Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Methadone metabolism by human placenta.

Tatiana N Nanovskaya1, Sujal V Deshmukh, Ilona A Nekhayeva

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555 0587, USA.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|July 10, 2004
PubMed
Summary

This study identifies CYP19/aromatase as the primary enzyme metabolizing methadone in human placental tissue. Understanding this metabolism is crucial for managing opioid use during pregnancy.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Preliminary embryo-fetal developmental toxicity study of pritelivir in CD1-IGS mice.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Machine learning-driven prediction of mechanical properties of lightweight concrete based on experimental data.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Evaluation the elemental, micromorphological and microhardness changes in dentin after removal of caries with sodium hypochlorite-based or enzyme-based chemomechanical caries removal agents: an in vitro study.

BMC oral health·2025
Same author

Bidirectional transfer of pritelivir across term human placenta and its effect on placental functions.

The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics·2025
Same author

Drug repurposing of argatroban, glimepiride and ranolazine shows anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity via diverse mechanisms.

Heliyon·2025
Same author

Discovery of pyrazole-based analogs as CDK2 inhibitors with apoptotic-inducing activity: design, synthesis and molecular dynamics study.

RSC advances·2024

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Methadone pharmacotherapy is standard for pregnant opioid users.
  • Placental metabolism influences fetal exposure to opioids.
  • Identifying placental enzymes is key to understanding drug transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify the enzyme responsible for methadone metabolism in human placenta.
  • Determine the kinetics and metabolites of this reaction.
  • Investigate the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized placental tissue from healthy term pregnancies.
  • Assayed methadone metabolism in microsomal fractions.
  • Employed selective cytochrome P450 inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Identified metabolites using HPLC-UV.
  • Determined kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax).

    • Main Results:

    • Trophoblast microsomal fractions showed highest methadone metabolism activity.
    • 2-ethylidine-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) was identified as the primary metabolite.
    • CYP19/aromatase significantly inhibited EDDP formation (88-70% with inhibitors, 80% with antibodies).
    • Apparent kinetic values (Km: 424±92 μM, Vmax: 420±89 pmol/mg/min) were determined for CYP19.
    • Enzyme kinetics in placental microsomes matched cDNA-expressed CYP19.

    Conclusions:

    • CYP19/aromatase is the major enzyme metabolizing methadone to EDDP in human term placentas.
    • This finding is vital for understanding methadone transfer and fetal exposure during pregnancy.
    • Further research can explore therapeutic implications of placental methadone metabolism.