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Effects of clarithromycin on cytochrome P-450. Comparison with other macrolides

M Tinel1, V Descatoire, D Larrey

  • 1Unité de Recherches de Physiopathologie Hépatique (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U 24), Hôpital, Beaujon, Clichy, France.

Insights

Clarithromycin and roxithromycin induce a specific liver enzyme (cytochrome P-450p) but do not form harmful complexes. This macrolide antibiotic classification helps predict drug interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Metabolism
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Macrolide antibiotics are widely used, but their interactions with liver enzymes like cytochrome P-450 can affect drug efficacy and safety.
  • Specific macrolides are known to induce cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes, potentially leading to drug-drug interactions.
  • Understanding how different macrolides interact with cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes is crucial for predicting and managing these interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction and complex-formation properties of clarithromycin and roxithromycin with cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes in rats.
  • To compare the effects of clarithromycin and roxithromycin with other macrolides (erythromycin, troleandomycin, josamycin, midecamycin, spiramycin) on cytochrome P-450.
  • To propose a classification of macrolides based on their ability to form cytochrome P-450 Fe(II)-metabolite complexes.

Main Methods:

  • Repeated oral administration of clarithromycin (0.5 mmol/kg daily for 5 days) to rats.
  • In vitro and in vivo studies using rat liver microsomes and drug administration to assess cytochrome P-450 Fe(II)-metabolite complex formation.
  • Comparison of clarithromycin and roxithromycin effects with other macrolides, including those pretreated with dexamethasone.

Main Results:

  • Clarithromycin and roxithromycin induced the same cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme (P-450p) as troleandomycin.
  • Clarithromycin and roxithromycin did not form cytochrome P-450 Fe(II)-metabolite complexes when administered alone but did so in dexamethasone-treated rats.
  • Erythromycin and troleandomycin formed complexes when given alone, while josamycin, midecamycin, and spiramycin did not form complexes even with dexamethasone pretreatment.

Conclusions:

  • Clarithromycin and roxithromycin induce cytochrome P-450p but do not form complexes with it, though they can complex with other glucocorticoid-inducible isoenzymes.
  • Macrolide antibiotics can be classified into three groups based on their complex-forming abilities: those forming complexes alone, those forming complexes only after glucocorticoid pretreatment, and those not forming complexes.
  • This classification aids in understanding and predicting potential drug interactions associated with macrolide antibiotic use.

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