Reaction In Human Liver Microsomes Research Articles

Novel 2-alkythio-4-chloro-N-[imino(heteroaryl)methyl]benzenesulfonamide Derivatives: Synthesis, Molecular Structure, Anticancer Activity and Metabolic Stability.

A series of novel 2-alkythio-4-chloro-N-[imino-(heteroaryl)methyl]benzenesulfonamide derivatives, 8-24, were synthesized in the reaction of the N-(benzenesulfonyl)cyanamide potassium salts 1-7 with the appropriate mercaptoheterocycles. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity in HeLa, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines. The most promising compounds, 11-13, molecular hybrids containing benzenesulfonamide and imidazole moieties, selectively showed a high cytotoxic effect in HeLa cancer cells (IC50: 6-7 μM) and exhibited about three times less cytotoxicity against the non-tumor cell line HaCaT cells (IC50: 18-20 μM). It was found that the anti-proliferative effects of 11, 12 and 13 were associated with their ability to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. The compounds increased the early apoptotic population of cells, elevated the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis through caspase activation in HeLa cells. For the most active compounds, susceptibility to undergo first-phase oxidation reactions in human liver microsomes was assessed. The results of the in vitro metabolic stability experiments indicated values of the factor t½ for 11-13 in the range of 9.1-20.3 min and suggested the hypothetical oxidation of these compounds to sulfenic and subsequently sulfinic acids as metabolites.

In vitro metabolic characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease inhibitors GRL0617 and HY-17542.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic requires a new therapeutic target for viral infection, and papain-like protease (Plpro) has been suggested as a druggable target. This in-vitro study was conducted to examine the drug metabolism of the GRL0617 and HY-17542, Plpro inhibitors. Metabolism of these inhibitors was studied to predict the pharmacokinetics in human liver microsomes. The hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms responsible for their metabolism were identified using recombinant enzymes. The drug-drug interaction potential mediated by cytochrome P450 inhibition was estimated. In human liver microsomes, the Plpro inhibitors had phase I and phase I + II metabolism with half-lives of 26.35 and 29.53min, respectively. Hydroxylation (M1) and desaturation (-H2, M3) of the para-amino toluene side chain were the predominant reactions mediated with CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. CYP2D6 is responsible for the hydroxylation of the naphthalene side ring. GRL0617 inhibits major drug-metabolizing enzymes, including CYP2C9 and CYP3A4. HY-17542 is structural analog of GRL0617 and it is metabolized to GRL0617 through non-cytochrome P450 reactions in human liver microsomes without NADPH. Like GRL0617 and HY-17542 undergoes additional hepatic metabolism. The in-vitro hepatic metabolism of the Plpro inhibitors featured short half-lives; preclinical metabolism studies are needed to determine therapeutic doses for these inhibitors.

Significance of Competing Metabolic Pathways for 5F-APINACA Based on Quantitative Kinetics.

In 2020, nearly one-third of new drugs on the global market were synthetic cannabinoids including the drug of abuse N-(1-adamantyl)-1-(5-pentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (5F-APINACA, 5F-AKB48). Knowledge of 5F-APINACA metabolism provides a critical mechanistic basis to interpret and predict abuser outcomes. Prior qualitative studies identified which metabolic processes occur but not the order and extent of them and often relied on problematic “semi-quantitative” mass spectroscopic (MS) approaches. We capitalized on 5F-APINACA absorbance for quantitation while leveraging MS to characterize metabolite structures for measuring 5F-APINACA steady-state kinetics. We demonstrated the reliability of absorbance and not MS for inferring metabolite levels. Human liver microsomal reactions yielded eight metabolites by MS but only five by absorbance. Subsequent kinetic studies on primary and secondary metabolites revealed highly efficient mono- and dihydroxylation of the adamantyl group and much less efficient oxidative defluorination at the N-pentyl terminus. Based on regiospecificity and kinetics, we constructed pathways for competing and intersecting steps in 5F-APINACA metabolism. Overall efficiency for adamantyl oxidation was 17-fold higher than that for oxidative defluorination, showing significant bias in metabolic flux and subsequent metabolite profile compositions. Lastly, our analytical approach provides a powerful new strategy to more accurately assess metabolic kinetics for other understudied synthetic cannabinoids possessing the indazole chromophore.

In vitro characterization of glycyrol metabolites in human liver microsomes using HR-resolution MS spectrometer coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

1. Glycyrol is a coumestan derivative that is isolated from roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Glycyrol exhibits several biological effects, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.2. Herein, we characterized glycyrol metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) using human liver microsomes (HLM), human liver cytosol, human intestinal microsomes, or human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYPs and UGTs. The analysis was conducted using high resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS) on a Q ExactiveTM HF Hybride Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer.3. NADPH-supplemented HLM generated six glycyrol metabolites (M1–M6) via hydroxylation, oxidation, and hydration; both NADPH- and UDPGA-supplemented liver microsomes generated three glucuronides (M7–M9). Reaction phenotyping revealed that CYP1A2 is the primary enzyme responsible for phase I metabolism, with minor involvement of the CYP3A4/5, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1 enzymes. Glucuronidation of glycyrol was primarily mediated by UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7.4. In conclusion, glycyrol undergoes the efficient metabolic hydroxylation and glucuronidation reactions in human liver microsomes, which are predominantly catalyzed by CYP1A2, UGT1A1/3/9, and UGT2B7.

In Vitro Inhibition of Human UDP-Glucuronosyl-Transferase (UGT) Isoforms by Astaxanthin, β-Cryptoxanthin, Canthaxanthin, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin: Prediction of in Vivo Dietary Supplement-Drug Interactions.

Despite the widespread use of the five major xanthophylls astaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin as dietary supplements, there have been no studies regarding their inhibitory effects on hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Here, we evaluated the inhibitory potential of these xanthophylls on the seven major human hepatic UGTs (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT2B7 and UGT2B15) in vitro by LC-MS/MS using specific marker reactions in human liver microsomes (except UGT2B15) or recombinant supersomes (UGT2B15). We also predicted potential dietary supplement-drug interactions for β-cryptoxanthin via UGT1A1 inhibition. We demonstrated that astaxanthin and zeaxanthin showed no apparent inhibition, while the remaining xanthophylls showed only weak inhibitory effects on the seven UGTs. β-Cryptoxanthin mildly inhibited UGT1A1, UGT1A3, and UGT1A4, with IC50 values of 18.8 ± 2.07, 28.3 ± 4.40 and 34.9 ± 5.98 μM, respectively. Canthaxanthin weakly inhibited UGT1A1 and UGT1A3, with IC50 values of 38.5 ± 4.65 and 41.2 ± 3.14 μM, respectively; and lutein inhibited UGT1A1 and UGT1A4, with IC50 values of 45.5 ± 4.01 and 28.7 ± 3.79 μM, respectively. Among the tested xanthophyll-UGT pairs, β-cryptoxanthin showed the strongest competitive inhibition of UGT1A1 (Ki, 12.2 ± 0.985 μM). In addition, we predicted the risk of UGT1A1 inhibition in vivo using the reported maximum plasma concentration after oral administration of β-cryptoxanthin in humans. Our data suggests that these xanthophylls are unlikely to cause dietary supplement-drug interactions mediated by inhibition of the hepatic UGTs. These findings provide useful information for the safe clinical use of the tested xanthophylls.

Inhibitory Potential of Twenty Five Anti-tuberculosis Drugs on CYP Activities in Human Liver Microsomes

The direct inhibitory potential of twenty five anti-tuberculosis drugs on eight CYP-specific reactions in human liver microsomes was investigated to predict in vivo drug-drug interactions (DDIs) from in vitro data. Rifampicin, rifabutin, and thioacetazone inhibited one CYP reaction. Isoniazid and clofazimine had inhibitory effects on four CYP reactions, and rifapentine, ethionamide, and prothionamide widely inhibited CYP reactions. Based on the inhibition constant (Ki) and the therapeutic total inhibitor concentrations [I]max of eight drugs in human plasma, [I]max/Ki values were calculated to evaluate clinical DDIs. The [I]max/Ki values were 0.20 or less for rifampicin, rifabutin, and thioacetazone; 0.15-2.0 for isoniazid; 0.14-1.5 for rifapentine; 0.29-1.4 for ethionamide; 0.41-2.2 for prothionamide; and 0.12-6.3 for clofazimine. The highest [I]max/Ki values were 2.0 for isoniazid on CYP3A4 [testosterone (T)]; 1.5 for rifapentine on CYP3A4 [midazolam (M)]; 1.4 for ethionamide on CYP2C8; 2.2, 1.8, and 1.3 for prothionamide on CYP2B6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C8, respectively; and 6.3 and 5.7 for clofazimine on CYP3A4 (M) and CYP3A4 (T), respectively. These drugs with high [I]max/Ki values lead to clinical DDIs. Considering the drug regimens for tuberculosis (TB) and co-infection with TB and human immunodeficiency virus, the inhibitory potential for CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 is particularly important. These results suggest that clofazimine and prothionamide are likely to cause clinically relevant DDIs when co-administered with products metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6, respectively. Isoniazid and rifapentine may cause DDIs with drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.

In vitro selective inhibition of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A4 by finasteride, and prediction of in vivo drug–drug interactions

In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory potentials of finasteride for the major human hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT2B7, and UGT2B15) in vitro using LC–MS/MS by specific marker reactions in human liver microsomes (except for UGT2B15) or recombinant supersomes (UGT2B15). Of the seven tested UGTs, finasteride potently, selectively, and competitively inhibited UGT1A4-mediated trifluoperazine-N-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes with an IC50 value of 11.5±1.78μM and Ki value of 6.03±0.291μM. This inhibitory potency was similar to that of hecogenin, a well-known inhibitor of UGT1A4. However, finasteride did not seem to inhibit any of the other six UGTs: UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT2B7, or UGT2B15. Similarly, finasteride markedly inhibited UGT1A4 activity in recombinant human UGT1A4 supersomes, with a Ki value of 6.05±0.410μM. In addition, finasteride strongly inhibited UGT1A4-catalyzed imipramine-N-β-d-glucuronidation. However, on the basis of an in vitro–in vivo extrapolation, our data strongly suggested that finasteride is unlikely to cause clinically significant drug–drug interactions mediated via inhibition of the hepatic UGT enzymes involved in drug metabolism in vivo.

Comprehensive kinetic analysis and influence of reaction components for chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation in human liver microsomes with CYP antibodies

1. Chlorzoxazone (CLZ) is currently being used as a marker substrate in vitro/vivo studies to quantify cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity in humans. Although in CLZ 6-hydroxylation several CYPs are responsible, previous studies have presented the monophasicity of the reaction in human liver microsomes (HLMs). Furthermore, the Km values of CYP2E1 for the 6-hydroxylation in HLMs were reported to be lower than those of its recombinant enzymes.2. This study aimed to provide the comprehensive Km values for the CLZ 6-hydroxylation in HLMs using CYP antibodies. The Eadie–Hofstee plots revealed a biphasic profile and indicate that the reaction was mainly mediated by CYP1A2 as well as CYP2E1. The formation of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone was more specific for CYP2E1 activity at higher substrate concentration in HLMs.3. Moreover, KOH as a vehicle for substrate or sucrose included in HLMs preparation had some effect on the activity of CLZ 6-hydroxylase. These constituents seemed to be casually related to the apparent monophasic kinetics and variability in Km values for the CLZ 6-hydroxylation in HLMs.4. The Km of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 in HLMs was 3.8 µmol/L and 410 µmol/L, respectively, and the value of CYP2E1 was close to that of recombinant CYP2E1.

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.

Relative Contributions of Cytochrome CYP3A4 Versus CYP3A5 for CYP3A-Cleared Drugs Assessed In Vitro Using a CYP3A4-Selective Inactivator (CYP3cide)

Metabolism by cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) is the most prevalent clearance pathway for drugs. Designation of metabolism by CYP3A commonly refers to the potential contribution by one or both of two enzymes, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. The metabolic turnover of 32 drugs known to be largely metabolized by CYP3A was examined in human liver microsomes (HLMs) from CYP3A5 expressers (*1/*1 genotype) and nonexpressers (*3/*3 genotype) in the presence and absence of ketoconazole and CYP3cide (a selective CYP3A4 inactivator) to calculate the contribution of CYP3A5 to metabolism. Drugs with the highest contribution of CYP3A5 included atazanavir, vincristine, midazolam, vardenafil, otenabant, verapamil, and tacrolimus, whereas 17 of the 32 tested showed negligible CYP3A5 contribution. For specific reactions in HLMs from *1/*1 donors, CYP3A5 contributes 55% and 44% to midazolam 1'- and 4-hydroxylation, 16% to testosterone 6β-hydroxylation, 56% and 19% to alprazolam 1'- and 4-hydroxylation, 10% to tamoxifen N-demethylation, and 58% to atazanavir p-hydroxylation. Comparison of the in vitro observations to clinical pharmacokinetic data showed only a weak relationship between estimated contribution by CYP3A5 and impact of CYP3A5 genotype on oral clearance, in large part because of the scatter in clinical data and the low numbers of study subjects used in CYP3A5 pharmacogenetics studies. These data should be useful in guiding which drugs should be evaluated for differences in pharmacokinetics and metabolism between subjects expressing CYP3A5 and those who do not express this enzyme.

Selective Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 2D6 by Sarpogrelate and Its Active Metabolite, M-1, in Human Liver Microsomes

The present study was performed to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory potential of sarpogrelate and its active metabolite, M-1, on the activities of nine human cytochrome (CYP) isoforms. Using a cocktail assay, the effects of sarpogrelate on nine CYP isoforms and M-1 were measured by specific marker reactions in human liver microsomes. Sarpogrelate potently and selectively inhibited CYP2D6-mediated dextromethorphan O-demethylation with an IC50 (Ki) value of 3.05 μM (1.24 μM), in a competitive manner. M-1 also markedly inhibited CYP2D6 activity; its inhibitory effect with an IC50 (Ki) value of 0.201 μM (0.120 μM) was more potent than that of sarpogrelate, and was similarly potent as quinidine (Ki, 0.129 μM), a well-known typical CYP2D6 inhibitor. In addition, sarpogrelate and M-1 strongly inhibited both CYP2D6-catalyzed bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation and metoprolol α-hydroxylation activities. However, sarpogrelate and M-1 showed no apparent inhibition of the other following eight CYPs: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1, or CYP3A4/5. Upon 30-minute preincubation of human liver microsomes with sarpogrelate or M-1 in the presence of NADPH, no obvious shift in IC50 was observed in terms of inhibition of the nine CYP activities, suggesting that sarpogrelate and M-1 are not time-dependent inactivators. Sarpogrelate strongly inhibited the activity of CYP2D6 at clinically relevant concentrations in human liver microsomes. These observations suggest that sarpogrelate could have an effect on the metabolic clearance of drugs possessing CYP2D6-catalyzed metabolism as a major clearance pathway, thereby eliciting pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions.

Metabolism of R- and S-Warfarin by CYP2C19 into Four Hydroxywarfarins

Coumadin (R/S-warfarin) is a highly efficacious and widely used anticoagulant; however, its highly variable metabolism remains an important contributor to uncertainties in therapeutic responses. Pharmacogenetic studies report conflicting findings on the clinical relevance of CYP2C19. A resolution to this controversy is impeded by a lack of de tailon the potential role of CYP2C19 in warfarin metabolism. Consequently, we assessed the efficiency of CYP2C19 metabolism of R- and S-warfarin and explored possible contributions in the liver using in vitro methods. Recombinant CYP2C19 metabolized R- and S-warfarin mainly to 6-, 7-, and 8-hydroxywarfarin, while 4'-hydroxywarfarin was a minormetabolite. Over all R-warfarin metabolism was slightly more efficient than that for S-warfarin. Metabolic pathways thatproduce R-6-, 7-, and 8-hydroxywarfarin in human liver microsomal reactions correlated strongly with CYP2C19 Smephenytoinhydroxylase activity. Similarly, CYP1A2 activity toward phenacetin correlated with formation of R-6 and 7-hydroxywarfarin such that R-8-hydroxywarfarin seems unique to CYP2C19 and possibly a biomarker. In following, CYP2C19 likely impacts R-warfarin metabolism and patient response to therapy. Intriguingly, CYP2C19 may contributeto S-warfarin metabolism in patients, especially when CYP2C9 activity is compromised due to drug interactions orgenetic polymorphisms.

Characterization of Hepatic and Intestinal Glucuronidation of Magnolol: Application of the Relative Activity Factor Approach to Decipher the Contributions of Multiple UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Isoforms

Magnolol is a food additive that is often found in mints and gums. Human exposure to this compound can reach a high dose; thus, characterization of magnolol disposition in humans is very important. Previous studies indicated that magnolol can undergo extensive glucuronidation in humans in vivo. In this study, in vitro assays were used to characterize the glucuronidation pathway in human liver and intestine. Assays with recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes (UGTs) revealed that multiple UGT isoforms were involved in magnolol glucuronidation, including UGT1A1, -1A3, -1A7, -1A8, -1A9, -1A10, and -2B7. Magnolol glucuronidation by human liver microsomes (HLM), human intestine microsomes (HIM), and most recombinant UGTs exhibited strong substrate inhibition kinetics. The degree of substrate inhibition was relatively low in the case of UGT1A10, whereas the reaction catalyzed by UGT1A9 followed biphasic kinetics. Chemical inhibition studies and the relative activity factor (RAF) approach were used to identify the individual UGTs that played important roles in magnolol glucuronidation in HLM and HIM. The results indicate that UGT2B7 is mainly responsible for the reaction in HLM, whereas UGT2B7 and UGT1A10 are significant contributors in HIM. In summary, the current study clarifies the glucuronidation pathway of magnolol and demonstrates that the RAF approach can be used as an efficient method for deciphering the roles of individual UGTs in a given glucuronidation pathway in the native tissue that is catalyzed by multiple isoforms with variable and atypical kinetics.

Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of 4-Substituted Methoxybenzoyl-aryl-thiazoles

Tubulins are some of the oldest and most extensively studied therapeutic targets for cancer. Although many tubulin polymerizing and depolymerizing agents are known, the search for improved agents continues. We screened a class of tubulins targeting small molecules and identified 4-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-2-phenyl-thiazole (SMART-H) as our lead compound. SMART-H inhibited the proliferation of a variety of cancer cells in vitro, at subnanomolar IC(50), and in vivo, in nude mice xenografts, with near 100% tumor growth inhibition. Metabolic stability studies with SMART-H in liver microsomes of four species (mouse, rat, dog, and human) revealed half-lives between <5 and 30 min, demonstrating an interspecies variability. The clearance predicted based on in vitro data correlated well with in vivo clearance obtained from mouse, rat, and dog in vivo pharmacokinetic studies. SMART-H underwent four major metabolic processes, including ketone reduction, demethylation, combination of ketone reduction and demethylation, and hydroxylation in human liver microsomes. Metabolite identification studies revealed that the ketone and the methoxy groups of SMART-H were most labile and that ketone reduction was the dominant metabolism reaction in human liver microsomes. We designed and tested four derivatives of SMART-H to improve the metabolic stability. The oxime and hydrazide derivatives, replacing the ketone site, demonstrated a 2- to 3-fold improved half-life in human liver microsomes, indicating that our prediction regarding metabolic stability of SMART-H can be extended by blocking ketone reduction. These studies led us to the next generation of SMART compounds with greater metabolic stability and higher pharmacologic potency.

Effects of androgen and valproic acid treatment on androgen- dependent cell line (LnCaP-SF)

In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory potentials of finasteride for the major human hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT2B7, and UGT2B15) in vitro using LC–MS/MS by specific marker reactions in human liver microsomes (except for UGT2B15) or recombinant supersomes (UGT2B15). Of the seven tested UGTs, finasteride potently, selectively, and competitively inhibited UGT1A4-mediated trifluoperazine-N-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes with an IC50 value of 11.5 ± 1.78 μM and Ki value of 6.03 ± 0.291 μM. This inhibitory potency was similar to that of hecogenin, a well-known inhibitor of UGT1A4. However, finasteride did not seem to inhibit any of the other six UGTs: UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT2B7, or UGT2B15. Similarly, finasteride markedly inhibited UGT1A4 activity in recombinant human UGT1A4 supersomes, with a Ki value of 6.05 ± 0.410 μM. In addition, finasteride strongly inhibited UGT1A4-catalyzed imipramine-N-β-d-glucuronidation. However, on the basis of an in vitro–in vivo extrapolation, our data strongly suggested that finasteride is unlikely to cause clinically significant drug–drug interactions mediated via inhibition of the hepatic UGT enzymes involved in drug metabolism in vivo.

Effect of Commonly Used Organic Solvents on the Kinetics of Cytochrome P450 2B6- and 2C8-Dependent Activity in Human Liver Microsomes

The effect of common organic solvents on the activities of various human cytochromes P450 has been reported. However, very little is known about their influence on CYP2B6 and CYP2C8 enzymes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of solvents on the kinetics of representative CYP2B6 (bupropion hydroxylase) and CYP2C8 (paclitaxel hydroxylase) reactions in human liver microsomes. Methanol, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and acetonitrile were studied at increasing volumes (v/v). Acetonitrile, DMSO, and ethanol were shown to increase the Km and decrease the intrinsic clearance (CLint) of CYP2B6-mediated bupropion hydroxylation in a concentration-dependent manner. These solvents did not noticeably alter the Vmax at concentrations of < or =1% (v/v). Unlike the other solvents studied, the effect of methanol (< or =0.5%, v/v) on CYP2B6 kinetics was negligible. Both DMSO and ethanol increased the Km and decreased the CL(int) of CYP2C8-mediated paclitaxel hydroxylation in a concentration-dependent manner. Acetonitrile had minimal influence on CYP2C8 enzyme kinetics at concentrations of < or =1% (v/v). Methanol decreased the Km of paclitaxel at low concentrations followed by an increase at concentrations of > or =2% (v/v). This differential influence on Km resulted in an increased CLint at low concentrations followed by a decrease at high concentrations. The studied solvents had minimal influence on Vmax of paclitaxel. Collectively, DMSO and ethanol were not suitable for characterizing CYP2B6- and CYP2C8-mediated reactions because they showed concentration-dependent inhibition. Methanol and acetonitrile at concentrations of < or =0.5% and < or =1% (v/v) appeared to be suitable for the measurement of CYP2B6- and CYP2C8-mediated activities, respectively.

Diclofenac hydroxylation in monkeys: Efficiency, regioselectivity, and response to inhibitors

The catalytic efficiency, regioselectivity, and response to chemical inhibitors of diclofenac (DF) hydroxylation in three Old World monkey liver microsomes (rhesus, cynomolgus, and African green monkey) are different from those determined with human liver microsomes. In contrast to the high affinity–high capacity (low K m–high V max) characteristics of DF 4′-hydroxylation in humans, this reaction proceeded in all monkey species with catalytic efficiencies >20-fold lower. However, DF 5-hydroxylation, a negligible reaction in human liver microsomes, was kinetically favored in monkeys mainly due to the increased V max values. Chemical inhibitors (reversible or mechanism-based) selective to human CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 failed to differentiate monkey orthologs involved in DF hydroxylation. Immunoinhibition studies with monoclonal antibodies against human CYPs revealed the major contribution of CYP2C and CYP3A to 4′- and to 5-hydroxylation, respectively, in rhesus and cynomolgus liver microsomes. However, in African green monkeys, in addition to CYP2C, CYP3A also appeared to be involved in 4′-hydroxylation. Further studies with recombinant rhesus and African green monkey CYP2C and CYP3A enzymes (rhesus CYP2C75, 2C74, and 3A64; African green monkey CYP2C9agm and CYP3A4agm) confirmed the major role of CYP enzymes of these two subfamilies in DF 4′- and 5-hydroxylation. Clearly, while monkey CYP2C and 3A enzymes retain the same substrate selectivity towards DF hydroxylation as their human orthologs, their altered catalytic efficiency and response to chemical inhibitors may indicate different structural features of active sites as opposed to human orthologs.

Kinetic deuterium isotope effects for 7‐alkoxycoumarin O‐dealkylation reactions catalyzed by human cytochromes P450 and in liver microsomes

7-Ethoxy (OEt) coumarin has been used as a model substrate in many cytochrome P450 (P450) studies, including the use of kinetic isotope effects to probe facets of P450 kinetics. P450s 1A2 and 2E1 are known to be the major catalysts of 7-OEt coumarin O-deethylation in human liver microsomes. Human P450 1A2 also catalyzed 3-hydroxylation of 7-methoxy (OMe) coumarin at appreciable rates but P450 2E1 did not. Intramolecular kinetic isotope effects were used as estimates of the intrinsic kinetic deuterium isotope effects for both 7-OMe and 7-OEt coumarin dealkylation reactions. The apparent intrinsic isotope effect for P450 1A2 (9.4 for O-demethylation, 6.1 for O-deethylation) showed little attenuation in other competitive and noncompetitive experiments. With P450 2E1, the intrinsic isotope effect (9.6 for O-demethylation, 6.1 for O-deethylation) was attenuated in the noncompetitive intermolecular experiments. High noncompetitive intermolecular kinetic isotope effects were seen for 7-OEt coumarin O-deethylation in a baculovirus-based microsomal system and five samples of human liver microsomes (7.3-8.1 for O-deethylation), consistent with the view that P450 1A2 is the most efficient P450 catalyzing this reaction in human liver microsomes and indicating that the C-H bond-breaking step makes a major contribution to the rate of this P450 (1A2) reaction. Thus, the rate-limiting step appears to be the chemistry of the breaking of this bond by the activated iron-oxygen complex, as opposed to steps involved in the generation of the reactive complex. The conclusion about the rate-limiting step applies to all of the systems studied with this model P450 1A2 reaction including human liver microsomes, the most physiologically relevant.

Effect of gamma-oryzanol on cytochrome P450 activities in human liver microsomes.

The effects of gamma-oryzanol, a drug mainly used for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, on several cytochrome P450 (CYP) specific reactions in human liver microsomes were investigated to predict drug interactions with gamma-oryzanol in vivo from in vitro data. The following eight CYP catalytic reactions were used in this study: CYP1A1/2-mediated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, CYP2A6-mediated coumarin 7-hydroxylation, CYP2B6-mediated 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylation, CYP2C8/9-mediated tolbutamide methylhydroxylation, CYP2C19-mediated S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation, CYP2D6-mediated bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, CYP2E1-mediated chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, and CYP3A4-mediated testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. gamma-Oryzanol had little inhibitory effects on CYP activities, indicating that this compound would not be expected to cause clinically significant interactions with other CYP-metabolized drugs at expected therapeutic concentrations.

Cytochrome P450 3A4-mediated oxidative conversion of a cyano to an amide group in the metabolism of pinacidil.

The conversion of nitriles to amides is generally considered to be a hydrolytic process that does not involve redox chemistry. We demonstrate here that cytochrome P450 (CYP) is responsible for the conversion of the cyano group of pinacidil to the corresponding amide. The reaction in human liver microsomes was NADPH-dependent and was nearly completely inhibited by an anti-CYP3A4 antibody. Incubations of pinacidil with recombinant CYP enzymes confirm that CYP3A4 is the principal catalyst of this reaction. The kinetics of pinacidil amide formation by CYP3A4 yielded an apparent K(m) of 452 +/- 33 microM and k(cat) of 0.108 min(-1) (k(cat)/K(m) = 0.238 mM(-1).min(-1)). Incubation of pinacidil with CYP3A4 in the presence of (18)O(2) or H(2)(18)O showed that the amide carbonyl oxygen derived exclusively from molecular oxygen. The CYP3A4-mediated reaction also was supported by hydrogen peroxide when incubations were carried out in the absence of cytochrome P450 reductase and NADPH. The reaction can be explained by a nucleophilic attack of a deprotonated ferric peroxide intermediate (Fe(3+)-O-O(-)) on the carbon atom of the -C triple bond N triple bond to form an Enz-Fe(III)-O-O-C(=NH)R intermediate, followed by cleavage of the O-O bond to give pinacidil amide. This nucleophilic addition of an Fe(3+)-O-O(-) intermediate to a -C=N pi-bond in a P450 system resembles the analogous reaction catalyzed by the nitric oxide synthases.