ABSTRACT
Recent population data suggest independence of the genetic polymorphisms in mephenytoin and sparteine/debrisoquine oxidation. We used human liver preparations to test whether mephenytoin competes with sparteine for binding to the genetically variable cytochrome P-450, which mediates metabolism of both sparteine and debrisoquine. Mephenytoin failed to inhibit in vitro sparteine oxidation. This provides biochemical evidence that the polymorphism of sparteine/debrisoquine metabolism is not related to that of mephenytoin.
Subject(s)
Hydantoins/pharmacology , Liver/metabolism , Mephenytoin/pharmacology , Sparteine/metabolism , Binding, Competitive/drug effects , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Liver/drug effects , Oxidation-Reduction , Sparteine/antagonists & inhibitorsABSTRACT
Population data indicate that the genetic control is the same for the oxidation of sparteine and debrisoquine, although whether the level of control is regulatory or enzymatic is not clear. Therefore, the influence of debrisoquine on the rates of in vitro formation of the two dehydrogenated metabolites of sparteine in the 9000 x g supernatant fractions of human liver was examined. The interaction of these two drugs was competitive, indicating that the same form of cytochrome P450 is responsible for their biotransformation. Antipyrine at concentrations as high as 4 mM had no effect on sparteine oxidation.