[Human biodiversity and its effects on the pharmacological variability: CYP2D6 and NAT2 enzymes in Amerind populations of Panama, Colombia and Costa Rica].

Human biodiversity originates partially from human microevolution, which have produced different populations. This biodiversity is responsible for most of the variability in drug response. We present the methodology employed in population pharmacology studies and general information about the CYP2D6 and NAT2 systems. We report results obtained in Embera and Ngawbe Amerindians, who are characterized by a low phenotypic and genotypic CYP2D6 diversity. In regard to NAT2, Amerindians are distinguished by a high allelic frequency of S3 and low ones of S1 and S2, situation which is reversed in Caucasians.