Enzymes in drug metabolism

This session centers on enzymes in drug metabolism, offering a structured look at the essential role of enzymes in drug metabolism, focusing on how drugs are transformed by the liver for safe elimination. We will discuss the two phases of metabolism, phase one, led by cytochrome P 450 enzymes and phase two involving conjugating enzymes and how these processes shape drug clearance and interactions. The impact of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors on enzyme activity and the importance of understanding these variations for personalized medicine will be highlighted. Finally, we will explore how enzyme induction or inhibition drives drug interactions and how pharmacogenomics is advancing individualized drug therapy. Enzymes play a critical role in drug metabolism, acting as catalysts in how our bodies process medications. When a drug enters the body, its lipophilicity affects its absorption and ability to cross membranes. Lipophilic drugs are absorbed easily but are not readily excreted, so liver enzymes convert them into water soluble forms for elimination. This happens in two phases phase one, with cytochrome P 450 and phase two with conjugating enzymes, shaping drug clearance and interactions. Central to phase one metabolism are cytochrome P 450 enzymes, a diverse family of hem containing monooxygenases, mainly in the liver, but also found in tissues like the intestine and lungs. CYPs metabolize drugs by catalyzing oxidative reactions,