Development of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model for Indomethacin Disposition in Pregnancy

PLoS One. 2015 Oct 2;10(10):e0139762. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139762. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Findings of a recent clinical study showed indomethacin has lower plasma levels and higher steady-state apparent clearance in pregnant subjects when compared to those in non-pregnant subjects reported in separate studies. Thus, in the current work we developed a pregnancy physiological based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) model for indomethacin to explain the differences in indomethacin pharmacokinetics between pregnancy and non-pregnancy. A whole-body PBPK model with key pregnancy-related physiological changes was developed to characterize indomethacin PK in pregnant women and compare these parameters to those in non-pregnant subjects. Data related to maternal physiological and biological changes were obtained from literature and incorporated into the structural PBPK model that describes non-pregnant PK data. Changes in indomethacin area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax) and average steady-state concentration (Cave) in pregnant women were predicted. Model-simulated PK profiles were in agreement with observed data. The predicted mean ratio (non-pregnant:second trimester (T2)) of indomethacin Cave was 1.6 compared to the observed value of 1.59. In addition, the predicted steady-state apparent clearance (CL/Fss) ratio was almost similar to the observed value (0.46 vs. 0.42). Sensitivity analysis suggested changes in CYP2C9 activity, and to a lesser extent UGT2B7, as the primary factor contributing to differences in indomethacin disposition between pregnancy and non-pregnancy. The developed PBPK model which integrates prior physiological knowledge, in vitro and in vivo data, allowed the successful prediction of indomethacin disposition during T2. Our PBPK/PD model suggested a higher indomethacin dosing requirement during pregnancy.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indomethacin / pharmacokinetics*
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Indomethacin

Grants and funding

The authors have no support or funding to report.