To predict the outcome of intestinal drug transporter induction on pharmacokinetics, signaling of the DNA message along with messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription and protein translation leading to transporter function must be understood. We quantified the gene expression of PXR and CAR, gene expression and protein abundance of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug-resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and breast-cancer-resistance protein, the content of 754 microRNAs in human duodenal biopsy specimens, and pharmacokinetics of talinolol and ezetimibe before and after the treatment with rifampin and carbamazepine. Rifampin significantly induced the transcription of ABCB1 and ABCC2 and protein abundance of P-gp but not of MRP2. The abundance of P-gp was significantly correlated to the plasma exposure of ezetimibe and its glucuronide. Carbamazepine induced the mRNA expressions of CAR, ABCB1, and ABCC2 but did not elevate protein abundance. Using in silico prediction tools and luciferase reporter assays, microRNAs were identified that can contribute to ligand-specific regulation of intestinal drug transporters and different changes in drug disposition after induction with rifampin and carbamazepine.
Keywords: carbamazepine; ezetimibe; healthy subjects; induction; intestinal drug transporters; microRNA; nuclear receptors; rifampin; talinolol.