Nortriptyline and debrisoquine hydroxylations in Ghanaian and Swedish subjects

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Abstract
Ghanaian (11) and 12 Swedish subjects phenotyped by a debisoquine (D) hydroxylation test were given a single oral dose of nortriptyline (NT). Similar percentage of the given NT dose was excreted as 10-hydroxy-NT (10-OH-NT) by Ghanaians (43.1%) and Swedes (49.2%). A close correlation existed between plasma clearance of NT by 10-hydroxylation and the D metabolic ratio (D/4-OH-D in urine) in the Ghanaians (rs = -0.95; P < 0.01) and Swedes (rs = -0.84; P < 0.01). The E-isomer of 10-OH-NT is the major isomer in both Ghanaians (76%-92% of total 10-OH-NT) and Swedes (78%-95%). The E-10-hydroxylation of NT and the 4-hydroxylation of D evidently are similarly co-regulated in Ghanaians and Swedes.