Rodent Carcinogenicity Profile of the Antidiabetic Dual PPAR   and   Agonist Muraglitazar (original) (raw)

Urothelial Carcinogenesis in the Urinary Bladder of Male Rats Treated with Muraglitazar, a PPAR α/γ Agonist: Evidence for Urolithiasis as the Inciting Event in the Mode of Action

Toxicologic Pathology, 2006

Muraglitazar, a PPARα/γ agonist, dose-dependently increased urinary bladder tumors in male Harlan Sprague-Dawley (HSD) rats administered 5, 30, or 50 mg/kg/day for up to 2 years. To determine the mode of tumor development, male HSD rats were treated daily for up to 21 months at doses of 0, 1, or 50 mg/kg while being fed either a normal or 1% NH 4 Cl-acidified diet. Muraglitazar-associated, time-dependent changes in urine composition, urothelial mitogenesis and apoptosis, and urothelial morphology were assessed. In control and treated rats fed a normal diet, urine pH was generally ≥ 6.5, which facilitates formation of calcium-and magnesium-containing solids, particularly in the presence of other prolithogenic changes in rat urine. Urinary citrate, an inhibitor of lithogenesis, and soluble calcium concentrations were dose dependently decreased in association with increased calcium phosphate precipitate, crystals and/or microcalculi; magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals and aggregates; and calcium oxalate-containing thin, rod-like crystals. Morphologically, sustained urothelial cytotoxicity and proliferation with a ventral bladder predilection were noted in treated rats by month 1 and urinary carcinomas with a similar distribution occurred by month 9. Urothelial apoptotic rates were unaffected by muraglitazar treatment or diet. In muraglitazar-treated rats fed an acidified diet, urine pH was invariably < 6.5, which inhibited formation of calcium-and magnesium-containing solids. Moreover, dietary acidification prevented the urothelial cytotoxic, proliferative, and tumorigenic responses. Collectively, these data support an indirect pharmacologic mode of urinary bladder tumor development involving alterations in urine composition that predispose to urolithiasis and associated decreases in urine-soluble calcium concentrations.

Urothelial carcinogenesis in the urinary bladder of male rats treated with muraglitazar, a PPARα/γ agonist: evidence for urolithiasis as the inciting event in the mode of …

Toxicologic …, 2006

Muraglitazar, a PPARα/γ agonist, dose-dependently increased urinary bladder tumors in male Harlan Sprague-Dawley (HSD) rats administered 5, 30, or 50 mg/kg/day for up to 2 years. To determine the mode of tumor development, male HSD rats were treated daily for up to 21 months at doses of 0, 1, or 50 mg/kg while being fed either a normal or 1% NH 4 Cl-acidified diet. Muraglitazar-associated, time-dependent changes in urine composition, urothelial mitogenesis and apoptosis, and urothelial morphology were assessed. In control and treated rats fed a normal diet, urine pH was generally ≥ 6.5, which facilitates formation of calcium-and magnesium-containing solids, particularly in the presence of other prolithogenic changes in rat urine. Urinary citrate, an inhibitor of lithogenesis, and soluble calcium concentrations were dose dependently decreased in association with increased calcium phosphate precipitate, crystals and/or microcalculi; magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals and aggregates; and calcium oxalate-containing thin, rod-like crystals. Morphologically, sustained urothelial cytotoxicity and proliferation with a ventral bladder predilection were noted in treated rats by month 1 and urinary carcinomas with a similar distribution occurred by month 9. Urothelial apoptotic rates were unaffected by muraglitazar treatment or diet. In muraglitazar-treated rats fed an acidified diet, urine pH was invariably < 6.5, which inhibited formation of calcium-and magnesium-containing solids. Moreover, dietary acidification prevented the urothelial cytotoxic, proliferative, and tumorigenic responses. Collectively, these data support an indirect pharmacologic mode of urinary bladder tumor development involving alterations in urine composition that predispose to urolithiasis and associated decreases in urine-soluble calcium concentrations.

Nonclinical Safety Evaluation of Muraglitazar, a Novel PPAR / Agonist

Toxicological Sciences, 2007

The toxicity of muraglitazar, an oxybenzylglycine, nonthiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) a/g agonist, was evaluated in a comprehensive nonclinical toxicology program that included single-dose oral toxicity studies in mice, rats, and monkeys; repeat-dose toxicity studies in rats, dogs, and monkeys; a battery of in vitro and in vivo genetic toxicity studies; carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats; reproductive and developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits; and studies to investigate species-specific findings. Pharmacologically mediated changes, similar to those observed with other PPARg agonists, were observed following chronic administration and included subcutaneous edema, hematologic/hematopoietic and serum chemistry alterations, and morphologic findings in the heart and adipose tissue in rats and monkeys. In dogs, a species highly sensitive to PPARg agonists, muraglitazar caused pronounced species-specific clinical toxicity and degenerative changes in the brain, spinal cord, and testes at high doses and exposures. Muraglitazar was nongenotoxic in the standard battery of genotoxicity studies. Gallbladder adenomas in male mice and adipocyte neoplasms in male and female rats were seen at suprapharmacologic exposures, whereas urinary bladder tumors occurred in male rats at lower exposures. Subsequent investigative studies established that the urinary bladder carcinogenic effect was mediated by urolithiasis rather than a direct pharmacologic effect on urothelium. Muraglitazar had no effects on reproductive function in male and female rats at high systemic exposures, was not teratogenic in rats or rabbits, and demonstrated no selective developmental toxicity. Overall, there were no nonclinical findings that precluded the safe administration of muraglitazar to humans.

Subchronic urinary bladder effects of muraglitazar in male rats

Toxicological …, 2007

Muraglitazar, a PPARa/g dual agonist, was dosed orally to rats once daily for 13 weeks to evaluate urinary and urothelial changes of potential relevance to urinary bladder tumorigenesis. Groups of 17 young or aged rats per sex were fed a normal or 1% NH 4 Clsupplemented diet and were dosed with 0, 1, or 50 mg/kg muraglitazar. Lithogenic ions and sediment were profiled from freshly voided urine samples collected 24 h after dosing, and drug exposures were measured. Urinary citrate, oxalate, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were assayed from 18-h urine collections. Urothelium was assessed by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and BrdU and TUNEL immunohistochemistry. When fed a normal diet, urine pH was higher in males (above 6.5). Urine volume/body weight was greater in females. Urine soluble/total calcium and magnesium and phosphorus/creatinine ratios were lower in male rats fed a normal diet. Urine citrate levels were decreased and oxalate was increased in young male rats treated with 50 mg/kg muraglitazar compared to age/sex/diet-matched controls. No changes in urine sediment were detected 24 h after dosing. In young male rats treated with 50 mg/kg on normal diet, multifocal urothelial necrosis and proliferation were observed, whereas urothelial apoptosis and urine EGF levels were unchanged compared to age/sex/diet-matched controls. Urothelial necrosis and proliferation were not correlated to systemic or urinary drug exposures and were prevented by dietary acidification. These data suggest that muraglitazar-associated changes in urine composition predispose to urothelial cytotoxicity and proliferation in the urinary bladder of young male rats and that urine sediment must be profiled at multiple daily timepoints to fully qualify drug-induced changes in urine composition. Downloaded from 60 VAN VLEET ET AL. by guest on June 9, 2013 http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/ Downloaded from FIG. 7.

Biotransformation of CARBON-14-LABELED Muraglitazar in Male Mice: Interspecies Difference in Metabolic Pathways Leading to Unique Metabolites

Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 2006

Muraglitazar (Pargluva), a dual alpha/gamma PPAR (peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor) activator, is under development for treatment of type 2 diabetes. This study describes the biotransformation profile of carbon-14 labeled muraglitazar in plasma, urine, feces, and bile samples from male CD-1 mice (intact and BDC) following single oral doses of 1 and 40 mg/kg. The major drugrelated component circulating in mouse plasma was the parent compound for up to 4 h post dose. Similar to excretion profiles of muraglitazar in humans, monkeys, and rats, urinary excretion was minor and fecal excretion via the biliary route was the major elimination pathway for muraglitazar in mice. The parent compound was a minor component in urine, bile and feces, indicating that muraglitazar was extensively metabolized in mice. Major biotransformation pathways of muraglitazar in mice included taurine conjugate formation, acyl glucuronidation, hydroxylation, and O-dealkylation. In addition to those metabolites previously identified in humans, monkeys, and rats (M1-M21), several unique metabolites identified in mice included taurine conjugates (M24, M25, M26a,b,c and M31), oxazole-ring opened metabolites (M27 and M28), glutathione conjugates (M29a,b and M30), a dihydroxylated metabolite (M32), hydroxylated metabolites (M33 and M35), and a dehydrogenated metabolite (M34). The taurine conjugate of muraglitazar, M24, was a major metabolite in mice, accounting for 12-15% of the total dose in BDC mice or 7-12% of the total dose in intact mice. None of these taurine and glutathione conjugates were found in the bile samples of humans, monkeys, or rats.

Increase in weight induced by muraglitazar, a dual PPARα/γ agonist, in db/db mice: adipogenesis/or oedema

British Journal of Pharmacology, 2007

Background and purpose:Muraglitazar, a dual PPARα/γ agonist, caused a robust increase in body weight in db/db mice. The purpose of the study was to see if this increase in weight was due to oedema and/or adipogenesis.Muraglitazar, a dual PPARα/γ agonist, caused a robust increase in body weight in db/db mice. The purpose of the study was to see if this increase in weight was due to oedema and/or adipogenesis.Experimental approach:The affinity of muraglitazar at PPARα/γ receptors was characterized using transactivation assays. Pre-adipocyte differentiation, expression of genes for adipogenesis (aP2), fatty acid oxidation (ACO) and sodium reabsorption (ENaCγ and Na+, K+-ATPase); haemodilution parameters and serum electrolytes were measured to delineate the role of muraglitazar in causing weight gain vis a vis rosiglitazone.The affinity of muraglitazar at PPARα/γ receptors was characterized using transactivation assays. Pre-adipocyte differentiation, expression of genes for adipogenesis (aP2), fatty acid oxidation (ACO) and sodium reabsorption (ENaCγ and Na+, K+-ATPase); haemodilution parameters and serum electrolytes were measured to delineate the role of muraglitazar in causing weight gain vis a vis rosiglitazone.Key Results:Treatment with muraglitazar (10 mg kg−1) for 14 days significantly reduced plasma glucose and triglycerides. Reduction in plasma glucose was significantly greater than after similar treatment with rosiglitazone (10 mg kg−1). A marked increase in weight was also observed with muraglitazar that was significantly greater than with rosiglitazone. Muraglitazar increased aP2 mRNA and caused adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells similar to rosiglitazone. It also caused a marked increase in ACO mRNA in the liver of the treated mice. Expression of mRNA for ENaCγ and Na+, K+-ATPase in kidneys was up-regulated after either treatment. Increased serum electrolytes and decreased RBC count, haemoglobin and haematocrit were observed with both muraglitazar and rosiglitazone.Treatment with muraglitazar (10 mg kg−1) for 14 days significantly reduced plasma glucose and triglycerides. Reduction in plasma glucose was significantly greater than after similar treatment with rosiglitazone (10 mg kg−1). A marked increase in weight was also observed with muraglitazar that was significantly greater than with rosiglitazone. Muraglitazar increased aP2 mRNA and caused adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells similar to rosiglitazone. It also caused a marked increase in ACO mRNA in the liver of the treated mice. Expression of mRNA for ENaCγ and Na+, K+-ATPase in kidneys was up-regulated after either treatment. Increased serum electrolytes and decreased RBC count, haemoglobin and haematocrit were observed with both muraglitazar and rosiglitazone.Conclusions and implications:Although muraglitazar has a better glucose lowering profile, it also has a greater potential for weight gain than rosiglitazone. In conclusion, muraglitazar causes both robust adipogenesis and oedema in a 14-day treatment of db/db mice as observed in humans.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 480–487. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707000Although muraglitazar has a better glucose lowering profile, it also has a greater potential for weight gain than rosiglitazone. In conclusion, muraglitazar causes both robust adipogenesis and oedema in a 14-day treatment of db/db mice as observed in humans.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 480–487. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707000

Increase in weight induced by muraglitazar, a dual PPARα/γ agonist, indb/dbmice: adipogenesis/or oedema?

British Journal of Pharmacology, 2007

Background and purpose: Muraglitazar, a dual PPARa/g agonist, caused a robust increase in body weight in db/db mice. The purpose of the study was to see if this increase in weight was due to oedema and/or adipogenesis. Experimental approach: The affinity of muraglitazar at PPARa/g receptors was characterized using transactivation assays. Preadipocyte differentiation, expression of genes for adipogenesis (aP2), fatty acid oxidation (ACO) and sodium reabsorption (ENaCg and Na þ , K þ-ATPase); haemodilution parameters and serum electrolytes were measured to delineate the role of muraglitazar in causing weight gain vis a vis rosiglitazone. Key Results: Treatment with muraglitazar (10 mg kg À1) for 14 days significantly reduced plasma glucose and triglycerides. Reduction in plasma glucose was significantly greater than after similar treatment with rosiglitazone (10 mg kg À1). A marked increase in weight was also observed with muraglitazar that was significantly greater than with rosiglitazone. Muraglitazar increased aP2 mRNA and caused adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells similar to rosiglitazone. It also caused a marked increase in ACO mRNA in the liver of the treated mice. Expression of mRNA for ENaCg and Na þ , K þ-ATPase in kidneys was upregulated after either treatment. Increased serum electrolytes and decreased RBC count, haemoglobin and haematocrit were observed with both muraglitazar and rosiglitazone. Conclusions and implications: Although muraglitazar has a better glucose lowering profile, it also has a greater potential for weight gain than rosiglitazone. In conclusion, muraglitazar causes both robust adipogenesis and oedema in a 14-day treatment of db/db mice as observed in humans.

Comparative Metabolism of Radiolabeled Muraglitazar in Animals and Humans by Quantitative and Qualitative Metabolite Profiling

Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 2006

This study was conducted to determine comparative metabolite profiles quantitatively and qualitatively in plasma, urine, bile, and feces from rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans after oral administration of [ 14 C]muraglitazar and in incubations with hepatocytes from mice, Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at http://dmd.aspetjournals.org.

Rat Urinary Bladder Carcinogenesis by Dual-Acting PPAR𝛼+𝛾 Agonists

PPAR Research, 2008

Despite clinical promise, dual-acting activators of PPARα and γ (here termed PPARα+γ agonists) have experienced high attrition rates in preclinical and early clinical development, due to toxicity. In some cases, discontinuation was due to carcinogenic effect in the rat urothelium, the epithelial layer lining the urinary bladder, ureters, and kidney pelvis. Chronic pharmacological activation of PPARα is invariably associated with cancer in rats and mice. Chronic pharmacological activation of PPARγ can in some cases also cause cancer in rats and mice. Urothelial cells coexpress PPARα as well as PPARγ, making it plausible that the urothelial carcinogenicity of PPARα+γ agonists may be caused by receptor-mediated effects (exaggerated pharmacology). Based on previously published mode of action data for the PPARα+γ agonist ragaglitazar, and the available literature about the role of PPARα and γ in rodent carcinogenesis, we propose a mode of action hypothesis for the carcinogenic effect of PPARα+γ agonists in the rat urothelium, which combines receptor-mediated and off-target cytotoxic effects. The proposed mode of action hypothesis is being explored in our laboratories, towards understanding the human relevance of the rat cancer findings, and developing rapid in vitro or short-term in vivo screening approaches to faciliate development of new dual-acting PPAR agonist compounds.

Muraglitazar, a Novel Dual ( / ) Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Activator, Improves Diabetes and Other Metabolic Abnormalities and Preserves -Cell Function in db/db Mice

Diabetes, 2006

Muraglitazar, a novel dual (␣/␥) peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (PPAR) activator, was investigated for its antidiabetic properties and its effects on metabolic abnormalities in genetically obese diabetic db/db mice. In db/db mice and normal mice, muraglitazar treatment modulates the expression of PPAR target genes in white adipose tissue and liver. In young hyperglycemic db/db mice, muraglitazar treatment (0.03-50 mg ⅐ kg ؊1 ⅐ day ؊1 for 2 weeks) results in dose-dependent reductions of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol. In older hyperglycemic db/db mice, longer-term muraglitazar treatment (30 mg ⅐ kg ؊1 ⅐ day ؊1 for 4 weeks) prevents time-dependent deterioration of glycemic control and development of insulin deficiency. In severely hyperglycemic db/db mice, muraglitazar treatment (10 mg ⅐ kg ؊1 ⅐ day ؊1 for 2 weeks) improves oral glucose tolerance and reduces plasma glucose and insulin levels. In addition, treatment increases insulin content in the pancreas. Finally, muraglitazar treatment increases abnormally low plasma adiponectin levels, increases high-molecular weight adiponectin complex levels, reduces elevated plasma corticosterone levels, and lowers elevated liver lipid content in db/db mice. The overall conclusions are that in db/db mice, the novel dual (␣/␥) PPAR activator muraglitazar 1) exerts potent and efficacious antidiabetic effects, 2) preserves pancreatic insulin content, and 3) improves metabolic abnormalities such as hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, low adi-ponectin levels, and elevated corticosterone levels.