Tolbutamide hydroxylation in humans: lack of bimodality in 106 healthy subjects

Phenytoin Metabolic Ratio, a Marker of CYP2C9 Activity, is Superior to the CYP2C9 Genotype as a Predictor of (S)-Warfarin Clearance

BACKGROUND

CYP2C9 is a member of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily responsible for the metabolism of 16% of drugs that undergo oxidative metabolism. The activity of CYP2C9 exhibits marked inter-individual variability, which translates into prominent differences in the pharmacokinetics of CYP2C9 substrates, some of which are characterized by a narrow therapeutic window. Genetic polymorphisms in the gene encoding for CYP2C9 account for a fraction of the variability in CYP2C9 activity. The phenytoin metabolic ratio (PMR) is a marker of CYP2C9 activity in vivo, which correlates with CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the ability of the PMR to predict the oral clearance of (S)-warfarin (SWOCL) and its formation clearance towards its CYP2C9-mediated metabolites (SWCLf) [i.e., 6- and 7-hydroxy-(S)-warfarin].

METHODS

The study was conducted in 150 healthy non-smoker subjects (segment 1) and 60 patients treated with warfarin (segment 2). In the first segment, the participants received on two separate occasions a single 300-mg dose of phenytoin and at least 7 days later a single dose of warfarin (5 or 10 mg). The same PMR procedure was performed in the second segment, except that it was performed either before warfarin initiation or after the patients had reached stable anticoagulation. The PMR was derived from the ratio of 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-hydantoin content in a 24-hour urine collection to plasma phenytoin concentration 12- (PMR24/12) or 24- (PMR24/24) post-dosing. In segment 1, SWOCL was calculated from the ratio of (S)-warfarin dose to the warfarin area under the plasma concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity and the SWCLf from the ratio of urine content of 6- and 7-hydroxy-(S)-warfarin to (S)-warfarin area under the (S)-warfarin plasma concentration-time curve until the last measured timepoint. In segment 2, estimated SWOCL was derived from the ratio of (S)-warfarin dose to the mid-interval plasma concentration of (S)-warfarin.

RESULTS

The PMR, SWOCL, and SWCLf varied significantly between carriers of different CYP2C9 genotypes in both healthy subjects (p < 0.001) and patients (p < 0.005). However, PMR and SWOCL values exhibited substantial intra-genotypic variability. PMR24/12 and PMR24/24 were significantly correlated with SWOCL both in healthy subjects (r = 0.62 and r = 0.67, respectively, p < 0.001) and in patients (r = 0.57 and r = 0.61, respectively, p < 0.001). In a multiple regression model that included all variables that correlated with SWOCL, PMR was the strongest predictor, explaining 44% and 38% of the variability in SWOCL among healthy subjects and patients, respectively, and accounting for 95.7% (44%/46%) and 90.5% (38%/42%) of the total explained variability in SWOCL among healthy subjects and patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The PMR is the strongest predictor of SWOCL, and as such, it exhibits a significant advantage over the CYP2C9 genotype. The inclusion of PMR in future dosing algorithms of CYP2C9 substrates characterized by a narrow therapeutic window should be encouraged and further investigated.

Pharmacogenomics of CYP2C9: Functional and Clinical Considerations

CYP2C9 is the most abundant CYP2C subfamily enzyme in human liver and the most important contributor from this subfamily to drug metabolism. Polymorphisms resulting in decreased enzyme activity are common in the CYP2C9 gene and this, combined with narrow therapeutic indices for several key drug substrates, results in some important issues relating to drug safety and efficacy. CYP2C9 substrate selectivity is detailed and, based on crystal structures for the enzyme, we describe how CYP2C9 catalyzes these reactions. Factors relevant to clinical response to CYP2C9 substrates including inhibition, induction and genetic polymorphism are discussed in detail. In particular, we consider the issue of ethnic variation in pattern and frequency of genetic polymorphisms and clinical implications. Warfarin is the most well studied CYP2C9 substrate; recent work on use of dosing algorithms that include CYP2C9 genotype to improve patient safety during initiation of warfarin dosing are reviewed and prospects for their clinical implementation considered. Finally, we discuss a novel approach to cataloging the functional capabilities of rare 'variants of uncertain significance', which are increasingly detected as more exome and genome sequencing of diverse populations is conducted.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of 13 CYP2C9 allelic variants found in Chinese Han population

Our previous study detected totally 35 CYP2C9 allelic variants in 2127 Chinese subjects, of whom 21 novel alleles were reported for the first time in Chinese populations. The aim of the present study was to characterize the 13 CYP2C9 allelic variants both in vitro and in vivo. Different types of CYP2C9 variants were highly expressed in COS-7 cells, and 50 μM tolbutamide was added as the probing substrate to evaluate their metabolic abilities in vitro. Subsequently, the concentrations of tolbutamide and its metabolite in the plasma and urine within individuals with different types of genotypes were determined by HPLC to evaluate the catalytic activity of the 13 mutant CYP2C9 proteins in vivo. Our results showed that compared with *1/*1 wild-type subjects, subjects with *1/*40 genotype showed increased oral clearance (CL/F), whereas individuals with *1/*3, *1/*13, *3/*3, *3/*13, *1/*16, *1/*19, *1/*34, *1/*42, *1/*45, *1/*46, and *1/*48 genotype exhibited significantly decreased CL/F, and those with *1/*27, *1/*29, *1/*40, and *1/*41 genotype presented similar CL/F value. When expressed in COS-7 cells, the CYP2C9 variants showed similar pattern to the results in clinical study. The study suggests that, besides two typical defective alleles, *3 and *13, seven CYP2C9 allelic variants (*16, *19, *34, *42, *45, *46, and *48) cause defective effects on the enzymatic activities both in vitro and in vivo. In clinic, patients with these defective alleles should be paid close attention to.

Effect of genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome p450 (CYP) 2C9 and CYP2C8 on the pharmacokinetics of oral antidiabetic drugs: clinical relevance

Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects up to 8% of the adult population in Western countries. Treatment of this disease with oral antidiabetic drugs is characterised by considerable interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and adverse effects. Genetic factors are known to contribute to individual differences in bioavailability, drug transport, metabolism and drug action. Only scarce data exist on the clinical implications of this genetic variability on adverse drug effects or clinical outcomes in patients taking oral antidiabetics. The polymorphic enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 is the main enzyme catalysing the biotransformation of sulphonylureas. Total oral clearance of all studied sulphonylureas (tolbutamide, glibenclamide [glyburide], glimepiride, glipizide) was only about 20% in persons with the CYP2C9*3/*3 genotype compared with carriers of the wild-type genotype CYP2C9*1/*1, and clearance in the heterozygous carriers was between 50% and 80% of that of the wild-type genotypes. For reasons not completely known, the resulting differences in drug effects were much less pronounced. Nevertheless, CYP2C9 genotype-based dose adjustments may reduce the incidence of adverse effects. The magnitude of how doses might be adjusted can be derived from pharmacokinetic studies. The meglitinide-class drug nateglinide is metabolised by CYP2C9. According to the pharmacokinetic data, moderate dose adjustments based on CYP2C9 genotypes may help in reducing interindividual variability in the antihyperglycaemic effects of nateglinide. Repaglinide is metabolised by CYP2C8 and, according to clinical studies, CYP2C8*3 carriers had higher clearance than carriers of the wild-type genotypes; however, this was not consistent with in vitro data and therefore further studies are needed. CYP2C8*3 is closely linked with CYP2C9*2. CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 are the main enzymes catalysing biotransformation of the thiazolidinediones troglitazone and pioglitazone, whereas rosiglitazone is metabolised by CYP2C9 and CYP2C8. The biguanide metformin is not significantly metabolised but polymorphisms in the organic cation transporter (OCT) 1 and OCT2 may determine its pharmacokinetic variability. In conclusion, pharmacogenetic variability plays an important role in the pharmacokinetics of oral antidiabetic drugs; however, to date, the impact of this variability on clinical outcomes in patients is mostly unknown and prospective studies on the medical benefit of CYP genotyping are required.

A convenient five-drug cocktail for the assessment of major drug metabolizing enzymes: a pilot study

AIMS

To assess the feasibility of administering at the same time low doses of five probe drugs, metoprolol (25 mg), chlorzoxazone (250 mg), tolbutamide (250 mg), dapsone (100 mg) and caffeine (100 mg) to determine simultaneously the activities of CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP1A2, N-acetyltransferase-2 and xanthine oxidase.

METHODS

Ten healthy young non-smoking males received the following drugs or combinations of drugs over a 5-week period: week 1) metoprolol; 2) tolbutamide; 3) caffeine, chlorzoxazone and dapsone; 4) caffeine, chlorzoxazone, dapsone and metoprolol; 5) caffeine, chlorzoxazone, dapsone, metoprolol and tolbutamide. The drugs were self-administered at bedtime and urine was collected for the following 8 h.

RESULTS

Mean molar phenotypic ratios obtained after administering metoprolol (mean change of -11%) or tolbutamide (mean change of -0.3%) alone, were not significantly different from those obtained when other drugs were co-administered (P > 0.05). The mean within-subject coefficients of variation were 33%, 18%, 22%, 13%, 16%, 13% and 5% for CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2E1, CYP1A2, N-acetyltransferase 2 and xanthine oxidase metabolic ratios, respectively. No significant interactions (P > 0.5) were observed during the simultaneous administration of various combinations of the five probe drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that this cocktail, composed of five widely available drugs, constitutes a promising means of simultaneously determining the activities of the major CYP enzymes in large populations.

Pharmacogenetics of cytochrome P450 and its applications in drug therapy: the past, present and future

The field of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics has progressed rapidly during the past 25 years. All the major human drug-metabolizing P450 enzymes have been identified and cloned, and the major gene variants that cause inter-individual variability in drug response and are related to adverse drug reactions have been identified. This information now provides the basis for the use of predictive pharmacogenetics to yield drug therapies that are more efficient and safer. Today, we understand which drugs warrant dosing based on pharmacogenetics to improve drug treatment. It is anticipated that, in the future, genotyping could be used to personalize drug treatment for vast numbers of subjects, decreasing the cost of drug treatment and increasing the efficacy of drugs and health in general. I estimate that such personalized P450 gene-based treatment would be relevant for 10-20% of all drug therapy.

Cytochrome P450 2C9 phenotyping using low-dose tolbutamide

OBJECTIVES

The hypoglycaemic drug tolbutamide is used for assessment of CYP2C9 activity in vivo. However, therapeutically active doses of 500 mg bear the risk of hypoglycaemia, and a tolbutamide-derived parameter based on a single plasma or urine concentration reflecting CYP2C9 activity accurately is lacking.

METHODS

We examined tolbutamide and its metabolites 4'-hydroxy-tolbutamide and carboxytolbutamide in plasma and urine of 26 healthy, male volunteers up to 24 h after intake of 125 mg tolbutamide using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. CYP2C9 genotypes were determined by sequencing of exons 3 and 7. Raw plasma and urine data were compared with pharmacokinetic parameters, CYP2C9 genotypes, and data from a study in 23 volunteers with all six CYP2C9*1-*3 combinations who received 500 mg tolbutamide.

RESULTS

Plasma clearance and tolbutamide plasma concentrations 24 h after drug intake reflected the genotypes: 0.85 l/h and 1.70 microg/ml (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.80-0.89 l/h and 1.50-1.90 microg/ml) for CYP2C9*1 homozygotes (n=15), 0.77 l/h and 2.14 microg/ml (95%CI, 0.67-0.88 l/h and 1.64-2.63 microg/ml) for *1/*2 genotypes (n=7), 0.60 l/h and 3.13 microg/ml (95%CI, 0.58-0.62 l/h and 2.68-3.58 microg/ml) for *1/*3 genotypes (n=3), and 0.57 l/h and 3.27 microg/ml in the single *2/*2 carrier. Natural logarithms of tolbutamide plasma concentrations 24 h after intake correlated to plasma clearance (r(2)=0.84, P<0.0000001). This correlation was confirmed in the comparison data set (r(2)=0.97, P<0.0000001).

CONCLUSIONS

A low dose of 125 mg tolbutamide can safely and accurately be used for CYP2C9 phenotyping. As a simple metric for CYP2C9 activity, we propose to determine tolbutamide in plasma 24 h after drug intake.

Clinical relevance of genetic polymorphisms in the human CYP2C9 gene

Cytochrome p450 (CYP) 2C9 hydroxylates about 16% of drugs in current clinical use. Of special interest are those with a narrow therapeutic index, such as S-warfarin, tolbutamide and phenytoin, where impairment in CYP2C9 metabolic activity might cause difficulties in dose adjustment as well as toxicity. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the CYP2C9 gene have increasingly been recognized as determinants of the metabolic phenotype that underlies interindividual and ethnic differences. Apart from the wild-type protein CYP2C9*1 at least five allelic variants produce allozymes with reduced or deficient metabolic activity. Among white populations only CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 variants are of significance, with allelic frequencies of 0.08-0.14 and 0.04-0.16, respectively. In contrast, in Africans (African-Americans and Ethiopians) and Asians both variants are much less frequent (0.005-0.04), and CYP2C9*2 has not yet been detected in Asians. CYP2C9*4 has been exclusively identified in Japanese patients, and CYP2C9*5 and *6 were only found among African-Americans with a low allelic frequency of 0.017 and 0.006, respectively. Furthermore in Japanese a CYP2C9 promotor variant of four linked SNPs was correlated with reduced intrinsic clearance of phenytoin in vitro. Subjects who are carriers of one or more variant alleles may be at risk for adverse drug reactions/toxicities when prescribed drugs extensively metabolized by CYP2C9.

Analysis of diclofenac and its metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography: relevance of CYP2C9 genotypes in diclofenac urinary metabolic ratios

In humans, diclofenac is metabolised to 4'-hydroxy (OH), 3'-OH and 5-OH metabolites. The polymorphic CYP2C9 is involved in the metabolism of diclofenac to 4'-OH diclofenac and 3'-OH diclofenac. The aim of the present study was to develop a high-performance liquid chromatographic method to simultaneously measure diclofenac and its metabolites in urine, suitable for metabolic studies. After liquid-liquid extraction the compounds were separated in a reversed-phase column and measured by ultraviolet absorption at 282 nm. For all compounds intra-day and inter-day variations were less than 7%, and the limits of quantitation were 0.25 mg/l. No analytical interference with endogenous compounds was found. The relationship between diclofenac metabolic ratios among different CYP2C9 genotypes is reported. The CYP2C9*3/*3 subject had the highest diclofenac/4'-OH ratios. However no difference was found between CYP2C9*2/*2 and *1/*1 genotypes. The chromatographic method developed was sensitive and reliable for the measurement of diclofenac and its metabolites simultaneously in human urine, and is suitable for use in diclofenac metabolism studies.

Cytochrome P450 2C9 polymorphisms: a comprehensive review of the in-vitro and human data

The discovery of six distinct polymorphisms in the genetic sequence encoding for the cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) protein has stimulated numerous investigations in an attempt to characterize their population distribution and metabolic activity. Since the CYP2C9*1, *2 and *3 alleles were discovered first, they have undergone more thorough investigation than the recently identified *4, *5 and *6 alleles. Population distribution data suggest that the variant *2 and *3 alleles are present in approximately 35% of Caucasian individuals; however, these alleles are significantly less prevalent in African-American and Asian populations. In-vitro data have consistently demonstrated that the CYP2C9*2 and *3 alleles are associated with significant reductions in intrinsic clearance of a variety of 2C9 substrates compared with CYP2C9*1; however, the degree of these reductions appear to be highly substrate-dependent. In addition, multiple in-vivo investigations and clinical case reports have associated genotypes expressing the CYP2C9*2 and *3 alleles with significant reductions in both the metabolism and daily dose requirements of selected CYP2C9 substrates. Individuals expressing these variant genotypes also appear to be significantly more susceptible to adverse events with the narrow therapeutic index agents warfarin and phenytoin, particularly during the initiation of therapy. These findings have subsequently raised numerous questions regarding the potential clinical utility of genotyping for CYP2C9 prior to initiation of therapy with these agents. However, further clinical investigations evaluating the metabolic consequences in individuals expressing the CYP2C9*2, *3, *4, *5, or *6 alleles are required before large-scale clinical genotyping can be recommended.

Impact of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 polymorphisms on tolbutamide kinetics and the insulin and glucose response in healthy volunteers

Tolbutamide is known to be metabolized by cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9), and the effects of the CYP2C9 amino acid polymorphisms *2 (Arg144Cys) and *3 (Ile359Leu) could be important for drug treatment with tolbutamide and for use of tolbutamide as a CYP2C9 test drug. Tolbutamide pharmacokinetics and plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were studied in 23 healthy volunteers with all six combinations of the CYP2C9 alleles *1, *2 and *3, including two subjects with the combined CYP2C9*1/*1 and CYP2C19*2/*2 genotype. Volunteers received a single oral dose of 500 mg tolbutamide, followed by 75 g oral glucose at 1, 4.5 and 8 h after tolbutamide administration. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a computer program for regression analysis of nonlinear mixed effects models. The mean oral clearances of tolbutamide were 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-1.05), 0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.93), 0.75 (95% CI 0.69-0.81), 0.56 (95% CI 0.51-0.61), 0.45 (95% CI 0.41-0.49) and 0.15 (95% CI 0.14-0.16) l/h in carriers of CYP2C9 genotypes 1/*1, *1/*2, *2/*2, *1/*3, *2/*3 and *3/*3, respectively. Tolbutamide pharmacokinetics in carriers of the functionally deficient CYP2C19*2/*2 genotype were not different from those in the CYP2C19 highly active genotype. Elimination in the six CYP2C9 genotype groups could be expressed as the linear combination of three constants (0.05, 0.04, 0.01 h(-1), which were specific to the respective CYP2C9 alleles *1, *2 and *3, thus indicating a co-dominant mode of inheritance. Insulin and glucose concentration-time curves did not change with differing CYP2C9 genotypes. Tolbutamide was confirmed as a substrate of the genetically polymorphic enzyme CYP2C9. The pronounced differences in pharmacokinetics due to the amino acid variants did not significantly affect plasma insulin and glucose concentrations in healthy volunteers.

Pharmacogenetics of warfarin elimination and its clinical implications

Warfarin is one of the most widely prescribed oral anticoagulants. However, optimal use of the drug has been hampered by its >10-fold interpatient variability in the doses required to attain therapeutic responses. Pharmacogenetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 (CYP) may be associated with impaired elimination of warfarin and exaggerated anticoagulatory responses to the drug in certain patients. Clinically available warfarin is a racemic mixture of (R)- and (S)-warfarin, and the (S)-enantiomer has 3 to 5 times greater anticoagulation potency than its optical congener. Both enantiomers are eliminated extensively via hepatic metabolism with low clearance relative to hepatic blood flow. CYP2C9 is almost exclusively responsible for the metabolism of the pharmacologically more active (S)-enantiomer. Several human allelic variants of CYP2C9 have been cloned, designated as CYP2C9*1 (reference sequence or wild-type allele), CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 and CYP2C9*4, respectively. The allelic frequencies for these variants differ considerably among different ethnic populations. Caucasians appear to carry the CYP 2C9*2 (8 to 20%) and CYP2C9*3 (6 to 10%) variants more frequently than do Asians (0% and 2 to 5%, respectively). The metabolic activities of the CYP2C9 variants have been investigated in vitro. The catalytic activity of CYP2C9*3 expressed from cDNA was significantly less than that of CYP2C9*1. Human liver microsomes obtained from individuals heterozygous for CYP2C9*3 showed significantly reduced (S)-warfarin 7-hydroxylation as compared with those obtained from individuals genotyped as CYP2C9*1. The influence of the CYP2C9*3 allele on the in vivo pharmacokinetics of (S)-warfarin has been studied in Japanese patients. Patients with the homozygous CYP2C9*3 genotype, as well as those with the heterozygous CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype, had significantly reduced clearance of (S)-warfarin (by 90 and 60%, respectively) compared with those with homozygous CYP2C9*1. The maintenance dosages of warfarin required in Japanese patients with heterozygous and homozygous CYP2C9*3 mutations were significantly lower than those in patients with CYP2C9*1/*1. In addition, 86% of British patients exhibiting adequate therapeutic responses with lower maintenance dosages of warfarin (<1.5 mg/day) had either the CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3 mutation singly or in combination, whereas only 38% of randomly selected patients receiving warfarin carried the corresponding mutations. Furthermore, the former group showed more frequent episodes of major bleeding associated with warfarin therapy. These data indicate that the CYP2C9*3 allele may be associated with retarded elimination of (S)-warfarin and the resulting clinical effects. However, relationships between CYP2C9 genotype, enzyme activity, metabolism of probe substrates, dosage requirements and bleeding complications should be interpreted with caution, and further studies are required.

Phenytoin metabolic ratio: a putative marker of CYP2C9 activity in vivo

CYP2C9 mediates the oxidative metabolism of approximately 10% of drugs, some of which are characterized by a narrow therapeutic index. We aimed to validate genotype method and phenotype methodology, for evaluation of CYP2C9 activity in vivo. Thirty-one healthy subjects (22 male) received a single 300 mg dose of phenytoin. Blood was drawn periodically and urine was collected at intervals for 96 h. Plasma phenytoin and 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (p-HPPH) and urine S and R enantiomers of p-HPPH were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. CYP2C9 genotyping was obtained by polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion with Sau96I and StyI for the identification of CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3, respectively. Eighteen subjects were CYP2C9*1 homozygous, seven were CYP2C9*2 heterozygous, four were CYP2C9*3 heterozygous, one was CYP2C9*2 homozygous and one was compound CYP2C9*2/CYP2C9*3 heterozygous. The allele frequencies of CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 were 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-0.79], 0.16 (95% CI 0.13-0.19) and 0.08 (95% CI 0.05-0.11), respectively. The CYP2C9-mediated production of (S)-p-HPPH represented the major metabolic pathway of phenytoin biotransformation as its excretion accounted for 95.6 + 0.9% of 'total' p-HPPH excretion over the 96 h collection interval. Phenytoin metabolic clearance to produce (S)-p-HPPH (PMC), correlated significantly with (S)-p-HPPH (or 'total' p-HPPH) content in 0-8, 0-12 and 0-24 urine collections (r = 0.88, 0.85 and 0.89, respectively) and with phenytoin metabolic ratio (PMR) defined as the ratio of urine (S)-p-HPPH (or 'total' p-HPPH) to mid-interval plasma phenytoin (r = 0.90, 0.88 and 0.94, respectively). PMC and PMR exhibited a gene-dose effect so that the highest and lowest values were noted in homozygous subjects CYP2C9*1 and subjects carrying two defective alleles, respectively, whereas heterozygous subjects had intermediate values. CYP2C9 genotyping and several phenytoin metabolic indices are correlated with CYP2C9 activity in vivo. The utility of phenytoin to predict the metabolism of other CYP2C9 substrates justifies further evaluation.

Molecular basis of ethnic differences in drug disposition and response

Ethnicity is an important demographic variable contributing to interindividual variability in drug metabolism and response. In this rapidly expanding research area many genetic factors that account for the effects of ethnicity on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug safety have been identified. This review focuses on recent developments that have improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for such interethnic differences. Genetic variations that may provide a molecular basis for ethnic differences in drug metabolizing enzymes (CYP 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4), drug transporter (P-glycoprotein), drug receptors (adrenoceptors), and other functionally important proteins (eNOS and G proteins) are discussed. A better understanding of the molecular basis underlying ethnic differences in drug metabolism, transport, and response will contribute to improved individualization of drug therapy.

In-vitro metabolism of celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, by allelic variant forms of human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 2C9: correlation with CYP2C9 genotype and in-vivo pharmacokinetics

In-vitro studies were conducted to assess the impact of CYP2C9 genotype on the metabolism (methyl hydroxylation) and pharmacokinetics of celecoxib, a novel cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and CYP2C9 substrate. When compared to cDNA-expressed wild-type CYP2C9 (CYP2C9*1), the Vmax/Km ratio for celecoxib methyl hydroxylation was reduced by 34% and 90% in the presence of recombinant CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3, respectively. These data indicated that the amino acid substitution at position 359 (Ile to Leu) elicited a more pronounced effect on the metabolism of celecoxib than did a substitution at position 144 (Arg to Cys). The Vmax/Km ratio was also decreased in microsomes of livers genotyped CYP2C9*1/*2 (47% decrease, mean of two livers), or CYP2C9*1/*3 (59% decrease, one liver). In all cases, these changes were largely reflective of a decrease in Vmax, with a minimal change in Km. Based on simulations of the in-vitro data obtained with the recombinant CYP2C9 proteins, it was anticipated that the pharmacokinetics of celecoxib (as a much as a five-fold increase in plasma AUC) would be altered (versus CYP2C9*1/*1 subjects) in subjects genotyped heterozygous or homozygous for the CYP2C9*2 (Cys144) or CYP2C9*3 (Leu359) allele. In a subsequent clinical study, the AUC of celecoxib was increased (versus CYP2C9*1/*1 subjects) approximately 2.2-fold (range, 1.6-3-fold) in two CYP2C9*1/*3 subjects and one CYP2C9*3/*3 subject receiving a single oral dose (200 mg) of the drug. In contrast, there was no significant change in celecoxib AUC in two subjects genotyped CYP2C9*1/*2.

Association analysis of drug metabolizing enzyme gene polymorphisms in HIV-positive patients with co-trimoxazole hypersensitivity

The use of co-trimoxazole in HIV-positive patients has been associated with a high frequency (40-80%) of hypersensitivity reactions. This has been attributed to the bioactivation of the sulphonamide component, sulphamethoxazole (SMX), to its toxic hydroxylamine and nitroso metabolites. The aim of this study was to determine whether functionally significant polymorphisms in the genes coding for enzymes involved in SMX metabolism influence susceptibility to SMX hypersensitivity. HIV-positive patients with (n = 56) and without (n = 89) SMX hypersensitivity were genotyped for allelic variants in CYP2C9, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and NAT2 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The CYP2C9*2/*3 genotype and CYP2C9*3 allele frequencies were nine- and 2.5-fold higher in the hypersensitive group compared to non-sensitive patients, respectively, although they were not statistically significant when corrected for multiple testing. There were no differences in the frequencies of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes, and the slow acetylator genotype, between hypersensitive and non-sensitive patients, while GSTP1 frequency was lower (although non-significant) in the hypersensitive group [21% versus 32%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.5, Pc = 0.24]. Comparison of the genotype frequencies in HIV-positive and -negative patients showed that the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype frequency in the HIV-positive patients (74%) was significantly (Pc = 0.0003, OR = 2.3) higher than in control subjects (56%). Our results show that genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolizing enzymes are unlikely to be major predisposing factors in determining individual susceptibility to co-trimoxazole hypersensitivity in HIV-positive patients.

Phenotyping of drug-metabolizing enzymes in adults: a review of in-vivo cytochrome P450 phenotyping probes

Cytochrome P450 phenotyping provides valuable information about real-time activity of these important drug-metabolizing enzymes through the use of specific probe drugs. Despite more than 20 years of research, few conclusions regarding optimal phenotyping methods have been reached. Caffeine offers many advantages for CYP1A2 phenotyping, but the widely used caffeine urinary metabolic ratios may not be the optimal method of measuring CYP1A2 activity. Several probes of CYP2C9 activity have been suggested, but little information exists regarding their use, largely due to the narrow therapeutic index of most CYP2C9 probes. Mephenytoin has long been considered the standard CYP2C19 phenotyping probe, but problems such as sample stability and adverse effects have prompted the investigation of potential alternatives, such as omeprazole. Several well-validated CYP2D6 probes are available, including dextromethorphan, debrisoquin and sparteine, but, in most cases, dextromethorphan may be preferred due to its wide safety margin and availability. Chlorzoxazone remains the only CYP2E1 probe that has received much study. However, questions concerning phenotyping method and involvement of other enzymes have impaired its acceptance as a suitable CYP2E1 phenotyping probe. CYP3A phenotyping has been the subject of numerous investigations, reviews and commentaries. Nevertheless, much controversy regarding the selection of an ideal CYP3A probe remains. Of all the proposed methods, midazolam plasma clearance and the erythromycin breath test have been the most rigorously studied and appear to be the most reliable of the available methods. Despite the limitations of many currently available probes, with continued research, phenotyping will become an even more valuable research and clinical resource.

Microsomal prediction of in vivo clearance of CYP2C9 substrates in humans

AIMS

To assess the utility of human hepatic microsomes for predicting in vivo intrinsic clearance (CLint ) via the use of four cytochrome P450 2C9 substrates: phenytoin, tolbutamide (S)-ibuprofen (two pathways) and diclofenac, and to examine the role of exogenous albumin within the microsomal incubation.

METHODS

V max, Km and CLint (defined as V max/Km ratio) were estimated under initial rate conditions for five pathways of metabolism in a bank of 15 human hepatic microsomal samples and were scaled to in vivo units using the microsomal protein index. Non-metabolic related binding in microsomes was measured for phenytoin and tolbutamide in the presence and absence of albumin.

RESULTS

Microsomal CLint values differed by over two orders of magnitude, with the means ranging from 0.18 (phenytoin) to 40.70 (diclofenac) microl min-1 mg-1 microsomal protein. When these data were scaled and compared with published in vivo studies a similar rank order was obtained, however, the actual CLint tended to be underpredicted. While the in vivo unbound Km for phenytoin, 1-5 micron is substantially lower than the value determined in microsomes based on total concentrations (56 micron), correction for the in vitro binding reduces this value to 20 micron and 6 micron in the absence and presence of albumin, respectively. Similar trends were seen with tolbutamide Km.

CONCLUSIONS

An appreciation of the utility of in vitro prediction can be best achieved when the range of CLint values predicted from the individual hepatic microsomal samples are compared with the range of individual in vivo CLint values reported in the literature. The degree of underprediction is less evident using the range than the mean data and no consistent advantage in adding albumin to the incubation media is apparent.

Genetic polymorphisms of human N-acetyltransferase, cytochrome P450, glutathione-S-transferase, and epoxide hydrolase enzymes: relevance to xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity

In this review, an overview is presented of the current knowledge of genetic polymorphisms of four of the most important enzyme families involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, that is, the N-acetyltransferase (NAT), cytochrome P450 (P450), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) enzymes. The emphasis is on two main topics, the molecular genetics of the polymorphisms and the consequences for xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity. Studies are described in which wild-type and mutant alleles of biotransformation enzymes have been expressed in heterologous systems to study the molecular genetics and the metabolism and pharmacological or toxicological effects of xenobiotics. Furthermore, studies are described that have investigated the effects of genetic polymorphisms of biotransformation enzymes on the metabolism of drugs in humans and on the metabolism of genotoxic compounds in vivo as well. The effects of the polymorphisms are highly dependent on the enzyme systems involved and the compounds being metabolized. Several polymorphisms are described that also clearly influence the metabolism and effects of drugs and toxic compounds, in vivo in humans. Future perspectives in studies on genetic polymorphisms of biotransformation enzymes are also discussed. It is concluded that genetic polymorphisms of biotransformation enzymes are in a number of cases a major factor involved in the interindividual variability in xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity. This may lead to interindividual variability in efficacy of drugs and disease susceptibility.

Cytochrome P4502C9: an enzyme of major importance in human drug metabolism

Accumulating evidence indicates that CYP2C9 ranks amongst the most important drug metabolizing enzymes in humans. Substrates for CYP2C9 include fluoxetine, losartan, phenytoin, tolbutamide, torsemide, S-warfarin, and numerous NSAIDs. CYP2C9 activity in vivo is inducible by rifampicin. Evidence suggests that CYP2C9 substrates may also be induced variably by carbamazepine, ethanol and phenobarbitone. Apart from the mutual competitive inhibition which may occur between alternate substrates, numerous other drugs have been shown to inhibit CYP2C9 activity in vivo and/or in vitro. Clinically significant inhibition may occur with coadministration of amiodarone, fluconazole, phenylbutazone, sulphinpyrazone, sulphaphenazole and certain other sulphonamides. Polymorphisms in the coding region of the CYP2C9 gene produce variants at amino acid residues 144 (Arg144Cys) and 359 (Ile359Leu) of the CYP2C9 protein. Individuals homozygous for Leu359 have markedly diminished metabolic capacities for most CYP2C9 substrates, although the frequency of this allele is relatively low. Consistent with the modulation of enzyme activity by genetic and other factors, wide interindividual variability occurs in the elimination and/or dosage requirements of prototypic CYP2C9 substrates. Individualisation of dose is essential for those CYP2C9 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index.

The role of non-P450 enzymes in drug oxidation

In addition to cytochrome P450, oxidation of drugs and other xenobiotics can also be mediated by non-P450 enzymes, the most significant of which are flavin monooxygenase, monoamine oxidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase. This article highlights the importance of these non-P450 enzymes in drug metabolism. A brief introduction to each of the non-P450 oxidizing enzymes is given in this review and the oxidative reactions have been illustrated with clinical examples. Drug oxidation catalyzed by enzymes such as flavin monooxygenase and monoamine oxidase may often produce the same metablolites as those generated by P450 adn thus drug interactions may be difficult to predict without a clear knowledge of the underlying enzymology. In contrast, oxidation via aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase gives different metabolites to those resulting from P450 hydroxylation. Although oxidation catalyzed by non-P450 enzymes can lead to drug inactivation, oxidation may be essential for the generation of active metabolite(s). The activation of a number of prodrugs by non-P450 enzymes is thus described. It is concluded that there is still much to learn about factors affecting the non-P450 enzymes in the clinical situation.

Relationship between mephenytoin, phenytoin and tolbutamide hydroxylations in healthy African subjects

Mephenytoin, phenytoin and tolbutamide are metabolised by the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2C family. Recently, it has been shown that phenytoin and tolbutamide are metabolised by CYP2C9/10 whereas mephenytoin is metabolised by CYP2C19. Until now, in vivo studies were only undertaken in Caucasian subjects and showed a strong relationship between phenytoin and tolbutamide metabolism but no significant relationship between the two drug metabolisms and that of mephenytoin. The metabolism of the three drugs was investigated in eight black Africans by urinary analysis. In this ethnic group, a strong relationship was found between phenytoin and tolbutamide oxidations (rs = -0.83, P = 0.01). On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between mephentoin oxidation and phenytoin or tolbutamide oxidations (rs = 0.31 and rs = -0.33, respectively). This study suggests that, in black Africans, phenytoin and tolbutamide but not mephenytoin are also hydroxylated by similar CYP enzyme(s).