Pyrazole-treated Rats Research Articles

A decrease in S-adenosyl-L-methionine potentiates arachidonic acid cytotoxicity in primary rat hepatocytes enriched in CYP2E1

Previous studies show that treatment with a polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid (AA), or high concentrations of cycloleucine, an inhibitor of methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT), which lowers levels of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), increased toxicity in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats which expressed high levels of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). In this study, I used concentrations of cycloleucine or AA, which by themselves do not produce any toxicity, to evaluate whether a decrease in SAM sensitizes hepatocytes to AA toxicity, especially in hepatocytes enriched in CYP2E1. Levels of SAM were lower by 50% in hepatocytes from pyrazole- compared to saline-treated rats. Cycloleucine treatment caused a 50% decline in SAM levels with both hepatocyte preparations and SAM levels were lowest in the pyrazole-treated hepatocytes. The combination of cycloleucine plus AA produced some toxicity and apoptosis in hepatocytes from saline-treated rats but increased toxicity and apoptosis was found in the hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats. Cytotoxicity could be prevented by incubation with SAM, the antioxidant trolox, and the mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitor trifluoperazine. The enhanced cytotoxicity could also be protected by treating rats with chlormethiazole, a specific inhibitor of CYP2E1, thus validating the role of CYP2E1. Cycloleucine plus AA treatment elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation to greater extents with the hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats than that from the saline-treated rats. I hypothesize that increased production of ROS by hepatocytes enriched in CYP2E1 potentiates AA-induced lipid peroxidation and toxicity when hepatoprotective levels of SAM are lowered. Such interactions, e.g. induction of CYP2E1, decline in SAM and polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced lipid peroxidation, may contribute to alcohol-induced liver injury.

Depletion of S-adenosyl- l-methionine with cycloleucine potentiates cytochrome P450 2E1 toxicity in primary rat hepatocytes

S-Adenosyl- l-methionine (SAM) is the principal biological methyl donor. Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) catalyzes the only reaction that generates SAM. Hepatocytes were treated with cycloleucine, an inhibitor of MAT, to evaluate whether hepatocytes enriched in cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) were more sensitive to a decline in SAM. Cycloleucine decreased SAM and glutathione (GSH) levels and induced cytotoxicity in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats (with an increased content of CYP2E1) to a greater extent as compared to hepatocytes from saline-treated rats. Apoptosis caused by cycloleucine in pyrazole hepatocytes appeared earlier and was more pronounced than control hepatocytes and could be prevented by incubation with SAM, glutathione reduced ethyl ester and antioxidants. The cytotoxicity was prevented by treating rats with chlormethiazole, a specific inhibitor of CYP2E1. Cycloleucine induced greater production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pyrazole hepatocytes than in control hepatocytes, and treatment with SAM, Trolox, and chlormethiazole lowered ROS formation. In conclusion, lowering of hepatic SAM levels produced greater toxicity and apoptosis in hepatocytes enriched in CYP2E1. This is due to elevated ROS production by CYP2E1 coupled to lower levels of hepatoprotective SAM and GSH. We speculate that such interactions e.g. induction of CYP2E1, decline in SAM and GSH may contribute to alcohol liver toxicity.

Cytochrome P450 2E1‐dependent oxidant stress and upregulation of anti‐oxidant defense in liver cells

Induction of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is a central pathway by which ethanol generates oxidative stress. Cytochrome P450 2E1 metabolizes many other toxicologic compounds. Toxicity of these agents is enhanced by ethanol, due to induction of CYP2E1. Cytochrome P450 2E1 is induced under a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The laboratory at Mount Sinai School of Medicine established HepG2 cell lines that constitutively express human CYP2E1. Ethanol, polyunsaturated fatty acids and iron were toxic to the HepG2 cells that express CYP2E1 (E47 cells) but not control HepG2 cells. The E47 cells had higher glutathione levels than control HepG2 cells due to activation of the genes encoding the heavy and light subunits of gamma glutamyl cysteine synthetase (GCLC and GCLM). There was also a twofold increase in catalase, cytosolic and microsomal glutathione transferase, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the E47 cells due to activation of their respective genes. These activations were prevented by anti-oxidants, suggesting that the upregulation of these anti-oxidant genes may reflect an adaptive mechanism to remove CYP2E1-derived oxidants. Increases in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein and mRNA were observed in livers of hepatocytes of chronic alcohol-fed and of pyrazole-treated rats or mice, conditions known to elevate CYP2E1. E47 cells showed increased Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression. Upregulation of GCLC and HO-1 in E47 cells is dependent on Nrf2. These results suggest that Nrf2 is activated and its levels are increased when CYP2E1 is elevated. It is suggested that Nrf2 plays a key role in the adaptive response against increased oxidative stress caused by CYP2E1.

Increased toxicity by transforming growth factor-beta 1 in liver cells overexpressing CYP2E1

Ethanol treatment causes an increase in expression of TGF-β1 and CYP2E1 in the centrilobular area. Alcoholic liver disease is usually initiated in the centrilobular region of the liver. We hypothesized that the combination of TGF-β1 and CYP2E1 produces increased oxidative stress and liver cell toxicity. To test this possibility, we studied the effects of TGF-β1 on the viability of HepG2 E47 cells that express human CYP2E1, and C34 HepG2 cells, which do not express CYP2E1. E47 cells underwent greater growth inhibition and enhanced apoptosis after TGF-β1 treatment, as compared to the C34 cells. There was an enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decline in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the TGF-β1-treated E47 cells and the enhanced cell death could be prevented by antioxidants. The CYP2E1 inhibitor diallyl sulfide prevented the potentiated cell death in E47 cells validating the role of CYP2E1. Mitochondrial membrane potential declined in the TGF-β1-treated E47 cells, prior to developing toxicity, and cell death could be prevented by trifluoperazine, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition. TGF-β1 also produced a loss of cell viability in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats with elevated levels of CYP2E1, compared to control hepatocytes. In conclusion, increased toxic interactions by TGF-β1 plus CYP2E1 can occur by a mechanism involving increased production of intracellular ROS and depletion of GSH, resulting in mitochondrial membrane damage and loss of membrane potential, followed by apoptosis. Potentiation of TGF-β1-induced cell death by CYP2E1 may contribute to mechanisms of alcohol-induced liver disease.

Opposite action ofS-adenosyl methionine and its metabolites on CYP2E1-mediated toxicity in pyrazole-induced rat hepatocytes and HepG2 E47 cells

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is protective against a variety of hepatotoxins, including ethanol. The ability of SAMe to protect against cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1)-dependent toxicity was studied in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats and HepG2 E47 cells, both of which actively express CYP2E1. Toxicity was initiated by the addition of arachidonic acid (AA) or by depletion of glutathione after treatment with L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). In pyrazole hepatocytes, SAMe (0.25-1 mM) protected against AA but not BSO toxicity. SAMe elevated GSH levels, thus preventing the decline in GSH caused by AA, and SAMe prevented AA-induced lipid peroxidation. SAMe analogs such as methionine or S-adenosyl homocysteine, which elevate GSH, also protected against AA toxicity. 5'-Methylthioadenosine (MTA), which cannot produce GSH, did not protect. The toxicity of BSO was not prevented by SAMe and the analogs because GSH cannot be synthesized. In contrast, in E47 cells, SAMe and MTA but not methionine or S-adenosyl homocysteine potentiated AA and BSO toxicity. Antioxidants such as trolox or N-acetyl cysteine prevented this synergistic toxicity of SAMe plus AA or SAMe plus BSO, respectively. In pyrazole hepatocytes, SAMe prevented the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential produced by AA, whereas in E47 cells, SAMe potentiated the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential. In E47 cells, but not pyrazole hepatocytes, the combination of SAMe plus BSO lowered levels of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2. Because SAMe can be metabolized enzymatically or spontaneously to MTA, MTA may play a role in the potentiation of AA and BSO toxicity by SAMe, but the exact mechanisms require further investigation. In conclusion, contrasting effects of SAMe on CYP2E1 toxicity were observed in pyrazole hepatocytes and E47 cells. In hepatocytes, SAMe protects against CYP2E1 toxicity by a mechanism involving maintaining or elevating GSH levels.

Glutathione depletion in CYP2E1-expressing liver cells induces toxicity due to the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and reduction of nuclear factor-kappaB DNA binding activity.

Depletion of glutathione (GSH) from CYP2E1-expressing cells by treatment with l-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) causes decreased cell viability. The possible role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in this toxicity was evaluated. SB203580 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole], an inhibitor of p38 MAPK decreased the BSO-dependent toxicity in HepG2 E47 cells, which express CYP2E1 and in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats. Inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase were not protective. SB203580 did not prevent the loss of GSH nor lower the increase in reactive oxygen production; hence, protection by SB203580 was downstream of the elevated oxidative stress. Treatment with BSO caused activation of p38 MAPK whereas activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was decreased; these effects were prevented by SB203580. We speculated that the decrease in NF-kappaB activation prevented production of hepatoprotective factors. One such factor could be nitric oxide (NO); indeed a NO donor decreased the BSO plus CYP2E1-dependent toxicity, whereas inhibition of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) potentiated toxicity. BSO treatment down-regulated iNOS and lowered NO levels, reactions blocked by SB203580; however, protection by SB203580 was the same in the absence or presence of an iNOS inhibitor, indicating that recovery of iNOS and NO production was not the mechanism by which SB203580 afforded protection against the BSO plus CYP2E1-dependent toxicity. Presumably other protective factors besides nitric oxide may be produced from activated NF-kappaB when p38 MAPK is inhibited by SB203580. These results suggest that the activation of p38 MAPK by BSO treatment in CYP2E1-expressing liver cells cause a loss in NF-kappaB-dependent production of hepatoprotective factors. This loss, coupled to CYP2E1-generated oxidant stress, synergize to promote cell injury.

Increased Expression of Cytochrome P450 2E1 Induces Heme Oxygenase-1 through ERK MAPK Pathway

The inducible form of heme oxygenase (HO-1) is increased during oxidative injury, and this may be an important defense mechanism against such injury. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) generates reactive oxygen species and promotes lipid peroxidation. In this study induction of HO-1 by CYP2E1 and the possible role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in this process were evaluated. HO-1 induction was observed in the livers of chronic alcohol-fed mice or pyrazole-treated rats, conditions known to elevate CYP2E1 levels. Increased levels of HO-1 were observed in HepG2 cells overexpressing CYP2E1 (E47 cells) compared with control HepG2 cells or HepG2 cells expressing CYP3A4. Expression of CYP2E1 in HepG2 cells transcriptionally activated the HO-1 gene, increasing HO-1 mRNA and protein expression and activity of a HO-1 reporter construct. CYP2E1 inhibitors and catalase blocked the increased production of reactive oxygen species as well as HO-1 induction. Increasing oxidative stress by the addition of arachidonic acid or depletion of glutathione further increased HO-1 induction. The phosphorylated form of ERK MAPK but not that of p38 or JNK MAPK was increased in E47 cells compared with the control C34 HepG2 cells. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK MAPK, blocked the activity of a HO-1 reporter in E47 cells but not in C34 cells. These results suggest that increased CYP2E1 activity leads to induction of the HO-1 gene, and the ERK MAPK pathway is important in mediating this process. This induction may serve as an adaptive mechanism to protect the E47 cells against the CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress.

Proteasome inhibition potentiates CYP2E1-mediated toxicity in HepG2 cells

Chronic ethanol consumption causes increased oxidative damage in the liver. Induction of CYP2E1 is one pathway involved in how ethanol produces oxidative stress. Ethanol can cause protein accumulation, decreased proteolysis, and decreased proteasome activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of inhibition of the proteasome activity on CYP2E1-dependent toxicity. HepG2 cells over-expressing CYP2E1 (E47 cells) were treated with arachidonic acid (AA) plus iron, agents important in development of alcoholic liver injury and which are toxic to E47 cells by a mechanism dependent on CYP2E1, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. Addition of various proteasome inhibitors was associated with significant potentiation of the loss of cell viability caused by AA plus iron. Potentiation of toxicity was associated with increased oxidative damage as reflected by an increase in lipid peroxidation and accumulation of oxidized and nitrated proteins in E47 cells and an enhanced decline in mitochondrial membrane potential. Antioxidants prevented the loss of viability and the potentiation of this loss of viability by proteasome inhibition. CYP2E1 levels were elevated about 3-fold by the proteasome inhibitors. Inhibition of proteasome activity also potentiated toxicity of AA alone and toxicity after treatment to remove glutathione (GSH). Similar results were found in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats with high levels of CYP2E1. In conclusion, proteasome activity plays an important role in modulating CYP2E1-mediated toxicity in HepG2 cells by regulating CYP2E1 levels and by removal of oxidized proteins. Such interactions may be important in CYP2E1-catalyzed toxicity of hepatotoxins and in alcohol-induced liver injury. (H epatology 2003;37:1395-1404.)

Increased Sp1-dependent Transactivation of theLAMγ1 Promoter in Hepatic Stellate Cells Co-cultured with HepG2 Cells Overexpressing Cytochrome P450 2E1

Laminin is a basement-membrane protein that increases in liver fibrosis. To study the role of oxidative stress on laminin expression, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were co-cultured with HepG2 cells that do or do not express (E47 or C34 cells, respectively) CYP2E1, a potent generator of oxygen radicals. Co-incubation of HSC with E47 cells increased laminin beta1 and gamma1 proteins compared with co-incubation with C34 cells; this increase was prevented by antioxidants and CYP2E1 inhibitors. Similar results were observed in co-culture with primary hepatocytes from saline- or pyrazole-treated (with high levels of CYP2E1) rats. Laminin alpha1 chain was not detectable in the HSC in any of the systems; however, laminin alpha2 chain increased in HSC co-cultured with E47 cells. Synthesis but not turnover of laminin beta1 and gamma1 proteins was increased in HSC in the E47 co-culture. Laminin beta1 and gamma1 mRNAs were up-regulated in HSC in the E47 co-culture because of transcriptional activation of both genes. Transfection experiments in HSC with reporter constructs driven by the laminin gamma1 promoter showed maximal responsiveness with the -230/+106 and the -1400/+106 constructs in the E47 system. Gel-shift assays demonstrated an increase in Sp1 binding to the laminin gamma1 promoter in HSC when co-incubated with E47 cells, which was blocked by an anti-Sp1 antibody. Co-transfection of a Sp1 expression vector further increased the responsiveness of the -330LAMgamma1-CAT reporter vector in HSC in the HSC/E47 system. These results show that diffusable CYP2E1-derived oxidative-stress mediators induce synthesis of laminins by a transcriptional mechanism in HSC. Such interactions between hepatocytes and HSC may be important during liver fibrosis.

Cyclosporine a protects against arachidonic acid toxicity in rat hepatocytes: Role of CYP2E1 and mitochondria

Diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are important for the development of alcoholic liver injury. The goal of this report was to characterize toxicity by arachidonic acid (AA), its enhancement by salicylate, and the role of mitochondrial injury in the pathway leading to toxicity in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats. AA caused toxicity that was increased by sodium salicylate. This synergistic toxicity was reduced by diallyl sulfide (DAS), an inhibitor of CYP2E1; Trolox ([±] 6-hydroxy, 2, 5, 7, 8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid), an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation; Z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (ZVAD-FMK), a pan caspase inhibitor; and by cyclosporine A (CsA), an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition. Mitochondrial membrane potential also was reduced, and this was prevented by cyclosporine, diallyl sulfide, and Trolox. There was release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol and activation of caspase 3, which were prevented by cyclosporine, diallylsulfide, and Trolox. Toxicity was prevented by expression of catalase either in the cytosolic or the mitochondrial compartment. Levels of CYP2E1 rapidly declined, and this was partially prevented by salicylate. These results are consistent with a model in which CYP2E1-dependent production of reactive oxygen species enhances lipid peroxidation when AA is added to hepatocytes. This results in damage to the mitochondria, with initiation of a membrane permeability transition and a decline in membrane potential, followed by release of cytochrome c, caspase 3 activation, and cellular toxicity. In conclusion, damage to mitochondria appears to play an important role in the CYP2E1 plus AA toxicity. (H EPATOLOGY 2002;35:1420-1430.)

Cytochrome P450 2E1-derived Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Paracrine Stimulation of Collagen I Protein Synthesis by Hepatic Stellate Cells

To evaluate possible fibrogenic effects of CYP2E1-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species, a model was developed using co-cultures of HepG2 cells, which do (E47 cells) or do not (C34 cells) express cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) with stellate cells. There was an increase in intra- and extracellular H(2)O(2), lipid peroxidation, and collagen type I protein in stellate cells co-cultured with E47 cells compared with stellate cells alone or co-cultured with C34 cells. The increase in collagen was prevented by antioxidants and a CYP2E1 inhibitor. CYP3A4 did not mimic the stimulatory effects found with CYP2E1. Collagen mRNA levels remained unchanged, and pulse-chase analysis indicated similar half-lives of collagen I protein between both co-cultures. However, collagen protein synthesis was increased in E47 co-culture. Hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats (with high levels of CYP2E1) induced collagen protein in primary stellate cells, and antioxidants and CYP2E1 inhibitors blocked this effect. These results suggest that increased translation of collagen mRNA by CYP2E1-derived reactive oxygen species is responsible for the increase in collagen protein produced by the E47 co-culture. These co-culture models may be useful for understanding the impact of CYP2E1-derived ROS on stellate cell function and activation.

Mitochondrial Targeted Cytochrome P450 2E1 (P450 MT5) Contains an Intact N Terminus and Requires Mitochondrial Specific Electron Transfer Proteins for Activity

Hepatic mitochondria contain an inducible cytochrome P450, referred to as P450 MT5, which cross-reacts with antibodies to microsomal cytochrome P450 2E1. In the present study, we purified, partially sequenced, and determined enzymatic properties of the rat liver mitochondrial form. The mitochondrial cytochrome P450 2E1 was purified from pyrazole-induced rat livers using a combination of hydrophobic and ion-exchange chromatography. Mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic fragments of the purified protein further ascertained its identity. N-terminal sequencing of the purified protein showed that its N terminus is identical to that of the microsomal cytochrome P450 2E1. In reconstitution experiments, the mitochondrial cytochrome P450 2E1 displayed the same catalytic activity as the microsomal counterpart, although the activity of the mitochondrial enzyme was supported exclusively by adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase. Mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic fragments and also immunoblot analysis of proteins with anti-serine phosphate antibody demonstrated that the mitochondrial cytochrome P450 2E1 is phosphorylated at a higher level compared with the microsomal counterpart. A different conformational state of the mitochondrial targeted cytochrome P450 2E1 (P450 MT5) is likely to be responsible for its observed preference for adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase electron transfer proteins.

Ethanol and arachidonic acid produce toxicity in hepatocytes from pyrazole-treated rats with high levels of CYP2E1.

Ethanol and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid were shown to be toxic and cause apoptosis in HepG2 cells which express CYP2E1 but not in control HepG2 cell lines. The goal of the current study was to extend the observations made with the HepG2 cells to non-transformed, intact hepatocytes. Rats were treated with pyrazole to increase CYP2E1 levels, hepatocytes were isolated and placed into culture and treated for varying time points with ethanol or arachidonic acid. Comparisons were made to hepatocytes from saline-treated rats, with low CYP2E1 content. Incubation with ethanol (100 mM) or especially arachidonic acid (60 microM) resulted in loss of viability of hepatocytes from the pyrazole-treated rats, without any effect on the hepatocytes from the saline-treated rats. The toxicity appeared to be apoptotic in nature and was prevented by diallyldisulfide, an inhibitor of CYP2E1. Toxicity was reduced by trolox, an antioxidant. The treatment with ethanol or arachidonic acid resulted in release of cytochrome c into the cytosol fraction, and activation of caspase 3 (but not caspase 1) in hepatocytes from the pyrazole-treated rats but not hepatocytes from the saline-treated rats. The activation of caspase 3 was prevented by diallyldisulfide, by trolox, and by DEVD-fmk. The latter also prevented the toxicity produced by ethanol or arachidonic acid. These results extend previous observations found with HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1 to intact hepatocytes and suggest that release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase 3 play a role in the overall pathway by which CYP2E1 contributes towards the hepatotoxic actions of ethanol and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

ESR and HPLC-EC analysis of ethanol oxidation to 1-hydroxyethyl radical: rapid reduction and quantification of POBN and PBN nitroxides

Extensive ESR spin-trapping studies have shown that ethanol is oxidized to 1-hydroxyethyl radical (HER) by rat and deer mice liver microsomal systems. The ESR detection of POBN/HER nitroxide in bile, and formation of antibodies, which recognize HER adducts in alcoholics, suggest that HER is produced in vivo. In liver, where ethanol is primarily metabolized, only traces of PBN/HER nitroxide are documented. One limitation of the ESR spin-trapping technique, however, is that the nitroxides formed in the presence of cellular reductants can be metabolized to the corresponding ESR “silent” hydroxylamines. Ascorbate and NADPH plus liver microsomes were found to reduce rapidly both POBN/HER and PBN/HER nitroxides to their ESR “silent” hydroxylamine derivatives. An HPLC method with electrochemical detection was developed for the detection and quantification of both POBN/HER and PBN/HER nitroxides, as well as their hydroxylamines. Both the diastereomers of the POBN/HER nitroxide and hydroxylamine can be detected, as can both isomers of the PBN/HER nitroxide, and it is estimated that the sensitivity of the HPLC procedure is in the nM range when using EC detection. The hydroxylamines are stable in ethanol, while pH-dependent auto-oxidation occurs in aqueous buffers. Some of the characteristics associated with HER formation by microsomes as detected with ESR (e.g., sensitivity to SOD and catalase, increase after induction of CYP2E1) are reproduced with the HPLC method. By quantification of the POBN/HER hydroxylamine, the NADPH-dependent rates of HER formation by microsomes from pyrazole-treated rats are estimated to be about 1–1.5 nmol HER per min per mg microsomal protein. This rate is less, as compared to the two electron-dependent rate of acetaldehyde formation by these microsomes, about 10–15 nmol per min per mg protein. Thus, at first approximation, the one electron-dependent rate of ethanol oxidation is about 10% the two electron-dependent rate by isolated microsomes. The HPLC procedure can readily detect the POBN/HER and PBN/HER nitroxides and their hydroxylamine derivatives in the same sample and may be of value in detecting HER spin-trapped adducts under biological reducing conditions.

Both cytochromes P450 2E1 and 3A are involved in the O-hydroxylation of p-nitrophenol, a catalytic activity known to be specific for P450 2E1.

4-Nitrophenol 2-hydroxylation activity was previously shown to be mainly catalyzed by P450 2E1 in animal species and humans. As this chemical compound is widely used as an in vitro probe for P450 2E1, this study was carried out to test its catalytic specificity. First, experiments were carried out on liver microsomes and hepatocyte cultures of rat treated with different inducers. Liver microsomes from pyrazole- and dexamethasone-treated rats hydroxylated p-nitrophenol with a metabolic rate increased by 2.5- and 2.7-fold vs control. Dexamethasone treatment increased the hepatic content of P450 3A but not that of P450 2E1. Two specific inhibitors of P450 3A catalytic activities, namely, ketoconazole and troleandomycin (TAO), inhibited up to 50% of 4-nitrophenol hydroxylation in dexamethasone-treated rats but not in controls. Hepatocyte cultures from dexamethasone-treated rats transformed p-nitrophenol into 4-nitrocatechol 7.8 times more than controls. This catalytic activity was inhibited by TAO. Similarly, hepatocyte cultures from pyrazole-treated rats hydroxylated p-nitrophenol with a metabolic ratio increased by about 8-fold vs control. This reaction was inhibited by diethyl dithiocarbamate and dimethyl sulfoxide, both inhibitors of P450 2E1. Second, the capability of human P450s other than P450 2E1 to catalyze the formation of 4-nitrocatechol was examined in a panel of 13 human liver microsomes. Diethyl dithiocarbamate and ketoconazole reduced 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity by 77% (+/- 11) and 13% (+/- 16), respectively. Furthermore, the residual activity following diethyl dithiocarbamate inhibition was significantly correlated with seven P450 3A4 catalytic activities. Finally, the use of human cell lines genetically engineered for expression of human P450s demonstrated that P450 2E1 and 3A4 hydroxylated 4-nitrophenol with turnovers of 19.5 and 1.65 min-1, respectively. In conclusion, P450 3A may make a significant contribution to 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity in man and rat.

Thiol oxidation and cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism of CCl4 triggers Ca2+ release from liver microsomes.

Elevation of cytosolic calcium levels has been shown to occur after exposure to hepatotoxins such as CCl4. This has been associated with inhibition of the Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase which pumps calcium into the endoplasmic reticulum. Elevated cytosolic Ca2+ may also result from activation of calcium releasing channels. In the presence of NADPH, CCl4 produced a concentration-dependent release of calcium from liver microsomes after a lag period. The lag period was shorter with microsomes from pyrazole-treated rats in which CYP2E1 is induced, as compared to saline microsomes. The calcium releasing process appears to be very sensitive to activation by CCl4 as effective concentrations (e.g., 50 microM) did not affect the Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase or produce lipid peroxidation. Inhibition of the CCl4-induced release of calcium by 4-methylpyrazole and by anti-CYP2E1 IgG, and the requirement for NADPH, indicates that CCl4 metabolism is required for the activation of calcium release. The lag period for CCl4-induced release of calcium was associated with the time required to deplete alpha-tocopherol from the microsomal membranes; however, lipid peroxidation was not observed at these levels of CCl4, and the lag period for CCl4-induced release of calcium was shorter under anaerobic than aerobic conditions, suggesting a possible role for CCl3 in the mechanism of activation. Production of CCl3 was observed by ESR spin-trapping experiments with PBN; PBN prevented the CCl4-induced calcium release, presumably by interacting with CCl3 and other reactive species. Calcium release was produced by thiol oxidants such as 2,2'-dithiodipyridine. Lipophilic thiols such as mercaptoethanol or cysteamine could partially reverse the CCl4-induced calcium release, whereas GSH was ineffective. While the IP3 receptor system is considered as the main regulator of calcium release, liver also contains ryanodine-sensitive calcium releasing stores. The CCl4-induced calcium release was blocked by ruthenium red, a specific inhibitor of the ryanodine receptor; ruthenium red did not block CCl4 metabolism to CCl3. CCl4 increased the binding of ryanodine, a specific ligand for the ryanodine-sensitive calcium channel. These results suggest that metabolism of CCl4 to reactive species by cytochrome P450 results in an activation of a ryanodine-sensitive calcium channel, perhaps due to oxidation of lipophilic thiols of the channel. Activation of calcium releasing channels may play a role in the elevated cytosolic calcium levels found in the liver after treatment with hepatotoxins.

Increased Production of Hydroxyl Radical by Pericentral Microsomes Compared to Periportal Microsomes After Pyrazole Induction of Cytochrome P4502E1

Cytochrome P4502E1 is localized in the pericentral (PC) zone of the liver acinus to a greater extent than in the periportal (PP) zone. After pyrazole treatment, PC microsomes were more active in oxidizing typical substrates of CYP2E1 than PP microsomes and had an increased content of CYP2E1. The ability of PC and PP microsomes from pyrazole-treated rats to interact with iron and generate reactive oxygen species such as the hydroxyl radical . (OH) was evaluated. A sensitive DNA strand cleavage assay was used to detect . OH; supercoiled plasmid DNA is compact but is converted by . OH-induced single strand breaks to the relaxed open circular state. Microsomes from PC hepatocytes of pyrazole-treated rats were several fold more reactive than PP microsomes in promoting NADPH-dependent DNA strand cleavage with a variety of iron catalysts, including ferric-ATP, ferric-histidine, ferric-citrate, ferric ammonium sulfate, and ferric-EDTA. DNA strand cleavage was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, and . OH scavengers such as DMSO and ethanol. Rates of H 2O 2 production were higher with the PC microsomes. These results indicate that rates of . OH production are higher with PC microsomes than PP microsomes after pyrazole treatment to induce cytochrome P4502E1 and suggest the possibility that elevated production of reactive oxygen species may play a role in ethanol toxicity to the PC zone of the liver acinus.

Role of flavin-dependent monooxygenases and cytochrome P450 enzymes in the sulfoxidation of S-methyl N, N-diethylthiolcarbamate

Disulfiram is bioactivated to S-methyl N, N-diethylthiolcarbamate sulfoxide (DETC-MeSO), the metabolite proposed to be responsible for the action of disulfiram as an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. This bioactivation process includes a reduction, an S-methylation, and two successive oxidations. Sulfur-containing functional groups are substrates for cytochrome P450 enzymes or flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO). In the present study, we investigated the contribution of these monooxygenases to the formation of DETC-MeSO from its immediate precursor S-methyl N, N-diethylthiolcarbamate (DETC-Me). Liver microsomes obtained from mature male rats were incubated with DETC-Me. The formation of DETC-MeSO was blocked completely by solubilization of the microsomes with the detergentEmulgen 911, or by the presence of the cytochrome P450 inhibitor 1-benzylimidazole. However, thermal-inactivation of FMO resulted in only a partial loss in DETC-MeSO formation. Liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats showed a 4- to 5-fold increase in the rate of formation of DETC-MeSO, compared with controls. Liver microsomes from pyrazole-treated rats showed a 50% decrease in the sulfoxidation of DETC-Me compared with controls. In a purified reconstituted system, cytochrome P450 2B1 and (CYP2B1) catalyzed the formation of DETC-MeSO at a rate of 51 nmol DETC-MeSO formed/min/nmol cytochrome P450. Antibodies to CYP2B1 caused a 60% inhibition of DETC-MeSO formation by liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats. These results suggest that in male rat liver microsomes, cytochrome P450 plays a major role in catalyzing the sulfoxidation of DETC-Me, whereas FMO plays a minor role (<10%). Also, in liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats, CYP2B1 is the major catalyst for the sulfoxidation of DETC-Me.

Expression of a catalytically active human cytochrome P-4502E1 in Escherichia coli

The cDNA coding for human cytochrome P-4502E1 has been expressed in Escherichia coli by placing it under the control of the isopropylthiogalactoside inducible trc promoter. Production of P4502E1 was demonstrated by immunoblots and by catalytic activity with dimethylnitrosamine as substrate. Modifications which favor expression in E. coli were made within the first seven codons. This resulted in approx. a 2- to 2.5-fold increase in P4502E1 isolated from the bacterial membranes as detected by immunoblots and catalytic activity. CO-reduced difference spectra of the modified P4502E1 revealed a peak at 452 nm, which is characteristic of hepatic P4502E1, and a molecular weight of 54 kDa. A partially purified preparation of recombinant P450 protein was active with dimethylnitrosamine, a substrate specific for this isozyme, when reconstituted with purified rat liver NADPH-cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase. This activity was enhanced in the presence of cytochrome b 5 and inhibited by the addition of antibody to the P4502E1 purified from pyrazole-treated rats. E. coli were capable of oxidizing p-nitrophenol when transformed with vector containing the human P4502E1 cDNA but not with vector alone. This in vivo metabolism of p-nitrophenol was increased 2-fold when the modified P4502E1 cDNA was used, which corresponds to the increase in P4502E1 content. Expression of human P4502E1 in E. coli appears to be an attractive system for producing large amounts of this isozyme, and for studies on the toxicological properties and structure-function relationship of the human P4502E1.

Differential oxidase activity of hepatic and pulmonary microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes after treatment with cytochrome P-450 inducers

Phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, acetone and pyrazole were used as inducers of cytochrome P450 and the NADPH-dependent oxidase activity ( O − 2 production) of pulmonary and hepatic microsomes was determined. Oxidase activity of microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats was significantly decreased as compared to that of controls when expressed on the basis of cytochrome P450 content (30% decrease for liver, 60% decrease for lung). The oxidase activity of liver microsomes from pyrazole-treated rats showed a significant increase, whereas phenobarbital treated microsomes had average superoxide-generating activity. The contribution of cytochromes CYP 1A, CYP 2B and CYP 2E1 to superoxide-generating activity was investigated using monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibody 1-91-3 against CYP 2E1 inhibited superoxide generation by 58% in liver microsomes from pyrazole-treated rats. Monoclonal antibodies 1-7-1 and 2-66-3 against CYP 1A and CYP2B, respectively, had no effect on superoxide generation. These results indicate that different cytochrome P450 isoforms are mainly responsible for differential superoxide generating activities of microsomes and complement the reconstitution study of Morehouse and Aust. Furthermore, our study indicates that CYP 1A1, induced by 3-MC, demonstrates an unusually low oxidase activity.