Background and aims: Azelnidipine (CS-905) is a novel dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that is known to be excreted in feces. To examine the mechanism of biliary excretion of azelnidipine, the authors studied its biliary excretion in Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rats (EHBR), multidrug resistance protein (Mrp)2-deficient rats, and the effect of cholephilic compounds on the biliary excretion of azelnidipine in rats.
Methods: Radiolabeled azelnidipine was intravenously administered to EHBR and control rats, and the biliary excretion of radiolabeled metabolites was studied. Furthermore, the effect of sulfobromophthalein, taurocholate and vinblastine on the biliary excretion of azelnidipine metabolites was also studied in control rats.
Results: The biliary excretion of azelnidipine metabolites was delayed in EHBR. The biliary excretion of azelnidipine metabolites was inhibited by sulfobromophthalein and vinblastine, but was not inhibited by taurocholate or phenothiazine pretreatment.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the metabolites of azelnidipine are excreted into the bile partly by Mrp2 and P-glycoprotein.