Background: We determined if endogenous cortisol 6 beta-hydroxylation clearance [CL(m(6 beta))] could be used as a reliable index for in vivo CYP3A phenotyping (including both hepatic and intestinal CYP3A activities).
Methods: In this study, 16 healthy volunteers received a single 7.5 mg oral dose of midazolam (MDZ). Blood samples were drawn up to 24 h after dosing. Urine samples were collected at various time periods after dosing. MDZ, 1-hydroxymidazolam (1-OHMDZ), cortisol (F) and 6 beta-hydroxycortisol (6 beta-OHF) in plasma or urine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance detection (HPLC-UV).
Results: CL(m(6 beta)) was poorly correlated (P>0.2) with MDZ oral clearance [CL(oral(MDZ))] and the ratio of AUC(0-infinity(1-OHMDZ)) versus AUC(0-infinity(MDZ)) [MR((AUC))]. However, when examining the data obtained from male volunteers exclusively, strong correlations were observed between CL(m(6 beta)) and CL(oral(MDZ)). Larger interindividual and intraindividual variabilities were observed in urinary ratio of 6 beta-OHF/F compared with CL(m(6 beta)).
Conclusion: CL(m(6 beta)) cannot reflect the overall CYP3A activity accurately and quantitatively in the population.