Abstract
Introduction: CYP2E1 is a member of P450 super family and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes metabolize the immunosuppressive drugs, which are commonly used for renal transplantation patients. Studies have shown that single-nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP2E1 are associated with higher-transcription, increased enzyme activity and with allograft rejection in kidney transplantation recipients.
Objectives: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the possible association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CYP2E1 gene, and tacrolimus toxicity among renal transplant patients in a South Indian population.
Patients and Methods: The hypothesis was investigated by including 50 kidney transplantation patient recipients with tacrolimus based immunosuppressive treatment and 50 healthy volunteers as control subjects of the South Indian population. The CYP2E1 gene (PstI/RsaI) polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP method. Genotypes were compared between renal transplantation and controls using the Fisher exact test. The SPSS v. 16.0 software were used to analyze the data.
Results: No significant association was observed between the renal transplantation patients and controls (genetic model P = 0.055 and allelic model P = 0.06) groups. The variant c1 vs. c2 (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02-0.89 and P = 0.018) of the CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with drug toxicity among the patients.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the CYP2E1 polymorphism may be related to the development of drug toxicity in South Indian renal transplantation patients treated with tacrolimus.