[Inhibition of the phenacetin and p-phenetidin induced methemoglobin picture by barbiturates]

Toxicological implications of polymorphic drug metabolism

The occurrence of genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolism means that populations contain subgroups (phenotypes) that differ sharply in their abilities to effect a number of metabolic reactions. Because of this, major interphenotype differences occur in responsiveness to drugs and toxic substances. The well established genetic polymorphisms of acetylation and hydrolysis illustrate the important association that exists between phenotype and propensity to develop toxic and exaggerated responses to some substances. Recently, for metabolic oxidation, a new genetic polymorphism of drug metabolism has been described and it promises to provide a better understanding of inter-individual variability in the metabolic handling of, and responsiveness to, drugs and toxic substances. The following effects of the polymorphism are described here: (a) its influence in determining variable presystemic metabolism and hence systemic drug availability; (b) its role in determining alternative toxic pathways of metabolism in individuals who have a genetically determined impairment of oxidative capacity and (c) its influence on the development of agranulocytosis associated with metiamide administration.

Phenacetin O-deethylation by human liver microsomes: kinetics and propranolol inhibition

1. Phenacetin O-deethylation catalysed by human liver microcomes has been examined over a substrate concentration range of 2.5 to 700 microM using preparations of eight human liver samples. Michaelis-Menten kinetics described phenacetin oxidation satisfactorily in five of these samples; apparent Km values were in the range of 17.7 to 38.4 microM. 2. In the three other livers a single rectangular hyperbolic relationship did not describe the substrate saturation data adequately; analyses in these three cases requiring two classes of catalytic site. The apparent Km value for the higher affinity class of site in these three samples was within the range quoted above, but limitations imposed by assay sensitivity and phenacetin solubility obviated accurate characterization of the lower affinity class. 3. Estimates of Vmax for the high affinity class of site in the eight livers varied eleven-fold and there was no correlation between either Km or Vmax and microsomal cytochrome P-450 specific content, NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase specific activity or ethylmorphine demethylase activity. 4. Propranolol was a potent competitive inhibitor of phenacetin deethylation with apparent Ki values of 2 to 7 microM describing its effect on the higher affinity class of activity. Propranolol was also an inhibitor of the lower affinity phenacetin deethylase identified in three of the livers, however the mechanism of inhibition could not be characterized. 5. These data suggest the possibility that propranolol oxidation may be mediated in part, by one or more human liver cytochrome P-450 species catalyzing phenacetin oxidation.

Biomonitoring of aromatic amines II: Hemoglobin binding of some monocyclic aromatic amines

Covalent binding of 13 monocyclic aromatic amines to hemoglobin was studied in female Wistar rats and hemoglobin binding indices were determined. The hemoglobin adducts were hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions. In all cases the parent amine could be identified by gas chromatography and with one exception represented the only cleavage product. The binding index varied considerably and was highest with p-chloroaniline (569) and lowest with 2,4,5-trimethylaniline (0.7). Five compounds were also studied in female B6C3F1 mice. Hemoglobin binding was lower than in rats, but to varying degrees. Hemoglobin binding correlated remarkably well with the maximum methemoglobin level achieved with the six examples studied. The results support the notion that the reaction of nitrosoarenes, as metabolites of arylamines, with hemoglobin represents a general pathway in vivo. The analysis of such hemoglobin adducts is recommended as a dosimeter in biological monitoring of humans in order to control exposure. It is too early, however, to assess the carcinogenic risk from hemoglobin binding data with these compounds.

The contribution of genetically determined oxidation status to inter-individual variation in phenacetin disposition

The oxidative O-de-ethylation and aromatic 2-hydroxylation of phenacetin have been investigated in panels of extensive (EM, n = 13) and poor (PM, n = 10) metabolizers of debrisoquine. The EM group excreted in the urine significantly more paracetamol (EM: 40.8 +/- 14.9% dose/0-8 h; PM: 29.2 +/- 8.7% dose/0-8 h, 2P less than 0.05) and significantly less 2-hydroxylated metabolites (EM: 4.7 +/- 2.3% dose/0-8 h; PM: 9.7 +/- 3.5% dose/0-8 h, 2P less than 0.005) than the PM group. Apparent first-order rate constants, calculated from pooled phenotype data, for overall elimination of phenacetin (k) and formation of paracetamol (kml) were higher in the EM group (EM: k = 0.191 +/- 0.151 h-1; kml = 0.091 +/- 0.025 h-1; PM: k = 0.098 +/- 0.035 h-1, 2P less than 0.05, kml = 0.052 +/- 0.019 h-1, 2P less than 0.05) than the PM group. The apparent first-order rate constant for 2-hydroxylation displayed no significant inter-phenotype differences. Correlation analysis demonstrated that genetically determined oxidation status accounted for approximately 50% of the inter-individual variability in phenacetin disposition encountered in this study.

Comparative metabolic studies of phenacetin and structurally-related compounds in the rat

1. A comparative study of the metabolism of [acetyl-14C]phenacetin, [acetyl-14C]methacetin, [acetyl-14C]paracetamol and [acetyl=14C]acetanilide in the rat is reported. 2. The extent of N-deacetylation, evidenced by the measurement of respired 14CO2, varied, being greatest with acetanilide (25-31%) and least with paracetamol (6%). 3. The major urinary metabolites in each case were N-acetyl-p-aminophenyl sulphate and N-acetyl-p-aminophenyl glucuronide; the relative proportions varied with the sex of the animals and as a result of extended dosage. 4. The metabolism of [ethyl-14C]phenacetin and [ethyl-14C]phenetidine was investigated and the extent of O-dealkylation determined by measurement of respired 14CO2. 5. The metabolic pathways of some related glycolanilides and oxanilic acids included N-deacylation, and in the glycolanilides, oxidation of the glycollic group.