In vivo and in vitro evaluations of intestinal gabapentin absorption: effect of dose and inhibitors on carrier-mediated transport.

PURPOSE: Gabapentin exhibits saturable absorption kinetics, however, it remains unclear which transporters that are involved in the intestinal transport of gabapentin. Thus, the aim of the current study was to explore the mechanistic influence of transporters on the intestinal absorption of gabapentin by both in vivo and in vitro investigations METHODS: Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined following a range of intravenous (5-100 mg/kg) and oral doses (10-200 mg/kg) in rats. Transepithelial transport (50 µM-50 mM) and apical uptake of gabapentin (0.01-50 mM) were investigated in Caco-2 cells. The effect of co-application of the LAT-inhibitor, BCH, and the b(0,+)-substrate, L-lysine, on intestinal transport of gabapentin was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Gabapentin showed dose-dependent oral absorption kinetics and dose-independent disposition kinetics. Co-application of BCH inhibited intestinal absorption in vivo and apical uptake in vitro, whereas no effect was observed following co-application of L-lysine. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows for the first time that BCH was capable of inhibiting intestinal absorption of gabapentin in vivo. Furthermore, in Caco-2 cell experiments BCH inhibited apical uptake of gabapentin. These findings may imply that a BCH-sensitive transport-system was involved in the apical and possibly the basolateral transport of gabapentin across the intestinal wall.

Inhibitory Effects of 17-α-Ethinyl-Estradiol and 17-ß-Estradiol on Transport Via the Intestinal Proton-Coupled Amino Acid Transporter (PAT1) Investigated In Vitro and In Vivo.

The proton-coupled amino acid transporter, PAT1, is known to be responsible for intestinal absorption drug substances such as gaboxadol and vigabatrin. The aim of the present study was to investigate, if 17-α-ethinyl-estradiol (E-E2) and 17-ß-estradiol (E) inhibit PAT1-mediated intestinal absorption of proline and taurine in vitro in Caco-2 cells and in vivo using Sprague-Dawley rats to assess the potential for taurine-drug interactions. E and E-E2 inhibited the PAT1-mediated uptake of proline and taurine in Caco-2 cells with IC50 values of 10.0-50.0 µM without major effect on other solute carriers such as the taurine transporter (TauT), di/tri-peptide transporter (PEPT1), and serotonin transporter (SERT1). In PAT1-expressing oocytes E and E-E2 were non-translocated inhibitors. In Caco-2 cells, E and E-E2 lowered the maximal uptake capacity of PAT1 in a non-competitive manner. Likewise, the transepithelial permeability of proline and taurine was reduced in presence of E and E-E2. In male Sprague Dawley rats pre-dosed with E-E2 a decreased maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) of taurine and increased the time (tmax) to reach this was indicated, suggesting the possibility for an in vivo effect on the absorption of PAT1 substrates. In conclusion, 17-α-ethinyl-estradiol and 17-ß-estradiol were identified as non-translocated and non-competitive inhibitors of PAT1.

Lipidomic study of cell lines reveals differences between breast cancer subtypes.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent type of cancer in women in western countries. BC mortality has not declined despite early detection by screening, indicating the need for better informed treatment decisions. Therefore, a novel noninvasive diagnostic tool for BC would give the opportunity of subtype-specific treatment and improved prospects for the patients. Heterogeneity of BC tumor subtypes is reflected in the expression levels of enzymes in lipid metabolism. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the subtype defined by the transcriptome is reflected in the lipidome of BC cell lines. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) platform was applied to analyze the lipidome of six cell lines derived from human BC cell lines representing different BC subtypes. We identified an increased abundance of triacylglycerols (TG) ≥ C-48 with moderate or multiple unsaturation in fatty acyl chains and down-regulated ether-phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) (C-34 to C-38) in cell lines representing estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive tumor subtypes. In a cell line representing HER2-overexpressing tumor subtype an elevated expression of TG (≤ C-46), phosphatidylcholines (PC) and PE containing short-chained (≤ C-16) saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids were observed. Increased abundance of PC ≥ C-40 was found in cell lines of triple negative BC subtype. In addition, differences were detected in lipidomes within these previously defined subtypes. We conclude that subtypes defined by the transcriptome are indeed reflected in differences in the lipidome and, furthermore, potentially biologically relevant differences may exist within these defined subtypes.

Pharmacokinetic aspects of the anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin: focus on transporter interactions.

Drug transporters in various tissues, such as intestine, kidney, liver and brain, are recognized as important mediators of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drug substances. This review gives a current status on the transporter(s) mediating the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties of the anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin. For orally administered drugs, like vigabatrin, the absorption from the intestine is a prerequisite for the bioavailability. Therefore, transporter(s) involved in the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin in vitro and in vivo are discussed in detail. Special focus is on the contribution of the proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1) for intestinal vigabatrin absorption. Furthermore, the review gives an overview of the pharmacokinetic parameters of vigabatrin across different species and drug-food and drug-drug interactions involving vigabatrin.

Intestinal absorption of the antiepileptic drug substance vigabatrin in Göttingen mini-pigs is unaffected by co-administration of amino acids.

The anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin is used against infantile spasms. In vitro evidence suggests that vigabatrin is transported via the proton coupled amino acid transporter (PAT1). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin in vivo was mediated via PAT1 in non-rodents. This was investigated by oral co-administration of vigabatrin and PAT1-ligands to Göttingen mini-pigs. Vigabatrin had an oral absorption fraction (Fabs) of 75-80%, and the maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) was reached within 0.5-1.0 h (tmax). Co-administration of vigabatrin and amino acids generally did not significantly affect Fa, Tmax or Cmax. However, co-administration with sarcosine prolonged the time to reach Cmax. After co-administration with amino acids, vigabatrin absorption showed a slightly lowered onset. This may indicate an effect of amino acids on either the rate of gastric emptying or an effect directly on the absorption of vigabatrin, possibly via inhibition of PAT1 or another drug transporter. In conclusion, co-administration of PAT1-ligands together with vigabatrin did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic profile of vigabatrin.

The absorptive flux of the anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin is carrier-mediated across Caco-2 cell monolayers.

Vigabatrin is an anti-epileptic drug substance. The oral bioavailability of vigabatrin is high (60-70%), however, little is known about the mechanism(s) mediating the intestinal absorption. The aim of the present study was to identify which solute carrier(s) are involved in the absorption of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells, a cell culture model of the small intestinal epithelium. The uptake and transepithelial flux of vigabatrin was measured using an LC-MS method for quantification. Transepithelial transport of vigabatrin was shown to be proton-dependent and polarized in the apical-to-basolateral (A-B) direction. The A-B flux of vigabatrin had a saturable component and a passive component, indicating the presence of a carrier system in parallel with a passive permeability. The Michaelis constant, Km, of the transepithelial A-B flux of vigabatrin was estimated to be 32.8±7.4 mM (n=3-5), whereas the Km of the apical uptake was found to be 12.7±3.7 mM (n=3). The carrier-mediated transepithelial A-B flux of vigabatrin accounted for 80-95% (50.0-1.0mM) of the total A-B flux. The transepithelial A-B flux (as well as apical uptake) of vigabatrin was significantly decreased upon addition of substrates or inhibitors of the human proton-coupled amino acid transporter (hPAT1) to the apical solution. The present study indicates that the transepithelial A-B flux of vigabatrin is mainly mediated by hPAT1 in Caco-2 cells at dose-relevant concentrations.

The anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin inhibits taurine transport in intestinal and renal cell culture models.

The GABA-mimetic anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin is used against infantile spasms. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that vigabatrin is transported via the proton coupled amino acid transporter (PAT1) mediating at least parts of the intestinal absorption of the drug. However, such evidence does not preclude the involvement of other transporters. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to investigate if vigabatrin interacts with taurine transport. The uptake of taurine was measured in intestinal human Caco-2 and canine MDCK cell monolayers in the absence or presence of amino acids such as GABA and vigabatrin. Vigabatrin inhibits the uptake of taurine in Caco-2 and MDCK cells to 34 ± 3 and 53 ± 2%, respectively, at a concentration of 30 mM. In Caco-2 cells the uptake of vigabatrin under neutral pH conditions is concentration-dependent and saturable with a Km-value of 27 mM (log Km is 1.43 ± 0.09). In conclusion, the present study shows that vigabatrin was able to inhibit the uptake of taurine in intestinal and renal cell culture models. Furthermore, uptake of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells under neutral pH conditions was concentration-dependent and saturable and suggesting that vigabatrin partly was transported via a taurine transporter, which is likely to be TauT.

Intestinal absorption of the antiepileptic drug substance vigabatrin is altered by infant formula in vitro and in vivo.

Vigabatrin is an antiepileptic drug substance mainly used in pediatric treatment of infantile spasms. The main source of nutrition for infants is breast milk and/or infant formula. Our hypothesis was that infant formula may affect the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin. The aim was therefore to investigate the potential effect of coadministration of infant formula with vigabatrin on the oral absorption in vitro and in vivo. The effect of vigabatrin given with an infant formula on the oral uptake and transepithelial transport was investigated in vitro in Caco-2 cells. In vivo effects of infant formula and selected amino acids on the pharmacokinetic profile of vigabatrin was investigated after oral coadministration to male Sprague-Dawley rats using acetaminophen as a marker for gastric emptying. The presence of infant formula significantly reduced the uptake rate and permeability of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells. Oral coadministration of vigabatrin and infant formula significantly reduced C max and prolonged t max of vigabatrin absorption. Ligands for the proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1, sarcosine, and proline/l-tryptophan had similar effects on the pharmacokinetic profile of vigabatrin. The infant formula decreased the rate of gastric emptying. Here we provide experimental evidence for an in vivo role of PAT1 in the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin. The effect of infant formula on the oral absorption of vigabatrin was found to be due to delayed gastric emptying, however, it seems reasonable that infant formula may also directly affect the intestinal absorption rate of vigabatrin possibly via PAT1.