A practice-oriented desktop reference for medical professionals, toxicologists and pharmaceutical researchers, this handbook provides systematic coverage of the metabolic pathways of all major classes of xenobiotics in the human body. The first part comprehensively reviews the main enzyme systems involved in biotransformation and how they are orchestrated in the body, while parts two to four cover the three main classes of xenobiotics: drugs, natural products, environmental pollutants. The part on drugs includes more than 300 substances from five major therapeutic groups (central nervous system, cardiovascular system, cancer, infection, and pain) as well as most drugs of abuse including nicotine, alcohol and "designer" drugs. Selected, well-documented case studies from the most important xenobiotics classes illustrate general principles of metabolism, making this equally useful for teaching courses on pharmacology, drug metabolism or molecular toxicology. Of particular interest, and unique to this volume is the inclusion of a wide range of additional xenobiotic compounds, including food supplements, herbal preparations, and agrochemicals.

This reference work focuses on the enzyme systems that participate in the metabolism of chemicals and other xenobiotics, with emphasis being placed on drug metabolism. Each chapter focuses on a specific enzyme system.

During half a century, cytochrome P450 in its original uniqueness as an optically "wrong" cytochrome has attracted many investigators, who have contributed to the unveiling of a bewildering multiplicity of biologically important functions of the, by now very large, superfamily of cytochrome P 450 enzymes. With its discovery in 1958 and with the advent of more refined spectroscopic methodologies, through the double wavelength spectrophotometry, the mysterious enzyme system began to reveal its secrets in a swift stream of investigative successes. As one of the most extensively studied enzyme systems worldwide the interest in cytochromes P450 very much reflects its importance in the elimination of drugs and other chemicals from the body and its role in chemical toxicity and in the aetiology of diseases such as cancer. There has been significant progress in research in this area in recent years and current books on this subject are now out of date. This much needed, new, fully up-to-date publication fills this gap and emphasises the new relevant topics that have emerged during the last decade in an easily accessible manner. The enzyme system, cytochromes P450, comprises a number of families/subfamilies, and the focus of the book is to deal with each individually, furnishing information directly relevant to scientists involved in the development of chemicals, in particular in the evaluation of their safety. The book has contributions from internationally respected scientists who are research-active in the relevant areas. The authors have made extensive use of figures and tables so that the reader can access the necessary information without always having to read the text. In addition, a very extensive, user-friendly index is a unique hallmark of the book. Part A of this monograph introduces the reader to the current knowledge of the evolutionary development of cytochrome P450 structure and function. Furthermore, it deals with the role of this enzyme in the formation of reactive intermediates. The shrewd and extensive utilisation of the molecular biology methodology very rapidly led to a vast body of enzymes calling for a classification of the plethora of different cytochromes P450 (the superfamily) into families and subfamilies. This is aptly exemplified by the ten chapters in Part B of this book, dealing with ten subfamilies and two families of cytochrome P450. Part C offers an insight into another aspect of cytochrome P450 research, namely its regulation through receptor-mediated stimuli - as opposed to enzyme induction or inhibition. The final chapter translates the current data on one of several drug metabolising systems into clinical application and highlights the role of cytochromes P450 in the treatment of neoplastic growth. The book deals extensively with each family/subfamily of the cytochromes P450 that contribute to the metabolism of xenobiotics. Essential and invaluable information is provided for the industrial research scientist working with fine chemicals, and especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, dealing with the safety evaluation of chemicals or being involved in the study of their metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties. It should also prove of interest to Regulators concerned with the safety evaluation of chemicals, research pharmacologists and toxicologists, and postgraduate students studying drug metabolism and toxicology at an advanced level.

Surpassing the 1976 book by Testa and Jenner, Drug Metabolism: Chemical and Biochemical Aspects (Dekker), this informative, up-to-date text includes the following features, unavailable elsewhere: First in a set of books to provide a comprehensive coverage of drug metabolism; Opening chapter provides a general introduction to the complete set of books; Other chapters cover reaction mechanisms, catalytic cycles, regio- and stereoselectivities, types of substrates, reactivity of intermediates, and drug-enzyme interactions; Extensive detailed diagrams of reaction pathways and chemical structures * First in a set of books providing a comprehensive coverage of drug metabolism * Opening chapter provides a general introduction to the complete set of books * Other chapters cover reaction mechanisms, catalytic cycles, regio and stereoselectivities, types of substrates, reactivity of intermediates and drug-enzyme interactions * Extensive detailed diagrams of reaction pathways and chemical structures

Many drugs and other xenobiotics (e.g., preservatives, insecticides, and plastifiers) contain hydrolyzable moieties such as ester or amide groups. In biological media, such foreign compounds are, therefore, important substrates for hydrolytic reactions catalyzed by hydrolases or proceeding non-enzymatically. Despite their significance, until now, no book has been dedicated to hydrolysis and hydrolases in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. This work fills a gap in the literature and reviews metabolic reactions of hydrolysis and hydarion from the point of views of enzymes, substrates, and reactions.

Drug Metabolism in Diseases is a comprehensive reference devoted to the current state of research on the impact of various disease states on drug metabolism. The book contains valuable insights into mechanistic effects and examples of how to accurately predict drug metabolism during these different pathophysiological states. Each chapter clearly presents the effects of changes in drug metabolism and drug transporters on pharmacokinetics and disposition. This is a unique and useful approach for all those involved in drug discovery and development, and for clinicians and researchers in drug metabolism, pharmacology, and clinical pharmacology. - Written and edited by leaders in drug metabolism from academia and industry - Covers important topics, such as pharmacogenomics, drug metabolism in transplant patients, xenobiotic receptors, drug metabolism in geriatric and pediatric populations, and more - Highlights topics of importance in drug discovery and development, and for safe and effective drug use in the clinic