Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
5154416 
Journal Article 
Molecular basis of individual susceptibility to xenobiotics 
Beaune, PH; Loriot, MA 
2000 
1 
Medecine Sciences
ISSN: 0767-0974 
Elsevier Masson SAS 
16 
10 
1051-1056 
French 
WOS:000089884900006 
Living organisms are inevitably exposed to xenobiotics such as drugs, pollutants or dietary compounds. These compounds are metabolized in order to render them more hydrophilic or less chemically reactive. The toxicity and pharmacological activities of the resulting metabolites depend on the expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. The level of expression of these enzymes is extremely variable, and is under the control of environmental, genetic or patho-physiological factors. For example, (1) the variability of thiopurine methyl transferase explains the susceptibility to azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine and (2) the variability in the metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene may be a risk factor in lung cancer among smokers. Therefore, differences in metabolism can explain, at least in part, individual susceptibilities to xenobiotics.