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Gut microbiota modulates drug pharmacokinetics.
Juanhong Zhang1,2, Junmin Zhang1, Rong Wang1,2
1a School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou , China.
Drug Metabolism Reviews
|September 20, 2018
Summary
The gut microbiota significantly impacts drug pharmacokinetics by metabolizing drugs before absorption, altering bioavailability. Understanding this gut flora-mediated metabolism is crucial for drug development and predicting therapeutic effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Drug Metabolism
Background:
- Gut microbiota's role in drug pharmacokinetics was underestimated.
- Intestinal flora influences drug metabolism via enterohepatic circulation and microbial enzymatic reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the effects of gut microbiota on drug pharmacokinetics.
- To highlight the critical importance of intestinal flora-mediated drug metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on gut microbiota and drug metabolism.
- Analysis of microbial enzymatic reactions in the gut.
Main Results:
- Gut microbiota metabolizes drugs, producing unique metabolites not formed in the liver.
- Pre-absorption metabolism by gut microbiota alters drug systemic bioavailability.
- Intestinal flora-mediated metabolism is critical for interpreting pharmacokinetic changes.
Conclusions:
- The influence of gut microbiota on pharmacokinetics must be linked to therapeutic effects and side effects.
- Strategies for drug design can rationally incorporate intestinal microflora-mediated metabolism.
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