[Genetic polymorphism of acetylation and hydroxylation in the Briton population]

Genetic-controlled drug oxidation and acetylation were studied using dextromethorphan and caffeine as test compounds respectively in white Briton subjects (41 Britons and 27 Bigoudens considered as an ethnic group). Phenotyping was performed using the metabolic ratio (MR) calculated as the urinary output dextromethorphan/dextrorphan ratio and the urinary output of 5-acetylamino-6-formylamino-3-methyluracil (AFMU)/1-methylxanthine (1-MX) ratio in subjects given 40 mg of dextromethorphan and 150 mg caffeine respectively. Frequence distribution of hydroxylator and acetylator status in Briton and Bigouden groups showed no significant difference relatively to the French population. However the frequence distribution of the intermediate acetylator group in the Bigouden population was significantly different from that observed in the Briton population (7.4% vs 31.7%). The signification of this latter result was discussed on the basis of genetic transmission.