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 S(50), 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 S(50) 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.     

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 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.     

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.     

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     

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.

     

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.     

Kinetics of diazepam metabolism in rat hepatic microsomes and hepatocytes and their use in predicting in vivo hepatic clearance

1. The rates of diazepam (DZ) metabolism to the primary metabolites 3-hydroxydi-azepam, 4'-hydroxydiazepam and nordiazepam were studied in vitro using rat hepatic microsomes and hepatocytes. 4'-hydroxydiazepam had the largest intrinsic clearance (V_max/K_m ratio, CL_int) in both microsomes and hepatocytes representing 49 and 70% of total metabolism respectively. Whereas the contribution of 3-hydroxydiazepam was similar in both systems (21–24%), the N-demethylation pathway was greater in microsomes (27%) than hepatocytes (9%).

2. The pharmacokinetics of DZ were determined in vivo using the intraportal route to avoid blood flow limitations due to the high clearance of DZ. No dose dependency was observed in either clearance or steady state volume of distribution, which were estimated to be 38 ml/min/SRW (where SRW is a standard rat weight of 250?g) and 1.3 L/SRW respectively. Blood binding of DZ was concentration independent, the unbound fraction being 0.22.

3. Scaling factors were used to relate the in vitro CL_int to the in vivo unbound clearance. Hepatocytes (123 ml/min/SRW) produced a more realistic prediction for the in vivo value (174 ml/min/SRW) than microsomes (41 ml/min/SRW). This situation is believed to arise from the quantitative differences in the three metabolic pathways in the two in vitro systems. It is speculated that end product inhibition is responsible for reduced total metabolism in microsomes whereas hepatocytes operate kinetically in a manner close to in vivo.     

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.     

Raloxifene glucuronidation in liver and intestinal microsomes of humans and monkeys: contribution of UGT1A1, UGT1A8 and UGT1A9

1.?Raloxifene is an antiestrogen that has been marketed for the treatment of osteoporosis, and is metabolized into 6- and 4′-glucuronides by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes. In this study, the in vitro glucuronidation of raloxifene in humans and monkeys was examined using liver and intestinal microsomes and recombinant UGT enzymes (UGT1A1, UGT1A8 and UGT1A9).

2.?Although the K_m and CL_int values for the 6-glucuronidation of liver and intestinal microsomes were similar between humans and monkeys, and species differences in V_max values (liver microsomes, humans?>?monkeys; intestinal microsomes, humans?<?monkeys) were observed, no significant differences were noted in the K_m or S₅₀, V_max and CL_int or CL_max values for the 4′-glucuronidation of liver and intestinal microsomes between humans and monkeys.

3.?The activities of 6-glucuronidation in recombinant UGT enzymes were UGT1A1?>?UGT1A8?>UGT1A9 for humans, and UGT1A8?>?UGT1A1?>?UGT1A9 for monkeys. The activities of 4′-glucuronidation were UGT1A8?>?UGT1A1?>?UGT1A9 in humans and monkeys.

4.?These results demonstrated that the profiles for the hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation of raloxifene by microsomes were moderately different between humans and monkeys.     

Comparative analysis of substrate and inhibitor interactions with CYP3A4 and CYP3A5

To evaluate the role that cytochrome (CYP) 3A5 plays in hepatic drug metabolism, the substrate selectivity and inhibitory potential of over 60 compounds towards CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 were assessed using Escherichia coli recombinant cell lines. CYP3A4-mediated metabolism predominated for many of the compounds studied. However, a number of drugs gave similar CL_int estimates using CYP3A5 compared with CYP3A4 including midazolam (CL_int?=?3.4 versus 3.3?µl?min^–1?pmol^–1). Significant CYP3A5-mediated metabolism was also observed for several drugs including mifepristone (CL_int?=?10.3 versus 2.4?µl?min^–1?pmol^–1), and ritonavir (CL_int?=?0.76 versus 0.47?µl?min^–1?pmol^–1). The majority of compounds studied showed a greater inhibitory potential (IC₅₀) towards CYP3A4 compared with CYP3A5 (eightfold lower on average). A greater degree of time-dependent inhibition was also observed with CYP3A4 compared with CYP3A5. The range of compounds investigated in the present study extends significantly previous work and suggests that CYP3A5 may have a significant role in drug metabolism particularly in populations expressing high levels of CYP3A5 and/or on co-medications known to inhibit CYP3A4.     

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。     

Conflicting alterations in hepatic expression of CYP3A and enzyme kinetics in rats exposed to 5-fluorouracil: relevance to pharmacokinetics of midazolam

Abstract

1. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a pyrimidine derivative widely used for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of 5-FU on the protein expression of hepatic CYP3A and their enzyme activity for metabolizing midazolam (MDZ), a typical substrate of CYP3A, in rat liver microsomes. We also examined the pharmacokinetic behavior of intravenously administered MDZ in rats treated with 5-FU (120?mg/kg, ip).

2. 5-FU was shown to induce hepatic CYP3A2 protein 2?days after administration without changing the expression of CYP3A1/3A23. However, affinity of 5-FU-inducible CYP3A protein to MDZ for its 4- and 1′-hydroxylation was decreased. Furthermore, the susceptibility of MDZ hydroxylation activity to a CYP3A inhibitor differed between the control and 5-FU groups.

3. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the MDZ disposition demonstrated no significant differences in the total clearance (CL_tot) and elimination rate constant (k_e) between the control and 5-FU-treated rats. Lack of alteration in the metabolic clearance of MDZ may be attributable to the induction of CYP3A protein with reduced affinity for the substrate of CYP3A enzymes.

4. Our findings provide novel information regarding the manifestation of inductive and interfering actions of 5-FU toward hepatic CYP3A to help in assessing the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A substrate drugs.     

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).     

Chlorzoxazone: a probe drug whose metabolism can be used to monitor toluene exposure in rats

In this study we investigated cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 expression using a probe drug, chlorzoxazone (CZX), whose metabolism can be used to monitor toluene exposure in rats. The animals received an i.p. injection of toluene (0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml/kg) once a day for 3 days. The total CYP and CYP2E1 content and the aniline and CZX hydroxylase activity (V _max and CL_int) increased depending on the dose of toluene administered. At the highest concentration (128 mM) of diethyldithiocarbamate, a specific inhibitor of CYP2E1, the production of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone (HCZX) in microsomes from toluene-treated rats was reduced by about 80%. The IC₅₀ values in microsomes from toluene-treated rats were between 3 and 5 μM. The production of HCZX and the activity of aniline hydroxylase in toluene-treated rats were correlated with the amount of rat CYP2E1 protein (r=0.88 and r=0.88, respectively). The elimination of CZX by toluene-treated rats was increased and the HCXZ production in the toluene-treated group was greater than that in the olive oil control group. The correlations between intrinsic clearance (CL_int: V _max/K _m) in vitro and total body clearance (CL_tot) of CZX hydroxylation and the elimination half-life (t _1/2) of CZX in vivo in toluene-treated rats were high (r=0.784, P < 0.001; r=−0.678, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the metabolic plasma HCZX/CZX ratio did not require multiple blood sampling and 2 h after CZX administration in vivo there was also a high correlation with CL_int (V _max/K _m) in vitro (r=−0.729, P < 0.001). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that CZX is a very good probe for monitoring induction in toluene-treated rats. Received: 28 September 1999 / Accepted: 10 January 2000     

In vitro intestinal and hepatic metabolism of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in human and rat

Species and organ differences in the intrinsic clearance and the enzymes involved in the metabolism of DEHP were examined in subcellular fractions of the intestine and liver as well as by recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms of human and rat. Estimated clearance (CL_int) of DEHP via esterase-mediated pathway in human intestine was 2.4-fold greater than that in human liver while its value in rat intestine was 1.7-fold less than that in rat liver. Ranks of CL_int for CYP-mediated oxidation/dealkylation of MEHP were human liver > rat liver > human intestine > rat intestine. Estimates of CL_int for the production of mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate by human CYP2C9^*1 were 4.2- and 2.6-fold greater than those by rat CYP2C6, respectively. Total CL_int via hCYP2C9^*3-mediated oxidation was 1.9- and 2.6-fold less than those by hCYP2C9^*2 and 2C9^*1, respectively. Estimated CL_int for phthalic acid production by hCYP3A4 was 24.5 μL nmol CYP^?1 min^?1 while it was continuously produced by rCYP2C6 and 3A2 via passive mechanism. These species/organ differences in major metabolic pathway and CYP isoforms should be considered for appraisal of the potential adverse health effects of DEHP.     

Comparison of predicted intrinsic hepatic clearance of 30 pharmaceuticals in canine and feline liver microsomes

1.?Known cytochrome P450 (CYP) substrates in humans are used in veterinary medicine, with limited knowledge of the similarity or variation in CYP metabolism. Comparison of canine and feline CYP metabolism via liver microsomes report that human CYP probes and inhibitors demonstrate differing rates of intrinsic clearance (CL_int).

2.?The purpose of this study was to utilize a high-throughput liver microsome substrate depletion assay, combined with microsomal and plasma protein binding to compare the predicted hepatic clearance (CL_hep) of thirty therapeutic agents used off-label in canines and felines, using both the well-stirred and parallel tube models.

3.?In canine liver microsomes, 3/30 substrates did not have quantifiable CL_int, while midazolam and amitriptyline CL_int was too rapid for accurate determination. A CL_hep was calculated for 29/30 substrates in feline microsomes. Overall, canine CL_hep was faster compared to the feline, with fold differences ranging from 2–20-fold.

4.?A comparison between the well-stirred and parallel tube model indicates that the parallel tube model reports a slighter higher CL_hep in both species.

5.?The differences in CYP metabolism between canine and feline highlight the need for additional research into CYP expression and specificity.     

Identification of cytochrome P4503A as the major subfamily responsible for the metabolism of roquinimex in man

1. Roquinimex, a novel immunomodulator, is metabolized in liver microsomes from mouse and rat via cytochrome P450s to four hydroxylated and two demethylated metabolites (R1?6). The study investigated which cytochrome P450 enzyme(s) is responsible for the metabolism of roquinimex in man. 2. Enzyme kinetic analysis demonstrated an apparent K_m = 1.28-7.00?mm and V_max = 50-159 pmol·mg^?1 microsomal protein·min^?1 for the primary metabolites in human liver microsomes. The sum of Cl_int for the primary pathways was 0.167 μl·mg^?1 microsomal protein·min^?1. 3. A correlation between the formation rate of R1-6 and 6β-hydroxylation of testosterone was obtained within a panel of liver microsomes from 11 individuals (r² = 0.72-0.97). Furthermore, significant inhibition (<90%) of roquinimex primary metabolism was demonstrated by ketoconazole and troleandomycin, specific inhibitors of CYP3A4 as well as with anti-CYP3A4 antibodies. Moreover, a similar metabolite pattern was produced from roquinimex by incubation with cDNA-expressed CYP3A4 as by human liver microsomes. 4. In conclusion, these data indicate a major role for CYP3A4 in the formation of roquinimex primary metabolites in human liver microsomes.     

Identification of human cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the formation of 4-hydroxyestazolam from estazolam

To predict drug interactions with estazolam, the biotransformation of estazolam to its major hydoxylated metabolite, 4-hydroxyestazolam was studied in vitro using pooled human liver microsomes and individual expressed human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Estazolam was metabolized to 4-hydroxyestazolam according to the Hill kinetic model in pooled human liver microsomes. The K_m value for the 4-hydroxylation of estazolam was 24.1?µM, and the V_max value was 52.6?pmol?min^?1?mg^?1 protein. The formation of 4-hydroxyestazolam from estazolam in pooled human liver microsomes was significantly inhibited by itraconazole and erythromycin, specific CYP3A4 inhibitors, in a dose-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values of 1.1 and 12.8?µM, respectively. When estazolam was incubated with expressed human CYP enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4), it was metabolized only by CYP3A4. In conclusion, the biotransformation of estazolam to 4-hydroxyestazolam was catalyzed by CYP3A4.