PURPOSE: [corrected] This study is dedicated to the permeation of various amino acid-, D-glucose-, and PEG-conjugates of indinavir, saquinavir, and nelfinavir across monolayers of Caco-2 cells as models of the intestinal barrier. This screening is aimed at detecting the most promising prodrugs for improving the intestinal absorption of these protease inhibitors. METHODS: The bidirectional transport of the prodrugs was investigated using P-gp-expressing Caco-2 monolayers grown on membrane inserts using high-performance liquid chromatography for quantitation. RESULTS: The L-valyl, L-leucyl, and L-phenylalanyl ester conjugates led to an enhancement of the absorptive flux of indinavir or saquinavir. These results are likely attributable to an active transport mechanism and/or to a decrease of their efflux by carriers such as P-gp. Connection of tyrosine through its hydroxyl, of D-glucose, or of polyethylene glycol decreased their absorptive and secretory diffusion. CONCLUSIONS: Conjugation of the protease inhibitors to amino acids constitutes a most appealing alternative that could improve their intestinal absorption and oral bioavailability. Whether it could improve their delivery into the central nervous system remains to be explored. D-Glucose conjugation will most probably not improve their intestinal absorption or their crossing of the blood-brain barrier. If some pharmacologic benefits are to be expected from PEG-protease inhibitor conjugates, they must then be administered intravenously.
PURPOSE: [corrected] This study is dedicated to the permeation of various amino acid-, D-glucose-, and PEG-conjugates of indinavir, saquinavir, and nelfinavir across monolayers of Caco-2 cells as models of the intestinal barrier. This screening is aimed at detecting the most promising prodrugs for improving the intestinal absorption of these protease inhibitors. METHODS: The bidirectional transport of the prodrugs was investigated using P-gp-expressing Caco-2 monolayers grown on membrane inserts using high-performance liquid chromatography for quantitation. RESULTS: The L-valyl, L-leucyl, and L-phenylalanyl ester conjugates led to an enhancement of the absorptive flux of indinavir or saquinavir. These results are likely attributable to an active transport mechanism and/or to a decrease of their efflux by carriers such as P-gp. Connection of tyrosine through its hydroxyl, of D-glucose, or of polyethylene glycol decreased their absorptive and secretory diffusion. CONCLUSIONS: Conjugation of the protease inhibitors to amino acids constitutes a most appealing alternative that could improve their intestinal absorption and oral bioavailability. Whether it could improve their delivery into the central nervous system remains to be explored. D-Glucose conjugation will most probably not improve their intestinal absorption or their crossing of the blood-brain barrier. If some pharmacologic benefits are to be expected from PEG-protease inhibitor conjugates, they must then be administered intravenously.
Authors: P Annaert; G Gosselin; A Pompon; S Benzaria; G Valette; J L Imbach; L Naesens; S Hatse; E de Clercq; G Van den Mooter; R Kinget; P Augustijns Journal: Pharm Res Date: 1998-02 Impact factor: 4.200
Authors: Paul S Marinec; Lei Chen; Kenneth J Barr; Mitchell W Mutz; Gerald R Crabtree; Jason E Gestwicki Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2009-01-21 Impact factor: 11.205