Analyze Diet
Drug testing and analysis2024; doi: 10.1002/dta.3822

Investigation Into the Equine Metabolism of Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Roflumilast for Potential Doping Control.

Abstract: The phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors constitute a relatively modern class of medications that are known for inducing bronchodilation and exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties within the body. Due to these properties, there is concern regarding their potential misuse as performance-enhancing substances in competitive sports. This study delves into the metabolic conversion of roflumilast in thoroughbred horses following oral administration and in vitro experimentation using equine liver microsomes and Cunninghamella elegans. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer (HPLC-HRMS) was employed for analysis. The investigation identified 10 metabolites of roflumilast, including six phase I and four phase II metabolites from in vivo studies, and 11 metabolites from in vitro studies, consisting of eight phase I and three phase II metabolites. The identified biotransformation products encompassed processes such as hydroxylation, chlorine substitution, methylation, N-oxide formation, and even the dissociation of methylenecyclopropane and difluoromethane. Furthermore, the study identified three glucuronic acid and one sulfonic acid conjugated phase II metabolites of the investigated drug candidate. The aforementioned findings contribute to the detection and comprehension of the unauthorized utilization of roflumilast in equestrian sports.
Publication Date: 2024-11-17 PubMed ID: 39551487DOI: 10.1002/dta.3822Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates how the drug roflumilast, a type of medication known as a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, is metabolized in thoroughbred horses, aiming to better understand its potential misuse in competitive horse racing.

Overview of Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors

  • Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are a class of drugs known for their bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Because of these effects, there is potential for these drugs to be misused to enhance performance in sports, particularly in equestrian sports.

Investigation of Roflumilast Metabolism

  • The research focuses on the metabolic conversion of one specific PDE4 inhibitor, roflumilast, in thoroughbred horses.
  • This was studied both in vivo – through oral administration of the drug to the horses – and in vitro, using equine liver microsomes and a fungus called Cunninghamella elegans that is often used in drug metabolism studies.

Analysis Technique

  • The researchers used an analytical technique called high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer (HPLC-HRMS) to study the metabolic products of roflumilast.

Findings

  • The study identified a total of 10 metabolites of roflumilast from the in vivo studies and an additional 11 metabolites from the in vitro studies. These include both phase I and phase II metabolites, which refer to different stages in the body’s processing of the drug.
  • The identified metabolites showed a variety of transformations, including hydroxylation, chlorine substitution, methylation, N-oxide formation, and dissociation of methylenecyclopropane and difluoromethane.
  • The study also identified conjugated phase II metabolites – compounds created when the body attaches certain chemicals to the drug to make it easier to excrete. These included three glucuronic acid conjugates and one sulfonic acid conjugate.

Implications

  • The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of how roflumilast is metabolized in horses, which can aid in detecting its unauthorized use in horse racing.
  • Knowing the metabolic products of roflumilast can help in designing drug tests to detect its use.

Cite This Article

APA
Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB, Karatt TK, Graiban FM, Ajeebsanu MM, Joseph M, Jose SV. (2024). Investigation Into the Equine Metabolism of Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Roflumilast for Potential Doping Control. Drug Test Anal. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3822

Publication

ISSN: 1942-7611
NlmUniqueID: 101483449
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Philip, Moses
  • Equine Forensic Unit, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Karakka Kal, Abdul Khader
  • Equine Forensic Unit, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Subhahar, Michael Benedict
  • Equine Forensic Unit, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Karatt, Tajudheen K
  • Equine Forensic Unit, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Graiban, Fatma Mohammed
  • Equine Forensic Unit, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Ajeebsanu, Meleparappil Muhammed
  • Equine Forensic Unit, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Joseph, Marina
  • Department of Bacteriology, Diagnostic Section, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Jose, Shantymol V
  • Department of Bacteriology, Diagnostic Section, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.

References

This article includes 43 references
  1. Conti M. Phosphodiesterases and Cyclic Nucleotide Signaling in Endocrine Cells. Molecular Endocrinology 14, no. 9 (2000): 1317–1327.
  2. Conti M, Beavo J. Biochemistry and Physiology of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Essential Components in Cyclic Nucleotide Signaling. Annual Review of Biochemistry 76 (2007): 481–511.
  3. Weiss B. Differential Activation and Inhibition of the Multiple Forms of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase. Advances in Cyclic Nucleotide Research 5 (1975): 195–211.
  4. Essayan DM. Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 108, no. 5 (2001): 671–680.
  5. Daly JW, Jacobson KA, Ukena D. Adenosine Receptors: Development of Selective Agonists and Antagonists. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research 230 (1987): 41–63.
  6. Ukena D, Schudt C, Sybrecht GW. Adenosine Receptor‐Blocking Xanthines as Inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase Isozymes. Biochemical Pharmacology 45, no. 4 (1993): 847–851.
  7. Daly JW, Hide I, Müller CE, Shamim M. Caffeine Analogs: Structure‐Activity Relationships at Adenosine Receptors. Pharmacology 42, no. 6 (1991): 309–321.
  8. Baraldi PG, Tabrizi MA, Gessi S, Borea PA. Adenosine Receptor Antagonists: Translating Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Into Clinical Utility. Chemical Reviews 108, no. 1 (2008): 238–263.
  9. Maxwell CR, Kanes SJ, Abel T, Siegel SJ. Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors: A Novel Mechanism for Receptor‐Independent Antipsychotic Medications. Neuroscience 129, no. 1 (2004): 101–107.
  10. Strada SJ, Uzunov P, Weiss B. Ontogenic Development of a Phosphodiesterase Activator and the Multiple Forms of Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterase of Rat Brain. Journal of Neurochemistry 23, no. 6 (1974): 1097–1103.
  11. Bender AT, Beavo JA. Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Molecular Regulation to Clinical use. Pharmacological Reviews 58, no. 3 (2006): 488–520.
  12. Lugnier C. Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase (PDE) Superfamily: A New Target for the Development of Specific Therapeutic Agents. Pharmacology & Therapeutics 109, no. 3 (2006): 366–398.
  13. Chong J, Leung B, Poole P. Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 9, no. 9 (2017): 1–147.
  14. Singh D, Agusti A, Anzueto A. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: The GOLD Science Committee Report 2019. European Respiratory Journal 53, no. 5 (2019): 1900164.
  15. Gamble E, Grootendorst DC, Brightling CE. Antiinflammatory Effects of the Phosphodiesterase‐4 Inhibitor Cilomilast (Ariflo) in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 168, no. 8 (2003): 976–982.
  16. Martinez FJ, Calverley PM, Goehring UM, Brose M, Fabbri LM, Rabe KF. Effect of Roflumilast on Exacerbations in Patients With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Uncontrolled by Combination Therapy (REACT): A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial. Lancet 385, no. 9971 (2015): 857–866.
  17. Compton CH, Gubb J, Nieman R. Cilomilast, a Selective Phosphodiesterase‐4 Inhibitor for Treatment of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomised, Dose‐Ranging Study. Lancet 358, no. 9278 (2001): 265–270.
  18. Boswell‐Smith V, Spina D, Page CP. Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors. British Journal of Pharmacology 147 (2006): S252–S257.
    doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706495google scholar: lookup
  19. Donohue JF. Minimal Clinically Important Differences in COPD Lung Function. COPD 2, no. 1 (2005): 111–124.
  20. Bateman ED, Rabe KF, Calverley PM. Roflumilast With Long‐Acting β2‐Agonists for COPD: Influence of Exacerbation History. European Respiratory Journal 38, no. 3 (2011): 553–560.
  21. O'Donnell DE, Bredenbröker D, Brose M, Webb KA. Physiological Effects of Roflumilast at Rest and During Exercise in COPD. European Respiratory Journal 39, no. 5 (2012): 1104–1112.
  22. Calverley PM, Rabe KF, Goehring UM, Kristiansen S, Fabbri LM, Martinez FJ. M2‐124 and M2‐125 Study Groups. Roflumilast in Symptomatic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Two Randomised Clinical Trials. Lancet 374, no. 9691 (2009): 685–694.
  23. Suzumura A, Ito A, Yoshikawa M, Sawada M. Ibudilast Suppresses TNFalpha Production by Glial Cells Functioning Mainly as Type III Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor in the CNS. Brain Research 837, no. 1–2 (1999): 203–212.
  24. Huang Z, Liu S, Zhang L. Preferential Inhibition of Human Phosphodiesterase 4 by Ibudilast. Life Sciences 78, no. 23 (2006): 2663–2668.
  25. Facchinetti F, Civelli M, Singh D, Papi A, Emirova A, Govoni M. A Novel Inhaled Pde4 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Frontiers in Pharmacology 12 (2021): 740803.
  26. Zerilli T, Ocheretyaner E. Apremilast (Otezla): A New Oral Treatment for Adults With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. P & t 40, no. 8 (2015): 495–500.
  27. Schachter EN. Cilomilast. Drugs Today (Barc) 42, no. 4 (2006): 237–247.
  28. Giembycz MA. Cilomilast: A Second Generation Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 10, no. 7 (2001): 1361–1379.
  29. Zhao Y, Zhang HT, O'Donnell JM. Inhibitor Binding to Type 4 Phosphodiesterase (PDE4) Assessed Using [3H]Piclamilast and [3H]Rolipram. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 305, no. 2 (2003): 565–572.
  30. Frazier W, Bhardwaj N. Atopic Dermatitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician 101, no. 10 (2020): 590–598.
  31. Imran M, Rauf A, Abu‐Izneid T. Luteolin, a Flavonoid, as an Anticancer Agent: A Review. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 112 (2019): 108612.
  32. Krstenansky JL. Mesembrine Alkaloids: Review of Their Occurrence, Chemistry, and Pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 195 (2017): 10–19.
  33. Cui X, Huang J, Zheng X, Jiang J, Kuang Y, Hu P. Simultaneous Determination of Roflumilast and Its Metabolite in Human Plasma by LC‐MS/MS: Application for a Pharmacokinetic Study. Journal of Chromatography. B, Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences 1029‐1030 (2016): 60–67.
  34. Qu H, Zhang K, Fu C, Qiu F. Simultaneous Quantification and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Roflumilast and Its N‐Oxide in Cynomolgus Monkey Plasma by LC‐MS/MS Method. Biomedical Chromatography 35, no. 2 (2021): e4973.
  35. Kertys M, Urbanova A, Mokry J. Determination of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors Tadalafil, Roflumilast and Roflumilast N‐Oxide Using LC‐MS in Guinea Pig Plasma. Journal of Chromatographic Science 56, no. 10 (2018): 948–954.
  36. Thevis M, Krug O, Schänzer W. Monitoring Phosphodiesterase‐4 Inhibitors Using Liquid Chromatography/(Tandem) Mass Spectrometry in Sports Drug Testing. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 27, no. 9 (2013): 993–1004.
  37. Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB. Equine Metabolic Investigation of the Phosphodiesterase‐4 Inhibitor Ibudilast as a Potential Performance Enhancer. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 38, no. 23 (2024): e9916.
    doi: 10.1002/rcm.9916google scholar: lookup
  38. Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB, Karatt TK, Mathew B, Koshy SA. Characterization of Growth Hormone Secretagogue Small Molecule Ibutamoren (MK‐0677) and Its Possible Metabolites in Thoroughbred Horses for Doping Control. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 36, no. 18 (2022): e9337.
    doi: 10.1002/rcm.9337google scholar: lookup
  39. Karatt TK, Sathiq MA, Laya S, Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB. Investigation of in Vitro Generated Metabolites of GLPG0492 Using Equine Liver Microsomes for Doping Control. Drug Testing and Analysis 15, no. 6 (2023): 605–628.
  40. Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB, Karatt TK, Mathew B, Perwad Z. In Vitro Studies of Hypoxia Inducible Factor‐Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitors Daprodustat, Desidustat, and Vadadustat for Equine Doping Control. Drug Testing and Analysis 14, no. 2 (2022): 317–348.
  41. Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Mathew B, Subhahar MB, Karatt TK, Perwad Z. Metabolic Study of Hypoxia‐Inducible Factor Stabilizers BAY 87‐2243, MK‐8617, and PT‐2385 in Equine Liver Microsomes for Doping Control. Drug Testing and Analysis 14, no. 10 (2022): 1703–1723.
  42. Watanabe S, Iwai T, Matsushita R. Comparison Between Human Liver Microsomes and the Fungus Cunninghamella Elegans for Biotransformation of the Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH‐424 Having a Bromo‐Naphthyl Moiety Analysed by High‐Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Forensic Toxicology 40, no. 2 (2022): 278–288.
  43. Muhammed Ajeebsanu M, Subhahar MB, Karakka Kal AK. Comprehensive Metabolic Investigation of Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor HDMP‐28 in Equine Liver Microsomes and Cunninghamella Elegans for Doping Control. Drug Testing and Analysis 16 (2024): 1–13.
    doi: 10.1002/dta.3642google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.