Polymorphic oxidation of sparteine and debrisoquine: Related pharmacogenetic entities

Abstract

[Pharmacogenetic defects in oxidative drug metabolism have been considered rare entities, but during the last years polymorphic oxidation of sparteine and debrisoquine were discovered.] Healthy subjects (38) were given single oral doses of debrisoquine and sparteine in a crossover study. The close correlation between urinary metabolic ratios of the 2 drugs (rs = 0.91; P < 0.001) apparently demonstrated that the polymorphic N-oxidation of sparteine and 4-hydroxylation of debrisoquine were related pharmacogenetic entities. The metabolism of the 2 drugs is evidently regulated by identical or closely related genetic factors.