Transport and uptake of clausenamide enantiomers in CYP3A4-transfected Caco-2 cells: An insight into the efflux-metabolism alliance

The present study developed a CYP3A4-expressed Caco-2 monolayer model at which effects of the efflux-metabolism alliance on the transport and uptake of clausenamide (CLA) enantiomers as CYP3A4 substrates were investigated. The apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) of (−) and (+)CLA were higher in the absorptive direction than those in the secretory direction with efflux ratios (ER) of 0.709 ± 0.411 and 0.867 ± 0.250 (×10−6 cm/s), respectively. Their bidirectional transports were significantly reduced by 75.6–87.5% after treatment with verapamil (a P-glycoprotein inhibitor) that increased the rate of metabolism by CYP3A4, whereas the CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole treatment markedly enhanced the basolateral to apical flux of (−) and (+)CLA with ERs being 2.934 ± 1.432 and 1.877 ± 0.148(×10−6 cm/s) respectively. These changes could be blocked by the duel CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein inhibitor cyclosporine A, consequently, Papp values for CLA enantiomers in both directions were significantly greater than those obtained by using verapamil or ketoconazole, and their ERs were similar to those following (−) or (+)-isomer treatment alone. Furthermore, the uptake of (−)CLA was more than that of (+)CLA in the transfected cells. Incubation with ketoconazole decreased the intracellular concentrations of the two enantiomers. This effect disappeared in the presence of a CYP3A4 inducer dexamethasone. These results indicated that CYP3A4 could influence P-gp efflux, transport and uptake of CLA enantiomers as CYP3A4 substrates and that a duel inhibition to CYP3A4/ P-glycoprotein could enhance their absorption and bioavailability, which provides new insight into the efflux-metabolism alliance and will benefit the clinical pharmacology of (−)CLA as a candidate drug for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

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