Influence of betamethasone dipropionate and prednisone on enzyme kinetics

Abstract

Most pharmaceutical and nutritional compounds are marketed as enzyme inhibitors, and such inhibitors show their specific action in inhibiting enzymes within cells. Since their discovery, corticosteroid treatment has been one of the most used and effective treatments for various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, so it is hypothesized that these corticosteroids will have an inhibitory effect on the enzyme catalase. This study aimed to examine the effect of the corticosteroid’s betamethasone dipropionate and prednisone on catalase activity in vitro. A spectrophotometric method was used based on the reaction between hydrogen peroxide, enzymes, and corticosteroids. After incubation at 37°C with the addition of ammonium heptamolybdate, a stable complex was formed, and the absorbances were analysed. The obtained results indicate an uncompetitive type of inhibition in betamethasone dipropionate, while prednisone acts as a partial competitive agent.