Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic predictions of intestinal BCRP-mediated drug interactions of rosuvastatin in Koreans.

It was recently reported that the Cmax and AUC of rosuvastatin increases when it is coadministered with telmisartan and cyclosporine. Rosuvastatin is known to be a substrate of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, NTCP, and BCRP transporters. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism of the interactions between rosuvastatin and two perpetrators, telmisartan and cyclosporine. Published (cyclosporine) or newly developed (telmisartan) PBPK models were used to this end. The rosuvastatin model in Simcyp (version 15)'s drug library was modified to reflect racial differences in rosuvastatin exposure. In the telmisartan-rosuvastatin case, simulated rosuvastatin CmaxI/Cmax and AUCI/AUC (with/without telmisartan) ratios were 1.92 and 1.14, respectively, and the Tmax changed from 3.35 h to 1.40 h with coadministration of telmisartan, which were consistent with the aforementioned report (CmaxI/Cmax: 2.01, AUCI/AUC:1.18, Tmax: 5 h → 0.75 h). In the next case of cyclosporine-rosuvastatin, the simulated rosuvastatin CmaxI/Cmax and AUCI/AUC (with/without cyclosporine) ratios were 3.29 and 1.30, respectively. The decrease in the CLint,BCRP,intestine of rosuvastatin by telmisartan and cyclosporine in the PBPK model was pivotal to reproducing this finding in Simcyp. Our PBPK model demonstrated that the major causes of increase in rosuvastatin exposure are mediated by intestinal BCRP (rosuvastatin-telmisartan interaction) or by both of BCRP and OATP1B1/3 (rosuvastatin-cyclosporine interaction).

Retracted: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic predictions of intestinal BCRP-mediated effect of telmisartan on the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in humans.

'Physiologically based pharmacokinetic predictions of intestinal BCRP-mediated effect of telmisartan on the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in humans' by Soo Hyeon Bae, Wan-Su Park, Seunghoon Han, Gab-jin Park, Jongtae Lee, Taegon Hong, Sangil Jeon and Dong-Seok Yim The above article, published online on 06 February 2017 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, K. Sandy Pang, and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The authors retracted the paper due to errors associated with use of log D vs. log P of telmisartan as inputs of the PBPK model. The authors concluded that there are too many changes in the article to be resolved by an Erratum, and had requested a retraction. Reference Bae, S. H., Park, W.-S., Han, S., Park, G., Lee, J., Hong, T., Jeon, S., and Yim, D.-S. (2016) Physiologically based pharmacokinetic predictions of intestinal BCRP-mediated effect of telmisartan on the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in humans. Biopharm. Drug Dispos., doi: 10.1002/bdd.2060.

Structure-based design and biological evaluation of novel 2-(indol-2-yl) thiazole derivatives as xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) has obviously been a central concept for controlling hyperuricemia, which causes serious and painful inflammatory arthritis disease such as gout. We discovered a series of novel 2-(indol-2-yl)thiazole derivatives as XO inhibitors at the level of nanomolar activity. Structure-guided design using molecular modeling program (Accelrys Software program) provided an excellent basis for optimization of 2-(indol-2-yl)thiazole compounds. Structure-activity relationship indicated that hydrophobic alkoxy group (isopropoxy, cyclopentoxy) at 5-position and hydrogen binding acceptor (NO2, CN) at 7-position of indole ring appear as critical functional groups. Among the compounds, 2-(7-nitro-5-isopropoxy-indol-2-yl)-4-methylthiazole-5-carboxylic acid (9m) exhibits the most potent XO inhibitory activity (IC50 value: 5.1 nM) and the excellent uric acid lowering activity in potassium oxonate induced hyperuricemic rat model.

Pharmacometric models simulation using NONMEM, Berkeley Madonna and R.

In this tutorial, we introduce a differential equation simulation model for use in pharmacometrics involving NONMEM, Berkeley Madonna, and R. We report components of the simulation code and similarities/differences between software, rather than how to use each software. Depending on the purpose of the simulation, an appropriate tool can be selected for effective communication.

Use of a Target-Mediated Drug Disposition Model to Predict the Human Pharmacokinetics and Target Occupancy of GC1118, an Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Antibody.

GC1118 is an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody that is currently under clinical development. In this study, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of GC1118 were modelled in monkeys to predict human PK and receptor occupancy (RO) profiles. The serum concentrations of GC1118 and its comparator (cetuximab) were assessed in monkeys with a non-compartmental analysis and a target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) model after intravenous infusion (3-25 mg/kg) of these drugs. The scaling exponent of the EGFR synthesis rate was determined using a sensitivity analysis. The human cetuximab exposures were simulated by applying different exponents (0.7-1.0) for the EGFR synthesis rate in the allometric monkey PK model. Simulated Cmax and area under the curve values therein were compared with those previously reported in the literature to find the best exponent for the EGFR synthesis rate in human beings. The TMDD model appropriately described the monkey PK profile, which showed a decrease in clearance (CL; 1.2-0.4 ml/hr/kg) as the dose increased. The exponents for CL (0.75) and volume of distribution (Vd; 1.0) were used for the allometric scaling to predict human PK. The allometric coefficient for the EGFR synthesis rate chosen by the sensitivity analysis was 0.85, and the RO profiles that could not be measured experimentally were estimated based on the predicted concentrations of the total target and the drug-target complex. Our monkey TMDD model successfully predicts human PK and RO profiles of GC1118 and can be used to determine the appropriate dose for a first-in-human study investigating this drug.

Drug-drug interaction of microdose and regular-dose omeprazole with a CYP2C19 inhibitor and inducer.

PURPOSE: A microdose drug-drug interaction (DDI) study may be a valuable tool for anticipating drug interaction at therapeutic doses. This study aimed to compare the magnitude of DDIs at microdoses and regular doses to explore the applicability of a microdose DDI study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six healthy male volunteer subjects were enrolled into each DDI study of omeprazole (victim) and known perpetrators: fluconazole (inhibitor) and rifampin (inducer). For both studies, the microdose (100 µg, cold compound) and the regular dose (20 mg) of omeprazole were given at days 0 and 1, respectively. On days 2-9, the inhibitor or inducer was given daily, and the microdose and regular dose of omeprazole were repeated at days 8 and 9, respectively. Full omeprazole pharmacokinetic samplings were performed at days 0, 1, 8, and 9 of both studies for noncompartmental analysis. RESULTS: The magnitude of the DDI, the geometric mean ratios (with perpetrator/omeprazole only) of maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve to the last measurement (AUCt) of the microdose and the regular dose were compared. The geometric mean ratios in the inhibition study were: 2.17 (micro) and 2.68 (regular) for Cmax, and 4.07 (micro), 4.33 (regular) for AUCt. For the induction study, they were 0.26 (micro) and 0.21 (regular) for Cmax, and 0.16 (micro) and 0.15 (regular) for AUCt. There were no significant statistical differences in the magnitudes of DDIs between microdose and regular-dose conditions, regardless of induction or inhibition. CONCLUSION: Our results may be used as partial evidence that microdose DDI studies may replace regular-dose studies, or at least be used for DDI-screening purposes.

Human microdosing and mice xenograft data of AGM-130 applied to estimate efficacious doses in patients.

PURPOSE: AGM-130 is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that exhibits dose-dependent efficacy in xenograft mouse models. During preclinical pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, mice and rats showed comparable PK parameters while dogs showed unusually high clearance (CL), which has made human PK prediction challenging. To address this discrepancy, we performed a human microdosing PK and developed a mouse PK/PD model in order to guide the first-in-human studies. METHODS: A microdose of AGM-130 was given via intravenous injection to healthy subjects. Efficacy data obtained using MCF-7 breast cancer cells implanted in mice was analyzed using pre-existing tumor growth inhibition models. We simulated a human PK/PD profile with the PK parameters obtained from the microdose study and the PD parameters estimated from the xenograft PK/PD model. RESULTS: The human CL of AGM-130 was 3.08 L/h/kg, which was comparable to CL in mice and rats. The time-courses of tumor growth in xenograft model was well described by a preexisting model. Our simulation indicated that the human doses needed for 50 and 90% inhibition of tumor growth were about 100 and 400 mg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of using microdose PK and xenograft PK/PD model to predict efficacious doses before the first-in-human trial in cancer patients. In addition, this work highlights the importance of integration of all of information in PK/PD analysis and illustrates how modeling and simulation can be used to add value in the early stages of drug development.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/positive ion tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of cimetropium in human plasma by liquid-liquid extraction.

We have developed and validated a simple detection system with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with positive ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) for determining cimetropium levels in human plasma using scopolamine butyl bromide as an internal standard (I.S.). The acquisition was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, by monitoring the transitions: m/z 357.9 > 103.1 for cimetropium and m/z 359.9 > 103.1 for butyl-scopolamine. The method involves a simple single-step liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane. The analyte was chromatographed on an YMC C18 reversed-phase chromatographic column by isocratic elution with 10 mM ammonium formate buffer-methanol (19:81, v/v; adjusted to pH 4.0 with formic acid). The results were linear over the studied range (0.2-100 ng ml(-1)), with r2 = 1.0000, and the total analysis time for each run was 2 min. Intra- and interassay precisions were 0.70-8.54% and 1.08-4.85%, respectively, and intra- and interassay accuracies were 97.56-108.23% and 97.48-103.91%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.2 ng ml(-1). At this concentration, mean intra- and interassay precisions were 8.54% and 4.85%, respectively, and mean intra- and interassay accuracies were 97.56% and 98.91%, respectively. The mean recovery ranged from 62.71 +/- 4.06 to 64.23 +/- 2.32%. Cimetropium was found to be stable in plasma samples under typical storage and processing conditions. The devised assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of cimetropium bromide administered as a single oral dose (150 mg) to healthy volunteers.

Comparative Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Thiamine and Its Phosphorylated Metabolites Administered as Multivitamin Preparations.

PURPOSE: Fursultiamine and benfotiamine are lipophilic thiamine derivatives used as oral sources of thiamine. Although there are many publications on the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of thiamine-containing products, no direct comparisons between these agents . We aimed to compare the PK profiles of these lipophilic thiamine derivatives and to compare the extent of the increase in bioavailability to that of naïve thiamine. METHODS: Two randomized, single-dose, 2-way crossover, full PK studies were conducted in healthy Korean male subjects (n = 24 per group). Among the test compounds, fursultiamine was compared with benfotiamine (reference A in study A) and thiamine nitrate (reference B in study B). All formulations were multivitamin preparations containing the test or reference formulation as the major thiamine source. In study A, the plasma and hemolysate concentrations of thiamine and its metabolites were measured, while only the plasma thiamine concentration was assayed in study B. FINDINGS: The systemic thiamine exposure of the test compound was slightly greater than that of reference A, based on the geometric mean ratio (%) of the AUClast value for plasma (116.6%) and hemolysate (137.5%). The thiamine diphosphate (TDP) distribution between plasma and hemolysate showed clear differences according to the formulations, in that more TDP was present in the hemolysate when thiamine was given as the test formulation. The AUClast value of plasma thiamine showed a >300% increase when thiamine was given as the test formulation in study B. The summed total exposure to thiamine (thiamine + TDP in both plasma and hemolysate) observed as a point estimate after the administration of fursultiamine was slightly greater than that with benfotiamine; however, the 90% CI was within the conventional bioequivalence range. IMPLICATIONS: These findings support clear benefits of lipophilic thiamine derivatives in the absorption of thiamine in healthy volunteers. Clinical Research Information Service identifiers: KCT0001419 (study A), KCT0001628 (study B).

Quantification of propiverine by liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry: application to a bioequivalence study of two formulations in healthy subjects.

Here we report on the development and validation of a sensitive and rapid reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of propiverine in human plasma. After adding an internal standard (oxybutynin chloride) to human plasma, samples were extracted using n-hexane/ethylacetate (8:2, v/v). Compounds extracted were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode for analyte detection. This method for determination of propiverine proved accurate and reproducible, with a limit of quantitation of 0.5 ng/ml in human plasma. The standard calibration curve for propiverine was linear (r2=0.9988) over the concentration range 0.5-1000.0 ng/ml in human plasma. The intra- and inter-day precision over this concentration range was lower than 8.66% (relative standard deviation, %R.S.D.), and accuracy was between 99.46 and 109.41%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of two propiverine hydrochloride tablet formulations (20 mg) in 24 healthy subjects after a single administration.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis to evaluate the effect of moxifloxacin on QT interval prolongation in healthy Korean male subjects.

A single 400 mg dose of moxifloxacin has been the standard positive control for thorough QT (TQT) studies. However, it is not clearly known whether a 400 mg dose is also applicable to TQT studies in Asian subjects, including Koreans. Thus, we aimed to develop a pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic (PD) model for moxifloxacin, to evaluate the time course of its effect on QT intervals in Koreans. Data from three TQT studies of 33 healthy male Korean subjects who received 400 and 800 mg of moxifloxacin and placebo (water) were used. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were taken for 2 consecutive days: 1 day to record diurnal changes and the next day to record moxifloxacin or placebo effects. Peripheral blood samples were also obtained for PK analysis. The PK-PD data obtained were analyzed using a nonlinear mixed-effects method (NONMEM ver. 7.2). A two-compartment linear model with first-order absorption provided the best description of moxifloxacin PK. Individualized QT interval correction, by heart rate, was performed by a power model, and the circadian variation of QT intervals was described by two mixed-effect cosine functions. The effect of moxifloxacin on QT interval prolongation was well explained by the nonlinear dose-response (Emax) model, and the effect by 800 mg was only slightly greater than that of 400 mg. Although Koreans appeared to be more sensitive to moxifloxacin-induced QT prolongation than were Caucasians, the PK-PD model developed suggests that a 400 mg dose of moxifloxacin is also applicable to QT studies in Korean subjects.

Exposure-response model for sibutramine and placebo: suggestion for application to long-term weight-control drug development.

No wholly successful weight-control drugs have been developed to date, despite the tremendous demand. We present an exposure-response model of sibutramine mesylate that can be applied during clinical development of other weight-control drugs. Additionally, we provide a model-based evaluation of sibutramine efficacy. Data from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study were used (N=120). Subjects in the treatment arm were initially given 8.37 mg sibutramine base daily, and those who lost <2 kg after 4 weeks' treatment were escalated to 12.55 mg. The duration of treatment was 24 weeks. Drug concentration and body weight were measured predose and at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 24 weeks after treatment initiation. Exposure and response to sibutramine, including the placebo effect, were modeled using NONMEM 7.2. An asymptotic model approaching the final body weight was chosen to describe the time course of weight loss. Extent of weight loss was described successfully using a sigmoidal exposure-response relationship of the drug with a constant placebo effect in each individual. The placebo effect was influenced by subjects' sex and baseline body mass index. Maximal weight loss was predicted to occur around 1 year after treatment initiation. The difference in mean weight loss between the sibutramine (daily 12.55 mg) and placebo groups was predicted to be 4.5% in a simulation of 1 year of treatment, with considerable overlap of prediction intervals. Our exposure-response model, which included the placebo effect, is the first example of a quantitative model that can be used to predict the efficacy of weight-control drugs. Similar approaches can help decision-making during clinical development of novel weight-loss drugs.

Korean ginseng induces spermatogenesis in rats through the activation of cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM).

The effect of Korean ginseng (ginseng) on spermatogenesis and cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) in rat testes was evaluated using sperm analysis, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. The ginseng-treated rats exhibited significantly increased sperm count and motility with enhanced levels of CREM messenger RNA and protein. Ginseng appears to induce spermatogenesis via CREM activation in rat testes.

A liquid chromatography/positive ion tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of cilazapril and cilazaprilat in human plasma.

A simple, rapid, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS) has been developed for simultaneous determination of cilazapril levels and its active metabolite, cilazaprilat, in human plasma using enalapril as internal standard. The acquisition was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode; monitoring the transitions: m/z 418.4>211.1 for cilazapril and m/z 390.3>211.1 for cilazaprilat. The method involves a simple single-step liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The analyte was chromatographed on an YMC C(8) reversed-phase chromatographic column by isocratic elution with 10mM ammonium formate buffer-methanol (10:90, v/v; pH 3.2 with formic acid). Numerous compounds did not interfere with specific multiple reaction monitoring in tandem mass spectrometric detection following C(8) reversed-phase chromatographic separation under conditions that eluted cilazapril, cilazaprilat, and enalapril within 2min. This method was validated over 0.1-500ng ml(-1) of cilazapril and 0.5-50ng ml(-1) of cilazaprilat. Cilazapril and cilazaprilat were stable in standard solution and in plasma samples under typical storage and processing conditions. The assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of cilazapril given as a single oral dose (5mg) to healthy volunteers.

Rapid and highly sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantitation of buspirone in human plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of buspirone in human plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) was developed. Plasma samples were treated by liquid-liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The chromatographic separation was performed isocratically on a reversed-phase Shiseido C18 column (50 mm x 2.0 mm, 3 microm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile/0.1% acetic acid (1:1, v/v). The acquisition was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, monitoring the transitions m/z 386 --> 122 for buspirone and m/z 409 --> 238 for amlodipine (the internal standard). The method was validated to determine its specificity, recovery, limit of quantitation, accuracy and precision. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.02 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 10%. The present method provides an accurate, precise and sensitive tool for buspirone and was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in eight subjects.

The effects of BR003 on memory and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rat hippocampus.

BR003 is a multi-herbal formula that contains twelve medicinal herbs. We investigated the effects of oral administration of BR003 to Wistar rats on (a) learning and memory using a passive avoidance test and (b) cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus using immunohistochemical analysis of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) expression. In the passive avoidance test, the retention time of the BR003-treated group was significantly longer than that of the control group (182.64+/-39.88 vs. 73.08+/-29.30 s, respectively; n=11; p<0.05). There were significantly more BrdU-immunoreactive cells in the DG in the BR003-treated group than in the control group (1281.07+/-151.16 vs. 818.01+/-132.98 cells per DG, respectively; n=11; p<0.05). These results suggest that the administration of BR003 not only improves learning and memory but also increases cell proliferation in the DG of the rat hippocampus.

Simple method for the assay of clindamycin in human plasma by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detector.

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated for the quantification of clindamycin in human plasma. After precipitation with 50% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) containing the internal standard, propranolol, the analysis of the clindamycin level in the plasma samples was carried out using a reverse-phase cyano (CN) column with ultraviolet detection (204 nm). The chromatographic separation was accomplished with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-distilled water-7.6 mm tetramethylammonium chloride (TMA) (60:40:0.075, v/v/v), adjusted to pH 3.2. The proposed method was specific and sensitive with a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 0.2 microg/mL. This HPLC method was validated by examining the precision and accuracy for inter- and intraday analysis in the concentration range 0.2-20.0 microg/mL. The relative standard deviations (RSD) in the inter- and intraday validation were 6.1-14.9 and 6.0-16.1%, respectively. In the stability test, clindamycin was found to be stable in human plasma during the storage and assay procedure. The present HPLC method was applied to the analysis of samples taken up to 12 h after a single oral administration of clindamycin in healthy volunteers.

Inhibition of methanol extract from the fruits of Kochia scoparia on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide, prostaglandin [correction of prostagladin] E2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.

In an attempt to search for bioactive natural products exerting antiinflammatory activity, we have evaluated the effects of the methanol extract of the fruits of Kochia scoparia (L.) CHARD. (Chenopodiaceae) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha release by the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Our data indicate that this extract is a potent inhibitor of NO production and it also significantly decreased PGE(2) and TNF-alpha release. Consistent with these observations, the protein and mRNA expression level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was inhibited by MeOH extracts of Kochia scoparia (KSM) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, KSM inhibited the LPS-induced DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), which was associated with prevention of the inhibitor kappaB degradation. These results suggest that the methanol extract of K. scoparia inhibits LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression by blocking NF-kappaB activation.