Premium
Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activity: A determinant of levodopa response
Author(s) -
Reilly Douglas K,
RiveraCalimlim Leonor,
Van Dyke David
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1980.161
Subject(s) - levodopa , catechol o methyl transferase , catechol , pharmacology , chemistry , methyltransferase , enzyme , biochemistry , medicine , parkinson's disease , disease , allele , methylation , gene
In 14 patients with Parkinson's disease on long‐term therapy the erythrocyte catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activity was found to correlate with the average plasma concentration ratio of 3‐O‐methyldopa to levodopa and with the fasting plasma concentration ratio of 3‐O‐methyldopa to levodopa. Patients with the higher erythrocyte catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activities were those with less favorable clinical responses to levodopa. Since erythrocyte catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activity may reflect the activity of that enzyme in the major metabolizing tissues, catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activity would seem to be a significant determinant of response to levodopa. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1980) 28, 278–286; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1980.161