Microsomal Cytochrome P-450 Levels Research Articles

Depression of hepatic cytochrome P450 monooxygenases after chronic environmental tobacco smoke exposure of young ferrets

Six-week-old ferrets were exposed head-only to clean air or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) for 2 h/day, 5 days a week for a total of 8 weeks. Exposure to ETS caused a significant reduction in the levels of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase activity in both the male and female ferrets. The content of cytochrome b 5 and the activity of its reductase were significantly reduced in the hepatic microsomes of female ferrets. 7-Ethoxycoumarin O- deethylase activity and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A protein were markedly decreased in the hepatic microsomes of both the male and female ferrets after ETS exposure. In accord with the downregulation of P450, total metabolites formed from benzo[ a] pyrene were significantly reduced in the liver homogenates of ETS-exposed animals. Similarly, sum total of free (+)- anti- benzo[ a] pyrene-7,8- dihydrodiol-9,10- epoxide, glutathione conjugates and DNA-bound metabolites formed from precursor (−)-7 R- trans- benzo[ a] pyrene-7,8- dihydrodiol showed marked reduction in both the male and female ferrets after ETS exposure in a dose-response manner. This is the first report showing downregulation of hepatic P450 and accompanying benzo[ a] pyrene metabolism after tobacco smoke exposure which apparently occurred after an initial upregulation of these parameters (Rasmussen et al. (1994) FASEB J. 8, A122).

Inhibition of hepatic microsomal mono-oxygenase system by organotins in fish

The relationship between cytochrome P450 and feeding on terpenoid-rich gorgonian corals was investigated in a species of tropical butterflyfish and compared with two other sympatric congeners that do not feed on gorgonians. Fish were collected from non-polluted waters in Belize and the levels of two cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYP2B and CYP3A) were immunoquantitated in addition to quantification of total P450. Chaetodon capistratus regularly feeds on gorgonian corals and has higher levels of total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 than C. ocellatus or C. striatus. The content of hepatic P450 (0.588–0.794 nmol mg−1) in C. capistratus is among the highest ever reported in teleosts from non-polluted waters and is significantly greater than detected in C. ocellatus or C. striatus. Chaetodon capistratus also had a larger hepatic index (g liver per g fish) and more microsomal protein (mg protein per g liver), factors that translate into 3.3- to 8-fold more total P450 per g fish. Sexual differences in total P450 were observed between male and female C. capistratus, but not among the other species. The contents of proteins detected by immunoassay with polyclonal anti-scup P450B (CYP2B) and anti-human P4503A (CYP3A) were 2- to 10-fold and 2- to 20-fold greater, respectively, in C. capistratus than in the congeneric species. CYP2 and CYP3 gene families in mammals are thought to have evolved partially in response to dietary allelochemicals. These results suggest that these P450 isozymes may also be important in marine teleosts that feed on terpenoid-rich prey.

Comparison of cytochrome P450 in three butterflyfish species: Ecological implications of elevated CYP2B and CYP3A in Chaetodon capistratus

The relationship between cytochrome P450 and feeding on terpenoid-rich gorgonian corals was investigated in a species of tropical butterflyfish and compared with two other sympatric congeners that do not feed on gorgonians. Fish were collected from non-polluted waters in Belize and the levels of two cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYP2B and CYP3A) were immunoquantitated in addition to quantification of total P450. Chaetodon capistratus regularly feeds on gorgonian corals and has higher levels of total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 than C. ocellatus or C. striatus. The content of hepatic P450 (0.588–0.794 nmol mg −1) in C. capistratus is among the highest ever reported in teleosts from non-polluted waters and is significantly greater than detected in C. ocellatus or C. striatus. Chaetodon capistratus also had a larger hepatic index (g liver per g fish) and more microsomal protein (mg protein per g liver), factors that translate into 3.3- to 8-fold more total P450 per g fish. Sexual differences in total P450 were observed between male and female C. capistratus, but not among the other species. The contents of proteins detected by immunoassay with polyclonal anti-scup P450B (CYP2B) and anti-human P4503A (CYP3A) were 2- to 10-fold and 2- to 20-fold greater, respectively, in C. capistratus than in the congeneric species. CYP2 and CYP3 gene families in mammals are thought to have evolved partially in response to dietary allelochemicals. These results suggest that these P450 isozymes may also be important in marine teleosts that feed on terpenoid-rich prey.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and cholestyramine induce hepatic LDL receptor and are effective for lowering plasma cholesterol in homozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits

Male Fisher 344 rats were fed diets containing either 20% corn oil, 20% coconut oil or 18% cocomnut oil plus 2% corn oil for 3 wk. A single dose of [3H]aflatoxin B1 ([3H]AFB1) was administered ip and the biliary excretion of afflatoxin metabolites and the binding of 3H to nucleic acids were studied. In other experiments the in vitro metabolism of AFB1 by liver postmitochondrol supernatants prepared from rats fed the different sources of dietry fat was determined. The major nonextractable aqueous metabolite of AFB1 was the aflatoxin B1-glutathione conjugate (AFB1-GSH). Variation in the source of dietry fat did not affect production of the conjugate, nor was in vivo binding of AFB1 to nucleic acids affected. Aflatoxin P1 (AFP1)—mostly conjugated—and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) were also identified in the bile, and the quantities of these metabolites produced were unaffected by the dietary treatments. The metabolites recovered in the in vitro study included aflatoxins Q1, P1 and M1. The corn oil diet produced a higher microsomal cytochrome P-450 level than the coconut oil diet. Associated with the higher level of cytochrome P-450 was increased in vitro coversion of AFB1 and AFM1, but not ot AFP1. The in vitro production of aqueous metabolites and the covalent binding of metabolites to protein was unaffected by the dietary treatments. The results of the in vivo studies suggest that the formation of the putative carcinogenic metabolite, AFB1-epoxide, which undergoes detoxification through glutathione conjugation, is not affected by the type of dietary fat. These observations further suggest that dietary fat, in particular unsaturated fat, affects AFB1 carcinogenisis through a mechanism other than by alteration of the metabolic activaqtion of AFB1.

Effects of menthofuran, a monoterpene furan on rat liver microsomal enzymes, in vivo

Oral administration (250 mg/kg) of menthofuran, a monoterpene furan, to rats once daily for 3 days caused hepatotoxicity as judged by a significant increase in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and decreases in glucose-6-phosphate and aminopyrine N-demethylase activities. Administration of menthofuran also resulted in a decrease in the levels of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450, whereas cytochrome b 5 and NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase activities were not affected. These effects of methofuran were both dose- and time-dependent. retreatment of rats with phenobarbital (PB) prior to menthofuran treatment potentiated hepatotoxicity suggesting that a PB-induced cytochrome P-450 catalyzed the formation of reactive metabolite(s) responsible for the hepatotoxicity.

Sex and strain differences in mouse hepatic microsomal coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity

Hepatic microsomal coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity has been determined in male and female mice of strains A/J, AKR, BALB/c, CBA/Ca, C3H/He, C57BL/6J, DBA/2 and 129. In males, coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity was highest in liver microsomes from DBA/2 mice and lowest in BALB/c mice. With female mice enzyme activity was highest in DBA/2 and 129 strains, intermediate in the CBA/Ca strain and comparatively low in the other five strains. Marked sex differences were observed in coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity with enzyme activity in female animals from strains DBA/2, 129 and CBA/Ca being 4.8-, 6.2- and 4.8-fold higher, respectively, than in male mice. In contrast, only minor sex and strain differences in levels of total microsomal cytochrome P-450 were observed. These results demonstrate marked sex and strain differences in mouse hepatic microsomal coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity. Such differences may be due to variations in particular cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes such as CYP2A5, not all of which can be explained by the known allelic difference in the Cyp2a-5 locus.

Lipid peroxidation in the adrenal glands of male rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD)

This study was performed to determine whether TCDD (50 μg kg ; single oral dose) could induce adrenal microsomal lipid peroxidation, which might be correlated to decreased levels of cytochrome P-450 and 21-hydroxylase activity. The amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) formed was significantly higher than controls at days 1 through 5 following TCDD treatment. Microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels were depressed after lipid peroxidation at days 1, 3, and 5, and 21-hydroxylase activity decreased at day 5 after TCDD treatment. This study shows that TCDD stimulates adrenal microsomal lipid peroxidation which is associated with decreased cytochrome P-450 levels and 21-hydroxylase activity.

Effects of age, phenobarbital, beta-naphthoflavone and dexamethasone on rat hepatic heme oxygenase.

There is a wide range of change in both microsomal heme oxygenase activity and cytochrome P-450 level in the livers of rats of various ages. We tried to investigate the phases of heme oxygenase activity, both spontaneous and caused by typical MFO inducers in the lifetime of the rat. Wistar male rats aged 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 20 and 28 months received phenobarbital (50 mg/kg) twice, 3 and 2 days before being killed. beta-Naphthoflavone and dexamethasone were given three times: 3, 2 and 1 day before decapitation 20 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively). The highest heme oxygenase activity is observed in intact 2-week-old animals (1.16 +/- 0.038 nM/h per mg protein). Before maturity this activity decreases slightly up to the 2nd month of life. Then it stabilizes and remains virtually unchanged till the 8th month of life (1.02 +/- 0.03). Afterwards HO activity tends to increase until the 28th month of life (1.10 +/- 0.06), but does not reach the level observed in the 2-week-old animals. We have found that some typical MFO inducers can modify HO activity. While phenobarbital stimulates HO activity only in premature animals (1.42 +/- 0.056; 1.30 +/- 0.059 and 1.13 +/- 0.035, respectively in 0.5-, 1- and 2-month-old animals), beta-naphthoflavone enhances HO activity in all the groups studied. Dexamethasone, as a physiological inducer of the MFO system, modifies HO activity very characteristically. It induces this activity until the 2nd month of life and then its inducibility appears to remain unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of pretreatment with some mixed-function oxidase enzyme inducers on the acute hepatotoxicity of coumarin in the rat

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with saline, corn oil, sodium phenobarbitone (PB) (100 mg/kg body weight/day), 20-methylcholanthrene (20 MC) (20 mg/kg body weight/day) or Aroclor 1254 (ARO) (100 mg/kg body weight/day) by daily ip injections for 5 days. Animals were then given single oral doses of either 250 or 500 mg coumarin/kg body weight and hepatotoxicity was assessed after 24 hr. Coumarin produced hepatotoxicity, which comprised hepatocyte necrosis and elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, in all pretreated groups. Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels were reduced after coumarin administration. In rats pretreated with saline, corn oil or PB, coumarin produced centrilobular hepatic necrosis, whereas in rats pretreated with 20 MC or ARO, coumarin produced periportal hepatic necrosis. These results demonstrate that mixed-function oxidase enzyme inducers can modulate acute coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat. As coumarin is known to be bioactivated by cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes, the change in the lobular distribution of toxicity after pretreatment with 20 MC or ARO is presumably due to the induction of particular cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes in periportal hepatocytes.

261 Distribution to the brain, protein binding and log(P) 3′-fluorothymidine derivatives, a microdialysis study

Oral administration of pulegone (400 mg/kg) to rats once daily for five days caused significant decreases in the levels of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and heme. Cytochrome b5 and NAD(P)H-cytochrome c-reductase activities were not affected. Massive hepatotoxicy accompanied by an increase in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and a decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase were observed upon treatment with pulegone. A significant decrease in aminopyrine N-demethylase was also noticed after pulegone administration. Menthone or carvone (600 mg/kg), compounds related to pulegone, when administered orally did not cause any decrease in cytochrome P-450 levels. The hepatotoxic effects of pulegone were both dose and time dependent. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital (PB) or diethylmaleate (DEM) potentiated the hepatotoxicity caused by pulegone, whereas, pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) or piperonyl butoxide protected from it. It appears that a PB induced cytochrome P-450 catalysed reactive metabolite(s) may be responsible for the hepatotoxicity caused by pulegone.

Diminution in kerosene-mediated induction of drug metabolizing enzymes by asbestos in rat lungs.

In order to determine the pulmonary toxicity of kerosene and its ignition product (soot) in asbestos exposed subjects, the activities of phase I and phase II drug metabolizing enzymes in rat lungs after single intratracheal co-exposure to Indian chrysotile asbestos and kerosene or its soot and Indian chrysotile were assayed. Exposure to kerosene or its soot resulted in a significant increase in the level of microsomal cytochrome P-450 and the activity of P-450 dependent monooxygenase, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase, as well as in the activities of microsomal epoxide hydrase and cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase (GST). However, in chrysotile exposed animals a reverse pattern in these parameters was recorded. The co-exposure to chrysotile and kerosene or chrysotile and soot led to a significant depletion in cytochrome P-450 level and a decrease in the activities of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase, epoxide hydrase and GST when compared to kerosene and soot controls, respectively. These results suggest that asbestos by altering the pulmonary drug metabolizing enzyme system may increase the toxic potential of kerosene and its ignition product in the respiratory system.

Sex-specific modulation of hepatic covalent DNA modifications (I-compounds) by the cytochrome P450 inducer, pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile

I-compounds are recently discovered, age-dependent covalent DNA modifications, which are detectable by 32P-postlabeling assay for DNA adducts. The effects of the catatoxic antiglucocorticoid, pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN), on hepatic and renal I-compound levels have been studied in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats together with the levels of microsomal cytochrome P450 and rates of ethylmorphine N-demethylation. PCN (50 mg/kg ip) was dissolved in corn oil and administered to rats once daily for 4 days, and animals were killed at 1 day or 8 days after the last treatment. Hepatic and renal I-compounds were analyzed by 32P-postlabeling in control and PCN-treated animals at both time points. Microsomal cytochrome P450 and ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities were also determined. Total levels of liver nonpolar and polar I-compounds were reduced in female rats by 37 and 51%, respectively, compared to controls, at 1 day. Ten out of sixteen individual I-compounds were also markedly reduced in female rat liver DNA as a result of PCN administration. In contrast to females, total levels of liver I-compounds were not significantly altered in males by PCN at 1 day; however, two individual I-compounds were lowered. I-compoud levels recovered 8 days after termination of PCN treatment in both males and females. Total levels of renal I-compounds were not affected by PCN treatment in either males or females. [ 3H]Methylthymidine incorporation studies showed an increase in mean DNA synthesis rate at 1 day in liver of both males and females, but this was significant in males only. Marked induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (2.2-fold) and ethylmorphine N-demethylase (4.0-fold) activity was observed in female rats treated with PCN at 1 day as compared to controls. The extent of induction of these enzymes was much higher in females than males. At 8 days the levels of cytochrome P450 and ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity had returned to uninduced values. The results are consistent with a pivotal role for PCN-inducible cytochrome P450 in the metabolism of I-compounds.

Sex-related differences in rat hepatic cytochromes P450 expression following treatment with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene

The induction of hepatic cytochromes P450 and metabolic effects have been examined in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats following treatment with either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. Hepatic cytochrome P450 levels were higher in males than in females by ≈40%. Treatment of male and female rats with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in an ≈1.6- and 2-fold increase, respectively, in heptic microsomal cytochrome P450 levels in both sexes, relative to untreated animals. Immunoblot analyses were performed to compare sex-related changes in P450 levels. Hepatic P450IIB1 levels in males were greater than those in females following phenobarbital treatment.

Experimental hepatic porphyria induced by oxadiazon in male mice and rats

Male mice and rats were fed a diet containing 1000 mg/kg of oxadiazon for 6 days. Fecal porphyrin was elevated in both mice and rats (from 30.2 to 1673.1 nmol/g dry wt and from 98.3 to 547.6 nmol/g dry wt, respectively). Porphyrin content of mouse bile was elevated from 5.7 to 439.0 nmol/g wet wt. Livers of treated animals contained mainly uroporphyrin, while protoporphyrin constituted the major porphyrin fraction in the feces of treated animals and in mouse bile. Urine of oxadiazon-treated rats contained coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin; total urine porphyrin content was 0.4 nmol/ml for control and 15.2 nmol/ml for treated rats. Porphobilinogen concentration was elevated in liver, kidneys, and blood plasma of treated animals. The activity of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase was increased in the liver, but not in the kidneys of treated animals. Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 levels were decreased to about 50% of control values. The pattern of porphyrin accumulation and excretion in oxadiazon-induced experimental porphyria resembles the porphyrin pattern observed in human variegate porphyria.

Induced microsomal oxidation of diclofop, triasulfuron, chlorsulfuron, and linuron in wheat

Microsomal fractions from shoot tissues of etiolated wheat seedlings catalyzed the oxidation of diclofop, chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron, chlortoluron, and linuron. Microsomal oxidation products of chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron, and linuron were isolated and identified by mass spectrometry and cochromatography with reference standards. Oxidation was dependent on NADPH and molecular oxygen and was inhibited by CO in the presence of oxygen. Triasulfuron hydroxylation was inhibited to varying degrees by other known inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 enzymes and by several different postemergence herbicides. Enzyme activity was increased 2- to 3-fold by the removal of endogenous inhibitors and stimulated an additional 5- to 20-fold by the treatment of germinating seedlings with naphthalic anhydride, ethanol, or phenobarbital. In contrast to marked increases in monooxygenase activities following induction, microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activities were not increased to a significant extent. Ethanol and phenobarbital were more effective than naphthalic anhydride as inducers of microsomal hydroxylase activity. The combined effect of naphthalic anhydride and ethanol as inducers of diclofop and triasulfuron hydroxylases was additive. Apparent Km values for triasulfuron, chlorsulfuron, and diclofop with constitutive and induced microsomal hydroxylases were compared. Differences in the response of herbicide monooxygenases to selected inhibitors, inducers, and substrates support the hypothesis that wheat microsomes contain a number of distinct cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases with different substrate specificities and kinetic properties. These enzymes serve as important factors in the tolerance and selectivity of a broad spectrum of herbicides used in wheat production systems.

Cyclosporin-Mediated Depression of Luteinizing Hormone Receptors and Heme Biosynthesis in Rat Testes: A Possible Mechanism for Decrease in Serum Testosterone*

The toxic side-effects of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin (CsA) include testicular dysfunction and a decline in circulating testosterone. However, mechanisms for the consistently observed CsA-mediated depression of serum testosterone levels are unclear because of conflicting reports concerning circulating gonadotropin levels and incomplete studies of intratesticular steroidogenesis. To elucidate these mechanisms, endocrine-regulated testicular steroidogenesis and heme metabolic parameters were studied in male rats given sc injections of either 25 or 40 mg/kg.day CsA for 6 days and then killed on the seventh day. Consistent with earlier reports, CsA treatment dramatically suppressed serum testosterone levels (less than 20% of control at both CsA doses). Additionally, the intratesticular testosterone content declined with the higher CsA dose. Serum LH and FSH levels were elevated up to 2- to 4-fold after the higher CsA treatment regimen. Measurement of decreases in testicular receptors for LH revealed for the first time that CsA treatment significantly reduced the ability of the testes to respond to normal or elevated circulating levels of LH. In animals receiving higher dose of the drug, cytochrome P-450-dependent mitochondrial cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity, which is the rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis, was markedly reduced to a mere 30% of the control value. Additionally, the activity of the microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent 17 alpha-hydroxylase was decreased to less than half of the control value. Biotransformation of the prototype drug, benzo(a)pyrene, as well as microsomal cytochrome P450 levels declined significantly after the higher CsA dose, suggesting that CsA has an adverse affect on testicular cytochromes P-450 in general. In addition, CsA treatment altered heme metabolic parameters; significant increases in the activity of uroporphyrinogen-I synthetase and total porphyrin content were noted. Conversely, the activity of ferrochelatase, the enzyme that incorporates iron into porphyrin to form heme molecule, decreased significantly, as did the total heme levels. The latter was reduced to only 61% of control values. The findings suggest the likelihood that the observed inhibition of heme formation may contribute substantially to the reduced levels of microsomal cytochromes P-450 and steroidogenic activities that depend on them. Taken collectively, these data suggest a plausible mechanism by which CsA may induce testicular dysfunction; as the result of a combination of reduction in the number of LH receptors and a suppression of heme formation, the hemoprotein-dependent steroidogenic enzymes activities are compromised, leading to an impairment of normal testicular function.

Chronic dietary iron overload in rats results in impaired calcium sequestration by hepatic mitochondria and microsomes 1, 2, and 3

The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether chronic dietary iron overload causes impairment of hepatic mitochondrial and/or microsomal calcium sequestration. Experimental iron overload was produced by feeding three groups of rats a chow diet supplemented with 3.0% (wt/wt) carbonyl iron for up to 8 weeks achieving graded increases in hepatic iron concentrations ranging from 1360 to 3170 μg/g. At low levels of iron overload, there were no changes in mitochondrial oxidative metabolism or calcium sequestration, whereas at moderate and high degrees of iron loading, both of these parameters were significantly reduced. In contrast, there were significant decreases in microsomal cytochrome P450 levels and microsomal calcium sequestration at all three levels of iron loading. These abnormalities occurred at hepatic iron concentrations at which the authors have previously found evidence of hepatic organelle lipid peroxidation. These alterations in organelle calcium sequestration may impair intracellular calcium homeostasis in the liver and contribute to subsequent cellular injury.

Biochemical, histopathological and ultrastructural changes in rat liver induced by r‐( + )‐pulegone, a monoterpene ketone

Biochemical, histopathological and ultrastructural changes occurring at different time points after intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of pulegone (300 mg/kg) were studied. Significant decreases in the level of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (67%), heme (37%), aminopyrine N-demethylase (60%) and glucose-6-phosphatase (58%), were noticed 24 hr after pulegone treatment. Alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels increased in a time dependent manner, following exposure of rats to pulegone. Light microscopic studies of liver tissues showed dilation of central veins and distention of sinusoidal spaces 6 hr after pulegone treatment. Initial centrilobular necrosis was noticed at 12 hr. Centrilobular necrosis became severe at 18 hr and nuclear changes included karyorrhexis and karyolysis. Midzonal and periportal degenerative changes in addition to centrilobular necrosis was observed 24 hr after pulegone administration. Electron microscopic changes showed severe degeneration of endoplasmic reticulum, swelling of mitochondria and nuclear changes, 24 hr after administration of pulegone. The time course profile of the hepatocytes after treatment with pulegone indicates that endoplasmic reticulum is the organelle most affected, following which other degenerative changes occur ultimately leading to cell death.

Chemostat studies of microsomal enzyme induction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Using cells grown in a chemostat at steady state, the levels of various components of the microsomal electron transport chain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were examined. Cytochrome P450 haemoprotein levels measured in cells grown in medium with a dissolved oxygen concentration of 15% were induced between 10- and 20-fold over levels in cells grown in medium containing 70% dissolved oxygen concentration. An increase in the dilution rate of a culture growing in medium containing 15% dissolved oxygen resulted in an increase in the residual glucose concentration of the medium. This was paralleled by an increase in the microsomal levels of cytochrome P450. The rise could not be attributed either to increases in the concentration of ethanol in the chemostat or to an increase in the proportion of energy generated using fermentative pathways. However, this effect was not observed in cells grown in an oxygen concentration of 70%. Cytochrome b5 haemoprotein levels were also induced approximately three-fold by reducing the dissolved oxygen concentration from 70% to 15%. Changes in the medium glucose concentration from 0.03% to 1.6% (w/v) had no effect on the levels of this enzyme. Conversely, levels of cytochrome P450 NADPH reductase appeared lower in cells grown in 15% as opposed to 70% dissolved oxygen concentration. Northern slot blot analysis of total RNA extracted from chemostat-grown cells, probed with a C-14 sterol demethylase cytochrome P450 gene (cytochrome P450 LIA1), revealed a pattern of message induction which matched that of the cytochrome P450 haemoprotein, indicating that control of the levels of this enzyme was at least partially transcriptional.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antidotal Effect of Lipopolysaccharide Against Acetaminophen‐Induced Mortality in Mice

The possibility that pretreatment with LPS (lipopolysaccharide obtained from Escherichia coli), an immune system stimulant and interferon inducer, could prevent the hepatotoxic effects of acetaminophen (NAPAP) was investigated in mice. When mice were pretreated with LPS (4 mg/kg), intraperitoneally for 24 hr the mortality caused by NAPAP was considerably reduced. Histological examination of the livers and leakage of the enzymes into the blood demonstrated that NAPAP-induced necrosis was decreased in LPS-treated mice compared to that induced by NAPAP alone. Pretreatment with 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of NAPAP decreased the amount of covalently-bound acetaminophen metabolites. Since the level of hepatic glutathione and microsomal cytochrome P-450 were depressed in these experiments, it is concluded that LPS depresses the cytochrome P-450 species responsible for the formation of the toxic metabolites and that less reactive species are available for binding to cell macromolecules.