Jeeranut Tankanitlert. Genetic polymorphisms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in metabolism of acetaminophen in B-thalassemia/hemoglobin E patients . Doctoral Degree(Pharmacology). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Genetic polymorphisms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in metabolism of acetaminophen in B-thalassemia/hemoglobin E patients
Abstract:
Pathophysiological changes in thalassemia and secondary organ damage from iron
overload may alter the pharmacokinetics of drugs in patients. Acetaminophen or
paracetamol (PCM), is commonly available and the most widely used analgesics . More
than 60 % of the drug is converted by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGTs). The UGT
1A polymorphisms may contribute to the interindividual variations seen in the doserelated
acetaminophen toxicity in general population and Gilbert’s syndrome, in
particular. The polymorphism of UGT 1A1 (UGT1A*28) found in Gilbert’s syndrome
and thalassemia was closely associated with the level of plasma bilirubin and the
presence of gallstones.The UGT1A6 was sensitive to PCM and its polymorphisms
(UGT1A6*2) reduced the enzymatic activity. Co-occurrence between UGT1A1*28 and
UGT1A6*2 was found. To elucidate the pharmacokinetics of PCM in different
UGT1A1 and UGT 1A6 genotypes of thalassemic and normal subjects, blood samples
were collected and DNA was extracted. The UGT1A genotypings were performed by
using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. Sixteen normal
and nineteen thalassemic subjects were grouped according to UGT1A genotypes. After
a single oral dose of 1000 mg PCM we followed PCM disposition using HPLC. The
absorption and distribution of PCM were not different among normal and thalassemic
subjects. The elimination of PCM was faster in thalassemic subjects. The area under
concentration time curve (AUC0->∞) of PCM in thalassemic subjects with the
UGT1A6*2 were less than those in wild type of thalassemic subjects (p<0.05), while
the AUC0->∞ of PCM in normal subjects with UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A6*2 were less
than those in wild type of normal subjects (p<0.05). Similar results were observed in its
metabolites. These results implied that other metabolites could be high in normal
subjects who had UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A6*2 and the thalassemic subjects who had
UGT1A6*2. Our study is the first pharmacogenetic study in thalassemia which showed
the influence of the UGT1A polymorphisms on acetaminophen metabolism. This may
be used in designing the dosage regimen of paracetamol and other drugs that are
extensively metabolized via glucuronidation in thalassemic and normal subjects.