Assessment of the in vivo activity of OAT1 and 3 transporters using taurine as an endogenous biomarker

• Grant number: 24/05494-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Clinical Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: João Paulo Bianchi Ximenez
• Grantee: Kathley Lanna Rezende de Azevedo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The organic anion transporters (OAT) 1 and 3 are of fundamental importance in renal excretion and consequently in the dosage regimen of drugs. However, little is known about the influence of inflammation associated with kidney infection, especially in pregnant women, on the expression/activity of these transporters. In order to understand the impact of inflammation caused by urinary tract infection during acute pyelonephritis in pregnant patients, this study aims to determine the in vivo activity of OAT1/3 transporters at the beginning and end of complete treatment for pyelonephritis using taurine as an endogenous biomarker. Ten pregnant women undergoing treatment for pyelonephritis at HCFMRP-USP will be included. Blood samples will be taken to determine the in vivo activity of OAT1/3 transporters using taurine as an endogenous biomarker and for genotyping. Plasma concentrations of taurine will be assessed using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Patients will be genotyped for the OAT1 (SLC22A6, rs11568626) and OAT3 (SLC22A8, rs11568482) transporter polymorphisms. Statistical analysis of the results will make it possible to assess the contribution of inflammation and other variables (gender, age, menopausal status, body mass index) to the in vivo activity of OAT1/3 transporters.