Role of Glucuronidation and P450 Oxidation in the Bioactivation of Bromfenac

Bromfenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that was approved in the United States in 1997. It was withdrawn from clinical use less than one year later, in 1998, due to hepatotoxicity. We investigate the potential of bromfenac to be metabolized to reactive intermediates to further the current understanding of bromfenac bioactivation. Incubations were conducted with hepatocytes and human, rat, and cynomolgus liver microsomes fortified with cofactors and N-acetylcysteine. One thioether adduct of hydroxylated bromfenac and three thioether adducts of hydroxylated bromfenac indolinone were detected in extracts following incubations in liver microsomes fortified with NADPH and UDPGA. These findings demonstrate a bioactivation pathway for bromfenac and contribute to the body of evidence that could advance the understanding of the toxicity associated with bromfenac.