Influence of CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of nateglinide in genotyped healthy volunteers.
BACKGROUND
The oral hypoglycaemic drug nateglinide is eliminated from the human body via hepatic biotransformation and renal tubular secretion. According to in vitro data, about 70% of nateglinide intrinsic clearance may be mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 and a smaller fraction by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of CYP2C9 polymorphisms and of the CYP2D6 poor metaboliser genotype on the pharmacokinetics of nateglinide and its effects on insulin, glucose and glucagon in plasma.


METHODS
A prospective clinical study in 26 healthy volunteers chosen for their CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genotype was conducted with individuals carrying wild-type genotype as reference group.


METHODS
Serial plasma nateglinide, glucose, insulin and glucagon concentrations were measured over 34 hours after a 180 mg dose of nateglinide under challenge with 75 g of oral glucose at 0, 4 and 8 hours after nateglinide intake. Kinetics were evaluated by nonparametric methods and by population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling.


RESULTS
Significantly reduced oral nateglinide clearance was found in carriers of CYP2C9*3 alleles, (p < 0.01), whereas carriers of CYP2C9*2 alleles had kinetic parameters similar to those of carriers of the wild-type allele (p = nonsignificant). Median total clearances were 7.9, 8.4, 6.5, 6.9, 5.8 and 4.1 L/h in carriers of the CYP2C9 genotypes *1/*1, *1/*2, *2/*2, *1/*3, *2/*3 and *3/*3. Median clearance in three carriers of two deficient CYP2D6 alleles was 9.4 L/h. These differences in nateglinide kinetics due to CYP2C9 genotypes did not result in statistically significant differences in plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling revealed a minor effect of CYP2C9 genotype on insulin and glucose, and extrapolations indicated that carriers of the CYP2C9*3/*3 genotype may be at a slightly higher risk of hypoglycaemia compared with carriers of CYP2C9*1, particularly when taking nateglinide doses above 120 mg.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of CYP2C9 polymorphisms on nateglinide kinetics may cause a slightly increased risk for hypoglycaemia, which may become relevant in diabetic patients.
Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Charité, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany. julia.kirchheiner@charite.de
Julia
J
Kirchheiner
Ingolf
I
Meineke
Göran
G
Müller
Steffen
S
Bauer
Wolfgang
W
Rohde
Christian
C
Meisel
Ivar
I
Roots
Jürgen
J
Brockmöller
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003510:Cyclohexanes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D065729:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D000077715:Nateglinide; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D000077715:Nateglinide; D010649:Phenylalanine; D005934:Glucagon; C450260:CYP2C9 protein, human; D065729:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6