Dataset Information

Brain/blood ratios of methadone and ABCB1 polymorphisms in methadone-related deaths.

ABSTRACT: Methadone is an opioid that often leads to fatalities. Interpretation of toxicological findings can be challenging if no further information about the case history is available. The aims of this study were (1) to determine whether brain/blood ratios can assist in the interpretation of methadone findings in fatalities; (2) to examine whether polymorphisms in the gene encoding the P-glycoprotein (also known as multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) or ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1)), which functions as a multispecific efflux pump in the blood-brain barrier, affect brain/blood ratios of methadone. Femoral venous blood and brain tissue (medulla oblongata and cerebellum) from 107 methadone-related deaths were analysed for methadone by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, all the samples were genotyped for three common ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs rs1045642, rs1128503, and rs2032582) using ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ICEMS). In nearly all cases, methadone concentrations were higher in the brain than in the blood. Inter-individual brain/blood ratios varied (0.6-11.6); the mean ratio was 2.85 (standard deviation 1.83, median 2.35). Moreover, significant differences in mean brain/blood ratios were detected among the synonymous genotypes of rs1045642 in ABCB1 (p = 0.001). Cases with the T/T genotype had significantly higher brain/blood ratios than cases with the other genotypes (T/T vs. T/C difference (d) = 1.54, 95% CI [1.14, 2.05], p = 0.002; T/T vs. C/C d = 1.60, 95% CI [1.13, 2.29], p = 0.004). Our results suggest that the rs1045642 polymorphisms in ABCB1 may affect methadone concentrations in the brain and its site of action and may be an additional factor influencing methadone toxicity.

SUBMITTER: Iwersen-Bergmann S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7870766 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Brain/blood ratios of methadone and ABCB1 polymorphisms in methadone-related deaths.

Iwersen-Bergmann S S Plattner S S Hischke S S Müller A A Andresen-Streichert H H Jungen H H Erb R R Beer-Sandner B B

International journal of legal medicine 20210117 2

Methadone is an opioid that often leads to fatalities. Interpretation of toxicological findings can be challenging if no further information about the case history is available. The aims of this study were (1) to determine whether brain/blood ratios can assist in the interpretation of methadone findings in fatalities; (2) to examine whether polymorphisms in the gene encoding the P-glycoprotein (also known as multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) or ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABC ...[more]

PMID: 33454797

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Project description:INTRODUCTION:The human multidrug resistance gene ATP-binding cassette B1 (ABCB1) codes for P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an important membrane-bound efflux transporter known to confer anticancer drug resistance as well as affect the pharmacokinetics of many drugs and xenobiotics. A number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified throughout the ABCB1 gene that may have an effect on P-gp expression levels and function. Haplotype as well as genotype analysis of SNPs is becoming increasingly important in identifying genetic variants underlying susceptibility to human disease. Three SNPs, 1236C-->T, 2677G-->T and 3435C-->T, have been repeatedly shown to predict changes in the function of P-gp. The frequencies with which these polymorphisms exist in a population have also been shown to be ethnically related. METHODS:In this study, 95 individuals representative of the entire ethnic make-up of the USA were compared with 101 individuals from an Ashkenazi-Jewish population. These individuals were analyzed by genomic sequencing and polymerase chain reaction, using restriction fragment length polymorphisms, to calculate their genotype frequencies. RESULTS:A total of 25 SNPs were located in the exons of the ABCB1 gene. All of the polymorphisms identified were in parts of the ABCB1 gene product predicted to be intracellular, and 16 appear to be novel as compared with those listed by the National Center for Biotechnological Information. Frequencies of the 1236C-->T and 2677G-->T/A/C SNPs were similar for the US and Ashkenazi populations (64.2 and 60.4%, respectively for 1236C-->T [chi2: 0.30; p < or = 1]; 55.8 and 64.4%, respectively for 2677G-->T/A/C [chi2: 1.49; p < or = 1]), but were different for 3435C-->T (24.2% for the US population and 69.3% for the Ashkenazi population [chi2: 39.927; p < or = 0.001]). The 1236T/ 2677T/3435T haplotype occurred in 23.6% (standard error: 0.013) of the Ashkenazi population. CONCLUSION:The SNP at location 3435C-->T plays a significant role in the ABCB1 gene. The haplotype and genotype analysis from these data may be used as a basis for studies on the relationship between ABCB1 genotypes and drug efficacy, drug toxicity, disease susceptibility or other phenotypes.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Genetic variability in ABCB1, encoding the P-glycoprotein efflux transporter, has been linked to altered methadone maintenance treatment dose requirements. However, subsequent studies have indicated that additional environmental or genetic factors may confound ABCB1 pharmacogenetics in different methadone maintenance treatment settings. There is evidence that genetic variability in OPRM1, encoding the mu opioid receptor, and ABCB1 may interact to affect morphine response in opposite ways. This study aimed to examine whether a similar gene-gene interaction occurs for methadone in methadone maintenance treatment. METHODS:Opioid-dependent subjects (n = 119) maintained on methadone (15-300 mg/day) were genotyped for five single nucleotide polymorphisms of ABCB1 (61A > G; 1199G > A; 1236C > T; 2677G > T; 3435C > T), as well as for the OPRM1 118A > G single nucleotide polymorphism. Subjects' methadone doses and trough plasma (R)-methadone concentrations (C(trough)) were compared between ABCB1 haplotypes (with and without controlling for OPRM1 genotype), and between OPRM1 genotypes (with and without controlling for ABCB1 haplotype). RESULTS:Among wild-type OPRM1 subjects, an ABCB1 variant haplotype group (subjects with a wild-type and 61A:1199G:1236C:2677T:3435T haplotype combination, or homozygous for the 61A:1199G:1236C:2677T:3435T haplotype) had significantly lower doses (median ± standard deviation 35 ± 5 versus 180 ± 65 mg/day, P < 0.01) and C(trough) (78 ± 22 versus 177 ± 97 ng/mL, P < 0.05) than ABCB1 wild-type subjects. Among subjects with the most common ABCB1 haplotype combination (wild-type with 61A:1199G:1236T:2677T:3435T), the OPRM1 118 A/G genotype was associated with a significantly higher C(trough) than 118 A/A (250 ± 126 versus 108 ± 36 ng/mL, P = 0.016). No ABCB1 haplotype group or OPRM1 genotype was associated with dose or C(trough) without taking into account confounding genetic variability at the other locus. Therefore, two interacting pharmacogenetic determinants of methadone maintenance treatment response were identified, ie, ABCB1, where variants are associated with lower methadone requirements, and OPRM1, where the variant is associated with higher methadone requirements. CONCLUSION:These opposing pharmacogenetic effects therefore need to be considered in combination when assessing methadone maintenance treatment pharmacogenetics.

Dataset Information

Brain/blood ratios of methadone and ABCB1 polymorphisms in methadone-related deaths.

Publications

Brain/blood ratios of methadone and ABCB1 polymorphisms in methadone-related deaths.

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