The involvement of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in the metabolism of clozapine

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Nov;44(5):439-46. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1997.t01-1-00605.x.

Abstract

Aims: Clozapine (CLZ), an atypical neuroleptic with a high risk of causing agranulocytosis, is metabolized in the liver to desmethylclozapine (DCLZ) and clozapine N-oxide (CLZ-NO). This study investigated the involvement of different CYP isoforms in the formation of these two metabolites.

Methods: Human liver microsomal incubations, chemical inhibitors, specific antibodies, and different cytochrome P450 expression systems were used.

Results: Km and Vmax values determined in human liver microsomes were lower for the demethylation (61 +/- 21 microM, 159 +/- 42 pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1) mean +/- s.d.; n = 4), than for the N-oxidation of CLZ (308 +/- 1.5 microM, 456 +/- 167 pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1); n = 3). Formation of DCLZ was inhibited by fluvoxamine (53 +/- 28% at 10 microM), triacetyloleandomycin (33 +/- 15% at 10 microM), and ketoconazole (51 +/- 28% at 2 microM) and by antibodies against CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. CLZ-NO formation was inhibited by triacetyloleandomycin (34 +/- 16% at 10 microM) and ketoconazole (51 +/- 13% at 2 microM), and by antibodies against CYP3A4. There was a significant correlation between CYP3A content and DCLZ formation in microsomes from 15 human livers (r=0.67; P=0.04). A high but not significant correlation coefficient was found for CYP3A content and CLZ-NO formation (r=0.59; P=0.09). Using expression systems it was shown that CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 formed DCLZ and CLZ-NO. Km and Vmax values were lower in the CYP1A2 expression system compared to CYP3A4 for both metabolic reactions.

Conclusions: It is concluded that CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 are involved in the demethylation of CLZ and CYP3A4 in the N-oxidation of CLZ. Close monitoring of CLZ plasma levels is recommended in patients treated at the same time with other drugs affecting these two enzymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antipsychotic Agents / metabolism
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Biotransformation
  • Clozapine / analogs & derivatives
  • Clozapine / metabolism
  • Clozapine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 / metabolism*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes
  • norclozapine
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • CYP3A protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human
  • Clozapine
  • clozapine N-oxide