Function and expression of the proton-coupled amino acid transporter Slc36a1 along the rat gastrointestinal tract: Implications for intestinal absorption of gaboxadol

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intestinal absorption via membrane transporters may determine the pharmacokinetics of drug compounds. The hypothesis is that oral absorption of gaboxadol (4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5,4-c] pyridine-3-ol) in rats occurs via the proton-coupled amino acid transporter, rPAT1 (encoded by the gene rSlc36a1). The aim is consequently to elucidate the in vivo role of rPAT1 in the absorption of gaboxadol from various intestinal segments. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The absorption of gaboxadol was investigated following administration in four different intestinal segments. The intestinal expression of rSlc36a1 mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (q-RT-PCR). Furthermore, the hPAT1-/rPAT1-mediated transport of gaboxadol or L-proline was studied in hPAT1-expressing X. laevis oocytes, Caco-2 cell monolayers and excised segments of the rat intestine. KEY RESULTS: The absorption fraction of gaboxadol was high (81.3-91.3%) following administration in the stomach, duodenum and jejunum, but low (4.2%) after administration in the colon. The pharmacokinetics of gaboxadol was modified by the co-administration of L-tryptophan (a hPAT1 inhibitor) and L-proline (a hPAT1 substrate). The in vitro carrier-mediated uptake rate of L-proline in the excised intestinal segments was highest in the mid jejunum and low in the colon. The in vitro uptake and the in vivo absorption correlated with the expression of rSlc36a1 mRNA along the rat intestine. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest that PAT1 mediates the intestinal absorption of gaboxadol and therefore determines the oral bioavailability. This has implications for the in vivo role of PAT1 and for formulation design of its substrates. © 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.