The Active Glucuronide Metabolite of the Brain Protectant IMM-H004 with Poor Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Demonstrates a High Partition in the Rat Brain via Multiple Mechanisms
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Updated: Jun 29, 2025

An In Vivo Blood-brain Barrier Permeability Assay in Mice Using Fluorescently Labeled Tracers
Published on: February 26, 2018
Jianwei Jiang1,2,3, Lijun Luo1,2,3, Ziqian Zhang1,2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
Background:
Glucuronidation is an essential metabolic pathway for a variety of drugs. IMM-H004 is a novel neuroprotective agent against ischemic stroke, and its glucuronide metabolite IMM-H004G exhibits similar pharmacological activity. Despite possessing a higher molecular weight and polarity, brain exposure of IMM-H004G is much higher than that of IMM-H004. This study aimed to investigate the brain metabolism and transport mechanisms of IMM-H004 and IMM-H004G.
Methods:
First, the possibility of IMM-H004 glucuronidation in the brain was evaluated in several human brain cell lines and rat homogenate. Subsequently, the blood-brain barrier carrier-mediated transport mechanism of IMM-H004 and IMM-H004G was studied using overexpression cell models. In addition, intracerebroventricular injection, in situ brain perfusion model, and microdialysis/microinjection techniques were performed to study the distribution profiles of IMM-H004 and IMM-H004G.
Results:
IMM-H004 could be metabolized to IMM-H004G in both rat brain and HEB cells mediated by UGT1A7. However, IMM-H004G could not be hydrolyzed back into IMM-H004. Furthermore, the entry and efflux of IMM-H004 in the brain were mediated by the pyrilamine-sensitive H+/OC antiporter and P-gp, respectively, while the transport of IMM-H004G from the blood to the brain was facilitated by OATP1A2 and OATP2B1. Ultimately, stronger concentration gradients and OATP-mediated uptake played a critical role in promoting greater brain exposure of IMM-H004G.
Conclusions:
The active glucuronide metabolite of the brain protectant IMM-H004 with poor blood-brain barrier permeability demonstrates a high partition in the rat brain via multiple mechanisms, and our findings deepen the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the blood-brain barrier metabolism and transport of active glucuronide conjugates.
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