P450 2C8 Research Articles

Characterisation of CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 polymorphisms in a Ghanaian population

BackgroundGenetic influences on drug efficacy and tolerability are now widely known. Pharmacogenetics has thus become an expanding field with great potential for improving drug efficacy and reducing toxicity. Many pharmacologically-relevant polymorphisms do show variability among different populations. Knowledge of allelic frequency distribution within specified populations can be useful in explaining therapeutic failures, identifying potential risk groups for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and optimising doses for therapeutic efficacy. We sought to determine the prevalence of clinically relevant Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 variants in Ghanaians. We compared the data with other ethnic groups and further investigated intra country differences within the Ghanaian population to determine its value to pharmacogenetics studies.MethodsRFLP assays were used to genotype CYP2C8 (*2, *3, *4) variant alleles in 204 unrelated Ghanaians. CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C19 (*2 and *3) variants were determined by single-tube tetra-primer assays while CYP2C9 (*3, *4, *5 and *11) variants were assessed by direct sequencing.ResultsAllelic frequencies were obtained for CYP2C8*2 (17%), CYP2C8*3 (0%), CYP2C8*4 (0%), CYP2C9*2 (0%), CYP2C9*3 (0%), CYP2C9*4 (0%), CYP2C9*5 (0%), CYP2C9*11 (2%), CYP2C19*2 (6%) and CYP2C19*3 (0%).ConclusionAllele frequency distributions for CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 among the Ghanaian population are comparable to other African ethnic groups but significantly differ from Caucasian and Asian populations. Variant allele frequencies for CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 are reported for the first time among indigenous Ghanaian population.

CYP2C8 Activity Recovers within 96 Hours after Gemfibrozil Dosing: Estimation of CYP2C8 Half-Life Using Repaglinide as an in Vivo Probe

Gemfibrozil 1-O-beta-glucuronide is a mechanism-based inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2C8. We studied the recovery of CYP2C8 activity after discontinuation of gemfibrozil treatment using repaglinide as a probe drug, to estimate the in vivo turnover half-life of CYP2C8. In a randomized five-phase crossover study, nine healthy volunteers ingested 0.25 mg of repaglinide alone or after different time intervals after a 3-day treatment with 600 mg of gemfibrozil twice daily. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) from time 0 to infinity of repaglinide was 7.6-, 2.9-, 1.4- and 1.0-fold compared with the control phase when it was administered 1, 24, 48, or 96 h after the last gemfibrozil dose, respectively (P < 0.001 versus control for 1, 24, and 48 h after gemfibrozil). Thus, a strong CYP2C8 inhibitory effect persisted even after gemfibrozil and gemfibrozil 1-O-beta-glucuronide concentrations had decreased to less than 1% of their maximum (24-h dosing interval). In addition, the metabolite to repaglinide AUC ratios indicated that significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of repaglinide metabolism continued up to 48 h after gemfibrozil administration. Based on the recovery of repaglinide oral clearance, the in vivo turnover half-life of CYP2C8 was estimated to average 22 +/- 6 h (mean +/- S.D.). In summary, CYP2C8 activity is recovered gradually during days 1 to 4 after gemfibrozil discontinuation, which should be considered when CYP2C8 substrate dosing is planned. The estimated CYP2C8 half-life will be useful for in vitro-in vivo extrapolations of drug-drug interactions involving induction or mechanism-based inhibition of CYP2C8.

Cytochrome P450 2C8 Pharmacogenetics: A Review of Clinical Studies

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 is responsible for the oxidative metabolism of many clinically available drugs from a diverse number of drug classes (e.g., thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, NSAIDs, antimalarials and chemotherapeutic taxanes). The CYP2C8 enzyme is encoded by the CYP2C8 gene, and several common nonsynonymous polymorphisms (e.g., CYP2C8*2 and CYP2C8*3) exist in this gene. The CYP2C8*2 and *3 alleles have been associated in vitro with decreased metabolism of paclitaxel and arachidonic acid. Recently, the influence of CYP2C8 polymorphisms on substrate disposition in humans has been investigated in a number of clinical pharmacogenetic studies. Contrary to in vitro data, clinical data suggest that the CYP2C8*3 allele is associated with increased metabolism of the CYP2C8 substrates, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone and repaglinide. However, the CYP2C8*3 allele has not been associated with paclitaxel pharmacokinetics in most clinical studies. Furthermore, clinical data regarding the impact of the CYP2C8*3 allele on the disposition of NSAIDs are conflicting and no definitive conclusions can be made at this time. The purpose of this review is to highlight these clinical studies that have investigated the association between CYP2C8 polymorphisms and CYP2C8 substrate pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics in humans. In this review, CYP2C8 clinical pharmacogenetic data are provided by drug class, followed by a discussion of the future of CYP2C8 clinical pharmacogenetic research.

Changes in the Pharmacokinetics of Rosiglitazone, a CYP2C8 Substrate, When Co-Administered with Amlodipine in Rats

Rosiglitazone maleate (RGM) is widely used for improving insulin resistance. RGM is a moderate inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) and is also mainly metabolized by CYP2C8. The aim of this study was to determine whether the effect of RGM on CYP2C8 is altered by co-treatment with other drugs, and whether amlodipine camsylate (AC) changes the pharmacokinetics (PK) of RGM. Of the 11 drugs that are likely to be co-administered with RGM in diabetic patients, seven drugs lowered the IC50 value of RGM on CYP2C8 by more than 80%. In vitro CYP2C8 inhibitory assays of RGM in combination with drugs of interest showed that the IC50 of RGM was decreased by 98.9% by AC. In a pharmacokinetic study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered 1 mg/kg of RGM following by single or 10-consecutive daily administrations of 1.5 mg/kg/day of AC. No significant changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of RGM were observed after a single administration of AC, but the AUC and Cmax values of RGM were significantly reduced by 36% and 31%, respectively, by multiple administrations of AC. In conclusion, RGM was found to be affected by AC by in vitro CYP2C8 inhibition testing, and multiple dosing of AC appreciably changed the pharmacokinetics of RGM. These findings suggest that a drug interaction exists between AC and RGM.

Benzylic Oxidation of Gemfibrozil-1-O-β-Glucuronide by P450 2C8 Leads to Heme Alkylation and Irreversible Inhibition

Gemfibrozil-1-O-beta-glucuronide (GEM-1-O-gluc), a major metabolite of the antihyperlipidemic drug gemfibrozil, is a mechanism-based inhibitor of P450 2C8 in vitro, and this irreversible inactivation may lead to clinical drug-drug interactions between gemfibrozil and other P450 2C8 substrates. In light of this in vitro finding and the observation that the glucuronide conjugate does not contain any obvious structural alerts, the current study was conducted to determine the potential site of GEM-1-O-gluc bioactivation and the subsequent mechanism of P450 2C8 inhibition (i.e., modification of apoprotein or heme). LC/MS analysis of a reaction mixture containing recombinant P450 2C8 and GEM-1-O-gluc revealed that the substrate was covalently linked to the heme prosthetic heme group during catalysis. A combination of mass spectrometry and deuterium isotope effects revealed that a benzylic carbon on the 2',5'-dimethylphenoxy group of GEM-1-O-gluc was covalently bound to the heme of P450 2C8. The regiospecificity of substrate addition to the heme group was not confirmed experimentally, but computational modeling experiments indicated that the gamma-meso position was the most likely site of modification. The metabolite profile, which consisted of two benzyl alcohol metabolites and a 4'-hydroxy-GEM-1-O-gluc metabolite, indicated that oxidation of GEM-1-O-gluc was limited to the 2',5'-dimethylphenoxy group. These results are consistent with an inactivation mechanism wherein GEM-1-O-gluc is oxidized to a benzyl radical intermediate, which evades oxygen rebound, and adds to the gamma-meso position of heme. Mechanism-based inhibition of P450 2C8 can be rationalized by the formation of the GEM-1-O-gluc-heme adduct and the consequential restriction of additional substrate access to the catalytic iron center.

Discovery of Novel Tricyclic Full Agonists for the G-Protein-Coupled Niacin Receptor 109A with Minimized Flushing in Rats

Tricyclic analogues were rationally designed as the high affinity niacin receptor G-protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A) agonists by overlapping three lead structures. Various tricyclic anthranilide and cycloalkene carboxylic acid full agonists were discovered with excellent in vitro activity. Compound 2g displayed a good therapeutic index regarding free fatty acids (FFA) reduction and vasodilation effects in rats, with very weak cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) and cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) inhibition, and a good mouse pharmacokinetics (PK) profile.

Metabolic Oxidative Cleavage of Thioesters: Evidence for the Formation of Sulfenic Acid Intermediates in the Bioactivation of the Antithrombotic Prodrugs Ticlopidine and Clopidogrel

Metabolic cleavage of the CO-S bond of some thioesters RCOSR' with the formation of RCOOH requires a monooxygenase-dependent oxidative activation of this bond. The nature of the S-containing product(s) resulting from this cleavage remains unclear in most cases. This communication provides the first evidence for the formation of sulfenic acid intermediates 4a and 4b during the oxidative cleavage of the CO-S bond of thiolactone metabolites 2a and 2b of antithrombotic prodrugs, ticlopidine and clopidogrel, by rat and human liver microsomes. These intermediates have been trapped by dimedone, and the corresponding adducts 5a and 5b have been characterized by mass spectrometry (MS) and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Their formation is monooxygenase-dependent and almost completely inhibited by microsomal cytochrome P450 inhibitors. Moreover, they were also formed upon incubation with microsomes containing recombinant human P450 3A4, 3A5, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 1A2. In the presence of thiols such as mercaptoethanol, N-acetylcysteine, or glutathione, microsomal incubations of 2a led to mixed disulfides that have been characterized by MS and should result from reaction of 4a with these thiols. At high thiol concentrations, one observed in HPLC-MS the formation of a product exhibiting the MS expected for the previously described thiol metabolite 3a, a reduction product of 4a that has been reported as the pharmacologically active metabolite of ticlopidine. These data provide the first evidence for the formation of sulfenic acid reactive metabolites upon P450-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of thioesters. They also provide a first detailed mechanism for the previously described formation of pharmacologically active thiols such as 3a upon oxidative metabolism of ticlopidine and clopidogrel.

Role of cytochrome P450 2C8 and 2J2 genotypes in calcineurin inhibitor-induced chronic kidney disease

The calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac) help prevent allograft rejection but are associated with nephrotoxicity. Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) and CYP2J2 are polymorphic enzymes expressed in the kidney that metabolize arachidonic acid (AA) to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, promoting kidney homeostasis. This study examined the association between CNI-induced nephrotoxicity in liver transplant patients and CYP2C8 and CYP2J2 polymorphisms. Liver transplantation patients receiving CNIs for at least 3 years were genotyped for CYP2C8*3, CYP2C8*4, CYP2C8 Haplotypes B and C, and CYP2J2*7 and evaluated for nephrotoxicity (serum creatinine > or = 1.6 mg/dl) 3-year post-transplantation. CYP2C8 proteins were also engineered in E. coli and their activity towards AA and inhibition by CNIs was investigated in vitro. The risk of kidney disease post-transplantation was positively associated with CYP2C8*3 genotype. Odds ratios for all participants carrying at least one CYP2C8*3 allele were significant [odds ratio=2.38 (1.19-4.78)]. Stratification by CNI indicated a significant association between CYP2C8*3 and nephrotoxicity among patients receiving Tac but not CsA. The risk of renal dysfunction was not significantly influenced by CYP2C8*4, CYP2J2*7, or CYP2C8 haplotype B genotypes although inheritance of haplotype C seems to be protective. In vitro, the gene products of CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C8*4 were deficient in AA epoxidation, retaining 26 and 18% of wild-type activity, respectively. Circulating plasma concentrations of CsA and Tac inhibited CYP2C8 wild-type in vitro epoxidation of AA by 17 and 35%, respectively. Inheritance of CYP2C8*3 is associated with a higher risk of developing renal toxicity in patients treated chronically with CNIs, and especially Tac, possibly by reducing formation of kidney protecting vasodilatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids.

Confirmation That Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) Plays a Minor Role in (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-Ibuprofen Hydroxylation in Vitro

Various groups have sought to determine the impact of CYP2C8 genotype (and CYP2C8 inhibition) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ibuprofen (IBU) enantiomers. However, the contribution of cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) in human liver microsomes (HLMs) has not been reported. Therefore, in vitro cytochrome P450 (P450) reaction phenotyping was conducted with selective inhibitors of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and CYP2C8. In the presence of HLMs, sulfaphenazole (CYP2C9 inhibitor), and anti-CYP2C9 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) inhibited (73-100%) the 2- and 3-hydroxylation of both IBU enantiomers (1 and 20 microM). At a higher IBU concentration (500 microM), the same inhibitors were less able to inhibit the 2-hydroxylation of (S)-(+)-IBU (32-52%) and (R)-(-)-IBU (30-64%), whereas the 3-hydroxylation of (S)-(+)-IBU and (R)-(-)-IBU was inhibited 66 to 83 and 70 to 89%, respectively. In contrast, less inhibition was observed with montelukast (CYP2C8 inhibitor, < or =35%) and anti-CYP2C8 mAbs (< or =24%) at all concentrations of IBU. When (S)-(+)-IBU and (R)-(-)-IBU (1 microM) were incubated with a panel of recombinant human P450s, only CYP2C9 formed appreciable amounts of the hydroxy metabolites. At a higher IBU enantiomer concentration (500 microM), additional P450s catalyzed 2-hydroxylation (CYP3A4, CYP2C8, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP2B6) and 3-hydroxylation (CYP2C19). When the P450 reaction phenotype and additional clearance pathways are considered (e.g., direct glucuronidation and chiral inversion), it is concluded that CYP2C8 plays a minor role in (R)-(-)-IBU (<10%) and (S)-(+)-IBU ( approximately 13%) clearance. By extension, one would not expect CYP2C8 inhibition (and genotype) to greatly affect the pharmacokinetic profile of either enantiomer. On the other hand, CYP2C9 inhibition and genotype are expected to have an impact on the PK of (S)-(+)-IBU.

Effect of pioglitazone on the pharmacokinetics of verapamil and its major metabolite, norverapamil, in rats

Pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic drug, inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 and CYP3A4 enzymes in vitro. This study investigated the effect of pioglitazone on the pharmacokinetics of verapamil and its major metabolite, norverapamil, in rats, after oral administration of verapamil (9 mg/kg) in the presence or absence of pioglitazone (0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg). Pioglitazone altered verapamil pharmacokinetics compared with verapamil alone. The presence of 1.0 mg/kg of pioglitazone significantly (p < 0.05) increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the peak concentration (C(max)) of verapamil by 49.0% and 46.8%, respectively, and significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the total plasma clearance (CL/F) of verapamil by 32.8%. The metabolite-parent AUC ratio in the presence of pioglitazone (1.0 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 21.9% compared to the control group. Thus, coadministration of pioglitazone inhibited the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of verapamil.

Determinants of Cytochrome P450 2C8 Substrate Binding: STRUCTURES OF COMPLEXES WITH MONTELUKAST, TROGLITAZONE, FELODIPINE, AND 9-CIS-RETINOIC ACID

Although a crystal structure and a pharmacophore model are available for cytochrome P450 2C8, the role of protein flexibility and specific ligand-protein interactions that govern substrate binding are poorly understood. X-ray crystal structures of P450 2C8 complexed with montelukast (2.8 A), troglitazone (2.7 A), felodipine (2.3 A), and 9-cis-retinoic acid (2.6 A) were determined to examine ligand-protein interactions for these chemically diverse compounds. Montelukast is a relatively large anionic inhibitor that exhibits a tripartite structure and complements the size and shape of the active-site cavity. The inhibitor troglitazone occupies the upper portion of the active-site cavity, leaving a substantial part of the cavity unoccupied. The smaller neutral felodipine molecule is sequestered with its dichlorophenyl group positioned close to the heme iron, and water molecules fill the distal portion of the cavity. The structure of the 9-cis-retinoic acid complex reveals that two substrate molecules bind simultaneously in the active site of P450 2C8. A second molecule of 9-cis-retinoic acid is located above the proximal molecule and can restrain the position of the latter for more efficient oxygenation. Solution binding studies do not discriminate between cooperative and noncooperative models for multiple substrate binding. The complexes with structurally distinct ligands further demonstrate the conformational adaptability of active site-constituting residues, especially Arg-241, that can reorient in the active-site cavity to stabilize a negatively charged functional group and define two spatially distinct binding sites for anionic moieties of substrates.

The Effect of Gemfibrozil on Repaglinide Pharmacokinetics Persists for at Least 12 h After the Dose: Evidence for Mechanism-based Inhibition of CYP2C8 In Vivo

Repaglinide is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 and 3A4. Gemfibrozil has the effect of increasing the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of repaglinide eightfold. We studied the effect of dosing interval on the extent of the gemfibrozil-repaglinide interaction. In a randomized five-phase crossover study, 10 healthy volunteers ingested 0.25 mg repaglinide, with or without gemfibrozil pretreatment. Plasma repaglinide, gemfibrozil, their metabolites, and blood glucose were measured. When the last dose of 600 mg gemfibrozil was ingested simultaneously with repaglinide, or 3, 6, or 12 h before, it increased the AUC(0-infinity) of repaglinide 7.0-, 6.5-, 6.2- and 5.0-fold, respectively (P < 0.001). The peak repaglinide concentration increased approximately twofold (P < 0.001), and the half-life was prolonged from 1.2 h to 2-3 h (P < 0.001) during all the gemfibrozil phases. The drug interaction effects persisted at least 12 h after gemfibrozil was administered, although plasma gemfibrozil and gemfibrozil 1-O-beta-glucuronide concentrations were only 5 and 10% of their peak values, respectively. The long-lasting interaction is likely caused by mechanism-based inhibition of CYP2C8 by gemfibrozil glucuronide.

An oligonucleotide microarray for detection of cytochrome P450 enzyme gene polymorphisms related to paclitaxel metabolism

Objective To develop an accurate,rapid,high throughout genotyping method based on oligonucleotide microarray for cytochrome P450 gene polymorphisms related to paclitaxel metabolism.Methods The mutant points of 2C8 * 3,3A4 * 18 and 3A5 * 3C from cytochrome P450 gene were regarded as targets.Based on the sequences in the GenBank,the wild-type and mutant-type probes were specially designed for each mutant point.PCR primers were located in the both sides of mutant point,and furthermore the fragments of PCR products were less than 200 bp.Each type of standard plasmids was constructed.Thus,all the olignucleotide probes were modified with 3'amino-group,and the reverse primers were labeled with fluorescein (Cy3).The probes were immobilized onto certain glass slides.The specific fragments of three genes were amplified and then hybridized with oligonucleotide microarray.The results were analyzed by using certain software.Finally this assay was applied to detect 50 clinical blood specimens.Results When PCR products from standard plasmids were hybridized with DNA microarray,the corresponding probes produced positive signals.Meanwhile,the non-specific hybridization signals did not appear.The results of clinical specimens showed that the mutant rate of CYP2C8 * 3 was 2%.The point of CYP3A4 * 18 for all the clinical specimens was wild-type and the mutant rate of CYP3A5 * 3C was 62%. Meanwhile,the results from detecting 50 clinical blood specimens using oligonucleotide microarray were the same as sequencing analysis.Conclusions Oligonucleotide microarray is a reliable and accurate genotyping assay for cytochrome P450 2C8 * 3.3A4 * 18 and 3A5 * 3C polymorphisms related to paclitaxel simultaneously.This genotyping assay is a high-throughout method for guiding personalized therapy and analyzing metabolism of paclitaxel in vivo. Key words: Cytochrome P-450 enzyme system; Paclitaxel; Polymorphism,genetic; Oligonucleotide array sequence analysis

Determination of N-desethylamodiaquine by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry: Application to in vitro drug metabolism studies

The antimalarial drug amodiaquine is extensively metabolized to N-desethylamodiaquine (DEAQ) by cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8). DEAQ formation is an enzyme specific reaction that is used to quantify in vitro CYP2C8 activity. A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of DEAQ in human liver microsomes was developed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC–MS/MS). Microsomal incubation samples were processed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The analytes were separated on a BETASIL Silica-100 (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) column by isocratic elution at a flow rate of 220 μl/min with a mobile phase consisting of 85% acetonitrile containing 5 mM ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid. Detection was by positive electrospray ionization on a TSQ Quantum Discovery triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in the selective reaction monitoring mode. The precursor–product ion pair was m/ z 328 → 283 for DEAQ and m/ z 331 → 283 for DEAQ- d 3. The lower limit of quantification was 10 nM for DEAQ and linearity was observed over the concentration range of 10–1500 nM. Intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision were within 3.4 and 7.0%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to CYP2C8 drug metabolism studies in pooled human liver microsomes.

Assessment of drug–drug interaction for silymarin

Silymarin was assessed for drug–drug interaction by permeability studies with Caco-2 cells, for cytochrome P450 induction with human primary hepatocytes and for cytochrome P450 inhibition with human liver microsomes. Studies with Caco-2 cells revealed no interference of silymarin with the permeability of nifedipine. Silymarin did not induce cytochromes P450 2C9 and 3A4 at concentrations of 0.1; 1; and 100μM, measured as silibinin. The inhibitory effect was tested on the nine major cytochromes P450 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 at concentrations of 1 and 100μM silymarin. At 1μM concentration no or negligible inhibition of cytochromes P450 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, and 2E1, minor inhibition of 3A4 (<20%), and moderate inhibition of 2C19 and 2D6 (<40%) were observed. Inhibition constant Ki of silymarin was determined for cytochromes P450 3A4 with 12μM, 2C19 with 2μM, and 2D6 with 12μM. Only at the high concentration of 100μM silymarin, inhibition at >50% of the cytochromes P450 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 was observed, and no or moderate inhibition was for the cytochromes P450 1A2, 2A6, and 2E1. However, in view of the clinically relevant plasma concentration of approx. 0.2μM measured as silibinin, it is evident that there is no drug–drug interaction problem with silymarin.

Characterization of novel CYP2C8 haplotypes and their contribution to paclitaxel and repaglinide metabolism

Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) plays a major role in the metabolism of therapeutically important drugs which exhibit large interindividual differences in their pharmacokinetics. In order to evaluate any genetic influence on this variation, a CYP2C8 phenotype-genotype evaluation was carried out in Caucasians. Two novel CYP2C8 haplotypes, named B and C with frequencies of 24 and 22% in Caucasians, respectively, were identified and caused a significantly increased and reduced paclitaxel 6alpha-hydroxylation, respectively, as evident from analyses of 49 human liver samples. In healthy white subjects, CYP2C8*3 and the two novel haplotypes significantly influenced repaglinide pharmacokinetics in SLCO1B1c.521T/C heterozygous individuals: haplotype B was associated with reduced and haplotype C with increased repaglinide AUC (0-infinity). Functional studies suggested -271C>A (CYP2C8*1B) as a causative SNP in haplotype B. In conclusion, two novel common CYP2C8 haplotypes were identified and significantly associated with altered rate of CYP2C8-dependent drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo.

Identification of a Novel Laser Dye Substrate of Mammalian Cytochromes P450: Application in Rapid Kinetic Analysis, Inhibitor Screening, and Directed Evolution

The author sought to develop a high-throughput activity screening assay to carry out rapid kinetic analysis, inhibitor screening, and directed evolution of cytochrome P450 2C enzymes. Initially, of the 9 fluorescent substrates and 10 P450 2C enzymes tested, several P450 2C enzymes showed > 1 nmol/min/nmol P450 activity in cumene hydroperoxide (CuOOH)-supported reaction with a laser dye, 7-dimethylamino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (C152). A high-throughput steady-state kinetic analysis of the human P450 2C8, 2C9, and 2C19 showed 1) k(cat) = 3 to 6 min(-1), 2) K(m, CuOOH) = 100 to 200 microM, and 3) S(50, C152) = 10 to 20 microM in the CuOOH system. In addition, P450 2C9 and 2C19 showed a very high k(ca)t (27 and 38 min(-1), respectively) in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-supported reaction. Subsequently, when mammalian P450s from the other subfamilies were tested, P450 2B1dH, 2B4dH, 2B5dH, 3A4, and 3A5 exhibited a significant activity in both CuOOH and NADPH systems. Furthermore, a high-throughput activity screening assay using whole-cell suspensions of the human P450 2C8, 2C9, and 2C19 was optimized. Overall, the data suggested that C152 can be used as a model substrate for mammalian P450s in CuOOH-supported reaction to perform rapid kinetic analysis, inhibitor screening, and directed evolution.

Silybin Is Metabolized by Cytochrome P450 2C8 in Vitro

Silybin (a flavonolignan, the main component of silymarin, an extract from the seeds of Silybum marianum) has been used to date mostly as a hepatoprotectant. However, it also has other interesting activities, e.g., anticancer and hypocholesterolemic effects. It is also known that silybin can inhibit the activities of the cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes. In this study, a weak interaction of silybin with human microsomal CYP2E1, 2A6, 2B6, 2C19, and 2D6 (IC(50) > or = 250 microM) was found; a moderate inhibition was observed for CYP1A2 and 2C8. The most prominent inhibition effect was found with CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 (IC(50) < or = 50 microM). Using mass spectometry detection, production of O-demethylated (the main metabolite) as well as hydroxylated derivatives of silybin formed by P450 enzymes was detected. The effect of different P450 inhibitors on the formation of O-demethylated product was also studied. In particular, a relatively specific inhibitor of CYP2C8 (quercetin) markedly inhibited the formation of this metabolite. With the help of recombinant enzymes (bactosomes), it was confirmed that the CYP2C8 enzyme is responsible for the reaction leading to O-demethylated silybin.

The UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 Isozyme Is Responsible for Gemfibrozil Glucuronidation in the Human Liver

Gemfibrozil, a fibrate hypolipidemic agent, is eliminated in humans by glucuronidation. A gemfibrozil glucuronide has been reported to show time-dependent inhibition of cytochrome P450 2C8. Comprehensive assessment of the drug interaction between gemfibrozil and cytochrome P450 2C8 substrates requires a clear understanding of gemfibrozil glucuronidation. However, the primary UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isozymes responsible for gemfibrozil glucuronidation remain to be determined. Here, we identified the main UGT isozymes involved in gemfibrozil glucuronidation. Evaluation of 12 recombinant human UGT isozymes shows gemfibrozil glucuronidation activity in UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A9, UGT2B4, UGT2B7, and UGT2B17, with UGT2B7 showing the highest activity. The kinetics of gemfibrozil glucuronidation in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics with high and low affinity components. The high affinity K(m) value was 2.5 microM, which is similar to the K(m) value of gemfibrozil glucuronidation in recombinant UGT2B7 (2.2 microM). In 16 HLMs, a significant correlation was observed between gemfibrozil glucuronidation and both morphine 3-OH glucuronidation (r = 0.966, p < 0.0001) and flurbiprofen glucuronidation (r = 0.937, p < 0.0001), two reactions mainly catalyzed by UGT2B7, whereas no significant correlation was observed between gemfibrozil glucuronidation and either estradiol 3beta-glucuronidation and propofol glucuronidation, two reactions catalyzed by UGT1A1 and UGT1A9, respectively. Flurbiprofen and mefenamic acid inhibited gemfibrozil glucuronidation in HLMs with similar IC(50) values to those reported in recombinant UGT2B7. These results suggest that UGT2B7 is the main isozyme responsible for gemfibrozil glucuronidation in humans.

In vitro LC‐MS cocktail assays to simultaneously determine human cytochrome P450 activities

Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), two sensitive cocktail assays were developed, one to simultaneously determine activities of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP1A2 (phenacitin), 2B6 (bupropion), 2C8 (amodiaquine) and 2C19 (omperazole), and the other to determine simultaneously activities of CYP3A4/5 (testosterone), 2C9 (tolbutamide) and 2D6 (dextromethorphan). These cocktail assays are sensitive, require only a small amount of microsomal protein, employ selective and high turnover CYP substrates and do not require post-incubation extraction. In each of these cocktails, no interactions were observed between the substrates. Combining the two cocktails into a single cocktail resulted in significant inhibition of CYP2D6 by amiodiaquine. These assays were used successfully to determine induction of CYP enzymes in microsomes isolated from human hepatocytes treated (72 h) with or without the prototypic inducer, rifampin.