1: Curr. Med. Chem. 2007;14(7):745-57. The effect of ageing on cytochrome p450 enzymes: consequences for drug biotransformation in the elderly. Wauthier V, Verbeeck RK, Calderon PB. Unité PMNT, Ecole de Pharmacie, Université catholique de Louvain. 73, avenue E. Mounier, 1200 Bruxelles, Belgium. Ageing is an aggravating factor leading to alterations in the biotransformation of drugs, and therefore their therapeutic efficacy and safety. In this review we discuss the influence of ageing on drug metabolizing enzymes in male Wistar rats. We report that drug metabolizing enzymes can be affected by ageing either by post-translational modifications or by transcriptional modifications. The post-translational modifications could be due to an increase of oxidative stress during ageing. Although it is now well established that transcriptional modifications are due to a change in the GH secretion profile in senescent rats, the intracellular mechanisms underlying these modifications are still unclear. In addition to the strong decrease in the activity of the main CYPs of male rats, we discuss the potential consequences on human drug metabolism in the elderly. Publication Types: Review PMID: 17346160 [Pubmed - indexed for MEDLINE] Related Links Age-related changes in the protein and mRNA levels of CYP2E1 and CYP3A isoforms as well as in their hepatic activities in Wistar rats. What role for oxidative stress? [Arch Toxicol. 2004] PMID:14600803 Sex-related effect of hemin on cytochrome P450 and drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver. [J Toxicol Sci. 2000] PMID:10987129 Effect of some hypoglycemic herbs on the activity of phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. [Toxicology. 2002] PMID:11985890 Cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) metabolism: prediction of in vivo activity in humans. [J Pharmacokinet Biopharm. 1996] PMID:9131486 Overview of enzymes of drug metabolism. [J Pharmacokinet Biopharm. 1996] PMID:9131484