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Animal species used in the preclinical studies for development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs are surveyed in this review. Relevant animal species for preclinical studies of mAb candidates are those express desired epitope of mAb candidates. Cynomolgus monkeys cross-react with mAb drugs much higher than other animal species commonly used in preclinical studies such as absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME), efficacy, and toxicity studies, for development of new drugs. Moreover, plasma exposure of the mAb drugs in humans is predicted well from the exposure in the monkeys, and the placental transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG, all the mAb drugs contain IgG) from mother to fetus is similar between humans and the monkeys from a viewpoint of time course and plasma level of IgG transferred. These observed findings indicate that the monkeys are the most suitable animal species used in the ADME and toxicity studies for development of new mAb drugs.

Cynomolgus monkeys are frequently used in preclinical studies for new drug development due to their evolutionary closeness to humans. An antiretroviral drug efavirenz is a typical probe substrate for human cytochrome P450 (P450) 2B6, but is mainly metabolized by cynomolgus monkey P450 2C9. In this study, plasma concentrations of efavirenz were assessed in six cynomolgus monkeys genotyped for P450 2C9 c.334A > C (I112L) (three wild-type, one heterozygote, and two homozygotes) by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. After intravenous administration at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, biphasic plasma elimination curves of efavirenz were seen in these cynomolgus monkeys. Plasma concentrations of primary metabolite 8-hydroxyefavirenz (1 hour after treatment, with hydrolysis by β-glucuronidase) in wild-type group mean was significantly higher (4.0-fold) than the combined heterozygous and homozygous group mean. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve values of efavirenz in the homozygous group monkey after oral administration at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg was significantly higher (2.0-fold) than the combined wild-type and heterozygous group. These results collectively indicated that P450 2C9 c.334A > C (I112L) variation was associated with efavirenz metabolic clearance in vivo. Cynomolgus P450 2C9 polymorphism might account for interindividual variations of efavirenz metabolism in cynomolgus monkeys. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Cynomolgus monkeys are widely used in drug developmental stages as non-human primate models. Previous studies used 89 compounds to investigate species differences associated with cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) function that reported monkey specific CYP2C76 cleared 19 chemicals, and homologous CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 metabolized 17 and 30 human CYP2C9 and/or CYP2C19 substrates/inhibitors, respectively. In the present study, 22 compounds selected from viewpoints of global drug interaction guidances and guidelines were further evaluated to seek potential substrates for monkey CYP2C8, which is highly homologous to human CYP2C8 (92%). Amodiaquine, montelukast, quercetin and rosiglitazone, known as substrates or competitive inhibitors of human CYP2C8, were metabolically depleted by recombinant monkey CYP2C8 at relatively high rates. Taken together with our reported findings of the slow eliminations of amodiaquine and montelukast by monkey CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2C76, the present results suggest that these at least four chemicals may be good marker substrates for monkey CYP2C8. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cynomolgus monkeys are used widely in preclinical studies as non-human primate species. The amino acid sequence of cynomolgus monkey cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) 2C19 is reportedly highly correlated to that of human CYP2C19 (92%) and CYP2C9 (93%). In the present study, 89 commercially available compounds were screened to find potential substrates for cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19. Of 89 drugs, 34 were metabolically depleted by cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19 with relatively high rates. Among them, 30 compounds have been reported as substrates or inhibitors of, either or both, human CYP2C19 and CYP2C9. Several compounds, including loratadine, showed high selectivity to cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19, and all of these have been reported as human CYP2C19 and/or CYP2C9 substrates. In addition, cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19 formed the same loratadine metabolite as human CYP2C19, descarboethoxyloratadine. These results suggest that cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19 is generally similar to human CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 in its substrate recognition functionality.

Cynomolgus monkeys are widely used as primate models in preclinical studies, because of their evolutionary closeness to humans. In humans, the cytochrome P450 (P450) 2C enzymes are important drug-metabolizing enzymes and highly expressed in livers. The CYP2C enzymes, including CYP2C9, are also expressed abundantly in cynomolgus monkey liver and metabolize some endogenous and exogenous substances like testosterone, S-mephenytoin, and diclofenac. However, comprehensive evaluation regarding substrate specificity of monkey CYP2C9 has not been conducted. In the present study, 89 commercially available drugs were examined to find potential monkey CYP2C9 substrates. Among the compounds screened, 20 drugs were metabolized by monkey CYP2C9 at a relatively high rates. Seventeen of these compounds were substrates or inhibitors of human CYP2C9 or CYP2C19, whereas three drugs were not, indicating that substrate specificity of monkey CYP2C9 resembled those of human CYP2C9 or CYP2C19, with some differences in substrate specificities. Although efavirenz is known as a marker substrate for human CYP2B6, efavirenz was not oxidized by CYP2B6 but by CYP2C9 in monkeys. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that monkey CYP2C9 and human CYP2B6 formed the same mono- and di-oxidized metabolites of efavirenz at 8 and 14 positions. These results suggest that the efavirenz 8-oxidation could be one of the selective markers for cynomolgus monkey CYP2C9 among the major three CYP2C enzymes tested. Therefore, monkey CYP2C9 has the possibility of contributing to limited specific differences in drug oxidative metabolism between cynomolgus monkeys and humans.

The fraction of substrate metabolized (fm ) can be used to estimate drug interactions and can be determined by comparison of the intrinsic clearances (CLint ) of victim drugs obtained from inhibited and uninhibited hepatic enzymes. Commercially available human liver microsomes were recently developed in which one cytochrome P450 (P450) isoform is selectively inactivated. These inactivated liver microsomes were used to evaluate the roles of P450 2C isoforms in the depletion and oxidation of probe substrates. Determination of CLint with sets of control and P450 2C9-inactivated liver microsomes yielded fm,P450 2C9 values of 0.69-1.0 for celecoxib, diclofenac and warfarin. Apparent minor contributions of P450 1A2/2C8/3A4 were seen in depletion assays, yielding ~1 for the sum of the fm values. Selectively inactivated liver microsomes were thereby shown to be potentially useful for determining the in vitro fm values for major P450 2C9 contributions to substrate oxidations. Metabolite formations from diclofenac and warfarin were suppressed by 62-84% by the replacement of control liver microsomes with P450 2C9-inactivated liver microsomes. R-, S- and racemic omeprazole and troglitazone oxidation activities by liver microsomes at multiple substrate concentrations were suppressed by 26-36% and 22-50%, respectively, when P450 2C19- and 2C8-inactivated liver microsomes were used in place of control liver microsomes. This study provides important information to help elucidate the different roles of P450 isoforms in metabolite formation at different substrate concentrations. The data obtained allow the fractions metabolized to be calculated for victim drugs.

Cynomolgus monkeys are widely used in preclinical studies during drug development because of their evolutionary closeness to humans, including their cytochrome P450s (P450s). Most cynomolgus monkey P450s are almost identical (≥90%) to human P450s; however, CYP2C76 has low sequence identity (approximately 80%) to any human CYP2Cs. Although CYP2C76 has no ortholog in humans and is partly responsible for species differences in drug metabolism between cynomolgus monkeys and humans, a broad evaluation of potential substrates for CYP2C76 has not yet been conducted. In this study, a screening of 89 marketed compounds, including human CYP2C and non-CYP2C substrates or inhibitors, was conducted to find potential CYP2C76 substrates. Among the compounds screened, 19 chemicals were identified as substrates for CYP2C76, including substrates for human CYP1A2 (7-ethoxyresorufin), CYP2B6 (bupropion), CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan), and CYP3A4/5 (dextromethorphan and nifedipine), and inhibitors for CYP2B6 (sertraline, clopidogrel, and ticlopidine), CYP2C8 (quercetin), CYP2C19 (ticlopidine and nootkatone), and CYP3A4/5 (troleandomycin). CYP2C76 metabolized a wide variety of the compounds with diverse structures. Among them, bupropion and nifedipine showed high selectivity to CYP2C76. As for nifedipine, CYP2C76 formed methylhydroxylated nifedipine, which was not produced by monkey CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP3A4, as identified by mass spectrometry and estimated by a molecular docking simulation. This unique oxidative metabolite formation of nifedipine could be one of the selective marker reactions of CYP2C76 among the major CYP2Cs and CYP3As tested. These results suggest that monkey CYP2C76 contributes to bupropion hydroxylation and formation of different nifedipine oxidative metabolites as a result of its relatively large substrate cavity.

Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), a heterodimer of MHC class I-like protein and β2-microglobulin, encoded by FCGRT and B2M, respectively, is important for recycling immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by binding with the Fc region of IgG. Cynomolgus macaques are important animal species used in the evaluation of therapeutic antibodies, largely due to sequence similarities of target proteins to those of humans. Because the function of FcRn could be modified by mutations in FCGRT or B2M, 71 cynomolgus and 24 rhesus macaques were analyzed in the present study. A total of 21 variants were identified, of which 4 were non-synonymous in FCGRT. Fifteen variants were unique to cynomolgus macaques, of which 3, 2, and 5 were unique to cynomolgus macaques bred in China (MacfaCHN), Cambodia (MacfaCAM), and Indonesia (MacfaIDN), respectively. Five variants were shared by MacfaCHN and MacfaCAM, but not by MacfaIDN. In B2M, only 5 variants were found, including 2 non-synonymous variants. Tissue expression analysis showed that cynomolgus FCGRT and B2M were widely expressed in the 10 tissue types analyzed. None of the non-synonymous variants of FCGRT or B2M found changes in the amino acid residues known to be important for FcRn function, suggesting that substantial inter-animal variability of FcRn is not expected for the cynomolgus macaques analyzed.

Cynomolgus macaques, used in drug metabolism studies due to their evolutionary closeness to humans, are mainly bred in Asian countries, including Cambodia, China, and Indonesia. Cytochromes P450 (P450s) are important drug-metabolizing enzymes, present in the liver and small intestine, major drug metabolizing organs. Previously, our investigation did not find statistically significant differences in hepatic P450 metabolic activities measured in cynomolgus macaques bred in Cambodia (MacfaCAM) and China (MacfaCHN). In the present study, P450 metabolic activity was investigated in the small intestine of MacfaCAM and MacfaCHN, and cynomolgus macaques bred in Indonesia (MacfaIDN) using P450 substrates, including 7-ethoxyresorufin, coumarin, bupropion, paclitaxel, diclofenac, S-mephenytoin, bufuralol, chlorzoxazone, and testosterone. The results indicated that P450 metabolic activity of the small intestine was not statistically significantly different (2.0-fold) in MacfaCAM, MacfaCHN, and MacfaIDN. In addition, statistically significant sex differences were not observed (2.0-fold) in any P450 metabolic activity in MacfaCAM as supported by mRNA expression results. These results suggest that P450 metabolic activity of the small intestine does not significantly differ statistically among MacfaCAM, MacfaCHN, and MacfaIDN.

Cynomolgus monkeys are used to predict human pharmacokinetic and/or toxic profiles in the drug developmental stage. Cynomolgus P450s exhibit a high degree of identity (more than 90%) in both cDNA and amino acid sequences with corresponding human P450s. CYP3A protein predominantly exists in cynomolgus monkey liver microsomes, followed by CYP2A, CYP2C, CYP2B6, CYP2E1, and CYP2D. There are many similarities of metabolic properties in cytochrome P450s between cynomolgus monkeys and humans, but the species differences between cynomolgus monkey and human P450s are clearly present in substrate specificity and inhibitor selectivity. Diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation (DFOH) in monkey liver and intestinal microsomes shows much lower activities compared with those in human liver and intestinal microsomes. Sulfaphenazole strongly inhibits DFOH in human liver microsomes, but does not effectively inhibit DFOH in monkey liver and intestinal microsomes. Cynomolgus CYP2C19 exhibits higher activity for DFOH than cynomolgus CYP2C9 although this reaction is a marker reaction of human CYP2C9. On the other hand, cynomolgus CYP2C76 orthologue is not expressed in humans and shows 70-72% identity in amino acid sequences of human CYP2C subfamilies. Cynomolgus CYP2C76 metabolizes non-CYP2C substrates, 7-ethoxyresorufin (human CYP1A substrate) and bufuralol (human CYP2D6 substrate). In addition, cynomolgus CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 also exhibits wider substrate selectivity toward human CYP2D6 and CYP2E1 substrates. These enzymes may be responsible for species difference in drug metabolism between cynomolgus monkeys and humans. The comparative data presented here can be helpful for designing in vivo metabolic assays using cynomolgus monkeys in terms of substrate specificity and inhibitor selectivity.

A 50-year-old man presented with bloody diarrhea and 25-kg weight loss over 3 months. Upper and lower endoscopy showed diffuse shaggy white villi in the duodenum and terminal ileum. In addition, capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy revealed shaggy white villi in the entire small intestine. Histological examination of biopsy specimens found the lamina propria of the duodenal and intestinal mucosa to be densely infiltrated by rich foamy macrophages that were periodic acid-Schiff-positive. Electron microscopy showed numerous bacilli in the lamina propria. Tropheryma whipplei DNA was detected in the specimens by polymerase chain reaction. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with Whipple's disease. He was treated with a 2-week course of ceftriaxone followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. At the 2-month follow up, diffuse white shaggy villi improved dramatically.

Cynomolgus monkeys are used frequently in preclinical studies for new drug development due to their evolutionary closeness to humans. An antiretroviral drug, efavirenz, is a typical probe substrate for human cytochrome P450 (P450) 2B6, but is mainly metabolized by cynomolgus monkey P450 2C9. In this study, plasma concentrations of efavirenz were assessed in six cynomolgus monkeys genotyped for P450 2C9 c.334 A C (I112L) (three wild-type, one heterozygote and two homozygotes) by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. After intravenous administration at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, biphasic plasma elimination curves of efavirenz were seen in these cynomolgus monkeys. The mean plasma concentration of the primary metabolite 8-hydroxyefavirenz (1 h after treatment, with hydrolysis by β-glucuronidase) in the wild-type group was significantly higher (4.0-fold) than the combined heterozygous and homozygous group mean. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve value of efavirenz in the homozygous group after oral administration at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg was significantly higher (2.0-fold) than the combined wild-type and heterozygous group. These results collectively indicated that P450 2C9 c.334 A C (I112L) variation was associated with efavirenz metabolic clearance in vivo. Cynomolgus P450 2C9 polymorphism might account for interindividual variations of efavirenz metabolism in cynomolgus monkeys. Copyright © 2016 John WileySons, Ltd.

Cynomolgus macaques, frequently used in drug metabolism studies, are bred mainly in the countries of Asia; however, comparative studies of drug metabolism between cynomolgus macaques bred in these countries have not been conducted. In this study, hepatic gene expression profiles of cynomolgus macaques bred in Cambodia (mfCAM), China (mfCHN), and Indonesia (mfIDN) were analyzed. Microarray analysis revealed that expression of most hepatic genes, including drug-metabolizing enzyme genes, was not substantially different between mfCAM, mfCHN, and mfIDN; only 1.1% and 3.0% of all the gene probes detected differential expression (>2.5-fold) in mfCAM compared with mfCHN and mfIDN, respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression levels of 14 cytochromes P450 (P450s) important for drug metabolism did not differ (>2.5-fold) in mfCAM, mfCHN, and mfIDN, validating the microarray data. In contrast, expression of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 differed (>2.5-fold, p < 0.05) between cynomolgus (mfCAM, mfCHN, or mfIDN) and rhesus macaques, indicating greater differences in expression of P450 genes between the two lineages. Moreover, metabolic activities measured using 14 P450 substrates did not differ substantially (

Small minipigs (Microminipig, registered as a novel variety of pig in Japan) were developed for use in non-clinical pharmacological/toxicological studies for new drug development. To assess the pharmacokinetics of selective substrates of human cytochrome P450s in Microminipigs, caffeine (human P450 1A2), warfarin (P450 2C9), omeprazole (P450 2C19), metoprolol (P450 2D6), and midazolam (P450 3A) were administered in combination, intravenously (0.20 mg kg(-1))( )or orally (1.0 mg kg(-1)). Plasma samples obtained, up to 24 hr after dosing, from four male and four female Microminipigs were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to estimate typical pharmacokinetic parameters for each analyte. Bioavailabilities were approximately 80% for caffeine and warfarin, but less than 10% for omeprazole, metoprolol, and midazolam. No significant differences were noted, for the five probes, in area under the plasma concentration-time curve and peak plasma concentration values obtained from male and female Microminipigs. Clearance of caffeine, warfarin, omeprazole or midazolam in vivo, mediated mainly by cytochrome P450s 1A, 2C or 3A in Microminipigs, was similar to data reported for human. However, metoprolol metabolism, mediated by P450 2D enzymes in Microminipigs, was faster than reported for in vivo human kinetic parameters and in vitro in a human liver microsomal system. The results of this study suggest that the Microminipig is a suitable animal model for use in biological experiments for comparisons of pharmacokinetics of drugs in humans. The five-probes in combination used in this study demonstrate the disposition of typical P450 drugs in Microminipigs in vivo, with the aim of use in non-clinical pharmacological/toxicological studies.

Summary: Cytochromes P450 (P450s or CYPs) are a gene family of highly homologous genes and include the CYP1­4 family, which is relevant to drug metabolism. In the cynomolgus monkey (which is frequently used in drug metabolism studies), numerous CYPs ( mfCYPs ) have been identified in the CYP1­4 family. DNA microarrays are useful for high-throughput screening assays; however, there is a potential problem with cross-hybridization of highly homologous genes in the gene family. This problem might be solved with the use of low-density DNA microarrays, with which specific validation can be performed for the genes on the microarray. We have developed a DNA microarray for the 20 mfCYPs and have evaluated and validated its specificity and usefulness. First, in both DNA microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses, hepatic expression of each mfCYP correlated well, and similar tissue expression patterns were observed for five representative mfCYPs , confirming the specificity of the DNA microarray. Second, the usefulness of this DNA microarray was validated by induction analysis of mfCYPs in primary hepatocytes, which successfully detected known responders, but also novel responders ( mfCYP2C43 , mfCYP2C75 , and mfCYP3A5 for rifampicin), as confirmed by qPCR analysis. This DNA microarray can thus be utilized for high-throughput assays during drug development.

Cynomolgus monkeys [Macaca fascicularis (mf)] are widely used to determine pharmacokinetics and toxicological potential of many drug candidates as human models in the drug discovery and development. Cytochrome P450s (P450, CYP), one of the most important enzymes in drug metabolism, in monkey livers are generally similar to corresponding human P450s exhibiting high degrees of homologies in cDNAs and amino acid sequences. Species differences regarding important liver P450 3A and 2D function were examined between cynomolgus monkeys and humans using typical human P450 probe reactions using midazolam (a P450 3A marker), dextromethorphan and bufuralol (P450 2D markers). P450 3A-mediated midazolam 1'-hydroxylation activities in liver microsomes from individual monkey were highly correlated with midazolam 4'-hydroxylation activities but not correlated with dextromethorphan N-demethylation activities. Recombinant monkey CYP2D17 and CYP2D44 catalyzed dextromethorphan O- and N-demethylations as well as monkey mfCYP3A4 and mfCYP3A5 did. On the other hand, contributions of corresponding P450 2D6 and P450 3A4/5 to dextromethorphan N- and O-demethylations, in human liver microsomes were negligible under the present conditions. From these results, monkey P450 2D and 3A enzymes might have broader substrate specificity toward dextromethorphan oxidation than those in human livers. Special attention should be paid when enzymatic and pharmacokinetic data are extrapolated from monkeys to humans.

The cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) enzyme superfamily is associated with the metabolism of drugs, environmental pollutants and endogenous substrates with broad overlapping substrate specificities. In addition, species differences between experimental animals and humans in the roles of P450 enzymes in drug metabolism are determinant factors in the drug discovery process. The induction and inhibition of P450-dependent metabolism, especially in the case of P450 3A enzyems, can cause serious problems in clinical practice and in the attrition of drug candidates because of adverse toxicology or pharmacokinetics. Recently, chimeric mice whose livers have been replaced to a level of 80% or more with human hepatocytes were established using urokinase-type plasminogen activator transgenic/severe combined immunodeficiency (uPA/SCID) mice. In the livers of these chimeric mice, hepatic cords and sinusoid-like structures were observed. Moreover, bile canaliculi associated with human hepatocytes were also detected. The mRNA expressions derived from humans of 52 phase I and 26 phase II enzymes (including 20 P450 s) and 21 transporters were ascertained in the chimeric mice liver. Taken together, these chimeric mice exhibited the glutathione conjugate form of a possible quinine-imine metabolite and responded to treatment with rifampicin or rifabutin by induction of P450 3A enzyems. This animal model should prove to be a good in vivo tool to assess the safety of drug candidates in terms of toxicity and drug-drug interactions caused by P450 induction.

Summary: Preclinical data of fetal, infant, and juvenile animals are important for the prediction of drug toxicity in fetuses and children. However, expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes, including cytochromes P450 (CYPs), have not been fully investigated in fetal, infant, or juvenile liver of the cynomolgus macaque, an animal species important for preclinical studies. In this study, hepatic expression of 20 cynomolgus macaque CYPs ( mfCYPs ) in the CYP1­4 subfamilies that are relevant to drug metabolism was measured in fetuses, infants, and juveniles using DNA microarrays. Expression of most mfCYPs , including those moderately or abundantly expressed in postnatal livers such as mfCYP2A23 , mfCYP2A24 , mfCYP2B6 , mfCYP2C9 , mfCYP2C19 , mfCYP2C76 , mfCYP2D17 , mfCYP2E1 mfCYP3A4 , and mfCYP3A5 , was much less abundant in fetal livers, but increased substantially after birth. In contrast, expression of mfCYP2C8 in fetal livers was not substantially different from postnatal livers. Since human CYP3A7 is expressed more abundantly in fetal livers than in adult livers, mfCYP3A7 , an ortholog of human CYP3A7 , was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expression of mfCYP3A7 in fetal livers was much lower than that in postnatal livers, and greatly increased after birth, unlike the expression of human CYP3A7 . These results indicate that expression of most mfCYPs examined was low in fetal livers, but increased greatly in postnatal livers, with a few exceptions such as mfCYP2C8 .

Rationale Esophageal carcinosarcoma generally comprises 2 histological components: squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) and sarcoma. Esophageal carcinosarcoma comprising 3 components is extremely rare and no reports have described therapeutic effects for this disease with metastasis. Patient concerns A 76-year-old man with dysphagia presented to a local clinic. Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a polypoid tumor in the middle esophagus and he was referred to our hospital. Diagnosis and interventions Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with super-extended (D3) nodal dissection and gastric tube reconstitution was performed, which resulted in carcinosarcoma comprising neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), SqCC, and sarcoma. Pathological stage was T1bN1M0 stage IIB according to the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors-7th edition. The NEC component was observed in lymph node. At 47 days after surgery, lymph nodes, liver, and bone metastasis appeared, and tumor markers such as ProGRP and NSE were elevated. Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide (EP) adapted to NEC was performed. Outcomes The patient showed complete response within 4 cycles of chemotherapy. However, the disease recurred 5.5 months after the final course of EP chemotherapy. Lessons A therapeutic strategy based on assessment of which component caused metastasis might be important for metastatic carcinosarcoma comprising 3 components, although more accumulation of data about the efficacy of chemotherapy is necessary. Moreover, elucidation of the mechanisms underlying generation of carcinosarcoma is expected in the future.

Drug metabolizing activities of cytochromes P450 (P450s, or CYPs) 3A4 and 3A5 in liver microsomes from the cynomolgus monkey [Macaca fascicularis (mf)] were investigated and compared with those of human P450 3A enzymes. Low activities for dealkylation of ethoxyresorufin and pentoxyresorufin were seen in recombinant monkey mfCYP3A4 and mfCYP3A5 and in recombinant human CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 expressed in bacterial membranes. Hydroxylation activities of mfCYP3A4 and mfCYP3A5 toward coumarin, paclitaxel, diclofenac, flurbiprofen, and S-mephenytoin were below detectable levels, as was also true for CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Monkey mfCYP3A5 and mfCYP3A4 were highly active in bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation. mfCYP3A5 was efficient at dextromethorphan O-demethylation, although human CYP3A5 was unable to catalyze this reaction. Apparent bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation and dextromethorphan O-demethylation activities of monkey liver microsomes were higher than those of human liver microsomes, possibly because of contributions of mfCYP3A5 to these P450 2D-dependent drug oxidations. mfCYP3A5 and CYP3A5 catalyzed midazolam 1'-hydroxylation at a low substrate concentration more efficiently than the corresponding CYP3A4. mfCYP3A5 had higher testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity than mfCYP3A4, but the reverse relationship was observed in oxidation of nifedipine and hydroxylation of dexamethasone. These results demonstrate that monkey P450 3A enzymes have similar substrate selectivity to that of human P450 3A enzymes, but exhibit wider substrate selectivity toward P450 2D substrates.

The cynomolgus monkey is used to study drug metabolism because of its evolutionary closeness to humans. Despite their importance, regional distribution of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes including CYP3As in the liver and small intestine, the major sites of drug metabolism, has not been fully investigated in cynomolgus monkeys. In this study, we measured mRNA expression levels of 14 CYPs in the CYP1, 2, and 3 subfamilies, including orthologs of human CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, in the liver and small intestine of cynomolgus monkeys. Expression levels of each CYP mRNA in various regions of the liver were quantified and comparisons were made between the right lobe, quadrate lobe, left medial lobe, left lateral lobe, and caudate lobe and with four different sections of the right lobe. In the small intestine, the same mRNAs were measured in the duodenum and six different sections from the proximal jejunum to the distal ileum. Expression levels of the CYP mRNAs were not substantially different between liver samples, but varied between the different sections of the small intestine, including CYP3A4. These results suggest that analysis of distinct sections is required for a better understanding of cynomolgus monkey CYPs in the small intestine.

A human hepatocyte-transplanted chimeric mouse has been established by transplantation of human hepatocytes to urokinase-type plasminogen activator transgenic/severe combined immunodeficiency (uPA+/+/SCID) mice. These chimeric mice have various amounts of human hepatocytes that proliferate extensively and progressively replace mouse hepatocytes. In the chimeric liver, hepatic cords and sinusoid-like structures were observed. The human hepatocytes expressed human albumin, human cytochrome P450 enzymes, and human transporter proteins. Furthermore, electron microscopic analysis demonstrated bile canaliculi associated with human hepatocytes in the chimeric mouse livers. These results indicate that the chimeric mouse livers contain functionally intact and differentiated human hepatocytes. Additionally, the toxicologic response of hepatocytes to acetaminophen (APAP) administration was compared in normal and chimeric mouse livers. Following 1,400 mg/kg APAP, mild hepatocellular degeneration was observed in the human hepatocyte areas in the chimeric mice, compared with severe centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis in the ICR mouse livers. In conclusion, these chimeric livers contain functionally differentiated human hepatocytes, and are less susceptible to APAP toxicity, compared to ICR mice.

Although the expenditure for new drug development by the pharmaceutical industry has been increasing in recent years, the number of new drugs approved has remained unchanged or has been gradually decreasing. For the effective development of new drugs, attrition rates of drug candidates should be reduced. In 1991, major causes of the attrition were ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) (about 40%), efficacy (about 30%), and safety issues (about 25%). In 2000, the causes were ADME (less than 10%), efficacy (about 30%), and safety issues (about 30%). Between 1991 and 2000, the attrition caused by ADME issues decreased drastically, but that caused by efficacy and safety issues did not change. To improve this situation, exploratory clinical studies including microdose and exploratory IND (Investigational New Drug) studies proposed in EU and USA, respectively, have been started at the late 1990s and the early 2000s. This commentary reviews the current situation of the exploratory clinical studies and the recent trend of pharmacokinetic studies in new drug development.

CJ-036878, N-(3-phenethoxybenzyl)-4-hydroxybenzamide, was developed as an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2B subunit. Two dimeric metabolites, CJ-047710 and CJ-047713, were identified from the incubation mixture with CJ-036878 in human liver microsomes (HLM). The identification of the enzymes involved in the formation of these dimeric metabolites was investigated in the current study. Inhibition of the formation of CJ-047710 and CJ-047713 in pooled HLM by 1-aminobenztriazole, SKF-525A, and ketoconazole were observed. Ketoconazole played a significant role in inhibiting formation of these two metabolites in a concentration-dependent manner. Recombinant CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 exhibited a markedly high activity toward the formation of CJ-047710 and CJ-047713 from CJ-036878, but the contribution of other CYP enzymes to these formations was at a very low level or negligible. The formation of CJ-047710 and CJ-047713 in pooled HLM, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 showed sigmoid characteristics. S50 values for CJ-047710 and CJ-047713 formation in HLM were almost equivalent with those for CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. For the CYP3A enzymes, maximal clearance due to auto-activation values for CJ-047710 and CJ-047713 formation catalysed by CYP3A5 were 3.6- and 3.1-fold higher than those catalysed by CYP3A4. This is the first report that shows both CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 simultaneously contribute to dimerization through oxidative C-C and C-O coupling reactions.

In order to evaluate the potential adverse effects due to genetic polymorphism and/or inter-individual variation, it is necessary to calculate the cytochrome P450 (CYP) contribution to the metabolism of new drugs. In the current study, the in vitro intrinsic clearance (CL(int)) values of marker substrates and drugs were determined by measuring metabolite formation and substrate depletion, respectively. Recombinant CYP microsomes expressing CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 with co-expressed cytochrome b(5) were used, but those expressing CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 did not have co-expressed cytochrome b(5). The following prediction methods were compared to determine the CL(int) value using data from recombinant CYP enzymes: (1) relative CYP enzyme content in human liver microsomes; (2) relative activity factor (RAF) estimated from the V(max) value; and (3) RAF estimated from the CL(int) value. Estimating RAF from CL(int) proved the most accurate prediction method among the three tested, and differences in the CYP3A4 marker reactions did not affect its accuracy. The substrate depletion method will be useful in the early drug-discovery stage when the main metabolite and/or metabolic pathway has not been identified. In addition, recombinant CYP microsomes co-expressed with cytochrome b(5) might be suitable for the prediction of the CL(int) value.

1. During the characterization of recombinant CYP2C19, it was observed that this enzyme metabolized midazolam, which is generally regarded as CYP3A4/5 substrate, and we therefore decided to pursue this observation further. 2. CYP2C19 showed a Michaelis-Menten pattern for midazolam 1'-hydroxylation and was inhibited by (+)-N-3-benzylnirvanol and S-mephenytoin, which are a standard potent inhibitor and a substrate of CYP2C19, respectively. 3. The inhibitory potency by CYP3A4/5 inhibitor on the midazolam 1'-hydroxylation in human liver microsomes (HLM) was correlated with the CYP3A4/5 specific catalytic activity, but such correlation was not observed in CYP2C19 enzyme. The in vitro intrinsic clearance value for midazolam 1'-hydroxylation was not changed by the addition of (+)-N-3-benzylnirvanol in four individual HLM preparations. 4. These results indicated that although CYP2C19 is capable of catalyzing midazolam 1'-hydroxylation, CYP3A4/5 play a more important role.

Tacrolimus (FK506), an immunosuppressive drug, is co-medicated with multiple drugs under clinical conditions. Tacrolimus is highly lipophilic and is excreted from the body after receiving extensive metabolism. Due to its narrow therapeutic window following organ transplantation, tacrolimus requires therapeutic drug monitoring by an enzyme immunoassay using the monoclonal antibody raised against tacrolimus. Therefore, metabolism studies including drug-drug interaction and metabolite identification studies are essential for the efficient development and clinically optimal usage of this drug. Tacrolimus was metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily. Metabolic drug-drug interaction studies were conducted to provide information regarding the optimal usage of tacrolimus, and its metabolism was inhibited by known CYP3A inhibitors such as ketoconazole, cyclosporine A, and nifedipine. Recent reports on clinical pharmacokinetics indicate that dose levels of tacrolimus need to be adjusted in transplant patients with CYP3A5 polymorphism.

Cynomolgus monkeys are widely used in drug developmental stages as non-human primate models. Previous studies used 89 compounds to investigate species differences associated with cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) function that reported monkey specific CYP2C76 cleared 19 chemicals, and homologous CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 metabolized 17 and 30 human CYP2C9 and/or CYP2C19 substrates/inhibitors, respectively. In the present study, 22 compounds selected from viewpoints of global drug interaction guidances and guidelines were further evaluated to seek potential substrates for monkey CYP2C8, which is highly homologous to human CYP2C8 (92%). Amodiaquine, montelukast, quercetin and rosiglitazone, known as substrates or competitive inhibitors of human CYP2C8, were metabolically depleted by recombinant monkey CYP2C8 at relatively high rates. Taken together with our reported findings of the slow eliminations of amodiaquine and montelukast by monkey CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2C76, the present results suggest that these at least four chemicals may be good marker substrates for monkey CYP2C8. Copyright © 2016 John WileySons, Ltd.

Cynomolgus monkeys are used widely in preclinical studies as non-human primate species. The amino acid sequence of cynomolgus monkey cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) 2C19 is reportedly highly correlated to that of human CYP2C19 (92%) and CYP2C9 (93%). In the present study, 89 commercially available compounds were screened to find potential substrates for cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19. Of 89 drugs, 34 were metabolically depleted by cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19 with relatively high rates. Among them, 30 compounds have been reported as substrates or inhibitors of, either or both, human CYP2C19 and CYP2C9. Several compounds, including loratadine, showed high selectivity to cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19, and all of these have been reported as human CYP2C19 and/or CYP2C9 substrates. In addition, cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19 formed the same loratadine metabolite as human CYP2C19, descarboethoxyloratadine. These results suggest that cynomolgus monkey CYP2C19 is generally similar to human CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 in its substrate recognition functionality.

Cynomolgus monkeys are widely used as non-human primate species in preclinical studies, due to their close evolutionary relationship to humans. Monkey cytochrome P450 2C19 (formerly known as P450 2C75), highly homologous to human P450 2C19, has been identified to be R -warfarin 7-hydroxylase in cynomolgus monkeys. In the present study, the in vivo pharmacokinetics of stereoselective warfarin and metabolites at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg were investigated after oral and intravenous administration of racemic warfarin to fasted male cynomolgus monkeys ( n = 11, from Indochina, 4–8 years of age, 3.5–7.4 kg of body weight), which had been genotyped for P450 2C19 [c.298TT > AA; c.308C > T; and c.334ATC > CTT]. Kinetic parameters for S -warfarin were not different among the homozygous mutant, heterozygous mutant, and wild type groups; however, values of elimination half-lives, area under the curves, and total body clearance of R -warfarin in the homozygous mutant group showed one-order differences from those values in the wild type group after oral or intravenous administration. R -Warfarin 7-hydroxylations in vivo in homozygous mutant groups were slow compared to wild type or heterozygous mutant groups. These results demonstrate that inter-animal variations of R -warfarin clearance in cynomolgus monkeys are associated with P450 2C19 genetic variants [p.Phe100Asn, p.Ala103Val, and p.Ile112Leu]. Because some interindividual variability of P450 2C-dependent drug metabolism in cynomolgus monkeys, similarly in humans, is accounted for by polymorphic P450 2C19 variants, genotyping of drug metabolism enzymes should be considered before and after P450-dependent drug metabolism testing and evaluations in cynomolgus monkeys.

It is important to determine the cytochrome P450 (CYP) contribution of certain drugs by taking into consideration the attrition due to issues such as genetic polymorphism and inter-individual variation. In many cases in the early discovery stage, the metabolites of a new chemical have not been identified. Therefore, the present paper devised an approach in which the in vitro intrinsic clearance (CLint) value for new chemicals was determined by measuring substrate depletion. The following prediction methods were compared to calculate CLint using data from recombinant CYP enzymes: (1) the relative CYP content in human liver microsomes; (2) the relative activity factor (RAF) based on the Vmax value; and (3) the RAF value based on the CLint value. The most accurate prediction method was RAF based on CLint. This method would be useful in the early drug-discovery process in cases in which the main metabolite is not identified.

The induction of human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) often poses a serious problem in clinical practice. The induction of CYP3A leads to a decrease in the pharmacological potency of drugs, since many drugs are substrates of CYP3A. The present study examined the in vivo induction potency of human CYP3A in chimeric mice with humanized liver, recently established in Japan, by a specific inducer of human CYP3A enzyme activity in this experimental condition, rifabutin, which is an analogue of rifampicin. The chimeric mice were treated intraperitoneally daily for 4 days with rifabutin (50 mg kg(-1) day(-1)). The mRNA, protein and enzyme activity in liver of the chimeric mice were measured by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. In the chimeric mice, the human CYP3A4 mRNA expression, CYP3A4 protein content, testosterone 6ss-hydroxylase activity and dexamethasone 6-hydroxylase activity were increased 7.4-, 3.0-, 2.4- and 1.9-fold, respectively, by treatment with rifabutin. The mRNA expression of other human CYPs, transporters and nuclear receptors was not significantly changed by rifabutin. On the other hand, rifabutin was demonstrated not to increase the murine Cyp3a enzyme activities in the control mice. It was demonstrated that human CYP3A4 expressed in the chimeric mice with humanized liver was induced by rifabutin, suggesting that human CYP3A4 in the chimeric mice had induction potency. This chimeric mouse model may be a useful animal model to estimate and predict the in vivo induction of CYPs in human.

The induction and inhibition of human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are clinically responsible for drug interactions. Although the induction of P450s is investigated using human hepatocytes in the drug development process, there are some disadvantages, such as the decline of the enzyme activity during culture. In the present study, we examined the in vivo induction potency in chimeric mice with humanized liver, which was recently established in Japan to clarify whether this chimeric mouse model would be more suitable for human induction studies. Rifampicin and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) were used in vivo as typical P450 inducers in the chimeric mice. The expression levels of human CYP3A4 mRNA and CYP3A4 protein and dexamethasone 6-hydroxylase activity, specific for human CYP3A4, were increased 8- to 22-, 3- to 10-, and 5- to 12-fold, respectively, by treatment with rifampicin. In addition, the expression levels of human CYP1A2 mRNA and CYP1A2 protein were also increased 2- to 9- and 5-fold, respectively, by treatment with 3-MC. Although other human P450s are expressed in the chimeric mice, there were few effects by the treatment of rifampicin and 3-MC on the mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity of those P450s. It was demonstrated that human P450s expressed in the chimeric mice with humanized liver were induced by rifampicin and 3-MC. This chimeric mouse model may be a useful animal model to estimate and predict the in vivo induction of P450s in humans.

1-Aminobenzotriazole (ABT) is extensively used as a non-specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitor. In this study, the inhibitory effect of ABT on CYP-dependent drug oxidations was investigated in human liver microsomes (HLM) and compared with that of SKF-525A, another non-specific inhibitor. The following probe activities for human CYP isoforms were determined using pooled HLM: phenacetin O-deethylation (CYP1A2); diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation (CYP2C9); S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation, (CYP2C19); bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation (CYP2D6); chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (CYP2E1); midazolam 1'-hydroxylation, nifedipine oxidation, and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation (CYP3A). ABT had the strongest inhibitory effect on the CYP3A-dependent drug oxidations and the weakest effect on the diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation. SKF-525A potently inhibited the bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, but weakly inhibited chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation. The inhibitory effects of ABT and SKF-525A were increased by preincubation in some probe reactions, and this preincubation effect was greater in ABT than in SKF-525A. The remarkable IC50 shift (> 10 times) by preincubation with ABT was observed on the phenacetin O-deethylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation. In conclusion, ABT and SKF-525A had a wide range of IC50 values in inhibiting the drug oxidations by HLM with and without preincubation.

Recently, a chimeric mouse line in which the liver could be replaced by more than 80% with human hepatocytes was established in Japan. Because the chimeric mouse produces human albumin (hAlb), replacement by human hepatocytes could be estimated by the hAlb concentration in the blood of chimeric mice. In this study, we investigated human major cytochrome P450 (P450) in the livers of chimeric mice by mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Chimeric mice with humanized liver generated using hepatocytes from a Japanese and white donor were used. Human P450 mRNAs were expressed in the liver of chimeric mice, and major human P450 proteins such as CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 were detected. The expression of P450 mRNA and protein was correlated with the hAlb concentration in the blood. The enzyme activities such as diclofenac 4'-hydroxylase activity, dexamethasone 6-hydroxylase activity, and coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity, activities that are specific to human P450 but not to murine P450, were increased in a hAlb concentration-dependent manner. The chimeric mice with nearly 90% replacement by human hepatocytes demonstrated almost the same protein contents of human P450s and drug-metabolizing enzyme activity as those of the donor. It was confirmed that genomic DNA from the livers of the chimeric mice and that from the liver of the donor exhibited the same genotype. In conclusion, the chimeric mice exhibited a similarly efficient capacity of drug metabolism as humans, suggesting that they could be a useful animal model for drug development.

Pharmacokenetic (PK) properties have been recognized as one of the most important attrition factors in the drug development. Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the variety and number of newly synthesized compounds in the drug discovery stage. Therefore, an improved capacity to evaluate such huge numbers of compounds is one of the most important needs for high-throughput screening. One key to successful analysis technology for PK studies is the LC/MS. However, there is a problem to establishing high-throughput LC/MS. It is important that a suitable LC system is selected from various instruments to analyze with accuracy. For example, short columns, parallel LC systems, unique types of columns, and high flow assays have been examined to find the most rapid and efficient analysis systems. Impurities from reaction mixture or medium should be separated from analytes to get stable detection, as those can alter the ion effect of analytes. In addition to developing these methods, keeping the LC/MS system a good working order is also important, as high-throughput LC/MS is used for continuous screening. High-throughput LC/MS will be indispensable technology to PK studies in drug discovery, but much work has to be done in order to determine which optimal condition will be developed.

1-Aminobenzotriazole (ABT) is widely used as a non-specific inhibitor of animal cytochrome P450 (CYP). In the present study, the inhibitory effect of ABT was investigated on drug oxidations catalyzed by human CYP isoforms. This inhibitory effect was compared with that of SKF-525A, another non-specific inhibitor, and ketoconazole, a potent inhibitor of CYP3A. Bacurovirus-expressed recombinant human CYP isoforms were used as an enzyme source. The specific activities for human CYP isoforms are: phenacetin O-deethylation, for CYP1A2; diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation, for CYP2C9; S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation, for CYP2C19; bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, for CYP2D6; chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, for CYP2E1; testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation, nifedipine oxidation, and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation, for CYP3A4. ABT inhibited both CYP1A2-dependent activity (Ki=330 microM) and CYP2E1-dependent activity (Ki=8.7 microM). In contrast, SKF-525A weakly inhibited CYP1A2-dependent activities (46% inhibition at 1200 microM) and CYP2E1-dependent activities (65% inhibition at 1000 microM). ABT exhibited the highest Ki value for CYP2C9-dependent diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation among those determined by this assay (Ki=3500 microM). Moreover, SKF-525A showed strong inhibition of CYP2D6-dependent bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation (Ki=0.043 microM). Ketoconazole inhibited all tested drug oxidations, however, its inhibitory effect on CYP1A2-dependent activities was very weak (50% inhibition at 120 microM). ABT, SKF-525A, and ketoconazole showed different selectivity and had a wide range of Ki values for the drug oxidations catalyzed by human CYP enzymes. Therefore, we conclude that inhibitory studies designed to predict the contribution of CYP enzymes to the metabolism of certain compounds should be performed using multiple CYP inhibitors, such as ABT, SKF-525A, and ketoconazole.

Due to the importance of in vitro cytochrome P450 (P450) induction assay to assess the possible drug-drug interaction events, the recent US Food and Drug Administration draft guidance and European Medicines Agency guideline recommend to assess P450 induction using fresh or cryopreserved hepatocytes at mRNA level and/or enzyme activity level. Although cryopreserved hepatocytes are commercially available for P450 induction assays, feasibility and practicability of these hepatocytes have not been fully investigated. In this study, a total of 23 lots of human cryopreserved hepatocytes were treated with three typical inducers (omeprazole, phenobarbital, and rifampicin), and induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 enzyme activity was measured. In 8 of these 23 hepatocyte lots, induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 mRNA was also analyzed. The results revealed that CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 were induced (>2.0-fold) by omeprazole, phenobarbital, and rifampicin, respectively, in all the hepatocyte lots tested at enzyme activity level (23 lots) and mRNA level (8 lots). In contrast, of the 8 hepatocyte lots treated with rifampicin, CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 mRNA were not induced in 5 and 2 hepatocyte lots, respectively, and CYP2C19 mRNA was not induced in any of the 8 hepatocyte lots tested. These results suggest that induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 can be readily assessed, but evaluation for CYP2C mRNA induction might not be feasible, using commercially available human cryopreserved hepatocytes.

Two sulfotransferases (STs), designated as AST-RB1 (ST3A1) and AST-RB2 (ST2A8), with high a amine N-sulfonating activity, were purified from male rabbit liver cytosols. AST-RB1 and AST-RB2 were purified to homogeneity by the anion-exchange, affinity, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The N-terminus of both enzymes were blocked. The subunit molecular mass of both enzymes was estimated to be 34 kDa on SDS–PAGE. AST-RB1 efficiently catalyzed N -sulfonation of alicyclic, alkyl, and arylamines such as 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, 1-[(5-chloro-2-oxo-3(2 H )-benzothiazolyl)acetyl]-piperazine, desipramine, and aniline, whereas its catalytic activities toward 2-naphthol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were very low. On the other hand, AST-RB2 efficiently catalyzed sulfonation of desipramine and DHEA, but had no activity toward 2-naphthol. Amino acid sequences of peptide fragments derived from the purified AST-RB1 showed no significant homology with previously reported STs, but those from the purified AST-RB2 shared a high similarity with those of the ST2 family. Both enzymes were expressed specifically in the liver. The present results strongly suggest that the purified AST-RB1 is a novel enzyme in terms of structure and catalytic properties showing high selectivity for amine substrates, and AST-RB2 is a quite unique from among ST2A enzymes of other species in its substrate specificity.

The absorption, distribution, and excretion of radioactivity were studied in the male rat after a single dermal application of 14C-labeled FK506 ointment at an FK506 dose level of 1.6 mg/kg. The application period of the ointment was 24 hours. 1. Urinary and fecal excretion of radioactivity were 0.5 and 5.1% of the administered dose, respectively, over 168 hours after application to the intact skin under the non-occlusive dressing condition, 0.4 and 4.2% to the intact skin under the occlusive condition, and 2.4 and 53.8% to the damaged skin under the occlusive condition. Radioactivity remaining at the application site and in the animal body were respectively 14.6 and 0.3% at 168 hours after application to the intact skin under the non-occlusive condition, and were 4.7 and 0.4% after application to the damaged skin under the occlusive condition. 2. Radioactivity was not detected in the whole blood and plasma at any sampling points after ointment application to the intact dorsal skin under occlusive dressing condition. After application to the damaged dorsal skin under the occlusive condition, the pharmacokinetic parameters of radioactivity in the whole blood and plasma were respectively as follows: maximal concentration (Cmax), 42.7 and 37.9 ng eq./mL; time to reach Cmax, both 2 hours; area under the concentration-time curve, 559 and 457 ng eq.·h/mL; and half life, 9.0 and 9.3 hours. 3. After ointment application to the damaged dorsal skin under the occlusive dressing condition, rank order of radioactivity detected at 30 minutes after application was as follows: lung and adrenal gland>brown fat, heart, thyroid gland, kidney, liver and spleen>plasma, urinary bladder and eyeball>cerebrum and testis. The maximal level of radioactivity was observed between 1/2 and 2 hours after application in most tissues. The proportion of radioactivity at 72 hours after application of the maximal level was less than 0.1 in all tissues except the urinary bladder where the proportion was 0.94.

1. Studies using human liver microsomes and recombinant human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) were performed to identify the enzymes responsible for the formation of zotepine metabolites in man. 2. Human liver microsomes produced four metabolites and a tentative order of importance was: norzotepine, 3-hydroxyzotepine, zotepine S-oxide and 2-hydroxyzotepine. Zotepine N-oxide was also detected, but it could not be quantified. 3. The rates of formation of the major metabolite, norzotepine, and zotepine S-oxide (at a substrate concentration of 20 microM) were significantly correlated with the testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activities and CYP3A4 contents of the 12 different human liver microsomal samples. Inhibition studies with P450 enzyme selective inhibitors and anti-rat CYP3A2 antibodies also indicated a predominant role of CYP3A4 in the formation of norzotepine and zotepine S-oxide. Furafylline and sulphaphenazole inhibited the N-demethylation of zotepine by up to approximately 30%. 4. Correlation and inhibition data for the 2- and 3-hydroxylation of zotepine were consistent with the predominant role of CYP1A2 and 2D6 in the formation of these metabolites, respectively. 5. Recombinant CYP1A1, 1A2, 2B6, 2C19, 3A4 and 3A5 efficiently catalysed N-demethylation of zotepine. CYP1A1, 1A2, 2B6 and 3A4 were also active for S-oxidation. CYP1A2 and 2D6*1-Val374 efficiently produced 2-hydroxyzotepine and 3-hydroxyzotepine, respectively. Recombinant human FMO3 did not catalyse zotepine S-oxidation. 6. These results suggest that both the N-demethylation and S-oxidation of zotepine are mediated mainly by CYP3A4, and that CYP1A2 and 2D6 play an important role in the 2- and 3-hydroxylation of zotepine, respectively.

1. N- and O-sulphoconjugation of various substrates were studied with human liver cytosol and purified cytosolic sulphotransferase in the presence of 3-phosphoadenosine 5-phosphosulphate. 2. Human liver cytosol catalysed N-sulphoconjugation of alicyclic and aryl-amines, and O-sulphoconjugation of hydroxysteroid and phenol. Activities of amine sulphoconjugation in the cytosol correlated well with those of hydroxysteroid but not with phenol. 3. Alicyclic amine sulphotransferase in human liver cytosol was purified to homogeneity by anion exchange, affinity and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Sulphoconjugating activities of alicyclic amine co-purified with those for hydroxysteroid conjugation. Subunit molecular weight of the purified sulphotransferase was 34 kDa. Contents of the purified enzyme correlated with the sulphoconjugating activities of hydroxysteroid and alicyclic amine. From these results, we concluded that the alicyclic amine sulphotransferase purified in this study was identical to hydroxysteroid sulphotransferse in human liver cytosol. 4. The results of this study indicate that hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase in human liver cytosol catalyses N-sulphoconjugation of alicyclic and aryl-amines. Hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase in the cytosol is reported to catalyse O-sulphoconjugations of various compounds including hydroxysteroids, bile acids, cholesterol, and aliphatic and benzylic alcohols. The present and previously reported results indicate that hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase in the cytosol catalyses both N- and O-sulphoconjugations of several substrates.

The pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus (FK506) were studied in the male rat after a single dermal application of FK506 ointment over an application period of 24 hours. In the typical experiment, the amount of ointment applied was 100 mg per each rat, and application area was 10 cm2. The pharmacokinetic parameters estimated were maximal blood concentration (Cmax), time to reach Cmax (Tmax), and area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC). 1. Blood concentrations of FK506 were determined after a single dermal application of FK506 ointment under the occlusive or non-occlusive dressing condition. After respective application of 0.5 and 0.1% FK506 ointment to the intact and damaged skin, Cmax and AUC values did not differ significantly between either dressing conditions. Blood concentrations of FK506 after a single dermal application of FK506 ointment to the damaged skin were much higher than those applied to the intact skin. The bioavailability of FK506 after application of 0.5% FK506 ointment to the intact skin was 5% and that to the damaged skin was 62%. 2. After a single dermal application of 0.03, 0.1 and 0.5% FK506 ointment to the intact skin, the Cmax and AUC values increased in proportion to the strength of the ointment. After a single dermal application of 0.3% FK506 ointment to 2.5, 5 and 10 cm2 of the intact skin, the Cmax and AUC values increased proportionally to the area of the skin. The Cmax and AUC values did not the differ significantly after single dermal application of 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg of 0.3% FK506 ointment to the intact skin.

Background. Although it is important to maintain an appropriate blood concentration of FK506 after liver transplantation, significant interindividual variability in the actual FK506 dosage has been observed, presumably due to the wide variability of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity in liver microsomes. Methods. A study was conducted in patients undergoing living-related liver transplantation and their donors to investigate the relationship between the in vitro FK506 demethylation activity in graft liver microsomes and the in vivo blood clearance of FK506. Liver biopsy tissue was obtained from 17 living donors to measure the in vitro formation rate of 13-demethyl derivative (M-I: the major metabolite of FK506). Erythromycin N-demethylation activity in vitro was also assessed in 11 cases. The FK506 blood clearance (CLss) was calculated from its constant infusion rate and steady-state blood concentration on day 4 after transplantation in 17 recipients. Results. The FK506 infusion rate varied 4.6-fold from 8.3 to 38.4 ng/min/kg. The mean CLss of FK506 was 22.1±10.8 ml/min (10.1-45.2 ml/min). The M-I formation rate showed a wide variability, ranging from 0.098 to 0.571 nmol/min/mg protein. A significant correlation was observed between the in vitro estimated total metabolic ability of the graft for FK506 (M-I formation rate × graft weight) and the in vivo CLss of FK506 (r=0.770, P

A cDNA of amine sulfotransferase-RB1 (AST-RB1), which efficiently catalyzes 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (PTHP) sulfation, has been isolated by immunoscreening of a rabbit liver cDNA library. The cDNA consisted of 1,117 base pairs and encoded a protein of 301 amino acids with a molecular weight of 35,876. The deduced amino acid sequence matched at six positions those of peptide fragments obtained from purified AST-RB1 protein. The sequence had less than 38% identity at the amino acid level with cytosolic sulfotransferases in mammals, although high degrees of similarity were observed with regions conserved throughout mammalian sulfotransferases. These results indicate that AST-RB1, arbitrarily named sulfotransferase 3A1 (ST3A1), constitutes a new and third gene family of cytosolic sulfotransferases in mammals. ST3A1 expressed in Escherichia coli as a fused protein catalyzed sulfation of amines such as PTHP, aniline, 4-chloroaniline, 2-naphthylamine, and desipramine, but barely O-sulfation of typical aryl and hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase substrates. These data unequivocally demonstrate the existence of a cytosolic sulfotransferase showing a high selectivity for amine substrates, and indicate that multiple forms of sulfotransferase mediate sulfation of xenobiotics in mammalian livers.

The absorption, distribution and excretion of tacrolimus (FK506) was studied in the baboon after intravenous (i.v.) and oral administration of 14C-labeled FK506 (14C-FK506) at respective dose levels of 1 and 10 mg/kg. 1. After i.v. injection of 14C-FK506, both total radioactivity and FK506 were eliminated bi or tri-exponentially from the body. The whole blood levels of radioactivity were higher than those in the plasma, and were almost the same as the FK506 levels in the whole blood, which were much higher than those in the plasma. Model-independent pharmacokinetic parameters of FK506 in the whole blood were as follows: elimination half-life (T1/2), 12.3 hours; total body clearance, 0.265 L/h·kg; and volume of distribution at steady state, 3.93 L/kg. After oral administration, the parameters were as follows: T1/2, 10.4 hours; maximal blood concentration (Cmax), 190 ng/ml; time to reach Cmax, 2 hours; and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞), 2007 ng·h/ml. The bioavailability of radioactivity and FK506 was 7.0 and 5.1% respectively. The levels of radioactivity and FK506 were much lower in the plasma than those of the whole blood at FK506 level less than 250 ng/ml in the whole blood. 2. Tissue distribution of radioactivity was studied at 1, 24 and 120 hours after dosing with 14C-FK506. After i.v. injection, the radioactivity in all tissues collected was higher than that in the plasma 1 hour after injection, and was highest in the lungs, liver, pancreas, and small intestine. Radioactivity decreased gradually and was not detected in almost any tissues 120 hours after injection, except that maximal radioactivity in the large intestine was observed at 24 hours after injection. After oral administration, the radioactivity was detected in a limited number of the tissues such as thymus, liver, spleen, pancreas, bone marrow, and alimentary tract 1 hour after dosing and was not observed in almost any tissues 120 hours after dosing. The radioactivity in the body was mainly excreted in the bile to the feces after both administrations. 3. For 240 hours after administration of 14C-FK506, 5 and 86% of the dosed radioactivity were excreted in the urine and feces, respectively, after i.v. injection, and 4 and 79% after oral administration. The majority of radioactivity dosed was excreted in the urine and feces during the first 72 hours after both administrations.

The oxidative metabolism of tacrolimus (FK506) and its in vitro major metabolite was studied using rat liver microsomes. The microsomes were incubated with 14C-labeled (14C-) substrates and NADPH under aerobic condition, and the reaction products were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The 13-O-mono-demethylated metabolite (M-I) was detected as the major metabolite of 14-CFK506 at the early stage of incubation and many polar metabolites including di-demethylated and unidentified metabolites were detected at the late stage. The 13, 15 and 13, 31-O-di-demethylated metabolites (M-VII and M-VI, respectively) and more polar metabolites were produced from 14C-M-I. The oxidative metabolism of M-I by rat liver microsomes was higher in adult males than in females, was inhibited by the addition of polyclonal antibody against cytochrome P450 3A2, and was induced by the pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital and dexamethasone. These results indicate that FK506 is metabolized to polar metabolites via M-I, and the metabolism of M-I is catalyzed by rat cytochrome P450 3A subfamily, the same as in the case of FK506 metabolism.