Pharmacokinetics and protein adduct formation of the pharmacologically active acyl glucuronide metabolite of mycophenolic acid in pediatric renal transplant recipients

The acyl glucuronide metabolite (AcMPAG) of mycophenolic acid (MPA) has been found to possess both immunosuppressive and pro-inflammatory activity in vitro. In this study its pharmacokinetics were determined in pediatric renal transplant recipients receiving cyclosporine, steroids, and mycophenolate mofetil. Twelve-hour concentration-time profiles for AcMPAG, MPA, and the phenolic glucuronide (MPAG) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the initial (1-3 wk; n=16) and stable (3-12 mo; n=22) phase,, after transplantation. In addition, the formation of covalent adducts between AcMPAG and plasma albumin (AcMPAG-Alb) was investigated using Western Blot analysis. AcMPAG-AUC(12h) showed significant (p<0.05) correlations with MPA-AUC(12h) (r=0.78) and MPAG-AUC(12h) (r=0.78). In molar equivalents the median AcMPAG-AUC(12h) was 10.3% (range, 4.6%-45.5%) of MPA-AUC(12h). Values (median [range]) of AcMPAG-AUC(12h) (10.1 [3.30-30.1] mg.h/L), AcMPAG-C-0 (0.48 [0.08-1.43] mg/L), and AcMPAG-C-max (1.95 [0.88-5.35] mg/L) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the stable phase than in the initial phase: 3.54 [2.07-20.0] mg.h/L for AUC(12h); 0.25 [<0.04-0.97] mg/L for C-0, and 1.12 [0.32-2.44] mg/L for C-max. The increases in the AcMPAG pharmacokinetic variables were paralleled by significant increases in the corresponding MPA variables. In addition, a strong negative correlation (r=-0.69; p<0.05) was found between AcMPAG concentrations and the creatinine clearance. AcMPAG-Alb adducts were detected in all patient samples. They showed considerable interindividual variation and increased significantly with time from the initial phase to the stable phase. AcMPAG-Alb correlated significantly (p<0.05) with AcMPAG-AUC(12h) (r=0.70) and plasma albumin (r=0.40). AcMPAG plasma concentrations are dependent on renal function, MPA disposition, and glucuronidation. The pharmacokinetics of AcMPAG is characterized by broad interindividual variation. In some patients AcMPAG may significantly contribute to the immunosuppression during mycophenolate mofetil therapy. AcMPAG-Alb adduct formation may serve as a marker for extended AcMPAG exposure. The association of AcMPAG with adverse effects must be further investigated.