Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Optimization, validation and application of spectrophotometric assay for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity

Gai Liang¹, Hao Kou², Ting-ting Wang², Yu Guo², Jie Ping^2,3, Hui Wang^2,3

For correspondence:- Hui Wang Email: wanghui19@whu.edu.cn Tel:+862768758665

Received: 9 January 2015 Accepted: 24 March 2015 Published: 26 April 2015

Citation: Liang G, Kou H, Wang T, Guo Y, Ping J, Wang H. Optimization, validation and application of spectrophotometric assay for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity. Trop J Pharm Res 2015; 14(4):671-677 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v14i4.16

© 2015 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To improve the sensitivity and specificity of spectrophotometric 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity assay.

Methods: Spectrophotometric HMG-CoA reductase detection in male Wistar rat liver microsomes was optimized by applying different conditions, such as reaction buffer pH, NADPH and protein concentration, and preincubation and reaction times. The optimal set of conditions was validated using HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, namely, pravastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin. IC₅₀ was calculated and compared with that of a radiochemical assay. Ginkgo biloba extract’s (GBE50) inhibitory effect on HMG-CoA reductase activity was evaluated using the optimized spectrophotometric protocol.

Results: The optimum assay conditions were as follows: reaction buffer pH 7.0, 100 µM NADPH, 50 µM HMG-CoA, and 200 µg/mL microsomal protein. The preincubation and reaction times were 20 and 60 min, respectively, at 37 ºC. The IC₅₀ of pravastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin under the optimum condition was 0.026, 0.015, and 0.007 µM while for radioisotope assay, it was 0.034, 0.049 and 0.0119 µM, respectively. GBE50 significantly inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results suggest that HMG-CoA reductase activity can be detected using the improved spectrophotometric assay. This assay can facilitate the discovery and development of new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in vitro.

Keywords: Spectrophotometry, 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity, Cholesterol metabolism, Ginkgo biloba, Pravastatin, Fluvastatin, Rosuvast