Cytochrome P450 3A4
xenobiotic catabolic process
Characterization of human cytochrome P450 enzymes catalyzing domperidone N-dealkylation and hydroxylation in vitro.
<h4>Aims</h4>To confirm the identity of the major metabolites of domperidone and to characterize the cytochrome P450s (CYPs) involved in their formation.<h4>Methods</h4>Human liver microsomes (HLMs) were used to characterize the kinetics of domperidone metabolism and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the products. Isoform-specific chemical inhibitors, correlation analysis and expressed human CYP genes were used to identify the CYPs involved in domperidone oxidation.<h4>Results</h4>In HLMs, domperidone underwent hydroxylation to form 5-hydroxydomperidone (MIII) and N-dealkylation to form 2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-benzimidazole-1-propionic acid (MI) and 5-chloro-4-piperidinyl-1,3-dihydro-benzimidazol-2-one (MII). The formation of all three metabolites (n = 4 HLMs) followed apparent Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The mean Km values for MI, MII and MIII formation were 12.4, 11.9, and 12.6 micro m, respectively. In a panel of HLMs (n = 10), the rate of domperidone (5 microm and 50 microm) metabolism correlated with the activity of CYP3A (r > 0.94; P < 0.0001). Only ketoconazole (1 microm) (by 87%) and troleandomycin (50 microm) (by 64%) inhibited domperidone (5 microm) metabolism in HLMs. Domperidone (5 and 50 microm) hydroxylation and N-dealkylation was catalyzed by expressed CYP3A4 at a higher rate than the other CYPs. CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8 and 2D6 also hydroxylated domperidone<h4>Conclusions</h4>CYP3A-catalyzed N-dealkylation and aromatic hydroxylation are the major routes for domperidone metabolism. The drug would be expected to demonstrate highly variable bioavailability due to hepatic, and possibly intestinal first-pass metabolism after oral administration. Increased risk of adverse effects might be anticipated during concomitant administration with CYP3A inhibitors, as well as decreased efficacy with inducers of this enzyme.