Oxidation of methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine by CYP2D6.

Methamphetamine (MeAmp) abuse has recently experienced a resurgence and approaches to the treatment of its addiction similar to those used with cocaine have been considered. As the treatment regimes are likely to use drugs whose metabolism is related to that of MeAmp, studies were initiated to establish the enzymology of the fate of MeAmp. This report describes investigations of the role of CYP2D6, the human isoform of the enzyme that catalyzes debrisoquine hydroxylation, in the 4-hydroxylation and N-demethylation of MeAmp. The results of studies with human liver microsomes including those from a genetically poor metabolizer with respect to CYP2D6, showing correlation between MeAmp and metoprolol hydroxylation and MDMA demethylenation, were consistent with a major involvement of CYP2D6 in the aromatic 4-hydroxylation of MeAmp. This was confirmed by studies with recombinant CYP2D6 expressed in yeast, which was also shown to effect the N-demethylation of MeAmp. The rate of the 4-hydroxylation reaction was substantially slower than the demethylenation of MDMA. In contrast to MeAmp, MDMA was not N-demethylated by CYP2D6. Since CYP2D6 participates in the major steps of MeAmp metabolism, pharmacokinetic interactions are likely with other drug substrates proposed for the treatment of MeAmp addiction. Furthermore, the genetic polymorphism associated with the enzyme could manifest itself in abnormal responses to MeAmp.

Mechanism-based inhibition of cytochrome P-450 by heterocyclic analogues of phencyclidine.

Three homologues of 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine (PCP) containing the five-, six-, and seven-membered heterocyclic ring (1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)pyrrolidine (PCPY), PCP, 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)hexamethyleneimine (PCHMI) were preincubated with microsomes from phenobarbital-induced rabbit liver. The microsomes were then diluted, an additional charge of NADPH was added, and N-demethylation of benzphetamine was determined. Preincubation of the microsomes with the analogues lowered P-450-dependent N-demethylation by a process that was NADPH-dependent, reduced CO binding to microsomes, and followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The relative rates of inactivation, PCP greater than or equal to PCPY greater than PCHMI, agreed with the order of inhibition of CO binding to reduced microsomes. This mechanism-based inhibition was not observed with phenylcyclohexylamine, indicating that the substituted nitrogen is necessary. The substituted nitrogen must also be part of a heterocyclic ring since the diethylamino analogue of PCP did not exhibit the same type of inhibition a heterocyclic ring is involved. These trends correlated with the expected relative stabilities of the cyclic form of the carbinolamine suggesting that the inhibitory species was formed from the closed ring isomer.

Spectral and inhibitory interactions of (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with rat hepatic microsomes.

Incubation of racemic methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with rat hepatic microsomes, in the presence of NADPH, generated a spectrally observed inhibitory complex with cytochrome P-450. The complex inhibited product formation from MDA and MDMA as well as other P-450 dependent reactions such as benzphetamine demethylation and CO binding. In the absence of NADPH, MDMA and MDA generated type I and type IIa difference spectra, respectively, suggesting differences in their binding to the enzyme active site. The N-demethylation of MDMA was partially inhibited by methimazole suggesting involvement of the hepatic flavin-containing monooxygenase.

Mechanism of oxidation of N-hydroxyphentermine by superoxide.

Cytochrome P-450 oxidizes N-hydroxyphentermine (MPPNHOH) by an indirect pathway involving superoxide. The chemical details of this oxidation, in which N-hydroxyphentermine is converted to 2-methyl-2-nitro-1-phenylpropane (MPPNO2), have been elucidated by examining the interaction of MPPNHOH with superoxide in aqueous and organic solvents. The role of peroxide, hydroperoxy radicals, and oxygen in the reaction was also examined. The results indicate that superoxide itself is oxidizing MPPNHOH to a nitroxide that disproportionates to MPPNHOH and 2-methyl-2-nitroso-1-phenylpropane (MPPNO). MPPNO is then oxidized to MPPNO2 by O2 or hydroperoxide. Two possible mechanisms for the superoxide oxidation were considered, a proton abstraction and a hydrogen atom abstraction. Stoichiometric and oxygen evolution studies favor the hydrogen abstraction pathway.

Role of superoxide in the N-oxidation of N-(2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propyl)hydroxylamine by the rat liver cytochrome P-450 system.

The N-oxidation of N-(2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propyl)hydroxylamine (N-hydroxyphentermine, MPPNHOH) and the N-hydroxylation of 2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propylamine (phentermine) by reconstituted systems that contained cytochromes P-450 purified from rat liver microsomes were demonstrated. The oxidation of MPPNHOH, but not of phentermine, could also be mediated by a superoxide and hydrogen peroxide generating system that contained xanthine and xanthine oxidase. Superoxide dismutase completely inhibited the oxidation of MPPNHOH by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and inhibited by 70% the oxidation mediated by a reconstituted cytochrome P-450 oxidase system. The majority of the microsomal oxidation was inhibited by an antibody raised against the major isozyme of cytochrome P-450 purified from livers of phenobarbital-pretreated rats. 2-Methyl-2-nitroso-1-phenylpropane (MPPNO) was found to be an intermediate in the overall oxidation of MPPNHOH to 2-methyl-2-nitro-1-phenylpropane (MPPNO2). Superoxide dismutase appeared to inhibit the first step, the conversion of MPPNHOH to MPPNO. These observations are accounted for by a sequence of two mechanistically distinct P-450-mediated oxidations. In the first reaction, N-hydroxylation of phentermine occurs by a normal cytochrome P-450 pathway. The formed hydroxylamine then uncouples the cytochrome P-450 system to generate superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. The superoxide oxidizes MPPNHOH to MPPNO which is then oxidized to MPPNO2, the ultimate product. This superoxide-mediated oxidation represents another pathway for N-oxidation by cytochrome P-450.

Phencyclidine metabolism in vitro. The formation of a carbinolamine and its metabolites by rabbit liver preparations.

Four products of the in vitro oxidative metabolism of the piperidine ring of phencyclidine, 5-(1-phenylcyclohexylamino)valeraldehyde, V; N-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine, VIII; 5-(1-phenylcyclohexylamino)valeric acid, VII; and 1-phenylcyclohexylamine, IX, have been identified following derivatization, by GC/MS with stable isotope labeling and/or synthesis. The enamine, VIII, may be a work-up elimination product of a carbinolamine, alpha-hydroxy-N-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine, IV. The formation of all metabolites requires microsomal enzymes, but VII and the previously described N-(5-hydroxypentyl)-1-phenylcyclohexylamine, VI, also require soluble enzymes. Quantitative or semiquantitative data show that VI and VIII appear and disappear with time, whereas VII seems to be a terminal metabolite.

The metabolism of (R)-(-)-amphetamine by rabbit liver microsomes. Initial products.

The metabolism of 1-amphetamine in rabbit liver is complex in that several routes may give rise to the same intermediate. In this study, the subsequent metabolism of the primary products of N- and C-oxidation were blocked by selecting appropriate incubation conditions. The resulting simplified system was used to investigate the enzymes involved in the two pathways. Phenobarbital treatment increased N- and C-hydroxylation, whereas 3-methylcholanthrene treatment had an inhibitory effect on both pathways. Inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 were either nonselective or were partially selective in inhibiting the two routes of amphetamine metabolism. Induction modulated the sensitivity toward the inhibitors of N- and C-oxidation.