optimized procedure for the preparation of rat intestinal microsomes: comparison of hepatic and intestinal microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in two rat strains

1. The objective of this study was to characterize cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities in both intestinal and hepatic microsomes from Wistar and Sprague–Dawley rats.

2. Specific probes for measuring CYP activities were selected using rat recombinant CYP.

3. The intestinal microsome preparation was optimized getting a more relevant and reproducible abundance of CYPs to measure CYP activities.

4. Testosterone, propranolol, diclofenac, and midazolam were determined as specific substrates of rat CYP2C11, CYP2D2, CYP2C6, and CYP3A, respectively. Ethoxyresorufin and pentoxyresorufin were not specific substrates of CYP1A2 and CYP2B1, respectively. Hepatic and intestinal microsomes expressed active CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1, and CYP3A2. Only liver expressed active CYP2C6, CYP2C11, and CYP2D2. Wistar liver expressed more active CYP1A and CYP3A2, but less active CYP2B1 than Wistar intestine. Sprague–Dawley liver expressed more active CYP2B1 and CYP3A2, but less active CYP1A than Sprague–Dawley intestine.

5. In conclusion, CYP activities were qualitatively equivalent but not quantitatively in both strains.

     

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 K_m = 206?? 822?μM, V_max = 104 ? 834?pmol?min^?1?mg^?1 protein) and dihydroisomorphine (apparent K_m = 62 ? 557?μM, V_max = 17 ? 122?pmol?min^?1?mg^?1 protein) by human liver microsomes.

3. 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%.

4. The reduction in norhydromorphone formation by troleandomycin and ketoconazole was accompanied by a stimulation in dihydroisomorphine production.

5. 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.

     

High concentrations of commonly used drugs can inhibit the in vitro glucuronidation of bisphenol A and nonylphenol in rats

1. 4-n-Nonylphenol and bisphenol A are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are mainly detoxified through glucuronidation. A factor that may modulate their glucuronidation rates is co-exposure to pharmaceuticals.

2. This study aimed to identify and characterize the potential metabolic interactions between 14 drugs and these two endocrine disruptors.

3. Nonylphenol and bisphenol A were co-incubated in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes with, drugs at a high concentration. Statistically significant metabolic inhibition of bisphenol A and nonylphenol biotransformation was observed with nine drugs (>50% inhibition by naproxen, salicylic acid, carbamazepine and mefenamic acid). Inhibition assays of UGT activity in rat liver microsomes revealed: 1) competitive inhibition by naproxen (K_iapp = 848.3 μM) and carbamazepine (K_iapp = 1023.1 μM), 2) no inhibition by salicylic acid suggesting another mechanism of inhibition.

4. Detoxification of nonylphenol and bisphenol A was shown to be impaired by excessive concentrations of many drugs and health risk assessment should therefore address this issue.

     

CYP3A catalyses schizandrin biotransformation in human,minipig and rat liver microsomes

1. Schizandrin is recognized as the major absorbed effective constituent of Fructus schisandrae, which is extensively applied in Chinese medicinal formula. The present study aimed to profile the phase I metabolites of schizandrin and identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms involved.

2. After schizandrin was incubated with human liver microsomes, three metabolites were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and their structures were identified to be 8(R)-hydroxyl-schizandrin, 2-demethyl-8(R)-hydroxyl-schizandrin, 3-demethyl-8(R)-hydroxyl-schizandrin, by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ¹³C-NMR, respectively. A combination of correlation analysis, chemical inhibition studies, assays with recombinant CYPs, and enzyme kinetics indicated that CYP3A4 was the main hepatic isoform that cleared schizandrin. Rat and minipig liver microsomes were included when evaluating species differences, and the results showed little difference among the species.

3. In conclusion, CYP3A4 plays a major role in the biotransformation of schizandrin in human liver microsomes. Minipig and rat could be surrogate models for man in schizandrin pharmacokinetic studies. Better knowledge of schizandrin’s metabolic pathway could provide the vital information for understanding the pharmacokinetic behaviours of schizandrin contained in Chinese medicinal formula.

     

Predictability of intranasal pharmacokinetics in man using pre-clinical pharmacokinetic data with a dopamine 3 receptor agonist,PF-219061

1. (R)-3-(4-propylmorpholin-2-yl) phenol (PF-219061) is a potent, selective agonist of the dopamine 3 receptor for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.

2. In vivo, PF-219061 exhibits liver blood flow clearance in both rat and dog. Oral bioavailability was 0.7% in dog and less than 5% in rat.

3. Intranasal dosing was investigated to improve bioavailability. Pre-clinical assessments in rat and dog demonstrated intranasal bioavailabilities of 16–38% in rat and 54–61% in dog with very rapid absorption. It was predicted that an intranasal dose in man would give approximately 25–50% bioavailability.

4. The clinical data verified the preclinical predictions demonstrating rapid absorption and approximately dose-proportional increases in exposure. The intranasal bioavailability in man was estimated to be 26–38%.

5. These findings indicate the potential utility of intranasal dosing as a route that circumvents the first-pass effects for PF-219061 resulting in high exposures.

     

Metabolism of α-thujone in human hepatic preparations in vitro

1. This study aims to characterize the metabolism of α-thujone in human liver preparations in vitro and to identify the role of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and possibly other enzymes catalyzing α-thujone biotransformations.

2. With a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method developed for measuring α-thujone and four potential metabolites, it was demonstrated that human liver microsomes produced two major (7- and 4-hydroxy-thujone) and two minor (2-hydroxy-thujone and carvacrol) metabolites. Glutathione and cysteine conjugates were detected in human liver homogenates, but not quantified. No glucuronide or sulphate conjugates were detected. Major hydroxylations accounted for more than 90% of the primary microsomal metabolism of α-thujone.

3. Screening of α-thujone metabolism with CYP recombinant enzymes indicated that CYP2A6 was principally responsible for the major 7- and 4-hydroxylation reactions, although CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 participated to a lesser extent and CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 catalyzed minor 2-hydroxylation. Based on the intrinsic efficiencies of different recombinant CYP enzymes and average abundances of these enzymes in human liver microsomes, CYP2A6 was calculated to be the most active enzyme in human liver microsomes, responsible for 70–80% of the metabolism on average.

4. Inhibition screening indicated that α-thujone inhibited both CYP2A6 and CYP2B6, with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 15.4 and 17.5 µM, respectively.

     

o-Nitroanilines as major metabolic products of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi 5-phenylethenylbenzofuroxans in microsomal and cytosolic fractions of rat hepatocytes and in whole parasitic cells

1. The metabolism of six anti-Trypanosoma cruzi 5-phenylethenylbenzofuroxans (PhEBfx) was studied in vitro using rat hepatic microsomal and cytosolic fractions as a mammalian model and whole cells of T. cruzi as a parasitic model.

2. Some of the expected metabolites were synthesized to provide authentic chromatographic standards.

3. The metabolites were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in comparison with the authentic standards and their proportions were determined. Their structures were confirmed using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

4. The behaviour of the six PhEBfx in the three different systems was similar. The main metabolites, formed by reductive processes, were the corresponding o-nitroanilines.

5. Two of the test compounds were studied for extended time periods in the rat liver preparations and their terminal metabolites were identified as o-phenylendiamine derivatives.

     

Flavin monooxygenases,FMO1 and FMO3, not cytochrome P450 isoenzymes,contribute to metabolism of anti-tumour triazoloacridinone,C-1305, in liver microsomes and HepG2 cells

1. 5-Dimethylaminopropylamino-8-hydroxytriazoloacridinone, C-1305, being the close structural analogue of the clinically tested imidazoacridinone anti-tumour agent, C-1311, expressed high activity against experimental tumours and is expected to have more advantageous pharmacological properties than C-1311.

2. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of selected liver enzymes in the metabolism of C-1305.

3. We demonstrated that the studied triazoloacridinone was transformed with rat and human liver microsomes, HepG2 hepatoma cells and with human recombinant flavin-containing monooxygenases FMO1, FMO3 but not with CYPs. Furthermore, this compound was an effective inhibitor of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. The product of FMO catalysed metabolism was shown to be identical to the main metabolite from liver microsomes and HepG2 cells. It was identified as an N-oxide derivative and, under hypoxia, it underwent retroreduction back to C-1305, what was extremely effective with participation of CYP3A4.

4. In summary, this work revealed that the involvement of the P450 enzymatic system in microsomal and cellular metabolism of C-1305 was negligible, whereas this agent was an inhibitor of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. In contrast, FMO1 and FMO3 were crucial for metabolism of C-1305 by liver microsomes and in HepG2 cells, which makes C-1305 an attractive potent anti-tumour agent.