Hepatic Cytochrome P450 3A Research Articles

Quantitative Analyses of the Influence of Parameters Governing Rate-Determining Process of Hepatic Elimination of Drugs on the Magnitudes of Drug-Drug Interactions via Hepatic OATPs and CYP3A Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models were constructed for hepatic organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) and cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) substrates (bosentan, repaglinide, clarithromycin, and simeprevir), a CYP3A probe substrate (midazolam), and selective inhibitors for OATPs (rifampicin) and CYP3A (itraconazole), although the role of OATPs in the hepatic uptake of clarithromycin is unclear. The pharmacokinetic data were obtained from our previous clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) study. Parameters optimized from clinical PK data were confirmed to reproduce their blood concentrations in control phase. DDIs with rifampicin and itraconazole were simulated using in vivo Rdif (ratio of diffusional uptake to active uptake) and β (the fraction of the sum of intrinsic clearances for metabolism and biliary excretion in all possible itineraries of intracellular drugs including basolateral efflux) estimated by static analyses based on the extended clearance concept, in vivo inhibition constant (Ki) for hepatic OATPs reported previously, and in vivo Ki for CYP3A determined from DDI data with midazolam and itraconazole. Sensitivity analyses showed the magnitudes of DDIs largely depended on Rdif and β. In conclusion, our approach using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling showed that the rational estimation of parameters governing rate-determining process of hepatic elimination is critical to accurately predict DDI magnitudes involving OATPs/CYP3A inhibition.

A Clinical Cassette Dosing Study for Evaluating the Contribution of Hepatic OATPs and CYP3A to Drug-Drug Interactions.

To demonstrate the relative importance of organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) and cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) in the hepatic elimination of substrate drugs. A cocktail of subtherapeutic doses of bosentan, repaglinide, clarithromycin, darunavir, simeprevir, and midazolam (CYP3A probe) was administered orally to eight healthy volunteers. Rifampicin (OATP inhibitor; 600mg, p.o.) and itraconazole (CYP3A inhibitor; 200mg, i.v.) were coadministered with the cocktail in the second and third phases, respectively. Based on the extended clearance concept, in vivo β values (fraction of metabolism plus biliary excretion among all the intracellular fates of drugs including basolateral efflux) and Rdif values (ratio of diffusional uptake to active uptake) were estimated. Rifampicin increased plasma AUCs of bosentan (×3.2), repaglinide (×1.9), clarithromycin (×1.9) and simeprevir (×7.2). Itraconazole increased those of clarithromycin (×2.3), simeprevir (×2.2) and midazolam (×3.7), which had relatively small β values. The plasma AUC of bosentan (with relatively large β and small Rdif) was dominated by OATP-mediated uptake. The AUC of simeprevir was also dominated by OATP-mediated uptake because of its small Rdif value. The DDI study clarified the rate-determining processes of OATP/CYP3A substrates. Our analyses provide valuable information for predicting complex drug-drug interactions involving multiple processes.

Publisher's note

Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus, DCCO) were orally exposed to Deepwater Horizon Mississippi Canyon 252 (DWH) oil to investigate oil-induced toxicological impacts. Livers were collected for multiple analyses including cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) enzymatic activity and protein expression. CYP1A enzymatic activity was measured by alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (AROD) assays. Activities specific to the O-dealkylation of four resorufin ethers are reported: benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD), ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD), and pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD). CYP1A protein expression was measured by western blot analysis with a CYP1A1 mouse monoclonal antibody. In study 1, hepatic BROD, EROD, and PROD activities were significantly induced in DCCO orally exposed to 20ml/kg body weight (bw) oil as a single dose or daily for 5 days. Western blot analysis revealed hepatic CYP1A protein induction in both treatment groups. In study 2 (5ml/kg bw oil or 10ml/kg bw oil, 21day exposure), all four hepatic ARODs were significantly induced. Western blots showed an increase in hepatic CYP1A expression in both treatment groups with a significant induction in birds exposed to 10ml/kg oil. Significant correlations were detected among all 4 AROD activities in both studies and between CYP1A protein expression and both MROD and PROD activities in study 2. EROD activity was highest for both treatment groups in both studies while BROD activity had the greatest fold-induction. While PROD activity values were consistently low, the fold-induction was high, usually 2nd highest to BROD activity. The observed induced AROD profiles detected in the present studies suggest both CYP1A4/1A5 DCCO isoforms are being induced after MC252 oil ingestion. A review of the literature on avian CYP1A AROD activity levels and protein expression after exposure to CYP1A inducers highlights the need for species-specific studies to accurately evaluate avian exposure to oil.

Biomarker response and hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis functioning in Arctic charr from Bjørnøya (74°30′ N), Norway, with high levels of organohalogenated compounds

The populations of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) residing in Lake Ellasjøen at Bjørnøya Island in the Norwegian Arctic (74° 30′N, 19° 00′E) possess substantially higher levels of organohalogenated compounds (strongly dominated by polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs) than conspecifics residing in other, proximate lakes on the island. In the present study we sampled large (<400g), immature charr from Lake Ellasjøen (high PCB levels) and Lake Laksvatn (reference lake, low PCB levels) by hook and line for an immediate blood sampling, and blood and tissue sampling after a 1h confinement stressor. This was done in order to investigate possible effects of pollutants on an acute stress performance in a high-latitude fish species by comparing muscle PCB levels, hepatic cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) biomarker activation and functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis between these two populations of Arctic charr. As expected sum PCB muscle levels were 8-fold higher on a wet weigh basis, and 19-fold higher on a lipid weight basis, in charr from Ellasjøen than in charr from Laksvatn. This was accompanied by a 3.5-fold higher liver cyp1a mRNA abundance in the Ellasjøen charr compared to Laksvatn charr. Brain transcript levels encoding glucocorticoid receptor 1 and 2 (GR2) and corticotropin-releasing factor, and pituitary transcript levels encoding GR2 and proopiomelanocortin A1 and A2 were higher in Ellasjøen charr than in Laksvatn charr, while interrenal transcript levels encoding melanocortin 2 receptor and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein were lower. There were no differences in plasma cortisol concentration between the two charr populations immediately after capture and one hour after confinement. The strong biomarker response to OHCs and altered mRNA abundances of key genes related to HPI axis functioning in the Ellasjøen charr suggest endocrine disruptive effects of OHCs in this charr population. Possible ecological implications are not known, but it cannot be excluded that a slower growth rate in Ellasjøen charr compared to Laksvatn charr due to an increased metabolic demand associated with the activation of xenobiotic defense and detoxification systems may have contributed to the lower body mass of Ellasjøen charr compared to Laksvatn charr.

Population impacts in white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) exposed to oil sands-derived contaminants in the Athabasca River.

Biological and chemical endpoints were measured in white sucker collected downstream of Athabasca oil sands developments (AB, Canada) and compared with those at Calling Lake (AB, Canada), a reference location upstream of the Athabasca oil sands deposit. Naphthenic acid concentrations were also measured at 14 sites in the Athabasca River watershed. Concentrations of naphthenic acids were elevated in tributaries adjacent to oil sands mining developments. Tributary naphthenic acid profiles were more similar to aged oil sands process water than samples from the Athabasca River, suggesting an influence of tailings in the tributaries. White sucker showed higher energy storage in the Athabasca River as indicated by significantly higher condition and liver size. White sucker were not investing that energy into reproductive effort as measured by gonad size and fecundity, which were significantly reduced relative to the reference location. White sucker showed increased exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as indicated by hepatic cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) activity and fluorescent bile metabolites, as well as higher concentrations of naphthenic acids in bile. Cadmium, copper, nickel, and selenium were also elevated in white sucker liver tissue compared with the reference location. Based on the exposure profile and response pattern observed, effects on energy storage and utilization in white sucker from the Athabasca River most likely resulted from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons derived from petrogenic and pyrolytic sources. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2058-2067. © 2017 SETAC.

Epigallocatechin gallate induces a hepatospecific decrease in the CYP3A expression level by altering intestinal flora

In previous studies, we showed that a high-dose intake of green tea polyphenol (GP) induced a hepatospecific decrease in the expression and activity of the drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A). In this study, we examined whether this decrease in CYP3A expression is induced by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is the main component of GP. After a diet containing 1.5% EGCG was given to mice, the hepatic CYP3A expression was measured. The level of intestinal bacteria of Clostridium spp., the concentration of lithocholic acid (LCA) in the feces, and the level of the translocation of pregnane X receptor (PXR) to the nucleus in the liver were examined. A decrease in the CYP3A expression level was observed beginning on the second day of the treatment with EGCG. The level of translocation of PXR to the nucleus was significantly lower in the EGCG group. The fecal level of LCA was clearly decreased by the EGCG treatment. The level of intestinal bacteria of Clostridium spp. was also decreased by the EGCG treatment. It is clear that the hepatospecific decrease in the CYP3A expression level observed after a high-dose intake of GP was caused by EGCG. Because EGCG, which is not absorbed from the intestine, causes a decrease in the level of LCA-producing bacteria in the colon, the level of LCA in the liver decreases, resulting in a decrease in the nuclear translocation of PXR, which in turn leads to the observed decrease in the expression level of CYP3A.

Cessation of oil exposure in harlequin ducks after the Exxon Valdez oil spill: Cytochrome P4501A biomarker evidence

The authors quantified hepatic hydrocarbon-inducible cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) expression, as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, in wintering harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) captured in Prince William Sound, Alaska (USA), during 2011, 2013, and 2014 (22-25 yr following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill). Average EROD activity was compared between birds from areas oiled by the spill and those from nearby unoiled areas. The present study replicated studies conducted from 1998 to 2009 demonstrating that harlequin ducks using areas oiled in 1989 had elevated EROD activity, indicative of oil exposure, up to 2 decades post spill. In the present study, it was found that average EROD activity during March 2011 was significantly higher in wintering harlequin ducks captured in oiled areas relative to unoiled areas, which the authors interpret to indicate that harlequin ducks continued to be exposed to residual Exxon Valdez oil up to 22 yr after the original spill. However, the 2011 results also indicated reductions in exposure relative to previous years. Average EROD activity in birds from oiled areas was approximately 2 times that in birds from unoiled areas in 2011, compared with observations from 2005 to 2009, in which EROD activity was 3 to 5 times higher in oiled areas. It was also found that average EROD activity during March 2013 and March 2014 was not elevated in wintering harlequin ducks from oiled areas. The authors interpret these findings to indicate that exposure of harlequin ducks to residual Exxon Valdez oil abated within 24 yr after the original spill. The present study finalizes a timeline of exposure, extending over 2 decades, for a bird species thought to be particularly vulnerable to oil contamination in marine environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1294-1300. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Genetic polymorphisms of CYP3A4 among Chinese patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Background:Steroid therapy has been an important reason of nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Steroids are metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P4503A, a low endogenous activity of this enzyme can contribute to the pathogenesis of ONFH. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of polymorphisms of cytochrome P4503A4 (CYP3A4) gene with steroid-induced ONFH in Chinese patients.Methods:A total of 150 steroid-induced ONFH patients and 250 healthy controls were enrolled. We evaluated 5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the CYP3A4 gene in this case–control study.Results:We identified rs2242480 in the CYP3A4 gene that was potentially associated with an increased risk of steroid-induced ONFH in the allele model (P = 0.023; odds ratio [OR]: 1.47; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.05–2.04) and in the additive model (P = 0.028; OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.04–1.99) adjusted age + gender. Furthermore, we also observed a protective effect of haplotype “TG” (P = 0.025; OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49–0.96) and a risk effect of haplotype “CG” (P = 0.006; OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.19–2.77) of the CYP3A4 gene adjusted age + gender.Conclusion:These findings suggested that polymorphisms of CYP3A4 gene may be associated with susceptibility to steroid-induced ONFH.

0265 Effects of summer and winter feeding of endophyte infected tall fescue seeds on average daily gain and activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A, 2C, 3A, aldo-keto reductase 1C, and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase in beef steers

0265 Effects of summer and winter feeding of endophyte infected tall fescue seeds on average daily gain and activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A, 2C, 3A, aldo-keto reductase 1C, and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase in beef steers

Phenethyl isothiocyanate and indole-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables, but not furanocoumarins from apiaceous vegetables, reduced PhIP-induced DNA adducts in Wistar rats.

We previously showed that apiaceous but not cruciferous vegetables reduced DNA adducts formed by 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4, 5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in rats. Here, we report the effects of the putative chemopreventive phytochemicals from these vegetables on PhIP metabolism and DNA adduct formation. Rats received three supplemented diets: P + I (phenethyl isothiocyanate and indole-3-carbinol), furanocoumarins (FC, 5-methoxypsoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen, and isopimpinellin), and combination (P + I and FC). Phytochemical supplementation matched the levels in vegetables fed in our previous study. After 6 days, rats were injected with PhIP (10 mg/kg body wt) and killed after 24-h urine collection. Compared to the control, P + I increased activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 (10.1-fold), CYP1A2 (3.62-fold), and sulfotransferase 1A1 (2.70-fold). The combination diet also increased CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 activity. Urinary metabolomics revealed that PhIP metabolite profiles generally agreed with biotransformation enzyme activities. P + I and combination diets reduced PhIP-DNA adducts by 43.5 and 24.1%, respectively, whereas FC had no effect on adducts, compared to the control diet. Effects of phytochemicals on metabolic outcomes and markers of carcinogenesis might differ from fresh vegetables, thus limiting the inferences that one can draw from the effects of purified phytochemicals on the health benefits of the vegetables from which they derive.

Regulation of cytochrome P450 3A4 by small vault RNAb derived from the non-coding vaultRNA1 of multidrug resistance-linked vault particle.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is the most abundant cytochrome P450 enzyme in human liver and intestine, contributing to the metabolism of >60% of all pharmaceuticals. The expression levels of hepatic CYP3A4 show great inter‑individual variation. However, the detailed regulatory mechanism of CYP3A4 expression has remained largely elusive. It has been reported that the non‑coding RNA small vault (sv)RNAb targets the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of CYP3A4 in MCF7 cells. However, to date, the role of svRNAb has not been examined in human liver tissue and hepatic cell lines such as HepG2, which was the aim of the present study. Polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the expression of CYP3A4 was significantly different within a study cohort (n=19). In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between svRNAb and CYP3A4 expression in human liver tissue samples. Furthermore, a luciferase assay on HepG2 cells verified that svRNAb directly targets CYP3A4 and regulates the expression of CYP3A4 by interacting with the validated binding sites of the CYP3A4 3'UTR. The results provided insight into the variation of the expression of CYP3A4 among individuals and provided a novel method for the adjustment of personalized drug treatment. Furthermore, the present study provided a mechanism of the regulatory role of svRNAb in multidrug‑resistant cells.

In vivo modulation of the behavioral effects of nicotine by the coumarins xanthotoxin, bergapten, and umbelliferone.

RationaleNicotine, a dominant alkaloid found in tobacco, is responsible for physical dependence, as well as addiction to cigarette smoking; consequently, smoking cessation is a very difficult process. Hepatic cytochrome P-450 2A6 (CYP2A6) is involved in the 70–80 % of the initial metabolism of nicotine and its co-metabolites. As this metabolism is slowed by inhibitors of CYP2A6, this kind of enzymatic inhibition has been proposed as a novel target for smoking cessation.ObjectivesNicotine administered alone improved memory acquisition and consolidation as well as exerted antidepressive activity in animal models. These effects persist for 24 h. However, they are completely extinguished 48 h after administration.MethodsTo investigate if the coumarins prolong the behavioral effects of nicotine, the forced swimming test (FST)—animal models of depression, and passive avoidance (PA) test—memory and learning paradigm were used.ResultsThis study revealed that three CYP2A6 inhibitors: two furanocoumarins, xanthotoxin (15 mg/kg) and bergapten (25 mg/kg), and the simple coumarin umbelliferone (25 mg/kg), prolonged the antidepressive and procognitive effects of nicotine.ConclusionsThese natural products may offer a new approach to the treatment of nicotinism as antidepressant and memory improvement actions are one of the main factors of nicotine dependence.

NADPH- and NADH-dependent metabolism of and DNA adduct formation by benzo[a]pyrene catalyzed with rat hepatic microsomes and cytochrome P450 1A1.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a human carcinogen that covalently binds to DNA after metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Here we investigated the efficiencies of rat hepatic microsomes and rat recombinant CYP1A1 expressed with its reductase, NADPH:CYP oxidoreductase (POR), NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase, epoxide hydrolase and/or cytochrome b5 in Supersomes™ to metabolize this carcinogen. We also studied the effectiveness of coenzymes of two of the microsomal reductases, NADPH as a coenzyme of POR, and NADH as a coenzyme of NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase, to mediate BaP metabolism in these systems. Up to eight BaP metabolites and two DNA adducts were generated by the systems, both in the presence of NADPH and NADH. Among BaP metabolites, BaP-9,10-dihydrodiol, BaP-4,5-dihydrodiol, BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol, BaP-1,6-dione, BaP-3,6-dione, BaP-9-ol, BaP-3-ol, and a metabolite of unknown structure were formed by hepatic microsomes and rat CYP1A1. One of two DNA adducts formed by examined enzymatic systems (rat hepatic microsomes and rat CYP1A1) was characterized to be 10-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (dG-N2-BPDE), while another adduct has similar chromatographic properties on polyethylaneimine–cellulose thin layer chromatography to a guanine adduct derived from reaction with 9-hydroxy-BaP-4,5-oxide. In the presence of either of the reductase cofactors tested, NADPH or NADH, cytochrome b5 stimulated CYP1A1-mediated formation of both BaP-DNA adducts. The results demonstrate that NADH can act as a sole electron donor for both the first and the second reduction of CYP1A1 during its reaction cycle catalyzing oxidation of BaP, and suggest that the NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase as the NADH-dependent reductase might substitute POR in this enzymatic system.Graphical abstract

Impacts of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury on Expressions of Hepatic Cytochrome P450 1A2, 2B1, 2D1, and 3A2 in Rats.

The hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme superfamily is one of the most important drug-metabolizing enzyme systems, which is responsible for the metabolism of a large number of clinically relevant medications used in traumatic brain injury (TBI) therapy. Modification of CYP450 expression may have important influences on drug metabolism and lead to untoward effects on those with narrow therapeutic windows. However, the impact of blast-induced TBI (bTBI) on the expression of CYP450 has received little attention. The subfamilies of CYP1A, 2B, 2D, and 3A account for about 85% of all human drug metabolism of clinical significance. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the expressions of hepatic CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2D1, and CYP3A2 in rats suffering bTBI. Meanwhile, we also measured some important cytokines in serum after injury, and calculated the correlation between these cytokines and the expressions of CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2D1, and CYP3A2. The results showed that bTBI could significantly reduce mRNA expressions of CYP1A2, CYP2D1, and CYP3A2 at the early stage and induce the expressions from 48h to 1week after injury. The protein expressions of these CYP450s had all been downregulated from 24 to 48h post- injury, and then began to elevate at 48h after bTBI. The cytokines, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, increased significantly in the early phase, and began to reduce at the delayed phase of bTBI. The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α but not IL-2 were significantly negative correlated with the mRNA expressions of CYP2B1 and CYP2D1 and the proteins expressions of CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2D1, and CYP3A2. In conclusion, our work has, for the first time, indicated that bTBI has significant impact on the expressions of CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2D1, and CYP3A2, which may be related to the cytokines induced by the injury.

Effect of Statin Treatment on Plasma 4β-Hydroxycholesterol Concentrations.

The endogenous oxysterol 4β-hydroxycholesterol may be used as a marker for the drug-metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A). The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of statin treatment on plasma 4β-hydroxycholesterol concentrations. Plasma samples from a previously performed clinical study where gallstone patients had been treated with placebo (n = 6), 20 mg fluvastatin (n = 9) or 80 mg atorvastatin (n = 9) daily for 4 weeks were analysed. Hepatic CYP3A mRNA levels had previously been shown to be unchanged in all three treatment groups. Plasma 4β-hydroxycholesterol did not change significantly (p = 0.92) in the placebo group, but treatment with low-dose fluvastatin or high-dose atorvastatin resulted in reductions in plasma concentration of 10.7% (p < 0.05) and 36.5% (p < 0.01), respectively. However, the 4β-hydroxycholesterol/cholesterol ratio did not change significantly for the patients receiving placebo or patients receiving low-dose fluvastatin. The ratio for patients receiving high-dose atorvastatin increased by 12% (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the total plasma cholesterol level is an important determinant for the plasma 4β-hydroxycholesterol level.

Genistein decreases basal hepatic cytochrome P450 1A1 protein expression and activity in Swiss Webster mice

Soy consumption has been associated with risk reduction for chronic diseases such as cancer. One proposed mechanism for cancer prevention by soy is through decreasing cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1a1) activity. However, it is not known with certainty which soy components modulate Cyp1a1, or the characteristics or mechanisms involved in the responses after short-term (<20 days) dietary treatment without concomitant carcinogen-mediated induction. Therefore, the objective was to test the hypothesis that physiologic concentrations of dietary genistein and/or daidzein will decrease basal hepatic Cyp1a1 protein expression and activity in male and female Swiss Webster mice via inhibiting the bindings of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)–AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT) and estrogen receptor-α to the Cyp1a1 promoter region xenobiotic response element. The mice were fed the AIN-93G diet supplemented with 1500 mg/kg of genistein or daidzein for up to 1 week. Genistein, but not daidzein, significantly decreased basal hepatic microsomal Cyp1a1 protein expression and activity. AhR protein expression was not altered. Molecular mechanisms were investigated in Hepa-1c1c7 cells treated with 5 μmol/L purified aglycones genistein, daidzein, or equol. Cells treated with genistein exhibited inhibitions in ARNT and estrogen receptor-α bindings to the Cyp1a1 promoter region. This study demonstrated that genistein consumption reduced constitutive hepatic Cyp1a1 protein expression and activity, thereby contributing to the understanding of how soy isoflavone aglycones modulate cytochrome P450 biotransformation enzymes.

In Vitro Approaches to Study Regulation of Hepatic Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A Expression by Paclitaxel and Rifampicin.

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide; however the response rate to chemotherapy treatment remains slow, mainly due to narrow therapeutic index and multidrug resistance. Paclitaxel (taxol) has a superior outcome in terms of response rates and progression-free survival. However, numerous cancer patients are resistant to this drug. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that induction of cytochrome P450 (Cyp)3a11 gene by paclitaxel is downregulated by the inflammatory mediator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and that the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, attenuates human CYP3A4 gene induction by rifampicin. Primary mouse hepatocytes were pretreated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 10 min, followed by paclitaxel (20 μM) or vehicle for 24 h. RNA was extracted from the cells by trizol method followed by cDNA synthesis and analysis by real-time PCR. Paclitaxel significantly induced gene expression of Cyp3a11 (~30-fold) and this induction was attenuated in LPS-treated samples. Induction and subsequent downregulation of CYP3A enzyme can impact paclitaxel treatment in cancer patients where inflammatory mediators are activated. It has been shown that the nuclear receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), plays a role in the induction of CYP enzymes. In order to understand the mechanisms of regulation of human CYP3A4 gene, we co-transfected HepG2 cells (human liver cell line) with CYP3A4-luciferase construct and a PXR expression plasmid. The cells were then treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, followed by the prototype CYP3A inducer rifampicin. It is well established that rifampicin activates PXR, leading to CYP3A4 induction. We found that induction of CYP3A4-luciferase activity by rifampicin was significantly attenuated by TNFα. In conclusion, we describe herein several in vitro approaches entailing primary and cultured hepatocytes, real-time PCR, and transcriptional activation (transfection) assays to investigate the molecular regulation of CYP3A, which plays a pivotal role in the metabolism of numerous chemotherapeutic drugs. Genetic or drug-induced variation in CYP3A and/or PXR expression could contribute to drug resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in cancer patients.

Measurement of human CYP1A2 induction by inhalation exposure to benzo(a)pyrene based on in vivo isotope breath method

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is an enzyme involved in the metabolic activation of certain carcinogens, and inducible by toxic substrates. To date, few studies have investigated in vivo CYP1A2 induction in humans and its relationship to polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Non-smoking healthy male coke-oven workers (n = 30) were recruited as ‘exposure’ group, and non-smoking healthy office workers in the same city (n = 10) were selected as ‘control’ group, to test whether high inhalation exposure to PAHs can induce CYP1A2 activity in human livers. Significantly higher inhalation exposure of PAHs were found among the exposure group compared to the control. Inhalation BaP exposure concentration in the exposure group was more than 30 times higher than the control group (p < 0.001). However, the exposure group did not exhale significant higher levels of 13CO2/12CO2 in breath samples (p = 0.81), and no significant relationship was found between the inhaled BaP concentration and the 13CO2/12CO2 ratio (p = 0.91). A significant association was found between the 13CO2/12CO2 exhalation and dietary BaP intake level. Hepatic CYP1A2 activity/induction level was not effected by inhaled BaP but was altered by ingestion of BaP.

Tissue-specific regulation of CYP3A by hydrolysable tannins in male pigs

1. Little is known about the activities and regulation of cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) enzymes in porcine colon in response to specific feeding components.2. We added hydrolyzable tannins to the diet of fattening boars and studied its effect on the expression of hepatic and intestinal CYP3A.3. In total, 51 Landrace × Large White boars were assigned to the following treatment groups: control (without the addition of hydrolysable tannins), T1 (diet-containing 1% hydrolysable tannin extract), T2 (diet-containing 2% hydrolysable tannin extract) and T3 (diet-containing 3% hydrolysable tannin extract). CYP3A expression and activity were measured in microsomes prepared from liver and colon tissue.4. CYP3A protein expression and activity were increased in the colon of pigs fed 2% and 3% tannins, while no changes were observed with lower tannin concentrations, or in the liver of any treatment groups. Also, it was demonstrated that colon mucosa possess CYP3A activity similar to that measured in the liver.5. The present results provide the first evidence that tannin supplementation can modulate CYP3A in porcine colon mucosa in vivo. The physiological significance of this finding for the health status of the individual animal needs further investigation.

Molecular Regulation of Hepatic and Pulmonary Cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A1) Enzymes by 3‐Methylcholanthrene in Mice: Role of CYP1A2

Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A enzymes play key roles in the activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to carcinogenic metabolites. We previously showed persistent induction of CYP1A enzymes by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) in vivo. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that MC elicits persistent induction of CYP1A1 in vivo by sustained transcriptional activation of the CYP1A1 promoter, and that CYP1A2 plays a significant role in this process. Thirty two C57B6 (WT) or 32 mice lacking the gene for CYP1A2 (Cyp1a2-null), were divided into two groups. Group I was treated with vehicle corn oil (CO) (8ml/kg) and group II was treated with a single dose of MC (100 µmol/kg), i.p. Four animals from each group were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after MC withdrawal. The binding of MC-AHR-AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) to the AHREs on the CYP1A1 promoter region were determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay at different time points. The ChIP experiments indicated that transcriptional activation of CYP1A1 promoter in WT was most pronounced at 6 h, followed by 12 h, but declined at later time points. In Cyp1a2_null mice, the CYP1A1 promoter activation was substantially higher at each time point, and persisted until 48 h. The expression of CYP1A1/1A2 at the mRNA, protein and enzyme levels persisted for up to 48 h both in lung and liver tissues in WT as well as Cyp1a2-null mice, with the later showing higher levels of expression. These results support the hypothesis that hepatic CYP1A2 plays a significant role in the regulation of CYP1A1 by PAHs, in relation to carcinogenesis.