Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling for development and applications of a virtual celiac disease population using felodipine as a model drug

Abstract

Abstract In celiac disease (CeD), gastrointestinal CYP3A4 abundance and morphology is affected by the severity of disease. Therefore, exposure to CYP3A4 substrates and extent of drug interactions is altered. A physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) population for different severities of CeD was developed. Gastrointestinal physiology parameters, such as luminal pH, transit times, morphology, P‐gp, and CYP3A4 expression were included in development of the CeD population. Data on physiological difference between healthy and CeD subjects were incorporated into the model as the ratio of celiac to healthy. A PBPK model was developed and verified for felodipine extended‐release tablet in healthy volunteers (HVs) and then utilized to verify the CeD populations. Plasma concentration‐time profile and PK parameters were predicted and compared against those observed in both groups. Sensitivity analysis was carried out on key system parameters in CeD to understand their impact on drug exposure. For felodipine, the predicted mean concentration‐time profiles and 5th and 95th percentile intervals captured the observed profile and variability in the HV and CeD populations. Predicted and observed clearance was 56.9 versus 56.1 (L/h) in HVs. Predicted versus observed mean ± SD area under the curve for extended release felodipine in different severities of CeD were values of 14.5 ± 9.6 versus 14.4 ± 2.1, 14.6 ± 9.0 versus 17.2 ± 2.8, and 28.1 ± 13.5 versus 25.7 ± 5.0 (ng.h/mL), respectively. Accounting for physiology differences in a CeD population accurately predicted the PK of felodipine. The developed CeD population can be applied for determining the drug concentration of CYP3A substrates in the gut as well as for systemic levels, and for application in drug–drug interaction studies.