Application of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for the prediction of mirabegron plasma concentrations in a population with severe renal impairment.

We previously verified a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for mirabegron in healthy subjects using the Simcyp Simulator by incorporating data on the inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and a multi-elimination pathway mediated by CYP3A4, uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7 and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The aim of this study was to use this PBPK model to assess the magnitude of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in an elderly population with severe renal impairment (sRI), which has not been evaluated in clinical trials. We first determined the system parameters, and meta-analyses of literature data suggested that the abundance of UGT2B7 and the BChE activity in an elderly population with sRI was almost equivalent to and 20% lower than that in healthy young subjects, respectively. Other parameters, such as the CYP3A4 abundance, for an sRI population were used according to those built into the Simcyp Simulator. Second, we confirmed that the PBPK model reproduced the plasma concentration-time profile for mirabegron in an sRI population (simulated area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was within 1.5-times that of the observed value). Finally, we applied the PBPK model to simulate DDIs in an sRI population. The PBPK model predicted that the AUC for mirabegron with itraconazole (a CYP3A4 inhibitor) was 4.12-times that in healthy elderly subjects administered mirabegron alone, and predicted that the proportional change in AUC for desipramine (a CYP2D6 substrate) with mirabegron was greater than that in healthy subjects. In conclusion, the PBPK model was verified for the purpose of DDI assessment in an elderly population with sRI.

Determination of Mirabegron in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS after oral and intravenous administration.

Mirabegron is a kind of ß3 adrenergic receptor agonist which is an effective drug for the treatment of overactive bladder. In this research, a UPLC-MS/MS method is developed and validated for the study of mirabegron pharmacokinetic in rats. A protein precipitation method is applied for sample preparation with acetonitrile. m/z 397.3→379.6, m/z 326.4→121.0 for mirabegron, tolterodine (IS), respectively in the positive ion mode was performed for quantitation. The method is reliable and reproducible in our study (intra-day precision≤11.06%, inter-day precision≤11.43%) with concentration curves linear from 5 to 2500 ng/mL(R2>0.999). Stability studies demonstrated that mirabegron was stable under a variety of storage conditions. This method was successfully applied for determining mirabegron in rats after oral and intravenous administration.

ß3 -Adrenoceptors in the normal and diseased urinary bladder-What are the open questions?

ß3 -Adrenoceptor agonists are used in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome. Although the relaxant response to adrenergic stimulation in human detrusor smooth muscle cells is mediated mainly via ß3 -adrenoceptors, the plasma concentrations of the therapeutic dose of mirabegron, the only clinically approved ß3 -adrenoceptor agonist, are considerably lower than the EC50 for causing direct relaxation of human detrusor, suggesting a mechanism of action other than direct relaxation of detrusor smooth muscle. However, the site and mechanism of action of ß3 -adrenoceptor agonists in the bladder have not been firmly established. Postulated mechanisms include prejunctional suppression of ACh release from the parasympathetic nerves during the storage phase and inhibition of micro-contractions through ß3 -adrenoceptors on detrusor smooth muscle cells or suburothelial interstitial cells. Implications of possible desensitization of ß3 -adrenoceptors in the bladder upon prolonged agonist exposure and possible causes of rarely observed cardiovascular effects of mirabegron are also discussed. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Adrenoceptors-New Roles for Old Players. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.14/issuetoc.

Validation of LC-MS/MS methods for the determination of mirabegron and eight metabolites in human plasma in a paediatric population.

Mirabegron is the first registered ß3-adrenoceptor agonist for treatment of overactive bladder as an alternative to antimuscarinics. Previously four liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays were published to determine mirabegron and eight metabolites (M5, M8, M11-M16) in human plasma. In order to support paediatric development, the assays were further optimized to reduce the required blood volume and increase the sensitivity. The assays were miniaturized by using 96-well supported liquid extraction plates (mirabegron, M5, M16) or 96-well mixed-mode cation exchange solid phase extraction plates (M8, M11-M15) and a more sensitive MS-system was used. For the analytes, up to fivefold increase in assay sensitivity was achieved. The required blood sample volume was reduced from 10 to 2 mL for each timepoint. Validation demonstrated that the assays were accurate, precise and selective in the determination of mirabegron and metabolites. The assays were successfully applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of mirabegron in a paediatric population.

Determination of Mirabegron in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS after oral and intravenous administration

SUMMARY Mirabegron is a kind of β3 adrenergic receptor agonist which is an effective drug for the treatment of overactive bladder. In this research, a UPLC-MS/MS method is developed and validated for the study of mirabegron pharmacokinetic in rats. A protein precipitation method is applied for sample preparation with acetonitrile. m/z 397.3→379.6, m/z 326.4→121.0 for mirabegron, tolterodine (IS), respectively in the positive ion mode was performed for quantitation. The method is reliable and reproducible in our study (intra-day precision≤11.06%, inter-day precision≤11.43%) with concentration curves linear from 5 to 2500 ng/mL(R2>0.999). Stability studies demonstrated that mirabegron was stable under a variety of storage conditions. This method was successfully applied for determining mirabegron in rats after oral and intravenous administration.

RESUMO Mirabegron é um tipo de agonista do receptor adrenérgico beta 3 que demonstra eficácia no tratamento de bexiga hiperativa. Nesta pesquisa, o método UPLC-MS/MS é desenvolvido e validado para o estudo da farmacocinética mirabegron em ratos. Um método de precipitação de proteínas é aplicado para a preparação de amostras com acetonitrilo. 397.3 → 379.6 M / Z, M / Z 326.4 → 121.0 para mirabegron, tolterodina (IS), respectivamente, para o íon positivo foi realizado para quantificação. O método é fiável e reprodutível em nosso estudo (precisão intradia ≤ 11,06%; precisão entredia ≤ 11.43%), com curvas de concentração linear de 5 a 2 ng/ml (R2 > 0,999). Estudos de estabilidade demonstraram que mirabegron permanece estável sob uma variedade de condições de armazenamento. Este método foi aplicado com sucesso para a determinação de mirabegron em ratos após administração oral e intravenosa.

Pharmacological profile of the selective ß3-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron in cynomolgus monkeys.

Mirabegron is a novel ß3-adrenoceptor agonist developed for the treatment of overactive bladder. To clarify the relationship between the pharmacological effects of mirabegron in monkeys and the clinical efficacy in patients with overactive bladder, the effect of mirabegron on bladder function was evaluated using cynomolgus monkeys. Quantitative PCR revealed that mRNA expression of ß3-adrenoceptors was most abundant (98 %) among ß-adrenoceptor subtypes in the bladder of cynomolgus monkeys. Mirabegron, which showed selective and potent agonistic activity on monkey ß3-adrenoceptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells with EC50 value of 32 nmol/L and intrinsic activity of 0.8, induced concentration-dependent relaxation of bladder smooth muscle strips isolated from cynomolgus monkeys with EC50 values of 120 nmol/L in 20 mmol/L KCl stimulation and 43 nmol/L under 9.81 mN resting tension. In conscious cynomolgus monkeys, mirabegron decreased micturition frequency at oral doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg and increased mean volume voided per micturition at an oral dose of 3 mg/kg. Plasma concentration at which bladder function improved in the cynomolgus monkeys was similar to that at the clinically effective dose in patients with overactive bladder. These data suggest that the relaxant function in monkey bladder is mainly mediated by ß3-adrenoceptors similar to that in the human bladder and mirabegron showed efficacy on the bladder functions of the same parameters in clinical evaluation endpoints.

Effect of renal or hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of mirabegron.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mirabegron, a selective ß3-adrenoceptor agonist for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), is eliminated by renal and metabolic routes. The potential influence of renal or hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of mirabegron was evaluated. METHODS: Two separate open-label, single-dose, parallel-group studies were conducted. Male and female subjects (n = 8 per group) were categorized according to their baseline renal function (mild, moderate, severe or no impairment as determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] using the abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease formula) or hepatic function (mild, moderate or no impairment as determined by the Child-Pugh classification). All subjects received a single oral 100 mg dose of mirabegron. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from plasma and urine concentration-time data of mirabegron and metabolites. RESULTS: Compared with healthy subjects who were similar overall in terms of age, sex and body mass index (BMI), the geometric mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUC(∞)) for mirabegron was 31, 66 and 118 % higher in subjects with mild, moderate and severe renal impairment, respectively. Peak plasma concentrations (C(max)) increased 6, 23 and 92 %, respectively, in subjects with mild, moderate and severe renal impairment. Renal clearance but not apparent total body clearance of mirabegron correlated well with renal function. Compared with healthy subjects matched for age, sex and BMI, mirabegron AUC(∞) values were 19 and 65 % higher in subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, respectively. Mirabegron C(max) was 9 and 175 % higher, respectively, compared with matched healthy subjects. No clear relationship was evident between pharmacokinetic parameters and Child-Pugh scores. Protein binding was approximately 71 % in healthy subjects and was not altered to a clinically significant extent in subjects with renal or hepatic impairment. No consistent changes in mirabegron elimination half-life were observed in subjects with renal or hepatic impairment. There was high pharmacokinetic variability and significant overlap in exposures between subjects with renal or hepatic impairment and healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Mirabegron AUC(∞) and C(max) increased 118 and 92 %, respectively, in subjects with severe renal impairment, and 65 and 175 %, respectively, in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment. Pharmacokinetic changes observed in subjects with mild or moderate renal impairment or mild hepatic impairment are of small magnitude and likely to be without clinical importance.

Single dose pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of mirabegron, a ß3-adrenoceptor agonist for treatment of overactive bladder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mirabegron is a potent and selective ß3-adrenoceptor agonist in development for treatment of overactive bladder. METHODS: Mirabegron pharmacokinetics after single intravenous (i.v.) and oral doses, absolute bioavailability (F), dose proportionality, sex differences and tolerability were assessed in 2 single-dose, open-label, randomized, parallel-group, cross-over studies in healthy men (exploratory Study 1, n = 12) and men and women (Study 2, n = 91). RESULTS: After oral dosing (25 - 150 mg), peak plasma concentrations were attained after ~ 4 h. Mean half-life was around 40 h for both routes of administration. Volume of distribution at steady state was 1,670 l and total clearance was around 57 l/h for i.v. dosing. Mirabegron pharmacokinetics were linear after i.v. dosing (7.5 - 50 mg), but exposure increased more than proportionally after oral dosing due to increased F (29% for 25 mg to 45% at 150 mg). About 20% of the (absorbed) dose was excreted unchanged into urine. Area under the curve (AUC) was 27% and 64% higher in females than males after i.v. and oral dosing respectively; differences were mostly attributed to body weight, and for oral dosing, also to F. CONCLUSIONS: Mirabegron pharmacokinetics were linear after i.v. dosing (7.5 - 50 mg), but increased more than proportionally after oral dosing (25 - 150 mg) as a result of increased F. Sex differences in exposure could be explained by body weight and for oral dosing, also by F. Mirabegron was in general well tolerated up to the highest doses studied, 50 mg i.v. and 150 mg oral.

Identification of human cytochrome P450 isoforms and esterases involved in the metabolism of mirabegron, a potent and selective ß3-adrenoceptor agonist.

1. Human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and esterases involved in the metabolism of mirabegron, a potent and selective human ß(3)-adrenoceptor agonist intended for the treatment of overactive bladder, were identified in in vitro studies. 2. Incubations of mirabegron with recombinant human CYP enzymes showed significant metabolism of mirabegron by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 only. Correlation analyses showed a significant correlation between mirabegron metabolism and testosterone 6ß-hydroxylation (CYP3A4/5 marker activity). In inhibition studies using antiserum against CYP3A4, a strong inhibition (at maximum 80% inhibition) of the metabolism of mirabegron was observed, whereas the inhibitory effects of monoclonal antibodies against CYP2D6 were small (at maximum 10% inhibition). These findings suggest that CYP3A4 is the primary CYP enzyme responsible for in vitro oxidative metabolism of mirabegron, with a minor role of CYP2D6. 3. Mirabegron hydrolysis was catalyzed in human blood, plasma and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) solution, but not in human liver microsomes, intestinal microsomes, liver S9, intestinal S9 and recombinant acetylcholinesterase solution. K(m) values of mirabegron hydrolysis in human blood, plasma and BChE solution were all similar (13.4-15.2 µM). The inhibition profiles in human blood and plasma were also similar to those in BChE solution, suggesting that mirabegron hydrolysis is catalyzed by BChE.

Absorption, metabolism and excretion of [(14)C]mirabegron (YM178), a potent and selective ß(3)-adrenoceptor agonist, after oral administration to healthy male volunteers.

The mass balance and metabolite profiles of 2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-N-[4-(2-{[(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl]amino}ethyl)[U-(14)C]phenyl]acetamide ([(14)C]mirabegron, YM178), a ß(3)-adrenoceptor agonist for the treatment of overactive bladder, were characterized in four young, healthy, fasted male subjects after a single oral dose of [(14)C]mirabegron (160 mg, 1.85 MBq) in a solution. [(14)C]Mirabegron was rapidly absorbed with a plasma t(max) for mirabegron and total radioactivity of 1.0 and 2.3 h postdose, respectively. Unchanged mirabegron was the most abundant component of radioactivity, accounting for approximately 22% of circulating radioactivity in plasma. Mean recovery in urine and feces amounted to 55 and 34%, respectively. No radioactivity was detected in expired air. The main component of radioactivity in urine was unchanged mirabegron, which accounted for 45% of the excreted radioactivity. A total of 10 metabolites were found in urine. On the basis of the metabolites found in urine, major primary metabolic reactions of mirabegron were estimated to be amide hydrolysis (M5, M16, and M17), accounting for 48% of the identified metabolites in urine, followed by glucuronidation (M11, M12, M13, and M14) and N-dealkylation or oxidation of the secondary amine (M8, M9, and M15), accounting for 34 and 18% of the identified metabolites, respectively. In feces, the radioactivity was recovered almost entirely as the unchanged form. Eight of the metabolites characterized in urine were also observed in plasma. These findings indicate that mirabegron, administered as a solution, is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, circulates in plasma as the unchanged form and metabolites, and is recovered in urine and feces mainly as the unchanged form.