Co-suppression by Nicardipine, a Calcium Antagonist, of Induction of Microsomal LauricAcid Hydroxylation with Peroxisome Proliferation in Clofibrate-Treated Rat Liver.

Abstract

The in vivo effect of nicardipine, a well-known calcium antagonist, on microsomal omega-oxidation of laurate in clofibrate-treated rat liver was studied. The 15.3-fold induction of the activity by 2 weeks administration of 0.25% clofibrate in the diet was markedly suppressed to about 6-fold by co-administration of nicardipine at 100 mg/kg body weight. Similarly, the induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation and carnitine acetyltransferase activities were also suppressed by this simultaneous administration by more than 50%. Although clofibrate also induced the activity of reduced nicotineamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome c reductase and increased the hepatic content of cytochrome P-450, no suppressive effect of nicardipine was observed. Contrarily, nicardipine induced the reductase activity and increased the hepatic content of cytochromes P-450 and b5. These results provide the first demonstration of a calcium antagonist, e.g. nicardipine acting as inhibitor of the induction of microsomal omega-oxidation, in association with the inhibition of peroxisome proliferation in animals. The suppression of drug-induced peroxisome proliferation and microsomal omega-oxidation by the calcium antagonist may help in elucidating the causal relationship of the induction mechanisms between peroxisomal and microsomal enzymes.