The season you receive your medication could significantly impact its effectiveness, according to groundbreaking research mapping 54,000 genes across 80 monkey tissues.
At a Glance
- Seasonal changes in gene expression affect how our bodies process medications and metabolize substances
- Researchers discovered that alcohol tolerance is higher in winter, suggesting increased risk of intoxication in summer
- Over 4,000 protein-coding mRNAs in white blood cells and adipose tissue show seasonal expression patterns
- Genetics greatly influences adverse drug reactions, which contribute significantly to global health problems
- Findings could revolutionize personalized medicine through seasonally-adjusted therapeutic approaches
How Seasons Affect Your Medication Response
Researchers at Nagoya University have uncovered remarkable evidence that the effectiveness of your medications, your tolerance to alcohol, and even your carbohydrate metabolism fluctuate throughout the year. This discovery stems from detailed mapping of seasonal changes across more than 54,000 genes in numerous monkey tissues over a full annual cycle. The implications reach far beyond academic interest, potentially transforming how doctors prescribe medications and how pharmaceutical companies develop drugs.
These seasonal variations may affect treatments for serious conditions including cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, psychiatric disorders, hormonal therapies, and immunosuppressants. The study revealed that our biological clocks influence not just daily rhythms but seasonal changes in physiology and behavior, including hormone secretion, metabolism, sleep patterns, immune function, and reproduction.
The Genetic Basis of Drug Response
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a significant global health concern, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality worldwide. “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ADR is a noxious and unintended response to a medication,” as stated by the World Health Organization in their definition of the problem.
One key player in medication processing is Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6), an enzyme involved in metabolizing approximately 10-12% of all drugs, including antiretrovirals, antimalarials, anticancer medications, and antidepressants. Genetic variations in this enzyme can significantly alter how effectively your body processes these medications. Over 30 different genetic variants have been identified, with distribution varying across different populations worldwide.
Seasonal Impacts on Metabolism
The researchers discovered that 23% of our genome exhibits seasonal expression patterns, with distinct summer and winter profiles. In one fascinating finding, experiments with mice demonstrated that alcohol tolerance is significantly higher during winter months, suggesting people may become intoxicated more easily during summer. Additionally, female subjects showed increased carbohydrate metabolism during winter and spring compared to their male counterparts.
“CYP2B6 genotype is a strong predictor of high systemic exposure to EFV in HIV infected patients.”
These seasonal variations aren’t limited to primates. Similar patterns have been observed in emus, which follow a seasonal pattern of fat deposition—gaining fat during spring and summer in preparation for winter breeding. The emu fat, which produces oil with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, shows changing compositions throughout the year, affecting its medicinal qualities for wound healing and skincare applications.
Implications for Personalized Medicine
The study’s findings have profound implications for personalized medicine approaches. Currently, pharmacogenomic testing helps tailor treatments to individual genetic profiles, but seasonal variations represent an additional layer of complexity that could further refine treatment protocols. For example, the same dose of a medication might produce different effects depending on the time of year it’s administered.
Interestingly, the immune system demonstrates a pro-inflammatory profile during European winter, with increased levels of interleukin-6 receptor and C-reactive protein. These changes may explain why certain conditions worsen seasonally and why some treatments might need seasonal adjustments to maintain effectiveness. The research clearly demonstrates that seasonal changes should be considered major determinants of human physiology and disease management.
