1. We evaluated the specificity of 15 substrates and 14 inhibitors of the cytochrome P450s using nine human P450 forms expressed in HepG2 cells using a recombinant vaccinia virus and also in human liver microsomes. 2. Coumarin, 7-ethoxyresorufin, 7-benzyloxyresorufin, tolbutamide, aniline and diazepam were form-selective substrates towards CYP2A6, the CYP1A subfamily, CYP2B6, the CYP2C subfamily, CYP2E1 and the CYP3A subfamily respectively. However, a selective substrate for CYP2D6 was not found among the chemicals tested. 3. SKF-525A inhibited > 40% of the metabolic activity of all substrates tested, and the inhibitory effects differed among P450 forms. Sulphaphenazole, 7,8-benzoflavone, quinidine and troleandomycin were selective inhibitors of the CYP2C subfamily (except CYP2C19), the CYP1A subfamily, CYP2D6 and the CYP3A subfamily respectively. Methoxsalen (CYP2A6 inhibitor) inhibited the metabolic activity of CYP1A2 as well as that of CYP2A6. Diethyldithiocarbamate (CYP2E1 inhibitor) inhibited the metabolic activities of CYP2A6 and CYP2C19 in addition to that of CYP2E1. 4. Our results indicated that substrates and inhibitors reported as P450 selective probes are not necessarily specific for individual human P450 forms. These results may provide useful information regarding human P450 substrates and inhibitors in vitro using human liver microsomal samples.
1. We have examined the metabolism of diazepam by ten human cytochrome P450 forms (CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4 and 3A5) expressed in HepG2 cells using a recombinant vaccinia virus system. 2. Among the P450 forms tested, diazepam was significantly demethylated by CYP2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 3A4 and 3A5, with 2C19 exhibiting the highest rate at concentrations < 0.1 mM, and hydroxylated only by the latter three enzymes, with 3A5 being the most active. The N-demethylation activity of diazepam by 2C19 at a concentration of 20 microM was six times of that by 3A4. However, that by 2C9 was detected at only a trace level. 3. CYP2C19, 3A4 and 3A5 of the ten human P450s catalysed the 3-hydroxylation of nordiazepam, and 2B6, the 2C subfamily and the 3A subfamily catalysed the N-demethylation of temazepam. CYP3A4 exhibited the highest activity of nordiazepam 3-hydroxylation and temazepam N-demethylation. 4. Diazepam N-demethylation by human liver microsomes correlated with diazepam 3-hydroxylation, but not S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation. 5. Our results suggest that in the human liver, the metabolism of diazepam to nordiazepam is mediated by CYP3A4, which has been reported as the most abundant P450 form in human liver as well as 2C19, which has been reported as a polymorphic enzyme.
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