The objective of this research is to characterize a sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) in MDCK-MDR1 cells (Madin-Darby canine kidney cells transfected with the human MDR1 gene) and to investigate the feasibility of utilizing MDCK-MDR1 cell line as an in vitro model to study the permeability of biotin-conjugated prodrugs of anti-HIV protease inhibitors. Mechanism of [ 3 H] biotin uptake and transport was delineated. Transepithelial permeability of the biotin conjugated prodrug i.e. biotin-saquinavir was also studied. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out to confirm the existence of SMVT in MDCK-MDR1 cells. Biotin uptake was Na + , pH, and temperature dependent, but energyindependent. Transepithelial transport studies of biotin-saquinavir in MDCK-MDR1, wild type MDCK, and Caco-2 cells revealed that permeability of biotin-saquinavir was similar in all three cell lines. A band of SMVT mRNA at 862 bp was identified by RT-PCR. A sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter, SMVT, responsible for biotin uptake and transport, was identified and functionally characterized in MDCK-MDR1 cells. Therefore, MDCK-MDR1 cell line may be utilized as an in vitro model to study the permeability of biotin conjugated prodrugs such as HIV protease inhibitors.

Saquinavir (SQV) was the first human immuno-virus-1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitor approved by FDA. However, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an efflux pump limits its oral and brain bioavailabilities. The objective of this study is to investigate whether prodrug modification of SQV to dipeptide prodrugs Valine-Valine-Saquinavir (Val-Val-SQV) and Glycine-Valine-Saquinavir (Gly-Val-SQV) targeting intestinal peptide transporter can enhance intestinal permeability of SQV by circumventing P-gp mediated efflux. Single pass intestinal perfusion experiments in rat jejunum were performed to calculate the absorption rate constant and intestinal permeability of SQV, ValVal-SQV and Gly-Val-SQV. Equimolar concentration (25 μM) of SQV, Val-Val-SQV and GlyVal-SQV were employed in the perfusion studies. Perfusion experiments were also carried out in the presence of cyclosporine (10 μM) and glycyl-sarcosine (20mM). Absorption rate constants in rat jejunum (k a ) for SQV, Val-Val-SQV and Gly-Val-SQV were found to be 14.1±3.4 ×10 −3 , 65.8±4.3 ×10 −3 , and 25.6±5.7 ×10 −3 min −1 respectively. Enhanced absorption of Val-Val-SQV and Gly-Val-SQV relative to SQV can be attributed to their translocation by the peptide transporter in the jejunum. Significant permeability enhancement of SQV across rat jejunum was observed in the presence of cyclosporine 10 μM (P-gp inhibitor). However, permeability of ValVal-SQV was unchanged in the presence of cyclosporine suggesting lack of any interaction of the prodrug with efflux pump. Intestinal absorption of Val-Val-SQV was significantly inhibited in the presence of gly-sar indicating the involvement of peptide transporter in intestinal absorption. In conclusion, peptide transporter targeted prodrug modification of P-gp substrates could lead to shielding of these drug molecules from efflux pumps.

Poor systemic concentrations of lopinavir (LPV) following oral administration occur due to high cellular efflux by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) and extensive metabolism by CYP3A4 enzymes. In this study, amino acid prodrugs of LPV were designed and investigated for their potential to circumvent efflux processes and first pass effects. Three amino acid prodrugs were synthesized by conjugating isoleucine, tryptophan and methionine to LPV. Prodrug formation was confirmed by the LCMS/MS and NMR technique. Interaction of LPV prodrugs with efflux proteins were carried out in P-gp (MDCK-MDR1) and MRP2 (MDCK-MRP2) transfected cells. Aqueous solubility studies demonstrated that prodrugs generate higher solubility relative to LPV. Prodrugs displayed higher stability under acidic conditions and degraded significantly with rise in pH. Uptake and transport data suggested that prodrugs carry significantly lower affinity towards P-gp and MRP2 relative to LPV. Moreover, prodrugs exhibited higher liver microsomal stability relative to LPV. Hence, amino acid prodrug modification might be a viable approach for enhancing LPV absorption across intestinal epithelial and brain endothelial cells which expresses high levels of P-gp and MRP2.

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