High-throughput cytochrome P450 inhibition screening via cassette probe-dosing strategy. IV. Validation of a direct injection on-line guard cartridge extraction/tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous CYP3A4, 2D6 and 2E1 inhibition assessment.

Abstract

A highly efficient direct injection on-line guard cartridge extraction/tandem mass spectrometry (DI-GCE/MS/MS) method has been validated for high-throughput evaluation of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, 2D6 and 2E1 inhibition potential via cassette dosing of midazolam, dextromethorphan and chlorzoxazone using human hepatic microsomes and 96-well microtiter plates. Microsomal incubations were terminated with formic acid, centrifuged, and the resulting supernatants were injected for analysis by DI-GCE/MS/MS. Due to the novel use of an extremely short C(18) guard cartridge (4 mm in length), this method exhibits several advantages such as no sample preparation, excellent on-line extraction, short run time (2.5 min), and minimized source contamination and performance deterioration. The DI-GCE/MS/MS method demonstrates acceptable accuracy and precision for the simultaneous quantification of 1'-hydroxymidazolam, dextrorphan and 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone in microsomal incubations. The inhibition potential of CYP3A4, 2D6 and 2E1 has been evaluated using their known selective inhibitors. The IC(50) values measured by the cassette dosing approach (high-throughput) are consistent with those observed by an individual dosing regimen (conventional) and are all in good agreement with the literature values. The results suggest that the cassette probe-dosing strategy may provide an in vitro approach to minimize cost while maximizing throughput of CYP inhibition evaluation of new chemical entities in support of drug discovery and development.