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Could someone explain what barbiturates do in causing acute intermittent porhypria...like do the drugs inhibit Prophobilinoen deaminase?
Could someone explain what barbiturates do in causing acute intermittent porhypria...like do the drugs inhibit Prophobilinoen deaminase?
Many commonly used drugs trigger porphyric crisis by decreasing heme. (2) Barbiturates induce the cytochrome P450 system; this incorporates more heme into the new cytochromes, thereby decreasing heme levels. Oral contraceptives cause destruction of the heme group in cytochromes, requiring new heme for incorporation into cytochromes. Griseofulvin converts heme into N-methylated derivatives, which further inhibit heme synthesis.
from my understanding ... Barbiturates are p450 inducers which will induce Heme Synthesis (heme-iron center in P450 enzymes). The pathogenesis of Acute Intermittent Porphyria is that heme synthesis is interrupted by enzyme deficiency (porphobilinogen deaminase) which results in a buildup of porphobilinogen. Inducing heme synthesis will only further increase this buildup and symptoms will precipitate.