振源胶囊对细胞色素P_(450)酶CYP1A2、CYP3A4、CYP2E1的影响

目的:研究振源胶囊对细胞色素P450酶CYP1A2、CYP3A4、CYP2E1的影响。方法:用Cocktail探针药物法,将Wistar大鼠随机分组,灌胃给予振源胶囊溶液,以生理盐水组为空白对照,诱导10d,于股动脉插管,注射给予3种探针药物咖啡因、氨苯砜、氯唑沙宗,通过高效液相色谱法检测各探针药物的代谢率来评价各组CYP1A2、CYP3A4、CYP2E1亚型酶的活性;药动学计算采用DAS2.0软件完成。结果:给予振源胶囊的大鼠,咖啡因代谢加快,半衰期缩短;氨苯砜代谢减慢,半衰期延长;氯唑沙宗半衰期与空白对照组比较无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论:振源胶囊对大鼠CYP1A2有诱导作用,对CYP3A4有抑制作用,对CYP2E1的作用不明显。     

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is essential for acrylonitrile metabolism to cyanide: comparative studies using CYP2E1-null and wild-type mice.

Acrylonitrile (AN) is a rodent carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen. Metabolism of AN proceeds via conjugation with glutathione or epoxidation via cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) to cyanoethylene oxide (CEO). It was hypothesized that CEO metabolism via epoxide hydrolase (EH) is the primary pathway for cyanide formation. The objective of this work is to assess the enzymatic basis of metabolism to cyanide. Male wild-type and CYP2E1-null mice received 0, 2.5, 10, 20, or 40 mg of AN/kg by gavage, and cyanide was measured in blood and tissues. CYP2E1 and EH expression were assessed using Western blot analyses. Present results demonstrated that cyanide concentrations in blood and tissues of AN-treated wild-type mice were higher at 1 versus 3 h, increased in a dose-dependent manner, and were significantly higher in AN-treated versus vehicle-treated mice. In contrast, cyanide concentrations in the blood and tissues of AN-treated CYP2E1-null mice were not statistically different from those of vehicle-treated mice. Furthermore, this work showed that EH is expressed in CYP2E1-null and wild-type mice. In conclusion, under the current experimental conditions using CYP2E1-null mice, current work demonstrated for the first time that CYP2E1-mediated oxidation is a prerequisite for AN metabolism to cyanide. Since earlier studies showed that CYP2E1 is the only enzyme responsible for AN epoxidation, it is concluded that AN metabolism to CEO is a prerequisite for cyanide formation, and this pathway is exclusively catalyzed by CYP2E1. Finally, this work confirmed that cyanide plays an essential role in the causation of the acute toxicity/mortality of AN.     

Alteration in the Expression of Cytochrome P450s (CYP1A1, CYP2E1, and CYP3A11) in the Liver of Mouse Induced by Microcystin-LR

Microcystins (MCs) are cyclic heptapeptide toxins and can accumulate in the liver. Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) play an important role in the biotransformation of endogenous substances and xenobiotics in animals. It is unclear if the CYPs are affected by MCs exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of microcystin-LR (MCLR) on cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYP1A1, CYP2E1, and CYP3A11) at mRNA level, protein content, and enzyme activity in the liver of mice the received daily, intraperitoneally, 2, 4, and 8 µg/kg body weight of MCLR for seven days. The result showed that MCLR significantly decreased ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) (CYP1A1) and erythromycin N-demthylase (ERND) (CYP3A11) activities and increased aniline hydroxylase (ANH) activity (CYP2E1) in the liver of mice during the period of exposure. Our findings suggest that MCLR exposure may disrupt the function of CYPs in liver, which may be partly attributed to the toxicity of MCLR in mice.     

Cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B)-mediated activation of methyl-parathion in rat brain extracts.

The role of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and the CYP isoform involved in the activation of the widely used pesticide methyl-parathion (MePA) were investigated in rat brain extracts by measuring the effect of different CYP inhibitors on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition by MePA. Brain extracts provide a useful tool to study the activation mechanisms of organophosphorus compounds (OP) since they contain both the activating enzyme(s) and the molecular target for OP toxicity. As expected, in incubations of rat brain extract supplemented with NADPH, AChE activity was non-competitively inhibited by the presence of MePA, indicating that MePA was activated to its reactive metabolite methyl-paraoxon (MePO). Indeed, Vmax(app) decreased from 13.4 to 8.7 micromol thionitrobenzoic acid (TNB)/min per mg protein. MePA activation by rat brain extracts, as measured by the AChE inhibition produced by the presence of the pesticide in the incubation, was fully prevented by previously bubbling the incubation mix with CO, by the presence of monoclonal anti-rat CYP2B1/2B2 antibodies and by the addition of phenobarbital (PB), a CYP2B substrate. Interestingly, MePA showed a greater affinity for CYP2B than PB. CYP1A1 antibodies showed no effect on MePA activation. The presence of cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B) in the rat brain extracts was confirmed by immunoblotting. These results demonstrate indisputably the responsibility of CYP2B in MePA activation in the rat brain in vitro, suggesting that metabolic activation of OP compounds in situ might be crucial for their organ specific toxicity to the central nervous system also in vivo.     

Effect of eurycomanone on cytochrome P450 isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 in vitro

Eurycomanone, an active constituent isolated from Eurycoma longifolia Jack, was examined for modulatory effects on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 using in vitro assays. The IC₅₀ value was determined to assess the potencies of modulation for each CYP isoform. Our results indicated that eurycomanone did not potently inhibit any of the CYP isoforms investigated, with IC₅₀ values greater than 250 μg/ml. Hence there appears to be little likelihood of drug–herb interaction between eurycomanone or herbal products with high content of this compound and CYP drug substrates via CYP inhibition.     

Acetone catabolism by cytochrome P450 2E1: studies with CYP2E1-null mice.

Previous experiments in vitro have suggested that cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is involved in acetone catabolism by converting acetone to acetol and then to methylglyoxal, both intermediates in the gluconeogenic pathway. In the present study, CYP2E1-null mice were used to demonstrate the role of CYP2E1 in acetone catabolism in vivo. The blood acetone level in male CYP2E1-null mice was 3.3 +/- 0.9 microg/mL, which was similar to levels of their sex- and age-matched parental lineage strains C57BL/6N (2.3 +/- 0.2 microg/mL) and 129/Sv (3.5 +/- 0.3 microg/mL) mice (both are CYP2E1 wild-type). After fasting for 48 hr, the blood acetone levels in the CYP2E1 wild-type mice were increased by 2.5- to 4.4-fold, but that in the CYP2E1-null mice increased 28-fold. These results clearly demonstrate that CYP2E1 plays a vital role in the catabolism of acetone under fasting conditions.     

Effect of antifungal drugs on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1 activities in human liver microsomes

The effects of five antifungal drugs, fluconazole, itraconazole, micafungin, miconazole, and voriconazole, on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2-mediated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, CYP2D6-mediated debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation, and CYP2E1-mediated chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation activities in human liver microsomes were compared. In addition, the effect of preincubation was estimated in order to investigate the mechanism-based inhibition. IC50 values of miconazole against CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 activities were 2.90 and 6.46 microM, respectively, and miconazole at 10 microM concentration slightly inhibited CYP2E1 activity. On the other hand, other antifungal drugs neither inhibited nor stimulated all of the metabolic activities. The stimulation of the inhibition of the metabolic activities mediated by CYP1A2, CYP2D6, or CYP2E1 by 15-min preincubation was not observed for any of the antifungal drugs, suggesting that these antifungal drugs are not mechanism-based inhibitors. These results suggest that miconazole is the strongest inhibitor against CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1 among the antifungal drugs investigated.     

酒精性肝损伤大鼠细胞色素P450 CYP2E1和细胞色素P450 CYP3A的代谢活性

目的观察酒精性肝损伤对大鼠细胞色素P450CYP3A(CYP3A)和细胞色素P450CYP2E1(CYP2E1)代谢活性的影响。方法采用ig给予白酒制备大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型,检测血清中谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性,采用HE染色法光镜下观测酒精对肝脏损伤程度。大鼠ip给予CYP3A探针药物咪达唑仑10mg·kg-1或ig给予CYP2E1探针药物氯唑沙宗50mg·kg-1后,采用高效液相色谱法测定不同时间点大鼠血浆中咪达唑仑和氯唑沙宗的血药浓度,并应用3P87软件计算其药代动力学参数,以考察CYP2E1和CYP3A的代谢活性的变化。大鼠ig给予氯唑沙宗80mg·kg-1后,热板方法测定大鼠添足次数和添足反射潜伏期。结果酒精性肝损伤可致大鼠肝小叶结构不清,肝索排列紊乱,肝细胞体积增大,呈弥漫性中度水变性,肝窦受压,大部分肝细胞胞浆内见大小不等的脂肪空泡;与正常对照组相比,酒精性肝损伤组大鼠GPT和GOT活性分别增加了16.0%和20.0%(P<0.05,P<0.01)。酒精性肝损伤致大鼠CYP2E1对探针药物氯唑沙宗的代谢活性增强,AUC,t1/2和cmax分别降低了38.0%,30.5%和35.0%(P<0.05);酒精肝损伤组大鼠氯唑沙宗镇痛效果明显降低;酒精性肝损伤致大鼠CYP3A对探针药物咪达唑仑的代谢活性增强,AUC,t1/2和cmax分别降低了122.6%,54.9%和56.9%(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论酒精性肝损伤可使大鼠CYP2E1和CYP3A代谢活性增强。     

人肝细胞色素P450 2C8/9、2E1比活性测定

目的　建立甲苯磺丁脲羟化酶 (CYP2C8/ 9)和氯羟苯口恶唑 6 羟化酶 (CYP2E1)比活性的测定方法 ,为深入研究CYP45 0在药物代谢中的作用奠定基础。方法　从成人肝细胞中提取微粒体 ,测定其蛋白含量 ,以甲苯磺丁脲、氯羟苯口恶唑为底物 ,用HPLC以梯度洗脱法测定其代谢产物羟基甲苯磺丁脲及 6 羟基氯羟苯 口恶唑生成量 ,据此计算人肝细胞色素P45 0 (CYP45 0 )同工酶甲苯磺丁脲羟化酶 (CYP2C8/9)和氯羟苯 口恶唑 6 羟化酶 (CYP2E1)比活性。结果　于不同时间反复测定的CYP2C8/ 9、CYP2E1比活性无差异。结论　CYP2C8/ 9、CYP2E1的测定方法较为简单、稳定、重复性好 ,可用于新药筛选、安全性评价及肝脏病理学、毒理学研究。     

人肝细胞色素P450 2C8/9、2E1比活性测定

目的　建立甲苯磺丁脲羟化酶 (CYP2C8/ 9)和氯羟苯口恶唑 6 羟化酶 (CYP2E1)比活性的测定方法 ,为深入研究CYP45 0在药物代谢中的作用奠定基础。方法　从成人肝细胞中提取微粒体 ,测定其蛋白含量 ,以甲苯磺丁脲、氯羟苯口恶唑为底物 ,用HPLC以梯度洗脱法测定其代谢产物羟基甲苯磺丁脲及 6 羟基氯羟苯 口恶唑生成量 ,据此计算人肝细胞色素P45 0 (CYP45 0 )同工酶甲苯磺丁脲羟化酶 (CYP2C8/9)和氯羟苯 口恶唑 6 羟化酶 (CYP2E1)比活性。结果　于不同时间反复测定的CYP2C8/ 9、CYP2E1比活性无差异。结论　CYP2C8/ 9、CYP2E1的测定方法较为简单、稳定、重复性好 ,可用于新药筛选、安全性评价及肝脏病理学、毒理学研究。     

雷公藤多苷片对大鼠药物代谢酶CYP2E1和CYP3A4活性的影响

目的:研究雷公藤多苷片对大鼠CYP450亚型酶CYP2E1和CYP3A4活性的影响方法:16只Wistar大鼠随机分成2组,每组8只,实验组给予雷公藤多苷片(1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1,ig,qd),对照组给予同体积的纤维素钠空白溶剂,连续给药10d后同时静脉给予探针药物氯唑沙宗(5 mg·kg^-1)和咪达唑仑(2 mg·kg^-1)。HPLC法测定两个探针药物的血药浓度,计算其药物动力学参数,评价CYP450亚型酶CYP2E1和CYP3A4的活性。结果:与对照组比较,实验组的氯唑沙宗主要药物动力学参数无明显变化（P>0.05）,而咪达唑仑的CL和AUC较对照组差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论:雷公藤多苷片对大鼠的CYP2E1酶活性无明显影响,对CYP3A4酶活性有一定的抑制作用。     

CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress and toxicity: role in ethanol-induced liver injury

Ethanol-induced oxidative stress plays a major role in the mechanisms by which ethanol causes liver injury. Many pathways contribute to how ethanol induces a state of oxidative stress. One central pathway appears to be the induction, by ethanol, of the CYP2E1 form of cytochrome P450 enzymes. CYP2E1 is of interest because it metabolises and activates many toxicological substrates, including ethanol, to more reactive products. Levels of CYP2E1 are elevated under a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. CYP2E1 is an effective generator of reactive oxygen species. This review summarises some of the biochemical and toxicological properties of CYP2E1, and briefly describes the use of HepG2 cell lines in assessing the actions of CYP2E1. Future directions, which may help to better understand the actions of CYP2E1 and its role in alcoholic liver injury, are suggested.     

黄酮类化合物对细胞色素P450 CYP1，2E1，3A4和19的影响

黄酮类化合物广泛存在于蔬菜、坚果、水果和饮料及中草药中，可诱导或抑制多种细胞色素P450的活性。本篇综述主要集中回顾黄酮类化合物对于细胞色素P450 CYP1，2E1，3A4和19的影响。归纳总结了该类物质抑制和诱导细胞色素P450的多种机制，如刺激特定的受体、稳定相关mRNA等。并总结了该类物质对细胞色素P450的影响体内和体外水平的研究结果并非总是一致的原因，如体内外的浓度的差异、基因和其他环境因素的影响。由于黄酮类化合物可通过影响细胞色素P450的活性影响药物代谢从而导致药物不良反应和药物相互作用，因此在将该类物质与其他药物合用时应高度重视。     

人肝细胞色素P450 2C8/9、2E1比活性测定

目的建立甲苯磺丁脲羟化酶(CYP2C8/9)和氯羟苯口恶唑6-羟化酶(CYP2E1)比活性的测定方法,为深入研究CYP450在药物代谢中的作用奠定基础.方法从成人肝细胞中提取微粒体,测定其蛋白含量,以甲苯磺丁脲、氯羟苯口恶唑为底物,用HPLC以梯度洗脱法测定其代谢产物羟基甲苯磺丁脲及6-羟基氯羟苯口恶唑生成量,据此计算人肝细胞色素P450(CYP450)同工酶甲苯磺丁脲羟化酶(CYP2C8/9)和氯羟苯口恶唑6-羟化酶(CYP2E1)比活性.结果于不同时间反复测定的CYP2C8/9、CYP2E1比活性无差异.结论 CYP2C8/9、CYP2E1的测定方法较为简单、稳定、重复性好,可用于新药筛选、安全性评价及肝脏病理学、毒理学研究.     

Cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation of glucuronide derivatives: example of estradiol-17beta-glucuronide oxidation to 2-hydroxy-estradiol-17beta-glucuronide by CYP 2C8.

In the classical metabolic oxidation scheme, hydrophobic endogenous or xenobiotic compounds undergo phase I oxidation, generally catalyzed in the liver by cytochromes P450, followed by phase II conjugation reactions, in a way that allows much more polar metabolites to be expelled from the cell through active transport mechanisms. Cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation of steroid sulfate has been described, suggesting that oxidation of polar metabolites such as glucuronide derivatives of endogenous compounds can occur. As an example, we report here that hydroxyestradiol-17beta-glucuronide can be directly formed through oxidation of estradiol-17beta-glucuronide on the aromatic C2 position. This reaction is specifically catalyzed by CYP 2C8, which is more active in female than in male human liver microsomes. A thorough docking of the molecule within the CYP 2C8 crystal structure shows that the active site is large enough to handle a glucuronide conjugate. Moreover, the most energetically favored position of the bound ligand is fully consistent with the recently published structural determinants of substrate specificity of the CYP 2C8 active site. This is the first demonstration of cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation of a steroid glucuro-conjugate. Such oxidation of a glucuronide should be a general process since, in addition to estradiol and testosterone glucuronide, it has been observed for xenobiotic compounds, e.g., diclofenac or naproxen glucuronide.     

A reaction network model for CYP2E1-mediated metabolism of toxicant mixtures

In this paper, we describe a modeling approach to predict the interlinked pathways and kinetics resulting from CYP2E1-mediated metabolism of both pure species and chemical mixtures. This approach is based on the concept of chemical reaction networks, an idea that has formed the basis for simulation tools that have shown good predictive capabilities in the petroleum industry, but also an idea that has heretofore seen minimal application in the biomedical research arena. Although the initial target for developing this reaction network approach was cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and its over 200 substrates, this technology has been used for other families of CYP enzymes and their substrates in our laboratory. Utilizing this approach, we have produced a modular 'predictive metabolomics' simulation framework comprising interdependent software components that perform such tasks as testing of substrate binding feasibility, performing virtual chemistry, formulating reaction-rate equations, computing reaction kinetics and predicting time-dependent species concentrations. As an illustrative example, we outline the application of this framework to the prediction of the reaction networks resulting from the Phase I metabolism of two compounds of important toxicological interest. The potential of this modeling technology is immense in providing a computer simulation platform for complex-chemical mixtures and complex-biological systems. It is possible that this technology will play an important role in formulating a 'Virtual Human'.     

Modulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 function by cytochrome P450s in vitro: differential effects of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4

Effects of cytochrome P450 isoforms, CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, on the catalytic activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) expressed in COS cell microsomal membranes were investigated using morphine as a substrate. When detergent-untreated COS cell microsomes were used as the enzyme source, the activity of morphine-3-glucuronide formation by UGT2B7 was reduced by addition of purified CYP1A2 and CYP2C9 in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of CYP1A2 was greater than that of CYP2C9. In contrast, exogenous CYP3A4 had little effect on morphine glucuronidation activity. These results suggest that CYP1A2 and CYP2C9 have ability to modify UGT2B7 function. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the modulation of UGT2B7 function by these P450s seems to differ from that by CYP3A4.     

ROS generated by CYP450, especially CYP2E1, mediate mitochondrial dysfunction induced by tetrandrine in rat hepatocytes

Aim:

Tetrandrine, an alkaloid with a remarkable pharmacological profile, induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes; however, mitochondria are not the direct target of tetrandrine, which prompts us to elucidate the role of oxidative stress in tetrandrine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the sources of oxidative stress.

Methods:

Rat primary hepatocytes were isolated by two-step collagenase perfusion. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by analyzing ATP content, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the mitochondrial permeability transition. The oxidative stress was evaluated by examining changes in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH).

Results:

ROS scavengers largely attenuated the cytotoxicity induced by tetrandrine in rat hepatocytes, indicating the important role of ROS in the hepatotoxicity of tetrandrine. Of the multiple ROS inhibitors that were tested, only inhibitors of CYP450 (SKF-525A and others) reduced the ROS levels and ameliorated the depletion of GSH. Mitochondrial function assays showed that the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) induced by tetrandrine was inhibited by SKF-525A and vitamin C (VC), both of which also rescued the depletion of ATP levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential. Upon inhibiting specific CYP450 isoforms, we observed that the inhibitors of CYP2D, CYP2C, and CYP2E1 attenuated the ATP depletion that occurred following tetrandrine exposure, whereas the inhibitors of CYP2D and CYP2E1 reduced the ROS induced by tetrandrine. Overexpression of CYP2E1 enhanced the tetrandrine-induced cytotoxicity.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated that CYP450 plays an important role in the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by the administration of tetrandrine. ROS generated by CYP450, especially CYP2E1, may contribute to the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by tetrandrine.     

Cytochrome P450 CYP1B1 protein expression: a novel mechanism of anticancer drug resistance

The overexpression of human cytochrome P450 CYP1B1 has been observed in a wide variety of malignant tumours, but the protein is undetectable in normal tissues. A number of cytochrome P450 enzymes are known to metabolise a variety of anticancer drugs, and the consequence of cytochrome P450 metabolism is usually detoxification of the drug, although bioactivation occurs in some cases. In this study, a Chinese hamster ovary cell line expressing human cytochrome P450 CYP1B1 was used to evaluate the cytotoxic profile of several anticancer drugs (docetaxel, paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and carboplatin) commonly used clinically in the treatment of cancer. The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to determine the levels of cytotoxicity. The key finding of this study was that on exposure to docetaxel, a significant decrease in sensitivity towards the cytotoxic effects of docetaxel was observed in the cell line expressing CYP1B1 compared to the parental cell line (P = 0.03). Moreover, this difference in cytotoxicity was reversed by co-incubation of the cells with both docetaxel and the cytochrome P450 CYP1 inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone. This study is the first to indicate that the presence of CYP1B1 in cells decreases their sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of a specific anticancer drug.     

Polymorphism in cytochrome P450 CYP2D6, CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and glutathione S-transferase, GSTM1, GSTM3, GSTT1 and susceptibility to tobacco-related cancers: studies in upper aerodigestive tract cancers

Glutathione S-transferase GSTM1, GSTM3 and GSTT1 and cytochrome P450 CYP2D6, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 loci are susceptibility candidates for cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract because putatively protective and risk genotypes have been identified from studies in other diseases associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption. We describe genotype frequencies in 398 oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients and 219 control individuals. Of the genotypes presumed to be protective, only GSTM1 A/B influenced susceptibility; the GSTM1 A/B frequency was lower in the patients than the control individuals both before [odds ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-0.7] and after correction for imbalances in age, sex, smoking and alcohol consumption (odds ratio = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5). Of the putatively risk genotypes, GSTM3 AA, previously associated with susceptibility to skin cancer, was higher in the cases (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4). Dividing cases into oral/pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma showed the GSTM3 AA frequency was higher in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma than control individuals (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5) and the difference between control individuals and oral/pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma approached significance (odds ratio = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.8). The putatively protective GSTM3 BB genotype was lower in patients with glottic (1.0%) than supraglottic (3.0%) squamous cell carcinoma. We identified no differences between patients and control individuals in the frequencies of presumed risk genotypes (e.g. CYP2D6 EM, CYP1A1 m1/m1, CYP1A1 Ile/Ile, CYP2E1 DD, CYP2E1 c1c1, GSTT1 null) or, interactions between genotypes and smoking or alcohol consumption. We conclude, first, that mu class glutathione S-transferase influence risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancers thereby complementing studies in skin cancer patients showing GSTM1 A/B is protective, while GSTM3 AA moderately increases risk. The influence of GSTM1 A/B, but not GSTM1 A or GSTM1 B (mostly heterozygotes with GSTM1*0) suggests that two expressed alleles may attenuate risk. While we found immunohistochemical evidence of GSTM3 expression in the cilia lining the larynx, the biochemical consequences of the polymorphism are unclear. Indeed, the influence of the gene may reflect linkage disequilibrium with another gene. However, we did not find an association with GSTM1 genotypes. Second, we conclude that the CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP1A1 and GSTT1 alleles studied, although putatively good candidates, either do not determine the effectiveness of detoxification of tobacco-derived carcinogens in the upper aerodigestive tract or, that chronic consumption of tobacco and alcohol overwhelms enzyme defences, irrespective of genotype.