Carrier-mediated uptake of Levofloxacin by BeWo cells, a human trophoblast cell line.
OBJECTIVE
Placental transfer of Levofloxacin (LF), a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic, and its inhibition was investigated in BeWo cells, a human trophoblast cell line.


METHODS
The experiments of LF uptake by BeWo cells were performed after preincubation and in the presence of the P-glycoprotein inhibitors (Cyclosporin A, Verapamil and Quercetin), the organic anion/cation transporter inhibitor (Cimetidine) and the MCT substrates (lactic acid and salicylic acid).


RESULTS
P-glycoprotein inhibitors increased the uptake of LF by BeWo cells. The increase in LF accumulation by Cyclosporin A, Verapamil and Quercetin was by 30, 90 and 80%, respectively. Cimetidine, the organic cation inhibitor, increased the transport of LF by 48%. Lactic acid and salicylic acid, the MCT substrates, initially decreased the accumulation of LF by 30% and subsequently increased the uptake of LF by 500 and 53%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The uptake of LF by human trophoblast cells is mediated by multiple transporters as well as passive diffusion.
Polachek
Hana
H
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel. polache@bgu.ac.il
Holcberg
Gershon
G
Polachek
Joseph
J
Rubin
Mazal
M
Feinshtein
Valeria
V
Sheiner
Eyal
E
Ben-Zvi
Zvi
Z
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D016623:Ion Pumps / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016623:Ion Pumps; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin