Is enzyme induction good for you? A problem of epidemiology and toxicology

Experimental models for evaluating enzyme induction potential of new drug candidates in animals and humans and a strategy for their use

Experimental models that have application for evaluating enzyme induction potential have been described in order of increasing complexity. The main focus was on models that have had wide application thus far. However, many new models are currently being developed that may have future applications in evaluating enzyme induction potential. A strategy to evaluate the enzyme induction potential of drug candidates was outlined. This scheme uses a combination of new and established techniques to evaluate data in a stepwise manner that is appropriate to the drug's current stage of development.

Pharmacokinetic data in the evaluation of the safety of food and color additives

Safety evaluation of food and color additives intended for human use is usually based on toxicity data obtained from animal studies; human data are rarely available. The extrapolation of animal data to humans is often controversial. The important role that pharmacokinetic data could play in the safety evaluation of food and color additives is now widely recognized. This paper reviews the current scientific knowledge concerning the application of properly designed pharmacokinetic studies to the evaluation of the safety of food and color additives. In principle, pharmacokinetic data can be useful not only in designing, interpreting, and extrapolating animal toxicity studies to humans, but also in providing insight into the mechanisms of toxicity. Examples of such applications are provided.

Assessment of enzyme induction and enzyme inhibition in humans: toxicological implications

1. The principal methods used for the assessment of enzyme induction and enzyme inhibition are measurement of the pharmacokinetics of a model compound (probe drug), analysis of drug metabolism in vitro, and determination of changes in the disposition of, and endogenous substrate for, the enzyme of interest. 2. Probe drugs that have been used for this purpose include antipyrine, aminopyrine, tolbutamide, caffeine, theophylline, warfarin, oxazepam and paracetamol. Measurement of the excretion of metabolites of cortisol and oestradiol, which are endogenous substrates for cytochrome P450 IIIA enzymes, provides a non-invasive means of assessing enzyme induction or inhibition. 3. Combined pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies are required to assess the pharmacological relevance of either induction or inhibition of the enzymes involved in drug metabolism. 4. At present it is difficult to assess the toxicological implications of enzyme induction and inhibition in man. Safe probe drugs are required for the enzymes primarily responsible for drug detoxication, such as epoxide hydrolase and glutathione transferase, in order to identify individuals particularly at risk.