In vitro inhibition and enhancement of liver microsomal S-777469 metabolism by long-chain fatty acids and serum albumin: insight into in vitro and in vivo discrepancy of metabolite formation in humans.

1. It was previously demonstrated that 10% of S-777469, a cannabinoid receptor 2 selective agonist, is metabolized to its carboxylic acid metabolite (S-777469 5-carboxylic acid, 5-CA) in humans in vivo, while the formation of 5-CA is extremely low in human cryopreserved hepatocytes and liver microsomes (HLMs). In this study, factors causing the different metabolite formation rates of S-777469 in vitro and in vivo were investigated. 2. Formation of 5-CA and S-777469 5-hydroxymethyl (5-HM), a precursor metabolite of 5-CA, was catalyzed by CYP2C9. Arachidonic acid, α-linolenic acid, oleic acid and myristic acid, which have been reported to exist in liver microsomes, inhibited S-777469 oxidation by CYP2C9, but serum albumin enhanced this reactions. 3. The IC50 values of these fatty acids for 5-CA formation from 5-HM were lower than those of 5-HM formation from S-777469. Serum albumin extensively enhanced 5-CA formation from 5-HM in comparison to 5-HM formation from S-777469. 4. CYP2C9 was the enzyme responsible for S-777469 oxidation in human livers. The suppressive effects of several fatty acids and enhancing action of serum albumin in vitro are likely to be the causal factors for the apparently different rates of in vitro and in vivo metabolite formation of S-777469.