Comparative 1-Substituted Imidazole Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 Isozyme-Selective Activities in Human and Mouse Hepatic Microsomes

Second-Generation Prostaglandin Receptor EP2 Antagonist, TG8-260, with High Potency, Selectivity, Oral Bioavailability, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

EP2, a G-protein-coupled prostaglandin-E₂ receptor, has emerged as a seminal biological target for drug discovery. EP2 receptor activation is typically proinflammatory; therefore, the development of EP2 antagonists to mitigate the severity and disease pathology in a variety of inflammation-driven central nervous system and peripheral disorders would be a novel strategy. We have recently developed a second-generation EP2 antagonist TG8-260 and shown that it reduces hippocampal neuroinflammation and gliosis after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats. Here, we present details of synthesis, lead optimization on earlier leads that resulted in TG8-260, potency and selectivity evaluations using cAMP-driven time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy-transfer (TR-FRET) assays and [H³]-PGE2-binding assays, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), and pharmacokinetics. TG8-260 (2f) showed Schild K _B = 13.2 nM (3.6-fold more potent than the previous lead TG8-69 (1c)) and 500-fold selectivity to EP2 against other prostanoid receptors. Pharmacokinetic data indicated that TG8-260 has a plasma half-life of 2.14 h (PO) and excellent oral bioavailability (77.3%). Extensive ADME tests indicated that TG8-260 is a potent inhibitor of CYP450 enzymes. Further, we show that TG8-260 displays antagonistic activity on the induction of EP2 receptor-mediated inflammatory gene expression in microglia BV2-hEP2 cells; therefore, it can serve as a tool for investigating anti-inflammatory pathways in peripheral inflammatory disease animal models.

Comparative analysis of human CYP3A4 and rat CYP3A1 induction and relevant gene expression by bisphenol A and diethylstilbestrol: implications for toxicity testing paradigms

Bisphenol A (BPA) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interact with the human pregnane X receptor (PXR). CYP3A4 enzyme is essential in the hydroxylation of steroid hormones and is regulated by PXR. In the present study, human and rat hepatoma cell lines were exposed to BPA and DES. Both BPA and DES (10-50μM) caused a significant activation of the CYP3A4 promoter via the PXR in the DPX2 human hepatoma cell line. No activation of rat PXR was seen. BPA and DES treated DPX2 cells demonstrated increased expression of CYP3A4 mRNA, and increased enzyme activity. In summary, BPA, in concentrations relevant to current safety levels of human exposure, activates the human PXR and demonstrates an increase in CYP3A4 mRNA expression and enzyme activity. BPA actions in this model system occur to a greater extent than DES. This study raises concerns regarding our current toxicity testing paradigms and species utilization.

In vitro studies investigating the interactions between degarelix, a decapeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone blocker, and cytochrome P450

The decapeptide degarelix is a novel competitive gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist that has been approved for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer by the FDA and the EU authorities. In this study, the interaction of degarelix with human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes was investigated in vitro. Inhibition of CYP450 was performed in human liver microsomes using documented marker substrates for the CYP450 isozymes CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1. The inhibitory effects on selected P450 enzyme activities were investigated with degarelix concentrations representing the range of 2-200 times of expected clinical concentrations. No inhibition of any isozyme-catalysed biotransformations studied was detected. Induction of CYP450 enzyme activity by degarelix was investigated using primary human hepatocytes. Cryopreserved plateable hepatocytes and fresh hepatocytes in culture were treated for two-three consecutive days with degarelix at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0 and 10 μM. The cultured hepatocytes were also treated with three prototypical CYP450 inducers: omeprazole, phenobarbital and rifampin as positive controls for CYP450 enzyme induction. No induction of the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 isozymes was observed. Degarelix appears to be a poor substrate of the CYP450 enzyme system, and the in vitro results indicate that the interaction between CYP450 and degarelix is low. These results indicate that degarelix is unlikely to cause any clinically significant drug-drug interactions in vivo.

Nanosilver particle effects on drug metabolism in vitro

Nanosilver particles are present in consumer and health care products. Their effects on human microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) activities and induction in luciferase reporter-engineered Caco-2 (MDR1.C) and HepG2 (DPX2 and 1A2DRE) cells have been investigated. The LD(50) values were ∼ 4 μg silver/ml for HepG2 and 5 μg/ml for Caco-2 cells. At silver concentrations that showed no decreased cell viability (<1 μg silver/ml), the pregnane X receptor (PXR)-driven 4.5-fold induction response of MDR1.C cells to 50 μM omeprazole was unaffected. In DPX2 cells, the PXR-driven 5.5- and 6.5-fold induction responses to omeprazole and 10 μM rifampicin were attenuated to 4- and 3.5-fold, respectively. Nanosilver particles alone showed no induction. In 1A2DRE cells, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-driven 5.5-fold induction response to omeprazole was attenuated to 4-fold. In 1A2DRE cells, nanosilver alone elicited slight induction at 1 μg/ml. The inhibition of human P450-selective activities by nanosilver particles in vitro was proportional to the silver/microsomal protein ratio. At a fixed (0.5 mg/ml) protein concentration, P450-selective activities differed in sensitivity (IC(50) value). Coumarin 7-hydroxylation and 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin O-deethylation exhibited the highest IC(50) values (33.5 and 31.9 μM, respectively) and S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation exhibited the lowest (6.4 μM). Other IC(50) values were, in ascending order, 8.0 to 9.3 μM (testosterone 6β-hydroxylation, 7-benzyloxyquinoline debenzylation, and diclofenac 4-hydroxylation), 16.0 μM (chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation), 21.2 μM [7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin O-demethylation], and 24.4 μM (7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylation). An investigation of 70 μM nanosilver particles showed that microsomal NADPH cytochrome c reductase activities were inhibited <12%. From our in vitro observations, we extrapolated that nanosilver particles reaching the liver may be a potential source of drug-drug interactions.

Characterizing metabolic inhibition using electrochemical enzyme/DNA biosensors

Studies of metabolic enzyme inhibition are necessary in drug development and toxicity investigations as potential tools to limit or prevent appearance of deleterious metabolites formed, for example, by cytochrome (cyt) P450 enzymes. In this paper, we evaluate the use of enzyme/DNA toxicity biosensors as tools to investigate enzyme inhibition. We have examined DNA damage due to cyt P450cam metabolism of styrene using DNA/enzyme films on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrodes monitored via Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-mediated DNA oxidation. Styrene metabolism initiated by hydrogen peroxide was evaluated with and without the inhibitors, imidazole, imidazole-4-acetic acid, and sulconazole (in micromolar range) to monitor DNA damage inhibition. The initial rates of DNA damage decreased with increased inhibitor concentrations. Linear and nonlinear fits of Michaelis-Menten inhibition models were used to determine apparent inhibition constants (K(I)*) for the inhibitors. Elucidation of the best fitting inhibition model was achieved by comparing correlation coefficients and the sum of the square of the errors (SSE) from each inhibition model. Results confirmed the utility of the enzyme/DNA biosensor for metabolic inhibition studies. A simple competitive inhibition model best approximated the data for imidazole, imidazole-4-acetic acid and sulconazole with K(I)* of 268.2, 142.3, and 204.2 microM, respectively.

2-Diethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate-HCl (SKF525A) revisited: comparative cytochrome P450 inhibition in human liver microsomes by SKF525A, its metabolites, and SKF-acid and SKF-alcohol

When incubated with human liver microsomes, 2-diethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate-HCl (SKF525A) undergoes cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent oxidative N-deethylation to the secondary amine metabolite 2-ethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate (SKF8742). P450-selective inhibitors indicated CYP3As catalyzed this reaction, and the deethylation rate correlated best with the CYP3A activity across a range of human liver microsomes. SKF525A and its metabolite and primary amine analog all inhibited CYP2B6-, CYP2C9-, CYP2C19-, CYP2D6-, and CYP3A-selective reactions to varying degrees but had little effect on CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and CYP2E1 reactions. Only the inhibition of CYP3A showed major enhancement when the inhibitors were preincubated with NADPH-fortified microsomes, and the extent of metabolic intermediate (MI) complex formation approximated typical CYP3A content. Two "lost with time" SKF525A derivatives devoid of the ethylamine moiety, 2,2-diphenylpropylethanol (SKF-Alcohol) and 2,2-diphenylpropylacetic acid (SKF-Acid) did not form an MI complex and were identified as selective inhibitors of CYP2C9. Although without detectable metabolism, their CYP2C9 inhibition fitted best with a competitive mechanism. Thus, not all the human P450s are inhibited by SKF525A and related compounds, and the mechanisms contributing to those that are inhibited vary with the isoform. P450 MI-complex formation only seems to play a role with CYP3As.