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Inhibition of 1,4-butanediol metabolism in human liver in vitro

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology volume 383, Article number: 647 (2011) Cite this article

Abstract

The conversion of 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a drug of abuse, is most probably catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase, and potentially by aldehyde dehydrogenase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degradation of 1,4-BD in cytosolic supernatant of human liver in vitro, and to verify involvement of the suggested enzymes by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The coingestion of 1,4-BD and ethanol (EtOH) might cause complex pharmacokinetic interactions in humans. Therefore, the effect of EtOH on 1,4-BD metabolism by human liver was examined in vitro. Additionally, the influence of acetaldehyde (AL), which might inhibit the second step of 1,4-BD degradation, was investigated. In case of a 1,4-BD intoxication, the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor fomepizole (4-methylpyrazole, FOM) has been discussed as an antidote preventing the formation of the central nervous system depressing GHB. Besides FOM, we tested pyrazole, disulfiram, and cimetidine as possible inhibitors of the formation of GHB from 1,4-BD catalyzed by human liver enzymes in vitro. The conversion of 1,4-BD to GHB was inhibited competitively by EtOH with an apparent K i of 0.56 mM. Therefore, the coingestion of 1,4-BD and EtOH might increase the concentrations and the effects of 1,4-BD itself. By contrast AL accelerated the formation of GHB. All antidotes showed the ability to inhibit the formation of GHB. In comparison FOM showed the highest inhibitory effectiveness. Furthermore, the results confirm strong involvement of ADH in 1,4-BD metabolism by human liver.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the JÜRGEN MANCHOT STIFTUNG for financial support of this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Melatengürtel 60-62, 50823, Cologne, Germany

    Daniel Lenz, Martin Jübner, Katja Bender, Annette Wintermeyer, Justus Beike, Markus A. Rothschild & Herbert Käferstein

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  1. Daniel Lenz
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  2. Martin Jübner
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  3. Katja Bender
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  4. Annette Wintermeyer
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  5. Justus Beike
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  6. Markus A. Rothschild
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  7. Herbert Käferstein
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Correspondence to Daniel Lenz.

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Lenz, D., Jübner, M., Bender, K. et al. Inhibition of 1,4-butanediol metabolism in human liver in vitro. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 383, 647 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-011-0627-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-011-0627-9

Keywords

  • 1,4-Butanediol
  • Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
  • GHB
  • Liquid ecstasy
  • Metabolism
  • Human liver enzymes
  • Alcohol dehydrogenase
  • Aldehyde dehydrogenase