cDNA-expressed Cytochrome P450 Research Articles

Application of liquid chromatography coupled to data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry for the metabolic profiling of N-ethyl heptedrone

We have investigated the metabolic profile of N-ethyl heptedrone, a new designer synthetic stimulant drug, by using data independent acquisition mass spectrometry. Phase I and phase II metabolism was studied by in vitro models, followed by liquid-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, to characterize and pre-select the most diagnostic markers of intake. N-ethyl heptedrone was incubated in the presence of pooled human liver microsomes. The contribution of individual enzymatic isoforms in the formation of the phase I and phase II metabolites was further investigated by using human recombinant cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 enzymesand uridine 5′-diphospho glucuronosyltransferases.The analytical workflow consisted of liquid-liquid extraction with tert-butyl-methyl-ether at alkaline pH, performed before (to investigate the phase I metabolic profile) and after (to investigate the glucuronidation profile) enzymatic hydrolysis. The separation, identification, and determination of the compounds formed in the in vitro experiments were carried out by using liquid chromatography coupled to either high- or low-resolution mass spectrometry. Data independent acquisition method, namely sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment-ion spectra (SWATH®) and product ion scan were selected for high-resolution mass spectrometry, whereas multiple reaction monitoring was used for low-resolution mass spectrometry.Thirteen phase-I metabolites were isolated, formed from reactions being catalyzed mainly by CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 and, to a lesser degree, by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. The phase I biotransformation pathways included hydroxylation in different positions, reduction of the ketone group, carbonylation, N-dealkylation, and combinations of the above. Most of the hydroxylated metabolites underwent conjugation reactions to form the corresponding glucurono-conjugated metabolites. Based on our in vitro observation, the metabolic products resulting from reduction of the keto group, N-dealkylation and hydroxylation of the aliphatic chain appear to be the most diagnostic target analytes to be selected as markers of exposure to N-ethyl heptedrone.

The atypical neuroleptics iloperidone and lurasidone inhibit human cytochrome P450 enzymes in vitro. Evaluation of potential metabolic interactions

BackgroundThe present study aimed at examining the inhibitory effect of two atypical neuroleptics iloperidone and lurasidone on the main human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in pooled human liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed CYP enzymes (supersomes).MethodsThe activity of these enzymes was determined by the following CYP-specific reactions: caffeine 3-N-demethylation/CYP1A2, diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation/CYP2C9, perazine N-demethylation/CYP2C19, bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation/CYP2D6 and testosterone 6β-hydroxylation/CYP3A4, respectively, using HPLC.ResultsIloperidone inhibited the activity of CYP3A4 via a noncompetitive mechanism (Ki = 0.38 and 0.3 µM in liver microsomes and supersomes, respectively) and CYP2D6 via a competitive mechanism (Ki = 2.9 and 10 µM in microsomes and supersomes). Moreover, iloperidone attenuated the activity of CYP1A2 (Ki = 45 and 31 µM in microsomes and supersomes) and CYP2C19 via a mixed mechanism (Ki = 6.5 and 32 µM in microsomes and supersomes) but did not affect CYP2C9. Lurasidone moderately inhibited CYP1A2 (Ki = 12.6 and 15.5 µM in microsomes and supersomes), CYP2C9 (Ki = 18 and 3.5 µM in microsomes and supersomes) and CYP2C19 via a mixed mechanism (Ki = 18 and 18.4 µM in microsomes and supersomes), and CYP3A4 via a competitive mechanism (Ki = 29.4 and 9.1 µM in microsomes and supersomes). Moreover, lurasidone competitively, though weakly diminished the CYP2D6 activity (Ki = 37.5 and 85 µM in microsomes and supersomes).ConclusionThe examined neuroleptics showed inhibitory effects on different CYP enzymes. The obtained results indicate that metabolic/pharmacokinetic interactions with iloperidone (involving mainly CYP3A4 and CYP2D6) and possibly with lurasidone (involving CYP1A2, CYP2C9 or CYP2C19) may occur during combined therapy.

In vitro inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by the novel atypical antipsychotic drug asenapine: a prediction of possible drug\u2013drug interactions

BackgroundInhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes is the most common cause of harmful drug–drug interactions. The present study aimed at examining the inhibitory effect of the novel antipsychotic drug asenapine on the main CYP enzymes in human liver.MethodsThe experiments were performed in vitro using pooled human liver microsomes and the human cDNA-expressed CYP enzymes: CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 (Supersomes). Activities of CYP enzymes were determined using the CYP-specific reactions: caffeine 3-N-demethylation (CYP1A2), diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation (CYP2C9), perazine N-demethylation (CYP2C19), bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation (CYP2D6), and testosterone 6β-hydroxylation (CYP3A4). The rates of the CYP-specific reactions were assessed in the absence and presence of asenapine using HPLC.ResultsThe obtained results showed that both in human liver microsomes and Supersomes asenapine potently and to a similar degree inhibited the activity of CYP1A2 via a mixed mechanism (Ki = 3.2 μM in liver microsomes and Supersomes) and CYP2D6 via a competitive mechanism (Ki = 1.75 and 1.89 μM in microsomes and Supersomes, respectively). Moreover, asenapine attenuated the CYP3A4 activity via a non-competitive mechanism (Ki = 31.3 and 27.3 μM in microsomes and Supersomes, respectively). In contrast, asenapine did not affect the activity of CYP2C9 or CYP2C19.ConclusionThe potent inhibition of CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 by asenapine, demonstrated in vitro, will most probably be observed also in vivo, since the calculated Ki values are close to the presumed concentration range for asenapine in the liver in vivo. Therefore, pharmacokinetic interactions involving asenapine and CYP2D6 or CYP1A2 substrates are likely to occur during their co-administration to patients.

In Vitro Metabolism of 25B-NBF, 2-(4-Bromo-2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-Fluorobenzyl)ethanamine, in Human Hepatocytes Using Liquid Chromatography⁻Mass Spectrometry.

25B-NBF, 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-fluorobenzyl)ethanamine, is a new psychoactive substance classified as a phenethylamine. It is a potent agonist of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor, but little is known about its metabolism and elimination properties since it was discovered. To aid 25B-NBF abuse screening, the metabolic characteristics of 25B-NBF were investigated in human hepatocytes and human cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes using liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry. At a hepatic extraction ratio of 0.80, 25B-NBF was extensively metabolized into 33 metabolites via hydroxylation, O-demethylation, bis-O-demethylation, N-debenzylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, and acetylation after incubation with pooled human hepatocytes. The metabolism of 25B-NBF was catalyzed by CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2J2, CYP3A4, and UGT2B7 enzymes. Based on these results, it is necessary to develop a bioanalytical method for the determination of not only 25B-NBF but also its metabolites in biological samples for the screening of 25B-NBF abuse.

Metabolic profiling of five flavonoids from Dragon's Blood in human liver microsomes using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry.

Although much is known about the pharmacological activities of Dragon's Blood (DB, a traditional Chinese herb), its metabolism in human liver microsomes (HLMs) and the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes has not been studied. This study aims to identify the metabolic profile of five flavonoids (loureirin A, loureirin B, loureirin C, 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone and 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone) from DB in HLMs as well as the CYP enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of them. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to characterize the structures of their metabolites and 10 cDNA-expressed CYP enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5) were used to verify which isozymes mediate in the metabolism of the metabolites. Totally, 29 metabolites including 10 metabolites of loureirin A, 10 metabolites of loureirin B, 4 metabolites of loureirin C, 2 metabolites of 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone and 3 metabolites of 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone were elucidated and identified on the basis of the high-resolution MSn data. The metabolic profile of the five flavonoids in HLMs involved hydroxylation, oxidation and demethylation. Among them, hydroxylation was the predominant biotransformation of the five flavonoids in HLMs, occurring in combination with other metabolic reactions. Assay with recombinant P450s revealed that CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 played an important role in the hydroxylation of flavonoids in HLMs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vitro evaluation of the metabolic profile of loureirin A, loureirin B, loureirin C, 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone and 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone in HLMs.

In vitro study of modulatory effects of extracts of Strobilanthes crispus on human cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6)

In vitro study of modulatory effects of extracts of Strobilanthes crispus on human cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6)

Metabolic characterization of (1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(4-methyl-1-naphthalenyl)-methanone (MAM-2201) using human liver microsomes and cDNA-overexpressed cytochrome P450 enzymes.

MAM-2201 is a synthetic cannabinoid that is increasingly found in recreational drug abusers and cases of severe intoxication. Thus, characterization of the metabolic pathways of MAM-2201 is necessary to predict individual pharmacokinetics and toxicity differences, and to avoid toxic drug-drug interactions. Collectively, 19 phase 1 metabolites of MAM-2201 were identified using liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry following human liver microsomal incubations in the presence of NADPH: 7 hydroxy-MAM-2201 (M1-M7), 4 dihydroxy-MAM-2201 (M8-M11), dihydrodiol-MAM-2201 (M12), N-(5-hydroxypentyl)-MAM-2201 (M13), hydroxy-M13 (M14), N-dealkyl-MAM-2201 (M15), 2 hydroxy-M15 (M16, M17), MAM-2201 N-pentanoic acid (M18), and hydroxy-M18 (M19). On the basis of intrinsic clearance values in human liver microsomes, hydroxy-MAM-2201 (M1), N-(5-hydroxypentyl)-MAM-2201 (M13), and hydroxy-M13 (M14) were the major metabolites. Based on an enzyme kinetics study using human cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and an immunoinhibition study using selective CYP antibodies in human liver microsomes, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 enzymes were responsible for MAM-2201 metabolism. The CYP3A4 enzyme played a prominent role in MAM-2201 metabolism, and CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, and CYP2C9 enzymes played major roles in the formation of some metabolites. MAM-2201 is extensively metabolized by multiple CYP enzymes, indicating that MAM-2201 and its metabolites should be used as markers of MAM-2201 abuse and toxicity. Graphical abstract In vitro metabolic pathways of MAM-2201 were characterized in human liver microsomes and recombinant CYPs using LC-HRMS analysis. Total 19 phase I metabolites were identified with predominant contribution of CYP3A4.

Characterization of in vitro metabolites of methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV): An N-oxide metabolite formation mediated by flavin monooxygenase

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) has emerged in recent years as a recreational substance with psychostimulant properties. In this study, in vitro metabolites of MDPV were characterized based on liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOF MS). MDPV was incubated with human liver microsomes, human recombinant cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 enzymes and flavin monooxygenase (FMO). MDPV was metabolized to yield eight metabolites (M1-M8) with major metabolic reactions such as demethylenation and oxidation. Among them, M6 was assigned as an N-oxide metabolite. FMO was found to be a principal enzyme responsible for the formation of M6; FMO1 and FMO3 were the main enzymes involved in N-oxidation of MDPV.

Investigation of selective inhibitory effects of glycyrol on human CYP 1A1 and 2C9

1. Glycyrol is a coumarin derivative isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis called Gamcho in Korea and commonly used as a sweetener in oriental medicine. Glycyrol shows several biological activities, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-angiogenic, and anti-allergenic properties. Although there have been studies on the biological effects of glycyrol, the inhibitory effects of glycyrol on cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities have not been investigated.2. We investigated the inhibitory effects of glycyrol on the activities of CYP isoforms using a cocktail of probe substrates in pooled human liver microsome (HLM) and human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYPs. Glycyrol strongly inhibited CYP1A-mediated phenacetin O-deethylation and CYP2C9-mediated diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation in HLMs, which were the result of competitive inhibition as revealed by a Dixon plot. In addition, glycyrol showed selective inhibition of CYP1A1- and CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylase activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of (IC50) 1.3 and 16.1 μM in human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, respectively.3. Glycyrol decreased CYP2C9-catalyzed diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation activity with IC50 values of 0.67 μM in human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP2C9. This is the first investigation of competitive inhibitory effects on CYP1A1 and CYP2C9 in HLMs.

In vitro metabolism of a novel synthetic cannabinoid, EAM-2201, in human liver microsomes and human recombinant cytochrome P450s

In vitro metabolism of a new synthetic cannabinoid, EAM-2201, has been investigated with human liver microsomes and major cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes using liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Incubation of EAM-2201 with human liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH resulted in the formation of 37 metabolites, including nine hydroxy-EAM-2201 (M1-M9), five dihydroxy-EAM-2201 (M10-M14), dihydrodiol-EAM-2201 (M15), oxidative defluorinated EAM-2201 (M16), two hydroxy-M16 (M17 and M18), three dihydroxy-M16 (M19-M21), N-dealkyl-EAM-2201 (M22), two hydroxy-M22 (M23 and M24), dihydroxy-M22 (M25), EAM-2201 N-pentanoic acid (M26), hydroxy-M26 (M27), dehydro-EAM-2201 (M28), hydroxy-M28 (M29), seven dihydroxy-M28 (M30-M36), and oxidative defluorinated hydroxy-M28 (M37). Multiple CYPs, including CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2J2, 3A4, and 3A5, were involved in the metabolism of EAM-2201. In conclusion, EAM-2201 is extensively metabolized by CYPs and its metabolites can be used as an indicator of EAM-2201 abuse.

Role of cytochrome P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in metabolic pathway of homoegonol in human liver microsomes

Homoegonol is being evaluated for the development of a new antiasthmatic drug. Based on a pharmacokinetic study of homoegonol in rats, homoegonol is almost completely eliminated via metabolism, but no study on its metabolism has been reported in animals and humans. Incubation of homoegonol in human liver microsomes in the presence of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and UDP-glucuronic acid resulted in the formation of five metabolites: 4-O-demethylhomoegonol (M1), hydroxyhomoegonol (M2 and M3), 4-O-demethylhomoegonol glucuronide (M4), and homoegonol glucuronide (M5). We characterized the cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes responsible for homoegonol metabolism using human liver microsomes, and cDNA-expressed CYP and UGT enzymes. CYP1A2 played a more prominent role than CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 in the 4-O-demethylation of homoegonol to M1. CYP3A4 was responsible for the hydroxylation of homoegonol to M2. The hydroxylation of homoegonol to M3 was insufficient to characterize CYP enzymes. Glucuronidation of homoegonol to M5 was mediated by UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, and UGT2B7 enzymes, whereas M4 was formed from 4-O-demethylhomoegonol by UGT1A1, UGT1A8, UGT1A10, and UGT2B15 enzymes.

Serum flecainide S/R ratio reflects the CYP2D6 genotype and changes in CYP2D6 activity

The aims of this study were to clarify whether the ratio of S- to R-flecainide (S/R ratio) in the serum flecainide concentration was associated with the stereoselectivity of flecainide metabolism, and to investigate the effects of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 (CYP2D6) genotype and CYP2D6 inhibitor on the serum flecainide S/R ratio. In vitro studies using human liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed CYP isoforms suggested that variability in the serum flecainide S/R ratio was associated with the stereoselectivity of CYP2D6-mediated flecainide metabolism. We examined the serum flecainide S/R ratio in 143 patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. The S/R ratio was significantly lower in intermediate metabolizers and poor metabolizers (IMs/PMs) than in extensive metabolizers (EMs) identified by the CYP2D6 genotype. The cut-off value for the S/R ratio to allow the discrimination between CYP2D6 EMs and IMs/PMs was 0.99. The S/R ratio in patients with co-administration of bepridil, a potent CYP2D6 inhibitor, was lower than 0.99, regardless of the CYP2D6 genotype status. Other factors, including age, sex, body weight, and renal function, did not affect the serum flecainide S/R ratio. This study suggests that the serum flecainide S/R ratio reflects the CYP2D6 genotype and changes in CYP2D6 activity on co-administration of a CYP2D6 inhibitor.

Selective inhibitory effects of machilin A isolated from Machilus thunbergii on human cytochrome P450 1A and 2B6

BackgroundThe bark of Machilus thunbergii (Lauraceae) has been used as a folk medicine to treat abdominal pain and distension, and leg edema in Korea. Machilin A (MA), a lignan isolated from Machilus thunbergii, exhibits several biological activities including anti-oxidant and stimulatory effects on cell differentiation and proliferation. PurposePotential drug-interactions with MA via inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity in human liver microsomes (HLMs), have not been investigated. Study designThe inhibitory effects of MA on the activities of CYPs were investigated using cocktail probe substrates in pooled HLMs and on human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP isoforms. MethodsThe nine CYP-specific substrates were incubated in HLM or recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP 1A1, 1A2 and 2B6 with MA. After incubation, the samples were injected onto a C18 column for liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. To investigate the binding poses between MA and CYP, we carried out structure-based docking simulations by using software and scripts written in-house (ALIS-DOCK; Automatic pLatform for Iterative Structure-based DOCKing). ResultsMA strongly inhibited CYP1A2-mediated phenacetin O-deethylation and CYP2B6-mediated bupropion hydroxylation with IC50 values of 3.0 and 3.9 µM, respectively, while it did not significantly inhibit other CYPs. A Dixon plot indicated that MA competitively inhibits CYP1A2 and CYP2B6 with Ki values of 0.71 and 4.1 µM, respectively. ConclusionOverall, this was the first investigation of the inhibitory effects of MA on CYP1A2 and CYP2B6 in HLMs, and it has identified that MA acts via competitive inhibition.

Identification of metabolites of N-(5-benzoyl-2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)thiazol-4-yl)pivalamide including CYP3A4-mediated C-demethylation in human liver microsomes with high-resolution/high-accuracy tandem mass.

KRO-105714 [N-(5-benzoyl-2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)thiazol-4-yl)pivalamide] is a 2,4,5-trisubstituted 1,3-thiazole derivative that exerts anti-atopic dermatitis activity via robust suppression of the sphingosylphosphorylcholine receptor. This study used high-resolution/high-accuracy tandem mass spectroscopy (HRMS) and recombinant cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms to identify the metabolic pathway and metabolites of KRO-105714 in human liver microsomes (HLMs) as therapeutic agents for inflammation. The incubation of KRO-105714 with pooled HLMs in the presence of NADPH generated four metabolites (M1-M4). The metabolites were identified using HRMS and confirmed using synthetic standards for M2 and M4. M1 and M2 were identified as monohydroxylated metabolites, and M3 and M4 were identified as O-demethyl KRO-105714 and C-demethyl KRO-105714, respectively. In the inhibition study with selective CYP3A4 inhibitors and incubation in recombinant cDNA-expressed P450 enzymes, all the metabolites of KRO-105714 were formed by CYP3A4 in HLMs. The CYP3A4-mediated formation of M4 from M2 was confirmed via incubation of M2 in HLMs. These results showed that the unusual C-demethylated metabolite M4 was generated from monohydroxyl metabolite M2 via a CYP3A4-mediated enzymatic reaction in HLMs.

In vitro inhibitory effect of piperlonguminine isolated from Piper longum on human cytochrome P450 1A2

Piperlonguminine (PL), a major alkaloid isolated from Piper longum fruits, shows several biological activities including anti-tumor, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects. Although there have been studies of the biological effects of PL, the potential drug-interaction effect of PL following evaluation of inhibitory effects of cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities was not investigated. Here, to investigate the inhibitory effects of PL on the activities of CYP isoforms, CYP inhibition assays were conducted using a cocktail of probe substrates in pooled human liver microsome (HLMs) and human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP. PL strongly inhibited CYP1A2-mediated phenacetin O-deethylation with an IC50 value of 8.8 μM, as NADPH-independent inhibition, while other CYPs were not significantly inhibited. A Lineweaver-Burk plot resulted in the inhibition mechanism of PL being divided into two different modes, reversible competitive inhibition in a low concentration range of 0-16 μM with a Ki value of 1.39 μM and uncompetitive inhibitory behavior at a high concentration range of 16-40 μM. In addition, PL only decreased CYP 1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylase activity with IC50 values of 10.0 μM in human recombinant cDNA-expressed 1A2, not 1A1. Overall, this is the first investigation of potential herb-drug interactions associated with PL conducted by identifying the competitive inhibitory effects of PL on CYP1A2 in HLMs.

Human Biotransformation of the Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Rilpivirine and a Cross-Species Metabolism Comparison

Rilpivirine is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used to treat HIV-1. In the present study, the pathways responsible for the biotransformation of rilpivirine were defined. Using human liver microsomes, the formation of two mono- and two dioxygenated metabolites were detected via ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Mass spectral analysis of the products suggested that these metabolites resulted from oxygenation of the 2,6-dimethylphenyl ring and methyl groups of rilpivirine. Chemical inhibition studies and cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 (CYP) assays indicated that oxygenations were catalyzed primarily by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Glucuronide conjugates of rilpivirine and a monomethylhydroxylated metabolite of rilpivirine were also detected and were found to be formed by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) UGT1A4 and UGT1A1, respectively. All metabolites that were identified in vitro were detectable in vivo. Further, targeted UHPLC-MS/MS-based in vivo metabolomics screening revealed that rilpivirine treatment versus efavirenz treatment may result in differential levels of endogenous metabolites, including tyrosine, homocysteine, and adenosine. Rilpivirine biotransformation was also assessed across species using liver microsomes isolated from a range of mammals, and the metabolite profile identified using human liver microsomes was largely conserved for both oxidative and glucuronide metabolite formation. These studies provide novel insight into the metabolism of rilpivirine and the potential differential effects of rilpivirine- and efavirenz-containing antiretroviral regimens on the endogenous metabolome.

Monoester-DiterpeneAconitumAlkaloid Metabolism in Human Liver Microsomes: Predominant Role of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5

Aconitum, widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis for thousands of years, is a toxic herb that can frequently cause fatal cardiac poisoning. Aconitum toxicity could be decreased by properly hydrolyzing diester-diterpene alkaloids into monoester-diterpene alkaloids. Monoester-diterpene alkaloids, including benzoylaconine (BAC), benzoylmesaconine (BMA), and benzoylhypaconine (BHA), are the primary active and toxic constituents of processed Aconitum. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes protect the human body by functioning as the defense line that limits the invasion of toxicants. Our purposes were to identify the CYP metabolites of BAC, BMA, and BHA in human liver microsomes and to distinguish which isozymes are responsible for their metabolism through the use of chemical inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and cDNA-expressed CYP enzyme. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to characterize the metabolites. A total of 7, 8, and 9 metabolites were detected for BAC, BMA, and BHA, respectively. The main metabolic pathways were demethylation, dehydrogenation, demethylation-dehydrogenation, hydroxylation and didemethylation, which produced less toxic metabolites by decomposing the group responsible for the toxicity of the parent compound. Taken together, the results of the chemical inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and cDNA-expressed CYP enzymes experiments demonstrated that CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 have essential functions in the metabolism of BAC, BMA, and BHA.

Characterization of in vitro metabolites of luotonin A in human liver microsomes using electrospray/tandem mass spectrometry

1. The pharmacological activity of luotonin A varies, depending on the type of functional group and the site of derivatization. To understand the in vivo efficacy of luotonin A, the in vitro metabolism of luotonin A was investigated in human liver microsomes and recombinant cDNA-expressed cytochromeP450 (CYP).2. Incubation of luotonin A with pooled human liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH-generating system resulted in the formation of four metabolites and the structures of each metabolite were tentatively characterized on the basis of electrospray tandem mass spectra.3. The main metabolic pathway of luotonin A in human liver microsomes was hydroxylation, resulting in the generation of two mono-hydroxyl metabolites (M1 and M2) and two di-hydroxyl metabolites (M3 and M4). CYP1A2 was primarily involved in hydroxylation of the quinolone moiety (M1 andM3), while CYP3A4 was mainly responsible for hydroxylation of the quinazoline moiety of luotonin A (M2 and M4) in human liver microsomes.

In vitro inhibitory effect of luotonin A on human CYP1A

Luotonin A, a pyrroloquinolinequinoline alkaloid, is a natural inhibitor of topoisomerase I. In the present study, cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition by luotonin A was examined in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) and human recombinant cDNA-expressed human CYPs using a cocktail probe assay to investigate potential drug-drug interactions. Luotonin A selectively inhibited CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylation with an IC(50) of 6.3 μM in HLMs, and strongly decreased CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylation dose-dependently in HLMs, but did not inhibit it time-dependently. Furthermore, the Lineweaver-Burk and secondary plots for the inhibition of CYP1A2 in HLMs well fitted competitive inhibition mode. Luotonin A showed the selectivity of inhibitory effects on CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP 1A1 and 1A2, respectively. Luotonin A was found to be a potent CYP1A inhibitor that might cause drug-drug interactions when co-administrated with CYP1A substrates.

The catalytic competence of cytochrome P450 in the synthesis of serotonin from 5-methoxytryptamine in the brain: An in vitro study

Brain serotonin has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders, as well as in the mechanism of action of psychotropic drugs. The aim of present study was to identify rat cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms which can catalyze the O-demethylation of 5-methoxytryptamine to serotonin, and to find out whether that alternative pathway of serotonin synthesis may take place in the brain. The study was conducted on cDNA-expressed CYPs (rat CYP1A1/2, 2A1/2, 2B1, 2C6/11/13, 2D1/2/4/18, 2E1, 3A2 and human CYP2D6), on rat brain and liver microsomes and on human liver microsomes (the wild-type CYP2D6 or the allelic variant 2D6*4*4). Of the rat CYP isoforms studied, CYP2D isoforms were the most efficient in catalyzing the O-demethylation of 5-methoxytryptamine to serotonin, but they were less effective than the human isoform CYP2D6. Microsomes from different brain regions were capable of metabolizing 5-methoxytryptamine to serotonin. The reaction was inhibited by the specific CYP2D inhibitors quinine and fluoxetine. Human liver microsomes of the wild-type CYP2D6 metabolized 5-methoxytryptamine to serotonin more effectively than did the defective CYP2D6*4*4 ones. The obtained results indicate that rat brain CYP2D isoforms catalyze the formation of serotonin from 5-methoxytryptamine, and that the deficit or genetic defect of CYP2D may affect serotonin metabolism in the brain. The results are discussed in the context of their possible physiological and pharmacological significance in vivo.