Downregulation of ABCB1 gene in patients with total hip or knee arthroplasty influences pharmacokinetics of rivaroxaban: a population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study.

Rivaroxaban is a substrate for ABCB1 transporter and is commonly used in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery for thromboprophylaxis. The objective of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model to investigate the influence of ABCB1 gene expression and polymorphism on rivaroxaban exposure and anticoagulation effects. Five blood samples per patient were collected during 5 days after the surgery for the determination of rivaroxaban concentration in plasma and for determination of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Non-linear mixed effects model was used for a population PK-PD analysis and for testing covariate effects. A one-compartment PK model with first-order absorption adequately described the pharmacokinetic data. The typical oral clearance (CL/F) was 6.12 L/h (relative standard error, 15.8%) and was associated with ABCB1 expression. Compared to base line before the surgery, a significant ABCB1 downregulation was observed 5 days after the surgery (p < 0.001). Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were both linearly associated to the logarithm of the rivaroxaban plasma concentration. We confirmed that variable rivaroxaban CL/F is associated with ABCB1 expression, which is in accordance with previous studies on P-glycoprotein involvement in rivaroxaban PK. Furthermore, we observed the downregulation of ABCB1 expression after the surgery. The cause remains unclear and further research is needed to explain the underlying mechanisms.