PXR-mediated induction of human CYP3A4 and mouse Cyp3a11 by the glucocorticoid budesonide.

Budesonide, a glucocorticoid with a high first-pass metabolism, is used for the oral treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of numerous drugs, including budesonide. Since inhibition or induction of CYP3A4 is often the cause of drug-drug interactions we analyzed how budesonide affects the activity and expression of this enzyme.