Oxidative N-dealkylation: a mannich intermediate in the formation of a new metabolite of lidocaine in man.

Evidence is presented for a new metabolite of lidocaine. Its structure, N(1)-ethyl-2-methyl-N(3)-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-imidazolidinone, suggests reactive electrophilic intermediates for the oxidative removal of N-alkyl groups in general.

Warfarin metabolism in man: identification of metabolites in urine.

After administration of the coumarin anticoagulant racemic warfarin to normal humans, seven fluorescent compounds were chromatographically separated from extracts of their urine. Four of these were identified using mass spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. One metabolic pathway, reduction of the acetonyl side chain of warfarin, resulted in the formation of a second asymmetric carbon atom, and two diastereoisomer alcohols were identified. These warfarin alcohols are structurally similar to pharmacologically active coumarin derivatives. They have not been reported in animal studies. In addition, 6- and 7-hydroxywarfarin were identified. These are the first studies to document the metabolic fate of warfarin in the normal human.

Stereoselective interaction of phenylbutazone with [12C/13C]warfarin pseudoracemates in man.

To evaluate the interaction of phenylbutazone with racemic warfarin or R,S-(+/-)-warfarin in man, S-(-)-warfarin or levowarfarin was synthesized with (13)C label in the 2-position of the coumarin nucleus and added to [(12)C]R(+)-warfarin or dextrowarfarin to form a [(12)C/(13)C]pseudoracemate of warfarin. In six normal human subjects, a single oral dose of this "cold labeled" pseudoracemate, 1.5 mg/kg body weight, was administered with and without a daily dosage of phenylbutazone, 300 mg orally, beginning 3 d before the warfarin dose and continuing throughout the hypoprothrombinemia. Plasma samples were obtained daily and analyzed for warfarin content and for one-stage prothrombin activity. Unchanged warfarin in the plasma was fractionated by normal-phase, high-pressure liquid chromatography, and the enantiomorphic ratios were determined by chemical-ionization mass spectrometry with pentadeuteriowarfarin as the internal standard. A highly significant augmentation of the hypoprothrombinemia of the pseudoracemate occurred during the phenylbutazone regimen (P < 0.001) compared with pseudoracemic warfarin administered alone. There was a highly significant increase in the plasma clearance of dextrowarfarin (P < 0.01) and a significant decrease in the plasma clearance of levowarfarin (P < 0.05) during the phenylbutazone regimen compared with administration of warfarin alone. It was concluded that phenylbutazone augmented the hypoprothrombinemia of pseudoracemic warfarin stereoselectively by inhibiting the metabolic disposition of the more hypoprothrombinemic levowarfarin, yet reduced the plasma levels of pseudoracemic warfarin by greatly augmenting the metabolic disposition of dextrowarfarin.

Warfarin. Stereochemical aspects of its metabolism and the interaction with phenylbutazone.

An examination of the metabolic fate of the R and the S isomers of warfarin revealed that the two isomers were metabolized by different routes. R warfarin was oxidized to 6-hydroxywarfarin and was reduced to the (R,S) warfarin alcohol. In contrast, S warfarin was oxidized to 7-hydroxywarfarin and was reduced to the (S,S) warfarin alcohol. S warfarin was also oxidized to 6-hydroxywarfarin. These observations suggested that interactions between warfarin and other drugs might be manifest stereo-specifically, i.e., have a different effect on the isomers of warfarin, so a series of experiments were conducted with each isomer of warfarin, before and after phenylbutazone. The plasma clearance of S warfarin was slowed from 3.1 to 1.1% per h in one subject and from 2.3 to 1.6% per h in another. In contrast, the clearance of R warfarin was increased from 1.5 to 3.0% per h and from 0.9 to 1.6% per h in two subjects after phenylbutazone. The rate of clearance of racemic warfarin was unaffected by phenylbutazone; the depression of the rate of clearance of the S isomer masked the stimulation of the clearance of the R isomer. Since S warfarin is five times more potent an anticoagulant than R warfarin, it is concluded that inhibition of the metabolism of S warfarin provides one mechanism for the augmented anticoagulation which follows phenylbutazone.

Genetic association between sensitivity to warfarin and expression of CYP2C9*3.

Cytochrome P4502C9 (CYP2C9) is largely responsible for terminating the anticoagulant effect of racemic warfarin via hydroxylation of the pharmacologically more potent S-enantiomer to inactive metabolites. Mutations in the CYP2C9 gene result in the expression of three allelic variants, CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3. Both CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 exhibit altered catalytic properties in vitro relative to the wild-type enzyme. In the present study, a patient was genotyped who had proven unusually sensitive to warfarin therapy and could tolerate no more than 0.5 mg of the racemic drug/day. PCR-amplification of exons 3 and 7 of the CYP2C9 gene, followed by restriction digest or sequence analysis, showed that this individual was homozygous for CYP2C9*3. In addition, patient plasma warfarin enantiomer ratios and urinary 7-hydroxywarfarin enantiomer ratios were determined by chiral-phase high performance liquid chromotography in order to investigate whether either parameter might be of diagnostic value in place of a genotypic test. Control patients receiving 4-8 mg warfarin/day exhibited plasma S:R ratios of 0.50 +/- 0.25:1, whereas the patient on very low-dose warfarin exhibited an S:R ratio of 3.9:1. In contrast, the urinary 7-hydroxywarfarin S:R ratio of 4:1 showed the same stereoselectivity as that reported for control patients. Therefore, expression of CYP2C9*3 is associated with diminished clearance of S-warfarin and a dangerously exacerbated therapeutic response to normal doses of the racemic drug. Analysis of the plasma S:R warfarin ratio may serve as a useful alternative test to genotyping for this genetic defect.

The mechanism of the warfarin-rifampin drug interaction in humans.

The mechanism of the drug interaction in humans between warfarin and rifampin was investigated by monitoring the elimination kinetics and metabolic disposition of a single oral dose of pseudoracemic warfarin by GC/MS. The decrease in hypoprothrombinemia observed with concomitant administration of therapeutic doses of rifampin was accompanied by a substantial decrease in the elimination half-lives of both warfarin enantiomers. Rifampin increased the clearance of (R)-warfarin threefold and the clearance of (S)-warfarin twofold. The excretion profiles for warfarin and its metabolites in urine and feces were similar for both control and treated subjects with the exception that 4'-hydroxywarfarin (stereoselective for the (S)-enantiomer) was observed when rifampin was administered. 4'-Hydroxywarfarin is a metabolite of the drug hitherto undetected in vivo in humans. Based on formation clearance values estimated for 6-, 7-, and 8-hydroxywarfarin, rifampin appears to increase the clearance of the parent drug by induction of the cytochrome P-450 isozyme(s) responsible for aromatic hydroxylation.

Interaction of amiodarone with racemic warfarin and its separated enantiomorphs in humans.

To evaluate a stereoselective interaction for amiodarone and racemic warfarin, we performed a prospective study with its separated enantiomorphs. Single oral doses of racemic warfarin, 1.5 mg/kg, were administered to six normal subjects, with and without oral amiodarone, 400 mg daily, for the hypoprothrombinemic duration. Both the hypoprothrombinemia (P less than 0.001) and plasma warfarin concentrations (P less than 0.01) were significantly increased. The experiments were repeated separately with the R- and S-warfarin enantiomorphs. S-warfarin with amiodarone significantly increased both the hypoprothrombinemia (P less than 0.001) and plasma warfarin concentrations (P less than 0.01). R-warfarin with amiodarone significantly increased both the hypoprothrombinemia (P less than 0.001) and plasma warfarin concentrations (P less than 0.001). Thus amiodarone augmented the anticoagulant effect nonstereoselectively by reduced metabolic clearance of both warfarin enantiomorphs. Amiodarone and racemic warfarin can be a dangerous combination, particularly when either drug is added to a stabilized regimen of the other drug, unless the prothrombin times are monitored carefully.

Interaction of secobarbital with warfarin pseudoracemates.

To evaluate the interaction of secobarbital with racemic warfarin or R,S(+/-)-warfarin, S(-)-warfarin was synthesized with 13C-label in the 2-position of the coumarin nucleus and added to 12C-R(+)-warfarin to form a 12C-/13C-warfarin pseudoracemate. Six normal subjects received 1.5 mg/kg of this "cold-labeled" pseudoracemate. It was given with and without a daily oral dose of secobarbital, 100 mg, beginning 7 days before the warfarin and continuing throughout the hypoprothrombinemia. Plasma samples were obtained daily and analyzed for warfarin and for one-stage prothrombin activity. Unchanged warfarin in plasma was fractionated by forward-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, and enantiomorphic ratios were determined by chemical ionization-mass spectrometry with pentadeuterio-warfarin as the internal standard. There was a reduction of the hypoprothrombinemia of the pseuoracemate during the secobarbital regimen over that on warfarin alone (p < 0.001). There was an increase in plasma clearance of R-warfarin (p < 0.05) and an increase in plasma clearance of S-warfarin (p < 0.003) during the secobarbital regimen over that on warfarin alone. It was concluded that secobarbital diminished the hypoprothrombinemia of pseudoracemic warfarin by increasing plasma clearance of the more hypoprothrombinemic S-warfarin and by increasing plasma clearance of the less hypoprothombinemic R-warfarin.

Disposition of drugs in cystic fibrosis. V. In vivo CYP2C9 activity as probed by (S)-warfarin is not enhanced in cystic fibrosis.

Enhanced metabolism of theophylline in subjects with cystic fibrosis suggests that the activity of certain cytochrome P450 isoforms is affected in subjects with this genetic disease. To determine whether this effect on the P450 enzymes is selective, the in vivo activity of the cytochrome P450 isoform CYP2C9 was determined in adult subjects with cystic fibrosis (n = 6) and in control subjects (n = 8). Subjects were administered (S)-warfarin as a single intravenous bolus dose (0.375 mg/kg), and urine and plasma samples were collected for 96 hours. Plasma (S)-warfarin concentrations were determined by HPLC; urinary concentrations of (S)-warfarin and its metabolites were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The total plasma clearance of (S)-warfarin (subjects with cystic fibrosis, 3.6 +/- 0.48 ml/hr/kg; control subjects, 3.82 +/- 0.73 ml/hr/kg), elimination half-life (subjects with cystic fibrosis, 29.5 +/- 4.2 hours; control subjects, 25.9 +/- 5.4 hours); and steady-state volume of distribution (subjects with cystic fibrosis, 153 +/- 18 ml/kg; control subjects, 138 +/- 22 ml/kg) were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). The metabolic clearance of (S)-warfarin to its major metabolites mediated by CYP2C9, 6-hydroxywarfarin and 7-hydroxywarfarin, was not significantly (p > 0.05) different between the two groups (6-hydroxywarfarin: subjects with cystic fibrosis, 0.33 +/- 0.1 ml/hr/kg; control subjects, 0.41 +/- 0.1 ml/hr/kg; 7-hydroxywarfarin: subjects with cystic fibrosis, 1.34 +/- 0.49 ml/hr/kg; control subjects, 1.8 +/- 0.45 ml/hr/kg). On the basis of these data, we conclude that the in vivo cytochrome P450 activity is selectively affected in persons with cystic fibrosis.

The effect of sulfinpyrazone on the disposition of pseudoracemic phenprocoumon in humans.

The effect of sulfinpyrazone on the pharmacokinetics and disposition of the enantiomers of pseudoracemic phenprocoumon was assessed by analyzing serial plasma, urine, and fecal samples for parent drug and metabolites by GC/MS. Essentially all of the administered dose could be accounted for either as parent drug, known metabolites, or their conjugates. Phenprocoumon and the 7-hydroxymetabolite represented the major materials recovered. All drug-related materials excreted into the urine were extensively conjugated. Sulfinpyrazone treatment did not affect the hypoprothrombinemia produced by phenprocoumon nor did it significantly alter the plasma elimination kinetics of the individual (R)- and (S)-enantiomers. However, an apparent increased free fraction of both enantiomers in plasma and inhibition of 7-hydroxylation of (S)-phenprocoumon were observed in the presence of sulfinpyrazone. The results of this study are contrasted with those of a previous study on the interaction between sulfinpyrazone and the structurally similar coumarin anticoagulant warfarin.

The warfarin-sulfinpyrazone interaction: stereochemical considerations.

To allow the simultaneous evaluation of the interaction between sulfinpyrazone and each enantiomer of racemic warfarin, pseudoracemic warfarin (1:1 12C-R(+) and 13C-S(-)warfarin) was given to six normal subjects both before and during oral sulfinpyrazone dosing. Serial blood and urine samples were analyzed for unchanged warfarin and its metabolic products by GC/MS. A mass balance of an oral dose of pseudoracemic warfarin, containing a tracer quantity of 14C-warfarin, was carried out in one of the subjects by monitoring 14C levels in urine and feces for 15 days. Concomitant sulfinpyrazone dosing markedly increased hypoprothrombinemia, decreased clearance of (S)-warfarin, and increased clearance of (R)-warfarin. Sulfinpyrazone also decreased the urinary excretion of warfarin-related products but increased their fecal excretion by an equivalent amount. Virtually all of the administered warfarin dose could be accounted for either as unchanged drug or known metabolites. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the data suggests the following: At least four distinct enzymes (two oxidases and two reductases) are involved in the metabolism of warfarin. Sulfinpyrazone increases the hypoprothrombinemia caused by warfarin primarily by inhibition of the cytochrome P-450-mediated oxidation of (S)-warfarin, the biologically more potent enantiomer. The increased clearance of (R)-warfarin results not from induction, but from its selective displacement from plasma protein binding sites.

The mechanism of the interaction between amiodarone and warfarin in humans.

Amiodarone decreased the total body clearance of both (R)- and (S)-warfarin in normal subjects but did not change volumes of distribution. Warfarin excretion products were quantified and clearance and formation clearance values calculated. Amiodarone and metabolites inhibited the reduction of (R)-warfarin to (R,S)-warfarin alcohol-1 and the oxidation of both (R)- and (S)-warfarin to phenolic metabolites. Inhibition of warfarin hydroxylation by amiodarone in human liver microsomes was compared with the in vivo results. In agreement, the in vitro data indicates that amiodarone is a general inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 catalyzed oxidation of both enantiomers of warfarin, but the metabolism of (S)-warfarin is more strongly inhibited than that of (R)-warfarin. These data suggest that the enhanced anticoagulant effect observed when amiodarone and warfarin are coadministered is attributable to inhibition of P4502C9, the isozyme of P-450 primarily responsible for the conversion of (S)-warfarin to its major metabolite, (S)-7-hydroxywarfarin.

Mechanisms of the stereoselective interaction between miconazole and racemic warfarin in human subjects.

Miconazole decreased the total body clearance of both (R)- and (S)-warfarin in normal subjects but did not change volumes of distribution. Miconazole inhibited the oxidation of both (R)- and (S)-warfarin to phenolic metabolites, although (S)-warfarin was inhibited to the greater extent. In particular, (S)-7-hydroxylation, the pathway primarily responsible for termination of the anticoagulant effect, was most strongly inhibited. Inhibition of warfarin hydroxylation by miconazole in human liver microsomes and the in vivo results showed a good rank order correlation. The enhanced anticoagulant effect observed when miconazole and warfarin are coadministered may result from inhibition of P4502C9, the isozyme of P450 primarily responsible for the conversion of (S)-warfarin to (S)-7-hydroxy-warfarin. Because miconazole inhibits a number of P450 isozymes, in addition to P4502C9, it can be expected to lead to interactions with other drugs whose primary metabolism is controlled by these enzymes.

Fluvoxamine-theophylline interaction: gap between in vitro and in vivo inhibition constants toward cytochrome P4501A2.

OBJECTIVE: Several reports indicate that fluvoxamine decreases the clearance of cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) substrates. This study compared in vitro and in vivo inhibition potencies of fluvoxamine toward CYP1A2 with an approach based on inhibition constants (K(i)) determined in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: In vitro inhibition constant values were determined with human liver microsomes and complementary deoxyribonucleic acid-expressed CYP1A2 (supersomes). Fluvoxamine in vivo inhibition constants (K(i)iv) for CYP1A2 were obtained from an investigation of single-dose theophylline (250 mg) disposition in 9 healthy volunteers receiving steady-state (9 days) fluvoxamine at 3 doses (0, 25, or 75 mg/d) in a randomized crossover design. RESULTS: In vitro K(i) values based on total inhibitor concentrations were 177 +/- 56 nmol/L, 121 +/- 21 nmol/L, and 52 +/- 13 nmol/L in human liver microsomes with 1 mg/ml protein and 0.5 mg/ml protein and in supersomes with 0.3 mg/ml protein, respectively. The corresponding in vitro K(i) values based on unbound fluvoxamine concentrations were 35 nmol/L, 36 nmol/L, and 36 nmol/L. The ratio of 1-methyluric acid formation clearances (control/inhibited) in 8 subjects was positively correlated with fluvoxamine concentration (r (2) = 0.87; P <.001) with an intercept near 1. Mean values for K(i)iv based on total and unbound plasma concentrations at steady state were 25.3 nmol/L (range, 14-39 nmol/L) and 3.6 nmol/L (range, 2.4-5.9 nmol/L), respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparison of in vitro and in vivo K(i) values based on unbound fluvoxamine concentrations suggests that fluvoxamine inhibition potency is approximately 10 times greater in vivo than in vitro.

Disposition of drugs in cystic fibrosis. VI. In vivo activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of (R)-warfarin (including P450 3A4) is not enhanced in cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of (R)-warfarin is enhanced in cystic fibrosis. DESIGN: Six adult subjects with cystic fibrosis and six healthy control subjects, matched by age and sex, were administered (R)-warfarin as a single intravenous bolus dose (0.375 mg/kg), and urine and plasma samples were collected for 192 hours. The concentration of (R)-warfarin in plasma and the concentration of (R)-warfarin and its metabolites in urine were determined by HPLC and GC/MS, respectively. Plasma protein binding of (R)-warfarin was measured by ultrafiltration. RESULTS: The unbound plasma clearance of (R)-warfarin was not significantly (p > 0.05) different between the cystic fibrosis and the control groups (cystic fibrosis, 997 +/- 483 ml/hr/kg; control, 788 +/- 219 ml/hr/kg). The unbound metabolic clearances of (R)-warfarin to its oxidative metabolites--6-hydroxywarfarin, 7-hydroxywarfarin, 8-hydroxywarfarin, and 10-hydroxywarfarin (mediated by P450 3A4)--were also similar (p > 0.05) in the two groups (6-hydroxywarfarin: cystic fibrosis: 124.2 +/- 72.8 ml/hr/kg, control: 99.4 +/- 37.3 ml/hr/kg; 7-hydroxywarfarin: cystic fibrosis: 43.8 +/- 32.2 ml/hr/kg, control: 34.5 +/- 10.6 ml/hr/kg; 8-hydroxywarfarin: cystic fibrosis: 80.4 +/- 85.4 ml/hr/kg, control: 69.5 +/- 39.5 ml/hr/kg; 10-hydroxywarfarin: cystic fibrosis: 4.38 +/- 2.72 ml/hr/kg, control: 16.28 +/- 13.71 ml/hr/kg). CONCLUSION: The in vivo activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of (R)-warfarin, including P450 3A4, is not enhanced in cystic fibrosis.

Influence of stiripentol on cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic pathways in humans: in vitro and in vivo comparison and calculation of in vivo inhibition constants.

OBJECTIVE: The spectrum of cytochrome P450 inhibition of stiripentol, a new anticonvulsant, was characterized in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Stiripentol was incubated in vitro with (R)-warfarin, coumarin, (S)-warfarin, (S)-mephenytoin, bufuralol, p-nitrophenol, and carbamazepine as probes for CYPs 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4, respectively. Caffeine demethylation and the 6 beta-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio were monitored in vivo before and after 14 days of treatment with stiripentol as measures of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 activity, and dextromethorphan O- and N-demethylation were used to measure CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 activity, respectively. In vivo inhibition constants for CYP3A4 were calculated with use of data that previously documented the interaction between stripentol and carbamazepine. RESULTS: In vitro, stiripentol inhibited CYPs 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4, with inhibition constant values at or slightly higher than therapeutic (total) concentrations of stiripentol, but it did not inhibit CYPs 2A6 and 2E1 even at tenfold therapeutic concentrations. In vivo inhibition of caffeine demethylation and dextromethorphan N-demethylation were consistent with inhibition of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, respectively. The 6 beta-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio did not provide a reliable index of CYP3A4 inhibition. Inhibition of CYP2D6-mediated O-demethylation was not observed in vivo. With use of carbamazepine, in vivo inhibition constants for CYP3A4 ranged between 12 and 35 mumol/L, whereas the corresponding in vitro value was 80 mumol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Stiripentol appears to inhibit several CYP450 enzymes in vitro and in vivo. In vivo inhibition constants show that stiripentol inhibition of CYP3A4 is linearly related to plasma concentration in patients with epilepsy.

Substrate probes for the mechanism of aromatic hydroxylation catalyzed by cytochrome P-450: selectively deuterated analogues of warfarin.

Optically pure analogues of (R)- and (S)-warfarin selectively deuterated in either the 6-, 7-, or 8-position were prepared and incubated with microsomal preparations from either nontreated, phenobarbital-pretreated, or beta-naphthoflavone-pretreated male Sprague-Dawley rats. The amount of deuterium retained and the relative amount of hydroxylated product formed (6-, 7-, 8-, or 4'-hydroxywarfarin) from each of the six substrates for each of the treatments were determined by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The degree of deuterium retention in all products from all substrates was largely independent of both absolute configuration and induction state. Conversely, the relative amounts of product formed were highly dependent upon both absolute configuration and induction state. These results suggest that all the hydroxylation reactions proceed through an addition rearrangement step prior to or in the absence of epoxide formation, which appears to be dictated by the nature of the heme-Fe3+-oxene complex. In contrast, the position of hydroxylation or regioselectivity appears to be primarily dependent upon the nature of the apoprotein.

Stereoselective metabolism of conformational analogues of warfarin by beta-naphthoflavone-inducible cytochrome P-450.

Previous studies have shown that the structurally related oral anticoagulants warfarin and phenprocoumon are regioselectively hydroxylated in the 6- and 8-positions by hepatic microsomes obtained from 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) or beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) pretreated rats. Stereoselectivity for hydroxylation is also observed and favors (R)-warfarin but (S)-phenprocoumon. The possibility that the stereoselectivity of warfarin hydroxylation is a function of the solution conformation of the drug was tested with conformationally restricted analogues. In these experiments the analogues were incubated with microsomes obtained from BNF-pretreated rats and any stereoselectivity associated with 6- and 8-hydroxylation was determined. The R enantiomer of cyclocoumarol, the cyclic ketal analogue of warfarin, was found to be selectively hydroxylated, in contrast to the S enantiomer of warfarin 4-methyl ether, the ring-opened analogue. The latter compound is known to have a preferred solution conformation similar to that of phenprocoumon. The results suggest that at the active site of BNF-induced cytochrome P-450 (R)-warfarin is metabolized in its cyclic hemiketal tautomer, a form which spatially mimics the preferred solution conformation of (S)-phenprocoumon.

The preferred solution conformation of warfarin at the active site of cytochrome P-450 based on the CD spectra in octanol/water model system.

An octanol/water model system and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy have been used to study the solution conformation of warfarin in aqueous and lipid environments. Upon partitioning of (S)-warfarin from buffer pH 7.4 into octanol, the position of the absorption band due to the alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl chromophore shifts from 210 nm in the aqueous phase to 220 nm in the octanol phase. The shift is coupled to an increase in the molecular ellipticity of the band, suggesting the formation of a dissymmetric chromophore. Comparison of CD spectra of conformationally fixed analogues of warfarin to that of warfarin in solution suggests that the compound shifts from the open side chain keto form in the aqueous phase at pH 7.4 to the cyclic hemiketal form after partitioning into the lipid octanol phase. On the basis of these results, the hemiketal form is proposed as the preferred solution conformation of warfarin in the lipid environment of the active site of cytochrome P-450 and the relationship between solution conformation and stereoselectivity of warfarin metabolism by beta-naphthoflavone inducible cytochrome P-450 is discussed.

Anomalous chiroptical properties of warfarin and phenprocoumon.

The configurationally similar enantiomers of warfarin and phenprocoumon are found to exhibit circular dichroism curves which are nearly mirror related in the range of 240-340 nm. This effect is interpreted as being due to spatial similarities of the preferred conformations of opposite configurations of the two drugs in solution. An inherently dissymmetric chromophore (theta approximately 1.2 x 10(5)) is observed at approximately 220 nm for warfarin, the cyclic hemiketal tautomeric forms, and the cyclic methyl ketals.