Differential activation of pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor by buprenorphine in primary human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells.

Buprenorphine is a partial μ-opioid receptor agonist used for the treatment of opioid dependence that has several advantages over methadone. The principal route of buprenorphine disposition has been well established; however, little is known regarding the potential for buprenorphine to influence the metabolism and clearance of other drugs by affecting the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs). Here, we investigate the effects of buprenorphine on the activation of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), as well as the induction of DMEs, in both HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes (HPHs).

Regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes by xenobiotic receptors: PXR and CAR.

Drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and transporters play pivotal roles in the disposition and detoxification of numerous foreign and endogenous chemicals. To accommodate chemical challenges, the expression of many DMEs and transporters is up-regulated by a group of ligand-activated transcription factors namely nuclear receptors (NRs). The importance of NRs in xenobiotic metabolism and clearance is best exemplified by the most promiscuous xenobiotic receptors: pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) and constitutive androstane/activated receptor (CAR, NR1I3).

Methadone induces the expression of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes through the activation of pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor.

Methadone (MD) is the most established substance abuse pharmacotherapy of choice for the management of heroin dependence. To date, drug-drug interactions involving MD have been characterized asymmetrically among existing reports, which describe how other drugs affect the metabolic or pharmacokinetic profiles of MD; however, limited information is available regarding the potential for MD to influence similar fates of coadministered drugs. Moreover, little to no mechanistic evidence has been explored.

Bioactive terpenoids and flavonoids from Ginkgo biloba extract induce the expression of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes through pregnane X receptor, constitutive androstane receptor, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated pathways.

Purpose: The objective of the current study is to investigate the hypothesis that bioactive terpenoids and flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) induce human hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and transporters through the selective activation of pregnane X receptor (PXR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).

Methods: Human primary hepatocyte (HPH), and HepG2 cells are used as in vitro models for enzyme induction and nuclear receptor activation studies. A combination of real-time RT-PCR, transient transfection, and cell-based reporter assays were employed.