Increases in nitric oxide concentrations correlate strongly with body fat in obese humans.

frequencies of the genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4 (10% heterozygous for CYP3A4*1B, 5.4% heterozygous for CYP3A4*2, and 2.2% heterozygous for CYP3A4*3), this implies that ϳ15% of the (Caucasian) population may carry a genetic polymorphism in this allele. Because genetic polymorphisms may exhibit strong differences in occurrence among different ethnic groups, other populations need to be investigated to determine the allelic frequency of CYP3A4*3. In conclusion, we have described and validated a PCR-RFLP assay for the CYP3A4*3 allele. The frequency of this variant allele in the Caucasian population (1.1%) indicates that it might be important in predicting CYP3A4 activity based on genotype. Future research should be directed toward elucidating the effect of this polymor-phism on CYP3A4 enzymatic activity and toward establishing whether this is solely a genetic, or also a functional , polymorphism. We thank the Bloodbank ZWN Rotterdam for their cooperation in collecting blood samples. We also thank Dr. Y. Fang for technical assistance. variations in human liver cytochrome P-450 enzymes involved in the oxidation of drugs, carcinogens and toxic chemicals: studies with liver micro-somes of 30 Japanese and 30 Caucasians. Use of midazolam as a human cytochrome P450 3A probe. I. In vitro-in vivo correlations in liver transplant patients. clinical presentation of prostate tumors by a novel genetic variant in CYP3A4. allelic variants with amino acid substitutions in exons 7 and 12: evidence for an allelic variant with altered catalytic activity. distribution and effects on drug metabolism of a genetic variant in the 5Ј promoter region of CYP3A4. activity in African American and European American men: population differences and functional effect of the CYP3A4*1B 5Ј-promoter region polymor-phism. More about: modification of clinical presentation of prostate tumors by a novel genetic variant in CYP3A4 [Letter]. Modification of clinical presentation of prostate tumors by a novel genetic variant in CYP3A4 [Letter]. NO is produced in many different cells and is involved in the regulation of such physiological and pathophysiolog-ical processes as inflammation, vasodilation, and metabolism (1). Depending on the cell type, NO is produced in an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by one of the three isoforms of NO synthase (NOS): neuronal NOS, endothe-lial NOS, and inducible NOS (2). Measurement of the NO metabolites, nitrate and nitrite (NOx), is also important as a marker of NOS enzyme activity. Obesity is a condition involving an excess accumulation of body fat, and the prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing worldwide. Excessive weight and obesity are leading …