Seasonal Gene Expression Influences Drug Metabolism and Tolerance in Primates

Recent research from Nagoya University in Japan has revealed that gene expression varies with the seasons in primates, including effects on drug metabolism, alcohol tolerance, and carbohydrate processing. Using a comprehensive gene expression map of over 54,000 genes across 80 tissues in monkeys over the course of a year, scientists identified multiple genes with seasonal activity fluctuations. Notably, genes involved in drug metabolism, such as CYP2D6 and CYP2C19—which influence a significant portion of medications—exhibit seasonal variation, potentially impacting the effectiveness and safety of treatments for conditions like cancer, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders.

The study also found that alcohol tolerance in monkeys differs according to the season. When reared under winter and summer conditions, monkeys demonstrated quicker recovery from alcohol intoxication during winter, suggesting humans may similarly experience greater intoxication during summer months, correlating with spikes in alcohol-related hospitalizations.

Interestingly, despite consistent diets, female monkeys displayed seasonal fluctuations in carbohydrate metabolism genes, peaking in winter and spring, possibly explaining why weight gain is common during colder months as the body maximizes energy extraction from limited food sources.

These findings underline the importance of considering seasonal and circadian factors when prescribing medications and managing health. The research opens new avenues for chronotherapy and personalized medicine, aiming to optimize treatment timing for maximum efficacy.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-seasonal-gene-affects-drug-effectiveness.html