RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effects of a P-Glycoprotein Inhibitor on Brain and Plasma Concentrations of Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Drugs Administered in Combination in Rats JF Drug Metabolism and Disposition JO Drug Metab Dispos FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 479 OP 482 DO 10.1124/dmd.30.5.479 VO 30 IS 5 A1 Savolainen, Jouko A1 Edwards, Jeffrey E. A1 Morgan, Michael E. A1 McNamara, Patrick J. A1 Anderson, Bradley D. YR 2002 UL http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/30/5/479.abstract AB Most of the existing anti-human immunodeficiency virus agents enter the central nervous system (CNS) inefficiently and thus may allow slow viral replication in the brain. This may provide a sanctuary for the virus in the CNS and contribute to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome dementia complex. This study evaluates a prodrug approach to improve the CNS delivery of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (ddI) in combination with inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux to increase the CNS delivery of the protease inhibitor nelfinavir and to determine whether any unanticipated drug interactions occur in this combination therapy. Three rats received either 6-chloro-2′3′-dideoxypurine (6-Cl-ddP), a prodrug of ddI activated by adenosine deaminase, nelfinavir, nelfinavir and 6-Cl-ddP, nelfinavir andN-(4-[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethoxy-2-isoquinolinyl)ethyl]-phenyl)-9,10-dihydro-5-methoxy-9-oxo-4-acridine carboxamide (GF120918) (a P-glycoprotein inhibitor), 6-Cl-ddP and GF120918, or 6-Cl-ddP, nelfinavir, and GF120918. Both 6-Cl-ddP and nelfinavir were administered as i.v. infusions, whereas GF120918 was given as an i.v. bolus 2 h before sampling. Plasma and brain tissue concentrations of 6-Cl-ddP, ddI, and nelfinavir were determined. Neither nelfinavir nor GF120918 was shown to alter the brain/plasma ratios of 6-Cl-ddP or ddI. GF120918, however, increased the plasma concentrations of 6-Cl-ddP and ddI, resulting in increased brain concentrations. GF120918 increased the brain/plasma ratio of nelfinavir significantly (∼100-fold). The brain/plasma ratios of nelfinavir were reduced nearly 2-fold in rats treated with nelfinavir, 6-Cl-ddP, and GF120918 compared with rats receiving only nelfinavir and GF120918, suggesting a modest inhibition of nelfinavir uptake by 6-Cl-ddP. Overall, combined 6-Cl-ddP, nelfinavir, and GF120918 administration enhances the brain/plasma ratios of both ddI and nelfinavir. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics