Oral Dosing In Rats Research Articles

P196 - Investigating the tissue distribution of [14C]-prucalopride following a single oral dose in rats

P196 - Investigating the tissue distribution of [14C]-prucalopride following a single oral dose in rats

471 Investigating the Tissue Distribution of [14C]-Prucalopride Following a Single Oral Dose in Rats

INTRODUCTION: Prucalopride is a selective, high-affinity agonist of the 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 (5-HT4) receptor and is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic constipation. In humans, prucalopride is rapidly absorbed and extensively distributed, reaching maximum plasma concentration 2–3 h after a 2 mg oral dose. We report three studies investigating tissue distribution of prucalopride in rats. METHODS: A single oral dose of 14C-labelled prucalopride at 5mg base-equivalent(eq)/kg was administered to 30 SPF Wistar rats (5 males, seven groups of 3 non-pregnant females and 4 pregnant females [dose administered on day 18 of gestation]). Total radioactivity (TR) in various tissues was measured up to 96h. In females, the area under the TR concentration curve for up to 8h (AUC0–8h) and the AUC0–8h tissue:plasma ratio was calculated. The tissue concentration of unchanged drug (UD) was measured up to 48 h. RESULTS: The highest mean TR for all rats was detected in the pancreas (8.9µg-eq/g within 30 min of dosing; below the limit of detection [LOD] after 24 h), the liver (12.5 µg-eq/g within 20 min; 0.3 µg-eq/g after 96 h) and the small intestine (15.6µg-eq/g within 30 min; below the LOD after 24 h). The highest mean concentration of UD in non-pregnant females was detected in the small intestine (10.1 µg-eq/g within 20 min; below the LOD after 24 h). The lowest mean TR was detected in the brain, in males (0.12 µg-eq/g within 30 min), non-pregnant females (0.21 µg-eq/g within 1 h) and pregnant females (0.21 µg-eq/g within 30 min). TR in the brain was below the LOD within 2, 24 and 8 h of dosing, respectively. In non-pregnant females, the highest AUC0–8h and AUC0–8h tissue:plasma ratios of TR were observed in the small intestine (75.3 and 31.3, respectively); the lowest values were observed in the brain (0.85 and 0.35, respectively). Findings were similar for UD. In pregnant females the highest AUC0–8h and AUC0–8h tissue:plasma ratios of TR were observed in rectal (mucosa) and salivary gland tissue (122 and 20.5, respectively, for both); the lowest values were observed in the brain (0.33 and 0.17 [AUC0–2h], respectively). CONCLUSION: After a single oral dose of prucalopride, high concentrations were detected in the pancreas, liver and small intestine, and very low concentrations in the brain (∼0.05% of the dose in non-pregnant female rats). Mean concentrations of TR and UD in the brain were below the LOD within 24h of dosing, suggesting prucalopride is not unduly retained in the brain.

The Nonclinical Pharmacokinetics and Prediction of Human Pharmacokinetics of SPH3127, a Novel Direct Renin Inhibitor.

SPH3127 is a novel direct renin inhibitor designed as an oral drug for the regulation of blood pressure and body fluid homeostasis via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This candidate is now being evaluated in a phase I clinical trial in China. The purpose of this study is to investigate detailed nonclinical pharmacokinetic data, and to predict human pharmacokinetic parameters. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies of SPH3127 were performed to investigate the exposure, absorption, clearance, distribution and metabolism after intravenous and oral administration in rats, beagle dogs and cynomolgus monkeys. The cynomolgus monkey pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics study was conducted to investigate the effect-concentration relationship of SPH3127. Its human pharmacokinetic properties were predicted employing an allometric scaling approach based on non-clinical species data. In vitro studies were also employed in a cytochrome P450(CYP) enzyme phenotyping study, an inhibition and induction study, and a Caco-2 cell permeation and metabolites profile analysis. After a single intravenous administration of SPH3127 in rats and monkeys, high clearance and volume of distribution and a short terminal elimination half-life were seen for both species. The oral bioavailability of SPH3127 to rats and monkeys was about 11.5-24.5% and 3.3-11.3%, respectively, with the short peak time, Tmax, ranging from 0.25 to 1.3h. SPH3127 shows low permeability across Caco-2 cell membranes, and as the substrate of p-gp with apparent efflux characteristics. SPH3127 is mainly distributed in the gastrointestine, liver, kidney, pancreas and lung after oral dose in rats, and which decreased quickly to a 1% peak concentration during 12h. The plasma protein binding ratio of SPH3127 is low as 11.7-14.8% for all species. Excretion studies in rats suggested that fecal, urine and bile excretion represented about 15% of the intake dose, indicating that SPH3127 undergoes extensive metabolism after oral dosing. Phenotyping data revealed that CYP3A4 was the most active enzyme catalyzing the metabolism of SPH3127. The key metabolites were likely N-hydroxylation (M8-7), mono-oxidation-dehydrogenation (M7-4) and mono-oxidation (M8-1, M8-2), both for in vitro liver microsome incubation of all species and in vivo results in rats. The in vitro CYP inhibition study only found very weak action for CYP3A4 (midazolam 1'-hydroxylation) and CYP3A4 (midazolam 6β-hydroxylation) with IC50 of 56.8µM and 41.1µM, respectively. Monkey pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data showed favorable safety margins when compared with the exposure of the effect dose and that of the monkey NOAEL level. Simple four-species allometric scaling led to predicted human plasma clearance and volume of distribution, and then simulated the oral human plasma concentration-time profile, which are both in good consistency with phase I clinical trial pharmacokinetic data. SPH 3127 has appropriate pharmacokinetic properties for further clinical exploration.

Targeted repositioning identifies drugs that increase fibroblast growth factor 20 production and protect against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced nigral cell loss in rats

Endogenous fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) supports maintenance of dopaminergic neurones within the nigrostriatal pathway. Moreover, direct intracerebral infusion of FGF20 protects against nigrostriatal tract loss in the 6-hydroxydopamine lesion rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Increasing endogenous FGF20 production might provide a less-invasive, more translational way of providing such protection. Accordingly, we adopted a targeted repositioning approach to screen for candidate FDA-approved drugs with potential to enhance endogenous FGF20 production in brain. In silico interrogation of the Broad Institute’s Connectivity Map database (CMap), revealed 50 candidate drugs predicted to increase FGF20 transcription, 16 of which had profiles favourable for use in Parkinson’s disease. Of these, 11 drugs were found to significantly elevate FGF20 protein production in MCF-7 cells, between two- and four-fold. Four drugs were selected for examination in vivo. Following oral dosing in rats for 7 days, salbutamol and triflusal, but not dimethadione or trazodone, significantly elevated FGF20 levels in the nigrostriatal tract. Preliminary examination in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat revealed a modest but significant protection against nigral cell loss with both drugs. Our data demonstrate the power of targeted repositioning as a method to identify existing drugs that may combat disease progression in Parkinson’s by boosting FGF20 levels.

A Novel HCK Inhibitor Kin-8193 Blocks BTK Activity in BTKCys481 Mutated Ibrutinib Resistant B-Cell Lymphomas Driven By Mutated MYD88

Activating mutations in MYD88 alone or in coordination with BCR activating mutations transactivate Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) in WM and ABC DLBCL cells (Yang et al, Blood 2013; Wilson WH et al, Nat Med 2015; Phelan JD, Nature 2018). Ibrutinib is a covalent inhibitor that binds to BTKCys481 and is active in MYD88 mutated WM and ABC-DLBCL (Treon et al, NEJM 2015; Wilson et al, Nat Med, 2015). Acquired resistance to ibrutinib is increasingly being recognized in WM, as well as other B-cell malignancies due to somatic mutations at BTKCys481 that abrogate BTK-ibrutinib binding (Xu et al, Blood 2017). BTKCys481 mutations are usually sub-clonal, but can drive ibrutinib resistance and protect BTK wild-type clones through a paracrine mechanism involving activation of ERK1/2 (Chen et al, Blood 2018). Hematopoietic cell kinase (HCK) which is aberrantly upregulated and transactivated by mutated MYD88, and triggers multiple pro-survival signaling cascades that include activation of BTK, as well as PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2 (Yang G et al, Blood 2016). We therefore examined if inhibition of HCK could abrogate BTK activity and overcome ibrutinib resistance driven by BTKCys481 mutations in MYD88 mutated B-cell lymphomas. We performed a screen of 220 clinical and preclinical kinase inhibitors to identify compounds with potent HCK inhibition. Over 100 analogs of three series of promising compounds with HCK activity were synthesized and triaged. Target deconvolution was performed to clarify selectivity, and other important kinase targets. These efforts led to the selection of a lead compound identified as a type-II kinase inhibitor, KIN-8193, with a molecular weight around 600. Single-digit nanomolar (nM) biochemical and double-digit nM cellular potency was demonstrated, with high selectivity (S-score 0.07) in line with that observed with ibrutinib (S-score of 0.03). Live-cell target engagement for HCK was confirmed by competitive ATP-biotin binding assay. DMPK and PK studies showed very high levels of mouse, rat, and human microsomal stability (42.4, 60.2 and 79.3 minutes respectively), and oral bioavailability in mice (48%) and rats (79%). Cmax reached 2.0 µM, while T1/2 was 26.8 hours with 25 mg/kg single oral dosing in rats. Rats toxicology studies showed excellent tolerability in 28-days repeated oral dosing with 25 mg/kg/biw dosing schedule. No relevant inhibition was observed against a panel of 100 other receptor targets, including hERG. AMES was negative up to 100 uM, and Cyp inhibition studies showed acceptable inhibition up to 10 uM. KIN-8193 potently inhibited the phosphorylation of HCK(p-Y411) and its downstream target BTK(p-Y223) in both BTK wild-type and ibrutinib-resistant BTKCys481 mutated WM and ABC DLBCL cell lines driven by activating MYD88 mutations, and primary WM cells (Fig 1A). Target engagement studies showed HCK but not BTK direct binding. In vivo pharmacodynamic (PD) studies using luciferized BCWM.1 cells WM xenograft mouse model showed potent dose-dependent inhibition of HCK(p-Y411) and BTK(p-Y223) at 6 and 24 hours following single dose administration of KIN-8193. Importantly, KIN-8193 showed selective cytotoxicity against MYD88 mutated BTK wild-type and BTKCys481 mutated, ibrutinib-resistant WM and ABC DLBCL cell lines, and primary WM cells, but had no impact on healthy donor B- and T-cells at pharmacologically achievable levels (Fig. 1B). We therefore describe a novel, highly selective and potent HCK inhibitor that is well tolerated in long-term rat toxicology studies and shows selective killing of MYD88 mutated WM and ABC DLBCL cells. Inhibition of HCK by KIN-8193 blocks downstream wild-type BTK and Cys481 mutated BTK activity, and overcomes ibrutinib resistance induced by BTKCys481 mutations. [Display omitted] DisclosuresHunter:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy. Castillo:Genentech: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Beigene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding. Gray:Syros, Soltego, Petra, C4 Therapeutics: Equity Ownership. Treon:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses.

Lead Optimization of 5-Aryl Benzimidazolone- and Oxindole-Based AMPA Receptor Modulators Selective for TARP γ-8.

Glutamate mediates fast excitatory neurotransmission via ionotropic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors. The trafficking and gating properties of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) can be amplified by transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs), which are often expressed in localized brain regions. Herein, we describe the discovery, lead optimization, and preclinical characterization of 5-arylbenzimidazolone and oxindole-based negative modulators of AMPARs associated with TARP γ-8, the primary TARP found in hippocampus. High-throughput screen lead 4 was optimized for potency and brain penetration to provide benzimidazolone 3, JNJ-55511118.1 Replacement of the benzimidazolone core in 3 with an oxindole mitigated reactive metabolite formation and led to the identification of 18 (GluA1/γ-8 pIC50 = 9.7). Following oral dosing in rats, 18 demonstrated robust target engagement in hippocampus as assessed by ex vivo autoradiography (ED50 = 0.6 mg/kg, plasma EC50 = 9 ng/mL).

Discovery of JTZ-951: A HIF Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor for the Treatment of Renal Anemia.

Inhibition of hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) represents a promising strategy for the discovery of a next generation treatment for renal anemia. We identified several 5,6-fused ring systems as novel scaffolds of the PHD inhibitor on the basis of pharmacophore analysis. In particular, triazolopyridine derivatives showed potent PHD2 inhibitory activities. Examination of the predominance of the triazolopyridines in potency by electrostatic calculations suggested favorable π-π stacking interactions with Tyr310. Lead optimization to improve the efficacy of erythropoietin release in cells and in vivo by improving cell permeability led to the discovery of JTZ-951 (compound 14), with a 5-phenethyl substituent on the triazolopyridine group, which increased hemoglobin levels with daily oral dosing in rats. Compound 14 was rapidly absorbed after oral administration and disappeared shortly thereafter, which could be advantageous in terms of safety. Compound 14 was selected as a clinical candidate.

Role of regional absorption and gastrointestinal motility on variability in oral absorption of a model drug

Variability in oral absorption in pre-clinical species makes human dose projection challenging. In this study, we investigated the mechanistic basis of variability in oral absorption of a model hydrophobic compound with pH-dependent solubility, BMS-955829, after oral dosing in rats, dogs, and cynomolgus monkeys. The contribution of regional absorption to pharmacokinetic variability was assessed in ported monkeys by direct intraduodenal and intraileal administration. The effect of BMS-955829 on gastric emptying and intestinal motility was investigated by radiography after co-administration of barium. BMS-955829 exhibited species dependent oral bioavailability, with high variability in monkeys. During regional absorption studies, highest rate of drug absorption was observed after direct intraduodenal administration. Radiography studies indicated that BMS-955829 slowed gastric emptying and intestinal motility. The effect of rate and site of drug release on oral exposure was studied using different drug product formulations. Reducing the rate of drug release reduced oral exposure variability without compromising exposure in cynomolgus monkeys. This effect was likely mediated by avoidance of rapid initial absorption and drug effect on gastric emptying and intestinal transit within the biorelevant timeframe. Thus, drug release rate can modulate the effect of physiological factors on variability in the oral absorption of sensitive compounds.

Multiple Oral Dosing Pharmacokinetics of Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica ECa 233 and Its Inductive Effect on Efflux Transporters in Rats

AbstractECa 233 is a standardized extract of Centella asiatica, characterized as a white powder containing triterpenoid glycosides not less than 80% with a ratio of madecassoside to asiaticoside of 1.5±0.5:1. Although pharmacological and toxicological profiles of ECa 233 have been successively reported, the pharmacokinetic data needed for further therapeutic development are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of multiple oral dosing of ECa 233 at 100 mg/kg/day for 7 days in rats. Plasma, tissues, urine, and feces were collected from 0 to 24 h after dosing on days 1 and 7. The concentrations of asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid were simultaneously analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. No significant change was observed in physical and blood biochemical parameters of the animals treated with ECa 233 for 7 days. The maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve at day 7 of madecassoside and asiaticoside decreased by 70–80% from day 1. However, both triterpenoid glycosides were extensively distributed and accumulated, resulting in significantly higher concentrations at pharmacologically relevant organs. Madecasssic acid and asiatic acid are major metabolites mainly found in and excreted via feces. Moreover, multiple dosing of ECa 233 increased mRNA expression of Abcb1a and Abcc2 in the small intestine by approximately 2- to 3-fold. This is the first study to identify an inductive effect of a standardized extract of C. asiatica after multiple oral dosing in rats. Potential drug-herb interactions when ECa 233 is coadministered with Abcb1a and Abcc2 substrates calls for further investigations.

Identification and pharmacological characterization of a novel inhibitor of autotaxin in rodent models of joint pain.

Autotaxin is a secreted lysophospholipase that mediates the conversion of lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive lipid mediator. Autotaxin levels in plasma and synovial fluid correlate with disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a novel small molecule inhibitor of autotaxin to inhibit LPA production invivo and determine its efficacy in animal models of musculoskeletal pain. Compound libraries were screened using an LPC coupled enzyme assay that measures the amount of choline released from LPC by the action of autotaxin. Hits from this assay were tested in a plasma assay to assess inhibition of endogenous plasma autotaxin and subsequently tested for their ability to lower plasma LPA levels upon oral dosing of rats. The best compounds were then tested in animal models of musculoskeletal pain. Compound screening led to the identification of compounds with nanomolar potency for inhibition of autotaxin activity. Studies in rats demonstrated a good correlation between compound exposure levels and a decrease in LPA levels in plasma. The leading molecule (compound-1) resulted in a dose dependent decrease in joint pain in the mono-sodium iodoacetate (MIA) and meniscal tear models and a decrease in bone fracture pain in the osteotomy model in rats. We have identified and characterized a novel small molecule inhibitor of autotaxin and demonstrated its efficacy in animal models of musculoskeletal pain. The inhibitor has the potential to serve as an analgesic for human OA and bone fracture.

Enhanced oral delivery of celecoxib via the development of a supersaturable amorphous formulation utilising mesoporous silica and co-loaded HPMCAS

Stabilization of amorphous formulations via mesoporous silica has gained considerable attention for oral delivery of poorly soluble drugs. The release of the drug from the silica is expected to generate supersaturation which is often associated with subsequent precipitation. The aim of the study was hence to develop a novel supersaturable amorphous formulation through the co-loading of a BCS class II drug Celecoxib (CXB) with a precipitation inhibitor hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) onto the silica. The addition of HPMCAS did not hamper the adsorption but on the contrary promoted the complete solid state conversion of the drug as proved by DSC analysis. In an in vitro pH shift assay, the CXB-HPMCAS co-loaded silica achieved a 5-fold solubility increase over the crystalline CXB and over the CXB-loaded silica blended with HPMCAS which did not show any enhancement. The drug co-loaded silica was then suspended in an aqueous vehicle facilitating the dosing to animals. The CXB-HPMCAS co-loaded silica suspension achieved 15-fold solubility increase in vitro over the crystalline counterpart which translated in 1.35-fold Cmax increase in vivo after oral dosing in rats. This approach represents a novel formulation strategy to maximize in vivo exposure of poorly soluble drugs critical for discovery studies.

Significant Improvement of Metabolic Characteristics and Bioactivities of Clopidogrel and Analogs by Selective Deuteration.

In the search for prodrug analogs of clopidogrel with improved metabolic characteristics and antiplatelet bioactivity, a group of clopidogrel and vicagrel analogs selectively deuterated at the benzylic methyl ester group were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated. The compounds included clopidogrel-d3 (8), 2-oxoclopidogrel-d3 (9), vicagrel-d3 (10a), and 12 vicagrel-d3 analogs (10b–10m) with different alkyl groups in the thiophene ester moiety. The D3C-O bond length in 10a was shown by X-ray single crystal diffraction to be shorter than the H3C-O bond length in clopidogrel, consistent with the slower rate of hydrolysis of 8 than of clopidogrel in rat whole blood in vitro. A study of the ability of the compounds to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation in fresh rat whole blood collected 2 h after oral dosing of rats with the compounds (7.8 μmol/kg) showed that deuteration increased the activity of clopidogrel and that increasing the size of the alkyl group in the thiophene ester moiety reduced activity. A preliminary pharmacokinetic study comparing 10a with vicagrel administered simultaneously as single oral doses (72 μmol/kg of each drug) to male Wistar rats showed 10a generated more of its active metabolite than vicagrel. These results suggest that 10a is a potentially superior antiplatelet agent with improved metabolic characteristics and bioactivity, and less dose-related toxicity.

Quantitation of Deltamethrin in Rat Liver and Muscle Homogenates Using Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction with GC-NCI-MS.

An improved bioanalytical method to determine pyrethroids from small-volume (300 μL) rat liver and muscle homogenates was developed, validated, and applied to small-animal studies. The method used dispersive SPE (d-SPE) to clean the samples, and GC negative chemical ion MS (GC-NCI-MS) to analyze the samples. High-quality trace analysis of pyrethroids in biological samples was necessary to assess the health risk of environmentally encountered levels. Currently used highly sensitive methods to measure pyrethroids have focused on large-volume samples related to environmental exposure (water, soil, food products) or urine; however, there are no validated methods for quantifying this class of compounds in small-volume rat liver and muscle tissue homogenates. Individual rat tissue homogenate samples (300 μL) were prepared by protein precipitation using hexane-saturated acetonitrile. The samples were mixed on a vortex mixer and decanted into a d-SPE tube containing octadecylsilyl (C18) and primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbents and magnesium sulfate. The samples were centrifuged before evaporation to dryness. Pyrethroids were extracted and reconstituted from the residue using toluene in advance of injection into an Agilent Model 6890N gas chromatograph equipped with a Model 5973 quadrupole mass analyzer. Samples were ionized via electron capture in the negative ion mode using methane as a chemical ionization gas. Six qualifying ions were monitored using selected-ion monitoring for quantitation and verification of the analyte. Cis-permethrin was used as the internal standard. Method linearity was from 1 to 500 ng/mL for muscle and liver homogenates. The inter- and intraday precision and accuracy of the method were better than 20% at the lower LOQ and better than 15% over the remainder of the linear range. The method was used to elucidate tissue time-courses of deltamethrin (DLM) disposition following oral dosing of rats with 1 to 5 mg/kg in corn oil. DLM was monitored in rat tissue samples ≤24 h following dosing. Sample cleanup with d-SPE provided more selective chromatography than previous analytical methods.

Identification and SAR of Glycine Benzamides as Potent Agonists for the GPR139 Receptor

A focused high throughput screening for GPR139 was completed for a select 100K compounds, and new agonist leads were identified. Subsequent analysis and structure-activity relationship studies identified (S)-3-chloro-N-(2-oxo-2-((1-phenylethyl)amino)ethyl)benzamide 7c as a potent and selective agonist of hGPR139 with an EC50 = 16 nM. The compound was found to cross the blood-brain barrier and have good drug-like properties amenable for oral dosing in rat.

Modulating Drug Release and Enhancing the Oral Bioavailability of Torcetrapib with Solid Lipid Dispersion Formulations.

The development of drug dispersions using solid lipids is a novel formulation strategy that can help address the challenges of poor drug solubility and systemic exposure after oral administration. The highly lipophilic and poorly water-soluble drug torcetrapib could be effectively formulated into solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) using an anti-solvent precipitation strategy. Acoustic milling was subsequently used to obtain solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). Torcetrapib was successfully incorporated into the lipid matrix in an amorphous state. Spherical SLMs with mean particle size of approximately 15-18 μm were produced with high drug encapsulation efficiency (>96%) while SLNs were produced with a mean particle size of 155 nm and excellent colloidal stability. The in vitro drug release and the in vivo absorption of the solid lipid micro- and nanoparticles after oral dosing in rats were evaluated against conventional crystalline drug powders as well as a spray dried amorphous polymer dispersion formulation. Interestingly, the in vitro drug release rate from the lipid particles could be tuned for immediate or extended release by controlling either the particle size or the precipitation temperature used when forming the drug-lipid particles. This change in the rate of drug release was manifested in vivo with changes in Tmax as well. In addition, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed a significant increase (∼6 to 11-fold) in oral bioavailability in rats dosed with the SLMs and SLNs compared to conventional drug powders. Importantly, this formulation approach can be performed rapidly on a small scale, making it ideal as a formulation technology for use early in the drug discovery timeframe.

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacological Effects of β-Hydroxyphosphocarnitine in Animal Models

The purpose of this research was to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters of β-hydroxyphosphocarnitine (β-HPC; CAS No. 1220955-20-3) after a single oral dose in rats and rabbits as well as to assess the impact of 14 weeks of β-HPC (100 mg/kg) treatment on the serum metabolites and liver enzymes, body weight, and hepatic steatosis of lean and obese Zucker fa/fa rats. In the case of the rat and rabbit study, the β-HPC area under the curve, biological half-life, and clearance were 2,174.4 versus 3,128 μg∙h/ml, 23.7 versus 8.87 h, and 13.9 versus 151.1 ml/h in the rats versus the rabbits, respectively. The values for the time of maximal concentration were 0.58 versus 1.53 h, for the maximal concentration, they were 62.4 versus 221.4 μg/ml, and for the absorption rate constant 0.02 versus 2.40 h^-1, respectively. In the case of the Zucker fa/fa rat study, β-HPC administered orally once a day reduced insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels in the liver and serum; it also reduced weight gain and decreased liver steatosis in obese rats after 14 weeks. β-HPC could therefore potentially be used in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Identification of Novel HSP90α/β Isoform Selective Inhibitors Using Structure-Based Drug Design. Demonstration of Potential Utility in Treating CNS Disorders such as Huntington’s Disease

A structure-based drug design strategy was used to optimize a novel benzolactam series of HSP90α/β inhibitors to achieve >1000-fold selectivity versus the HSP90 endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial isoforms (GRP94 and TRAP1, respectively). Selective HSP90α/β inhibitors were found to be equipotent to pan-HSP90 inhibitors in promoting the clearance of mutant huntingtin protein (mHtt) in vitro, however with less cellular toxicity. Improved tolerability profiles may enable the use of HSP90α/β selective inhibitors in treating chronic neurodegenerative indications such as Huntington's disease (HD). A potent, selective, orally available HSP90α/β inhibitor was identified (compound 31) that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Compound 31 demonstrated proof of concept by successfully reducing brain Htt levels following oral dosing in rats.

A pharmacokinetic study on a novel anti-HBV agent imidol hydrochloride in rats

Imidol hydrochloride is a novel agent for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is currently being evaluated in a phase II trial. This study investigated the absorption, excretion and tissue distribution of imidol after an oral dose in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for both intravenous and oral dosing. A simple and sensitive UPLC-MS-MS method was employed to determine the imidol levels in rat biological samples. It was applied for the analysis of imidol in plasma, urine, feces, bile and various tissue samples. Imidol was found to have a moderate half-life (∼4 h), a relatively large apparent distribution volume and rapid clearance after an IV dose and oral doses up to 70 mg kg(-1). Dose-dependent linear relationships of AUC0-t and Cmax for imidol was found in the range of 10-70 mg kg(-1) after oral administration to rats. However, the oral bioavailability was low (17.6%). Most of the drug was metabolized and only 20% of the parent drug was excreted. Imidol excreted mainly in feces. The tissue distribution results show that imidol was quickly dispersed to various tissues following an oral dose. Relatively high concentration was found in liver, which is beneficial to the intended indication. Very low levels of imidol were found in brain and testes, indicating that it was difficult for imidol to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Coamorphous Atorvastatin Calcium to Improve its Physicochemical and Pharmacokinetic Properties

Atorvastatin calcium (ATC) is classified as class II (low solubility and high permeability) compound according to the biopharmaceutical classification system. The amorphous form of ATC possesses higher solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability than its crystalline form. Coamorphous drug system is a new and emerging method to prepare stable amorphous forms, in this case leading to the improved stability of ATC in dissolution medium. In this study, coamorphous form of ATC and nicotinamide (ATC-NIC) was prepared from solvent evaporation method and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The intrinsic dissolution rate and solubility of ATC-NIC were determined along with plasma concentrations of ATC using HPLC after oral dosing in rats. The crystalline ATC was converted to coamorphous form revealing a molecular interaction between ATC and NIC. The intrinsic dissolution rate, solubility and plasma concentration of coamorphous ATC-NIC are higher than those of crystalline ATC. ATC-NIC coamorphous system showed greater solution stability than those reported in the literature for amorphous ATC. Coamorphous ATC-NIC has improved physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties as compared to ATC. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modelling to Predict Single- and Multiple-Dose Human Pharmacokinetics of Bitopertin

Bitopertin (RG1678) is a glycine reuptake inhibitor currently in phase 3 trials for treatment of schizophrenia. This paper describes the use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling and preclinical data to gain insights into and predict bitopertin clinical pharmacokinetics. Simulations of pharmacokinetics were initiated early in the drug discovery stage by integrating physicochemical properties and in vitro measurements into a PBPK rat model. Comparison of pharmacokinetics predicted by PBPK modelling with those measured after intravenous and oral dosing in rats and monkeys showed a good match and thus increased confidence that a similar approach could be applied for human prediction. After comparison of predicted plasma concentrations with those measured after single oral doses in the first clinical study, the human model was refined and then applied to simulate multiple-dose pharmacokinetics. Clinical plasma concentrations measured were in good agreement with PBPK predictions. Predicted area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was within twofold of the observed mean values for all dose levels. Maximum plasma concentration (C max) at higher doses was well predicted but approximately twofold below observed values at the lower doses. A slightly less than dose-proportional increase in both AUC and C max was observed, and model simulations indicated that when the dose exceeded 50mg, solubility limited the fraction of dose absorbed. Refinement of the absorption model with additional solubility and permeability measurements further improved the match of simulations to observed single-dose data. Simulated multiple-dose pharmacokinetics with the refined model were in good agreement with observed data. Clinical pharmacokinetics of bitopertin can be well simulated with a mechanistic PBPK model. This model supports further clinical development and provides a valuable repository for pharmacokinetic knowledge gained about the molecule.