Deconvoluting Gut Versus Liver Cytochrome P450 3A4 Function: Drug Probes, Biomarkers, and Tissue Biopsy.

ABSTRACT: Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is an important drug-metabolizing enzyme, whose function is impacted by age, sex, body weight, pregnancy, and disease. It is also the site of major drug interactions involving inhibition and induction. Because CYP3A4 is expressed in the intestine and liver, investigators have sought to study its function in both organs. As reviewed in the current narrative, approaches have included the profiling of tissue biopsy samples, use of novel plasma-based liquid biopsies, studies with individuals undergoing liver transplant, intravenous (IV) probe pharmacokinetics (PK) to measure hepatic CYP3A4 activity (e.g., midazolam and erythromycin breath test, ERBT), oral probe PK to differentially capture gut and liver CYP3A4 activity (e.g., midazolam and alprazolam), biomarkers

SUBMITTER: Rodrigues D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12905028 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature