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Tang M, Xiong L, Cai J, Fu J, Liu H, Ye Y, Yang L, Xing S, Yang X. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: insights into pathogenesis and advances in omics studies. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:50-62. [PMID: 37957532 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10604-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common pregnancy-specific liver disease. It is characterized by pruritus, abnormal liver function and elevated total bile acid (TBA) levels, increasing the risk of maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. Its etiology remains poorly elucidated. Over the years, various omics techniques, including metabolomics, microbiome, genomics, etc., have emerged with the advancement of bioinformatics, providing a new direction for exploring the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of ICP. In this review, we first summarize the role of bile acids and related components in the pathogenesis of ICP and then further illustrate the results of omics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Tang
- GCP Institution, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Liling Xiong
- Obstetrics Department, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Jianghui Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinzhu Fu
- Obstetrics Department, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Operating Theater, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Ying Ye
- Operating Theater, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Li Yang
- Obstetrics Department, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - ShaSha Xing
- GCP Institution, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Xiao Yang
- Obstetrics Department, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.
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Li Y, Chen D, Xu J, Wang X, Zhou F. The spatial expression of mTORC2-AKT-IP3R signal pathway in mitochondrial combination of endoplasmic reticulum of maternal fetal interface trophoblast in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. J Perinat Med 2023; 51:1032-1039. [PMID: 37185229 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2022-0570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is complicated by adverse fetal outcomes and even fetal death, the mechanism remains unclear. This study aims at evaluating the differential expression of mTORC2-AKT-IP3R signaling pathway, which accurately regulate Ca2+ transfer across mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) and determine the stress intensity experienced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, in patients diagnosed with ICP. METHODS We combined western blot analysis and placental immunofluorescence co-localization detection to assess the expression and co-localization of the mTORC2-AKT-IP3R signaling pathway in severe (maternal total bile acid (TBA) levels ≥40 μmol/L) and mild (maternal TBA 10-40 μmol/L) ICP. RESULTS Compared with the control and mild ICP groups, phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) levels were significantly upregulated in the severe ICP group. Placental Rictor levels were lower in the mild ICP group than in the control group and were further downregulated in the severe ICP group. IP3R3 and p-IP3R3 levels were lower in placentas in the severe ICP group than in those in the mild ICP and control groups. Moreover, the co-localization of IP3R3 and p-AKT in patients in the mild and severe ICP groups was significantly elevated compared with that in patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS In patients with severe ICP, limited expression of Rictor and elevated p-AKT levels would suppress IP3R3/p-IP3R3 levels in MAMs. This inhibition might influence the transportation of Ca2+ from the ER to the mitochondria, thus weaken the stress adaptation associated with MAMs. Our results reveal the possible pathophysiological mechanism of adverse fetal outcomes in ICP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Daijuan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Jinfeng Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Medical Genetics/Prenatal Diagnosis Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
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Ontsouka E, Schroeder M, Albrecht C. Revisited role of the placenta in bile acid homeostasis. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1213757. [PMID: 37546542 PMCID: PMC10402276 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, the discussion concerning bile acids (BAs) during gestation is almost exclusively linked to pregnancy complications such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) when maternal serum BA levels reach very high concentrations (>100 μM). Generally, the placenta is believed to serve as a protective barrier avoiding exposure of the growing fetus to excessive amounts of maternal BAs that might cause detrimental effects (e.g., intrauterine growth restriction and/or increased vulnerability to metabolic diseases). However, little is known about the precise role of the placenta in BA biosynthesis, transport, and metabolism in healthy pregnancies when serum BAs are at physiological levels (i.e., low maternal and high fetal BA concentrations). It is well known that primary BAs are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and are later modified to secondary BA species by colonic bacteria. Besides the liver, BA synthesis in extrahepatic sites such as the brain elicits neuroprotective actions through inhibition of apoptosis as well as oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Even though historically BAs were thought to be only "detergent molecules" required for intestinal absorption of dietary fats, they are nowadays acknowledged as full signaling molecules. They modulate a myriad of signaling pathways with functional consequences on essential processes such as gluconeogenesis -one of the principal energy sources of the fetus- and cellular proliferation. The current manuscript discusses the potential multipotent roles of physiologically circulating BAs on developmental processes during gestation and provides a novel perspective in terms of the importance of the placenta as a previously unknown source of BAs. Since the principle "not too much, not too little" applicable to other signaling molecules may be also true for BAs, the risks associated with fetal exposure to excessive levels of BAs are discussed.
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Ontsouka E, Schroeder M, Ok L, Vaillancourt C, Stroka D, Albrecht C. The Placenta-A New Source of Bile Acids during Healthy Pregnancy? First Results of a Gene Expression Study in Humans and Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9511. [PMID: 37298459 PMCID: PMC10253767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bile acids (BAs) are natural ligands for several receptors modulating cell activities. BAs are synthesized via the classic (neutral) and alternative (acidic) pathways. The classic pathway is initiated by CYP7A1/Cyp7a1, converting cholesterol to 7α-hydroxycholesterol, while the alternative pathway starts with hydroxylation of the cholesterol side chain, producing an oxysterol. In addition to originating from the liver, BAs are reported to be synthesized in the brain. We aimed at determining if the placenta potentially represents an extrahepatic source of BAs. Therefore, the mRNAs coding for selected enzymes involved in the hepatic BA synthesis machinery were screened in human term and CD1 mouse late gestation placentas from healthy pregnancies. Additionally, data from murine placenta and brain tissue were compared to determine whether the BA synthetic machinery is comparable in these organs. We found that CYP7A1, CYP46A1, and BAAT mRNAs are lacking in the human placenta, while corresponding homologs were detected in the murine placenta. Conversely, Cyp8b1 and Hsd17b1 mRNAs were undetected in the murine placenta, but these enzymes were found in the human placenta. CYP39A1/Cyp39a1 and cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H/Ch25h) mRNA expression were detected in the placentas of both species. When comparing murine placentas and brains, Cyp8b1 and Hsd17b1 mRNAs were only detected in the brain. We conclude that BA synthesis-related genes are placentally expressed in a species-specific manner. The potential placentally synthesized BAs could serve as endocrine and autocrine stimuli, which may play a role in fetoplacental growth and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Ontsouka
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.O.); (M.S.)
| | - Mariana Schroeder
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.O.); (M.S.)
| | - Linda Ok
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Armand Frappier et Regroupement Intersectoriel de Recherche en Santé de l’Université du Quebec (RISUQ), 532 des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V1B7, Canada; (L.O.); (C.V.)
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Armand Frappier et Regroupement Intersectoriel de Recherche en Santé de l’Université du Quebec (RISUQ), 532 des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V1B7, Canada; (L.O.); (C.V.)
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35, 3002 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.O.); (M.S.)
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Kong X, Wang C, Wu Q, Wang Z, Han Y, Teng J, Qi X. Screening and identification of key biomarkers of depression using bioinformatics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4180. [PMID: 36914737 PMCID: PMC10010653 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31413-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to identify the molecular biomarkers of MDD disease progression to uncover potential mechanisms of major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, three microarray data sets, GSE44593, GSE12654, and GSE54563, were cited from the Gene Expression Omnibus database for performance evaluation. To perform molecular functional enrichment analyses, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and a protein-protein interaction network was configured using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins and Cytoscape. To assess multi-purpose functions and pathways, such as signal transduction, plasma membrane, protein binding, and cancer pathways, a total of 220 DEGs, including 143 upregulated and 77 downregulated genes, were selected. Additionally, six central genes were observed, including electron transport system variant transcription factor 6, FMS-related receptor tyrosine kinase 3, carnosine synthetase 1, solute carrier family 22 member 13, prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase 2, and protein serine kinase H1, which had a significant impact on cell proliferation, extracellular exosome, protein binding, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the occurrence and progression of MDD and provides candidate targets for its diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Kong
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, Shandong, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, Shandong, China
| | - Qiaolan Wu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, Shandong, China
| | - Ziyue Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Han
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Teng
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250000, Shandong, China
| | - Xianghua Qi
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250000, Shandong, China.
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Majsterek M, Wierzchowska-Opoka M, Makosz I, Kreczyńska L, Kimber-Trojnar Ż, Leszczyńska-Gorzelak B. Bile Acids in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:2746. [PMID: 36359589 PMCID: PMC9688989 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common, reversible, and closely related to pregnancy condition characterized by elevated levels of bile acids (BAs) in blood serum and an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Due to the complex interactions between the mother and the fetus in metabolism and transplacental BAs transport, ICP is classified as a fetal-maternal disease. The disease is usually mild in pregnant women, but it can be fatal to the fetus, leading to numerous complications, including intrauterine death. The pathophysiology of the disease is based on inflammatory mechanisms caused by elevated BA levels. Although ICP cannot be completely prevented, its early diagnosis and prompt management significantly reduce the risk of fetal complications, the most serious of which is unexpected intrauterine death. It is worth emphasizing that all diagnostics and management of ICP during pregnancy are based on BA levels. Therefore, it is important to standardize the criteria for diagnosis, as well as recommendations for management depending on the level of BAs, which undoubtedly determines the impact on the fetus. The purpose of this review is to present the potential and importance of BAs in the detection and rules of medical procedure in ICP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Żaneta Kimber-Trojnar
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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Liu X, Zheng J, Xin S, Zeng Y, Wu X, Zeng X, Lai H, Zou Y. Whole-exome sequencing expands the roles of novel mutations of organic anion transporting polypeptide, ATP-binding cassette transporter, and receptor genes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Front Genet 2022; 13:941027. [PMID: 36046230 PMCID: PMC9421141 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.941027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is associated with a high incidence of fetal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, revealing the mechanisms involved in ICP and its association with fetal complications is very important. Methods: Here, we used a whole-exome sequencing (WES) approach to detect novel mutations of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OTAP) genes, ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) genes, and receptor genes associated with ICP in 249 individuals and 1,029 local control individuals. Two available tools, SIFT and PolyPhen-2, were used to predict protein damage. Protein structuremodeling and comparison between the reference and modified protein structures were conducted by SWISS-MODEL and Chimera 1.14rc software, respectively. Results: A total of 5,583 mutations were identified in 82 genes related to bile acid transporters and receptors, of which 62 were novel mutations. These novel mutations were absent in the 1,029 control individuals and three databases, including the 1,000 Genome Project (1000G_ALL), Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC), and Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Database (dbSNP). We classified the 62 novel loci into two groups (damaging and probably damaging) according to the results of SIFT and PolyPhen-2. Out of the 62 novel mutations, 24 were detected in the damaging group. Of these, five novel possibly pathogenic variants were identified that were located in known functional genes, including ABCB4 (Ile377Asn), ABCB11 (Ala588Pro), ABCC2 (Ile681Lys and Met688Thr), and NR1H4 (Tyr149Ter). Moreover, compared to the wild-type protein structure, ABCC2 Ile681Lys and Met688Thr protein structures showed a slight change in the chemical bond lengths of ATP-ligand binding amino acid side chains. The combined 32 clinical data points indicate that the mutation group had a significantly (p = 0.04) lower level of Cl ions than the wild-type group. Particularly, patients with the 24 novel mutations had higher average values of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bile acids (TBA), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) than patients with the 38 novel mutations in the probably damaging group and the local control individuals. Conclusion: The present study provides new insights into the genetic architecture of ICP involving these novel mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiaoming Zeng
- *Correspondence: Xiaoming Zeng, ; Hua Lai, ; Yang Zou,
| | - Hua Lai
- *Correspondence: Xiaoming Zeng, ; Hua Lai, ; Yang Zou,
| | - Yang Zou
- *Correspondence: Xiaoming Zeng, ; Hua Lai, ; Yang Zou,
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Lee ED, Mistry HD. Placental Related Disorders of Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073519. [PMID: 35408880 PMCID: PMC8998756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We are pleased to present this Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences, entitled 'Placental Related Disorders of Pregnancy' [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun D. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Hiten D. Mistry
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
- Correspondence:
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Kurosawa K, Noguchi S, Nishimura T, Tomi M, Chiba K. Transplacental pharmacokinetic model of digoxin based on ex vivo human placental perfusion study. Drug Metab Dispos 2021; 50:287-298. [PMID: 34903589 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Digoxin is used as first-line therapy to treat fetal supraventricular tachycardia, though because of the narrow therapeutic window, it is essential to estimate digoxin exposure in the fetus. The data from ex vivo human placental perfusion study are used to predict in vivo fetal exposure noninvasively, but the ex vivo fetal to maternal concentration (F:M) ratios observed in digoxin perfusion studies were much lower than those in vivo In the present study, we developed a human transplacental pharmacokinetic model of digoxin using previously reported ex vivo human placental perfusion data. The model consists of maternal intervillous, fetal capillary, non-perfused tissue and syncytiotrophoblast compartments, with multidrug resistance protein (MDR) 1 and influx transporter at the microvillous membrane (MVM) and influx and efflux transporters at the basal plasma membrane (BM). The model-predicted F:M ratio was 0.66, which is consistent with the mean in vivo value of 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.91). The time to achieve the steady state from the ex vivo perfusion study was estimated as 1,500 min, which is considerably longer than the reported ex vivo experimental durations, and this difference is considered to account for the inconsistency between ex vivo and in vivo F:M ratios. Reported digoxin concentrations in a drug-drug interaction study with MDR1 inhibitors quinidine and verapamil were consistent with the profiles simulated by our model incorporating inhibition of efflux transporter at the BM in addition to MVM. Our modeling and simulation approach should be a powerful tool to predict fetal exposure and DDIs in human placenta. Significance Statement We developed a human transplacental pharmacokinetic model of digoxin based on ex vivo human placental perfusion studies in order to resolve inconsistencies between reported ex vivo and in vivo fetal to maternal concentration ratios. The model successfully predicted the in vivo fetal exposure to digoxin and the drug-drug interactions of digoxin and P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance protein 1 inhibitors in human placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Kurosawa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Koji Chiba
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Japan
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