Modulation of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) activity biomarkers and pharmacokinetics of PF-00915275, a selective 11betaHSD1 inhibitor.
BACKGROUND
11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) is a promising target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. 11betaHSD1 catalyzes the intracrine conversion of inactive cortisone to the active glucocorticoid cortisol.


OBJECTIVE
Demonstrating inhibition of 11betaHSD1 is challenging because there is no accessible way to directly assess the enzyme activity in vivo. Thus, it was proposed to assess the enzyme activity, in an indirect fashion, using two biomarker methods: the prednisolone generation study (conversion of oral prednisone to prednisolone in plasma) and the ratio of cortisol and cortisone metabolites in urine.


METHODS
This was a phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multiple-dose study.


METHODS
The study was conducted in a clinical research unit.


METHODS
Sixty healthy adult volunteers participated in the study.


METHODS
Oral doses of PF-00915275 (0.3-15 mg) and prednisone (10 mg) were administered during the study.


METHODS
Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PF-00915275, a selective 11betaHSD1 inhibitor, were measured.


RESULTS
Overall, multiple oral doses of PF-00915275 were safe and well tolerated. After oral administration, PF-00915275 was rapidly absorbed, slowly eliminated, and generally displayed dose-proportional increases in exposure. At the 15-mg dose, mean exposure to prednisolone was reduced by 37%, and there was a dose-dependent fall in the 5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol + 5beta-tetrahydrocortisol to tetrahydrocortisone ratio with maximum inhibition of 26% after 14 d. The urinary free cortisol to urinary free cortisone ratio, an indicator of 11betaHSD2 inhibition, did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
PF-00915275 was safe at all doses tested. The results of the prednisolone generation test and the urinary metabolite ratios confirm that PF-00915275 is a selective 11betaHSD1 inhibitor.
Courtney
Rachel
R
Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer Inc., La Jolla, California 92121, USA.
Stewart
Paul M
PM
Toh
Melvin
M
Ndongo
Marie-Noella
MN
Calle
Roberto A
RA
Hirshberg
Boaz
B
D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D003348:Cortisone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000097:blood; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
C525872:4'-cyanobiphenyl-4-sulfonic acid (6-aminopyridin-2-yl)amide; D000631:Aminopyridines; D015415:Biomarkers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013449:Sulfonamides; D011239:Prednisolone; D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1; D003348:Cortisone; D011241:Prednisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone