In vitrometabolism and transport of the new dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, KR66222 and KR66223

Pseudoprolines as stereoelectronically tunable proline isosteres

The cyclic structure of proline (Pro) confers unique conformational properties on this natural amino acid that influences polypeptide structure and function. Pseudoprolines are a family of Pro isosteres that incorporate a heteroatom, most prominently oxygen or sulfur but also silicon and selenium, to replace the C_β or C_γ carbon atom of the pyrrolidine ring. These readily synthetically accessible structural motifs can facilitate facile molecular editing in a fashion that allows modulation of the amide bond topology of dipeptide elements and influence over ring pucker. While the properties of pseudoprolines have been exploited most prominently in the design of oligopeptide analogues, they have potential application in the design and optimization of small molecules. In this Digest, we summarize the physicochemical properties of pseudoprolines and illustrate their potential in drug discovery by surveying examples of applications in the design of bioactive molecules.

Characterization of DPP-IV Inhibitory Peptides Using an In Vitro Cell Culture Model of the Intestine

Here, we characterize the activities of two depeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides, VLATSGPG and LDKVFER, using the Caco-2 monolayer model for the intestine. VLATSGPG and LDKVFR inhibited the DPP-IV in the cells via a mixed-type inhibition mode, with in situ IC₅₀ values of 207.3 and 148.5 μM, respectively. Furthermore, VLATSGPG and LDKVFR were transported intact across the cells, with P_app values of 2.41 ± 0.16 and 4.23 ± 0.29 × 10^-7 cm/s, respectively. Fragmented peptides were identified in the basolateral side of the membrane. Two of these, GPG and VLA, exhibited high inhibitory activities of 83.6 ± 3.3 and 58.5 ± 2.5%, respectively, at 100 μM concentration. Although 3 mM VLATSGPG and LDKVFR were transported across the epithelium in a concentration-dependent manner, their transport did not damage the tight junction proteins, ZO-1 and occludin. This study demonstrates that the two peptides potentially regulate DPP-IV activity in the intestine.

Characterization of efflux transport of the PDE5 inhibitors, vardenafil and sildenafil

Objectives

We aimed to characterize the efflux transport properties of vardenafil and sildenafil, and to compare the kinetics of these compounds via efflux transporters such as P-gp, BCRP and MRP2.

Methods

We measured the basal-to-apical and apical-to-basal transport of vardenafil and sildenafil within the concentration range of 1–100 µm using MDCKII cells overexpressing P-gp, BCRP and MRP2, and Caco-2 cells.

Key findings

Vardenafil had a much greater basal-to-apical than apical-to-basal transport rate in MDCKII cells overexpressing P-gp, BCRP and MRP2. Sildenafil showed P-gp- and BCRP-mediated efflux transport, but did not seem to be pumped out via MRP2 transporters. Consequently, the absorptive transport of vardenafil and sildenafil in Caco-2 cells increased linearly over the concentration range of 1–100 µm, whereas the secretory transport of these drugs was saturable and inhibited by the presence of specific inhibitors of P-gp and BCRP. MK571, a representative MRP2 inhibitor, inhibited the basal-to-apical transport of vardenafil, but not of sildenafil.

Conclusion

The involvement of P-gp, BCRP and MRP2 for vardenafil and the involvement of P-gp and BCRP for sildenafil in the secretory transport with linear absorptive transport may contribute to the limited intestinal absorption of these drugs.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of KR-66223, a novel DPP-4 inhibitor

KR-66223 is a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that is under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We studied the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of KR-66223 in rats, monkeys, and dogs to predict PK/PD profiles in humans. KR-66223 exhibited a moderate volume of distribution (0.3-1.8 L/kg), moderate systemic clearance (1-1.76 L/h/kg), long half-life (>3 h), and low oral bioavailability (below 2.5% in all tested species). The EC(50)s for DPP-4 inhibition as calculated by the E(max) model was below 4.25 ng/mL across all species, confirming KR-66223 as a potent DPP-4 inhibitor. In vitro plasma protein binding suggested that it was available (69-89%), correlating with its volume of distribution in animals. Using allometric scaling and the E(max) model, human systemic clearance, volume of the central compartment, volume of the peripheral compartment, and EC₅₀ for DPP-4 inhibition were predicted to be 0.31 L/h/kg, 0.1 L/kg, 2.4 L/kg, and 3 ng/mL, respectively. These results can serve as a valuable foundation for future clinical trials.

Determination of a dipeptidyl peptidase IV agonist, β-aminoacyl containing thiazolidine derivatives (KR-66223) in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for a novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV agonist (DDP-IV) agonist, KR-66223, in rat plasma. It involves liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) followed by HPLC separation and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. KR-66223 and imipramine (IS) was separated on Gemini-NX C18 column with mixture of acetonitrile-ammonium formate (10mM) (90:10, v/v) as mobile phase. The ion transitions monitored were m/z 553.2→206.2 for KR-66223, m/z 281.3→86.1 for imipramine in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The linear ranges of the assay were 0.003-10μg/ml with a correlation coefficient (R(2)) greater than 0.99 and the lower limit of quantification was 3ng/ml. The average recovery was 78.9% and 87.1% from rat plasma for KR-66223 and imipramine, respectively. The coefficients of variation of intra- and inter-assay were 3.9-14.4% and the relative error was 0.8-11.5%. The method was validated and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of KR-66223 in rat.