Effects Of Microsomal Enzyme Inducers Research Articles

Role of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B2 in Metabolism of Triiodothyronine: Effect of Microsomal Enzyme Inducers in Sprague Dawley and UGT2B2-Deficient Fischer 344 Rats

Microsomal enzyme inducers (MEI) that increase UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) can impact thyroid hormone homeostasis in rodents. Increased glucuronidation can result in reduction of serum thyroid hormone and a concomitant increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). UGT2B2 is thought to glucuronidate triiodothyronine (T(3)). The purposes of this study were to determine the role of UGT2B2 in T(3) glucuronidation and whether increased T(3) glucuronidation mediates the increased TSH observed after MEI treatment. Sprague Dawley (SD) and UGT2B2-deficient Fischer 344 (F344) rats were fed a control diet or diet containing pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN; 800 ppm), 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC; 200 ppm), or Aroclor 1254 (PCB; 100 ppm) for 7 days. Serum thyroxine (T(4)), T(3), and TSH concentrations, hepatic androsterone/T(4)/T(3) glucuronidation, and thyroid follicular cell proliferation were determined. In both SD and F344 rats, MEI treatments decreased serum T(4), whereas serum T(3) was maintained (except with PCB treatment). Hepatic T(4) glucuronidation increased significantly after MEI in both rat strains. Compared with the other MEI, only PCN treatment significantly increased T(3) glucuronidation (281 and 497%) in both SD and UGT2B2-deficient F344 rats, respectively, and increased both serum TSH and thyroid follicular cell proliferation. These data demonstrate an association among increases in T(3) glucuronidation, TSH, and follicular cell proliferation after PCN treatment, suggesting that T(3) is glucuronidated by other PCN-inducible UGTs in addition to UGT2B2. These data also suggest that PCN (rather than 3-MC or PCB) promotes thyroid tumors through excessive TSH stimulation of the thyroid gland.

Induction of Hepatic Glutathione S-Transferases in Male Mice by Prototypes of Various Classes of Microsomal Enzyme Inducers

The underlying need for glutathione S-transferase (Gst) induction is thought to be an adaptive response to chemical stress within the cell. Classical microsomal enzyme inducers (MEIs) increase the expression of biotransformation enzymes (phase I and II) and transporters through transcription factors, such as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha, and nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The effects of MEIs on the induction of hepatic Gsts in mice have not been comprehensively characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 15 MEIs on the mRNA expression of 19 mouse Gsts. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with three different activators each for AhR, CAR, PXR, PPARalpha, and Nrf2. In general, the Gsts are readily induced. All five transcription factors appear to play a role in Gst induction. The Nrf2 activators induced most Gsts (10), followed by the CAR, PXR, and PPARalpha activators (6-7), whereas the AhR ligands induced the least (1). Clofibrate, a PPARalpha agonist, induced most of the Gsts; however, all three PPARalpha agonists decreased Gstp1/2 mRNA. None of the 15 inducers was able to increase or only minimally increased eight of the Gsts (Gsta3, Gstk1, Gstm6, Gsto1, Gstp1/2, Gstt3, Gstz1, and MGst1). Thus, the protection afforded by a ligand for one of these transcription factors will depend on the activator, as well as which Gst that detoxifies the chemicals of interest.

Expression and Regulation of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein and Multidrug Resistance Associated Protein 2 in BALB/c Mice

Microsomal enzyme inducers are known to influence the expression of many transporter proteins and mRNA. In this study, we examined the effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on the mRNA expression of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) and Multidrug Resistance Associated Protein 2 (MRP2) in BALB/c mice. mRNA expression in liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum was examined in mice, which were treated with microsomal enzyme inducers-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and pregnane-x-receptor (PXR) ligand pregenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) and compared with control vehicle. The results suggested that the expression level of bcrp mRNA in the ileum was twice that in the liver, duodenum and jejunum using both semi quantitative PCR and Real-time PCR. Mrp2 mRNA was significantly increased by both PCN and 3-MC treatment. In contrast, bcrp mRNA expression was not significantly affected by these inducers. In summary, this study demonstrated that the expression of mrp2 mRNA is regulated by PCN and 3-MC, however, bcrp mRNA expression was not significantly affected by PCN and 3-MC.

Regulation of rat multidrug resistance protein 2 by classes of prototypical microsomal enzyme inducers that activate distinct transcription pathways.

Microsomal enzyme inducers are capable of modulating biliary excretion of organic anions and bile flow, but the mechanism for modulation is unknown. Therefore, this study was designed (1) to determine the effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on protein and mRNA expression of rat multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2), a canalicular organic anion transporter; and (2) to determine whether classes of microsomal enzyme inducers affect Mrp2 expression in similar manners, thus implying specific nuclear receptor-activated transcription pathways. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor (AhR) ligands/cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A inducers, constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) ligands/CYP2B inducers, pregnane-X receptor (PXR) ligands/CYP3A inducers, peroxisomal proliferator-activating receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) ligands/CYP4A inducers, antioxidant/electrophile response element (ARE/EpRE) ligands, CYP2E1 inducers, or control vehicle. Mrp2 protein levels were significantly increased by all 3 PXR ligands/CYP3A inducers (pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile [PCN], spironolactone [SP], and dexamethasone [DEX]) and by both ARE/EpRE ligands (ethoxyquin [EQ] and oltipraz [OPZ]). In contrast, PPARalpha ligands/CYP4A inducers (clofibric acid [CLOF], di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate [DEHP], and perfluorodecanoic acid [PFDA]) tended to decrease Mrp2 protein levels. Mrp2 mRNA expression was not significantly affected by any microsomal enzyme inducer, though ARE/EpRE ligands tended to upregulate Mrp2 mRNA. In summary, this study demonstrates that Mrp2 protein levels are significantly increased by PXR ligands/CYP3A inducers and ARE/EpRE ligands, and appear to be decreased by PPARalpha ligands/CYP4A inducers by posttranscriptional mechanisms. Furthermore, these data suggest that measuring Mrp2 mRNA is not a good indicator for Mrp2 protein expression in vivo.

Effect of microsomal enzyme inducers on the biliary excretion of triiodothyronine (T(3)) and its metabolites.

It has been postulated that inducers of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) decrease circulating thyroid hormone concentrations by increasing their biliary excretion. The inducers pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), and Aroclor 1254 (PCB) are each effective at reducing serum thyroxine concentrations. However, only PCN treatment produces a marked increase in serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), whereas 3MC and PCB cause little to no increase in TSH. Excessive TSH elevation is considered the primary stimulus for thyroid tumor development in rats, yet the mechanism by which enzyme induction leads to TSH elevation is not fully understood. Whereas PCN, 3MC, and PCB all increase microsomal UGT activity toward T(4), only PCN causes an increase in T(3)-UGT activity in vitro. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PCN, which increases serum TSH, causes an increase in the glucuronidation and biliary excretion of T(3) in vivo. Male rats were fed control diet or diet containing PCN (1000 ppm), 3MC (250 ppm), or PCB (100 ppm) for 7 days. Animals were then given [(125)I]-T(3), i.v., and bile was collected for 2 h. Radiolabeled metabolites in bile were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC with gamma-detection. The biliary excretion of total radioactivity was increased up to 75% by PCN, but not by 3MC or PCB. Of the T(3) excreted into bile, approximately 75% was recovered as T(3)-glucuronide, with remaining amounts represented as T(3)-sulfate, T(2)-sulfate, T(3), and T(2). Biliary excretion of T(3)-glucuronide was increased up to 66% by PCN, while neither 3MC nor PCB altered T(3)-glucuronide excretion. These findings indicate that PCN increases the glucuronidation and biliary excretion of T(3) in vivo, and suggest that enhanced elimination of T(3) may be the mechanism responsible for the increases in serum TSH caused by PCN.

Effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on thyroid follicular cell proliferation and thyroid hormone metabolism.

The effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on thyroid hormone homeostasis and the thyroid gland are of concern. We have investigated the effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on thyroid follicular cell proliferation and thyroid hormone metabolism in rats. We have shown that small increases in serum TSH can result in large increases in thyroid follicular cell proliferation. Furthermore, only those microsomal enzyme inducers that increase serum TSH--that is, phenobarbital (PB) and pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN)-increase thyroid follicular cell proliferation, whereas those microsomal enzyme inducers that do not increase serum TSH--that is, 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and Aroclor 1254 (PCB)-do not increase thyroid follicular cell proliferation. Deiodination does not appear to be the reason why serum T3 concentrations are maintained in microsomal enzyme inducer-treated rats. We have also shown that those microsomal enzyme inducers that increase serum TSH increase T3 UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity, whereas those microsomal enzyme inducers that do not increase serum TSH do not increase T3 UGT activity. This finding suggests that induction of T3 glucuronidation, rather than T4 glucuronidation, mediates increases in serum TSH of microsomal enzyme inducer treated rats.

Differential effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on in vitro thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)) glucuronidation.

Microsomal enzyme inducers that increase UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-GT) activity are suspected to affect the thyroid gland by increasing the glucuronidation of T(4), which reduces serum thyroxine (T(4)). In response to reduced serum T(4), serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) increases. However, not all microsomal enzyme inducers that reduce serum T(4) produce an increase in serum TSH. We have shown that serum TSH is increased the most in rats treated with the microsomal enzyme inducers phenobarbital (PB) or pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), whereas TSH is affected less in rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and Aroclor 1254 (PCB). It is unclear why serum TSH is differentially affected by various microsomal enzyme inducers. We propose that the glucuronidation of T(3) might be the reason serum TSH is increased by some microsomal enzyme inducers but not by others. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a basal diet or a diet containing PB (at 300, 600, 1200, or 2400 ppm), PCN (at 200, 400, 800, or 1600 ppm), 3MC (at 50, 100, 200, or 400 ppm), or PCB (at 25, 50, 100, or 200 ppm) for 7 days; and T(4) and T(3) UDP-GT activities were then determined. T(4) UDP-GT activity was increased in rats treated with PB (120%), PCN (250 to 400%), 3MC (400 to 600%), or PCB (300 to 430%). In contrast, T(3) UDP-GT activity was increased in rats treated with PB (90%) or PCN (120 to 200%), whereas 3MC and PCB treatments did not have an appreciable effect. In conclusion, differential effects on T(3) glucuronosyltransferase activity were found in rats treated with microsomal enzyme inducers.

Effects of Microsomal Enzyme Inducers on Outer-Ring Deiodinase Activity toward Thyroid Hormones in Various Rat Tissues

Microsomal enzyme inducers, such as phenobarbital (PB), pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), and Aroclor 1254 (PCB) are more effective at reducing serum thyroxine (T4) than serum triiodothyronine (T3). It is possible that rats treated with PB and PCN maintain serum T3 by increasing serum TSH, which stimulates the thyroid gland to synthesize more T3. However, it is unclear how serum T3 is maintained in rats treated with 3MC or PCB, because serum TSH is not increased in these rats. We hypothesized that increased conversion of T4 to T3, catalyzed by outer-ring deiodinases (ORD) type-I and -II, is the reason serum T3 is maintained in rats treated with 3MC or PCB. Furthermore, 3MC and PCB do not increase serum TSH, whereas PB and PCN do, because type-II ORD activity in the pituitary of 3MC- and PCB-treated rats is increased greater than in rats treated with PB or PCN. To test these two hypotheses, male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed either a basal diet or a diet containing PB (300, 600, 1200, or 2400 ppm), PCN (200, 400, 800, or 1600 ppm), 3MC (50, 100, 200, or 400 ppm), or PCB (25, 50, 100, or 200 ppm) for 7 days. Type-I ORD activity was measured in thyroid, kidney, and liver, whereas type-II ORD activity was measured in brown adipose tissue, pituitary, and brain. Type-I ORD activity in thyroid was not affected by PB, 3MC, or PCB treatments, and was slightly increased by PCN. Type-I ORD activity in kidney was not affected by PB, PCN, or 3MC treatments, and was reduced by PCB treatment. Type-I ORD activity in liver was reduced by PB, PCN, 3MC, and PCB treatments. Type-II ORD activity in brown adipose tissue was unaffected by any of the four treatments. Type-II ORD activity in pituitary was unaffected by PB or 3MC treatments, and was increased by PCN or PCB treatments. Type-II ORD activity in brain was unaffected by PB treatment, and was increased by PCN, 3MC, and PCB treatments. Overall, total ORD activity, calculated by summation of ORD activities in thyroid, kidney, liver, brown adipose tissue, pituitary, and brain, was reduced rather than increased by the four microsomal enzyme inducers. In conclusion, increased conversion of T4 to T3 is not the reason serum T3 concentration is maintained in 3MC- or PCB-treated rats. Furthermore, the reason serum TSH is not increased in 3MC- and PCB-treated rats is the result of mechanisms other than increased type-II ORD activity in pituitary.

Effects of Microsomal Enzyme Inducers on Thyroid-Follicular Cell Proliferation, Hyperplasia, and Hypertrophy

The microsomal enzyme inducer (MEI), phenobarbital (PB), has been proposed to promote thyroid tumors by increasing the biotransformation and elimination of T4, resulting in an increase in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In turn, TSH stimulates thyroid gland function, growth, and ultimately neoplasia. The dose-dependent effects of MEI on thyroid-follicular cell proliferation, a measure of thyroid gland growth, has not been reported. In the present study, it was hypothesized that MEIs that increase TSH would stimulate thyroid-follicular cell proliferation and the total number of thyroid-follicular cells. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed either a basal diet or a diet containing PB (at 300, 600, 1200, or 2400 ppm), pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN) (at 200, 400, 800, or 1600 ppm), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) (at 50, 100, 200, or 400 ppm), or Aroclor 1254 (PCB) (at 25, 50, 100, or 200 ppm) for 7 days. PB and PCN increased TSH 65% and 95%, respectively, whereas 3MC and PCB did not appreciably affect TSH. PB and PCN increased thyroid-follicular cell proliferation 625% and 1200%, respectively, whereas 3MC and PCB did not have a consistent or appreciable effect. The total number of thyroid-follicular cells was not significantly increased by MEI treatment. In conclusion, small increases in TSH by PB and PCN produced large increases in thyroid-follicular cell proliferation, which did not result in a comparable increase in the total number of thyroid-follicular cells. Furthermore, MEI that did not increase TSH did not consistently or appreciably increase thyroid-follicular cell proliferation or cell number.

Microsomal enzyme inducers raise plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in healthy control subjects but not in patients with primary hypoalphalipoproteinemia.

In this study we compared the ability of phenytoin, a microsomal enzyme inducer, to raise plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in normolipidemic subjects and patients with primary hypoalphalipoproteinemia. In healthy control subjects, phenytoin caused a dose-dependent increase of plasma HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol levels, up to 40% to 50%. Minor changes were recorded in the plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and apo A-II; the plasma level of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) decreased by 42%. In contrast, none of the patients with hypoalphalipoproteinemia had changes in plasma HDL, HDL2, or HDL3 cholesterol, apo A-I, apo A-II, or CETP levels. These findings indicate that microsomal enzyme inducers are unsuitable to increase plasma HDL levels in high-risk patients with primary hypoalphalipoproteinemia, and they disclose a new mechanism, that is, decreased CETP-mediated transfer of cholesterol out of HDL, for the HDL-raising effect of microsomal enzyme inducers in healthy individuals.

Effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in livers of rats and hamsters

The effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes were studied in livers of rats and hamsters using three hypolipidemic drugs of the peroxisome proliferator type and the two model substances phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). The effects were investigated by immunoblot analysis of the various GST subunits using polyclonal antibodies directed to rat subunits 1–4. In untreated animals the subunit composition was different, with hamsters having a much higher content of class mu isoenzymes. Administration of all three hypolipidemic drugs reduced the protein concentration of both alpha and mu class GSTs in rats but reduced only class mu subunits in hamsters. This reduction was in good agreement with the decreased activity observed with the broad-spectrum substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) in both species. As expected, PB and MC increased GST activity together with the concentration of subunits 1 and 3 in rats. In hamsters, PB significantly increased subunit 1 and slightly reduced subunits 3 and 4, although this decrease was not significant. Total GST, measured with CDNB, was reduced by 17%. In contrast, MC slightly decreased subunit 1 and markedly raised subunits 3 and 4, resulting in a net increase in total GST activity. All drugs increased relative liver weight, microsomal protein concentration and total P450 in both species; in contrast, total cytosolic proteins were raised by all drugs in rats but not in hamsters, except for MC. The results obtained in these two species show that GST activity is not always increased by microsomal enzyme inducers. The response may depend in part on isoenzyme profile, and varies with the subunit considered.

Effects of microsomal enzyme inducers upon UDP-glucuronic acid concentration and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in the rat intestine and liver

This study was conducted to evaluate UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-GT) activity, UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GA) concentration, and UDP-glucose (UDPG) concentration in the rat intestine and liver following oral administration of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), benzo[ a]pyrene (BaP), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), phenobarbital (PB), pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD), or trans-stilbene oxide (TSO). Microsomal UDP-GT activity was assayed in vitro with acetaminophen (AA), harmol (HA), and 1-naphthol (NA) as the aglycones. Intestinal HA and AA glucuronidation were enhanced by BHA, BaP, and TSO, whereas 3MC, PB, PCN, and TCDD augmented hepatic HA-glucuronide formation and BHA, PB, PCN, TCDD, and TSO significantly increased hepatic AA glucuronidation. All inducing agents except PB and PCN markedly increased both intestinal and hepatic NA glucuronidation. PB, PCN, and TCDD paradoxically decreased intestinal glucuronidation of AA and HA. A similar effect upon hepatic glucuronidation was not observed with any of the agents studied. Hepatic UDP-GA concentration was increased significantly by all inducers studied except PCN and TCDD, whereas hepatic UDPG concentration was increased only by BHA. In the intestine, significant increases in UDP-GA concentration were produced only by BHA and BaP, which also elevated intestinal UDPG. These results demonstrate that microsomal enzyme inducers evoke different effects upon intestinal and hepatic glucuronidation. These differences are manifested with regard to induced changes in UDP-GT activity as well as treatment-induced alterations in UDP-GA content. Thus, the present study further underscores the marked variance of intestinal and hepatic xenobiotic glucuronidation.

Sex differences in the effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on hepatic phase I drug metabolism in the rat

This study investigates the sex-dependence of the effects of microsomal enzyme inducers (phenobarbitone, isosafrole and ethanol) on the hepatic phase I metabolism of lignocaine and imipramine. It is shown that all of the inducers exert sex-dependent effects on the enzymes activities known to be sex related in the rat, e.g. lignocaine N-deethylase activity is decreased by phenobarbitone pretreatment in the male but increased by the same treatment in the female. The inducers tend to decrease the sex differences seen in untreated animals. Ethanol may give this effect by its action of decreasing serum testosterone levels but the mechanism of action of the other compounds is uncertain. It is possible that the sex-dependent cytochrome P-450 species are selectively sensitive to the action of the compounds in terms of induction, repression or inhibition. It is clear, however, that the effects of the pretreatments are related to the sex differences in phase I metabolism in the rat.

Effect of microsomal enzyme inducers on the soluble enzymes of hepatic phase II biotransformation

Numerous xenobiotics induce microsomal enzymes such as cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, epoxide hydrolase, and UDP-glucuronyltransferase by causing an increase in enzyme synthesis. Since induction of soluble enzymes involved in phase II biotransformation has not been thoroughly studied, effects of the following microsomal enzyme inducers on three important soluble enzymes were examined: phenobarbital (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), isosafrole (ISF), pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD), and trans-stilbene oxide (TSO). Representative microsomal enzymes of phase I pathways were examined simultaneously to indicate effective induction. The inducers selected produced the expected increases in hepatic cytochrome P-450 (75–170%), ethylmorphine (200–260%), and benzphetamine (100–260%) N-demethylation, benzo[ a]pyrene hydroxylation (300%), ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (2700%), and styrene oxide hydration (100–270%). The soluble conjugative enzymes studied were glutathione S-transferase, N-acetyltransferase, and sulfotransferase. Glutathione conjugation of 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, and sulfobromophthalein was increased by TSO (100–160%), BHA (60–80%), ISF (60–80%), and PB (60–80%). β-Naphthylamine N-acetyltransferase activity was increased by PCN and 3-MC (60 and 40%, respectively). Only PCN was able to enhance sulfotransferase. Sulfation of 2-naphthol, taurolithocholate, and dehydroepiandrosterone was increased by 28, 111, and 140%, respectively. In conclusion, while microsomal enzymes could be readily induced, activity of soluble phase II enzymes was increased to a much lesser extent. Of the inducers studied, PCN was the most effective at increasing activity of soluble enzymes.

Effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on the in vivo activation of cyclophosphamide to mutagenic metabolites

Effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on the in vivo activation of cyclophosphamide to mutagenic metabolites

Mutagenicity of urine from rats after administration of 2,4-diaminoanisole: The effect of microsomal enzyme inducers

Ring 14C-labelled 2,4-diaminoanisole disulfate was administered to rats pretreated with the microsomal inducers phenobarbital (PB), β-naphthoflavone (BNF), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD). The 24-h urine from rats pretreated with PB showed a 2-fold increase in revertant rate over the corresponding control as measured by the Ames Salmonella test system. Pretreatment of rats with BNF, MC or TCDD decreased the mutagenicity of urine by about 70% when an activating system was used. However, in the absence of an activating system, the urine from rats induced with BNF, MC or TCDD showed a significant ( P < 0.001) degree of mutagenicity compared with urine from controls or urine from phenobarbital-induced rats. Release of conjugates by β-glucuronidase increased the mutagenicity of urine even in the absence of an activating system, but the number of revertants was almost doubled in the presence of an activating system. The urine from rats treated only with the 4 inducers did not show any mutagenicity. 2,4-Diaminoanisole itself was mutagenic only in the presence of an activating system. α-Naphthoflavone (ANF) (0.1 mM) inhibited by 85–90% the in vitro mutagenicity of urine, mediated by Aroclor® 1254, MC or TCDD induced rat-liver microsomes. The mutagenicity mediated through PB-induced rat-liver microsomes was, however, inhibited only by 16%. Similarly, 0.1 mM metyrapone (MP) inhibited the mutagenicity of urine by Aroclor® 1254, MC or TCDD induced rat-liver microsomes by 13–18%. For the same MP concentration a 50% inhibition of the mutagenicity mediated through PB-induced rat-liver microsomes was observed. The mutagenicity pattern for urine in vitro was shown to be similar with liver S9 from rats induced either with Aroclor® 1254 or with MC.

The utility of the microsomal 4-chlorobiphenyl hydroxylase enzyme assay in distinguishing between phenobarbitone- and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced microsomal monooxygenases

4-Chlorobiphenyl was used as a substrate for the in vitro determination of rat hepatic microsomal, cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activity. The 4-chlorobiphenyl hydroxylase assay was tested for its ability to distinguish between a variety of phenobarbitone- and 3-methylcholanthrene-type inducers. Two radiometric procedures were employed to investigate the metabolism of 4-chlorobiphenyl. First, the metabolite profile of 4-chlorobiphenyl was analyzed by radio-thin-layer chromatography. This procedure permitted an assessment of the effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of 4-chlorobiphenyl metabolism. Second, the rate of 4-chlorobiphenyl metabolism was determined by a differential extraction procedure which separated unreacted starting material (hexane phase) from metabolites (base phase). This procedure provided a rapid measurement of the overall activity of 4-chlorobiphenyl hydroxylase. Irrespective of the animal pretreatment, the metabolite profile of 4-chlorobiphenyl was dominated by 4′-chloro-4-biphenyl. Unlike the qualitative aspects, the quantitative aspects of 4-chlorobiphenyl metabolism were markedly influenced by animal pretreatment. Specifically, 3-methylcholanthrene-type inducers (3-methylcholanthrene and 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl) enhanced the activity of 4-chlorobiphenyl hydroxylase at least 10 times more than phenobarbitone-type inducers (phenobarbitone, 2,2′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl, and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl) enabling these two classes of inducers to be clearly distinguished. It is concluded that 4-chlorobiphenyl is preferentially metabolized by the 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible form(s) of cytochrome P-450 and that this class of microsomal enzyme inducers can be readily distinguished from phenobarbitone-type inducers by means of the 4-chlorobiphenyl hydroxylase assay.

4-chlorobiphenyl metabolism: The effects of chemical inducers

1. 1. The total metabolism of 4-chlorobiphenyl by rat hepatic microsomes to give lipophilic phenolic products, trichloracetic acid-soluble conjugates and macromolecular-substrate adducts has been determined. 2. 2. The metabolism of this substrate by cytochrome P-450, cytochrome P-448 and mixed cytochrome P-450/ P-448 induced microsomal enzymes yielded a single major phenolic product, 4′-chloro-4-biphenylol. 3. 3. Microsomal enzymes from animals pretreated with cytochrome P-448 and mixed cytochrome P-450/ P-448 chemical inducers enhanced the metabolic activity whereas the activity with cytochrome P-450 induced enzymes was similar to the non-induced enzyme system. 4. 4. The unusual metabolic activity of this substrate indicated the important directive effects of the chloro substituent and suggested the potential utility of this hydroxylase assay in evaluating the effects of microsomal enzyme inducers.

Effects of microsomal enzyme inducers in vivo and inhibitors in vitro on the covalent binding of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites to DNA catalyzed by liver microsomes from genetically responsive and nonresponsive mice

The in vitro DNA binding of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites generated by mouse liver microsomes can be resolved into at least nine distinct peaks by elution of a Sephadex LH20 column with a water-methanol gradient. These peaks, representing metabolite-nucleoside complexes, are named A (most polar) through I (least polar). 3-Methylcholanthrene, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin, phenobarbital, Aroclor 1254, pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile, or ethanol was administered in vivo to genetically “responsive” C57BL/6N or “nonresponsive” DBA/2N mice, in an attempt to understand and identify increases or decreases in reactive BP intermediates that bind to DNA. Rises or falls in these peaks are also noted when liver microsomes from control or 3-methylcholanthrene-treated C57BL/6N or DBA/2N mice were incubated in vitro with [ 3H]benzo[a]pyrene and microsomal enzyme inhibitors such as α-naphthoflavone, metyrapone or cyclohexene oxide. All of our interpretations concerning the binding of metabolites to DNA are consistent with non-K-region oxygenation of benzo[a]pyrene being mediated predominantly by cytochrome(s) P 1-450 and K-region oxygenation of benzo[a]pyrene being catalysed predominantly by form(s) of P-450 other than P 1-450. All of the biological perturbations are consistent with the following assignments. The major reactive intermediate of benzo[a]pyrene contributing to each peak is suggested to be: peaks A and C, an unknown dihydrodiol oxide; peaks B, D, F and I, quinones oxygenated further (or quinone-derived free radicals); peak E, both cis- and tans-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxides; peak F′, the 7.8-oxide; peak G, the 4.5-oxide; and peak H, an unknown phenol oxide. The DNA nucleosides are not identified in this study. Of the ten peaks listed here, it is of interest that the major metabolite(s) contributing to eight of the peaks (all except peaks F' and G) involve(s) more than a single mono-oxygenation by forms of cytochrome P-450. All peaks, with the exception of peak G, appear to be predominantly associated with benzo[a]pyrene metabolism mediated by P 1-450 and, therefore, controlled by the Ah locus. The use of these microsomal enzyme inducers or inhibitors—combined with the underlying genetic predisposition of the individual, tissue, or cell culture system under study—demonstrates that the balance between P-450 and epoxide hydrase, and the ratio of each form of P-450 to the other forms of P-450, can influence markedly the quantity and quality of reactive intermediates of benzo[a]pyrene that bind to DNA.

Effect of microsomal enzyme inducers on carrier-mediated transport systems in isolated rat hepatocytes

Effect of microsomal enzyme inducers on carrier-mediated transport systems in isolated rat hepatocytes