Cross-species comparison of the metabolism and excretion of selexipag.

1. The metabolism of the prostacyclin receptor agonist selexipag (NS-304; ACT-293987) and its active metabolite MRE-269 (ACT-333679) has been investigated in liver microsomes and hepatocytes of rats, dogs, and monkeys. MRE-269 formation is the main pathway of selexipag metabolism, irrespective of species. Some interspecies differences were evident for both compounds in terms of both metabolic turnover and metabolic profiles. The metabolism of MRE-269 was slower than that of selexipag in all three species. 2. The metabolism of selexipag was also studied in bile-duct-cannulated rats and dogs after a single oral and intravenous dose of [14C]selexipag. MRE-269 acyl glucuronide was found in both rat and dog bile. Internal acyl migration reactions of MRE-269 glucuronide were identified in an experiment with the synthetic standard MRE-6001. 3. MRE-269 was the major component in the faeces of rats and dogs. In ex vivo study using rat and dog faeces, selexipag hydrolysis to MRE-269 by the intestinal microflora is considered to be a contributory factor in rats and dogs. 4. A taurine conjugate of MRE-269 was identified in rat bile sample. Overall, selexipag was eliminated via multiple routes in animals, including hydrolysis, oxidative metabolism, conjugation, intestinal deconjugation, and gut flora metabolism.

Contribution of Human Liver and Intestinal Carboxylesterases to the Hydrolysis of Selexipag In Vitro.

In liver microsomes, selexipag (NS-304; ACT-293987) mainly undergoes hydrolytic removal of the sulfonamide moiety by carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) to yield the pharmacologically active metabolite MRE-269 (ACT-333679). However, it is not known how much CES in the liver and intestine contributes to the hydrolysis of selexipag or how selexipag is metabolized in the intestine, including by hydrolysis. To obtain a better understanding of selexipag metabolism in humans, we determined the percentage contribution of CES1 and carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) to the hydrolysis of selexipag and 7 of its analogs with different sulfonamide moieties and evaluated its nonhydrolytic metabolism in human liver microsomes and human intestinal microsomes (HIMS). For selexipag, the percentage contributions of CES1 and CES2 in human liver microsomes were 77.0% and 9.99%, respectively, while the percentage contribution of CES2 in HIMS was 100%. In HIMS, the rate of hydrolysis of selexipag was the lowest among the compounds tested, and no difference between the presence and absence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate was noted. We infer from these results that selexipag is likely to be hydrolyzed by CES2 as well as CES1, and only selexipag itself and the MRE-269 produced by hydrolysis in the intestine would be absorbed after oral administration.

Pharmacokinetics of the selective prostacyclin receptor agonist selexipag in rats, dogs and monkeys.

1. This study examined the pharmacokinetics, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the selective prostacyclin receptor agonist selexipag (NS-304; ACT-293987) and its active metabolite MRE-269 (ACT-33679). The compounds were investigated following oral and/or intravenous administration to intact rats, dogs and monkeys, and bile-duct-cannulated rats and dogs. 2. After oral administration of [14C]selexipag, selexipag was well absorbed in rats and dogs with total recoveries of over 90% of the dose, mainly in the faeces. Biliary excretion was the major elimination pathway for [14C]MRE-269 as well as [14C]selexipag, while renal elimination was of little importance. [14C]Selexipag-related radioactivity was secreted into the milk in lactating rats. 3. Plasma was analysed for total radioactivity, selexipag and MRE-269 in rats and monkeys. Selexipag was negligible in rat plasma due to extensive metabolism, and MRE-269 was present in rat and monkey plasma. A species difference was clearly evident when selexipag was incubated in rat, dog and monkey plasma. 4. Total radioactivity was rapidly distributed to tissues. The highest concentrations were found in the bile duct and liver without significant accumulation or persistence, while there was limited melanin-associated binding, penetration of the blood-brain barrier and placental transfer of drug-related materials.

In vitro metabolism of dexamethasone cipecilate, a novel synthetic corticosteroid, in human liver and nasal mucosa.

Dexamethasone cipecilate (DX-CP, 9-fluoro-11ß,17,21-trihydroxy-16α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione 21-cyclohexanecarboxylate 17-cyclopropanecarboxylate) is a novel synthetic corticosteroid used to treat allergic rhinitis. The pharmacological effect of DX-CP is considered to be mainly due to its active de-esterified metabolite (DX-17-CPC). To investigate the in vitro metabolism of DX-CP in human liver, DX-CP was incubated with human liver microsomes and S9. In addition, a metabolism study of DX-CP with human nasal mucosa was carried out in order to elucidate whether DX-17-CPC is formed in nasal mucosa, the site of action of DX-CP. DX-17-CPC was the major metabolite in both liver microsomes and S9. Two new epoxide metabolites, UK1 and UK2, were detected in liver S9, while only UK1 was detected in liver microsomes. This suggests that cytosol enzymes are responsible for the formation of UK2. In human nasal mucosa, DX-CP was mainly transformed into DX-17-CPC. By using recombinant human carboxylesterases (CESs), the reaction was shown to be catalyzed by CES2. These results provide the evidence that the active metabolite DX-17-CPC is the main contributor to the pharmacological action after the intranasal administration of DX-CP to humans.

Effects of irsogladine on P450-isoform specific activities in human hepatic microsomes.

The effects of irsogladine (CAS 84504-69-8) on P450-isoform specific activities in human hepatic microsomes were examined. Irsogladine had little effects on coumarin hydroxylation (CYP2A6), 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylation (CYP2B6), S-mephenytoin hydroxylation (CYP2C19), bufuralol hydroxylation (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone hydroxylation (CYP2E1) and nifedipine oxidation (CYP3A4) at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 pmol/L. However, it inhibited 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (CYP1A2) and tolbutamide hydroxylation (CYP2C9) with the Ki values of 276 and 156 micromol/L, respectively. This suggests that it is a weak inhibitor of these isoforms. Because the plasma concentrations of irsogladine in humans are much lower than these Ki values, it is unlikely that irsogladine causes drug interactions with other drugs.

Effects of etodolac on P450 isoform-specific activities in human hepatic microsomes.

The effects of etodolac (CAS 41340-25-4) on P450 isoform-specific activities in human hepatic microsomes were examined. Etodolac had little effect on 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (CYP1A2), coumarin hydroxylation (CYP2A6), 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylation (CYP2B6), S-mephenytoin hydroxylation (CYP2C19), bufuralol hydroxylation (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone hydroxylation (CYP2E1) and nifedipine oxidation (CYP3A4) at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 micromol/L. Etodolac inhibited tolbutamide hydroxylation (CYP2C9) with the Ki value of 64 micromol/L, suggesting that it is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C9. The in vivo drug interaction was predicted from the in vitro data using the [I]/([I] + Ki) value. Because the value was calculated to be almost 1, it is not likely that etodolac causes the drug interactions with the CYP2C9 substrates.

Pharmacokinetics of the new pyrimidine derivative NS-7, a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker. 2nd communication: tissue distributions, placental transfer and milk secretion of radioactivity after a single intravenous 14C-NS-7 injection to rats.

Tissue distribution, placental transfer and secretion of radioactivity in milk were studied after a single intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg of 14C-NS-7 (4-(fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy)pyrimidine hydrochloride, CAS 178429-67-9), a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker, to rats. Except for white fat in male and female rats, tissue radioactivity concentrations 5 min after administration were 2 to 100 times the plasma values, evidence that the drug is widely distributed throughout the body. Five minutes after administration the highest concentration was in the lung followed in order by the adrenal gland, kidney and thyroid gland. Concentrations in the cerebral cortex, striatum and cerebellum, the target organs of NS-7, were similar and 10 to 18 times the plasma concentrations in the male and female rats. Radioactivity concentrations in the lungs decreased rapidly. The pancreas had the highest concentration 2 h after administration. Concentrations decreased in all the tissues examined as the plasma concentration decreased. Maternal and fetal tissue radioactivity concentrations were determined after intravenous injection of 14C-NS-7 to pregnant rats on the 18th day of gestation. Radioactivity was well and rapidly distributed to the maternal tissues, and concentrations in all the tissues tested were higher than the plasma concentrations. In the amniotic fluid, however, the concentration was lower than in the plasma. In all the fetal tissues tested, radioactivity reached a maximum 1 h after administration. The respective fetal blood and whole body concentrations were 2 to 6 and 11 to 13 times the maternal plasma concentration. Of the fetal tissues tested the liver had the highest radioactivity. Decreases in fetal tissue radioactivity concentrations paralleled the decrease in the maternal plasma. More than 90% of the radioactivity present in the placenta and fetal whole body 1 and 24 h after administration was due to the unchanged drug. After intravenous injection of 14C-NS-7 (0.2 mg/kg) to lactating rats on the 10-14th day after parturition, radioactivity was excreted rapidly into the milk, reaching a maximum that was 4 to 6 times the plasma value 1 h after injection.

Pharmacokinetics of the new pyrimidine derivative NS-7, a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker. 1st communication: plasma concentrations and excretions after a single intravenous 14C-NS-7 injection to rats, dogs and monkeys.

Plasma concentration profiles and excretion were investigated after a single intravenous injection of 14C-NS-7 (4-(fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy)pyrimidine hydrochloride, CAS 178429-67-9), a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker, to rats, dogs and monkeys. Plasma protein binding of this drug was determined in vitro and in vivo. AUC0-infinity values for radioactivity and NS-7 after the intravenous administration of 14C-NS-7 to male rats increased with the dose, namely from 0.04 to 5 mg/kg (radioactivity) and from 0.2 to 5 mg/kg (NS-7), indicating the linearity of the drug's pharmacokinetics. Plasma concentrations of the unchanged drug after the intravenous injection of 0.2 mg/kg 14C-NS-7 decreased biexponentially, respective t1/2 beta values being 15.9 h in the male and 22.4 h in the female rats. The t1/2 beta values difference in the males and females might be due to sex differences in NS-7 metabolism. Urinary and fecal excretions of radioactivity within 168 h of administration were 33.0 and 61.4% of the dose in the male and 35.0 and 53.2% in the female rats. No radioactivity was detected in air exhaled from the males and females collected for 168 h after NS-7 administration. Within 24 h of administration, respective biliary excretions for the male and female rats were 26.1 and 11.9% of the dose. Of this excreted radioactivity, 34.9% was reabsorbed in the males. NS-7 plasma concentrations decreased biexponentially after intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg 14C-NS-7 to dogs and monkeys. The elimination half-life was 18 h for the dogs and 9.52 h for the monkeys. Urinary and fecal excretions of radioactivity within 168 h of administration were 24.2 and 70.0% of the dose for the dogs, and 63.3 and 24.8% for the monkeys. These species differences in excretion may be due to differences in urinary metabolite compositions. In vitro protein binding of NS-7 showed no marked species differences and was independent of the NS-7 concentration. Binding of 14C-NS-7 in the sera of rats, dogs, monkeys and humans was 90.7%, 73.5% 79.0% and 87.1%, respectively. Binding to human serum albumin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and lipoprotein was 56.2%, 45.4% and 79.5%, in the range of 4-40 ng/ml. In vivo binding in rat serum 5 min, 6 h and 24 h after the intravenous injection of 14C-NS-7(0.2 mg/kg) ranged from 89.6 to 90.6%.