Therefore, they are called hemoproteins and are used as substrates in enzymatic reactions. Infection and inflammation are closely connected to the hepatic and extrahepatic metabolism of cytochromes P450 (CYPs), enzymes ( 2).Ĭytochromes are proteins belonging in superfamilies containing heme as a cofactor. Among these, the liver is an essential site of metabolism clearance ( 2). The major organs reported for drug clearance are the liver and the kidneys.

Aging, immunodeficiency, and infectious disease states could modulate drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Aging seems to be influenced by several factors such as genotype and lifestyle ( 2). The ability of the immune system to generate immune responses decreases by gradual aging, due to an age-related immunodeficiency called “immunosenescence” leading to an increased susceptibility to infection in all living beings ( 1). Over centuries the human immune system has evolved to battle against pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, they are involved in the initiation and persistence of pathologic pain by directly activating sensory neurons and inflammatory cytokines. A plethora of effects exhibited by most of CYP enzymes can resemble those of proinflammatory cytokines and IFNs. Disease states, intestinal disturbances, aging, environmental toxic effects, chemical exposures or nutrition modulate the microbial metabolism of a drug before absorption. The tremendous metabolic activity of the microbiota is associated to its abundant pool of CYP enzymes, which catalyze phase I and II reactions in drug metabolism. Bacteria were shown to express CYP-like genes. Cytochromes harbor intra- or interindividual and intra- or interethnic genetic polymorphisms. Dietary modulation has effects upon the metabolism of xenobiotics. The mechanisms of action of dietary chemicals, macro- and micronutrients on specific CYP isoenzymes have been extensively studied. However, diet seems to play a major role. The activity of the typical P450 cytochrome is influenced by a variety of factors, such as genus, environment, disease state, herbicide, alcohol, and herbal medications. CYP enzymes are linked to a wide array of reactions including and O-dealkylation, S-oxidation, epoxidation, and hydroxylation. Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are enzymes that oxidize substances using iron and are able to metabolize a large variety of xenobiotic substances. They are found mostly in intestinal and hepatic tissues. 3Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Development, Democritus University of Thrace, Laboratory of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Hygiene, Orestiada, GreeceĬytochromes are expressed in many different tissues of the human body.2Research Institute of University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.1School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Cytochromes p450 a success story