Untreated Rat Liver Microsomes Research Articles

2,5-Dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone: a novel major in vitro metabolite of benzophenone-3 formed by rat and human liver microsomes

1. When benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; BP-3) was incubated with liver microsomes of untreated rats in the presence of NADPH, the 5-hydroxylated metabolite, 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (5-OH-BP-3), was formed as a major novel metabolite of BP-3. The 4-desmethylated metabolite, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (2,4-diOH-BP), previously reported as the major in vivo metabolite of BP-3, was also detected. However, the amount of 5-OH-BP-3 formed in vitro was about the same as that of 2,4-diOH-BP.2. The oxidase activity affording 5-OH-BP-3 was inhibited by SKF 525-A and ketoconazole, and partly by quinidine and sulfaphenazole. The oxidase activity affording 2,4-diOH-BP was inhibited by SKF 525-A, ketoconazole and α-naphthoflavone, and partly by sulfaphenazole.3. The oxidase activity affording 5-OH-BP-3 was enhanced in liver microsomes of dexamethasone-, phenobarbital- and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. The activity affording 2,4-diOH-BP was enhanced in liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene- and phenobarbital-treated rats.4. When examined recombinant rat cytochrome P450 isoforms catalyzing the metabolism of BP-3, 5-hydroxylation was catalyzed by P450 3A2, 1A1, 2B1, 2C6 and 2D1, while 4-desmethylation was catalyzed by P450 2C6 and 1A1.

Stereoselective metabolism of tetrahydropalmatine enantiomers in rat liver microsomes

Tetrahydropalmatine (THP), with one chiral center, is an active alkaloid ingredient in Rhizoma Corydalis. The aim of the present paper is to study whether THP enantiomers are metabolized stereoselectively in rat, mouse, dog, and monkey liver microsomes, and then, to elucidate which Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms are predominately responsible for the stereoselective metabolism of THP enantiomers in rat liver microsomes (RLM). The results demonstrated that (+)-THP was preferentially metabolized by liver microsomes from rats, mice, dogs, and monkeys, and the intrinsic clearance (Cl(int)) ratios of (+)-THP to (-)-THP were 2.66, 2.85, 4.24, and 1.67, respectively. Compared with the metabolism in untreated RLM, the metabolism of (-)-THP and (+)-THP was significantly increased in dexamethasone (Dex)-induced and β-naphthoflavone (β-NF)-induced RLM; meanwhile, the Cl(int) ratios of (+)-THP to (-)-THP in Dex-induced and β-NF-induced RLM were 5.74 and 0.81, respectively. Ketoconazole had stronger inhibitory effect on (+)-THP than (-)-THP, whereas fluvoxamine had stronger effect on (-)-THP in untreated and Dex-induced or β-NF-induced RLM. The results suggested that THP enantiomers were predominately metabolized by CYP3A1/2 and CYP1A2 in RLM, and CYP3A1/2 preferred to metabolize (+)-THP, whereas CYP1A2 preferred (-)-THP.

Inhibition of CYP3A by Erythromycin: In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation in Rats

The prediction of in vivo drug-drug interactions from in vitro enzyme inhibition parameters remains challenging, particularly when time-dependent inhibition occurs. This study was designed to examine the accuracy of in vitro-derived parameters for the prediction of inhibition of CYP3A by erythromycin (ERY). Chronically cannulated rats were used to estimate the reduction in in vivo and in vitro intrinsic clearance (CL(int)) of midazolam (MDZ) after single and multiple doses of ERY; in vitro recovery of CL(int) was determined at 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after discontinuation of ERY. Enzyme inhibition parameters (k(inact), K(I), and K(i)) of ERY were estimated in vitro by using untreated rat liver microsomes. In vivo enzyme kinetic analysis indicated that single and multiple doses of ERY (150 mg/kg i.v. infusion over 4 h) reduced MDZ CL(int) by reversible and irreversible mechanisms, respectively. CYP3A inactivation after multiple doses of ERY treatment reflected metabolic intermediate complex formation without a significant change in hepatic CYP3A2 mRNA. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model of the interaction between ERY and MDZ predicted a 2.6-fold decrease in CYP3A activity after repeated ERY treatment using in vitro-estimated enzyme inhibition parameters and in vivo degradation half-life of the enzyme (20 + or - 6 h). The observed -fold decreases were 2.3-fold and 2.1-fold for the in vitro-estimated CYP3A activity and the in vivo CL(int), respectively. This study demonstrates that in vivo DDIs are predictable from in vitro data when the appropriate model and parameter estimates are available.

METABOLISM OF THE α,β-UNSATURATED KETONES, CHALCONE AND TRANS-4-PHENYL-3-BUTEN-2-ONE, BY RAT LIVER MICROSOMES AND ESTROGENIC ACTIVITY OF THE METABOLITES

When chalcone and trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one (PBO) were incubated with liver microsomes of untreated rats in the presence of NADPH, 4-hydroxychalcone and trans-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (4-OH-PBO), respectively, were formed as major metabolites. Two minor metabolites of chalcone, 4'-hydroxychalcone and 2-hydroxychalcone, were also observed. The oxidase activity affording 4-hydroxychalcone was inhibited by SKF 525-A, disulfiram, ketoconazole, and alpha-naphthoflavone. The oxidase activities leading to 4-hydroxychalcone and 4'-hydroxychalcone were enhanced in liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene- and phenobarbital-treated rats, respectively. The activity generating 2-hydroxychalcone was enhanced in liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene- and dexamethasone-treated rats. The oxidation of PBO to 4-OH-PBO was inhibited by SKF 525-A, ketoconazole, disulfiram, and sulfaphenazole. This activity was enhanced in liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene-, acetone- and phenobarbital-treated rats. 4-Hydroxylation, 4'-hydroxylation, and 2-hydroxylation of chalcone were catalyzed by rat recombinant cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, and 2C6; by 1A1 and 2C6; and by 1A1 and 3A1, respectively. PBO was oxidized by cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, 2C6, and 2E1. Chalcone and PBO were negative in an estrogen reporter assay using estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. However, 4-hydroxychalcone, 2-hydroxychalcone, 4'-hydroxychalcone, and 4-OH-PBO exhibited estrogenic activity.

In vitro metabolism of 2,2′,3,4′,5,5′,6-heptachlorobiphenyl (CB187) by liver microsomes from rats, hamsters and guinea pigs

The metabolism of 2,2′,3,4′,5,5′,6-heptachlorobiphenyl (heptaCB) (CB187) was studied using liver microsomes of rats, hamsters and guinea pigs, and the effect of cytochrome P450 (CYP) inducers, phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), was also investigated. In untreated animals, guinea pig liver microsomes formed three metabolites which were deduced to be 4′-hydroxy-2,2′,3,5,5′,6-hexachlorobiphenyl (M-1), 4′-hydroxy-2,2′,3,3′,5,5′,6-heptaCB (M-2) and 4-OH-CB187 (M-3) from the comparison of GC/MS data with some synthetic authentic samples. The formation rate of M-1, M-2 and M-3 was 18.1, 36.6, 14.7 pmol h−1 mg protein−1, respectively. Liver microsomes of untreated rats and hamsters did not form CB187 metabolites. In guinea pigs, PB-treatment increased M-1 and M-2 significantly to 1.9- and 3.4-fold of untreated animals but did not affect the formation of M-3. In rats, PB-treatment resulted in the appearance of M-2 and M-3 with formation rates of 87.1 and 13.7 pmol h−1 mg protein−1, respectively, but M-1 was not observed. In hamsters, PB-treatment formed only M-2 at a rate of 29.4 pmol h−1 mg protein−1. On the other hand, MC-treatment of guinea pigs decreased the formation of M-1 and M-2 to less than 50% of untreated animals. MC-microsomes of rats and hamsters produced no metabolites. Preincubation of antiserum (300 µl) against guinea pig CYP2B18 with liver microsomes of PB-treated guinea pigs produced 80% inhibition of M-1 and the complete inhibition of M-2 and M-3. These results suggest that PB-inducible CYP forms, especially guinea pig CYP2B18, rat CYP2B1 and hamster CYP2B, are important in CB187 metabolism and that CB187 metabolism in guinea pigs may proceed via the formation of 3,4- or 3′,4′-oxide and subsequent NIH-shift or dechlorination.

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of (−)-verbenone 10-hydroxylation catalyzed by rat liver microsomes

A sensitive assay for the determination of (−)-verbenone 10-hydroxylation catalyzed by rat liver microsomes was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Verbenone was incubated in vitro with liver microsomes of untreated rats and rats treated with phenobarbital and the products thus formed were extracted with CH 2Cl 2 and the extracts were separated by HPLC with a C 18 5-μm analytical column. Elution was conducted with 40% methanol containing 20 m M NaClO 4 and the detection of UV absorbance was done at 251 nm. Product formation was dependent on the incubation time at least up to 30 min and the microsomal protein concentration between 0.01 and 0.1 mg protein/ml. The limit of detection of (−)-10-hydroxyverbenone with the HPLC was found to be about 40 pg, indicating that this method is about 100-fold sensitive than the GC–MS method. Optimized pH for the reaction was at 7.4 when examined with 100 m M potassium phosphate buffer in different pHs. Kinetic analysis showed that K m values for liver microsomes of untreated and phenobarbital-treated rats were 206 and 41 μ M and V max values were 5.8 and 44 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Thus the present results provided a sensitive and useful method for the determination of verbenone 10-hydroxylation catalyzed by rat liver microsomes.

HMG-CoA reductase activity in human liver microsomes: comparative inhibition by statins

The aim of this study was to compare a number of vastatins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, in human liver microsomes. HMG-CoA reductase activity was four times lower than the activity in untreated rat liver microsomes. Vastatins could be classified in this in vitro assay in three classes both in human and rat microsomes: the first one including cerivastatin with an IC50 of 6 nM, the second one with atorvastatin and fluvastatin (IC50) between 40 and 100 nM) and the third one containing pravastatin, simvastatin and lovastatin (IC50 between 100 and 300 nM).

In vitro inhibition of CYP2B1 monooxygenase by β-myrcene and other monoterpenoid compounds

β-myrcene (MYR) is an acyclic monoterpene found in the essential oils of several useful plants such as lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus), hop, bay, verbena and others. Recently it has been reported that MYR as well as lemongrass oil blocked the metabolic activation of some promutagens (e.g., cyclophosphamide and aflatoxin B1) in in vitro genotoxicity assays. The present study was performed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of MYR and some other monoterpenoid compounds on microsomal enzymes involved in the activation of genotoxic substances. The effects of MYR and other monoterpenes on the activity of pentoxyresorufin- O-depenthylase (PROD), a selective marker for CYP2B1, was determined in a pool of liver microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats. The effect of MYR on the activity of ethoxyresorufin- O-deethylase (EROD), a marker for CYP4501A1, was investigated in liver microsomes of untreated rats. Results revealed that MYR had almost no effect on EROD (IC 50>50 μM), but produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of PROD activity (IC 50=0.14 μM). The analysis of alterations produced by MYR on PROD kinetic parameters (Lineweaver-Burk plot) suggested that inhibition is competitive ( K i=0.14 μM). The inhibitory effects of seven other monoterpenes on PROD activity (pentoxyresorufin 5 μM) were also studied and the IC 50 were as follows: (−)- α-pinene, 0.087 μM; (+)- α-pinene, 0.089 μM; d-limonene, 0.19 μM; α-terpinene, 0.76 μM; citral, 1.19 μM; citronellal, 1.56 μM, and (±) camphor, 7.89 μM. The potent inhibitory effects on CYP4502B1 suggest that MYR, and other monoterpenes, interfere with the metabolism of xenobiotics which are substrates for this isoenzyme.

CYP2C11 and CYP2B1 are major cytochrome P450 forms involved in styrene oxidation in liver and lung microsomes from untreated rats, respectively

The contribution of cytochrome P450s (P450s) to the formation of styrene glycol from styrene in rat liver microsomes was investigated using monoclonal antibodies to P450s. Anti-CYP2E1 inhibited the formation to a similar extent in ethanol-treated microsomes and in control microsomes in terms of percentage inhibition, whereas to a greater extent in the former than the latter in terms of net inhibition, and only at low substrate concentration. Anti-CYP2C11/6 also inhibited the formation in control and in ethanol-treated microsomes at both low and high concentrations of styrene, and the net degree of inhibition was greater than that obtained with anti-CYP2El, even in ethanol-treated microsomes where CYP2E1 was induced. Anti-CYP2B1/2 and anti-CYPlA1/2 inhibited the formation only in phenobarbital (PB)- and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-induced microsomes, respectively. These results suggest that (1) at least four P450s, CYP2C11/6, CYP2E1, CYP2B1/2 and CYP1A1/2, contribute to the metabolism of styrene, (2) CYP2C11/6, which probably corresponds to CYP2C11, is the major form of P450 responsible for the metabolism in untreated rat liver microsomes, and also in those treated with ethanol. Anti-CYP2El inhibited styrene oxidation more prominently in microsomes from styrene-treated rats than in those from control rats at a low substrate concentration. Although styrene treatment did not influence the total metabolism of styrene in liver microsomes at a high substrate concentration, inhibition of the metabolism by anti-CYP2C11/6 decreased with increasing styrene dose, whereas that by antiCYP2B1/2 increased, suggesting that styrene treatment increases CYP2B1/2 but decreases CYP2C11/ 6 in rat liver, and the major form of P450 which mediates styrene oxidation is CYP2B1/2 after the treatment. Only anti-CYP2B1/2, which probably corresponds to CYP2B1, inhibited styrene oxidation in lung microsomes from untreated and even styrene-treated rats. Thus, the major form of P450 responsible for the metabolism of styrene is different in each tissue.

The Effect of Phenobarbital and Dexamethasone Coadministration on the Activity of Rat Liver P450 System

Phenobarbital, the potent inducer of CYP2B and CYP3A, and dexamethasone, that induces CYP3A, are not able to elevate p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity of CYP2E1. However, rats treated with phenobarbital and dexamethasone in combination showed threefold increase in p-nitrophenol hydroxylation and the activity correlates with an elevated amount of a 53.000 dalton protein. Biosynthesis of mRNA and P450 protein is required for the induction. 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and anti CYP2E1 IgG inhibition studies show that CYP2E1 is not responsible for enhanced p-nitrophenol hydroxylation, but the residual activity indicates the participation of other isozyme(s). As a result of double induction, changes in the amount of CYP2E1 of microsomes were not detected by Western blot analysis compared to untreated rat liver microsomes.

Stereoselective S-oxygenation of an aryl-trifluoromethyl sulfoxide to the corresponding sulfone by rat liver cytochromes P450

Toltrazuril sulfoxide (TZR.SO) is the metabolite of the antiparasitic drug toltrazuril (TZR; 1-methyl-3-[3-methyl-4-[4-[trifluoromethyl]thio]phenoxy]phenyl-1,3,5,-triazine-2,4,6(1 H,3 H,5 H)-trione). The results of the present paper demonstrate that TZR.SO was metabolized by rat liver microsomes to the corresponding sulfone (TZR.SO 2). The reaction was mediated almost exclusively by different cytochromes P450, the most active being cytochromes P450 3A. TZR.SO exists as a racemic mixture; when each enantiomer was incubated separately in the presence of untreated rat liver microsomes, a 7.3-fold difference in the rate of S-oxygenation was found, indicating a marked substrate enantioselectivity for the reaction.

Participation of P450 3A Enzymes in Rat Hepatic Microsomal Retinoic Acid 4-Hydroxylation

Cytochrome P450-mediated 4-hydroxylation is an important pathway in the termination of the biological action of retinoids. Several purified mammalian hepatic P450s have been shown to catalyze the 4-hydroxylation of all- trans-retinoic acid (retinoic acid) in reconstituted enzyme systems, but the nature of the activity in untreated rat liver microsomes has not been defined. In the present study, microsomal retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation was characterized in untreated liver from rats of both sexes and after a series of induction treatments. Thus, dexamethasone and phenobarbital, but not β-naphthoflavone or dimethyl sulfoxide, increased the activity in male and female rats. An immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction raised against P450 3A1 decreased the rate of retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation in untreated rat hepatic microsomes, but IgG directed against the P450s 2C11, 2B1, and 2C6 were noninhibitory. In vivo administration of triacetyloleandomycin, which has been shown to form a metabolite intermediate complex with P450 3A, followed by potassium ferricyanide oxidation in vitro, reactivated retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione 6β-hydroxylation similarly (to 154 and 152% of the respective activities in the absence of potassium ferricyanide). Finally, exogenous retinoic acid (60 mg/kg ip for three days) markedly increased the rate of retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation in hepatic microsomes from male and female rats (3.8- and 3.7-fold, respectively). This occurred without comparable increases in other P450 activities. Despite these findings, the age- and sex-related profiles of microsomal retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation were clearly different from those measured for other P450 activities. Thus, on the basis of xenobiotic pretreatment, developmental, and immunochemical studies, the enzyme(s) involved in constitutive retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation appears distinct from a number of well-described P450s in untreated and induced rat liver. The data are consistent with the partial involvement of P450(s) from the 3A subfamily in retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation, but it seems clear that P450s 3A1 and 3A2 do not participate in this activity.

Decrease of Cytochrome P-450 Having Arylhydrocarbon Hydroxylase and Increase of UDP-Glucuronyltransferase Glucuronizing Phenolic Xenobiotics in Rat Liver Nodule.

Microsomal arylhydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylase activity in hyperplastic nodules in the livers of rats was decreased by feeding 2-acetylaminofluorene in their diet to 10% of that without 2-acetylaminofluorene feeding. By immunoblotting analysis with the antibodies raised against P-450/B[a]P, which is a form of cytochrome P-450 catalyzing benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation in liver microsomes of untreated rats, it was shown that P-450/B[a]P content was decreased in the microsomes prepared from the nodular tissues. Microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity toward phenolic xenobiotics such as 1-naphthol and 4-nitrophenol was increased by 4.5-5.0-fold in the nodular tissues. This increase was inhibited by the addition of antibodies raised against GT-1, a form of UDP-glucuronyltransferase glucuronizing phenolic xenobiotics. Immunoblotting analysis with the antibodies against GT-1 showed that a protein band corresponding to GT-1 was increased in the microsomes from nodular tissues. The increased UDP-glucuronyltransferase also had about 4,000 daltons "high mannose" oligosaccharide(s) like GT-1. The decreases of P-450/B[a]P and increases of GT-1 were observed mainly in nodular foci of the liver tissues. These results indicate that in liver nodules, decreased cytochrome P-450-dependent benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity and increased UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity toward phenolic xenobiotics result from the decrease of the P-450 corresponding to P-450/B[a]P and the increase of the GT corresponding to GT-1.

Chemical synthesis, absolute configuration, and stereochemistry of formation of 10‐hydroxywarfarin: A major oxidative metabolite of (+)‐(r)‐warfarin from hepatic microsomal preparations

The synthesis of a diastereomerically pure 10-hydroxywarfarin [4-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxy-3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1 benzopyran-2-one] was accomplished in three steps from racemic warfarin. The relative configuration of the synthetic product was established by conversion to a cyclic derivative followed by NMR and X-ray diffraction analysis. Absolute stereochemistry was determined by enzymatic conversion of either of the pure enantiomers of warfarin to a 10-hydroxy metabolite of known relative configuration. Metabolic formation of 10-hydroxywarfarin was studied using hepatic microsomal preparations from female rats and man. The formation of 10-hydroxywarfarin catalyzed by hepatic microsomes from both dexamethasone-treated rats and man was highly stereoselective [(R)/(S): 3.4-9.0] for (R)-warfarin. In contrast, little stereoselectivity was observed in reactions catalyzed by untreated rat liver microsomes. The resultant stereochemistry at the site of oxidation was also found to be highly dependent on substrate stereochemistry. (R)-Warfarin gave (9R;10S)-10-hydroxywarfarin with only a trace of the (9R;10R) isomer irrespective of which enzyme preparation was used for catalysis, while (S)-warfarin gave (9S;10R)-10-hydroxywarfarin with only a trace of the (9S;10S) isomer, again irrespective of which enzyme preparation was used for catalysis.

Purification and Properties of Cytochrome P-450 Generally Acting as a Catalyst on Benzo[α]pyrene Hydroxylation from Liver Microsomes of Untreated Rats

A form of cytochrome P-450 generally catalyzing benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) hydroxylation was purified from liver microsomes of untreated rats on the basis of the catalytic activity. The purification procedures consisted of cholate solubilization and chromatography in 3 steps, on DEAE-Toyopearl (at room temperature), hydroxylapatite, and CM-Toyopearl columns. Cytochrome P-450 purified in this way (named P-450/B[a]P) was homogeneous on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the molecular weight was estimated to be 51,000. The absorption spectra of the oxidized form of P-450/B[a]P showed a Soret peak at 417 nm, characteristic of low-spin hemoprotein, and the Soret peak of the reduced cytochrome P-450-CO complex was at 451 nm. Immunochemical analysis of P-450/B[a]P indicated that P-450/B[a]P is immunologically distinct from P-450b (a major phenobarbital-inducible form of P-450) and P-450c (a major 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible form of P-450, which highly catalyzes the hydroxylation of B[a]P). B[a]P hydroxylase activity in liver microsomes of untreated rats was inhibited to about 20% by the P-450/B[a]P antibody. These results demonstrate that P-450/B[a]P is a different form of P-450 from P-450b and P-450c, and generally catalyzes B[a]P hydroxylation in liver microsomes of untreated rats.

Human anti-endoplasmic reticulum antibodies in sera of patients with halothane-induced hepatitis are directed against a trifluoroacetylated carboxylesterase.

Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with halothane-induced hepatitis have serum antibodies that are directed against novel liver microsomal neoantigens and have suggested that these neoantigens may play an immunopathological role in development of the patients' liver damage. These investigations have further revealed that the antibodies are directed against distinct polypeptide fractions (100 kDa, 76 kDa, 59 kDa, 57 kDa, 54 kDa) that have been covalently modified by the reactive trifluoroacetyl halide metabolite of halothane. In this paper, the trifluoroacetylated (TFA) 59-kDa neoantigen (59-kDa-TFA) recognized by the patients' antibodies was isolated from liver microsomes of halothane-treated rats by chromatography on an immunoaffinity column of anti-TFA IgG. Antibodies were raised against the 59-kDa-TFA protein and were used to purify the native protein from liver microsomes of untreated rats. Based upon its apparent monomeric molecular mass, NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, catalytic activity, and other physical properties, the protein has been identified as a previously characterized microsomal carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1). A similar strategy may be used to purify and characterized neoantigens associated with other drug toxicities that are believed to have an immunopathological basis.

Perturbation of liver microsomal calcium homeostasis by ochratoxin A

The effect of ochratoxin A on hepatic microsomal calcium sequestration was studied both in vivo and in vitro. The rate of ATP-dependent calcium uptake was inhibited by 42–45% in ochratoxin A intoxicated rats as compared to controls. In the presence of NADPH, addition of ochratoxin A (2.5 to 100 μM) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of calcium uptake (28–94%) by untreated rat liver microsomes. The rate of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, measured as malondialdehyde formed, was also greatly enhanced by ochratoxin A. Various agents that inhibited ochratoxin A enhanced lipid peroxidation were also able to block the destruction of calcium uptake activity. Lipid peroxidation enhanced by ochratoxin A was also accompanied by leakage of calcium from calcium-loaded microsomes. These results suggest that ochratoxin A disrupts microsomal calcium homeostasis by an impairment of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane probably via enhanced lipid peroxidation.

Competitive inhibition of bile acid synthesis by endogenous cholestanol and sitosterol in sitosterolemia with xanthomatosis. Effect on cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase.

The 7 alpha-hydroxylation of two cholesterol analogues, sitosterol and cholestanol, and their effect on the 7 alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol were measured in rat and human hepatic microsomes. In untreated rat liver microsomes, the 7 alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol was higher than that of cholestanol (1.4-fold) and sitosterol (30-fold). After removal of endogenous sterols from the microsomes by acetone treatment, the 7 alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol was similar to that of cholestanol and only fourfold higher than that of sitosterol. Cholestanol and sitosterol competitively inhibited cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase in both rat and human liver microsomes, with cholestanol the more potent inhibitor. Patients with sitosterolemia with xanthomatosis, who have elevated microsomal cholestanol and sitosterol, showed reduced cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity relative to the activity in control subjects (13.9 and 14.7 vs. 20.3 +/- 0.9 pmol/nmol P-450 per min, P less than 0.01). Enzyme activity in these patients was 40% higher when measured in microsomes from which competing sterols had been removed. Ileal bypass surgery in one sitosterolemic patient decreased plasma cholestanol and sitosterol concentrations and resulted in a 30% increase in hepatic microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity. Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase appears to have a specific apolar binding site for the side chain of cholesterol and is affected by the presence of cholestanol and sitosterol in the microsomal substrate pool. Reduced bile acid synthesis in sitosterolemia with xanthomatosis may be related to the inhibition of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity by endogenous cholesterol analogues.

Purification and properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine UDP-glucuronyltransferase from rat liver microsomes.

5-Hydroxytryptamine UDP-glucuronyltransferase was highly purified from untreated rat liver microsomes. The specific activity towards 5-hydroxytryptamine was increased 178-fold over the starting solubilized microsomes with a final yield of 3%. The final preparation contained two major and one minor Coomassie brilliant blue staining polypeptide bands visible after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. One of the major bands was identified as 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible UDP-glucuronyltransferase, so the other (molecular weight of 55,500) appeared to be 5-hydroxytryptamine UDP-glucuronyltransferase. Concanavalin A reacted with the 55,500-dalton polypeptide. Phospholipid was indispensable for the enzyme activity. The enzyme activity in the final preparation was activated by divalent cations. Simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics were followed with respect to 5-hydroxytryptamine, but deviations from this kinetics were observed with respect to UDP-glucuronic acid and Mg2+. As regards Mg2+ stimulation, further experiments indicated that the added Mg2+ was non-competitive with 5-hydroxytryptamine, but at low concentrations of Mg2+ it was competitive with UDP-glucuronic acid and at high concentrations of Mg2+ it was non-competitive with UDP-glucuronic acid. The final preparation showed high substrate specificity towards 5-hydroxytryptamine among endogenous substrates tested. From these results, it was concluded that the enzyme described here is a new form of UDP-glucuronyltransferase isozyme, and its activity showed a peculiar dependence on Mg2+.

The use of glucose dehydrogenase to monitor the integrity of microsomes

Various concentrations of Tergitol NP-10 stimulate mannose-6-phosphatase and glucose dehydrogenase to the same extent in untreated rat liver microsomes. Thus, the latency of glucose dehydrogenase may be used as an alternative to mannose phosphatase as a measure of the integrity of the microsomal membrane. The advantage of using dehydrogenanse rather than mannose phosphatase to monitor microsomal integrity is that NADH is more easily measured than P i.