Current Drug Metabolism - Volume 4, Issue 2, 2003

Pharmacokinetic studies conducted in patients with CRF demonstrate that the nonrenal clearance of multiple drugs is reduced. Although the mechanism by which this occurs is unclear, several studies have shown that CRF affects the metabolism of drugs by inhibiting key enzymatic systems in the liver, intestine and kidney. The down-regulation of selected isoforms of the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450) has been reported secondary to a decrease in gene expression. This is associated with major reductions in metabolism of drugs mediated by CYP450. The main hypothesis to explain the decrease in liver CYP450 activity in CRF appears to be the accumulation of circulating factors which can modulate CYP450 activity. Liver phase II metabolic reactions are also reduced in CRF. On the other hand, intestinal drug disposition is affected in CRF. Increased bioavailability of several drugs has been reported in CRF, reflecting decrease in either intestinal first-pass metabolism or extrusion of drugs (mediated by P-glycoprotein). Indeed, intestinal CYP450 is also down-regulated secondary to reduced gene expression, whereas, decreased intestinal P-glycoprotein activity has been described. Finally, although the kidneys play a major role in the excretion of drugs, it has the capacity to metabolize endogenous and exogenous compounds. CRF will lead to a decrease in the ability of the kidney to metabolize drugs, but the repercussions on the systemic clearance of drugs is still poorly defined, except for selected xenobiotics. In conclusion, reduced drug metabolism should be taken into account when evaluating the pharmacokinetics of drugs in patients with CRF.

The so-called “classic” histamine H1 receptor antagonists are highly lipophilic compounds associated with significant biotransformation and tissue distribution. They are categorized according to their chemical structure into ethanolamines, alkylamines, ethylenediamines, piperazines, phenothiazines and piperidines, all of which have characteristic metabolic fates. The former four categories undergo primarily cytochrome P450-mediated oxidative Ndesalkylations and deamination whereas the aromatic rings of the latter two undergo P450-mediated oxidative hydroxylation and / or epoxide formation. The common tertiary amino group is susceptible to oxidative metabolism by flavin containing monooxygenases forming N-oxides, and the alicyclic tertiary amines produce small amounts (up to 7%) of N-glucuronides in humans. Species, sex and racial differences in the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of antihistamines are known. Specific P450-isozymes implicated in the metabolism were identified in a few cases, such as CYP2D6 that contributes to the metabolism of promethazine, diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine. Low circulating plasma concentrations of antihistamines are in part explained by significant first-pass effect and tissue distribution. Antihistaminic effects last up to 6 hours though some compounds exhibit a longer duration of action due to circulating active metabolites. Importantly, diphenhydramine inhibited CYP2D6 leading to a clinically significant drug-drug interaction with metoprolol. Other classic antihistamines were shown to be potent in vitro inhibitors of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. The prescription-free access to most classic antihistamines can easily lead to their co-administration with other drugs metabolized by the same enzyme system thereby leading to drug accumulation and adverse effects. In depth knowledge of the metabolic pathways of classic antihistamines and the enzymes involved is crucial to prevent the high incidence of drug interactions in humans, which are predictable based on pre-clinical data but unexpected when such data is unavailable.

Drug metabolising enzymes (DME) in tumors are capable of biotransforming a variety of xenobiotics. Over a long period of time, many studies have reported the presence of DME in tumors, however quantitation and sampling techniques and heterogeneous patient populations have resulted in many generalisations, provoking more questions than they answer. In addition, many of the studies have focussed on a potential role of DME in procarcinogenesis rather than for modulation for therapeutic advantage. With the need to target anticancer therapies to tumor cells to avoid undesirable systemic effects, tumoral processes such as drug metabolism must be considered as both a potential mechanism of resistance to therapy and a potential means of achieving optimal therapy.This review discusses drug metabolism by tumors by firstly addressing the level and activity of individual DME in the common cancers: breast, gastrointestinal, brain, lung and haematological malignancies in comparison to peritumoral and nontumoral tissue. This is then put into perspective through consideration of the therapeutic implications of tumoral drug metabolism especially with regard to the new anticancer agents.The contribution of tumoral metabolism and its significance in cancer therapy must be ascertained through prospective studies. Only then can efforts be concentrated in the design of better prodrugs or combinations of therapy to improve intracellular drug concentrations. Various gene therapy approaches have been attempted experimentally with promising results. However, there are major gaps in understanding the implications of tumoral DME in disease progression (including metastasized tissue) and relapse.

Trimethylaminuria is a rare metabolic disorder that is associated with abnormal amounts of the dietary-derived trimethylamine. Excess unmetabolized trimethylamine in the urine, sweat and other body secretions confers a strong, foul body odor that can affect the individual's ability to work or engage in social activities. This review summarizes the biochemical aspects of the condition and the classification of the disorder into: 1) primary genetic form, 2) acquired form, 3) childhood forms, 4) transient form associated with menstruation, 5) precursor overload and 6) disease states. The genetic variability of the flavin-containing monooxygenase (form 3) that is responsible for detoxication and deodoration of trimethylamine is discussed and put in context with other variant forms of the flavin-containing monooxygenase (forms 1-5). The temporal-selective expression of flavin-containing monooxygenase forms 1 and 3 is discussed in terms of an explanation for childhood trimethylaminuria. Information as to whether variants of the flavin-containing monooxygenase form 3 contributes to hypertension and / or other diseases are presented. Discussion is provided outlining recent bioanalytical approaches to quantify urinary trimethylamine and trimethylamine N-oxide and plasma choline as well as data on self-reporting individuals tested for trimethylaminuria. Finally, trimethylaminuria treatment strategies and nutritional support are described including dietary sources of trimethylamine, vitamin supplementation and drug treatment and issues related to trimethylaminuria in pregnancy and lactation are discussed. The remarkable progress in the biochemical, genetic, clinical basis for understanding the trimethylaminuria condition is summarized and points to needs in the treatment of individuals suffering from trimethylaminuria.

The free radical, nitric oxide (NO), is synthesized by mammalian cells and is utilized for normal cellular functions. High levels of NO are released during disease, injury and inflammation. NO at high concentrations more readily combines with other oxidants to form reactive nitrogenous species (RNS), which can wreak havoc on the cell by damaging a variety of cellular targets, such as DNA and proteins, ultimately leading to apoptosis, mutagenesis or carcinogenesis. Cells have natural resistance mechanisms to nitrooxidative stress that are either defective (as can occur in disease), or overwhelmed (as can occur in injury and inflammation). It has been found recently in the CNS that resistance to normally toxic levels of NO can be induced by nontoxic levels of NO and that this induction is correlated with and dependent upon increased levels and activity of the heme-metabolizing enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). HO1- mediated metabolism of heme groups released from NO-damaged proteins leads to a change in the levels of redox-active iron and a release of carbon monoxide (CO) and bilirubin, all of which have been implicated in cellular resistance to oxidative stress. Perhaps one or more of the products of HO1 heme metabolism is involved in induced adaptive resistance or perhaps a heme-independent mechanism is involved. In fact, a variety of possible mechanisms may be involved in induced resistance to NO in the CNS. Ultimately elucidating these mechanisms will enable us to modulate them for therapeutic potential.