Analysis of the CYP2C19*2 and*3 gene variants in a Romanian population

Genetic polymorphism of drug metabolizing enzymes is defined as ability of individuals to metabolize drugs in different degrees. due to differences in the enzyme capacity and function. CYP2C19. a member of the cytochrome P450 enzymes family, metabolizes a range of clinically significant drugs. Its homologous gene has been shown to be polymorphic, two major alleles, CYP2C19*2 and *3 being responsible for the poor metabolizer (PM) phenotype and CYP2C19*4 being associate with ultra-rapid metabolizer phenotype (pharmacoresistant phenotype). The aim of this study is to determine for the first time the allele frequency of CYP2C19 variants in the Romanian population. Based on the PCR-RFLP technique. CYP2C19*2. CYP2 C19 *3 and *4 variants were studied in 200 healthy. unrelated Romanian volunteers. 49 individuals (24.5%) were CYP2C19*2 heterozygotes while a homozygous genotype CYP2C19*2/*2, which predicts a PM phenotype, has been demonstrated in 3 individuals (1.5%). No CYP2C19*3 variant has been found in this study. 1 individual was CYP2C19*4 variant. The allele frequencies for CYP2C19*2 and *3 were 13.7% and 0%. respectively 0.5% for *4. The distribution of CYP2C19 alleles was similar with that found in most of the Caucasian ethnic groups, but significantly lower from that found in Oriental Asians. Conclusion: Taken in consideration the wide usage of CYP2C19 substrates in our country and the expected number of PMs in our population, genotyping for CYP2C19 variants before initializing therapy with its' substrates could improve the drug response and thus, the clinical outcome.