HMR1098, a novel KATP-blocking agent, is metabolized to form an S-glucuronide in rat and dog bile. Synthesis of the S-glucuronide metabolite was studied in human liver and kidney microsomes. Recombinant UPD-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) were screened for activity, and kinetic analysis was performed to identify the isoform or isoforms responsible for the formation of this novel S-glucuronide in humans. S-Glucuronidation is relatively rare, but from this study it appears that S-glucuronides are not generated exclusively by a single UGT isoform. From the panel of recombinant isoforms used, both UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 catalyzed the glucuronidation of HMR1098. The Vmax values in both instances were similar, but the Km for UGT1A1 was substantially lower than that measured for UGT1A9, 82 μM compared with 233 μM, respectively. Liver and kidney microsomes displayed similar Km values, but the Vmax in kidney was more than 20-fold less than in liver microsomes, which is suggestive of a significant role for the bilirubin UGT in catalysis of HMR1098, although other UGTs may play a secondary role.
1 It can be stated in regard to the metabolism of nomifensine that the metabolites and also the starting compound are present in alkaline urine almost completely in conjugated form. 2 The metabolites M I-M III represent about 30% of the radioactivity excreted with urine. Two-thirds are N-glucuronides and one-third O-glucuronides. 3 Nearly the entire remainder of the renally eliminated radioactivity in nomifensine which is present in conjugated form as N-glucuronide. 4 Thus over 90% of the metabolites formed in man and excreted via urine have been identified.