How Do Circadian Rhythms Influence Drug Metabolism?
The body's ability to metabolize drugs is not constant throughout the day. Enzymes involved in drug metabolism, particularly those in the liver, exhibit circadian fluctuations. For example, the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which plays a critical role in drug metabolism, shows varying activity levels depending on the time of day. Such fluctuations can affect how quickly a drug is broken down and eliminated, impacting both its effectiveness and potential toxicity.
