Relationship between metabolism and cytotoxicity of ortho-phenylphenol in isolated rat hepatocytes

Abstract

The relationship between the metabolism and the cytotoxicity of ortho-phenylphenol (OPP) was investigated using isolated rat hepatocytes. Addition of OPP (0.5–1.0 mM) to the hepatocytes caused a dose-dependent toxicity; 1.0 mM OPP caused acute cell death. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with SKF-525A (50 μM,a non-toxic level) enhanced the cytotoxicity of OPP (0.5–1.0 mM). This was accompanied by inhibition of OPP metabolism. Conversely, OPP at low concentrations (0.5 or 0.75 mM) was converted sequentially to phenyl-hydroquinol (PHQ) and then to glutathione (GSH) conjugate in the cells. The concentrations of both metabolites, especially PHQ-GSH conjugate, were very low in hepatocytes exposed to 1.0 mM OPP alone as well as with SKF-525A. The cytotoxicity induced by 0.5 mM OPP was enhanced by the addition of diethylmaleate (1.25 mM) which continuously depletes cellular GSH. In contrast, additions to hepatocytes of 5 mM of dithiothreitol, cysteine, N- acetyl- l- cysteine or ascorbic acid significantly inhibited the cytotoxicity induced by 0.5 mM PHQ; GSH, protein thiols and ATP losses were also prevented. Further, these compounds depressed the rate of PHQ loss in hepatocyte suspensions. These results indicate that the acute cytotoxicity caused by the high dose (1.0 mM) of OPP is associated with direct action by the parent compound; at low doses (0.5–0.75 mM) of OPP, the prolonged depletion of GSH in hepatocytes enhances the cytotoxicity induced by PHQ.