Microsomal Oxidation Research Articles

Mechanism of cobalt (II) ion inhibition of iron-supported phospholipid peroxidation

Co 2+ inhibited nonenzymatic iron chelate-dependent lipid peroxidation in dispersed lipids, such as ascorbate-supported lipid peroxidation, but not iron-independent lipid peroxidation. Histidine partially abolished the Co 2+ inhibition of the iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The affinity of iron for phosphatidylcholine liposomes in Fe 2+ PP i -supported systems was enhanced by the addition of an anionic lipid, phosphatidylserine, and Co 2+ competitively inhibited the peroxidation, while the inhibiting ability of Co 2+ as well as the peroxidizing ability of Fe 2+ PP i on liposomes to which other phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine, or phosphatidylinositol had been added was reduced. Co 2+ inhibited microsomal NADPH-supported lipid peroxidation monitored in terms of malondialdehyde production and the peroxidation monitored in terms of oxygen consumption. The inhibitory action of Co 2+ was not associated with iron reduction or NADPH oxidation in microsomes, suggesting that Co 2+ does not affect the microsomal electron transport system responsible for lipid peroxidation. Fe 2+ PP i -supported peroxidation of microsomal lipid liposomes was markedly inhibited by Co 2+.

Catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 isozymes purified from rat liver in converting 11-oxo-Δ 8-tetrahydrocannabinol to Δ 8-tetrahydrocannabinol-11-oic acid

Cytochrome P450 isozymes purified from rat hepatic microsomes were able to catalyse the oxidation of 11-oxo-Δ 8-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-oxo-Δ 8-THC) to Δ 8-THC-11-oic acid in the presence of NADPH, cytochrome P450 reductase and dilauroylphosphatidylcholine. The catalytic activities (nmol/min/nmol P450) of cytochrome P450s, UT-2 (IIC11), UT-4 (IIA2), UT-5 (IIC13), PB-1, PB-2 (IIC6), PB-4 (IIB1), MC-1 (IA2), MC-5 (IA1) and IF-3 (IIA1), were 0.69, 0.08, 0.07, 0.23, 0.46, 0.02, 0.06, 0.07 and 0.34, respectively, whereas the activities of cytochrome P450s, PB-5 (IIB2) and DM (IIE1), were less than 0.02 nmol/min/nmol P450. Cytochrome P450 IIC11 showed the highest catalytic activity of the cytochromes examined. The mechanism for the oxidation of 11-oxo-Δ 8-THC to Δ 8-THC-11-oic acid by cytochrome P450 IIC11 was established as being an oxygenation since one atom of oxygen-18 was exclusively incorporated into the carboxylic acid formed under 18O 2. The antibody raised to cytochrome P450 IIC11 inhibited by 60% the hepatic microsomal oxidation of 11-oxo-Δ 8-THC to Δ 8-THC-11-oic acid in male rats. These results indicate that cytochrome P450 IIC11 is a major form of the cytochrome to catalyse the oxidation of 11-oxo-Δ 8-THC to Δ 8-THC-11-oic acid in the hepatic microsomes of male rats and that the oxidation of aldehyde to carboxylic acid is a catalytic activity common to most isozymes of P450.

Effect of orally administered misoprostol and cimetidine on the steady state pharmacokinetics of diazepam and nordiazepam in human volunteers

The effects of misoprostol and cimetidine on diazepam pharmacokinetics were evaluated in order to determine whether the kinetic variables for diazepam and nordiazepam alone differ with the repeated oral administration of misoprostol and cimetidine to healthy adult volunteers. The trial was conducted as an open crossover study in 12 normal subjects, divided into two groups with all subjects receiving both regimens. Total study duration was 5 weeks. An initial clinical assessment, including blood biochemistry and assessment of subject oxidation status was carried out on study day 1. On this day, subjects began taking diazepam (10 mg) orally for one week, with pharmacokinetic studies performed at day 8, when steady state levels of diazepam were reached. This was followed by one week with active drug, misoprostol to Group I and cimetidine to Group II, with pharmacokinetic studies performed at the end of a 1-week treatment. After a 2-week wash-out period, both groups took for one week, the alternate drug, i.e. cimetidine plus diazepam to Group I and misoprostol plus diazepam to Group II. On days 8, 15 and 36, subjects were admitted to the hospital for 12 h, during which time a clinical examination was carried out and blood samples were taken at time zero and at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 h post-dosing for the measurement of serum diazepam and nordiazepam. The main parameters measured and evaluated were diazepam and nordiazepam pharmacokinetics at steady state (days 8, 15 and 36). These were areas under the curve in the dose intervals (AUC0-24h), maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax), time to peak concentrations (Tmax), elimination half-life (t1/2), elimination constant (Kel), distribution volume (Vd), total body clearance (ClB) and clearance after oral administration (Cloral). The results demonstrated that plasma diazepam and nordiazepam concentrations had a significant increase after steady states have been reached with the simultaneous administration of 800 mg of cimetidine daily for one week. The simultaneous administration of 800 micrograms of misoprostol did not cause any significant change in diazepam and nordiazepam plasma levels after steady states had been reached. Comparing the pharmacokinetic parameters of Groups A and B as well as within groups on days 8, 15 and 36, a significant increase in plasma diazepam and nordiazepam levels was detected. This was due to a cimetidine-induced impairment in microsomal oxidation of diazepam and nordiazepam, which caused a decrease in total metabolic clearance and increased mean steady state plasma concentrations. A more prolonged half-life was observed for both groups taking cimetidine as well as an increase of mean maximum plasma concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Oxidation of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and analogs by human liver cytochrome P-450 IIIA4

A series of 21 different 4-substituted 2,6-dimethyl-3-(alkoxycarbonyl)-1,4-dihydropyridines was considered with regard to oxidation to pyridine derivatives by human liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450). Antibodies raised against P-450 IIIA4 inhibited the microsomal oxidation of nifedipine and felodipine to the same extent, as did cimetidine and the mechanism-based inactivator gestodene. Gestodene was approximately 10(3) times more effective an inhibitor than cimetidine, on a molar basis. When rates of oxidation of the 1,4-dihydropyridines were compared to each other in different human liver microsomal preparations, all were highly correlated with each other with the exceptions of a derivative devoid of a substituent at the 4-position and an N1-CH3 derivative. A P-450 IIIA4 cDNA clone was expressed in yeast and the partially purified protein was used in reconstituted systems containing NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and cytochrome b5. This system catalyzed the oxidation of all of the 1,4-dihydropyridines except the two for which poor correlation was seen in the liver microsomes. Principal component analysis supported the view that most of these reactions were catalyzed by the same enzyme in the yeast P-450 IIIA4 preparation and in the different human liver microsomal preparations, or by a closely related enzyme showing nearly identical properties of catalytic specificity and regulation. The results indicate that the enzyme P-450 IIIA4 is probably the major human catalyst involved in the formal dehydrogenation of most but not all 1,4-dihydropyridine drugs.

Bioactivation of aflatoxin B 1 by human liver microsomes: Role of cytochrome P450 IIIA enzymes

Based on our previous observations (H. S. Ramsdell and D. L. Eaton, 1990, Cancer Res., 50, 615–620) that the proportion of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) converted to the highly reactive AFB 1-8,9-epoxide in microsomal incubations varies with substrate concentration, we have examined the hypothesis of T. Shimada and F. P. Guengerich (1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86, 462–465) that cytochrome P450 IIIA4 is principally responsible for the activation (epoxidation) of AFB 1 by human liver microsomes. The initial rates of formation of AFB 1-8,9-epoxide and hydroxylated AFB 1 metabolites were determined in microsomes prepared from livers of organ donors ( n = 14) at AFB 1 concentrations of 124 and 16 μ m. Microsomal oxidation of nifedipine, catalyzed primarily by P450 IIIA enzymes, was also determined by HPLC. Rates of formation of AFB 1 metabolites and nifedipine oxidation were poorly correlated at either AFB 1 concentration ( r 2 = 0.13–0.41). A somewhat better correlation between AFB 1 epoxidation and nifedipine oxidation was observed at 124 μ m AFB 1 ( r 2 = 0.41) than at 16 μ m AFB 1 ( r 2 = 0.26). Treatment of pooled microsomes with troleandomycin, an apparently specific inhibitor of P450 IIIA enzymes, resulted in 35% inhibition of AFB 1-8,9-epoxide formation at the high AFB 1 level but had little effect at 16 μ m AFB 1. An antibody against rat cytochrome P450 IIIA1 significantly inhibited AFB 1 epoxidation at high, but not low, AFB 1 concentrations, whereas AFQ 1 formation was strongly inhibited at all substrate levels examined. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 IIIA enzyme(s) can form AFB 1-8,9-epoxide, but are effective at only relatively high substrate concentrations. Another P450 enzyme(s) appears to be principally responsible for AFB 1-8,9-epoxide formation at the low AFB 1 levels that would be typical for dietary exposures.

Effect of Iodinated Contrast Media on the Synthesis and Metabolism of Leukotriene B4

To investigate whether the endogenous vasoactive substrate, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), was induced in adverse reactions observed after intravenous injection of iodinated contrast media (CM), the authors measured the in vitro production and metabolism of LTB4 by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) after stimulation with different doses of commercial CM preparations: iopamidol, 300 mg I/mL; iodamide, 300 mg I/mL; iohexol, 300 mg I/mL; ioxaglate, 320 mg I/mL; and the experimental preparation, iomeprolo. This study showed that the CM studied do not stimulate the production or metabolism of LTB4 by isolated human blood PMNs. All of the CM studied except iodamide do not inhibit the production or metabolism of LTB4 in PMNs stimulated by A23187. The in vitro hepatic microsomal oxidation of exogenous LTB4 to (omega-1)OH LTB4 and omega-OH LTB4 was inhibited by all the CM studied. LTB4 production by PMNs seems not to play a major role in anaphylactoid reactions observed after iodinated CM. However, a transient blockade by CM of LTB4 metabolism, leading to an increase of steady-state concentrations of LTB4, could not be excluded by these experiments.

Microsomal oxidation of dodecylthioacetic acid (a 3-thia fatty acid) in rat liver

[1- 14C]odecylthioacetic acid (DTA), a 3-thia fatty acid, is ω (ω-1)-hydroxylated and sulfur oxygenated at about equal rates in rat liver microsomes. In prolonged incubations DTA is converted to (ω-hydroxydodecylsulfoxyacetic acid. ω-Hydroxylation of DTA is catalysed by cytochrome P450IVA1 (or a very closely related isoenzyme in the same gene family), the fatty acid ω- hydroxylating enzyme. It is absolutely dependent on NADPH and inhibited by CO, and lauric acid is a competing substrate. ω-Hydroxylation of DTA is increased by feeding tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA), a 3-thia fatty acid, for 4 days to rats. ω-Hydroxylation of [1- 14C]lauric acid is also induced by TTA and other 3-thia carboxylic acids. A close relationship was observed between induction of microsomal ω-hydroxylation of fatty acid and palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activity. DTA is ω-hydroxylated at about the same rate as the physiological substrate lauric acid. The sulfur oxygenation of DTA is catalysed by liver microsomal flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) (EC 1.14.13.8). It is dependent on either NADH or NADPH. The K m value for NADH was approx. five times larger than the K m value for NADPH. It is inhibited by methimazole and not affected by CO. It is not induced by TTA.

Monoclonal antibody-directed characterization of cytochrome P450 isozymes responsible for toluene metabolism in rat liver

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used to study the contribution of cytochromes P450IA1/IA2, P450IIB1/IIB2, P450IIC11/IIC6 and P450IIE1 to toluene side-chain (benzyl alcohol, BA, formation) and ring ( o- and p-cresol formation) oxidation in liver microsomes from fed, one-day fasted, and phenobarbital (PB)-, 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)- and ethanol-treated rats. All rats were fed synthetic liquid diets. MAb 1-7-1 against P450IA1/IA2 inhibited markedly o-cresol formation and slightly p-cresol formation but not BA formation only in microsomes from MC-treated rats. MAbs 2-66-3, 4-7-1 and 4-29-5 against P450IIB1/IIB2 strongly inhibited BA, o-cresol and p-cresol formation only in PB-induced microsomes. MAb 1-68-11 against P450IIC11/IIC6 inhibited BA formation at high toluene concentration in the following order: fed > fasted > ethanol = MC > PB, and ethanol ⩾ fed = fasted > MC > PB on the basis of the percentage and net amount inhibition, respectively. MAb 1-91-3 against P450IIE1 inhibited BA formation at low toluene concentration, but not at high concentration, in the following order: ethanol > fasted = fed > MC, and ethanol > fasted > fed > MC on the basis of percentage and net inhibition, respectively. MAbs 1-68-11 and 1-91-3 also inhibited p-cresol formation at high and low toluene concentrations, respectively. These results indicate that (i) both P450IIE1 and P450IIC11/IIC6 are constitutive isozymes mainly responsible for the formation of BA and p-cresol from toluene as low-and high- K m isozymes, respectively; (ii) P450IIE1, but not P450IIC11/IIC6, is induced by one-day fasting and ethanol treatment; (iii) both P450IIE1 and P450IIC11/IIC6 are decreased by PB and MC treatments; (iv) P450IIE1 is inhibited by high concentration of toluene; (v) P450IIB1/IIB2 can contribute to the formation of BA, o- and p-cresol from toluene, while P450IAI/IA2 preferentially contributes to the formation of o-cresol.

Role of iron, hydrogen peroxide and reactive oxygen species in microsomal oxidation of glycerol to formaldehyde

Rat liver microsomes can oxidize glycerol to formaldehyde. This oxidation is sensitive to catalase and glutathione plus glutathione peroxidase, suggesting a requirement for H 2O 2 in the overall pathway of glycerol oxidation. Hydrogen peroxide can not replace NADPH in supporting glycerol oxidation; however, added H 2O 2 increased the NADPH-dependent rate. Ferric chloride or ferric-ATP had no effect on glycerol oxidation, whereas ferric-EDTA was inhibitory. Certain iron chelators such as desferrioxamine, EDTA or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, but not others such as ADP or citrate, inhibited glycerol oxidation. The inhibition by desferrioxamine could be overcome by added iron. Neither superoxide dismutase nor hydroxyl radical scavengers had any effect on glycerol oxidation. With the exception of propyl gallate, several antioxidants which inhibit lipid peroxidation had no effect on formaldehyde production from glycerol. The inhibition by propyl gallate could be overcome by added iron. In contrast to glycerol, formaldehyde production from dimethylnitrosamine was not sensitive to catalase or iron chelators, thus disassociating the overall pathway of glycerol oxidation from typical mixed-function oxidase activity of cytochrome P450. These studies indicate that H 2O 2 and nonheme iron are required for glycerol oxidation to formaldehyde. The responsible oxidant is not superoxide, H 2O 2, or hydroxyl radical. Cytochrome P450 may function to generate the H 2O 2 and reduce the nonheme iron. There may be additional roles for P450 since rates of formaldehyde production by microsomes exceed rates found with model chemical systems. Elevated rates of H 2O 2 production by certain P450 isozymes, e.g., P450 IIE1, may contribute to enhanced rates of glycerol oxidation.

Propranolol does not alter flutoprazepam kinetics and metabolism in the rat

The influence of propranolol on the disposition of flutoprazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative extensively biotransformed by hepatic microsomal oxidation, was evaluated in the rat. Propranolol was infused subcutaneously with osmotic minipumps (5 mg/day) to obtain steady-state concentrations of about 200 ng/ml. Flutoprazepam (5 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally on the third day of propranolol infusion. There was some variability in flutoprazepam disposition, consistent with the concept of an extensive first-pass metabolism of high-extraction drugs. Propranolol had no significant effects on the kinetics of flutoprazepam or norflutoprazepam, an active metabolite possibly accounting for a substantial part of the parent compound's pharmacological and clinical effects. It was concluded that there is no evidence of any pharmacokinetic interaction between this beta-adrenoceptor blocker and flutoprazepam in the rat.

Inhibitory effect of lichen constituents on mutagenicity induced by heterocyclic amines

Physodic acid, one of the main constituents of Hypogymnia enteromorpha, inhibited the mutagenicity of indirect mutagens, including benzo[a]pyrene and heterocyclic amines in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. In contrast, it was not effective against direct mutagens such as 6-nitropiperonal and adriamycin. Its antimutagenicity was not associated with free-radical scavenging or antioxidative activities. Physodic acid seemed to inhibit the formation of reactive metabolites, such as N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2, by blocking the hepatic microsomal oxidation systems. Another component of H. enteromorpha, physodalic acid, also inhibited mutagenicity of a heterocyclic amine, Trp-P-2, in S. typhimurium TA 98, even though it was reportedly mutagenic in S. typhimurium TA 100.

Effect of Iodinated Contrast Media on the Synthesis and Metabolism of Leukotriene B4

To investigate whether the endogenous vasoactive substrate, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), was induced in adverse reactions observed after intravenous injection of iodinated contrast media (CM), the authors measured the in vitro production and metabolism of LTB4 by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) after stimulation with different doses of commercial CM preparations: iopamidol, 300 mg I/mL; iodamide, 300 mg I/mL; iohexol, 300 mg I/mL; ioxaglate, 320 mg I/mL; and the experimental preparation, iomeprolo. This study showed that the CM studied do not stimulate the production or metabolism of LTB4 by isolated human blood PMNs. All of the CM studied except iodamide do not inhibit the production or metabolism of LTB4 in PMNs stimulated by A23187. The in vitro hepatic microsomal oxidation of exogenous LTB4 to (omega-1)OH LTB4 and omega-OH LTB4 was inhibited by all the CM studied. LTB4 production by PMNs seems not to play a major role in anaphylactoid reactions observed after iodinated CM. However, a transient blockade by CM of LTB4 metabolism, leading to an increase of steady-state concentrations of LTB4, could not be excluded by these experiments.

Structure of quinoline antibacterial agents ami inhibitory potency on caffeine oxidation in human liver microsomes

Structure of quinoline antibacterial agents ami inhibitory potency on caffeine oxidation in human liver microsomes

ETHANOL-INDUCIBLE CYTOCHROME <italic>P</italic> -450 ACTIVITY AND INCREASE IN ACETALDEHYDE BOUND TO MICROSOMES AFTER CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF ACETALDEHYDE OR ETHANOL

Chronic ethanol consumption results in acetaldehyde adduct formation with proteins such as haemoglobin and liver proteins in vivo. Our purpose was to study the binding of acetaldehyde to liver microsomal proteins, a site of ethanol oxidation via cytochrome P-450 (especially P-450 II E1), after chronic administration of ethanol or acetaldehyde for 21 days to rats. The liver microsomal oxidation of 1-butanol by the ethanol-inducible P-450 also was examined. Acetaldehyde bound to liver microsomal proteins was higher in ethanol-fed rats compared with acetaldehyde-treated rats (0.735 vs 0.413 nmol/mg of protein respectively). The biotransformation of n-butanol to butyraldehyde by liver microsomes was increased (by 136%) in ethanol-fed rats vs controls, whereas in acetaldehyde-treated rats this increase was much lower (only 27%). However, in this last group, a significant negative relationship between the quantity of acetaldehyde bound to microsomal proteins and the monooxygenase-catalyzed transformation of butanol by liver microsomes was demonstrated (r = -0.79, P less than 0.01). These results suggest that proteins of liver microsomes are a target for acetaldehyde binding during ethanol oxidation and such adduct formation could impair the oxidative properties of the alcohol-inducible cytochrome P-450.

Multiple Pathways for the Oxidative Metabolism of Estrogens in Syrian Hamster and Rabbit Kidney

Microsomal preparations from hamster kidney, a target tissue for the carcinogenic action of stilbene-type and steroidal estrogens, catalyze the oxidative metabolism of diethylstilbestrol (DES). The formation of the major metabolite Z,Z-dienestrol and of reactive intermediates capable of protein binding were mediated by enzyme activities requiring nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form-NADPH), cumene hydroperoxide, or arachidonic acid (ARA). In addition, hydroxylated DES metabolites were detected in NADPH-supplemented incubations. The NADPH-dependent oxidation of DES was inhibited by SKF 525A and metyrapone. Monooxygenase-catalyzed metabolism was apparently responsible for the majority of DES oxidation in microsomes from whole hamster kidneys in vitro and this activity is preferentially localized in the kidney cortex. However, ARA-dependent, i.e., prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) mediated oxidation of DES and of the catechol estrogen 2-hydroxyestrone was demonstrated as well in the medulla of both rabbit and hamster kidney. It is proposed that monooxygenase and PHS activities act in concert in the metabolic activation of carcinogenic estrogens. This appears to apply in particular to steroidal estrogens, since catechol estrogens formed by monooxygenases are further oxidized to reactive intermediates by PHS and other peroxidatic enzymes.

Relationship between lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and uroporphyrinogen oxidation in mouse and chick embryo liver microsomes

Relationship between lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and uroporphyrinogen oxidation in mouse and chick embryo liver microsomes

Relative contributions of the cytochrome P450 and flavin-containing monooxygenases to the microsomal oxidation of phorate following treatment of mice with phenobarbital, hydrocortisone, acetone, and piperonyl butoxide

The relative contributions of the cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase system (P450) and the flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) in the microsomal oxidation of phorate, O,O-diethyl S-[(ethylthio)methyl]phosphorodithioate, were investigated in mice following treatment with phenobarbital (PB), piperonyl butoxide (PBO), acetone, or hydrocortisone. PBO treatment produced a distinct biphasic effect (initial inhibition and subsequent induction) on several hepatic enzyme activities, including phorate sulfoxidation. The relative contribution by P450 to phorate sulfoxidation decreased from 76% in control to 58% at 2 hr after treatment and increased to 89% at 12 hr. Hydrocortisone treatment caused an increase in FMO activity in liver microsomes, but not in lung microsomes. Administration of acetone caused an increase in benzphetamine N-demethylation and p-nitrophenol hydroxylation in the liver, but no change in phorate sulfoxidase activity was observed, nor was the relative contributions due to P450 and FMO altered. Treatment with phenobarbital produced a large increase in both benzphetamine N-demethylase and phorate sulfoxidase activity in liver microsomes, with the percentage of phorate sulfoxidase activity due to P450 being increased from 76% in the control livers to 85% in the treated livers.

Binding of benzo[a]pyrene to DNA by cytochrome P 450 catalyzed one-electron oxidation in rat liver microsomes and nuclei

To investigate whether cytochrome P-450 catalyzes the covalent binding of substrates to DNA by one-electron oxidation, the ability of both uninduced and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) induced rat liver microsomes and nuclei to catalyze covalent binding of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) to DNA and formation of the labile adduct 7-(benzo[a]pyren-6-yl)guanine (BP-N7Gua) was investigated. This adduct arises from the reaction of the BP radical cation at C-6 with the nucleophilic N-7 of the guanine moiety. In the various systems studied, 1-9 times more BP-N7Gua adduct was isolated than the total amount of stable BP adducts in the DNA. The specific cytochrome P-450 inhibitor 2-[(4,6-dichloro-o-biphenyl)oxy]ethylamine hydrobromide (DPEA) reduced or eliminated BP metabolism, binding of BP to DNA, and formation of BP-N7Gua by cytochrome P-450 in both microsomes and nuclei. The effects of the antioxidants cysteine, glutathione, and p-methoxythiophenol were also investigated. Although cysteine had no effect on the microsome-catalyzed processes, glutathione and p-methoxythiophenol inhibited BP metabolism, binding of BP to DNA, and formation of BP-N7Gua by cytochrome P-450 in both microsomes and nuclei. The decreased levels of binding of BP to DNA in the presence of glutathione or p-methoxythiophenol are matched by decreased amounts of BP-N7Gua adduct and of stable BP-DNA adducts detected by the 32P-postlabeling technique. This study represents the first demonstration of cytochrome P-450 mediating covalent binding of substrates to DNA via one-electron oxidation and suggests that this enzyme can catalyze peroxidase-type electron-transfer reactions.

Inhibitory studies of mexiletine and dextromethorphan oxidation in human liver microsomes

The cytochrome P-450dbl isozyme (P-450bdl) is responsible for the genetic sparteine-debri-soquine type polymorphism of drug oxidation in humans. To investigate the relationship between mexiletine oxidation and the activity of this isozyme, cross-inhibition studies were performed in human liver microsomes with mexiletine and dextromethorphan, a prototype substrate for P-450dbl. The formation of hydroxymethylmexiletine and p-hydroxymexiletine, two major mexiletine metabolites, was competitively inhibited by dextromethorphan. Mexiletine competitively inhibited the high affinity component of dextromethorphan O-demethylation. In addition, there was a good agreement between the apparent K m values for the formation of both mexiletine metabolites and the high affinity component of dextromethorphan O-demethylation and their respective apparent K i values. Several drugs were tested for their ability to inhibit mexiletine oxidation. Quinidine, quinine, propafenone, oxprenolol, propranolol, ajmaline, desipramine, imipramine, chlorpromazine and amitryptiline were competitive inhibitors for the formation of hydroxymethylmexiletine and p-hydroxymexiletine as for prototype reactions of the sparteine-debrisoquine type polymorphism. Amobarbital, valproic acid, ethosuximide, caffeine, theophylline, disopyramide and phenytoin, known to be non-inhibitors of P-450dbl activity, were found not to inhibit the formation of these mexiletine metabolites. Moreover, the formation of both metabolites was strongly inhibited by an antiserum containing anti-liver/kidney microsomes antibodies type I (anti-LKMl) directed against P-450dbl. These data suggest that the formation of two major metabolites of mexiletine is predominantly catalysed by the genetically variable human liver P-450dbl.

Oxidative activation of the thiophene ring by hepatic enzymes: Hydroxylation and formation of electrophilic metabolites during metabolism of tienilic acid and its isomer by rat liver microsomes

Tienilic acid (TA) is metabolized by liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats in the presence of NADPH with the major formation of 5-hydroxytienilic acid (5-OHTA) which is derived from the regioselective hydroxylation of the thiophene ring of TA. During this in vitro metabolism of TA, reactive electrophilic intermediates which bind irreversibly to microsomal proteins are formed. 5-Hydroxylation of TA and activation of TA to reactive metabolites which covalently bind to proteins both required intact microsomes, NADPH and O 2 and are inhibited by metyrapone and SKF 525A, indicating that they are dependent on monooxygenases using cytochromes P-450. Microsomal oxidation of an isomer of tienilic acid (TAI) bearing the aroyl substituent on position 3 (instead of 2) of the thiophene ring also leads to reactive intermediates able to bind covalently to microsomal proteins. Covalent binding of TAI, as that of TA, depends on cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases and is almost completely inhibited in the presence of sulfur containing nucleophiles such as glutathione, cysteine or cyteamine. These results show that 5-OHTA, which has been reported as the major metabolite of TA in vivo in humans, is formed by liver microsomes by a cytochrome P-450-dependent reaction. They also show that two thiophene derivatives, TA and TAI, bind to microsomal proteins after in vitro metabolic activation, TAI giving a much higher level of covalent binding than TA (about 5-fold higher) and a much higher covalent binding: stable metabolites ratio (4 instead of 0.5).