Transport systems of isolated hepatocytes. Studies on the transport of biliary compounds

Role of enterohepatic recirculation in drug disposition: cooperation and complications

Enterohepatic recirculation (EHC) concerns many physiological processes and notably affects pharmacokinetic parameters such as plasma half-life and AUC as well as estimates of bioavailability of drugs. Also, EHC plays a detrimental role as the compounds/drugs are allowed to recycle. An in-depth comprehension of this phenomenon and its consequences on the pharmacological effects of affected drugs is important and decisive in the design and development of new candidate drugs. EHC of a compound/drug occurs by biliary excretion and intestinal reabsorption, sometimes with hepatic conjugation and intestinal deconjugation. EHC leads to prolonged elimination half-life of the drugs, altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Study of the EHC of any drug is complicated due to unavailability of the apposite model, sophisticated procedures and ethical concerns. Different in vitro and in vivo methods for studies in experimental animals and humans have been devised, each having its own merits and demerits. Involvement of the different transporters in biliary excretion, intra- and inter-species, pathological and biochemical variabilities obscure the study of the phenomenon. Modeling of drugs undergoing EHC has always been intricate and exigent models have been exploited to interpret the pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs witnessing multiple peaks due to EHC. Here, we critically appraise the mechanisms of bile formation, factors affecting biliary drug elimination, methods to estimate biliary excretion of drugs, EHC, multiple peak phenomenon and its modeling.

Prediction of human pharmacokinetics—evaluation of methods for prediction of hepatic metabolic clearance

Methods for prediction of hepatic clearance (CLH) in man have been evaluated. A physiologically-based in-vitro to in-vivo (PB-IVIV) method with human unbound fraction in blood (fu,bl) and hepatocyte intrinsic clearance (CLint)-data has a good rationale and appears to give the best predictions (maximum ∼2-fold errors; < 25% errors for half of CL-predictions; appropriate ranking). Inclusion of an empirical scaling factor is, however, needed, and reasons include the use of cryopreserved hepatocytes with low activity, and inappropriate CLint- and fu,bl-estimation methods. Thus, an improvement of this methodology is possible and required. Neglect of fu,bl or incorporation of incubation binding does not seem appropriate. When microsome CLint-data are used with this approach, the CLH is underpredicted by 5- to 9-fold on average, and a 106-fold underprediction (attrition potential) has been observed. The poor performance could probably be related to permeation, binding and low metabolic activity. Inclusion of scaling factors and neglect of fu,bl for basic and neutral compounds improve microsome predictions. The performance is, however, still not satisfactory. Allometry incorrectly assumes that the determinants for CLH relate to body weight and overpredicts human liver blood flow rate. Consequently, allometric methods have poor predictability. Simple allometry has an average overprediction potential, > 2-fold errors for ∼1/3 of predictions, and 140-fold underprediction to 5800-fold overprediction (potential safety risk) range. In-silico methodologies are available, but these need further development. Acceptable prediction errors for compounds with low and high CLH should be ∼50 and ∼10%, respectively. In conclusion, it is recommended that PB-IVIV with human hepatocyte CLint and fu,bl is applied and improved, limits for acceptable errors are decreased, and that animal CLH-studies and allometry are avoided.

Contribution of lysosomes to concentrative uptake of DX-9065a into rat liver

This study evaluates the distribution profile in tissues and concentrative uptake mechanism for a cationic compound of DX-9065a in rats. After a single intravenous dosing of [(14)C]-DX-9065a to male rats, higher levels of radioactivity were observed in kidney and liver. Moreover, the radioactivity in the liver continuously increased up to 6 h after intravenous dosing and a concentrative uptake of the drug against the radioactivity gradient between plasma and liver, showing K(p) value of 90.7. In contrast, carrier-mediated systems did not play a significant role in the uptake of DX-9065a by hepatocytes. A subcellular distribution study was conducted by means of Percoll density gradient centrifugation and revealed a high affinity of the compound with the lysosomes. It was concluded that DX-9065a permeated into hepatocyte across the membrane primarily by passive diffusion, and the consequent process of lysosomal trapping played a major role in the concentrative uptake of the drug into the liver.

Characterization of hepatobiliary transport systems of a novel alpha4beta1/alpha4beta7 dual antagonist, TR-14035

PURPOSE

Our previous pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that TR-14035, a novel dual antagonist for alpha4beta1/alpha4beta7 integrin, selectively and strongly accumulated in the liver and was mainly excreted in bile as an unchanged drug. In the present study, we investigated the hepatobiliary transport system in detail.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Uptake by hepatocytes and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes or Flp-In-293 cells was performed in vitro. Biliary excretion was investigated in mdr1a/b-knockout mice, Bcrp-knockout mice and Mrp2-defective Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBRs).

RESULTS

TR-14035 was taken up by rat and human hepatocytes by an apparently single saturable mechanism with K(m) of 6.7 and 2.1 microM, respectively, and taurocholate and digoxin reduced this uptake. OATP1B1/OATP-C and OATP1B3/OATP8 expressed in oocytes mediated the TR-14035 uptake with K(m) of 7.5 and 5.3 microM, respectively. OATP1B1*15, a genetic variant of OATP1B1, exhibited a decreased transport of TR-14035 compared with OATP1B1*1a. Biliary excretion and total body clearance of unchanged TR-14035 in EHBRs were significantly lower than those in normal rats, while there was no difference in the clearances between wild and mdr1a/b- or Bcrp-knockout mice.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 are at least partly responsible for the accumulation of TR-14035 into hepatocytes, and Mrp2 principally mediates the biliary excretion of TR-14035. Furthermore, genetic polymorphisms of OATP1B1 may cause an interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of TR-14035.

Carrier-mediated uptake of grepafloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, by the isolated rat lung cells

Grepafloxacin (GPFX) is a new quinolone antibiotic (NQ) which is highly distributed to the lung and other tissues. In the present study, to characterize the distribution mechanism of GPFX to the lung, the uptake of GPFX by isolated rat lung cells was examined in vitro. GPFX was rapidly taken up by the cells, and the uptake reached a steady-state within 5 min. The cell-to-medium concentration ratio at equilibrium was 56.8+/-1.9 microL/mg protein, which was much higher than the cellular volume. GPFX uptake consisted of a saturable component (Km: 264+/-181 microM, Vmax: 2.94+/-2.33 nmol/min/mg protein) and a nonsaturable component (Pdif: 7.04+/-2.17 microL/min/mg protein). The uptake of GPFX was reduced in the presence of ATP-depletors (FCCP and Rotenone) and by the replacement of sodium with choline in the medium, suggesting that GPFX uptake is at least partially mediated by an Na+- and energy-dependent process. GPFX uptake tended to be reduced in the presence of other NQs such as levofloxacin, lomefloxacin and sparfloxacin, but was only minimally affected by the substrates of several uptake mechanisms already identified in the liver and kidney such as taurocholate, p-aminohippurate, L-carnitine and tetraethylammonium. These results suggested that GPFX is taken up by the lung partially via carrier-mediated transport system(s), distinct from the identified transporters, and such active transport systems may at least partially account for the efficient distribution of GPFX to the lung.

Carrier-mediated active transport of a novel thromboxane A(2) receptor antagonist [2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonylaminomethyl)indan-5-yl]acetate (Z-335) into rat liver

To elucidate the transport system by which [2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonylaminomethyl)indan-5-yl]acetate (Z-335) is taken up into the liver, we investigated the uptake characteristics of Z-335 in isolated rat hepatocytes. In addition, we estimated the hepatic uptake of Z-335 in intact rats under steady-state conditions and compared it with the in vitro uptake clearance. Uptake of Z-335 is highly concentrative (cell-to-medium concentration ratios were 21.2 at 0.5 min and 71.7 at 5 min), temperature-dependent, and sensitive to metabolic inhibitors, indicating that uptake is mediated by energy-dependent uphill transport. In the presence of metabolic inhibitors [carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and rotenone], uptake remained at 37 and 49% of the control value, respectively, suggesting that ATP-independent uptake contributes to the total uptake of Z-335. The concentration dependence of the initial uptake velocity indicated a two-component process, one saturable component, with a K(m) value of 45.6 microM and a V(max) value of 4.1 nmol/min/mg of protein, and a nonspecific diffusion clearance, with a P(dif) value of 8.3 microl/min/mg of protein. The contribution of the carrier-mediated uptake to the total uptake in a linear range was estimated as 91%. The in vivo hepatic intrinsic clearance (CL(int, app)) was comparable with that in vitro uptake clearance (PS(influx)) and indicated that the CL(int, app) of Z-335 at steady state is rate-limited by the uptake process. In conclusion, hepatic intrinsic clearance of Z-335 at steady state is rate-limited by the uptake process since Z-335 is efficiently taken up by an active transport mechanism, followed by metabolism or biliary excretion.

Differences in the hepatobiliary transport of two quinolone antibiotics, grepafloxacin and lomefloxacin, in the rat

The biliary excretion of grepafloxacin (GPFX) was compared with that of lomefloxacin (LFLX) in rats. The biliary clearances (Cl(plasma)(bile)) of GPFX was 2.9 times greater than LFLX based on the plasma concentration reached during constant intravenous (i.v.) infusion. The liver-plasma unbound concentration ratio, K(pu), of GPFX (1.7) was also higher than that of LFLX (0.7). The hepatic uptake clearance, assessed from an integration plot analysis, of GPFX was comparable with the hepatic blood flow rate, and 1.5 times that of LFLX, indicating that membrane transport in the uptake process is more efficient for GPFX. This was also supported by the difference between the uptake clearance of GPFX and LFLX in isolated rat hepatocytes. The bile-liver unbound concentration ratio of GPFX and LFLX was approximately 6 and 3, respectively, and the biliary clearance based on the unbound liver concentration of GPFX was 1.8 times that of LFLX. These results suggest that the concentrative transport of GPFX also across the canalicular membrane was more efficient than that of LFLX. Thus, the membrane transport activity via both sinusoidal and canalicular membranes determines the net excretion of each compound.

Determination of the rate-limiting step in the hepatic elimination of YM796 by isolated rat hepatocytes

PURPOSE

The membrane permeability clearance and intrinsic metabolic clearance of a drug in the liver were estimated using isolated rat hepatocytes, and the rate-limiting step in the overall intrinsic clearance of the drug in vivo was investigated. For this purpose, an anti-dementia drug, (S)-(-)-2,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-1-oxa-8-azaspiro [4,5] decane-L-tartarate monohydrate (YM796) was used as a model drug.

METHODS

The parent drug and its metabolites in both medium and cells were separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The total amount of drug taken up by hepatocytes and the total amount of metabolites were plotted against the AUC of YM796 in the medium or cells to obtain the kinetic parameters.

RESULTS

While the influx clearance (PS(inf)) through the sinusoidal membrane defined in terms of YM796 concentration in the medium was almost constant, irrespective of the concentration of YM796 in the medium, the intrinsic metabolic clearance (CL(int)) and the efflux clearance (PS(eff)) defined in terms of the total concentration of YM796 in the cells markedly decreased and increased, respectively, as the concentration of YM796 increased. The overall intrinsic metabolic clearance (CL(int,all), defined in terms of the YM796 concentration in the medium, corresponding to the hepatic intrinsic clearance obtained from the in vivo pharmacokinetic data on the drug, was comparable with PS(inf) at low concentrations of YM796. As the YM796 concentration increased, however, CL(int,all) fell markedly approaching CL(int).

CONCLUSIONS

While, at low concentrations of YM796, CL(int,all) was predominantly affected by membrane permeability clearance, at high concentrations it was completely rate-determined by the intrinsic metabolic clearance because of the marked reduction in CL(int) resulting from the saturation of YM796 metabolism.

Transport and metabolism of cyclosporine in isolated rat hepatocytes. The effects of lipids

The effects of lipids on the uptake and metabolism of cyclosporine (CyA) were investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes. In the absence of lipids, CyA was rapidly taken up (reaching apparent steady state within 5 min) and highly associated with the cells (more than 80%). The CyA uptake was concentration independent over the concentration range studied (0.6 to 11.2 micrograms/mL). Metabolism, however, was relatively slow and saturable. Except for cholesterol (at concentrations up to 15.5 mM), all lipids tested [oleic acid; low density lipoproteins (LDL); and high density lipoproteins (HDL)] reduced CyA cell uptake as well as its metabolism in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of LDL were much more pronounced when compared to those of HDL and oleic acid. At an LDL concentration of 1 microM, drug uptake, indicated by the cell-associated concentration at steady state, was about 49% of the control value, while CyA metabolism was inhibited completely. Drug uptake of about 82 and 91% and CyA disappearance of 75 and 68% of the relevant control values were observed with HDL and oleic acid at concentrations of 10 microM and 0.7 mM, respectively. Apparently, lipids decreased CyA metabolism by reducing the concentration of CyA available for transport into the cells. These findings further support the suggestion of an important role for plasma lipids in the disposition of CyA.

Kinetics of taurocholate efflux from freshly isolated suspensions and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

Isolated rat hepatocytes have been advocated as a model to study aspects of mechanism of chemical-induced interference with biliary excretory function. Some technical problems do exist in studying efflux, such as the reuptake of the previously excreted substrate. Another concern is the loss of liver-specific functions in hepatocytes with continuing time in culture. It is important to address such technical aspects and to determine whether the process of efflux is compromised in primary cultures of hepatocytes. In the presence of Na+ the apparent efflux of taurocholate from hepatocytes was shown to be significantly confounded by reuptake of substrate. The unidirectional efflux was best demonstrated in buffer where choline replaced Na+. A comparison of efflux kinetics for cultured cells to those in suspension showed that both apparent affinity for transport carriers and transport capacity were greater in the former. The simple diffusion component for efflux increased with the time in culture, but affinity for transport carriers and transport capacity remained unchanged over 6 to 24 hr. However, it was not possible to determine meaningful kinetic constants after 24 hr in culture because the uptake of taurocholate was so low. Primary cultured hepatocytes may therefore be of limited value in the study of efflux of bile salts in the longer term, mainly because of the inability of cells to take up and accumulate a sufficiently high level of bile salts.

Carrier-mediated transport in the hepatic distribution and elimination of drugs, with special reference to the category of organic cations

Carrier-mediated transport of drugs occurs in various tissues in the body and may largely affect the rate of distribution and elimination. Saturable translocation mechanisms allowing competitive interactions have been identified in the kidneys (tubular secretion), mucosal cells in the gut (intestinal absorption and secretion), choroid plexus (removal of drug from the cerebrospinal fluid), and liver (hepatobiliary excretion). Drugs with quaternary and tertiary amine groups represent the large category of organic cations that can be transported via such mechanisms. The hepatic and to a lesser extent the intestinal cation carrier systems preferentially recognize relatively large molecular weight amphipathic compounds. In the case of multivalent cationic drugs, efficient transport only occurs if large hydrophobic ring structures provide a sufficient lipophilicity-hydrophilicity balance within the drug molecule. At least two separate carrier systems for hepatic uptake of organic cations have been identified through kinetic and photoaffinity labeling studies. In addition absorptive endocytosis may play a role that along with proton-antiport systems and membrane potential driven transport may lead to intracellular sequestration in lysosomes and mitochondria. Concentration gradients of inorganic ions may represent the driving forces for hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of drugs. Recent studies that aim to the identification of potential membrane carrier proteins indicate multiple carriers for organic anions, cations, and uncharged compounds with molecular weights around 50,000 Da. They may represent a family of closely related proteins exhibiting overlapping substrate specificity or, alternatively, an aspecific transport system that mediates translocation of various forms of drugs coupled with inorganic ions. Consequently, extensive pharmacokinetic interactions can be anticipated at the level of uptake and secretion of drugs regardless of their charge.

'Albumin-receptor' uptake kinetics do not require an intact lobular architecture and are not specific for albumin

When freshly isolated well-stirred single cell suspensions of rat hepatocytes were incubated with 5-600 microM [3H]oleate or [35S]sulfobromophthalein (BSP) in the presence of 150 microM bovine serum albumin (BSA), uptake of both ligands increased as a linear function of the total ligand concentration in the medium. By contrast, when the same ligand concentrations were incubated as 1:1 complexes with BSA, apparent saturation of ligand uptake was observed. Analogous results were obtained in incubations employing beta-lactoglobulin instead of BSA. In none of these studies did ligand uptake velocity correlate in simple fashion with the concentration of unbound ligand in the incubation medium. These studies establish that the basis for the kinetic observations termed the 'albumin receptor phenomenon' does not require an intact hepatic lobular architecture or space of Disse, and is not specific for albumin.

Impairment of bromosulfophthalein hepatic transport and cholestasis induced by diethyl maleate in the rabbit

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of hepatic glutathione depletion induced by intraperitoneal administration of diethyl maleate (DEM) on the maximum biliary transport (Tm) and on the biliary excretion of bromosulfophthalein (BSP) in anaesthetized rabbits when the dye was perfused endovenously at doses exceeding Tm. The Tm of total BSP (BSPt) and that of conjugated BSP (BSPc) were significantly reduced after DEM administration whereas that of unconjugated BSP (BSPu) was markedly increased. A reduction in the biliary excretion of BSPt and BSPc, in the percentage of BSPc, in the cumulative excretion of BSPt and in the percent-dose recovery were also observed. However, no change in hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity was noted after DEM. The cholestasis observed following DEM administration coursed with falls in the biliary secretion of sodium, chloride and bicarbonate.

Interaction of the organic anion 1-aniline 8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) with isolated rat hepatocytes

The interaction of ANS with rat hepatocytes in time was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The intercept of the first linear portion of the time curve of interaction showed a positive value over all the ANS concentration range employed. This value was maintained after cellular disruption by homogenization. It was affected by ionic strength, pH, and divalent cation in the incubation medium, all conditions affecting the cellular surface. These data suggest that this phenomenon might be a binding of the compound to the hepatocytes surface. Due to the time constant and its disappearance after cellular disruption the other slower component of the curve seems to correspond to a process of translocation across the membrane.

Studies of the hepatocellular uptake of the hepatobiliary scintiscanning agent 99mTc-DISIDA

Bilirubin (BR) and organic anionic dyes such as sulfobromophthalein (BSP), indocyanine green (ICG) and rose bengal (RB) enter the hepatocyte by a specific non-sodium-dependent membrane transport system. Two analogous but distinct Na+-dependent transport systems effect the uptake of conjugated bile acids such as taurocholate (TC) and free fatty acids such as oleate, respectively. The mechanism of uptake of the acetanilidoiminodiacetic acid (HIDA) class of biliary scintiscanning agents is unknown. Accordingly, rat hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion of the liver and differential centrifugation, and incubated with 99mTc-diisopropyl-HIDA (99mTc-DISIDA) alone, or in the presence of various concentrations of BSP, ICG, RB, oleate or TC, with and without bovine serum albumin (BSA). Initial uptake velocity (Vo) was determined from the initial slope of the cumulative radioactivity/time curve. In albumin free media, uptake of 99mTc-DISIDA was temperature- and pH-dependent, with maximal uptake at 37 degrees C. There was virtually no uptake of inorganic 99mTc. In incubations containing 15-1500 microM 99mTc-DISIDA, Vo was saturable, with estimated Vmax = 65 nmoles/min/10(6) hepatocytes, and Km = 1200 microM. In keeping with its weak albumin binding, 99mTc-DISIDA Vo was only minimally influenced by equimolar concentrations of BSA. 99mTc-DISIDA Vo was inhibited by BR, BSP, ICG and RB, as well as by a rabbit antibody to the rat liver plasma membrane BSP/BR binding protein. Surprisingly, Vo was also inhibited by TC and oleate, but not influenced either by ouabain or by substitution of Li+ for Na+ in the medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dose-dependent pharmacokinetics and hepatobiliary transport of bromophenol blue in the beagle

The pharmacokinetic profile of bromophenol blue (I) in the plasma, urine, and bile of beagle dogs was determined after intravenous administration of 5-, 20-, and 30-mg/kg doses. In addition, two competitors, probenecid and phenylbutazone, were interacted with I in vivo and with I and rat liver cytoplasmic protein fractions Y and Z in vitro as a means of elucidating the mechanism of intrahepatic transport of I. Compound I was determined spectrophotometrically at 587 nm. In plasma, I displayed apparent first-order dose-dependent kinetics. The percentage of I bound to plasma proteins was approximately 92.5% over the dose range studied. Consecutive injections of equal doses of I produced statistically different terminal half-lives (p less than 0.05), suggesting the possibility of a saturable uptake process. In the presence of each competitor, the disposition of I was altered significantly (p less than 0.05): phenylbutazone displaced I from plasma protein, while probenecid decreased the binding of I to liver proteins in the Z-fraction. The Z-fraction bound a larger amount of I than the Y-fraction, suggesting a larger binding capacity. Under no circumstances was the binding of I to the Y-fraction altered. Cumulative biliary excretion data showed that the elimination of I in bile accounted for 92-99% of the dose delivered. The biliary excretion sigma- plots displayed no dose dependency, suggesting that the dose-dependent plasma half-life is due to a dose-dependent liver uptake (as opposed to elimination) process.

Induction of taurocholate release from isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension by alpha-adrenergic agents and vasopressin: implications for control of bile salt secretion

Hepatocytes incubated with 25 muM [3H] taurocholate rapidly deplete the extracellular medium of [3H] taurocholate and achieve a steady-state level of intracellular bile salt within 15 min. Exposure of cells at steady state with extracellular taurocholate to the catecholamines norepinephrine or epinephrine results in release of 3H from the cells into the incubation medium; the 3H released represents almost exclusively unmetabolized [3H] taurocholate. The hierarchy of effectiveness of the catecholamines, norepinephrine congruent to epinephrine greater than phenylephrine much greater than isoproterenol, is indicative of an alpha-adrenergic mechanism. Induction of [3H] taurocholate release by norepinephrine is inhibited by the alpha-antagonists phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine and by chlorpromazine, but is not affected by the beta-antagonist propranolol, further supporting an alpha-adrenergic basis for this phenomenon. Arginine vasopressin, at concentrations of 1 X 10(-9) M and greater, also induces bile salt release. Classical alpha- and beta-antagonists have minimal effects on vasopressin induced bile salt release. While the peptide hormones angiotensin and oxytocin are, alone, relatively ineffective inducers of bile salt release, oxytocin potentiates the induction of bile salt release by vasopressin, suggesting complex interactions with membrane receptor function. Further studies assessing the interaction of sympathetic neurotransmitters and peptide hormones with bile salt transport and release in the hepatocyte may provide insight into the regulation of hepatic secretory function in the intact animal.

Isolated intestinal cells of guinea pig: a suitable model for assessing direct toxic effects of ethanol on the mucosa of the upper small intestine

The effects of acute ethanol (1-10%) on membrane transport and respiration in isolated jejunal cells of guinea pig were investigated. Three substrates with different transport mechanisms were employed: uridine (active, Na+-dependent transport), choline (saturable, Na+-independent transport), and chenodeoxycholate (simple diffusion). Uridine and choline transport were half-maximally inhibited by 3% ethanol; this inhibition was paralleled by a similar decrease in mitochondrial respiration and ATP production. Chenodeoxycholate uptake in contrast was virtually unaffected by up to 10% ethanol. It is concluded that acute ethanol inhibits active carrier-mediated absorption, but has no effect on transcellular diffusion of lipophilic compounds.

Bile acid uptake by isolated intestinal mucosa cells of guinea pig

Isolated intestinal mucosa cells of the guinea pig were employed to study intestinal transport of bile acids. Chenodeoxycholate and lithocholate were rapidly taken up into jejunal and ileal cells by diffusion. Taurocholate and cholate however showed only a minor diffusion rate and were preferentially taken up by the ileal bile acid carrier. This uptake was saturable with an apparent Km of 231 microM and V of 7 nmol/mg protein per min for taurocholate; this bile acid was accumulated 90-fold. Its uptake was strongly inhibited by antimycin A, FCCP, ouabain or Na+ -deficiency in the medium. Sugars or amino acids did not interfere with uptake. Experimental conditions were optimized with regard to incubation medium, cell amount, cell age and length of preincubation. It is concluded that ileal cells of the guinea pig are superior to other experimental models for characterizing the ileal bile acid carrier, because they allow us to determine initial rates of uptake and have a very efficient energetic coupling.

Lack of intestinal transport of [3H]-demethylphalloin: comparative studies with phallotoxins and bile acids on isolated small intestinal cells and ileal brush border membrane vesicles

Several earlier studies suggested that the uptake of phallotoxins by liver cells is a carrier mediated process using a transport system normally handling bile acids (see Frimmer 1982). In this study we have shown whether ileal cells, well known to transport bile acids too, are able to take up phallotoxins. Isolated epithelial cells prepared from guinea pig ileum accumulated [14C]-cholate, whereas [3H]-demethylphalloin ([3H]-DMP) was not taken up. The same observation was made with isolated jejunal cells but the uptake of [14C]-cholate was much slower. [3H]-DMP, however, was partly bound to intestinal cells. This process was not inhibited by cholate, iodipamide, oligomycin and carbonylcyano-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), compounds known to decrease the uptake of phallotoxins into liver cells. Substituting Na+ for choline+ and also Cl- for SCN- did not influence the binding of [3H]-DMP. Frozen intestinal cells from the guinea pig bound two time more [3H]-DMP after thawing compared with intact cells. Supplementary uptake experiments on isolated brush border membrane vesicles from rat ileum revealed that phalloidin does not inhibit taurocholate uptake and that taurocholate does not interfere with [3H]-DMP binding. The results suggest that [3H]-demethylphalloin is not recognized by the bile acid carrier of the guinea pig and the rat ileum. It is concluded that the transport system for bile acids present in ileal cell is different from that of liver cells.

Radiopharmaceuticals for hepatobiliary imaging

Tests for liver function have by and large centered around clinical laboratory diagnostic procedures for a number of years. Besides these, radiographic imaging procedures, including oral cholecystography and intravenous cholangiography, serve a very useful purpose, but several of them are invasive and involve a certain degree of risk from the administered contrast media as well as discomfort to the patient. The cholescintigraphic procedures, though noninvasive, have not played a significant role in the evaluation of hepatobiliary disorders prior to the introduction of the currently available. 99mTc-labeled IDAs. These new hepatobiliary agents offer many advantages over the previously utilized radiopharmaceuticals (131I-rose bengal in particular) in terms of the high degree of specificity for localization in the gallbladder with rapid extraction rates by the polygonal cells of the liver and very low excretion via the GU tract. A detailed understanding of the structure distribution relationship of the various groups in the complex enable the design of agents with an improvement in hepatobiliary specificity and other desirable characteristics. In many clinical situations, even in patients with high bilirubin levels, the 99m-Fc-labeled IDAs offer far superior clinical information over the alternative diagnostic imaging modalities. Further, the absorbed radiation dose imparted to the critical organs is far lower than with the older agents. Thus, the introduction of the cholescintigraphic procedures with the 99mTc-labeled IDAs have ushered in a new phase in the diagnostic workup of patients with impaired hepatocellular function and other biliary disorders.

Preincubation accelerates taurocholate uptake into isolated liver cells

Initial rates of taurocholate uptake into isolated hepatocytes stored at 0 degrees C increased 3-fold during a 25 min preincubation. Concomitantly, V increased while Km remained unaffected. There are several possible explanations for the preincubation effects, such as new synthesis of carrier protein, altered fluidity of the membrane or stimulation of the sodium-dependent taurocholate uptake via a change in the cation distribution. The experiments presented strongly favor the latter explanation as the sodium gradient as well as the uptake of the bile acid reach their steady state within 20-30 min and replacement of sodium by potassium in the medium abolished the effect.

Uptake, accumulation and release of ouabain by isolated rat hepatocytes

We investigated uptake of ouabain into isolated rat hepatocytes and release of ouabain from preloaded hepatocytes, thus assessing separately the two membrane transport steps, involved in biliary elimination of the drug. The following results were obtained: Uptake of ouabain was saturable (Km = 263 + 61 microM, V = 3.3 + 1.0 nmol/mgprot. x min), energy-dependent, sensitive to dinitrofluorobenzene and temperature-dependent (E = 80 - 96 kJ/mol). It had no pH-optimum in the physiological pH-range and was independent of the extracellular cation composition. Uptake of ouabain was competitively inhibited by the cardiac glycoside digitoxin (Ki = 0.3 microM). Uptake was not inhibited in the presence of the glycosidic sugar l-rhamnose, but it was competitively inhibited by the steroid taurocholate (Ki = 6.3 microM). Ouabain was accumulated within hepatocytes 170-fold. The predominant fraction of intracellular ouabain being unbound. Release of ouabain from preloaded cells was energy-independent, independent of the Na+-concentration and not susceptible to inhibition by dinitrofluorobenzene or taurocholate. It is concluded, first that hepatocellular uptake of ouabain is mediated by a carrier for steroids and second that the pathway of release is distinct from that of uptake. We assume, that the high bile/plasma concentration-gradient of ouabain in vivo is generated during active uptake into the cell and not during release into bile.