Effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its main metabolite EXP-3174 in rats: possible role of CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibition by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Pharmacology. 2011;88(1-2):1-9. doi: 10.1159/000328773. Epub 2011 Jun 25.

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin) on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its active metabolite EXP-3174 in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of losartan and EXP-3174 in rats were determined after oral and intravenous administration of losartan (9 mg/kg) without and with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (1 mg/kg). The effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on P-gp and cytochrome (CYP) 3A4 activity were also evaluated. Atorvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin inhibited CYP3A4 activities with IC₅₀ values of 48.0, 14.1 and 3.10 μmol/l, respectively. Simvastatin (1-10 μmol/l) enhanced the cellular uptake of rhodamine-123 in a concentration-dependent manner. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC₀₋∞) and the peak plasma concentration of losartan were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 59.6 and 45.8%, respectively, by simvastatin compared to those of control. The total body clearance (CL/F) of losartan after oral administration with simvastatin was significantly decreased (by 34.8%) compared to that of controls. Consequently, the absolute bioavailability (F) of losartan after oral administration with simvastatin was significantly increased by 59.4% compared to that of control. The metabolite-parent AUC ratio was significantly decreased by 25.7%, suggesting that metabolism of losartan was inhibited by simvastatin. In conclusion, the enhanced bioavailability of losartan might be mainly due to inhibition of P-gp in the small intestine and CYP3A subfamily-mediated metabolism of losartan in the small intestine and/or liver and to reduction of the CL/F of losartan by simvastatin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / analysis
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Acyl Coenzyme A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Administration, Oral
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / administration & dosage
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / metabolism
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / pharmacokinetics*
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / blood
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / metabolism*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / blood
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Imidazoles / blood
  • Imidazoles / pharmacokinetics*
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Losartan / administration & dosage
  • Losartan / metabolism
  • Losartan / pharmacokinetics*
  • Losartan / pharmacology
  • Lovastatin / analogs & derivatives
  • Lovastatin / pharmacokinetics
  • Lovastatin / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rhodamine 123 / metabolism
  • Simvastatin / blood
  • Simvastatin / metabolism
  • Simvastatin / pharmacology
  • Tetrazoles / blood
  • Tetrazoles / pharmacokinetics*
  • Tetrazoles / pharmacology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Acyl Coenzyme A
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Imidazoles
  • Tetrazoles
  • 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A
  • Rhodamine 123
  • Lovastatin
  • Simvastatin
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • losartan carboxylic acid
  • Losartan