Role of phospholipid transfer protein on the plasma distribution of amphotericin B following the incubation of different amphotericin B formulations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) on the plasma distribution of amphotericin B (AmpB) following incubation with different AmpB formulations in human plasmas with varying lipid profiles.

Methods: In a first set of experiments, plasma distribution profiles of AmpB were determined following the incubation of Fungizone and lipid-based formulations (Abelcet and AmBisome) at a concentration of 20 microg AmpB/mL for 5-120 min at 37 degrees C in the plasma obtained from six different individuals (total cholesterol concentrations range between 62 and 332 mg/dL). In a second set of experiments, Abelcet, and AmBisome at a concentration of 20 microg AmpB/mL were incubated for 5 min at 37 degrees C in human plasma (total cholesterol = 163 mg/dL) that had been pretreated with an antibody raised up against PLTP (1:400 v/v dilution from stock solution) for 20 min at 37 degrees C. Following incubation, the human plasma was separated into its lipoprotein and lipoprotein-deficient fractions by density gradient ultracentrifugation and analyzed for AmpB content by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results: The majority of AmpB was covered in the lipoprotein-deficient plasma and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions following incubation of Fungizone in human plasma. The majority of AmpB (48.7-87.2%) was recovered in the HDL fraction following incubation of Abelcet and AmBisome in human plasma. The presence of the PLTP antibody resulted in a 20% decrease in the percentage AmpB recovered in the HDL fraction following the incubation of Abelcet. However, the plasma distribution of AmpB remained unchanged following the incubation of AmBisome in plasma containing the PLTP antibody.

Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest indirect evidence that PLTP may play an important role in the plasma distribution profile of AmpB following the incubation of Abelcet and may be one of the factors responsible for the preferential association of AmpB with HDL when administered as Abelcet.