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Developmental Changes in Hepatic Organic Cation Transporter OCT1 Protein Expression from Neonates to Children

David Hahn1, Chie Emoto1, Alexander A Vinks1

  • 1Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio (D.H., C.E., A.A.V., T.F); and Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (C.E., A.A.V., T.F).

Drug Metabolism and Disposition: the Biological Fate of Chemicals
|October 27, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) protein expression increases significantly with age in children. This study reveals low OCT1 levels in neonates, impacting drug disposition and requiring further research.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) is crucial for drug metabolism.
  • OCT1 activity is linked to its protein expression levels.
  • Limited data exists on OCT1 expression in pediatric populations, especially neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize OCT1 protein expression in liver samples from neonates, infants, and children.
  • To understand the developmental changes in OCT1 expression from birth through adolescence.

Main Methods:

  • Immunoblot analysis was used to quantify OCT1 protein levels.
  • Liver samples were collected from various pediatric age groups, including neonates.
  • OCT1 expression was normalized to glyceraldehyde-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH).

Main Results:

  • OCT1 protein was detected in the youngest neonates (postnatal days 1-2).
  • OCT1 expression was significantly lower in neonates compared to older children (P < 0.01).
  • A clear age-dependent increase in OCT1 expression was observed from birth to 8-12 years.

Conclusions:

  • OCT1 expression demonstrates a significant age-dependent increase throughout childhood.
  • These findings are vital for understanding OCT1-mediated drug disposition in infants.
  • The study highlights the need to consider developmental changes in OCT1 for pediatric pharmacotherapy.

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