Thomas N. O'Connell

METABOLISM AND DISPOSITION OF VARENICLINE, A SELECTIVE α4β2 ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR PARTIAL AGONIST, IN VIVO AND IN VITRO

The metabolism and disposition of varenicline (7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,10-methano-6H-pyrazino[2,3-h][3]benzazepine), a partial agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor for the treatment of tobacco addiction, was examined in rats, mice, monkeys, and humans after oral administration of [14C]varenicline. In the circulation of all species, the majority of drug-related material was composed of unchanged varenicline. In all four species, drug-related material was primarily excreted in the urine. A large percentage was excreted as unchanged parent drug (90, 84, 75, and 81% of the dose in mouse, rat, monkey, and human, respectively). Metabolites observed in excreta arose via N-carbamoyl glucuronidation and oxidation. These metabolites were also observed in the circulation, in addition to metabolites that arose via N-formylation and formation of a novel hexose conjugate. Experiments were conducted using in vitro systems to gain an understanding of the enzymes involved in the formation of the N-carbamoylglucuronide metabolite in humans. N-Carbamoyl glucuronidation was catalyzed by UGT2B7 in human liver microsomes when incubations were conducted under a CO2 atmosphere. The straightforward dispositional profile of varenicline should simplify its use in the clinic as an aid in smoking cessation.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of thiotetronic acid analogues of thiolactomycin

3-Acetyl analogues of thiolactomycin, a thiotetronic acid natural product, were synthesized and profiled against livestock pathogens. Some analogues showed improved activity over thiolactomycin against Staphylococcus aureus and comparable activity against Pasteurella multocida. Several semisynthetically modified analogues of thiolactomycin showed no improvement in activity over thiolactomycin.

Metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and excretion of a cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor, torcetrapib, in rats, monkeys, and mice: characterization of unusual and novel metabolites by high-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance.

The disposition of torcetrapib {(–)-[2R,4S] 4-[(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-methoxycarbonyl-amino]-2-ethyl-6-trifluoromethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoline-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester}, a cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor, was studied in rats, monkeys, and mice after oral administration of a single dose of [14C]torcetrapib. Total mean recoveries of the radiocarbon were 90.9, 93.4, and 86.8% from mice, rats, and monkeys, respectively. Excretion of radioactivity was rapid and nearly complete within 48 h after dosing, with a majority excreted in the feces in all species. Torcetrapib was not detected in the urine and/or bile across species, suggesting that it is primarily cleared by metabolism in these species. More than 28 metabolites were identified in all species and were products of oxidation and conjugation pathways. The primary metabolic pathways of torcetrapib involved hydrolysis of the carbamate ester (M2) and the oxidation of the ethyl moieties. M2 was subsequently metabolized in parallel by oxidative cleavage to novel and unusual quinoline metabolites (M3, M4, M5, M9, and M17), M1 (bis trifluoromethyl benzoic acid), and M28 [3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl-(methoxycarbonyl)methanesulfonic acid]. The structures of several metabolites were established by high-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 1H NMR. The major circulating and excretory metabolites in mice, rats and monkeys were species-dependent; however, several common metabolites were observed in more than one species. In addition to parent torcetrapib, M1, M3, and M4 in rats, M4 and M17 in mice, and M3 and M8 in monkeys were detected as the major circulating metabolites. A mechanism for the formation of an unusual metabolite M28 has been proposed.

Comparison of LC-NMR and conventional NMR for structure elucidation in drug metabolism studies.

Liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-NMR) has proven to be a useful technique for the structure elucidation of novel metabolites from pharmaceutical compounds. Proponents of LC-NMR tout the advantage of eliminating the step of a separate chromatographic isolation. However, the advantages of directly coupling NMR and HPLC instrumentation must be weighed against compromises in performance made to each technique to achieve a hyphenated system. While significant advances have been made in LC-NMR technology, a strong case can be made that HPLC purification of metabolites followed by conventional tube NMR is equally useful. It is relatively rare that one approach will be successful and the other not. The fundamental consideration is whether there is sufficient chromatographic expertise in the NMR laboratory to adequately design and execute appropriate experiments such that a pure chromatographic peak will be produced in the hyphenated system. Due to speed and sensitivity differences between NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) continues to be the front-line approach for the structure elucidation of metabolites.

CYP2C8 AND CYP3A MEDIATED C-DEMETHYLATION OF (3-{[4-TERT-BUTYL-BENZYL)-(PYRIDINE-3- SULFONYL)-AMINO]-METHYL}-PHENOXY)ACETIC ACID (CP-533,536), AN EP2 RECEPTOR-SELECTIVE PROSTAGLANDIN E2 AGONIST: CHARACTERIZATION OF METABOLITES BY HIGH RESOLUTION LC-MS/MS AND LC/MS-NMR

CP-533,536, (3-{[(4-tert-butyl-benzyl)-(pyridine-3-sulfonyl)-amino]-methyl}-phenoxy)-acetic acid (1), an EP2 receptor-selective prostaglandin E2 agonist, is being developed to aid in the healing of bone fractures. To support the development of this program, in vitro metabolism of 1 was investigated in human liver microsomes and major recombinant human cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms. 1 was metabolized in vitro by at least three recombinant human P450s: CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2C8. The turnover of 1 was NADPH-dependent and was completely inhibited by ketoconazole and quercetin in the CYP3A4/5 and CYP2C8 incubations, respectively. The major metabolic pathways were caused by oxidation of the tert-butyl moiety to form the ω-hydroxy metabolite (M4), oxidation of the pyridine moiety, and/or N-dealkylation of the methylphenoxy acetic acid moiety. The alcohol metabolite M4 was further oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid M3. In addition to these pathways, three unusual metabolites (M22, M23, and M26) resulting from C-demethylation of the tert-butyl group were identified using high-resolution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/NMR. The C-demethylated metabolites were not detected on incubation of carboxylic acid metabolite M3 with either human liver microsomes or CYP3A/2C8 isoforms, suggesting that these metabolites were not derived from decarboxylation of M3. A possible mechanism for C-demethylation may involve the oxidation of M4 to form an aldehyde metabolite (M24), followed by P450-mediated deformylation, to give an unstable carbon-centered radical and formic acid. The carbon-centered radical intermediate then undergoes either oxygen rebound to form an alcohol metabolite M23 or hydrogen abstraction leading to an olefin metabolite M26.

CYP2C8- and CYP3A-mediated C-demethylation of (3-{[(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-(pyridine-3-sulfonyl)-amino]-methyl}-phenoxy)-acetic acid (CP-533,536), an EP2 receptor-selective prostaglandin E2 agonist: characterization of metabolites by high-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-nuclear magnetic resonance.

CP-533,536, (3-{[(4-tert-butyl-benzyl)-(pyridine-3-sulfonyl)-amino]-methyl}-phenoxy)-acetic acid (1), an EP2 receptor-selective prostaglandin E2 agonist, is being developed to aid in the healing of bone fractures. To support the development of this program, in vitro metabolism of 1 was investigated in human liver microsomes and major recombinant human cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms. 1 was metabolized in vitro by at least three recombinant human P450s: CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2C8. The turnover of 1 was NADPH-dependent and was completely inhibited by ketoconazole and quercetin in the CYP3A4/5 and CYP2C8 incubations, respectively. The major metabolic pathways were caused by oxidation of the tert-butyl moiety to form the ω-hydroxy metabolite (M4), oxidation of the pyridine moiety, and/or N-dealkylation of the methylphenoxy acetic acid moiety. The alcohol metabolite M4 was further oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid M3. In addition to these pathways, three unusual metabolites (M22, M23, and M26) resulting from C-demethylation of the tert-butyl group were identified using high-resolution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/NMR. The C-demethylated metabolites were not detected on incubation of carboxylic acid metabolite M3 with either human liver microsomes or CYP3A/2C8 isoforms, suggesting that these metabolites were not derived from decarboxylation of M3. A possible mechanism for C-demethylation may involve the oxidation of M4 to form an aldehyde metabolite (M24), followed by P450-mediated deformylation, to give an unstable carbon-centered radical and formic acid. The carbon-centered radical intermediate then undergoes either oxygen rebound to form an alcohol metabolite M23 or hydrogen abstraction leading to an olefin metabolite M26.

BIOTRANSFORMATION OF AN α4β2 NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR PARTIAL AGONIST IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS AND THE DISPOSITIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ITS N-CARBAMOYL GLUCURONIDE METABOLITE

The metabolism and disposition of (1S,5R)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1,5-methano-1H-3-benzazepine (1), an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, was determined in Sprague-Dawley rats after oral administration of [14C]1. In intact animals, mass balance was achieved within 48 h, with 5 times more radioactivity excreted in urine than in feces. Compound 1 underwent renal and metabolic clearance equally and exhibited a very long half-life attributable to a secondary peak occurring 8 h postdose in its serum concentration-time curve. In bile duct-cannulated (BDC) rats, mass balance was also achieved within 48 h with 73.7, 23.4, and 5.5% of the dose detected in bile, urine, and feces, respectively. Rats metabolized 1 by two primary routes: four-electron oxidation to either four amino acids or a lactam and formation of an N-carbamoyl glucuronide (M6), which was only detected in bile. The presence of M6 solely in bile and the double-humped serum concentration-time curve of 1 suggested the indirect enterohepatic cycling of 1 via M6 after oral administration. To explore this mechanistic hypothesis further, intravenous studies were conducted with 1 in both intact and BDC rats to determine the extent of 1 undergoing indirect enterohepatic cycling via M6. Compared with the pharmacokinetics in intact rats, total serum clearance was higher (1.7-fold) and volume of distribution was lower (1.6-fold) in BDC rats, resulting in a correspondingly shorter (2.5-fold) half-life, with 56% of administered 1 undergoing recirculation, an amount consistent with that (68% of dose) of M6 observed in bile from rats dosed orally with [14C]1.

Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, and Excretion of the 5-Hydroxytryptamine1B Receptor Antagonist Elzasonan in Humans

The metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and excretion of a potent and selective 5-hydroxytryptamine1B receptor antagonist elzasonan have been studied in six healthy male human subjects after oral administration of a single 10-mg dose of [14C]elzasonan. Total recovery of the administered dose was 79% with approximately 58 and 21% of the administered radioactive dose excreted in feces and urine, respectively. The average t1/2 for elzasonan was 31.5 h. Elzasonan was extensively metabolized, and excreta and plasma were analyzed using mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy to elucidate the structures of metabolites. The major component of drug-related material in the excreta was in the feces and was identified as 5-hydroxyelzasonan (M3), which accounted for approximately 34% of the administered dose. The major human circulating metabolite was identified as the novel cyclized indole metabolite (M6) and accounted for ∼65% of the total radioactivity. A mechanism for the formation of M6 is proposed. Furthermore, metabolism-dependent covalent binding of drug-related material was observed upon incubation of [14C]elzasonan with liver microsomes, and data suggest that an indole iminium ion is involved. Overall, the major metabolic pathways of elzasonan were due to aromatic hydroxylation(s) of the benzylidene moiety, N-oxidation at the piperazine ring, N-demethylation, indirect glucuronidation, and oxidation, ring closure, and subsequent rearrangement to form M6.

Species Differences in the Biotransformation of an α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist: The Effects of Distinct Glucuronide Metabolites on Overall Compound Disposition

The metabolism and disposition of (1R,5S)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1,5-methano-1H-3-benzazepine (1), an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats and cynomolgus monkeys receiving (1R,5S)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1,5-methano-1H-4[14C]-3- benzazepine hydrochloride ([14C]1) orally. Although both species chiefly (≥62%) cleared 1 metabolically, species-specific dispositional profiles were observed for both 1 and total radioactivity. Radioactivity was excreted equally in the urine and feces of intact rats but largely (72%) in bile in bile duct-cannulated animals. In monkeys, radioactivity recoveries were 50-fold greater in urine than feces and minimal (<5%) in bile. Both species metabolized 1 similarly: four-electron oxidation to one of four amino acids or two lactams (minor) and glucuronide formation (major). In rats, the latter pathway predominantly formed an N-carbamoyl glucuronide (M6), exclusively present in bile (69% of dose), whereas in monkeys it afforded an N-O-glucuronide (M5), a minor biliary component (4%) but the major plasma (62%) and urinary (42%) entity. In rats, first-pass hepatic conversion of 1 to M6, which was confirmed in rat hepatocytes, and its biliary secretion resulted in the indirect enterohepatic cycling of 1 via M6 and manifested in double-humped plasma concentration-time curves and long t1/2 for both 1 and total radioactivity. In monkeys, in which only M5 was formed, double-humped plasma concentration-time curves were absent, and moderate t1/2 for both 1 and total radioactivity were observed. A seemingly subtle, yet critical, difference in the chemical structures of these two glucuronide metabolites considerably affected the overall disposition of 1 in rats versus monkeys.

Convenient preparation of 9-cis-retinoic acid

9-cis-Retinoic Acid was prepared in 5% yield by photoisomerization of all-trans-retinoic acid and simple recrystallization of the resulting isomeric mixture.