羟基喜树碱的代谢与CYP450的相关性研究

目的：研究羟基喜树碱（HCPT）在体外小鼠肝微粒体中对 CYP450活性的影响,为临床合理联合用药提供参考。方法：在小鼠体外肝微粒体中分别加入六种亚型酶的探针药物对乙酰氨基酚、非那西丁、双氯芬酸钠、睾酮、酒石酸美托洛尔、奥美拉唑和羟基喜树碱溶液,在优化的孵育体系下温孵。用 HPLC 法测定各空白对照组和羟基喜树碱溶液中各探针药物代谢产物的浓度并比较代谢率的差异,以评价羟基喜树碱对各亚型酶活性的影响。结果：在代谢反应过程中,在50~200μmol·L-1内,羟基喜树碱的浓度与孵育体系中 CYP3A4的特异性底物睾酮、CYP2E1的特异性底物对乙酰氨基酚的剩余药量呈正比例关系,且具显著性差异（P＜0.05）,与其他四种探针药物的剩余药量无明显的浓度依存关系（P＞0.05）。结论：HCPT 在肝微粒体的代谢反应过程中受代谢酶 CYP3A4和 CYP2E1的作用,竞争性地抑制了睾酮和对乙酰氨基酚在肝微粒体中的代谢。     

TM208在大鼠肝微粒体中代谢产物与细胞色素P450亚型代谢酶鉴别研究

在大鼠肝微粒体的体外代谢中研究作用于TM208的细胞色素P450亚型代谢酶。以不含细胞色素P450化学抑制剂的样品为对照，研究不同细胞色素P450亚型选择性化学抑制剂对TM208代谢转化率的影响。CYP2D和CYP2B的选择性抑制剂对TM208的代谢表现出浓度依赖性较强抑制作用，CYP1A的选择性抑制剂对TM208的代谢表现出一定抑制作用。CYP3A的选择性抑制剂对TM208的代谢没有表现出明显的抑制作用。TM208在人鼠肝微粒体体外代谢中主要通过CYP2D和CYP2B两种细胞色素P450亚型代谢酶参与代谢。     

头花蓼水提取物对CYP450酶诱导和抑制作用研究

目的考察头花蓼水提取物对人肝微粒体CYP450 5种亚型酶的体外抑制作用和对小鼠的体内诱导作用,从而预测发生药物相互作用的可能性,为临床合理用药提供科学依据。方法以探针底物代谢物生成法,考察头花蓼水提取物体外对人肝微粒体主要I相代谢酶CYP1A2、CYP2E1、CYP2C9、CYP2C19和CYP3A4活性的影响;采用微粒体体外孵育法,考察小鼠经高、低剂量(1.16、0.58 g·kg-1)头花蓼水提取物分别连续灌胃7 d和14 d后,小鼠肝微粒体中主要I相代谢酶活性的变化,以评价头花蓼水提取物对小鼠肝微粒体主要CYP450酶是否有诱导作用。结果头花蓼水提取物对人肝微粒体中主要的CYP450 I相代谢酶的抑制作用均不强,IC50值在849.6~2 287 mg·L-1;与空白对照组比较,1.16 g·kg-17 d组小鼠CYP2C9和CYP3A4活性分别增加了49.9%和21.1%(P<0.01和P<0.05),0.58 g·kg-114 d组小鼠CYP2C9和CYP3A4活性分别增加了27.6%和15.5%(P<0.01和P<0.05),1.16 g·kg-114 d组小鼠CYP2C9和CYP3A4活性分别增加了67.5%和32.1%(P<0.01),头花蓼提取物对其余CYP亚型活性未见明显影响。结论在临床剂量下,头花蓼水提取物对人肝微粒体CYP1A2、CYP2E1、CYP2C9、CYP2C19和CYP3A4无明显抑制作用,对小鼠肝微粒体CYP2C9和CYP3A4显示诱导作用。     

肝微粒体体外温孵法与基因重组P450酶系在药物体外肝代谢研究中的应用进展

目的 介绍肝微粒体体外温孵法与基因重组P450酶系在药物体外肝代谢中应用进展。方法 根据近几年的文献资料进行分析、综合、归纳，分别按肝微粒体体外温孵法与基因重组P450酶系进行介绍。结果与结论 两种方法在药物体外代谢研究上既有统一又可互补，二者相结合可更有效的应用于药物的高通量筛选、代谢物种选择及代谢物生成等研究领域。     

藁本内酯在大鼠肝微粒体中代谢的酶动力学

研究体外大鼠肝微粒体藁本内酯代谢的酶动力学及选择性CYP450酶抑制剂对其代谢的影响。建立测定肝微粒体孵育液中藁本内酯含量的LC-MS法,以尼群地平为内标,二者的定量离子m/z分别选择173和315。考察确定最佳温孵条件,进行藁本内酯代谢的酶促反应动力学研究,通过特异性抑制试验,探讨参与藁本内酯代谢的主要同工酶。结果显示,酮康唑、甲氧苄啶、α-萘黄酮显著抑制藁本内酯的体外代谢,而奥美拉唑、4-甲基吡唑、奎尼丁对其体外代谢影响不大。可见CYP3A4、CYP2C9和CYP1A2是参与藁本内酯代谢的主要代谢酶,CYP2C19、CYP2E1和CYP2D6没有明显参与催化其代谢。

     

白屈菜碱在大鼠肝微粒体中代谢的酶动力学及CYP450酶特异性抑制剂对其代谢的影响

目的研究白屈菜碱在大鼠肝微粒体中代谢的酶动力学及CYP450酶特异性抑制剂对其代谢的影响。方法将系列浓度的白屈菜碱与大鼠肝微粒体进行体外共孵育,采用HPLC法测定孵育液中剩余白屈菜碱的浓度,利用Graph Pad Prism 6.0软件进行数据拟合并计算酶动力学参数;分别将5种CYP450酶的特异性抑制剂与白屈菜碱进行共孵育,考察抑制剂对白屈菜碱代谢的影响,探讨参与其代谢的酶亚型。结果在大鼠肝微粒体中,白屈菜碱的Vmax为(3.52±0.18)mmol·min-1·kg-1;Km为(12.02±2.92)μmol·L-1;CLint为292.4 L·min-1·kg-1;CYP450酶特异性抑制剂酮康唑、α-萘黄酮、氟康唑和奎尼丁可以显著地抑制白屈菜碱的代谢,而噻氯匹定对白屈菜碱的代谢没有明显影响。结论白屈菜碱在大鼠肝微粒体中广泛代谢,CYP3A4、CYP1A2、CYP2D6、CYP2C9是参与其代谢的主要代谢酶。     

斯皮诺素对人肝微粒体细胞色素P_(450)酶的体外抑制作用

目的:研究斯皮诺素对人肝微粒体细胞色素P_(450)(CYP_(450))酶7种亚型(CYP2B6、CYP2C8、CYP2C9、CYP2D6、CYP1A1、CYP2C19和CYP3A4)的体外抑制作用。方法:以200.00、100.00、50.00、25.00、12.50、6.25、3.13、1.56、0.78、0.39μmol/L的斯皮诺素与人肝微粒体共同孵育,分别以他克宁、安非他酮、盐酸阿莫地喹、双氯芬酸钠、美芬妥英、氢溴酸右美沙芬和咪达唑仑作为上述7种亚型CYP_(450)酶的特异性探针药物。采用超高效液相色谱-四级杆-飞行时间串联质谱法测定7种探针药物的代谢产物生成量,计算斯皮诺素对人肝微粒体中7种亚型CYP_(450)酶的半数抑制浓度(IC50)。结果:斯皮诺素对人肝微粒体7种亚型CYP_(450)酶的IC50分别为1 714、1 158、226.1、2 288、80.59、101.1、1 119μmol/L,均大于50μmol/L。结论:斯皮诺素对人肝微粒体CYP_(450)酶的上述7种亚型均无抑制作用,引发药物代谢性相互作用的可能性较小。     

乌头碱在豚鼠和小鼠肝微粒体细胞色素氧化酶中的代谢作用研究

目的:研究乌头碱(AC)在豚鼠和小鼠体外肝微粒体中代谢产物的差异。方法:优化2个种属肝微粒体与AC的P450反应体系,应用高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱联用(HPLC-HRMS)和超高相液相色谱-多级质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)法测定AC在2种肝微粒体中的细胞色素氧化酶(CYP)代谢产物。结果:AC在2种肝微粒体中均代谢产生8种代谢产物,其中6种为CYP代谢产物;脱甲基、脱乙基、脱氢和氧化反应是其主要代谢特征。结论:乌头碱在豚鼠和小鼠体外肝微粒体中的CYP主要代谢途径相同。     

脉络宁注射液对小鼠肝药酶活性的影响

目的：通过测定细胞色素P450（CYP450）含量和甲醛生成率,考察脉络宁注射液对小鼠总CYP450以及红霉素-N-脱甲基酶（CYP3A）和氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶（CYP2E1）活性的影响。方法：采用紫外分光光度法和体外温孵反应,测定并比较了给药组和对照组小鼠在肝脏系数、微粒体蛋白含量、CYP450含量及甲醛生成速率方面的差异。结果：两种剂量脉络宁对小鼠肝脏系数和CYP450含量影响都不显著,但均能提高微粒体蛋白含量;两种剂量脉络宁均可抑制CYP2E1的活性,临床等效用量时对CYP3A活性影响不显著,高剂量时可能抑制CYP3A活性。结论：脉络宁注射液对CYP3A和CYP2E1亚型活性有影响。     

重组人源CYP同工酶介导的罗通定O-去甲基代谢

应用重组人源CYP同工酶研究参与罗通定代谢的肝药酶亚型并鉴定相关代谢产物。重组人源CYP同工酶CYP1A2、2C9、2C19、2D6和3A4与1 µmol·L⁻¹罗通定孵育后, 应用LC-MS法测定孵育液中原形药物的剩余量。结果表明, CYP2C19、3A4和2D6参与罗通定的代谢转化, 用整体归一化法评估各酶对罗通定代谢的贡献, 分别为31.46%、60.37%和8.17%。应用LC-MSD和LC/Q-TOF-MSMS鉴定重组酶温孵样品中的代谢产物, 罗通定在体外重组人源CYP温孵体系中的主要代谢途径为O-去甲基化, 可生成4个O-单去甲基化的同分异构体以及1个双去甲基化产物, 但CYP2C19、3A4和2D6介导罗通定O-去甲基化的位点有所不同。应用LC/Q-TOF-MSMS和LC/iTrap-MSⁿ探讨了罗通定及其代谢产物的ESI质谱裂解规律。     

人肝CYP3A参与了山冈橐吾碱的代谢及其肝毒性代谢物的形成(英文)

目的　在体外研究山冈橐吾碱在人肝微粒体内的代谢及参与其代谢的主要的CYP4 5 0酶 ,探讨其代谢致毒机理。方法　采用人肝微粒体研究山冈橐吾碱的主要代谢方式和代谢物。在体外运用CYP4 5 0酶的选择性抑制剂和cDNA表达的人肝CYP4 5 0酶 ,探讨其对山冈橐吾碱的代谢及肝毒性的吡咯代谢物形成的影响及参与山冈橐吾碱代谢的主要的CYP4 5 0酶。结果　山冈橐吾碱在人肝微粒体内的主要代谢物为肝毒性的吡咯代谢物 :去氢倒千里光裂碱 ,7 谷胱甘肽基 去氢倒千里光裂碱 ,7,9 二谷胱甘肽基去氢倒千里光裂碱和山冈囊吾酸。CYP4 5 0特异性抑制剂α 萘黄酮 (抑制CYP1A2 )、黄胺苯吡唑 (抑制CYP2C)、奎尼丁 (抑制CYP2D6 )和二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸钠 (抑制CYP2E1)对山冈橐吾碱的代谢无明显的影响。但CYP3A的特异性抑制剂酮康唑和三乙酰竹桃霉素可以显著地抑制山冈橐吾碱的代谢及其吡咯代谢物和结合型吡咯物的形成。此外 ,在cDNA表达的人肝CYP3A4的温孵液中 ,山冈橐吾碱被代谢成相应的吡咯代谢物 ,而山冈橐吾碱在cDNA表达的人肝CYP1A2、CYP2C9、CYP2D6和CYP2E1温孵液中无代谢。结论　山冈橐吾碱在人肝微粒体内的主要代谢方式是形成肝毒性吡咯代谢物 ,CYP3A作为主要的CYP4 5 0酶参与了山冈橐吾碱的代谢及其肝毒性吡咯代谢?     

Involvement of CYP3A in the metabolism of eplerenone in humans and dogs: differential metabolism by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5.

In vitro studies were conducted to identify the major metabolites of eplerenone (EP) and the cytochrome p450 (p450) isozymes involved in its primary oxidative metabolism in humans and dogs. The major in vitro metabolites were identified as 6 beta-hydroxy EP and 21-hydroxy EP in both humans and dogs. EP was metabolized by cDNA-expressed human CYP3A4 and dog CYP3A12 but only minimally by human CYP3A5. In human microsomes, inhibition of total metabolism by the CYP3A-selective inhibitors ketoconazole, troleandomycin, and 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin, each at 10 micro M concentration, was 83 to 95%, whereas inhibition with inhibitors selective for other p450 isozymes was minimal. In dog liver microsomes, the percentages of inhibition were 53 to 76% with the CYP3A-selective inhibitors. A monoclonal anti-CYP3A4 antibody inhibited EP metabolism by 84%, whereas other monoclonal antibodies had minimal effects. The formation of 6 beta-hydroxy and 21-hydroxy metabolites in human liver microsomes was best correlated with CYP3A-selective dextromethorphan N-demethylation and testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylation activities. EP moderately inhibited only CYP3A (testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase) activity in human liver microsomes by 23, 34 and 45% at concentrations of 30, 100, and 300 micro M, respectively. With human microsomes, the V(max) and K(m) for 6 beta-hydroxylation and 21-hydroxylation were 0.973 nmol/min/mg and 217 micro M, and 0.143 nmol/min/mg and 211 micro M, respectively. The human hepatic clearance calculated from total in vitro EP metabolism was 2.30 ml/min/kg, which agrees with in vivo data. In conclusion, 6 beta- and 21-hydroxylation of EP is primarily catalyzed by CYP3A4 in humans and CYP3A12 in dogs. Also, it is unlikely that EP would substantially inhibit the metabolism of other drugs that are metabolized by CYP3A4 or other p450 isoforms.     

Involvement of human liver cytochrome P4502B6 in the metabolism of propofol

AIMS: To determine the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms involved in the oxidation of propofol by human liver microsomes. METHODS: The rate constant calculated from the disappearance of propofol in an incubation mixture with human liver microsomes and recombinant human CYP isoforms was used as a measure of the rate of metabolism of propofol. The correlation of these rate constants with rates of metabolism of CYP isoform-selective substrates by liver microsomes, the effect of CYP isoform-selective chemical inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies on propofol metabolism by liver microsomes, and its metabolism by recombinant human CYP isoforms were examined. RESULTS: The mean rate constant of propofol metabolism by liver microsomes obtained from six individuals was 4.2 (95% confidence intervals 2.7, 5.7) nmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein. The rate constants of propofol by microsomes were significantly correlated with S-mephenytoin N-demethylation, a marker of CYP2B6 (r = 0.93, P < 0.0001), but not with the metabolic activities of other CYP isoform-selective substrates. Of the chemical inhibitors of CYP isoforms tested, orphenadrine, a CYP2B6 inhibitor, reduced the rate constant of propofol by liver microsomes by 38% (P < 0.05), while other CYP isoform-selective inhibitors had no effects. Of the recombinant CYP isoforms screened, CYP2B6 produced the highest rate constant for propofol metabolism (197 nmol min-1 nmol P450-1). An antibody against CYP2B6 inhibited the disappearance of propofol in liver microsomes by 74%. Antibodies raised against other CYP isoforms had no effect on the metabolism of propofol. CONCLUSIONS: CYP2B6 is predominantly involved in the oxidation of propofol by human liver microsomes.     

In vitro metabolism of naphthalene by human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene is an environmental pollutant, a component of jet fuel, and, since 2000, has been reclassified as a potential human carcinogen. Few studies of the in vitro human metabolism of naphthalene are available, and these focus primarily on lung metabolism. The current studies were performed to characterize naphthalene metabolism by human cytochromes P450. Naphthalene metabolites from pooled human liver microsomes (pHLMs) were trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2-naphthalenediol (dihydrodiol), 1-naphthol, and 2-naphthol. Metabolite production generated Km values of 23, 40, and 116 microM And Vmax values of 2860, 268, and 22 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. P450 isoform screening of naphthalene metabolism identified CYP1A2 as the most efficient isoform for producing dihydrodiol and 1-naphthol, and CYP3A4 as the most effective for 2-naphthol production. Metabolism of the primary metabolites of naphthalene was also studied to identify secondary metabolites. Whereas 2-naphthol was readily metabolized by pHLMs to produce 2,6- and 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, dihydrodiol and 1-naphthol were inefficient substrates for pHLMs. A series of human p450 isoforms was used to further explore the metabolism of dihydrodiol and 1-naphthol. 1,4-Naphthoquinone and four minor unknown metabolites from 1-naphthol were observed, and CYP1A2 and 2D6*1 were identified as the most active isoforms for the production of 1,4-naphthoquinone. Dihydrodiol was metabolized by P450 isoforms to three minor unidentified metabolites with CYP3A4 and CYP2A6 having the greatest activity toward this substrate. The metabolism of dihydrodiol by P450 isoforms was lower than that of 1-naphthol. These studies identify primary and secondary metabolites of naphthalene produced by pHLMs and P450 isoforms.     

Identification of cytochrome P450 isoform involved in the metabolism of YM992, a novel selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, in human liver microsomes

1. In vitro studies were conducted to identify the hepatic cytochrome P450 isoform involved in the metabolism of YM992, ((S)-2-[[(fluoro-4-indanyl)oxy]methyl]morpholine monohydrochloride), a novel serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, in human liver microsomes. 2. Microsomes prepared from yeast expressing CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 effectively metabolized YM992. A significant correlation was observed between the rate of YM992 metabolism and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, CYP1A1/2 specific activity, in liver microsomes from 16 individual donors (r2 = 0.628, p < 0.001). Alpha-naphtoflavone and isosafrole, CYP1A1/2 inhibitors, suppressed the metabolism of YM992 in human liver microsomes in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. The metabolism of YM992 in human liver microsomes was inhibited by approximately 95% by antibodies which recognize both CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 whereas antibodies specific for CYP1A1 did not show inhibitory effects. 4. The same major metabolites, M6 and M7, were generated from YM992 after incubation with human liver microsomes and recombinant human CYP1A2. 5. These results suggest that the metabolism of YM992 in human liver microsomes is mainly catalysed by CYP1A2, and that YM992 might increase plasma concentration of concomitant drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 due to competitive inhibition.     

Identification of CYP3A4 as the primary cytochrome P450 responsible for the metabolism of tandospirone by human liver microsomes.

The present study was carried out to characterize the human P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of tandospirone, an anxiolytic agent known for its superior efficacy and safety. Among 11 yeast-expressed recombinant P450 isoforms tested, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 exhibited the highest tandospirone metabolic activity. Although there was no qualitative difference between the two isoforms, a quantitative difference in metabolite profiling was found i.e., M4 (hydroxylation of the pyrimidine ring) was the major metabolite formed with CYP2D6 while M2 (hydroxylation of the norbornan ring) and 1-PP (oxidative cleavage of the butyl chain) predominated with CYP3A4. The metabolite profile on incubation with CYP3A4 was qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that obtained with human liver microsomes. In vitro intrinsic clearance (CLint) values derived from kinetic analysis using both P450 isoforms were similar (2.2 and 1.6 ml/min/nmol P450), but the hepatic content of CYP3A4 was found to be more abundant than that of CYP2D6. The in vitro metabolism of tandospirone by human liver microsomes was markedly inhibited by ketoconazole (a CYP3A4 inhibitor) but not by quinidine (a CYP2D6 inhibitor). These results indicate that the metabolism of tandospirone by human liver microsomes primarily involves CYP3A4, and to a lesser extent CYP2D6.     

Identification of CYP3A4 as the primary cytochrome P450 responsible for the metabolism of tandospirone by human liver microsomes.

The present study was carried out to characterize the human P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of tandospirone, an anxiolytic agent known for its superior efficacy and safety. Among 11 yeast-expressed recombinant P450 isoforms tested, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 exhibited the highest tandospirone metabolic activity. Although there was no qualitative difference between the two isoforms, a quantitative difference in metabolite profiling was found i.e., M4 (hydroxylation of the pyrimidine ring) was the major metabolite formed with CYP2D6 while M2 (hydroxylation of the norbornan ring) and 1-PP (oxidative cleavage of the butyl chain) predominated with CYP3A4. The metabolite profile on incubation with CYP3A4 was qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that obtained with human liver microsomes. In vitro intrinsic clearance (CLint) values derived from kinetic analysis using both P450 isoforms were similar (2.2 and 1.6 ml/min/nmol P450), but the hepatic content of CYP3A4 was found to be more abundant than that of CYP2D6. The in vitro metabolism of tandospirone by human liver microsomes was markedly inhibited by ketoconazole (a CYP3A4 inhibitor) but not by quinidine (a CYP2D6 inhibitor). These results indicate that the metabolism of tandospirone by human liver microsomes primarily involves CYP3A4, and to a lesser extent CYP2D6.     

The human hepatic metabolism of simvastatin hydroxy acid is mediated primarily by CYP3A,and not CYP2D6

AIMS: To identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms responsible for the metabolism of simvastatin hydroxy acid (SVA), the most potent metabolite of simvastatin (SV). METHODS: The metabolism of SVA was characterized in vitro using human liver microsomes and recombinant CYPs. The effects of selective chemical inhibitors and CYP antibodies on SVA metabolism were assessed in human liver microsomes. RESULTS: In human liver microsomes, SVA underwent oxidative metabolism to three major oxidative products, with values for Km and Vmax ranging from about 50 to 80 microM and 0.6 to 1.9 nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein, respectively. Recombinant CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP2C8 all catalysed the formation of the three SVA metabolites, but CYP3A4 was the most active. CYP2D6 as well as CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2A6, CYP1A2 did not metabolize SVA. Whereas inhibitors that are selective for CYP2D6, CYP2C9 or CYP1A2 did not significantly inhibit the oxidative metabolism of SVA, the CYP3A4/5 inhibitor troleandomycin markedly (about 90%) inhibited SVA metabolism. Quercetin, a known inhibitor of CYP2C8, inhibited the microsomal formation of SVA metabolites by about 25-30%. Immunoinhibition studies revealed 80-95% inhibition by anti-CYP3A antibody, less than 20% inhibition by anti-CYP2C19 antibody, which cross-reacted with CYP2C8 and CYP2C9, and no inhibition by anti-CYP2D6 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolism of SVA in human liver microsomes is catalysed primarily (> or = 80%) by CYP3A4/5, with a minor contribution (< or = 20%) from CYP2C8. CYP2D6 and other major CYP isoforms are not involved in the hepatic metabolism of SVA.     

Cytochrome P-450 3A4 and 2C8 are involved in zopiclone metabolism.

Zopiclone is a widely prescribed, nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic that is extensively metabolized by the liver in humans. The aim of the present study was to identify the human cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoforms involved in zopiclone metabolism in vitro. Zopiclone metabolism was studied with different human liver microsomes and a panel of heterologously expressed human CYPs (CYP1A2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C18, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4). In human liver microsomes, zopiclone was metabolized into N-desmethyl-zopiclone (ND-Z) and N-oxide-zopiclone (NO-Z) with the following K(m) and V(m) of 78 +/- 5 and 84 +/- 19 microM, 45 +/- 1 and 54 +/- 5 pmol/min/mg for ND-Z and NO-Z generation, respectively. Ketoconazole (CYP3A inhibitor) inhibited approximately 40% of the generation of both metabolites, sulfaphenazole (CYP2C inhibitor) inhibited the formation of ND-Z, whereas alpha-naphtoflavone (CYP1A), quinidine (CYP2D6), and chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1) did not affect zopiclone metabolism. The generation of ND-Z and NO-Z were highly correlated to testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation (CYP3A activity, r = 0.95 and 0.92, respectively; p =.0001), and ND-Z was highly correlated to CYP2C8 activity (paclitaxel 6alpha-hydroxylase; r = 0.76, p =.004). Recombinant CYP2C8 had the highest enzymatic activity toward zopiclone metabolism into both its metabolites, followed by CYP2C9 and 3A4. CYP3A4 is the major enzyme involved in zopiclone metabolism in vitro, and CYP2C8 contributes significantly to ND-Z formation.