Different drug reactions
October 18, 2011
PERSONS of European and South
Asian descent may react differently
to common drugs, according to
new Australian research.
Undertaken by University of
Sydney PhD Faculty of Pharmacy
student, Vidya Perera, the research
looked at ethnic differences in
CYP1A2 enzyme activity (responsible
for the metabolism of numerous
antipsychotic and antidepressant
drugs whilst also being involved in
the metabolic conversion of
carcinogenic compounds) between
people of Indian and European
origin.
166 South Asians and 166
Europeans took part in the research
which included a lifestyle,
demographic and diet questionnaire
and measurements of their CYP1A2
levels.
The research found that genetic
differences between the two groups
only accounted for 3% of variability
in CYP1A2 levels, whilst environment,
diet and lifestyle factors accounted
for 35% of the differences.
Discussing his research, Perera
posited that people from South
Asia may require lower doses of
depression and psychosis drugs
because they are likely to have
lower levels of CYP1A2 than their
European counterparts.
“Vegetables such as cabbages,
cauliflower and broccoli are known
to increase levels of CYP1A2, as was
demonstrated in this study and
previous studies in people of
European background,” said Perera.
“The lower levels of CYP1A2 in
South Asians, however, appears to
be due to the common practice of
cooking these vegetables in curries
using ingredients such as cumin
and tumeric, ingredients known to
inhibit the enzyme, overriding the
effect of the vegetables,” he added.
Perera’s research is the first to
look at CYP1A2 levels in South
Asians, and has won him the NSW
AusBiotech/GlaxoSmithKline
Student Excellence Award.
“Most drugs are approved in
clinical trials conducted in Europe
and North America using healthy,
middle-aged European men,” he said.
“Understanding the correct dose
of a medicine is crucial to achieving
beneficial results and avoiding
adverse drug reactions,” he added.
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