Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P47989 (xanthine oxidase)
 8,633 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The immunosuppressive efficacy of azathioprine is related to its rapid metabolism in vivo to 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), with subsequent conversion to thioguanine nucleotides by an anabolic route involving hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. Two alternative catabolic routes exist: oxidation to 6-thiouric acid via xanthine oxidase and methylation to 6-methylmercaptopurine via the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT). Catabolism via either route would restrict formation of the active metabolites. We analyzed TPMT activity in erythrocyte lysates of 25 controls, 25 uremic patients on dialysis, and 68 transplanted patients. Median activity was lower in controls (31.0 pmol/hr/mg Hb, range 16.2-43.0) and transplanted patients receiving only cyclosporine and prednisolone (31.7 pmol/hr/mg Hb, range 12.7-43.5) than in the azathioprine treated group, (36.1 pmol/hr/mg Hb, range 16.1-71.3), or the uremic group on dialysis, (35.5 pmol/hr/mg Hb, range 18.6-62.6) suggesting that both azathioprine and uremia induce the enzyme, but CsA does not. Only 3 patients demonstrated total intolerance to azathioprine, 2 of whom had very low TPMT activity (zero and 12.7 pmol/hr/mg Hb). The intolerance of the third patient, despite high TPMT activity, was attributed to concomitant cotrimoxazole therapy. Patients with intermediate activity (15-26 pmol/hr/mg Hb) could tolerate azathioprine well. Of 29 cadaver recipients given only azathioprine plus prednisolone, 24 with a better clinical outcome had a significantly lower activity (33.1 pmol/hr/mg Hb, range 16.1-46.1) than 5 with reduced allograft function (42.5 pmol/hr/mg Hb, range 33.8-51.5). TPMT activity in these 24 patients was also significantly lower than the general group of azathioprine-treated recipients. This inverse association between TPMT activity and allograft function was again found among 30 patients receiving triple therapy (azathioprine, CsA, prednisolone). Self-selection of the best recipients for azathioprine immunosuppression apparently occurred, based on low catabolism of the drug. We conclude that total intolerance to azathioprine is rare and usually appears in patients with very low TPMT activities. Our results also suggest that the wide range of TPMT activity may be an important factor in determining long-term graft survival in azathioprine-treated patients; those with high activity might benefit from doses near the upper limit generally recommended.
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PMID:The importance of thiopurine methyltransferase activity for the use of azathioprine in transplant recipients. 158 69

2,6-Dithiopurine (DTP) has been proposed as a possible chemopreventive agent because of its facile reaction with the electrophilic ultimate carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide, and other reactive electrophiles. Previous studies in mouse skin indicated almost complete inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-induced tumorigenesis by DTP, suggesting the possible utility of this compound as a chemopreventive agent. However, little is known of the metabolism of DTP or of its possible long-term toxicity. Mice were fed diets containing up to 4% DTP in AIN-76A for a period of 7 weeks, and possible toxicity was monitored by weight gain and histopathological examination of all major tissues. No toxicity was observed at any dose of DTP. DTP was found to be a good substrate in vitro for two enzymes known to metabolize 6-mercapto-purine: xanthine oxidase and thiopurine methyltransferase. The in vitro metabolites were 2,6-dithiouric acid and an apparent monomethylated derivative, respectively. In vivo, the major urinary metabolite was 2,6-dithiouric acid, which attained levels as high as 34 mM in the urine of mice receiving the 4% DTP diet. DTP was also excreted unchanged in the feces and urine. DTP, 2,6-dithiouric acid, and an unidentified, relatively nonpolar metabolite were also detected in the serum of experimental animals. Although large interindividual variation in the serum DTP concentration was found, there was a dose-dependent increase in serum DTP as the dietary level of DTP was increased. These results suggest that neither toxicity nor metabolism will severely limit the utility of DTP as a chemopreventive agent.
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PMID:Toxicity and metabolism in mice of 2,6-dithiopurine, a potential chemopreventive agent. 749 53

Azathioprine is an immunosuppressor used with ciclosporin and corticosteroids after organ transplantation. Azathioprine is rapidly transformed into 6-mercaptopurine which in turn is metabolized by three competitive pathways: a) intracellular hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase leads to 6-thioguanine nucleotides which can damage chromosome DNA; b) thiopurine methyltransferase produces inactive methylated derivatives; c) xanthine oxidase produces thiouric acid. Due to inter-individual variations in the later two pathways, azathioprine dose must be adapted to each patient. A 48-year-old female patient underwent renal transplantation in 1994 and was given immunosuppressive therapy combining thymoglobulins, azathioprine and ciclosporin. Severe leukopenia (< 3000/mm3) occurred on day 5 requiring withdrawal of azathioprine. Known hypouricaemia (< 50 mumol/l) suggested xanthine oxidase deficiency. Laboratory results confirmed xanthine oxidase deficiency and also revealed reduced thiopurine methyltransferase activity (14.9 pmol/h/mg Hb). Azathioprine toxicity was confirmed by regression of the leukopenia after withdrawal and recurrence at rechallenge. Xanthine oxidase deficiency occurs in 2% of the general population. Reduced thiopurine methyltransferase activity affects 11% of the population. The combined presence of these two genetic anomalies led to early and sudden intolerance to azathioprine and emphasize the need to develop new immunosuppressor agents degraded by other metabolic pathways.
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PMID:[Hematotoxicity caused by azathioprine genetically determined and aggravated by xanthine oxidase deficiency in a patient following renal transplantation]. 766 22

Polymorphisms have been detected in a variety of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes at both the phenotypic and genotypic level. In the case of four enzymes, the cytochrome P450 CYP2D6, glutathione S-transferase mu, N-acetyltransferase 2 and serum cholinesterase, the majority of mutations which give rise to a defective phenotype have now been identified. Another group of enzymes show definite polymorphism at the phenotypic level but the exact genetic mechanisms responsible are not yet clear. These enzymes include the cytochromes P450 CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and a CYP2C form which metabolizes mephenytoin, a flavin-linked monooxygenase (fish-odour syndrome), paraoxonase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (Gilbert's syndrome) and thiopurine S-methyltransferase. In the case of a further group of enzymes, there is some evidence for polymorphism at either the phenotypic or genotypic level but this has not been unambiguously demonstrated. Examples of this class include the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2A6, CYP2E1, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, xanthine oxidase, an S-oxidase which metabolizes carbocysteine, epoxide hydrolase, two forms of sulphotransferase and several methyltransferases. The nature of all these polymorphisms and possible polymorphisms is discussed in detail, with particular reference to the effects of this variation on drug metabolism and susceptibility to chemically-induced diseases.
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PMID:Metabolic polymorphisms. 836 90

The commonly used immunosuppressive regimen after solid organ transplantation consists of cyclosporine A, azathioprine and steroids. Azathioprine, which is known to carry the risk of severe myelosuppression, is catabolized in vivo by xanthine oxidase and thiopurine methyltransferase, an enzyme which exhibits a common genetic polymorphism; 11% of Caucasians are heterozygous and 0.3% are homozygous with respect to thiopurine methyltransferase deficiency. Toxicity and immunosuppressive effects have been attributed to the 6-thioguanine nucleotides generated from azathioprine. We have studied thiopurine methyltransferase activity and 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentrations in erythrocytes from 39 heart and kidney recipients. Erythrocyte thiopurine methyl-transferase was determined by a radioenzymatic assay and erythrocyte 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentration with HPLC. Thiopurine methyltransferase activity [median (range, 10th-90th percentile)] was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in patients (n = 39) receiving azathioprine [285 (218-362) vs. 262 (160-352) mU/I erythrocytes] than in healthy blood donors as controls (n = 120). When stratified according to thiopurine methyltransferase phenotype, one patient homozygous for the low allele exhibited an excessive erythrocyte 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentration (2210 pmol/0.8 x 10(9) erythrocytes). Heterozygous patients had significantly higher 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentrations median: 435 pmol/0.8 x 10(9) erythrocytes) compared with concentrations in patients homozygous for the high allele (median: 86 pmol/0.8 x 10(9) erythrocytes; p < 0.01), although the azathioprine dosage did not differ (p = 0.66). Erythrocyte thiopurine methyltransferase determination therefore identifies patients at high risk of accumulating 6-thioguanine nucleotides. The monitoring of this enzyme may contribute to the safer management of immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine. Alternative regimens such as cyclosporin A/mycophenolate mofetil or tacrolimus should also be considered for this patient group.
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PMID:Azathioprine pharmacogenetics: the relationship between 6-thioguanine nucleotides and thiopurine methyltransferase in patients after heart and kidney transplantation. 872 7

The commonly used immunosuppressive regimen after orthotopic heart transplantation consists of cyclosporine (CsA), azathioprine (AZA), and steroids. Although AZA therapy is generally regarded as unproblematic, its use can be associated with severe side effects, particularly myelosuppression. Since AZA is a prodrug, which must first be metabolized to its active metabolites, AZA therapy, in contrast to CsA therapy, cannot be controlled by measuring blood levels of this drug. Because of the myelosuppressive properties of the AZA metabolites, the 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN), the white blood cell count is usually monitored in patients on AZA therapy, and AZA is discontinued if neutropenia appears. In a group of 20 consecutive heart recipients, 6-TGN concentrations ranged from < 30 to 2,211 pmol/8 x 10(8) red blood cells (RBCs); levels < or = 450 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs were not associated with AZA-induced myelosuppression. Three cases of neutropenia were experienced, two of them with a fatal outcome. One patient died in septicemia owing to total myelosuppression. In this case an excessively high erythrocyte 6-TGN concentration (2,211 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs) was associated with a complete deficiency of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT), one of the main AZA detoxifying enzymes. The second patient, who had high RBC TPMT activity, developed neutropenia during rehabilitation, and AZA was withdrawn. Coincidentally, in this case the CsA blood level was only 132 g/L, and the RBC 6-TGN level was very low (maximum 46 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs). This patient rapidly developed cardiogenic shock with clinical signs of acute rejection and was given a second transplant on an emergency basis, but finally died from rejection of the second graft. Retrospectively, it was determined that neutropenia in this patient was not related to AZA toxicity. A high 6-TGN level (698 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs) was also seen in a third patient with mild neutropenia, who required allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, the other major detoxifying enzyme for AZA. In this patient AZA therapy could be individually adapted by RBC 6-TGN monitoring. Based on our experience, we suggest that RBC 6-TGN monitoring allows for better individualization of treatment with AZA and may help avoid fatal complications.
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PMID:Should 6-thioguanine nucleotides be monitored in heart transplant recipients given azathioprine? 873 60

Azathioprine, a cytostatic and immunosuppressive drug in use for some 30 years, can give rise to life-threatening neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. This may be caused by unexpectedly high concentrations of cytotoxic metabolites due to abnormally slow inactivation of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) by thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) and/or xanthine oxidase. Low TPMT activity may be due to genetic polymorphism or interaction with drugs such as salicylic acid derivatives, while xanthine oxidase may be inhibited by allopurinol. High TPMT activity, on the other hand, may hamper cytostatic treatment. Safer and more effective treatment with azathioprine and its metabolite 6-MP becomes possible with new laboratory methods for pharmacotherapy monitoring.
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PMID:[Bone marrow depression after azathioprine. New discoveries on an old drug]. 1082 62

This review describes the pharmacokinetics of the major drugs used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. This information can be helpful for the selection of a particular agent and offers guidance for effective and well tolerated regimens. The corticosteroids have a short elimination half-life (t1/2beta) of 1.5 to 4 hours, but their biological half-lives are much longer (12 to 36 hours). Most are moderate or high clearance drugs that are hepatically eliminated, primarily by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4-mediated metabolism. Prednisone and budesonide undergo presystemic elimination. Any disease state or comedication affecting CYP3A4 activity should be taken into account when prescribing corticosteroids. Depending on the preparation used, 10 to 50% of an oral or rectal dose of mesalazine is absorbed. Rapid acetylation in the intestinal wall and liver (t1/2beta 0.5 to 2 hours) and transport probably by P-glycoprotein affect mucosal concentrations of mesalazine, which apparently determine clinical response. Any clinical condition influencing the release and topical availability of mesalazine might modify its therapeutic potential. Metronidazole has high (approximately 90%) oral bioavailability, with hepatic elimination characterised by a t1/2beta of 6 to 10 hours and a total clearance of about 4 L/h/kg. Ciprofloxacin is largely excreted unchanged both renally (about 45% of dose) and extrarenally (25%), with a relatively short t1/2beta (3.5 to 7 hours). Thus, renal function affects the systemic availability of ciprofloxacin. Both mercaptopurine and its prodrug azathioprine are metabolised to active compounds (6-thioguanine nucleotides; 6-TGN) by hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and to inactive metabolites by the polymorphically expressed thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) and xanthine oxidase. Patients with low TPMT activity have a higher risk of developing haemopoietic toxicity. Both mercaptopurine and azathioprine have a short t1/2beta (1 to 2 hours), but the t1/2beta of 6-TGN ranges from 3 to 13 days. Therapeutic response seems to be related to 6-TGN concentration. Almost complete bioavailability has been observed after intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of methotrexate, which is predominantly (85%) excreted as unchanged drug with a t1/2beta of up to 50 hours. Thus, renal function is the major determinant for disposition of methotrexate. Cyclosporin is slowly and incompletely absorbed. It is extensively metabolised by CYP3A4/5 in the liver and intestine (median t1/2beta and clearance 7.9 hours and 0.46 L/h/kg, respectively), and inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 can modify response and toxicity. Infliximab is predominantly distributed to the vascular compartment and eliminated with a t1/2beta between 10 and 14 days. No accumulation was observed when it was administered at intervals of 4 or 8 weeks. Methotrexate may reduce the clearance of infliximab from serum.
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PMID:Pharmacokinetic considerations in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. 1170 60

Metabolism of thiopurine drugs--azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, and 6-thioguanine--has provided a powerful pharmacogenetic model incorporating polymorphism of the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and the primary active metabolite, thioguanine nucleotide (TGN). However, a sense of uncertainty about the usefulness of TGNs and other thiopurine metabolites has appeared. This review critically appraises the basis of thiopurine metabolism and reveals the problems and complexities in TGN research. Erythrocyte TGN is used in transplantation medicine and in chronic inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease, as a "surrogate" pharmacokinetic parameter for TGN in the target cells: leukocytes or bone marrow. It is not generally appreciated that erythrocytes do not express the enzyme IMP dehydrogenase and cannot convert mercaptopurine to TGN, which explains some of the confusion in interpretation of erythrocyte TGN measurements. TGN routinely measured in erythrocytes derives from hepatic metabolism. Another concern is that TGN are not generally assayed directly: most methods assay the thiopurine bases. Ion-exchange HPLC and enzymatic conversion of TGNs to nucleosides have been used to overcome this, and may reveal undisclosed roles for an unusual cytotoxic nucleotide, thio-inosine triphosphate, and methylated thiopurines. There appear to be additional interactions between xanthine oxidase and TPMT, and folate and TPMT, that could predict leukopenia. Difficult questions remain to be answered, which may be assisted by technological advances. Prospective TGN studies, long overdue, are at last revealing clearer results.
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PMID:Thiopurine therapies: problems, complexities, and progress with monitoring thioguanine nucleotides. 1617 40

Thiopurines are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, in clinical practice azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) are not effective in one-third of patients and up to one-fifth of patients discontinue thiopurine therapy due to adverse reactions. The observed interindividual differences in therapeutic response and toxicity to thiopurines are explained to a large extent by the variable formation of active metabolites, which is at least partly caused by genetic polymorphisms of the genes encoding crucial enzymes in thiopurine metabolism. In this in-depth review we discuss the genetic polymorphisms of genes encoding for glutathione S-tranferases, xanthine oxidase, thiopurine S-methyltransferase, inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase and multidrug resistance proteins. Pharmacogenetic knowledge in this field has increased dramatically and is still rapidly increasing, but the translation into practical guidelines with tailored advices will cost much effort in the near future.
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PMID:Pharmacogenetics of thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease. 2020 60


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