Distribution, teratogenicity, and embryonic delivered dose of retinoid Ro 23-9223.

Abstract

Ro 23-9223 is a highly lipophilic aromatic retinoid with antiproliferative and sebum supressive effects in preclinical disease models of acne. To investigate the relation between Ro 23-9223 developmental toxicity, drug distribution, and transplacental transfer, groups of pregnant hamsters were given oral doses of 50-500 mg/kg Ro 23-9223 on days 8 and 9 of gestation. The teratogenic phenotype induced at doses greater than 125 mg/kg per day was similar to that found after exposure to doses of 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin, Accutane) greater than 37.5 mg/kg per day. Oral bioavailability of Ro 23-9223 was very low compared to 13-cis-retinoic acid. The highest concentrations of Ro 23-9223 were found in maternal liver, lung, adipose tissue, cardiac muscle, and placenta, whereas only little of the compound crossed the blood-brain barrier. Based on embryo AUC, Ro 23-9223 had a 30- to 50-fold greater embryo:maternal concentration ratio than 13-cis-retinoic acid plus its bioactive metabolites following similar doses of the two retinoids. In preclinical pharmacology studies, oral doses of Ro 23-9223 (5 mg/kg per day) and 13-cis-retinoic acid (10 mg/kg per day) produced comparable gland size reductions in the hamster ear sebaceous gland reduction assay. Under these conditions, Ro 23-9223 plasma AUC was 40 times smaller than that of 13-cis-retinoic acid plus its bioactive metabolites. Assuming that the near linear dose-exposure relationship of Ro 23-9223 extends beyond the dose range of this study, embryo AUCs of Ro 23-9223 and 13-cis-retinoic acid (plus metabolites) would be near identical following pharmacologically equivalent doses. A comparison of embryo retinoid AUCs suggests a 4-fold lower teratogenic potency of Ro 23-9223 compared to with 13-cis-retinoic acid. Despite high embryo levels in hamsters, the data suggest an improved therapeutic index for Ro 23-9223 compared with 13-cis-retinoic acid in a preclinical acne disease model.

• Authors: C C Willhite, A Lovey, C Eckhoff
• Journal: Toxicology and applied pharmacology (Toxicol Appl Pharmacol) Vol. 164 Issue 2 Pg. 171-5 (Apr 15 2000) ISSN: 0041-008X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10764630 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Chemical References

• Retinoids
• Ro 23-9223
• Teratogens
• Isotretinoin

Topics

• Abnormalities, Drug-Induced (etiology)
• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Area Under Curve
• Cricetinae
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Embryo, Mammalian (drug effects)
• Female
• Isotretinoin (toxicity)
• Maternal-Fetal Exchange
• Pregnancy
• Retinoids (pharmacokinetics, toxicity)
• Teratogens (pharmacokinetics, toxicity)
• Tissue Distribution