Involvement of organic anion transporting polypeptides in the transport of troglitazone sulfate: Implications for understanding troglitazone hepatotoxicity

Troglitazone is a thiazolidinedione insulin sensitizer drug that is metabolized mainly to a sulfate conjugate (M-1) in humans. It was reported to cause hepatotoxicity, although the cause has not been fully clarified. The objective of this study was to identify whether organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) transporters expressed at the basolateral membrane of human hepatocytes participate in troglitazone-associated hepatotoxicity. When OATP-B, OATP-C, or OATP8 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the transporter-mediated uptake into oocytes of troglitazone sulfate conjugate and the inhibitory effects of thiazolidinediones and the metabolites of troglitazone on estrone-3-sulfate transport were measured. M-1 was transported well by OATP-C but was not transported by OATP-B. OATP8 showed weak, but not statistically significant, transport of M-1. M-1 exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on estrone-3-sulfate transport by OATP-C and OATP8, suggesting a higher affinity than other thiazolidinediones and the metabolites of troglitazone, glucuronide conjugate and quinone metabolite. In conclusion, the sulfate conjugate of troglitazone has a higher affinity for OATPs than troglitazone itself or other metabolites. Since OATP transporters are important in the hepatic handling of bile acids, bilirubin, and other endogenous anionic compounds, M-1 may disturb the hepatic influx and efflux transport of these endogenous molecules across the basolateral membranes. Moreover, OATP-C may be involved in the hepatic toxicity of troglitazone through the inhibitory action of M-1.