Studies on 4b-hydroxycholesterol, a marker of CYP3A activity, and its association with 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Abstract

Cholesterol is a vital compound that can undergo cytochrome P450 (CYP) mediated conversion into steroid hormones, bile acids and oxysterols. CYP enzymes are present in all human tissues and mediate the metabolism of several endogenous and exogenous compounds such as steroids and drugs. Vitamin D status has been shown to be important for several biological processes such as drug metabolism, modulation of the immune system and bone health. Enzymes in subfamily CYP3A (CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A7 and CYP3A43) are present in liver and intestine. They metabolize about 50% of all prescribed drugs. Genetic factors, age, sex, ethnicity and environmental factors influence the activity and expression of CYP3A enzymes. These factors combined cause wide inter-patient variability in CYP3A mediated drug response. There are a number of clinical markers to assess the CYP3A activity, e.g. plasma midazolam clearance, quinine metabolic ratio and 4β- hydroxycholesterol/cholesterol ratio.

In the present study the plasma levels of 4β- hydroxycholesterol and the 4β-hydroxycholesterol/cholesterol ratio has been evaluated as markers of CYP3A activity during enzyme induction by a number of drugs (carbamazepine in Papers I and III, rifampicin in Papers IV-V and efavirenz in Paper V) and by pregnancy (Paper III). The association between CYP3A activity and vitamin D status has also been studied (Paper IV-V). In Paper I, carbamazepine treatment in children with epilepsy doubled the plasma levels of 4β-hydroxycholesterol within two weeks of treatment. The increase was 5 to 10-fold within eight weeks treatment. In Paper III, pregnancy increased the 4β- hydroxycholesterol/cholesterol ratio and the plasma levels of cholesterol. Newborn children had the same CYP3A activity as adults as indicated by similar 4β-hydroxycholesterol/ cholesterol ratios. Carbamazepine treatment during pregnancy further increased the CYP3A activity in one mother and her child. In Papers IV-V, rifampicin-mediated CYP3A induction did not affect the plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in healthy volunteers or in tuberculosis-HIV co-infected patients. In tuberculosis-HIV co-infected patients there was a significant negative correlation between the plasma levels of 25- hydroxyvitamin D and the 4β-hydroxycholesterol/cholesterol ratio already at initiation of treatment (Paper V). Efavirenz treatment caused a transient decrease in the plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in HIV-infected patients (Paper V).

To summarize, 4β-hydroxycholesterol and the 4β-hydroxycholesterol/cholesterol ratio are useful as markers of CYP3A induction. 4β-Hydroxycholesterol is a non-invasive endogenous clinical marker that is easy to use also in children and vulnerable patient groups. The blood samples can be taken at any time of the day regardless of food intake.