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Stephen D Hall

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen D Hall.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The effect of anesthesia and surgery on CYP3A activity in rats.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of surgery and anesthesia on in vivo CYP3A activity and portal venous blood flow. Midazolam, a CYP3A probe for both rats and humans, was administered orally (2.7 mg), intravenously (0.57 mg), or via the portal vein (0.57 mg) to rats 4 h after anesthesia with ketamine/xylazine and surgery for placement of indwelling vascular and duodenal catheters and 3 days after surgery (chronic). The systemic clearance of midazolam was 51 +/- 4 ml/min/kg in the chronic animals, and this was significantly decreased (29 +/- 1 ml/min/kg, P = 0.024) in acute rats studied 4 to 6 h after anesthesia and surgery. The hepatic availability (FH), directly determined from the aortic and hepatic venous concentration gradient, was significantly higher in the acute animals (0.57 +/- 0.05) compared with the chronic animals (0.33 +/- 0.07, P = 0.001). Hepatic availability was determined using a classical approach in which FH was calculated from the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve ratio after portal venous or intravenous administration. FH was higher in the acute rats (0.48) compared with the chronic animals (0.27 +/- 0.03). Portal venous blood flow was significantly lower in the acute animals (5.0 +/- 0.4 ml/min/100 g body weight) compared with the chronic animals (9.1 +/- 0.9 ml/min/100 g body weight, P = 0.015). The effect of surgery and anesthesia was confirmed using the indicator dye dilution method after infusion of [14C]polyethylene glycol 4000 into the superior mesenteric artery. Our data suggest that anesthesia and surgery decreases both hepatic CYP3A activity and hepatic blood flow in rats. Studies performed in rats within 3 days of surgery and anesthesia are conducted under nonphysiologic conditions and therefore provide inaccurate assessment of drug disposition, in particular, clearance and bioavailability.

Anesthetics↗

The effect of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea root) on cytochrome P450 activity in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Echinacea is a widely available over-the-counter herbal remedy. Tinctures of echinacea have been shown to inhibit cytochrome P450 (CYP) in vitro. The effect of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea root) on CYP activity in vivo was assessed by use of the CYP probe drugs caffeine (CYP1A2), tolbutamide (CYP2C9), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), and midazolam (hepatic and intestinal CYP3A). METHODS: Twelve healthy subjects (6 men) completed this 2-period, open-label, fixed-schedule study. Caffeine, tolbutamide, dextromethorphan, and oral and intravenous midazolam were administered before and after a short course of echinacea (400 mg 4 times a day for 8 days) to determine in vivo CYP activities. RESULTS: Echinacea administration significantly increased the systemic clearance of midazolam by 34%, from 32 +/- 7 L/h to 43 +/- 16 L/h (P =.003; 90% confidence interval [CI], 116%-150%), and significantly reduced the midazolam area under the concentration-time curve by 23%, from 127 +/- 36 microg. h/L to 102 +/- 43 microg. h/L (P =.024; 90% CI, 63%-88%). In contrast, the oral clearance of midazolam was not significantly altered (P =.655; 90% CI, 75%-124%), 137 +/- 19 L/h compared with 146 +/- 71 L/h. The oral availability of midazolam after echinacea dosing was significantly increased (P =.028; 90% CI, 108%-153%), from 0.23 +/- 0.06 to 0.33 +/- 0.13. Hepatic availability (0.72 +/- 0.08 versus 0.61 +/- 0.16; P =.006; 90% CI, 73%-90%) and intestinal availability (0.33 +/- 0.11 versus 0.61 +/- 0.38; P =.015; 90% CI, 125%-203%) were significantly altered in opposite directions. Echinacea dosing significantly reduced the oral clearance of caffeine, from 6.6 +/- 3.8 L/h to 4.9 +/- 2.3 L/h (P =.049; 90% CI, 58%-96%). The oral clearance of tolbutamide was reduced by 11%, from 0.81 +/- 0.18 L/h to 0.72 +/- 0.19 L/h, but this change was not considered to be clinically relevant because the 90% CIs were within the 80% to 125% range. The oral clearance of dextromethorphan in 11 CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers was not affected by echinacea dosing (1289 +/- 414 L/h compared with 1281 +/- 483 L/h; P =.732; 90% CI, 89%-108%). CONCLUSIONS: Echinacea (E purpurea root) reduced the oral clearance of substrates of CYP1A2 but not the oral clearance of substrates of CYP2C9 and CYP2D6. Echinacea selectively modulates the catalytic activity of CYP3A at hepatic and intestinal sites. The type of drug interaction observed between echinacea and other CYP3A substrates will be dependent on the relative extraction of drugs at hepatic and intestinal sites. Caution should be used when echinacea is coadministered with drugs dependent on CYP3A or CYP1A2 for their elimination.

Administration, Oral↗

A general linear model for MEG beamformer imaging.

A new general linear model (GLM) beamformer method is described for processing magnetoencephalography (MEG) data. A standard nonlinear beamformer is used to determine the time course of neuronal activation for each point in a predefined source space. A Hilbert transform gives the envelope of oscillatory activity at each location in any chosen frequency band (not necessary in the case of sustained (DC) fields), enabling the general linear model to be applied and a volumetric T statistic image to be determined. The new method is illustrated by a two-source simulation (sustained field and 20 Hz) and is shown to provide accurate localization. The method is also shown to locate accurately the increasing and decreasing gamma activities to the temporal and frontal lobes, respectively, in the case of a scintillating scotoma. The new method brings the advantages of the general linear model to the analysis of MEG data and should prove useful for the localization of changing patterns of activity across all frequency ranges including DC (sustained fields).

Algorithms↗

Patients with elevated liver enzymes are not at higher risk for statin hepatotoxicity.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Studies that evaluate the risk of hepatotoxicity from statins in hyperlipidemic subjects with elevated baseline serum transaminases are lacking. We conducted a study to test the hypothesis that patients with elevated baseline liver enzymes have higher risk of statin hepatotoxicity. METHODS: Our study consisted of the following 3 cohorts of patients seen between January 1, 1998 and June 31, 2002: Cohort 1: 342 hyperlipidemic patients with elevated baseline enzymes (AST >40 IU/L or ALT >35 IU/L) who were prescribed a statin; cohort 2: 1437 hyperlipidemic patients with normal transaminases who were prescribed a statin; and cohort 3: 2245 patients with elevated liver enzymes but who were not prescribed a statin. The effect of statins on liver biochemistries was assessed over a 6-month period after statins were prescribed. Elevations in liver biochemistries during follow-up were categorized into mild-moderate or severe based on predefined criteria. RESULTS: The incidence of mild-moderate elevations and severe elevations in liver biochemistries in cohort 1 were 4.7% and 0.6%, respectively. Compared with cohort 1, individuals in cohort 2 had lower incidence of mild-moderate elevations (1.9%, P = 0.002) but not severe elevations (0.2%, P = 0.2). However, between cohorts 1 and 3, there were no differences in the incidence of mild-moderate elevations (4.7% vs. 6.4%, respectively, P = 0.2) or severe elevations (0.6% vs. 0.4%, respectively, P = 0.6). Statin discontinuation during the follow-up was similar between cohorts 1 and 2 (11.1% vs. 10.7%, respectively, P = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that individuals with elevated baseline liver enzymes do not have higher risk for hepatotoxicity from statins.

Adult↗

Spatio-temporal imaging of cortical desynchronization in migraine visual aura: a magnetoencephalography case study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine cortical oscillatory changes involved in migraine visual aura using magnetoencephalography (MEG). BACKGROUND: Visual aura in the form of scintillating scotoma precedes migraine in many cases. The involvement of cortical spreading depression within striate and extra-striate cortical areas is implicated in the generation of the disturbance, but the details of its progression, the effects on cortical oscillations, and the mechanisms of aura generation are unclear. METHODS: We used MEG to directly image changes in cortical oscillatory power during an episode of scintillating scotoma in a patient who experiences aura without subsequent migraine headache. Using the synthetic aperture magnetometry method of MEG source imaging, focal changes in cortical oscillatory power were observed over a 20-minute period and visualized in coregistration with the patient's magnetic resonance image. RESULTS: Alpha band desynchronization in both the left extra-striate and temporal cortex persisted for the duration of reported visual disturbance, terminating abruptly upon disappearance of scintillations. Gamma frequency desynchronization in the left temporal lobe continued for 8 to 10 minutes following the reported end of aura. CONCLUSIONS: Observations implicate the extra-striate and temporal cortex in migraine visual aura and suggest involvement of alpha desynchronization in generation of phosphenes and gamma desynchronization in sustained inhibition of visual function.

Cortical Synchronization↗

Prediction of cytochrome P450 3A inhibition by verapamil enantiomers and their metabolites.

Verapamil inhibition of CYP3A activity results in many drug-drug interactions with CYP3A substrates, but the mechanism of inhibition is unclear. The present study showed that verapamil enantiomers and their major metabolites [norverapamil and N-desalkylverapamil (D617)] inhibited CYP3A in a time- and concentration-dependent manner by using pooled human liver microsomes and the cDNA-expressed CYP3A4 (+b5). The values of the inactivation kinetic parameters kinact and KI obtained with the cDNA-expressed CYP3A4 (+b5) were 0.39 min(-1) and 6.46 microM for R-verapamil, 0.64 min(-1) and 2.97 microM for S-verapamil, 1.12 min(-1) and 5.89 microM for (+/-)-norverapamil, and 0.07 min(-1) and 7.93 microM for D617. Based on the ratio of kinact and KI, the inactivation potency of verapamil enantiomers and their metabolites was in the following order: S-norverapamil>S-verapamil>R-norverapamil>R-verapamil>D617. Using dual beam spectrophotometry, we confirmed that metabolic intermediate complex formation with CYP3A was the mechanism of inactivation for all compounds. The in vitro unbound fraction was 0.84 for S-verapamil, 0.68 for R-verapamil, and 0.84 for (+/-)-norverapamil. A mechanism-based pharmacokinetic model predicted that the oral area under the curve (AUC) of a CYP3A substrate that is eliminated completely (fm=1) by the hepatic CYP3A increased 1.6- to 2.2-fold after repeated oral administration of verapamil. For midazolam (fm=0.9), a drug that undergoes extensive intestinal wall metabolism, the predicted increase in oral AUC was 3.2- to 4.5-fold. The predicted results correlate well with the in vivo drug interaction data, suggesting that the model is suitable for predicting drug interactions by mechanism-based inhibitors.

Administration, Oral↗

The cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) is the main catalyst of efavirenz primary and secondary metabolism: implication for HIV/AIDS therapy and utility of efavirenz as a substrate marker of CYP2B6 catalytic activity.

We used human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant cytochromes P450 (P450s) to identify the routes of efavirenz metabolism and the P450s involved. In HLMs, efavirenz undergoes primary oxidative hydroxylation to 8-hydroxyefavirenz (major) and 7-hydroxyefavirenz (minor) and secondary metabolism to 8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz. The formation of 8-hydroxyefavirenz in two HLMs showed sigmoidal kinetics (average apparent Km, 20.2 micro M; Vmax, 140 pmol/min/mg protein; and Hill coefficient, 1.5), whereas that of 7-hydroxyefavirenz formation was characterized by hyperbolic kinetics (Km, 40.1 micro M and Vmax, 20.5 pmol/min/mg protein). In a panel of 10 P450s, CYP2B6 formed 8-hydroxyefavirenz and 8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz from efavirenz (10 micro M) at the highest rate. The Km value for the formation of 8-hydroxyefavirenz in CYP2B6 derived from hyperbolic Eq. 12.4 micro M) was close to that obtained in HLMs (Km, 20.2 micro M). None of the P450s tested showed activity toward 7-hydroxylation of efavirenz. When 8-hydroxyefavirenz (2.5 micro M) was used as a substrate, 8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz was formed by CYP2B6 at the highest rate, and its kinetics showed substrate inhibition (Ksi, approximately 94 micro M in HLMs and approximately 234 micro M in CYP2B6). In a panel of 11 HLMs, 8-hydroxyefavirenz and 8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz formation rates from efavirenz (10 micro M) correlated significantly with the activity of CYP2B6 and CYP3A. N,N',N"-Triethylenethiophosphoramide (thioTEPA; 50 micro M) inhibited the formation rates of 8-hydroxyefavirenz and 8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz from efavirenz (10 micro M) by > or = 60% in HLMs) and CYP2B6, with Ki values < 4 micro M. In conclusion, CYP2B6 is the principal catalyst of efavirenz sequential hydroxylation. Efavirenz systemic exposure is likely to be subject to interindividual variability in CYP2B6 activity and to drug interactions involving this isoform. Efavirenz may be a valuable phenotyping tool to study the role of CYP2B6 in human drug metabolism.

Alkynes↗

The interaction between St John's wort and an oral contraceptive.

OBJECTIVES: The popular herbal remedy St John's wort is an inducer of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A enzymes and may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives. Therefore we evaluated the effect of St John's wort on the disposition and efficacy of Ortho-Novum 1/35 (Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc, Raritan, NJ), a popular combination oral contraceptive pill containing ethinyl estradiol (INN, ethinylestradiol) and norethindrone (INN, norethisterone). METHODS: Twelve healthy premenopausal women who were using oral contraception (>3 months) received a combination oral contraceptive pill (Ortho-Novum 1/35) for 3 consecutive 28-day menstrual cycles. During the second and third cycles, the participants received 300 mg St John's wort 3 times a day. The serum concentrations of ethinyl estradiol (day 7), norethindrone (day 7), follicle-stimulating hormone (days 12-16), luteinizing hormone (days 12-16), progesterone (day 21), and intravenous and oral midazolam (days 22 and 23) were determined in serial blood samples. The incidence of breakthrough bleeding was quantified during the first and third cycles. RESULTS: Concomitant use of St John's wort was associated with a significant (P <.05) increase in the oral clearance of norethindrone (8.2 +/- 2.7 L/h to 9.5 +/- 3.4 L/h, P =.042) and a significant reduction in the half-life of ethinyl estradiol (23.4 +/- 19.5 hours to 12.2 +/- 7.1 hours, P =.023). The oral clearance of midazolam was significantly increased (109.2 +/- 47.9 L/h to 166.7 +/- 81.3 L/h, P =.007) during St John's wort administration, but the systemic clearance of midazolam was unchanged (37.7 +/- 11.3 L/h to 39.0 +/- 10.3 L/h, P =.567). Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone were not significantly affected by St John's wort dosing (P >.05). Breakthrough bleeding occurred in 2 of 12 women in the control phase compared with 7 of 12 women in the St John's wort phase. The oral clearance of midazolam after St John's wort dosing was greater in women who had breakthrough bleeding (215.9 +/- 66.5 L/h) than in those who did not (97.5 +/- 37.2 L/h) (P =.005). CONCLUSION: St John's wort causes an induction of ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone metabolism consistent with increased CYP3A activity. Women taking oral contraceptive pills should be counseled to expect breakthrough bleeding and should consider adding a barrier method of contraception when consuming St Johns wort.

Administration, Oral↗

The effect of age, sex, and rifampin administration on intestinal and hepatic cytochrome P450 3A activity.

BACKGROUND: The relative susceptibility of intestinal and hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A to induction by rifampin (INN, rifampicin), as a function of age and sex, was investigated with the CYP3A substrate midazolam. METHODS: Fourteen young women (mean age, 26 +/- 4 years), 14 young men (mean age, 27 +/- 4 years), 14 elderly women (mean age, 72 +/- 5 years), and 10 elderly men (mean age, 70 +/- 4 years) received simultaneous intravenous doses (0.05 mg/kg over a 30-minute period) and oral doses of midazolam (3-8 mg of a stable isotope, (15)N(3)-midazolam) before and after 7 days of rifampin dosing (600 mg once daily in the evening). Serum and urine samples were assayed for midazolam, (15)N(3)-midazolam, and metabolites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: No significant difference (P > or =.05) in the baseline systemic and oral clearance of midazolam was observed between male and female or young and old volunteers. Rifampin significantly (P <.0001) increased the systemic and oral clearance of midazolam from 0.44 +/- 0.2 L. h/kg and 1.56 +/- 0.8 L x h/kg to 0.96 +/- 0.3 L x h/kg and 34.4 +/- 21.2 L x h/kg, respectively. Likewise, the oral clearance of midazolam was significantly (P <.0001) increased in women and men, from 1.64 +/- 0.87 L x kg/h and 1.46 +/- 0.7 L x kg/h to 28.4 +/- 13.2 L x kg/h and 41.6 +/- 26.5 L x kg/h, respectively. A significant (P =.0023) effect of sex was noted in the extent of induction of the oral clearance of midazolam, being greater in men than in women. In contrast, the extent of midazolam systemic clearance induction was greater in women than in men (P =.0107). Age did not influence the extent of intestinal and hepatic CYP3A induction as determined by the oral and systemic clearance of midazolam. Rifampin dosing significantly (P <.0001) reduced the oral availability by 88%, from 0.32 +/- 0.13 to 0.04 +/- 0.02. Correspondingly, hepatic and intestinal availabilities were significantly (P <.0001) reduced after rifampin administration. After rifampin, the correlation coefficient for the relationship between oral availability and intestinal availability was significantly (P <.0001) reduced from 0.96 to 0.67, which reflects the increasing contribution of hepatic extraction to the determination of midazolam oral availability. A significant nonlinear inverse relationship was observed between the percent change in systemic clearance of midazolam and the initial baseline midazolam systemic clearance (r = -0.68, N = 52, P <.0001). Likewise, a significant inverse relationship was observed between the percent change in oral clearance and the baseline oral clearance (r = -0.39, N = 52, P =.0041). A significant inverse relationship between the ratio of hepatic intrinsic clearance in the presence of rifampin to that in the absence of rifampin and the corresponding ratio of intestinal intrinsic clearance was observed (Spearman correlation coefficient [r] = -0.68, P <.0001) and indicates that in a given individual the extent of induction was high at either the hepatic or the intestinal site but not both. CONCLUSION: Sex-related differences exist in the extent of intestinal and hepatic CYP3A induction by rifampin. The extent of induction at hepatic and intestinal sites was inversely dependent and reflected the independent regulation of CYP3A expression at these sites. The large interindividual variation in the extent of induction is explained in part by the variation in baseline expression of CYP3A. Sex-related differences in response to CYP3A inducers will be substrate-dependent and reflect the relative contribution of hepatic and intestinal sites of metabolism.

Administration, Oral↗

Diabetes mellitus increases the in vivo activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 in humans.

AIMS: Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is thought to activate a number of protoxins, and has been implicated in the development of liver disease. Increased hepatic expression of CYP2E1 occurs in rat models of diabetes but it is unclear whether human diabetics display a similar up-regulation. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that human diabetics experience enhanced CYP2E1 expression. METHODS: The pharmacokinetics of a single dose of chlorzoxazone (500 mg), used as an index of hepatic CYP2E1 activity, was determined in healthy subjects (n = 10), volunteers with Type I (n = 13), and Type II (n = 8) diabetes mellitus. Chlorzoxazone and 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone in serum and urine were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The expression of CYP2E1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was quantified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mean +/- s.d. (90% confidence interval of the difference) chlorzoxazone area under the plasma concentration-time curve was significantly (P </= 0.05) reduced in obese Type II diabetics (15.7 +/- 11.3 micro g h ml-1; 9, 22) compared with healthy subjects (43.5 +/- 16.9 micro g h ml-1; 16, 40) and Type I diabetics (32.8 +/- 9.2 micro g h ml-1; 9, 25). There was a significant two-fold increase in the oral clearance of chlorzoxazone in obese Type II diabetics compared with healthy volunteers and Type I diabetics. The protein binding of chlorzoxazone was not significantly different between the three groups. In contrast, Type 1 diabetics and healthy volunteers demonstrated no difference in the oral clearance of chlorzoxazone. The urinary recovery of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone as a percentage of the administered dose was not different between healthy, Type I and obese Type II diabetics. The elimination half-life of chlorzoxazone did not differ between the three groups. CYP2E1 mRNA was significantly elevated in Type I and obese Type II diabetics compared with healthy volunteers. The oral clearance of chlorzoxazone, elimination half-life, Tmax, and Cmax were not significantly influenced by weight, body mass index, serum glucose, serum cholesterol, or glycosylated haemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: There was a marked increase in hepatic CYP2E1 activity in obese Type II diabetics as assessed by chlorzoxazone disposition. Increased expression of CYP2E1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was found in both types of diabetes mellitus. Adverse hepatic events associated with Type II diabetes may be in part a result of enhanced CYP2E1 expression and activity.

Adolescent↗

Hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 activity in nondiabetic patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in animal models, but its role in the pathogenesis of human NASH is unclear. Therefore, we measured hepatic CYP2E1 activity and its correlates in a cohort of nondiabetic patients with NASH (NDN) and controls to explore its role in the pathogenesis of human NASH. Hepatic CYP2E1 activity was assessed using the oral clearance (CL(PO)) of chlorzoxazone (CHZ) in 20 NDN and 17 age, gender, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. The relationship between hepatic CYP2E1 activity and demographic and anthropometric variables; fasting levels of insulin, glucose, lipids, and beta-OH butyrate; insulin resistance; and nocturnal hypoxemia was assessed. Furthermore, expression of CYP2E1 in the peripheral lymphocytes was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The CL(PO) of CHZ was significantly (P =.03) greater in NDN (41 +/- 12 L/h) compared with controls (33 +/- 16 L/h). Lymphocyte CYP2E1 messenger RNA was significantly higher in NDN compared with controls (11.5 x 10(3) +/- 10 x 10(3) vs. 2.6 x 10(3) +/- 1.2 x 10(3) molecules/microg total RNA, respectively, P <.001). On univariate analysis, BMI, respiratory quotient, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, insulin, insulin resistance, hypoxemia, and beta-OH butyrate significantly correlated with hepatic CYP2E1 activity. However, on stepwise regression analysis, only nocturnal hypoxemia (r = 0.50, P =.009) and beta-OH butyrate (r = 0.37, P =.04) were independent predictors of hepatic CYP2E1 activity. In conclusion, hepatic CYP2E1 activity and lymphocyte CYP2E1 expression are enhanced in NDN. The significant correlations noted between CYP2E1 and hypoxemia and beta-OH butyrate suggest that these factors play a role in increased CYP2E1 activity that is seen in patients with NASH.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

The effects of an oral contraceptive containing ethinyloestradiol and norgestrel on CYP3A activity.

AIMS: To examine the effects of an oral contraceptive containing ethinyloestradiol and norgestrel on intestinal and hepatic CYP3A activity using midazolam as a probe substrate. METHODS: In a nonblinded sequential study, nine healthy women received simultaneous doses of intravenous midazolam (0.05 mg kg(-1)) and oral 15N3-midazolam (3 mg) on days 0, 4, 6, 8, and 14. On study day 5, Ovral(50 microg ethinyloestradiol/500 microg norgestrel) was administered for 10 days. Serum and urine samples were assayed for midazolam, 15N3-midazolam and metabolites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) was used to assess changes in the pharmacodynamic activity of midazolam. RESULTS: Moderate (% CV 26-46) interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of midazolam were observed. Compared with baseline, AUC(0,infinity)iv ratios (95% CIs) after 2, 4, and 10 days treatment with OC were 89% (79, 101), 96% (85, 109), and 88% (77, 99), respectively. The AUC(0,infinity)oral ratios (95% CIs) were 101% (82, 125), 105% (85, 130), and 114% (92, 141), respectively, after 2, 4, and 10 days OC treatment compared with baseline. Concomitant administration of the oral contraceptive, Ovral for 2, 4 or 10 days did not significantly alter the area under the curve, clearance, or half-life of midazolam after either oral or intravenous administration. No alterations in pharmacodynamic effects of midazolam were observed between treatment days. Mean DSST scores strongly correlated with mean total midazolam blood concentrations (r = -0.936). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of Ovral for 10 days had no impact on intestinal or hepatic CYP3A activity as determined by midazolam metabolism.

Adult↗

Effect of St John's wort on the pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine.

BACKGROUND: St John's wort is a popular over-the-counter dietary supplement and herbal remedy that has been implicated in drug interactions with several substrates of P-glycoprotein. The effect of St John's wort on P-glycoprotein activity in vivo was examined with use of fexofenadine as selective probe drug. METHODS: A 3-period, open-label, fixed-schedule study design was used. Fexofenadine, 60 mg, was administered orally before administration of St John's wort, with a single dose of St John's wort (900 mg), and after 2 weeks of treatment with St John's wort (300 mg 3 times a day) to determine P-glycoprotein activity. RESULTS: A single dose of St John's wort significantly (P <.05) increased the maximum plasma concentration of fexofenadine by 45% and significantly (P <.05) decreased the oral clearance by 20%, with no change in half-life or renal clearance. Long-term administration of St John's wort did not cause a significant change in fexofenadine disposition relative to the untreated phase. Compared with the single-dose treatment phase, long-term St John's wort caused a significant 35% decrease (P <.05) in maximum plasma concentration and a significant 47% increase (P <.05) in fexofenadine oral clearance. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of St John's wort resulted in a significant inhibition of intestinal P-glycoprotein. Long-term treatment with St John's wort reversed the changes in fexofenadine disposition observed with single-dose administration.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Induction of multidrug resistance-1 and cytochrome P450 mRNAs in human mononuclear cells by rifampin.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative, competitive RT-PCR were used to examine the capability of rifampin to induce the expression of mRNA derived from multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1) and drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (P450) genes in the mononuclear fraction (lymphocytes) of human blood. A total of 50 healthy volunteers (age, 18-74) participated in two studies in which 600 mg of rifampin was administered orally once daily in the evening for 7 days. Twenty of these individuals also received fexofenadine before and after rifampin dosing. MDR1 and CYP2C8 mRNAs were expressed in 100% (50 of 50) and 95% (35 of 37) of individuals, respectively, at baseline. A significant (P < 0.05; n = 37) increase in the expression of MDR1 mRNA from 176,900 +/- 122,000 to 248,500 +/- 162,300 molecules/microg of RNA was observed following rifampin administration in the human lymphocytes. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in MDR1 mRNA expression between males and females at baseline. Interestingly, 58% of the individuals (n = 29) demonstrated a 120% increase [95% confidence interval (CI); 120%; range, 81-153%; responders] in MDR1 mRNA expression. In contrast, the remaining 42% of individuals (n = 21) exhibited a mean decrease of -5.2% (95% CI; -5.2%; range, -15 to +4%; nonresponders). Rifampin steady-state trough serum concentrations were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between responders and nonresponders. Likewise, there was no relationship between the observed induction in MDR1 mRNA expression in lymphocytes and the observed increase in fexofenadine oral clearance in twenty volunteers. The mRNA of CYP2E1, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, CYP4A11, and CYP4B1 genes were variably expressed at baseline and following rifampin treatment. In contrast, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 mRNAs were undetectable in lymphocytes both before and after rifampin dosing. Interindividual variability in baseline expression and inducibility of MDR1 and P450 mRNA in human lymphocytes appeared to be substantial and may not reflect the expression of these enzymes in other tissues.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Differential modulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)-catalyzed estradiol-3-glucuronidation by the addition of UGT1A1 substrates and other compounds to human liver microsomes.

Previous results demonstrating homotropic activation of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1-catalyzed estradiol-3-glucuronidation led us to investigate the effects of 16 compounds on estradiol glucuronidation by human liver microsomes (HLM). In confirmation of previous work using alamethicin-treated HLM pooled from four livers, UGT1A1-catalyzed estradiol-3-glucuronidation demonstrated homotropic activation kinetics (S(50) = 22 microM, Hill coefficient, n = 1.9) whereas estradiol-17-glucuronidation (catalyzed by other UGT enzymes) followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K(m) = 7 microM). Modulatory effects of the following compounds were investigated: bilirubin, eight flavonoids, 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (17alpha-EE), estriol, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), anthraflavic acid, retinoic acid, morphine, and ibuprofen. Although the classic UGT1A1 substrate bilirubin was a weak competitive inhibitor of estradiol-3-glucuronidation, the estrogens and anthraflavic acid activated or inhibited estradiol-3-glucuronidation dependent on substrate and effector concentrations. For example, at substrate concentrations of 5 and 10 microM, estradiol-3-glucuronidation activity was stimulated by as much as 80% by low concentrations of 17alpha-EE but was unaltered by flavanone. However, at higher substrate concentrations (25-100 microM) estradiol-3-glucuronidation was inhibited by about 55% by both compounds. Anthraflavic acid and PhIP were also stimulators of estradiol 3-glucuronidation at low substrate concentrations. The most potent inhibitor of estradiol 3-glucuronidation was the flavonoid tangeretin. The UGT2B7 substrates morphine and ibuprofen had no effect on estradiol 3-glucuronidation, whereas retinoic acid was slightly inhibitory. Estradiol-17-glucuronidation was inhibited by 17alpha-EE, estriol, and naringenin but was not activated by any compound. This study demonstrates that the interactions of substrates and inhibitors at the active site of UGT1A1 are complex, yielding both activation and competitive inhibition kinetics.

Algorithms↗

The influence of L-glutamine on the depression of hepatic cytochrome P450 activity in male rats caused by total parenteral nutrition.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) bypasses the gut leading to intestinal and hepatic dysfunction, including decreased hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) activity. Glutamine prevents the TPN-associated changes in gut function and morphology. This study examined the effect of glutamine supplementation on hepatic P450 activities in male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving continuous TPN. Animals received continuous lipid-free TPN for 7 days with 0, 0.1, or 4.5% glutamine. Surgical controls were allowed free access to rat chow. The V(max)/K(m) ratios (intrinsic clearance) for the formation of 4-hydroxymidazolam (CYP3A) were 12.8, 14.6, and 27.7 microl/min/mg for TPN treatment with 0, 0.1%, or 4.5% glutamine, respectively, compared with a chow-fed control (37.1 microl/min/mg). The corresponding values for 1'-hydroxymidazolam formation (CYP3A) were 3.7, 6.1, 11.7, and 15.2 microl/min/mg, respectively. The addition of glutamine to TPN similarly affected the formation rates for 2beta- and 6beta-hydroxytestosterone (CYP3A), and these metabolite formation rates were highly correlated (r = 0.865; p < 0.001). The formation rates for 2alpha- and 16alpha-hydroxytestosterone (CYP2C) were also highly correlated (r = 0.892; p < 0.001). Parenteral glutamine modified the TPN-associated suppression of CYP3A and CYP2C activities in adult male rats receiving TPN.

Animals↗

Comparative metabolic capabilities of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7.

The human cytochromes P450 (P450) CYP3A contribute to the biotransformation of 50% of oxidatively metabolized drugs. The predominant hepatic form is CYP3A4, but recent evidence indicates that CYP3A5 contributes more significantly to the total liver CYP3A than was originally thought. CYP3A7 is the major fetal form and is rarely expressed in adults. To compare the metabolic capabilities of CYP3A forms for 10 substrates, incubations were performed using a consistent molar ratio (1:7:9) of recombinant CYP3A, P450 reductase, and cytochrome b5. A wide range of substrate concentrations was examined to determine the best fit to kinetic models for metabolite formation. In general, K(m) or S(50) values for the substrates were 3 to 4 times lower for CYP3A4 than for CYP3A5 or CYP3A7. For a more direct comparison of these P450 forms, clearance to the metabolites was determined as a linear relationship of rate of metabolite formation for the lowest substrate concentrations examined. The clearance for 1'-hydroxy midazolam formation at low substrate concentrations was similar for CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. For CYP3A5 versus CYP3A4, clearance values at low substrate concentrations were 2 to 20 times lower for the other biotransformations. The clearance values for CYP3A7-catalyzed metabolite formation at low substrate concentrations were substantially lower than for CYP3A4 or CYP3A5, except for clarithromycin, 4-OH triazolam, and N-desmethyl diltiazem (CYP3A5 - CYP3A7). The CYP3A forms demonstrated regioselective differences in some of the biotransformations. These results demonstrate an equal or reduced metabolic capability for CYP3A5 compared with CYP3A4 and a significantly lower capability for CYP3A7.

Alprazolam↗