Pharmacokinetics of Bupropion and its Pharmacologically Active Metabolites in Pregnancy

Bupropion, an antidepressant and anti-smoking medication, is used for treatment of depression during pregnancy, however its efficacy as a smoking cessation aid in pregnancy has not been confirmed. The drug is extensively biotransformed by liver with the formation of pharmacologically active metabolites, namely hydroxybupropion (OHBUP), threo- (TB) and erythrohydrobupropion (EB). CYP2B6 is the primary enzyme catalyzing the formation of OHBUP; the latter is the main plasma metabolite of bupropion and is thought to contribute majorly to pharmacological efficacy of the drug. CYP2C19 enzyme is involved in hydroxylation of bupropion, as well as TB and EB. Pregnancy-associated changes in maternal physiology may alter the pharmacokinetics of bupropion and thus influence the efficacy of bupropion in promoting cessation in pregnant smokers. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregnancy on bupropion biodisposition. In addition, we studied the impact of functional genetic variants of CYP2B6 and CYP2C19 on bupropion pharmacokinetics in pregnancy. Our data indicated that the isoform-specific effect of pregnancy on bupropion-metabolizing enzymes and changes in renal function during pregnancy could collectively result in slight increase of bupropion apparent oral clearance; however, no changes in the plasma levels of OHBUP were evident. Further, our data demonstrated that the effect of CYP2B6*6 (reduced function allele) and CYP2C19*2 (loss-of-function allele) on bupropion biodisposition in pregnancy are similar to those observed in the non-pregnant state. We also investigated the in vivo placental transfer of the drug and its metabolites. For this purpose, the drug and its metabolites were determined in the matching maternal-umbilical cord blood plasma samples collected at delivery from pregnant women treated with bupropion for depression during pregnancy. The levels of OHBUP, TB, and, with a few exceptions, bupropion, in the umbilical cord venous plasma were lower than those in the matching maternal plasma, suggesting limited fetal exposure. In addition, we found that the concentrations of OHBUP and TB in the fetal circulation could be predicted from those in the maternal plasma. Further, bupropion and its metabolites were determined in the amniotic fluid, suggesting additional pathway of fetal exposure to maternally administered bupropion.

Name thesis:degree_name

Pharmacology and Toxicology (Doctoral)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Author dc:creator

• Fokina, Valentina Mikhaylovna

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ahmed, Mahmoud S

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Nanovskaya, Tatiana N
• Abdel-Rahman, Sherif Z
• Rytting, Erik
• Snodgrass, Wayne R
• Abdel-Rahman, Susan M

• Bupropion
• hydroxybupropion
• pregnancy
• pharmacokinetics
• smoking cessation
• erythrohydrobupropion
• threohydrobupropion
• CYP2B6
• CYP2C19
• carbonyl reductases
• metabolism
• fetus
• exposure
• placenta
• placental passage
• umbilical cord
• amniotic fluid

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2152.3/11304

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:utmb-ir.tdl.org:2152.3/11304