Multiple cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for the oxidative metabolism of the substituted (S)-3-phenylpiperidine, (S,S)-3-[3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-propylpiperidine hydrochloride, in human liver microsomes

Defining the Selectivity of Chemical Inhibitors Used for Cytochrome P450 Reaction Phenotyping: Overcoming Selectivity Limitations with a Six-Parameter Inhibition Curve-Fitting Approach

The utility of chemical inhibitors in cytochrome P450 (CYP) reaction phenotyping is highly dependent on their selectivity and potency for their target CYP isoforms. In the present study, seventeen inhibitors of CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4/5 commonly used in reaction phenotyping were evaluated for their cross-enzyme selectivity in pooled human liver microsomes. The data were evaluated using a statistical desirability analysis to identify (1) inhibitors of superior selectivity for reaction phenotyping and (2) optimal concentrations for each. Among the inhibitors evaluated, α-naphthoflavone, furafylline, sulfaphenazole, tienilic acid, N-benzylnirvanol, and quinidine were most selective, such that their respective target enzymes were inhibited by ~95% without inhibiting any other CYP enzyme by more than 10%. Other commonly employed inhibitors, such as ketoconazole and montelukast, among others, were of insufficient selectivity to yield a concentration that could adequately inhibit their target enzymes without affecting other CYP enzymes. To overcome these shortcomings, an experimental design was developed wherein dose response data from a densely sampled multi-concentration inhibition curve are analyzed by a six-parameter inhibition curve function, allowing accounting of the inhibition of off-target CYP isoforms inhibition and more reliable determination of maximum targeted enzyme inhibition. The approach was exemplified using rosiglitazone N-demethylation, catalyzed by both CYP2C8 and 3A4, and was able to discern the off-target inhibition by ketoconazole and montelukast from the inhibition of the targeted enzyme. This methodology yields more accurate estimates of CYP contributions in reaction phenotyping. Significance Statement Isoform-selective chemical inhibitors are important tools for identifying and quantifying enzyme contributions as part of a CYP reaction phenotyping assessment for projecting drug-drug interactions. However, currently employed practices fail to adequately compensate for shortcomings in inhibitor selectivity and the resulting confounding impact on estimates of the CYP enzyme contribution to drug clearance. In this report, we describe a detailed IC50 study design with 6-parameter modeling approach that yields more accurate estimates of enzyme contribution.

The dopamine stabilizer (-)-OSU6162 occupies a subpopulation of striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptors: an [(11)C]raclopride PET study in healthy human subjects

(-)-OSU6162 is a dopamine stabilizer that can counteract both hyperdopaminergic and hypodopaminergic states. In this study, D2/D3 receptor occupancy of (-)-OSU6162 in the human brain was investigated using positron emission tomography (PET). Twelve male healthy volunteers underwent [(11)C]raclopride PET scanning before and 1 h after a single oral dose of (-)-OSU6162 (15-90 mg). Blood samples for determination of (-)-OSU6162 and prolactin plasma levels were collected at Tmax. Parametric images of [(11)C]raclopride binding potential relative to nondisplaceable tissue (cerebellar grey matter) uptake (BPND) at baseline and after (-)-OSU6162 administration were generated using the simplified reference tissue model. MRI-based regions of interest were defined for the striatum, composed of caudate nucleus and putamen, and projected onto the co-registered parametric [(11)C]raclopride BPND image. Furthermore, three striatal subregions, ie, anterior dorsal caudate, anterior dorsal putamen, and ventral striatum, were defined manually and additionally analyzed. Plasma concentrations of (-)-OSU6162, ranging from 0.01 to 0.9 μM, showed a linear relationship with prolactin levels, reflecting blockade of pituitary D2 receptors. A concentration-dependent increase in striatal D2/D3 receptor occupancy was observed, reaching a value of about 20% at an (-)-OSU6162 plasma level of 0.2 μM, and which for higher concentrations leveled off to a maximal occupancy of about 40%. Findings were similar in the striatal subregions. The present data corroborate the notion that (-)-OSU6162 binds preferentially to a subpopulation of D2/D3 receptors, possibly predominantly extrasynaptic, and this may form the basis for the dopamine-stabilizing properties of (-)-OSU6162.

Multienzyme kinetics and sequential metabolism

Enzymes are the catalysts of biological systems and are extremely efficient. A typical enzyme accelerates the rate of a reaction by factors of at least a million compared to the rate of the same reaction in the absence of the enzyme. In contrast to traditional catalytic enzymes, the family of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are catalytically promiscuous, and thus they possess remarkable versatility in substrates. The great diversity of reactions catalyzed by CYP enzymes appears to be based on two unique properties of these heme proteins, the ability of their iron to exist under multiple oxidation states with different reactivities and a flexible active site that can accommodate a wide variety of substrates. Herein is a discussion of two distinct types of kinetics observed with CYP enzymes. The first example is of CYP complex kinetic profiles when multiple CYP enzymes form the sample product. The second is sequential metabolism, in other words, the formation of multiple products from one CYP enzyme. Given the degree of CYP enzyme promiscuity, it is hardly surprising that there is also a high degree of complex kinetic profiles generated during the catalytic cycle.

Application of stable isotope methodology in the evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of (S,S)-3-[3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-propylpiperidine hydrochloride in rats

The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate the use of stable isotope (SI)-labeled compound as an approach for pharmacokinetic analysis such as fraction absorbed, hepatic extraction ratio, and fraction metabolized from the parent drug to a metabolite. (S,S)-3-[3-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-propylpiperidine hydrochloride (PNU96391) was selected as the model compound because of its simple biotransformation pathway, i.e., the predominant metabolic pathway to the N-despropyl metabolite (M1), which makes it a suitable candidate. The second objective was to fully characterize the pharmacokinetics of PNU96391 in rats using the SI coadministration approach with quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Overall the present study showed that 1) absorption of PNU96391 from the gastrointestinal tract was near complete (>90% of the dose), 2) PNU96391 was predominantly metabolized to M1 (approximately 70% of the dose), and 3) M1 was exclusively eliminated into urine with negligible biotransformation (ratio of renal clearance to plasma clearance approximately 0.9). Therefore, the present study demonstrated the utility of the SI methodology for characterizing the pharmacokinetics of a compound within the drug discovery and development process. Furthermore, the compartmental pharmacokinetic modeling provided insights into the disposition and biotransformation rates of PNU96391 and M1, suggesting that the modeling could add further advantages to the SI coadministration approach. Despite the greater availability of SI-labeled compounds, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) scientists have yet to take full advantage of the potential use of these analogs for mechanistic ADME studies. These SI-labeled compounds can be used more widely to gain a better understanding of ADME properties in drug discovery and development.

In vitro characterization of the human biotransformation and CYP reaction phenotype of ET-743 (Yondelis®, Trabectidin®), a novel marine anti-cancer drug

ET-743 is a potent marine anti-cancer drug and is currently being investigated in phase I and II clinical trials, e.g. in combination with other anti-cancer agents. To assess the biotransformation and CYP reaction phenotype and their potential implications for human pharmacology and toxicology, the in vitro metabolism of ET-743 was characterized using incubations with human liver preparations, cytochrome P450 (CYP) and uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase (UGT) supersomes.CYP supersomes and liver microsomes showed that ET-743 was metabolized mainly by CYP3A4, but also by CYP2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 2E1. ET-743 showed the highest affinity for CYP3A4 and the highest maximal metabolic rate for CYP2D6 among the CYPs shown to metabolize ET-743. In addition, the Km value of ET-743 in female microsomes was significantly lower compared to male microsomes, while the Vmax values did not differ. ET-743 glucuronidation, catalyzed by UGT2B15, was observed in microsomes and S9 fraction. In addition, conjugation by glutathione-S-transferase and no sulphation was observed for ET-743 in cytosol and S9 fraction. ET-743 was more extensively metabolized when CYP activity was combined with phase II enzymes UGT and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), indicating that CYP, UGT, and GST simultaneously metabolize ET-743 in the S9 fraction. These results provide evidence that CYP3A4 has a major role in the metabolism of ET-743 in vitro with additional involvement of CYP2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 2E1. Furthermore, ET-743 is conjugated by UGT and GST. This information could be important for interpretation of the pharmacokinetic data of clinical trials and prediction of drug-drug interactions.

COMPARISON OF PREDICTION METHODS FOR IN VIVO CLEARANCE OF (S,S)-3-[3-(METHYLSULFONYL)PHENYL]-1-PROPYLPIPERIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE, A DOPAMINE D2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST, IN HUMANS

The purpose of this study is to investigate reliable prediction methods for in vivo pharmacokinetics and the likelihood of drug interactions with several cytochrome P450 inhibitors in humans for (S,S)-3-[3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-propylpiperidine (PNU-96391). By allometric scaling of in vivo animal data, clearance of PNU-96391 in humans was over-predicted by 4-fold, half-life was under-predicted by 3-fold, and volume of distribution was accurately predicted. High correlation coefficients (>0.99) were observed for these parameters. Neither the in vitro-in vivo correlation approach nor the modified allometric scaling with maximum life span potential or brain weight accurately provided the predicted clearance value. Using an alternative method, based on normalization of in vitro human data with the ratio of in vivo to in vitro animal data, the in vivo clearance in humans was predicted to be 0.39 l/h/kg. This value correlated well with the in vivo value (0.43 l/h/kg). Regarding the interactions of PNU-96391 with cytochrome P450 inhibitors, only quinidine, haloperidol, and ketoconazole showed significant inhibition on the metabolic clearance of PNU-96391 in human hepatocytes. By comparing in vitro K(i) values with in vivo maximum unbound concentrations of the inhibitor, the increases in systemic exposure of PNU-96391 by coadministration of the inhibitors were estimated to be less than 1.5-fold. A preliminary comparison of pharmacokinetics of PNU-96391 between CYP2D6 extensive and poor metabolizers in the clinical study showed only a slight increase in systemic exposure in poor metabolizers (approximately 1.4-fold as area under the concentration-time curve). Therefore, clinically significant drug-drug interactions of PNU-96391 would be unlikely to occur with coadministration of CYP2D6 inhibitors.

Effect of carbonate anion on cytochrome P450 2D6-mediated metabolism in vitro: the potential role of multiple oxygenating species

Studies were designed to investigate various anions and their effects on cytochrome P450 2D6-mediated metabolism in vitro. Incubations were initially performed in buffered phosphate, carbonate, sulfate, and acetate solutions (50mM, pH 7.4), with CYP2D6 substrates dextromethorphan, 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin (MAMC), (S,S)-3-[3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-propylpiperidine hydrochloride [(-)-OSU6162], and amitriptyline. Dextromethorphan and MAMC O-dealkylation activity in buffered carbonate was approximately 25 and 38%, respectively, relative to phosphate, while activity in sulfate and acetate buffers displayed minor differences. In contrast, N-dealkylation reactions for both (-)-OSU6162 and amitriptyline were unaffected by the presence of carbonate, and the other anions tested. Subsequent kinetic studies revealed that the basis of reduced turnover of dextromethorphan was primarily a V(max) effect, as the V(max) for the rate was 16.9 and 5.6 pmol/min/pmol P450 in phosphate and carbonate, respectively. Interestingly, similar rates of dextromethorphan O-demethylation in phosphate and carbonate were observed when reactions were supported by cumene hydroperoxide (CuOOH). Furthermore, it was observed that while CuOOH could equally support dextromethorphan O-demethylation compared to NADPH, amitriptyline N-demethylation was only minimally supported. Finally, intramolecular kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiments with amitriptyline-d3 in CuOOH-supported reactions yielded a k(H)/k(D) of 5.2, substantially higher than in phosphate and carbonate supported by NADPH (k(H)/k(D)=1.5). Overall, results suggest that carbonate disrupts the relative ratios of the potential P450 oxygenating species, which differentially catalyze O- and N-dealkylation reactions mediated by CYP2D6.