Pedro Dorado

Pharmacokinetics of losartan and its metabolite E-3174 in relation to the CYP2C9 genotype.

Losartan is metabolized by polymorphic CYP2C9 to E‐3174. Our aim was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of losartan and E‐3174 in relation to the CYP2C9 genotype.

Relation between CYP2D6 phenotype and genotype and personality in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVES Our group has previously show that interindividual variability in CYP2D6 hydroxylation capacity was related to personality differences in cognitive social anxiety. Thus, we aimed to analyze whether this relationship between personality and CYP2D6 phenotype and genotype was found in a similar population of healthy volunteers from a different latitude and culture by using the same methodology. METHODS A total of 253 university students and staff from Havana Psychiatric Hospital and Calixto García Medical School in Cuba completed the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP), and were evaluated on debrisoquine hydroxylation capacity and CYP2D6 genotypes. KSP scores were compared between four groups, divided according to their CYP2D6 metabolic capacity: one of poor and three of extensive metabolizers. Furthermore, KSP scores were compared between another four different groups divided according to their number of CYP2D6 active genes: zero, one, two, and more than two. RESULTS In Cubans, the differences in cognitive social anxiety-related personality traits across the four CYP2D6 hydroxylation capacity groups were strikingly similar to those found in Spaniards. These differences also came out to be significant for psychic anxiety (p = 0.02) and socialization (p = 0.02). The same pattern of results obtained for the subscales of psychic anxiety, socialization, psychasthenia and inhibition of aggression with regard to phenotype in both the Cuban and Spanish studies were seen with regard to CYP2D6 genotypes. CONCLUSIONS Corroborating these results further strengthens evidence of the relationship between CYP2D6 metabolic capacity and personality. In this population of healthy Cuban volunteers, the CYP2D6 hydroxylation capacity was related to the degree of anxiety and socialization. These results support the postulated reduction of serotonin in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, which may be associated with a cluster of behavioral traits (e.g., anxiety, impulsivity). Thus, research is warranted to determine CYP2D6 functional implications for interindividual differences in vulnerability to neuropsychiatric diseases and drug response.

CYP2D6 polymorphism: implications for antipsychotic drug response, schizophrenia and personality traits

The CYP2D6 gene is highly polymorphic, causing absent (poor metabolizers), decreased, normal or increased enzyme activity (extensive and ultrarapid metabolizers). The genetic polymorphism of the CYP2D6 influences plasma concentration of a wide variety of drugs metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 enzyme, including antipsychotic drugs used for schizophrenia treatment. Additionally, CYP2D6 is involved in the metabolism of endogenous substrates in the brain, and reported to be located in regions such as the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, which are impaired in schizophrenia. Moreover, recently we have found that CYP2D6 poor metabolizers are under-represented in a case-control association study of schizophrenia. Furthermore, null CYP2D6 activity in healthy volunteers is associated with personality characteristics of social cognitive anxiety, which may bear some resemblance to milder forms of psychotic-like symptoms. In keeping with this, CYP2D6 may influence, not only variability to drug response, but also vulnerability to disease in schizophrenia patients.

Lower frequency of CYP2C9*2 in Mexican- Americans compared to Spaniards

ABSTRACTInterethnic differences in cytochrome P450 polymorphism might be responsible, at least in part, for the variations in drug disposition between ethnic groups. Of the various CYP2C9 alleles, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 have been reported to have altered catalytic activities compared to the wild-type CYP2C9*1. The present study is aimed at analysing the CYP2C9 polymorphism in a Mexican-American compared with a Spanish population. Differences between the two populations of healthy volunteers, Mexican-Americans (n=98 subjects) and Spaniards (n=102 subjects), regarding the CYP2C9 allele frequencies have been found. CYP2C9 genotypes among the studied Mexican-American population are in equilibrium. The 95% CI were, respectively, 0.81–0.90 for CYP2C9*1 (n=169), 0.05–0.13 for CYP2C9*2 (n=16) and 0.031–0.10 for CYP2C9*3 (n=11). CYP2C9*4, *5 and *6 were found in none of the studied subjects. The frequency of CYP2C9*2 was lower among Mexican-Americans compared to Spaniards (P<0.05). The obtained frequency of CYP2C9 alleles is compatible with the genomic assembly of the constitutive potential ethnic origin of this population, and supports the need of pharmacogenetic studies for optimizing the recommended drug dosages to Mexican-Americans.

QTc interval lengthening is related to CYP2D6 hydroxylation capacity and plasma concentration of thioridazine in patients

Thioridazine cardiotoxicity has been associated with a prolonged heart-rate corrected QT (QTc) interval. However, no systematic studies have been performed on patients at therapeutic doses. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of dose and plasma concentration of thioridazine and CYP2D6 enzyme status on the QTc interval in psychiatric patients. Sixty-five Spanish European psychiatric patients receiving thioridazine antipsychotic monotherapy were studied. The plasma levels of thioridazine and its metabolites were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. All patients were phenotyped for CYP2D6 activity with debrisoquine during treatment. Thirty-five patients (54%) had a QTc interval over 420 ms. The lengthening of QTc interval was correlated with plasma concentration (p< 0.05) and daily dose (p < 0.05) of thioridazine. CYP2D6 enzyme hydroxylation capacity, evaluated by debrisoquine metabolic ratio (MR) (p < 0.05) and thioridazine/mesoridazine ratio (p < 0.05), was also correlated with QTc intervals. The present study shows the relationship between QTc interval lengthening among psychiatric patients treated at therapeutical doses with the dose and the plasma concentration of thioridazine. Since debrisoquine MR has been shown to be correlated with the QTc intervals, CYP2D6 enzyme hydroxylation capacity might be relevant in determining the risk for QTc interval lengthening. Patients with impaired CYP2D6 enzyme activity due to enzyme inhibition by thioridazine might be more prone to increased risk of sudden death due to torsade de pointes type cardiac dysrhythmia.

Pharmacogenetics of debrisoquine and its use as a marker for CYP2D6 hydroxylation capacity.

Debrisoquine hydroxylation polymorphism is by far the most thoroughly studied genetic polymorphism of the CYP2D6 drug-metabolizing enzyme. Debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype has been the most used test in humans to evaluate CYP2D6 activity. Two debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotypes have been described: poor and extensive metabolizers. A group with a very low debrisoquine metabolic ratio within the extensive metabolizers, named ultrarapid metabolizers, has also been distinguished. This CYP2D6 variability can be for a large part alternatively determined by genotyping, which appears to be of clinical importance given CYP2D6 involvement in the metabolism of a large number of commonly prescribed drugs. CYP2D6 pharmacogenetics may then become a useful tool to predict drug-related side effects, interactions or therapeutic failures. However, a number of reasons appear to have made research into this field lag behind. The present review focuses on the relevance of genetics and environmental factors for determining debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype, as well as the relevance of CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism in psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic drugs.

Effect of CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 genotypes on fluoxetine and norfluoxetine plasma concentrations during steady-state conditions

ObjectivesCYP2D6 drug-metabolising enzyme has been shown to be involved in fluoxetine metabolism in vitro and in vivo. CYP2C9 has also been shown to influence the metabolism of fluoxetine in vitro; however, this relationship has not been studied in humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 genotypes on the plasma concentration of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in psychiatric patients during steady-state conditions.MethodsWhite European psychiatric patients (n=64) receiving antidepressant monotherapy with fluoxetine were studied. CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-specific methods. The plasma concentrations of fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.ResultsThe dose-corrected plasma concentrations of fluoxetine were related (P<0.01, r=−0.36) to CYP2D6 genotypes (number of active genes). The fluoxetine/norfluoxetine ratio also correlated (P<0.01, r=−0.39) with the number of active CYP2D6 genes. Among patients with two CYP2D6 active genes, the dose-corrected plasma concentrations of fluoxetine and active moiety (fluoxetine plus norfluoxetine) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the CYP2C9*1/*2 and CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype groups than in CYP2C9*1/*1. However, dose-corrected (C/D) plasma concentrations of fluoxetine, active moiety and fluoxetine/norfluoxetine ratios were not highly different in the individuals with two mutated alleles as compared with those heterozygous for *2 or *3.ConclusionThe present results show that CYP2D6 and potentially CYP2C9 genotypes seem to influence fluoxetine plasma concentration during steady-state conditions in patients.

The Role of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in the Metabolism of Risperidone and Its Clinical Relevance for Drug Interactions

In the recent years it has been increasingly recognized that pharmacogenetical factors play an important role in the drug treatment. These factors may influence the appearance of side-effects and drug interactions due to interindividual differences in the activity of metabolizing enzymes. Risperidone in humans is mainly metabolized to 9-hydroxyrisperidone by the polymorphic cytochrome enzyme P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). Plasma concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone show large interindividual variability, which may be partly related to the activity of the CYP2D6 enzyme. Around seven percent of Caucasians have a genetically inherited impaired activity of the CYP2D6 enzyme. Debrisoquine metabolic ratio (a marker of CYP2D6 activity) and the number of CYP2D6 active genes have been related to risperidone plasma concentrations among patients during steady-state conditions. A large number drugs have been described to be metabolized by CYP2D6, and it is therefore important to evaluate the clinical significance of the impaired metabolism and possible drug interactions on the enzyme. Since risperidone/9-hydroxyrisperidone ratio strongly correlates with CYP2D6 enzyme activity and the number of CYP2D6 active genes, thus it might be a useful tool in clinical practice to estimate the possible risk of drug interactions due to impaired CYP2D6 enzyme activity. CYP3A4 is the most abundant drug metabolizing enzyme in humans, and in vitro and in vivo results suggest also a role for the enzyme in risperidone metabolism. The consideration of the implication of cytochrome P450 enzymes in risperidone metabolism may help to individualize dose schemes in order to avoid interactions and potentially dangerous side-effects, such us QTc interval lengthening among patients with cardiac risk factors.

CYP2D6 genotype and debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype in Cubans and Nicaraguans

CYP2D6 genotype and debrisoquine metabolic ratio (MR) were analyzed in 133 Nicaraguan Mestizos (NMs) and 260 Cubans divided into Cuban Mestizos (CMs) and White Cubans (WCs). The frequencies of poor metabolizers (MR⩾12.6) were 6% in NMs, 3.9% in CMs and 5.3% in WCs. The frequencies of ultrarapid metabolizers (MR⩽0.1) were 0% in NMs, 2.3% in CMs and 5.3% in WCs. Mean (±s.d.) MR among extensive metabolizers (MR<12.6) was higher in NMs (1.5±1.6; n=118) than in CMs (1.0±1.3; n=124; P<0.001) and WCs (0.7±1.0; n=124; P<0.001). MR correlated with the ‘activity score’ of CYP2D6 genotypes (P<0.05; r=−0.55). Mean MR was higher among NMs than WCs and CMs for groups classified as 1 (P<0.05) or 2 (P<0.01) ‘activity score’. In addition, mean (±s.d.) MR was higher among subjects carrying CYP2D6*17 than in CYP2D6 wt/wt (P<0.001). The CYP2D6*10 allele was higher in NMs (3.1%) than in CMs (0.8%; P<0.05) and WCs (0.4%; P<0.05). CYP2D6*17 allele was higher in CMs (10.2%) than WC (2.7%; P<0.005) and NMs (0%). Thus, the variability in CYP2D6 phenotypes found may be related to differences in allele frequency among groups (that is, CYP2D6*10 and *17 highest in NMs and CMs, respectively). However, the influence of environmental factors or alleles different than those studied here cannot be ruled out.

Determination of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in human plasma by liquid chromatography: application to the evaluation of CYP2D6 drug interactions.

A high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultra-violet detection method for the simultaneous determination of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in plasma after liquid-liquid extraction has been developed. The limit of quantitation was 5 nmol/L, and the inter-day coefficient of variation was less than 8% for both compounds. The mean recoveries of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone added to plasma were 96.8 and 99.4%, with an intra-day coefficient of variation of under 5 and 6%, respectively. Studies of analytical interference showed that the most commonly co-administered antidepressants and benzodiazepines did not interfere. The method was used for the determination of the plasma concentrations of a schizophrenic patient treated daily with an oral dose of 4.5 mg risperidone. The patient suffered severe extrapyramidal side-effects after adding risperidone to his previous medication of haloperidol and levomepromazine. The risperidone plasma concentration was well above the average (182 nmol/L), which suggests that a pharmacokinetic interaction occurred, presumably due to inhibition of the enzyme CYP2D6.