Interactions between the dopamine agonist, bromocriptine and the efflux protein, P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier in the mouse

Eur J Pharm Sci. 2006 Feb;27(2-3):167-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2005.09.009. Epub 2005 Nov 2.

Abstract

Bromocriptin (BCT) is a dopaminergic receptor agonist, poorly transported through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and responsible for central side effects. Interactions between BCT and the efflux protein, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), have been described in vitro but nothing is known in vivo nor at the BBB level. At the BBB, in vivo, we investigated BCT as (i) a Pgp substrate by comparing the brain uptake in CF1 mdr1a(-/-) and mdr1a(+/+) mice with or without inhibitors of Pgp (valspodar, elacridar); (ii) a Pgp inducer by looking at the effect of repeated doses of BCT on cerebral uptake of digoxin and comparing it to the effect of dexamethasone and rifampicin; (iii) a Pgp inhibitor by determining the effect of a single dose of BCT on cerebral uptake of digoxin and comparing it to the effect of valspodar. CF1 mdr1a(-/-) mice showed much higher brain uptake of BCT than CF1 mdr1a(+/+) mice and brain uptake of BCT was higher in CF1 mdr1a(+/+) mice pre-treated with valspodar or elacridar indicating that BCT is a Pgp substrate at the BBB level. Brain uptake of digoxin was not modified in CF1 mdr1a(+/+) mice pre-treated with a single dose or repeated doses of BCT, indicating that BCT is neither a Pgp inductor nor a Pgp inhibitor at the BBB in the chosen experimental setting. In vivo, at the mouse BBB level and in our experimental conditions, bromocriptin is a Pgp substrate but is not a Pgp modulator.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / metabolism
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Acridines / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism*
  • Bromocriptine / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Bromocriptine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Cyclosporins / administration & dosage
  • Dopamine Agonists / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Dopamine Agonists / pharmacokinetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / administration & dosage

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Acridines
  • Cyclosporins
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines
  • Bromocriptine
  • multidrug resistance protein 3
  • Elacridar
  • valspodar