Rat Liver Microsomal Cytochrome P-450 Research Articles

Effects of CdTe quantum dots on the content of cytochrome P450 in rat liver

Objective: The effect and mechanism of cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) on cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in the liver of rat were investigated. Methods: CdTe QDs (Ex 350 nm, Em 600 nm) were incubated with microsomes in final concentrations (0.5, 5, 50 μmol/L) using rat liver. And the content of CYP450 was determined by mixed incubation system as time (15, 30, 45 min) went on. Relationship also was detected between particle sizes (Em 620, 580, 540 nm; CdTe QDs-2, CdTe QDs-3, CdTe QDs-4) and expression of CYP450. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into exposed groups at various concentrations (0.25, 2.5 and 12.5 μmol/kg) of CdTe QDs via tail vein injection, the control group was injected with PBS. Results: In vitro, CdTe QDs(0.5, 5, 50 μmol/L) could significantly increase the content of CYP450 in rat liver microsomes(P<0.05), which increased first and then decreased with the dose adding. Moreover, the trend along with the exposure time (15, 30, 45 min) was the same as that in dosages at certain concentration (P<0.01). For different particle sizes, the smaller CdTe QDs were, the higher content increased, the content of CYP450 in group CdTe QDs-4 was the highest (P<0.05). In vivo, experiment proved that CdTe QDs (0.25, 2.5 and 12.5 μmol/kg) could obviously induce the expression of CYP450 (P<0.01). The content level showed a tendency to rise and then fall. Conclusion: CdTe QDs could promote the content of CYP450 in rat liver microsomes, it indicated that CdTe QDs had dose-effect relationship both in vivo and vitro. There was a certain relationship in time-effect. In addition, the smaller particle size was, the greater impact had.

In Vivo Modulation of Rat Liver Microsomal Cytochrome P450 Activity by Antimalarial, Anti-HIV, and Antituberculosis Plant Medicines.

Drug interactions are key reasons for adverse drug reactions and attrition from market. Major infectious diseases causing morbidity/mortality in Ghana are malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. In this study, plant medicines commonly used to treat/manage these diseases in Ghana were investigated for their potential to modulate rat cytochrome P450 enzyme activities. Fluorescence and high-performance liquid chromatography–based assays were used to assess effects of antimalarial plant medicines, Fever (FEV), Mal-TF (MAL), and Kantinka terric (KT); anti-TB medicines, Chestico (CHES), CA + ST Pains + HWNT (TF), and Kantinka herbatic (KHB); and anti-HIV/AIDS medicines, Wabco (WAB), AD + T/AD (LIV) and Kantinka BA (KBA) on rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme activities. Effects of medicines on rat biochemical and hematological parameters were also assessed. Generally, the medicines altered microsomal CYP1A1/1A2, CYP2B1/2B2, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6 activities. Only KBA elicited an increase (80%) in CYP1A1/1A2 activity. FEV, MAL, CHES, WAB, and LIV strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. All the medicines significantly inhibited CYP2C9 (24%-80%) activity. CYP2D6 activity increased after treatment with MAL, KBA, LIV, and TF. Also, MAL, WAB, LIV, KHB, and CHES increased CYP2B1/2B2 activity, while KT decrease the activity. Generally, the medicines altered liver function in the rats. Cholesterol levels declined after KBA treatment only. White and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly reduced in KT- and KBA-treated rats. Our results suggest that use of the medicines could have implications for drug interactions and safety, particularly if the medicines are administered over prolonged periods. Further investigations are imperative to establish clinical relevance of these results.

In Vitro Antioxidant Potential and Effect of a Glutathione-Enhancer Dietary Supplement on Selected Rat Liver Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Activity.

Background There is considerable evidence that many people take dietary supplements including those of herbal origin as an alternative therapy to improve their health. One such supplement, with an amalgam of constituents, is CellGevity®. However, the effect of this dietary supplement on drug-metabolizing enzymes is poorly understood, as it has not been studied extensively. Therefore, we investigated the effect of CellGevity dietary supplement on selected rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, the most common drug-metabolizing enzymes. We also determined the total antioxidant potential of this dietary supplement in vitro. Methods To determine the antioxidant potential of CellGevity dietary supplement, 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic, and flavonoid assays were used after initial preparation of a solution form of the supplement (low dose, LD; 4 mg/kg and high dose, HD; 8 mg/kg). Rats received oral administration of these doses of the supplement for 7 days, after which the effect of the supplement on selected liver CYP enzymes was assessed using probe substrates and spectroscopic and high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. Rats which received daily administration of 80 mg/kg of phenobarbitone and distilled water served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Results The IC50 value of the supplement 0.34 ± 0.07 mg/ml compared to 0.076 ± 0.03 mg/ml of the BHT (positive control). The total phenolic content of the supplement at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml was 34.97 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g while its total flavonoid content at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml was 6 g quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g. The supplement significantly inhibited rat CYP2B1/2B2 (LDT 92.4%; HDT 100%), CYP3A4 (LDT 81.2%; HDT 71.7%), and CYP2C9 (LDT 21.7%; HDT 28.5%) while it had no significant inhibitory effect on CYPs 1A1/1A2, CYP1A2, and CYP2D6. Conclusion CellGevity dietary supplement possesses moderate antioxidant activity in vitro and has an inhibitory effect on selected rat liver CYP enzymes, suggesting its potential interaction with drugs metabolized by CYP enzymes.

An integrated strategy for the quantitative analysis of endogenous proteins: A case of gender-dependent expression of P450 enzymes in rat liver microsome

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry based methods provide powerful tools for protein analysis. Cytochromes P450 (CYPs), the most important drug metabolic enzymes, always exhibit sex-dependent expression patterns and metabolic activities. To date, analysis of CYPs based on mass spectrometry is still facing critical technical challenges due to the complexity and diversity of CYP isoforms besides lack of corresponding standards. The aim of present work consisted in developing a label-free qualitative and quantitative strategy for endogenous proteins, and then applying to the gender-difference study for CYPs in rat liver microsomes (RLMs). Initially, trypsin digested RLM specimens were analyzed by the nanoLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS/MS. Skyline, an open source and freely available software for targeted proteomics research, was then used to screen the main CYP isoforms in RLMs under a series of criteria automatically, and a total of 40 and 39 CYP isoforms were identified in male and female RLMs, respectively. More importantly, a robust quantitative method in a tandem mass spectrometry-multiple reaction mode (MS/MS-MRM) was built and optimized under the help of Skyline, and successfully applied into the CYP gender difference study in RLMs. In this process, a simple and accurate approach named ‘Standard Curve Slope” (SCS) was established based on the difference of standard curve slopes of CYPs between female and male RLMs in order to assess the gender difference of CYPs in RLMs. This presently developed methodology and approach could be widely used in the protein regulation study during drug pharmacological mechanism research.

Structural Insights into the Ligand Binding and Releasing Mechanism of Antheraea polyphemus Pheromone-Binding Protein 1: Role of the C-Terminal Tail

Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) in lepidopteran moths selectively transport the hydrophobic pheromone molecules across the sensillar lymph to trigger the neuronal response. Moth PBPs are known to bind ligand at physiological pH and release it at acidic pH while undergoing a conformational change. Two molecular switches are considered to play a role in this mechanism: (i) protonation of His(70) and His(95) situated at one end of binding pocket and (ii) switch of the unstructured C-terminus at the other end of the binding pocket to a helix that enters the pocket. We have reported previously the role of the histidine-driven switch in ligand release for Antheraea polyphemus PBP1 (ApolPBP1). Here we show that the C-terminus plays a role in the ligand release and binding mechanism of ApolPBP1. The C-terminus truncated mutants of ApolPBP1 (ApolPBP1ΔP129-V142 and ApolPBP1H70A/H95AΔP129-V142) exist only in the bound conformation at all pH levels, and they fail to undergo pH- or ligand-dependent conformational switching. Although these proteins could bind ligands even at acidic pH unlike wild-type ApolPBP1, they had ~4-fold reduced affinity for the ligand at both acidic and physiological pH compared to that of wild-type ApolPBP1 and ApolPBP1H70A/H95A. Thus, apart from helping in ligand release at acidic pH, the C-terminus in ApolPBP1 also plays an important role in ligand binding and/or locking the ligand in the binding pocket. Our results are in stark contrast to those reported for BmorPBP and AtraPBP, where C-terminus truncated proteins had similar or increased pheromone binding affinity at any pH.

Peroxygenase activity of cytochrome c peroxidase and three apolar distal heme pocket mutants: hydroxylation of 1-methoxynaphthalene

BackgroundThe cytochrome P450s are monooxygenases that insert oxygen functionalities into a wide variety of organic substrates with high selectivity. There is interest in developing efficient catalysts based on the “peroxide shunt” pathway in the cytochrome P450s, which uses H2O2 in place of O2/NADPH as the oxygenation agent. We report on our initial studies using cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) as a platform to develop specific “peroxygenation” catalysts.ResultsThe peroxygenase activity of CcP was investigated using 1-methoxynaphthalene as substrate. 1-Methoxynaphthalene hydroxylation was monitored using Russig’s blue formation at standard reaction conditions of 0.50 mM 1-methoxynaphthalene, 1.00 mM H2O2, pH 7.0, 25°C. Wild-type CcP catalyzes the hydroxylation of 1-methoxynaphthalene with a turnover number of 0.0044 ± 0.0001 min-1. Three apolar distal heme pocket mutants of CcP were designed to enhance binding of 1-methoxynaphthalene near the heme, constructed, and tested for hydroxylation activity. The highest activity was observed for CcP(triAla), a triple mutant with Arg48, Trp51, and His52 simultaneously mutated to alanine residues. The turnover number of CcP(triAla) is 0.150 ± 0.008 min-1, 34-fold greater than wild-type CcP and comparable to the naphthalene hydroxylation activity of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450. While wild-type CcP is very stable to oxidative degradation by excess hydrogen peroxide, CcP(triAla) is inactivated within four cycles of the peroxygenase reaction.ConclusionsProtein engineering of CcP can increase the rate of peroxygenation of apolar substrates but the initial constructs are more susceptible to oxidative degradation than wild-type enzyme. Further developments will require constructs with increased rates and selectivity while maintaining the stability of wild-type CcP toward oxidative degradation by hydrogen peroxide.

Probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei does not markedly alter rat liver microsomal cytochromes P450

The metabolism of trimethadione (TMO), a useful indicator of hepatic drug-oxidizing capacity in rats and humans, was studied using 14 different forms of rat cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1,1A2, 2A1, 2A2,2B1,2B2,2C6,2C7, 2C11,2C12,2C13,2E1,3A2 and 4A2) and three forms of human cytochrome P450 (CYP1A2,2C and 3A4). TMO N-demethylation was increased by treating rats with phenobarbital. CYP2C11 and 2B1 had high TMO N-demethylase activity, but 1A1 and 1A2 had low activity. Antibodies raised to CYP2C11 and 2B1/2 inhibited TMO N-demethylation in hepatic microsomes of untreated and phenobarbital-treated rats, respectively. In a reconstituted system, human CYP3A4 and 2C produced efficiently dimethadione (DMO), but CYP1A2 did not catalyse TMO N-demethylation. Antibodies raised to CYP3A2 and 2C11 inhibited TMO N-demethylation in human hepatic microsomes. These results indicated that the N-demethylation of TMO is catalysed mainly by CYP2C11 and 2B1 in rat hepatic microsomes, and that human CYP3A4 and an unspecified isoform of the 2C subfamilies contribute to TMO N-demethylation in human liver.

Interactions of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, N-acetylenic analogues of tryptamine, with rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450.

Interactions between some novel and potent monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), acetylenic analogues of tryptamine, and rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) as evidenced by visible spectra analysis were analysed. Compounds with a secondary aliphatic amine moiety throughout induced type II difference spectra and exhibited the highest affinity for P450, whereas tertiary amines induced type I spectral changes and showed diminished affinity. P450 dependent aniline hydroxylase activity was inhibited by all compounds in an irreversible time-dependent manner. Only tertiary aliphatic amines constituted the substrate for P450-dependent N-demethylase activity, with comparable kinetic parameters. The N-demethylated metabolites were identified by thin-layer chromatography and mass-spectrometric analyses. These findings describe the role of P450-dependent microsomal mono-oxygenase systems in the metabolism of some MAOI acetylenic tryptamine derivatives and the possible hepatic contribution to adverse interactions between MAOIs, endobiotics and sympathomimetic compounds.

The effect of antidepressants on ethylmorphine and imipramine N-demethylation in rat liver microsomes.

The effects of single and multiple doses of desipramine, amitriptyline or citalopram on the rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 level and on the rate of ethylmorphine and imipramine demethylation in-vitro have been investigated. Desipramine, amitriptyline or citalopram when given to rats as a single dose, did not affect the level of cytochrome P-450 in the liver microsomes, however, there was a tendency towards acceleration of imipramine, and particularly ethylmorphine, demethylation. Prolonged administration of desipramine and citalopram, but not amitriptyline, elevated the microsomal level of cytochrome P-450 and accelerated the rate of ethylmorphine demethylation. All the drugs investigated, when given chronically, inhibited the rate of imipramine demethylation. Since demethylation of ethylmorphine and imipramine in a CO atmosphere was inhibited by ca 90% for the former and only by 58% for the latter, it can be assumed that prolonged administration of the drugs investigated has two different effects on the oxygenase systems in rat liver microsomes: on the one hand they stimulate the cytochrome P450 oxygenase system involved in ethylmorphine demethylation and, on the other, they inhibit the other microsomal oxygenase system involved in demethylation of imipramine.

Interaction of drugs and Chinese herbs: pharmacokinetic changes of tolbutamide and diazepam caused by extract of Angelica dahurica.

The inhibitory effects of Angelica dahurica root extract on rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 and drug-drug interactions were studied. The 2alpha- and 16alpha-hydroxylase activity of testosterone were most strongly inhibited, with 17.2% and 28-5% of their activity remaining, respectively, after oral administration of A. dahurica extract at a 1 g kg(-1) dose. 6beta-Hydroxylase activity was also inhibited, with 70% of its activity remaining, under the same conditions. In addition, treatment with the extract inhibited the metabolism of tolbutamide, nifedipine and bufuralol. These results showed that the extract inhibited the various isoforms of cytochrome P450 such as CYP2C, CYP3A and CYP2D1. The A. dahurica extract delayed elimination of tolbutamide after intravenous administration at a 10 mg kg(-1) dose to rats. Thus, the extract altered the liver intrinsic clearance. It had little effect, however, on the pharmacokinetic parameters of diazepam after intravenous administration at 10 mg kg(-1). Since diazepam showed high clearance, it underwent hepatic blood flow rate-limited metabolism. Therefore, the change of intrinsic clearance had little effect on hepatic clearance. However, the Cmax value after oral administration of diazepam with extract treatment was four times that with non-treatment. It was suggested that the first-pass effect was changed markedly by the extract. High-dose (1 g kg(-1)), but not low dose (0.3 g kg(-1)), administration of A. dahurica extract increased significantly the duration of rotarod disruption following intravenous administration of diazepam at 5 mg kg(-1). It was concluded that administration of A. dahurica extract has the potential to interfere with the metabolism, by liver cytochrome P450, of other drugs.

Effects of salvianolic acid A on rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 system

To study the effects of salvianolic acid A on content of cytochrome P450,cytochrome b5 and CYP1A2, CYP2E1 activities of rats. The rats were randomly divided into two groups and each group contained 5 male rats and 5 female rats. One is control group, another is dosage group. The dosage group was injected salvianolic acid A into a rat tail vein at doses of 20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 5 days. The control group was injected placebo into a rat tail vein at the same doses as the dosage group. The content of cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 of rats were assayed using UV and CYP1A2, CYP2E1 activities were evaluated using probe substrate. After salvianolic acid A was injected into rats tail vein for 5 days, the total content of cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 and CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 activities have no statistical significance of differences than the control group. Salvianolic acid A has no effects on CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 activities, indicating that there is no internation between salvianolic acid A and the drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 or CYP2E1.

In vivo study of the effect of antiviral acyclic nucleotide phosphonate (R)-9-[2- (phosphonomethoxy) propyl]adenine (PMPA, tenofovir) and its prodrug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate on rat microsomal cytochrome P450

The total content of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) significantly decreased after repeated i.p. administration of the antiviral agent tenofovir ((R)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] adenine) and tenofovir disoproxil at a daily dose 25 mg/kg, although the content of liver microsomal protein did not change. The decrease of the CYP content was accompanied by concomitant increase of the amount of inactive CYP form, cytochrome P420. This effect was confirmed by a parallel study of the activities of selected CYP forms, CYP2E1 (p-nitrophenol hydroxylation) and CYP1A2 (7-ethoxyresorufin deethylation). The activity (expressed relatively to the protein content) of both CYP forms decreased significantly following the decrease of the total CYP. On the other hand, the CYP2E1 activity expressed relatively to the decreasing total CYP content remained unchanged. However, CYP1A2 activity also decreased when calculated relatively to the total native CYP content indicating lower stability of this form. Semiquantitative RT-PCR showed no significant changes in expression of major rat liver microsomal CYP forms after tenofovir treatment. In conclusion, repeated administration of tenofovir in higher doses led to significant decrease of the relative proportion of active liver microsomal CYPs accompanied by a conversion of these enzymes to the inactive form (CYP420) maintaining the sum of CYP proteins unchanged.

Metabolism and effect of para-toluene-sulfonamide on rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 from in vivo and in vitro studies

To study the in vivo and in vitro metabolism and the effect of para-toluene-sulfonamide (PTS) on cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450). Total CYP450 and microsome protein content were determined after iv pretreatment of rats with PTS. CYP-specific substrates were incubated with rat liver microsomes. Specific CYP isoform activities were determined by using HPLC. CYP chemical inhibitors added to the incubation mixture were used to investigate the principal CYP isoforms involved in PTS metabolism. The effect of PTS on CYP isoforms was investigated by incubating PTS with specific substrates. The groups treated with 33 and 99 mg/kg per d PTS, respectively, had a total CYP content of 0.66+/-0.17 and 0.60+/-0.12 nmol/mg. The K(m) and V(max) were 92.2 micromol/L and 0.0137 nmol/min per mg protein. CYP2C7, CYP2D1 and CYP3A2 might contribute to PTS metabolism in the rat liver. The inhibitory effects of sulfaphenazole and ketoconazole on PTS metabolism were shown to have a mixed mechanism, whereas PTS metabolism was inhibited noncompetitively by quinidine. PTS had little effect on the activities of the selected CYP isoforms. Generally speaking, it is relatively safe for PTS to be co-administered with other drugs. However, care should be taken when administering PTS with CYP inhibitors and the substrates of CYP2C, CYP2D and CYP3A.

Bioactivation of Dibrominated Biphenyls by Cytochrome P450 Activity to Metabolites with Estrogenic Activity and Estrogen Sulfotransferase Inhibition Capacity

Exposure of humans and wildlife to xenobiotics, such as halogenated biphenyls, that interfere with the endogenous estrogen balance may lead to endocrine disruption. Such compounds may either mimic or block estradiol's action by agonistic or antagonistic action, respectively. They may also affect endogenous estradiol concentrations by induction or inhibition of enzymes that metabolize estradiol. In the present study, we demonstrate that estrogenic metabolites of two brominated biphenyls, 2,2'-dibromobiphenyl (2,2'-DBB) and 4,4'-dibromobiphenyl (4,4'-DBB), are formed by rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity. Bioactivation of 2,2'-DBB and 4,4'-DBB yielded various mono- and dihydroxylated bromobiphenyl metabolites, which were collected by preparative HPLC and analyzed by LC/MS. Several of the metabolites bound to the estrogen receptor (ER) activated the ER and inhibited human estrogen sulfotransferase (hEST). Seven monohydroxylated metabolites were positively identified using synthetic monohydroxylated reference compounds. These synthetic monohydroxylated bromobiphenyls also bound to and activated the ER and inhibited hEST. The highest ER affinity was observed for 4-OH-2,2'-DBB, with an EC50 of 6.6 nM. The highest ER activation was observed for 4-OH-3,4'-DBB (EC50 of 74 nM) while 4-OH-4'-MBB and 4-OH-2,2'-DBB induced a supramaximal (as compared to estradiol) ER activation. The strongest hEST inhibition was found with 4-OH-3,4'-DBB (EC50 = 40 nM). In conclusion, we show that two dibrominated biphenyls are bioactivated by CYP activity into very potent estrogenic metabolites and inhibitors of hEST. These findings are of vital importance for accurate risk assessment of exposure to environmental contaminants, such as halogenated biphenyls. Neglecting bioactivation through biotransformation will lead to underestimation of health risks of this class of xenobiotics.

Rat PXR Reporter-Gene Activity Correlates with the Induction of CYP3A in Rat Precision-Cut Liver Slices

Recent studies have suggested that both constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X-receptor (PXR) are involved in the induction of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2B and 3A through a mechanism called cross-talk. In this study we intend to determine if a PXR-reporter gene assay could be used for the prediction of CYP3A and/or CYP2B induction in rats. The induction of rat CYP2B and CYP3A by nineteen structurally diverse compounds was evaluated by using rat precision-cut liver slices and a rat PXR reporter-gene system. Induction of CYP2B and CYP3A mRNAs in rat liver slices was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Rat PXR activation was measured by induction of luciferase activity in rat PXR reporter-gene system. Linear regression analysis of the fold of induction of mRNA in liver slices and the fold of luciferase activity in rat PXR reporter-gene system shows that a reasonable correlation (r2 = 0.6) exists between the CYP3A induction and the rat PXR activation. A much lower correlation was observed between CYP2B induction and the rat PXR activation (r2 = 0.1). The results from this study suggest that the PXR may play a major role in the induction of rat CYP3A, but not CYP2B. Therefore, the PXR-reporter gene assay may be useful in a high-throughput screening to predict CYP3A induction in rats.

Formation of estrogenic metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene and chrysene by cytochrome P450 activity and their combined and supra-maximal estrogenic activity

Metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been studied intensively, and potential metabolites with estrogenic activity have been identified previously. However, little attention has been paid to the metabolic pathways in mammalians and to the combined effect of individual metabolites. Several hydroxylated metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and chrysene (CHN) were formed by rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity, some of which possess estrogenic activity. All mono- and several dihydroxylated metabolites of BaP and CHN were tested for ER affinity and estrogenic activity in a proliferation assay (E-screen) and in a reporter-gene assay (ER-CALUX). Twelve estrogenic metabolites were identified with EC50 values ranging from 40 nM to 0.15 mM. The combined effect of a mixture of seven PAH-metabolites was also studied in the ER binding assay. At concentrations that show little activity themselves, their joint action clearly exhibited significant estrogenic activity. BaP itself exhibited estrogenicity in the ER-CALUX assay due to bio-activation into estrogenic metabolites, probably via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induced CYP activity. Furthermore, 2-hydroxy-CHN (2-OHCHN) induced supra-maximal (400%) estrogenic effects in the ER-CALUX assay. This effect was entirely ER-mediated, since the response was completely blocked with the ER-antagonist ICI182,780. We showed that 2-OHCHN increased ER-concentration, using ELISA techniques, which may explain the observed supra-maximal effects. Co-treatment with the AhR-antagonist 3′,4′-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) enhanced ER-signaling, possibly via blockage of AhR-ER inhibitory cross-talk.

Roles of human CYP2A6 and 2B6 and rat CYP2C11 and 2B1 in the 10-hydroxylation of (-)-verbenone by liver microsomes.

(-)-Verbenone, a monoterpene bicyclic ketone, is a component of the essential oil from rosemary species such as Rosmarinus officinalis L., Verbena triphylla, and Eucalyptus globulus and is used for an herb tea, a spice, and a perfume. In this study, (-)-verbenone was found to be converted to 10-hydroxyverbenone by rat and human liver microsomal cytochrome p450 (p450) enzymes. The product formation was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection at 251 nm. There was a good correlation between activities of coumarin 7-hydroxylation and (-)-verbenone 10-hydroxylation catalyzed by liver microsomes of 16 human samples, indicating that CYP2A6 is a principal enzyme in (-)-verbenone 10-hydroxylation in humans. Human recombinant CYP2A6 and CYP2B6 catalyzed (-)verbenone 10-hydroxylation at Vmax values of 15 and 21 nmol/min/nmol p450 with apparent Km values of 16 and 91 microM, respectively. In contrast, rat CYP2A1 and 2A2 did not catalyze (-)-verbenone 10-hydroxylation at all, suggesting that there were species-related differences in the catalytic properties of human and rat CYP2A enzymes in the metabolism of (-)-verbenone. In the rat, recombinant CYP2C11, CYP2B1, and CYP3A2 catalyzed (-)-verbenone 10-hydroxylation with Vmax and Km ratios (ml/min/nmol p450) of 0.73, 0.20, and 0.03, respectively. Male-specific CYP2C11 was a major enzyme in (-)-verbenone 10-hydroxylation by untreated rat livers, and CYP2B1 catalyzed this reaction in liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats. Rat CYP2C12, a female-specific enzyme, did not catalyze (-)verbenone 10-hydroxylation. These results suggest that human CYP2A6 and rat CYP2C11 are the major catalysts in the metabolism of (-)-verbenone by liver microsomes and that there are species-related differences in human and rat CYP2A enzymes and sex-related differences in male and female rats in the metabolism of (-)-verbenone.

Estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione: novel derivatives and enantiomers. Interactions with rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 and antioxidant/radical scavenger activities in vitro

Interactions of 27 steroids, among them 17 derivatives such as ethers, sulfates and amidosulfonates derived from 17β- and 17α-estradiol, from testosterone and α- and β-dihydrotesosterone and from dehydroepiandrosterone with rat liver microsomal cytochromes P450 (P450) were investigated in vitro by assessing binding to P450 and effects on P450 mediated monooxygenase functions as measured by different model reactions: ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (ECOD) and ethylmorphine N-demethylation (EMND). With the exception of 17α-estradiol-3-dimethylamidosulfonate, estrone, its -3-methylether and -3-amidosulfonate and testosterone, all other steroids displayed type I or reverse type I binding to P450. All steroids inhibited EROD activity in micromolar concentrations. An additional strong inhibition of ECOD and EMND activities was only demonstrated for the androgens and progestins. Estriol, estrone and mestranol displayed less inhibitory actions on the model reactions than estradiol. No major differences in comparison to the parent compounds were noted with the other derivatives. The only exceptions were 17β-(8,9-dehydro-14α,15α-methylene)estradiol, which displayed stronger effects than estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone-3-sulfate, which was less effective than dehydroepiandrosterone. Possible antioxidant properties of the steroids were examined by the stimulated lipid peroxidation (LPO), H 2O 2 production, and lucigenin (LC) and luminol (LM) amplified chemiluminescence (CL) using rat liver microsomes. Additionally, the influence on rat whole blood chemiluminescence (WB-CL) was assessed. All the estrogens, but not their methylethers and amidosulfonates inhibited LPO in micromolar concentrations. The effects on the other oxidase model reactions or on WB-CL were less distinct. Only ethinylestradiol and 17β-(8,9-dehydro-14α,15α-methylene)estradiol displayed a strong inhibitory action on all model reactions. With the exception of dehydroepiandrosterone-3-sulfate, which in general had only weak effects, the androgen and progestin derivatives, in contrast, strongly decreased H 2O 2 formation and LM- and LC-CL, but were mostly ineffective on LPO and WB-CL.

Porphyrinogenic xenobiotic-induced N-alkylprotoporphyrin IX formation: a bioassay utilizing chick embryo hepatic ferrochelatase

Introduction: The porphyrinogenicity of some xenobiotics results from mechanism-based inactivation of selected cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes accompanied by conversion of prosthetic heme groups to N-alkylprotoporphyrins ( N-alkylPPs), some of which inhibit ferrochelatase (FC). Problems have arisen in extrapolating xenobiotic porphyrinogenicity observed in test animals to humans, due in part to differences among CYP enzymes. Our goal was to develop a bioassay to detect N-alkylPPs formed following interaction of porphyrinogenic xenobiotics with rat liver microsomal CYP. Methods: Seventeen-day-old chick embryo livers were homogenized, and the mitochondrial fraction was isolated. The FC activity of this fraction was determined by means of the pyridine hemochromogen method. Inhibition of FC was used to detect N-alkylPP formation following interaction of porphyrinogenic xenobiotics with rat liver microsomes. Results: The 17-day-old chick embryo hepatic mitochondrial preparation served as a stable source of FC activity, which was linear with respect to time and protein concentration. FC activity was higher than previously reported in a homogenate of 17-day-old chick embryo hepatocytes in culture and in an aqueous extract of 17-day-old chick embryo mitochondria. The EC 50 of N-methylprotoporphyrin IX in the chick embryo liver mitochondrial preparation was similar to that in the homogenate of chick embryo liver cell culture. The FC bioassay could detect N-alkylPPs formed following the interaction of porphyrinogenic xenobiotics with rat liver microsomes containing 2.4–9.0 nmol of CYP. Discussion: In future studies investigating N-alkylPP formation following interaction of xenobiotics with CYP enzymes, we recommend using a combination of a fluorescence technique and the chick embryo hepatic mitochondrial FC assay. This would provide information both on the formation of N-alkylPPs and distinguish between those N-alkylPPs that produced porphyrin accumulation via FC inhibition and those that do not.

Interactions of melatonin with the liver microsomal cytochrome P450 system of rats and humans in vitro and effects on the P450 system and the antioxidative status in rat liver after acute treatment.

In vitro melatonin binds to human and rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P450) according to a type II substrate. The affinity is similar to that of aniline with a general left-shift. Melatonin interferes with model monooxygenase reactions indicative of different P450 forms in humans and rats (in humans according to the lower specific P450 content less pronounced): the strongest inhibition was found for ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, indicating the binding to P450 1A, the binding to P450 2B (ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation) was less pronounced, the least inhibition was found for P450 3A (ethylmorphine N-demethylation) reaction. The oxidase function was also inhibited: luminol amplified chemiluminescence was more inhibited than the lucigenin amplified one, hydrogen peroxide formation was inhibited at concentrations higher than 10(-4) M, microsomal NADPH/Fe stimulated lipid peroxidation was inhibited at concentrations higher than 10(5) M. In vivo melatonin prolonged hexobarbital sleeping time in rats in a dose dependent manner (ip. co-administration of 1, 5 and 20 mg/kg b.w. melatonin with 100 mg/kg hexobarbital). Immediately after awakening the animals were sacrificed: a small increase in P450 concentrations cannot be explained, no changes in P450 monooxygenase or oxidase activities nor in microsomal lipid peroxidation or GSH status could be observed.