The regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters by inflammation: Evidences in inflammatory diseases and age-related disorders

Kuo-Chen Wu, Chun-Jung Lin*

School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and membrane transporters play important roles in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes that determine the pharmacokinetics of drugs. Inflammation has been shown to regulate the expression and function of these drug-processing proteins. Given that inflammation is a common feature of many diseases, in this review, the general mechanisms for inflammation-mediated regulation of DMEs and transporters are described. Also, evidences regarding the aberrant expression of these drug-processing proteins in several inflammatory diseases and age-related disorders are provided.

Keywords: Drug-metabolizing enzyme, Inflammation, Membrane transporter, Pharmacokinetics