Characterization of bropirimine O-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes.

1. The antitumour agent bropirimine undergoes significant Phase II conjugation in vivo. Incubation of [14C]bropirimine with human liver microsomes resulted in the formation of a single product peak (M1) using high-performance liquid chromatography with radiochemical detection and was tentatively assigned as bropirimine glucuronide based on sensitivity to beta-glucuronidase and by obtaining the expected mass of 442/444 amu with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Following metabolite isolation, the structure of M1 was established as bropirimine O-glucuronide by 1H-nuclear magnetic spectroscopy. 2. Studies aimed at identifying the human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme(s) involved in the glucuronidation of bropirimine were carried out using recombinant human UGTs and it was determined that glucuronidation of bropirimine was catalysed by UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT1A9. Bropirimine O-glucuronidation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the Km and Vmax (mean +/- SD; n = 3) were 1217 +/- 205 microM and 667 +/- 188 pmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. 3. The activity of bropirimine O-glucuronidation by human liver microsomes was inhibited by bilirubin (40%) and with mefenamic acid (80%). Although buprenorphine extensively inhibited the activity of bropirimine O-glucuronidation by UGT1A3, the inhibition profile did not parallel that observed in HLMs. 4. The results demonstrate that UGT1A9 and to a lesser extent UGT1A1 are responsible for the majority of bropirimine O-glucuronidation in man.

Oxidation of the novel oxazolidinone antibiotic linezolid in human liver microsomes.

In vitro studies were conducted to identify the hepatic enzyme(s) responsible for the oxidative metabolism of linezolid. In human liver microsomes, linezolid was oxidized to a single metabolite, hydroxylinezolid (M1). Formation of M1 was determined to be dependent upon microsomal protein and NADPH. Over a concentration range of 2 to 700 microM, the rate of M1 formation conformed to first-order (nonsaturable) kinetics. Application of conventional in vitro techniques were unable to identify the molecular origin of M1 based on the following experiments: a) inhibitor/substrates for various cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes were unable to inhibit M1 formation; b) formation of M1 did not correlate (r(2) < 0.23) with any of the measured catalytic activities across a population of human livers (n = 14); c) M1 formation was not detectable in incubations using microsomes prepared from a baculovirus insect cell line expressing CYPs 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5, and 4A11. In addition, results obtained from an in vitro P-450 inhibition screen revealed that linezolid was devoid of any inhibitory activity toward the following CYP enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4). Additional in vitro studies excluded the possibility of flavin-containing monooxygenase and monoamine oxidase as potential enzymes responsible for metabolite formation. However, metabolite formation was found to be optimal under basic (pH 9.0) conditions, which suggests the potential involvement of either an uncharacterized P-450 enzyme or an alternative microsomal mediated oxidative pathway.

Cytochrome P-450-mediated metabolism of the individual enantiomers of the antidepressant agent reboxetine in human liver microsomes.

In vitro studies were conducted to identify the hepatic cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes responsible for the oxidative metabolism of the individual enantiomers of reboxetine. In human liver microsomes, each reboxetine enantiomer was metabolized to one primary metabolite, O-desethylreboxetine, and three minor metabolites, two arising via oxidation of the ethoxy aromatic ring and a third yet unidentified metabolite. Over a concentration range of 2 to 200 microM, the rate O-desethylreboxetine formation for either enantiomer conformed to monophasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Evidence for a principal role of CYP3A in the formation of O-desethylreboxetine for (S, S)-reboxetine and (R,R)-reboxetine was based on the results from the following studies: 1) inhibition of CYP3A activity by ketoconazole markedly decreased the formation of O-desethylreboxetine, whereas inhibitors selective for other CYP enzymes did not inhibit reboxetine metabolism, 2) formation of O-desethylreboxetine correlated (r(2) = 0.99; p <.001) with CYP3A-selective testosterone 6-beta-hydroxylase activity across a population of human livers (n = 14). Consistent with inhibition and correlation data, O-desethylreboxetine formation was only detectable in incubations using microsomes prepared from a Baculovirus-insect cell line expressing CYP3A4. Furthermore, the apparent K(M) for the O-desethylation of reboxetine in cDNA CYP3A4 microsomes was similar to the affinity constants determined in human liver microsomes. In addition, (S,S)-reboxetine and (R,R)-reboxetine were found to be competitive inhibitors of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 (K(i) = 2.5 and 11 microM, respectively). Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the metabolism of both reboxetine enantiomers in humans is principally mediated via CYP3A.

Human biotransformation of bropirimine. Characterization of the major bropirimine oxidative metabolites formed in vitro.

Bropirimine (2-amino-5-bromo-6-phenyl-4-pyrimidinone) is a member of a class of antineoplastic agents known as aryl pyrimidinones. In human liver microsomal incubations, bropirimine oxidative metabolism is characterized by the formation of three metabolites. Mass spectrometric analysis of the incubation mixture revealed three bropirimine oxidative metabolites, identified as the bropirimine dihydrodiol, p-hydroxybropirimine, and m-hydroxybropirimine. In vitro studies using human liver microsomes and recombinant cytochrome P450 isoforms were performed to identify the P450 enzyme(s) responsible for bropirimine oxidation. Coincubation with the selective CYP1A2 inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone abolished bropirimine metabolism in human liver microsomes. Furthermore, when screened against a panel of cDNA expressed cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4), bropirimine was metabolized to both p- and m-hydroxybropirimine exclusively in incubations with cDNA-expressed CYP1A2 microsomes. Mechanistic studies using cDNA-expressed CYP1A2 microsomes fortified with microsomal epoxide hydrolase revealed that all three bropirimine oxidative metabolites appear to be the result of a common arene oxide, which serves as a substrate for microsomal epoxide hydrolase to generate the dihydrodiol or rearranges to yield p- and m-hydroxybropirimine.

Assessment of potential interactions between dopamine receptor agonists and various human cytochrome P450 enzymes using a simple in vitro inhibition screen.

The selectivity of inhibition for four dopamine receptor agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, pergolide, and bromocriptine) on six human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities were evaluated using a simple in vitro inhibition screen. Drug-P450 interactions characterized as potent (i.e. greater than 50% inhibition of control enzyme activity) were then further examined to determine an IC50 for the interaction. Of the dopamine receptor agonists tested, three drugs, ropinirole, pergolide, and bromocriptine, were found to inhibit the activity of at least one human cytochrome P450 enzyme, while the remaining dopamine agonist, pramipexole, was devoid of any potent P450 interaction. None of the agonists tested inhibited the P450 marker activities of 2C9, 2C19, and 2E1. However, partial inhibition was observed between ropinirole and CYP1A2 and pergolide and CYP3A4. In contrast, potent interactions were observed between CYP2D6 and pergolide and ropinirole, as well as with CYP3A4 and bromocriptine. The results of this study indicate several drug P450 interactions; however, the likelihood of an in vivo interaction with these drugs remains to be established.

Plasma compatibility of injectables: comparison of intravenous U-74006F, a 21-aminosteroid antioxidant, with Dilantin brand of parenteral phenytoin.

The 21-aminosteroid antioxidant U-74006F (1) is being developed as an iv injectable agent for the treatment of human CNS trauma and ischemia. Because of its poor water solubility, the plasma compatibility of the parenteral formulation of 1 was evaluated using three models: (I) static solubility, (II) aggregometric, and (III) dynamic flow. The flow model was designed to mimic an iv infusion into the human antecubital vein, which was assumed to have plasma flow of 10 mL/min. Dilantin (phenytoin), the positive control, produced a precipitate in all three models from a 10% (v/v) mixture with human plasma, which approximates the in vivo ratio when the drug is infused at the recommended rate of 1 mL/min. Approximately 39% of the phenytoin dose in the flow model was retained on a downstream 3-microns filter as crystals. In comparison, the parenteral formulation of 1 produced minimal precipitate in models I and II from 40% mixtures with plasma, but higher percentages produced unstable suspensions with time-dependent precipitation. The percentage of the dose of the parenteral formulation of 1 retained on the filter in the flow model was 0.5% or less at infusion rates as high as 10 mL/min and 3% at 19 mL/min. At the 10-mL/min infusion rate, the mass of 1 retained on the filter per minute was less than 1% of the mass of phenytoin retained at the 1-mL/min infusion rate for Dilantin. The acceptable plasma compatibility of the parenteral formulation of 1 appears to be related to the solubilizing effects of plasma protein binding and pH suppression by the citric acid vehicle.

Reversible, hepatic, lysosomal phospholipidosis in rat induced by subchronic daily administration of trospectomycin sulfate.

Trospectomycin sulfate is an experimental aminocyclitol antibiotic which has been shown previously to induce the formation of cytoplasmic lamellar bodies in rat and dog liver in subchronic experiments. The effect of repeated daily administration of trospectomycin sulfate on hepatic phospholipid levels and activities of marker enzymes for subcellular organelles was examined. Rats were treated for 30 or 90 days with 0, 50, or 250 mg/kg/day of trospectomycin sulfate prior to being killed, and another group was dosed for 90 days and then allowed to recover for 79 days prior to sacrifice. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of lamellar bodies in hepatocytes in both 50 and 250 mg/kg groups at 90 days but no other apparent changes in cellular morphology. Total phospholipids were increased significantly (1.6-fold) only at 90 days (P less than 0.01) and only in the 250 mg/kg group. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and two acidic lysosomal phospholipids, bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate and acylphosphatidylglycerol, accounted for 42, 35, and 21% of the increase in total phospholipids. Changes in the activities of marker enzymes were generally confined to the 250 mg/kg group at 90 days, with the largest and most significant increases being in the lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase and hexosaminidase (P less than 0.01). Levels of all phospholipids and marker enzymes, with the exception of succinate dehydrogenase, were not significantly different from controls 79 days after cessation of dosing, and lamellar bodies had disappeared. We conclude that repeated trospectomycin sulfate treatment in rat induces a reversible, dose- and time-dependent lysosomal phospholipidosis in liver which is characterized by an increase in lysosomal enzymes and selected anionic phospholipids.

Pharmacokinetics and excretion of the 21-aminosteroid antioxidant U-74006F in rat and perfused rat liver.

U-74006F, 21-(4-(2,6-dipyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl)-16 alpha-methylpregan-1,4,9(11)-triene monomethane sulfonate, is currently under development for the treatment of human central nervous system trauma and ischemia. The iv pharmacokinetics and excretion of 14CU-74006F (labeled in the 16 alpha-methyl group) and 3HU-74006F (labeled in a pyrrolidine ring) were investigated in the young adult Sprague-Dawley rat and the perfused rat liver. Following a 3 mg/kg iv bolus dose, plasma levels of 14CU-74006F declined biexponentially with alpha and beta half-times of 8 and 70 min, respectively. The terminal phase volume of distribution was 5.1 liters/kg and the plasma clearance was 51 ml/min/kg, which is similar to the in vivo hepatic plasma flow. Plasma levels of total 14C-labeled metabolites quickly exceeded levels of parent drug and declined with a terminal phase half-time of 50 hr. Greater than 90% of the 14C and 3H doses was excreted in feces with terminal phase half-times of 107 and 46 hr, respectively. Consistent with high hepatic clearance, the oral solution bioavailability of U-74006F was 16%, and the hepatic extraction efficiency of U-74006F from 3% bovine serum albumin (w/v) medium in the perfused liver was 80-86% under nonsaturating conditions at physiological flows. U-74006F was rapidly metabolized in the perfused liver and excreted in bile as metabolites. The biliary excretion mechanism was more easily saturated than hepatic uptake and metabolism, with the consequence that, at pharmacologically relevant perfusate levels of drug, metabolites accumulated in the liver and effluxed into the perfusate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Human neutrophil activation with interleukin-1. A role for intracellular calcium and arachidonic acid lipoxygenation.

Human monocyte-derived interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulated the selective extracellular release of cytoplasmic granule-associated elastase from human neutrophils. Although extracellular calcium (Ca2+) enhances but is not required for the expression of granule exocytosis, IL-1 did induce the mobilization of previously sequestered intracellular Ca2+ as measured with the highly selective fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, Quin 2. Further, IL-1 stimulated the mobilization of cell membrane-associated Ca2+ as monitored by a decrease in fluorescence of chlorotetracycline (CTC)-loaded neutrophils. W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, and TMB-8[8(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-(3,4,5-trimethoxy)benzoate hydrochloride], an intracellular Ca2+ antagonist, inhibited the Quin 2 fluorescent response by neutrophils to IL-1. TPCK (N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethylketone), a serine protease inhibitor, suppressed IL-1-induced Quin 2 and CTC fluorescence. Exposure of neutrophils to IL-1 resulted in a concentration-dependent production of the 5-lipoxygenase product, LTB4 [5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid] which was enhanced in the presence of arachidonic acid (AA). LTB4 production by IL-1-activated neutrophils was suppressed by the lipoxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and piriprost potassium [6,9,deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino)-delta 6,8-prostaglandin l1], and a cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), whereas a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, flurbiprofen, was inactive. These data indicate that cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and a metabolite(s) of AA lipoxygenation mediate granule exocytosis elicited with IL-1.

Arachidonic acid and 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid modulate human polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation by monocyte derived neutrophil activating factor.

Exposure of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to human monocyte derived neutrophil activating factor(s) (NAF) resulted in a concentration-dependent extracellular release of granule constituents. NAF also induced the generation of 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid [Leukotriene B4 (LTB4)] by PMNs which was enhanced in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid (AA). In contrast to its enhancing effect on LTB4 production, AA inhibited NAF-stimulated PMN degranulation. 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a product of the 15-lipoxy-genation of AA in PMNS, caused a concentration-dependent suppression of degranulation and LTB4 generation by PMNs in contact with NAF. 15-HETE also inhibited the rise in cytosolic-free calcium [( Ca2+]i) observed in NAF activated PMNs. These data suggest that AA and a 15-lipoxygenase product modulate the NAF-associated activation pathway in human PMNs.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity and platelet aggregation by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. Influence of stereochemistry.

Certain epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) that were not cyclooxygenase substrates were effective cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Both (+/-)-14,15-cis-EET and (+/-)-8,9-cis-EET inhibited purified enzyme at concentrations from 1 to 50 microM; (+/-)-11,12-cis-EET was ineffective at concentrations below 100 microM. For the case of 14,15-cis-EET, only the (14R,15S)-stereoisomer was active. Other isomers including (14S,15R)-cis-EET, (14R,15R)-trans-EET, (14S,15S)-trans-EET, and the erythro and threo vicinal 14,15-diols were inactive. In addition to their effects on isolated enzyme preparations, cyclooxygenase activity in platelet suspensions, reflected by thromboxane B2 formation, was also inhibited by (14R,15S)-cis-EET and (+/-)-8,9-cis-EET but not by the other isomers. Thus potency and stereospecificity requirements were maintained for cyclooxygenase within intact platelets. Unlike the stereospecific inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid was inhibited by all EET isomers at concentrations from 1 to 10 microM with no evident stereospecificity. Inhibition of aggregation was not uniformly associated with inhibition of thromboxane B2 formation; ordinarily, these two parameters correlate closely. This dissociation was not maintained for another biochemical process involved in platelet activation. For instance, there was a uniform correlation between inhibition of phosphorylation of a 40-kDa platelet protein and inhibition of aggregation. Our results suggest that effects of EET may originate from either stereospecific or nonspecific mechanisms. Definition of such mechanisms may be important to appreciate any physiological relevance of these substances.

Plasma levels of the prodrug, arbaprostil, [(15R)-15-methylprostaglandin E2], and its active, antiulcer (15S) epimer in humans after single dose oral administration.

Arbaprostil [(15R)-15-methylprostaglandin E2] is an antiulcer prodrug being evaluated for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers in humans. It epimerizes in acidic gastric fluid to produce the biologically active form, (15S)-15-methyl-PGE2, which acts directly on the gastric mucosa and possesses both gastric acid antisecretory and cytoprotective properties. Because of its local mode of action, plasma levels of the two epimers may have greater relevance to drug safety than to therapeutic efficacy. In the present study, plasma concentrations of both 15-methyl-PGE2 epimers resulting from a gastric acid antisecretory dose of arbaprostil oral solution (50 micrograms) were measured in eight male volunteers having sufficient gastric acidity for prodrug activation (pH less than 3). Arbaprostil was determined with a newly developed RIA having a sensitivity of 10 pg X mL-1. The accuracy of the RIA was confirmed by parallel analysis of plasma samples by HPLC. (15S)-15-Methyl-PGE2 was also determined by HPLC. Arbaprostil was both rapidly absorbed and eliminated (tmax of 15-30 min and plasma t1/2 of 20 min), but there was large intersubject variability in its observed maximum plasma concentration (38 to 348 pg X mL-1). The concentration of (15S)-15-methyl-PGE2 did not exceed 25 pg X mL-1 In six subjects and 50 pg X mL-1 in the remaining two subjects. The significance of these results is discussed.

Albumin-eicosanoid interactions. A model system to determine their attributes and inhibition.

A model system was developed to (a) reflect the chemical attributes of the microenvironment involved in albumin-eicosanoid interactions and (b) determine the effects of other ligands on these interactions. Albumin-dependent modulation of prostaglandin stability was chosen as the basis for this system. 15-Ketoprostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was evaluated as a model ligand because under special conditions it decomposes with formation of a visible chromophore. Human serum albumin, in a concentration-dependent fashion, catalyzed the dehydration of 15-keto-PGE2 with the concurrent generation of this chromophore (lambda max = 505 nm, epsilon = 35,000). Since chromophore production from 15-keto-PGE2 in albumin-free solution occurs only at pH greater than 10, the results suggest that albumin-eicosanoid interactions involve a microenvironment with alkaline attributes. The effect of other ligands on albumin-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 interactions was determined by monitoring their ability to inhibit the spectral component of these interactions. Inhibition correlated with an affinity for specific binding sites on albumin. At mole ratios of ligand/albumin below 1, only phenylbutazone, its analogs, and warfarin inhibited chromophore development. Other ligands including fatty acids, steroids, tryptophan, and drugs with an affinity for other binding sites were ineffective inhibitors.

Albumin-catalyzed metabolism of prostaglandin D2. Identification of products formed in vitro.

Human albumin catalyzed the in vitro transformation of prostaglandin D2 into three novel dehydration products identified as 9-deoxy-11-keto-15 alpha-hydroxy-delta-5,9,12-prostenoic acid; 15-deoxy-11-keto-9 alpha-hydroxy-delta 5,9,12,14-prostenoic acid. Results suggest that albumin can influence, qualitatively and quantitatively, the metabolism of eicosanoids.

Sodium 5-(3'-pyridinylmethyl)benzofuran-2-carboxylate (U-63557A), a new, selective thromboxane synthase inhibitor: intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics in dogs and correlations with ex situ thromboxane B2 production.

The pharmacokinetics of a new, selective thromboxane synthase inhibitor, sodium 5-(3'-pyridinylmethyl)benzofuran-2-carboxylate were determined for single dose, bolus intravenous injections (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg); for continuous 24 hr infusions (10 and 30 micrograms/kg/min); and for oral doses of gelatin encapsulated powdered drug (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg). Drug disappeared biexponentially after intravenous administration, and plasma concentrations were proportional to the dose. Absorption of drug occurred rapidly after its oral administration; peak plasma levels occurred 1-2 hours after ingestion, and circulating drug was detectable within 30 minutes. For all experiments, inhibition of cellular thromboxane B2 production, ex situ, corresponded with plasma drug levels and its reactivation corresponded with disappearance of the drug indicating that it was not accumulated by platelets.

Albumin stabilizes leukotriene A4.

Chemical analysis of intact leukotriene A4 showed that vertebrate albumins prolonged its aqueous half-life. At pH 7.4, leukotriene A4 hydrolyzed by first order reaction kinetics with rate constants inversely proportional to the albumin concentration. The stabilizing effect of albumin varied quantitatively among different species. Certain agents, such as warfarin, that interact with the site I binding region of albumin reversed its stabilizing effect. Sequestration and exposure of leukotriene A4 to a hydrophobic, alkaline microenvironment of albumin would account for the results. The amino acid sequences Lys-Ala-Trp-Ala-Val-Ala-Arg from residues 211-217 of human albumin or Lys-Ala-Trp-Ser-Val-Ala-Arg from residues 210-216 of bovine albumin are compatible with this requirement. The persistence of leukotriene A4 in the presence of albumin confirms and extends our recent observations on its uniform and predictable influence on eicosanoid stability. The significance of this influence is uncertain; however, albumin can no longer be viewed as inert considering its capacity to modify the stability of several, structurally diverse eicosanoids.

Comparison between circulating interferon and drug levels following administration of 2-amino-5-bromo-6-phenyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone (ABPP) to different animal species.

Using a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay, these studies attempted to correlate circulating levels of 2-amino-5-bromo-6-phenyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone (ABPP) with the serum interferon response induced in mice, cats, dogs, cattle, and rabbits. The order of greatest sensitivity for interferon induction by ABPP was mice greater than cats greater than dogs greater than cattle greater than rabbits. Experiments to date indicate that the circulating drug levels associated with a detectable interferon response were 10-15 microgram/ml (mice), 15-30 micrograms/ml (cats and dogs), and 30-50 micrograms/ml (cattle). Whereas rabbits produced large amounts (greater than 10(4) units/ml) of interferon when induced with Newcastle disease virus, we could not demonstrate unequivocally that rabbits were induced by ABPP even when circulating drug levels reached 50 micrograms/ml, or greater. We also observed differences in the pharmacokinetics of ABPP in the different species which may contribute to the differences described for the interferon responses. The data point out the need for cautious selection of animal models for preclinical efficacy evaluation and cautious extrapolation of data from preclinical studies to eventual clinical evaluation.