Rat P450 Research Articles

Machine Learning-Based In Silico Prediction of the Inhibitory Activity of Chemical Substances Against Rat and Human Cytochrome P450s.

The prediction of cytochrome P450 inhibition by a computational (quantitative) structure-activity relationship approach using chemical structure information and machine learning would be useful for toxicity research as a simple and rapid in silico tool. However, there are few in silico models focusing on the species differences between rat and human in the P450s inhibition. This study aimed to establish in silico models to classify chemical substances as inhibitors or non-inhibitors of various rat and human P450s, using only molecular descriptors. Using the in-house test results from our in vitro experiments, we used 326 substances for model construction and internal validation data. Apart from the 326 substances, 60 substances were used as external validation data set. We focused on seven rat P450s (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2C6, CYP2D1, CYP2E1, and CYP3A2) and 11 human P450s (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4). Most of the models established using XGBoost showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.8 or more in the internal validation. When we set an applicability domain for the models and confirmed their generalization performance through external validation, most of the models showed an ROC-AUC of 0.7 or more. Interestingly, for CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, we discovered that a human P450 inhibitory activity model can predict rat P450 inhibitory activity and vice versa. These models are the first attempts to predict inhibitory activity against a wide variety of P450s in both rats and humans using chemical structure information. Our experimental results and in silico models would be helpful to support information for species similarities and differences in chemical-induced toxicity.

Gene expression analysis of antioxidant and DNA methylation on the rat liver after 4-week wood preservative chromated copper arsenate exposure.

Our previous 4-week repeated dose toxicity study showed that wood preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA) induced hepatocellular hypertrophy accompanied by biochemical hepatic dysfunction and an increase in oxidative stress marker, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, in female rats. To further explore the molecular mechanisms of CCA hepatotoxicity, we analyzed 10%-buffered formalin-fixed liver samples from female rats for cell proliferation, apoptosis, and protein glutathionylation and conducted microarray analysis on frozen liver samples from female rats treated with 0 or 80 mg/kg/day of CCA. Chemical analysis revealed that dimethylated arsenical was the major metabolite in liver tissues of male and female rats. CCA increase labeling indices of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and decrease terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling accompanied with increased expression of protein glutathionylation, indicating a decrease in glutathione (GSH) in hepatocytes of female rats. Microarray analysis revealed that CCA altered gene expression of antioxidants, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), heat shock proteins and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA methylation, cytochrome P450, and glucose and lipid metabolism in female rats. Increased expression of GSTs, including Gsta2, Gsta3, Mgst1, and Cdkn1b (p27), and decreased expression of the antioxidant Mt1, and DNA methylation Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Ctcf were confirmed in the liver of female rats in a dose-dependent manner. Methylation status of the promoter region of the Mt1 was not evidently changed between control and treatment groups. The results suggested that CCA decreased GSH and altered the expression of several genes, including antioxidants, GST, and DNA methylation, followed by impaired cell proliferation in the liver of female rats.

Auto-Induction of Intestinal First-Pass Effect Related Time-Dependent Pharmacokinetics of Artemisinin Rather than Dihydroartemisinin

Artemisinin (ART) drugs showed declining plasma concentrations after repeated oral dosing, known as time-dependent pharmacokinetics (PK). ART and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) were adopted as representatives to evaluate the roles of first-pass effects and systemic metabolism in time-dependent PK by comparison of oral versus intravenous administration and 1 dose versus 5 consecutive doses PK in rats and dogs, respectively. The hepatic extraction ratio (ERh) and the intestinal elimination changes were further investigated in rats to distinguish the roles of hepatic first-pass effect or intestinal first-pass effect. The induction capacities of ARTs to cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in rats and human cells were evaluated as well. For ART, only the oral groups showed time-dependent PK. A fairly high ERh that obtained for ART was not sensitive to multiple oral doses. An increased elimination and CYP450 expression have also been found in the intestine. For DHA, though a significant CYP450 induction was observed, neither time-dependent PK nor changes in the first-pass effects was found. In conclusion, time-dependent PK of ART was mainly caused by the increased intestinal first-pass effect rather than hepatic first-pass effect or systemic metabolism. DHA was not involved in auto-induction elimination, thus showing no time-dependent PK.

Drug-drug interaction of acetaminophen and roxithromycin with the cocktail of cytochrome P450 and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Acetaminophen (APAP) and roxithromycin (ROX) are often used in combination in clinical practice. To evaluate their drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and the hepatotoxicity of co-administration, rats were randomly separated into four groups: Control, APAP (50 mg/kg), ROX (5.5 mg/kg) and APAP-ROX (50 mg/kg and 5.5 mg/kg, respectively). The pharmacokinetic parameters between APAP and ROX were assayed by HPLC, and a cocktail method was used to evaluate the activities of cytochrome (CYP) 450. The liver microsome CYP2E1 protein was detected using Western blot. The levels of plasma parameters, mRNA levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, INF-γ, VCAM-1, CXCL-1 and STAT-3) and antioxidant factors (Nrf-2, GSTA, GCLC-1, HO-1 and NQO1) were determined using real-time PCR, along with the observation on histopathological changes in the liver tissue. APAP and ROX co-treatment significantly increased CYP2E1 activity, decreased CYP2D6 activity and prolonged APAP and ROX clearance. Co-treatment increased mRNA expressions of TNF-α, NQO1 and MDA while decreasing GPX and SOD levels. Histopathological evidence showed the changes of liver tissues in terms of structure, size and tight arrangement. This study confirmed that a combination of APAP and ROX inhibited APAP metabolism and that the peak concentration of ROX was delayed. The resulting high level of CYP2E1 may induce oxidative stress and cause liver damage.

Assessment and Confirmation of Species Difference in Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics of Atipamezole with Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling

Atipamezole, an α 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, displayed nonlinear pharmacokinetics (PK) in rats. The aim of this study was to understand the underlying mechanisms of nonlinear PK in rats and linear PK in humans and develop physiologically based PK models (PBPK) to capture and validate this phenomenon. In vitro and in vivo data were generated to show that metabolism is the main clearance pathway of atipamezole and species differences exist. Where cytochrome P450 (P450) was responsible for the metabolism in rats with a low Michaelis constant, human-specific UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B10- and 1A4-mediated N-glucuronidation was identified as the leading contributor to metabolism in humans with a high V max capacity. Saturation of metabolism was observed in rats at pharmacologically relevant doses, but not in humans at clinically relevant doses. PBPK models were developed using GastroPlus software to predict the PK profile of atipamezole in rats after intravenous or intramuscular administration of 0.1 to 3 mg/kg doses. The model predicted the nonlinear PK of atipamezole in rats and predicted observed exposures within 2-fold across dose levels. Under the same model structure, a human PBPK model was developed using human in vitro metabolism data. The PBPK model well described human concentration-time profiles at 10-100 mg doses showing dose-proportional increases in exposure. This study demonstrated that PBPK is a useful tool to predict human PK when interspecies extrapolation is not applicable. The nonlinear PK in rat and linear PK in human were characterized in vitro and allowed the prospective human PK via intramuscular dosing to be predicted at the preclinical stage. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study demonstrated that PBPK is a useful tool for predicting human PK when interspecies extrapolation is not applicable due to species unique metabolism. Atipamezole, for example, is metabolized by P450 in rats and by N-glucuronidation in humans that were hypothesized to be the underlying reasons for a nonlinear PK in rats and linear PK in humans. This was testified by PBPK simulation in this study.

Regioselective hydroxylation of an antiarrhythmic drug, propafenone, mediated by rat liver cytochrome P450 2D2 differs from that catalyzed by human P450 2D6

1. Propafenone, an antiarrhythmic drug, is a typical human cytochrome P450 (P450) 2D6 substrate used in preclinical studies. Here, propafenone oxidation by mammalian liver microsomes was investigated in vitro.2. Liver microsomes from humans and marmosets preferentially mediated propafenone 5-hydroxylation, minipig, rat and mouse livers primarily mediated 4′-hydroxylation, but cynomolgus monkey and dog liver microsomes differently mediated N-despropylation.3. Quinine, ketoconazole or anti-P450 2D antibodies suppressed propafenone 4′/5-hydroxylation in human and rat liver microsomes. Pretreatments with β-naphthoflavone or dexamethasone increased N-despropylation in rat livers.4. Recombinant rat P450 2D2 efficiently catalysed propafenone 4′-hydroxylation in a substrate inhibition manner, comparable to rat liver microsomes, while human P450 2D6 displayed propafenone 5-hydroxylation. Human and rat P450 1A, 2C and 3A enzymes mediated propafenone N-despropylation with high capacities.5. Carbon-4′ of propafenone docked favourably into the active site of P450 2D2 based on an in silico model; in contrast, carbon-5 of propafenone docked into human P450 2D6.6. These results suggest that the major roles of individual P450 2D enzymes in regioselective hydroxylations of propafenone differ between human and rat livers, while the minor roles of P450 1A, 2C and 3A enzymes for propafenone N-despropylation are similar in livers of both species.

Profiling of hepatic metabolizing enzymes and nuclear receptors in rats with adjuvant arthritis by targeted proteomics.

Inflammatory conditions alter the expression and activity of factors influencing pharmacokinetics, such as metabolizing enzymes. The study examined alterations of hepatic protein levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and nuclear receptors in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA rats), an inflammatory animal model, by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based targeted proteomics. The protein levels of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A1, CYP2A3, CYP2C6, CYP2C12, CYP2D3, CYP2E1, CYP3A9, UGT1A1 and UGT1A2/3 in liver microsomes of AA rats were significantly lower than those in control rats. The protein levels of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) in the cytoplasm and nucleus were also significantly decreased, to approximately 60% of the control levels. The decreased protein levels of CYP1A2, CYP2C6, CYP2D3, CYP2E1 and UGT1A1 were potentially associated with downregulation of CAR or RXRα expression in the nucleus.

Roles of Cytochrome P450 in Metabolism of Ethanol and Carcinogens.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are involved in the metabolism of carcinogens, as well as drugs, steroids, vitamins, and other classes of chemicals. P450s also oxidize ethanol, in particular P450 2E1. P450 2E1 oxidizes ethanol to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid, roles also played by alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases. The role of P450 2E1 in cancer is complex in that P450 2E1 is also induced by ethanol, P450 2E1 is involved in the bioactivation and detoxication of a number of chemical carcinogens, and ethanol is an inhibitor of P450 2E1. Contrary to some literature, P450 2E1 expression and induction itself does not cause global oxidative stress in vivo, as demonstrated in studies using isoniazid treatment and gene deletion studies with rats and mice. However, a major fraction of P450 2E1 is localized in liver mitochondria instead of the endoplasmic reticulum, and studies with site-directed rat P450 2E1 mutants and natural human P450 2E1 N-terminal variants have shown that P450 2E1 localized in mitochondria is catalytically active and more proficient in producing reactive oxygen species and damage. The role of the mitochondrial oxidative stress in ethanol toxicity is still under investigation, as is the mechanism of altered electron transport to P450s that localize inside mitochondria instead of their typical endoplasmic reticulum environment.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of five major triterpenoids after oral administration of Rhizoma Alismatis extract to rats using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Rhizoma Alismatis (RA) was wildly used for treatment of dysuria, pyelonephritis, hyperlipidemia, enteritis diarrhea, diabetes, inflammation, and cancer. Triterpenoids are the major active components of RA, and its extract is mainly composed of alisol A (ALA), alisol B (ALB), alisol C 23-acetate (ALC-23A), alisol A 24-acetate (ALA-24A), and alisol B 23-acetate (ALB-23A). In this study, a simple, reliable, and sensitive ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was created and validated for the quantification of the five major triterpenoids in rat plasma and various tissues biosamples (including intestine, stomach, liver, kidney, fat, muscle, brain, heart, lung, spleen, and testes). The plasma and tissues biosamples were pretreated by direct precipitation deproteinization method with acetonitrile. 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone was used as internal standard (IS). The chromatography was performed on a Phenomenex C8 column (30×2.00mm, 1.8μm) at room temperature with gradient elution. Compounds were quantified by selected multi-reactions monitoring (SRM) scanning with positive electric spray ionization mode. The linearity of detection for each triterpene was respectively from 1 to 1000ng/mL for ALC-23A and ALA, from 4 to 4000ng/mL for ALA-24A, from 10 to 10,000ng/mL for ALB, and from 2 to 2000ng/mL for ALB-23B (r>0.99) with low quantification limits of 1–10ng/mL for all analytes. All of the other validation parameters were also in an acceptable range. The validated UHPLC–MS/MS method subsequently applied for the pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies of RA extract. After orally given 100mg/kg of RA extract, ALA was the most exposed component, followed by ALB and ALA-24A. Whereas significant gender difference was observed for ALB, ALA, and ALA-24A between female and male rats. The AUC(0-∞) of ALA, ALB, and ALA-24A in female rats were approximately 2–5 fold larger than that in male rats. These triterpenoids also displayed approximately 1.5–2 times longer half-life (t1/2) in female rats. Appearant Km, Vmax and Clint of ALA, ALB, and ALA-24A were calculated by substrate depletion approach, rat P450 CYP3A2 plays an important role in the metabolism of ALA, ALB, and ALA-24A, which is an important factor leading to the different exprosures of ALA, ALB, and ALA-24A between the male rats and the female rats. Furthermore, results from tissue distribution in male rats showed that the main tissue depots of five triterpenoids were the stomach/intestine, followed by the liver, brain, and fat. However, ALA was still measured in the kidney after a long elimination time. ALB and ALB-23B exhibited lower elimination rate in the testis. These results provide a fundamental support for further pharmacological development and clinical safety application of RA.

Hepatic expression of cytochrome P450 in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

In this study, the hepatic expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, including CYP1A1/2, 2B1, 2C11, 2E1, 3A1/2, and 4A, was investigated in 5-week-old (insulinresistant state) and 11-week-old (diabetic) Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels were increased in 11-week-old ZDF rats, but not in 5-weekold ZDF rats. Hyperinsulinemia was observed in both age groups. The microsomal protein, total CYP, CYP reductase, CYP1A1/2, and CYP3A1 levels did not differ between 5- and 11-week-old ZDF rats and their respective control rats, while CYP4A was up-regulated in both groups. Hepatic levels of cytochrome b5, CYP2B1, CYP2C11, CYP2E1, and CYP3A2 were decreased in 5-week-old ZDF rats, but not in 11-week-old ZDF rats. Similarly, pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase, testosterone 2α- and 16α-hydroxylase, chlorzoxazone 6- hydroxylase, and midazolam 1′- and 4-hydroxylase activities were decreased only in 5-weekold ZDF rats. Based on these results, the 5-week-old ZDF rats exhibited down-regulation of the major CYP enzymes. These results suggest that hepatic expression of CYP enzymes may be dysregulated during development in ZDF rats. With the exception of CYP2B1 and CYP4A, the hepatic levels and activities of CYP were comparable between 11-week-old ZDF and control rats, suggesting that xenobiotic metabolism is normally regulated in the early diabetic state.

Effects of Chronic Renal Failure on Brain Cytochrome P450 in Rats.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) impedes renal excretion of drugs and their metabolism by reducing the expression of liver cytochrome P450 (P450). Uremic serum contains factors, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH), that decrease liver P450s. The P450s are also involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics in the brain. This study investigates: 1) the effects of CRF on rat brain P450, 2) the role of PTH in the downregulation of brain P450s in CRF rats, and 3) the effects of PTH on P450s in astrocytes. Protein and mRNA expression of P450s were assessed in the brain of CRF and control (CTL) rats, as well as from CTL or CRF rats that underwent parathyroidectomy (PTX) 1 week before nephrectomy. CYP3A activity was measured using 3-[(3, 4-difluorobenzyl) oxy]-5, 5-dimethyl-4-[4-methylsulfonyl) phenyl] furan-2(5H)-1 metabolism in brain microsomal preparation. CYP3A protein expression was assessed in primary cultured astrocytes incubated with serum obtained from CRF or CTL rats or with PTH. Significant downregulations (≥40%) of CYP1A, CYP2C11, and CYP3A proteins were observed in microsomes from CRF rat brains. CYP3A activity reduction was also observed. CYP3A expression and activity were unaffected in PTX-pretreated CRF rats. Serum of PTX-treated CRF rats had no impact on CYP3A levels in astrocytes compared with that of untreated CRF rats. Finally, PTH addition to normal calf serum induced a reduction in CYP3A protein similar to CRF serum, suggesting that CRF-induced hyperparathyroidism is associated with a significant decrease in P450 drug-metabolizing enzymes in the brain, which may have implications in drug response.

Caffeine 7-N-demethylation and C-8-oxidation mediated by liver microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes in common marmosets

1. 3-N-Demethylation of caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is mediated by human cytochrome P450 1A2, whereas 7-N-demethylation and C-8-hydroxylation are reportedly catalyzed by monkey P450 2C9 and rat P450 1A2, respectively.2. Roles of marmoset P450 enzymes in caffeine oxidation were investigated using nine marmoset liver microsomes and 14 recombinantly expressed marmoset P450 enzymes.3. Predominant caffeine 7-N-demethylation and C-8-hydroxylation activities in marmoset liver microsomes were moderately (r = 0.78, p < 0.05) and highly (r = 0.82, p < 0.01) correlated with midazolam 1′-hydroxylation activities, respectively, while the former was not strongly affected by ketoconazole or α-naphthoflavone.4. Caffeine C-8-hydroxylation in liver microsomes was inhibited by ketoconazole and activated by α-naphthoflavone, suggesting main involvements of P450 3As.5. Recombinant marmoset P450 3As had high Vmax/Km values for C-8-hydroxylation, comparable to Km values for marmoset liver microsomes. Marmoset P450 1As efficiently mediated caffeine 3-N-demethylation and C-8-hydroxylation with apparently lower Km values than those of liver microsomes.6. These results collectively suggest highly active marmoset P450 3A enzymes toward caffeine 8-hydorxylaiton and involvement of multiple P450 isoforms including P450 1A in caffeine 7-N- and 3-N-demethylations in marmoset livers. Marmoset P450s have slightly different properties to human or monkey P450s regarding caffeine metabolic pathways.

Cytochrome P450 3A Enzymes Catalyze the O6-Demethylation of Thebaine, a Key Step in Endogenous Mammalian Morphine Biosynthesis

Morphine, first characterized in opium from the poppy Papaver somniferum, is one of the strongest known analgesics. Endogenous morphine has been identified in several mammalian cells and tissues. The synthetic pathway of morphine in the opium poppy has been elucidated. The presence of common intermediates in plants and mammals suggests that biosynthesis occurs through similar pathways (beginning with the amino acid L-tyrosine), and the pathway has been completely delineated in plants. Some of the enzymes in the mammalian pathway have been identified and characterized. Two of the latter steps in the morphine biosynthesis pathway are demethylation of thebaine at the O(3)- and the O(6)-positions, the latter of which has been difficult to demonstrate. The plant enzymes responsible for both the O(3)-demethylation and the O(6)-demethylation are members of the Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family. Previous studies showed that human cytochrome P450 (P450) 2D6 can catalyze thebaine O(3)-demethylation. We report that demethylation of thebaine at the O(6)-position is selectively catalyzed by human P450s 3A4 and 3A5, with the latter being more efficient, and rat P450 3A2. Our results do not support O(6)-demethylation of thebaine by an Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase. In rat brain microsomes, O(6)-demethylation was inhibited by ketoconazole, but not sulfaphenazole, suggesting that P450 3A enzymes are responsible for this activity in the brain. An alternate pathway to morphine, oripavine O(6)-demethylation, was not detected. The major enzymatic steps in mammalian morphine synthesis have now been identified.

Substrate Selectivities and Catalytic Activities of Marmoset Liver Cytochrome P450 2A6 Differed from Those of Human P450 2A6.

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a New World primate species, is potentially a useful animal model for preclinical studies in drug development. However, cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes have not been fully identified and characterized in marmosets. In this study, we identified P450 2A6 cDNA with the sequence highly identical (91-94%) to human P450 2A6, 2A7, and 2A13 cDNA and cynomolgus monkey P450 2A23, 2A24, and 2A26 cDNA. Among the tissue types examined, marmoset P450 2A6 mRNA was most abundantly expressed in livers where P450 2A6 protein was also detected by immunoblotting. Phylogenetic analysis showed that marmoset P450 2A6 was more closely clustered with human and cynomolgus monkey P450 2As than P450 2As of dog, rat, and mouse (the species also used in drug metabolism). Marmoset P450 2A6 heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli membranes efficiently catalyzed 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, similar to human P450 2A6 and 2A13 and cynomolgus monkey P450 2A23, 2A24, and 2A26, but much less effectively coumarin 7-hydroxylation, showing some difference as well. Interestingly, marmoset P450 2A6 and cynomolgus monkey P450 2A23 catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylation, which is catalyzed by human P450 1A2 and 2A13, but not by P450 2A6. Marmoset P450 2A6 also exhibited catalytic activity toward testosterone by the multiple sites, but not rat P450 2A-specific testosterone 7α-hydroxylation activity. These results indicated that marmoset P450 2A6 had functional characteristics different from those of human and cynomolgus monkey P450 2As in terms of partially different substrate specificities and catalytic activities, indicating its importance of further studies for P450 2A-dependent drug metabolism in marmosets.

Therapeutic doses of SkQ1 do not induce cytochromes P450 in rat liver.

The effect of SkQ1 (a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant) on the level of cytochromes P450 in rat liver was studied. It was found that administration of therapeutic dose of SkQ1 with drinking water for 5 days (250 nmol/kg of body weight per day) did not alter the level of cytochromes P450. Under the same conditions, the standard dose of phenobarbital used for the induction of cytochromes P450 caused the 2.7-fold increase in the content of these cytochromes. We conclude that therapeutic doses of SkQ1 do not induce cytochromes P450 in rats.

Characterization of arachidonic acid metabolism by rat cytochrome P450 enzymes: the involvement of CYP1As.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes mediate arachidonic acid (AA) oxidation to several biologically active metabolites. Our aims in this study were to characterize AA metabolism by different recombinant rat P450 enzymes and to identify new targets for modulating P450-AA metabolism in vivo. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous measurements of AA and 15 of its P450 metabolites. CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2C6, and CYP2C11 were found to metabolize AA with high catalytic activity, and CYP2A1, CYP2C13, CYP2D1, CYP2E1, and CYP3A1 had lower activity. CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 produced ω-1→4 hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) as 88.7 and 62.7%, respectively, of the total metabolites formed. CYP2C11 produced epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) as 61.3%, and CYP2C6 produced midchain HETEs and EETs as 48.3 and 29.4%, respectively, of the total metabolites formed. The formation of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2C6, and CYP2C11 major metabolites followed an atypical kinetic profile of substrate inhibition. CYP1As inhibition by α-naphthoflavone or anti-CYP1As antibodies significantly reduced ω-1→4 HETE formation in the lungs and liver, whereas CYP1As induction by 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in a significant increase in ω-1→4 HETEs formation in the heart, lungs, kidney, and livers by 370, 646, 532, and 848%, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that CYP1As and CYP2Cs are major players in the metabolism of AA. The significant contribution of CYP1As to AA metabolism and their strong inducibility suggest their possible use as targets for the prevention and treatment of several diseases.

Age-related changes in mRNA levels of hepatic transporters, cytochrome P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in female rats.

Hepatic transporters and metabolic enzymes affect drug pharmacokinetics. Limited information exists on the alteration in mRNA levels of hepatic transporters and metabolic enzymes with aging. We examined the effects of aging on the mRNA levels of representative hepatic drug transporters and metabolic enzymes by analyzing their levels in 10-, 30- and 50-week-old male and female rats. Levels of mRNA of drug transporters including multidrug resistance protein (Mdr)1a, multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp)2, breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) and organic anion-transporting polypeptide (Oatp)1a1, and the metabolic enzymes cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A1, CYP3A2 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A1 were analyzed using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA levels of transporters in male rats did not decrease with age, while the mRNA levels of Bcrp and Oatp1a1 in female rats decreased with age. The mRNA levels of CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 in male rats were higher than those in female rats. The mRNA levels of metabolic enzymes decreased with age in female but not male rats. In particular, the mRNA levels of UGT1A1 in 10-week-old female rats were higher than those in male rats. mRNA expression of hepatic transporters and metabolic enzymes are more susceptible to aging in female than male rats. The age-related decreases in the mRNA levels of Bcrp, Oatp1a1, CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 in female rats may affect the metabolism and transport of substrates. This study showed that aging affected the mRNA expression of hepatic transporters and metabolic enzymes in rats.

Impact of Oxidative Stress and Lipid Peroxidation Induced by Lambdacyhalothrin on P450 in Male Rats: The Ameliorating Effect of Zinc

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of lambda-cyhalothrin (LCH) on lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress biomarkers and the activity of Cytochrome P450 in male rats and the protective role of zinc. LCH was administrated orally to rats at dose 2.6 mg/kg b.wt. (Which represents 1/10 LD 50 ) with 3 doses per week for 6 weeks (dose period). Rats were divided into four groups, eight rats for, each: (I) control group, (II) zinc group (Zn dose 227 mg/l in drinking water), (III) LCH-treated groups and LCH-Zn group (IV) as in group II and III. The present results demonstrated that LCH induced significant alteration in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione-s-transferase, GST; glutathione peroxidase, GPx), glutathione reduced (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and decreased cytochrome P 450 (P 450 ) activity in plasma of male rats. In contrast, zinc-LCH treatment showed insignificant difference, compared to control results, regarding LPO, GST, CAT and P 450 . LCH induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and reduced P450 activity in the plasma of male rats. The overall results reveal the pronounced ameliorating effect of zinc in LCH-intoxicated rats.

Potential Risk of Mulberry–Drug Interaction: Modulation on P-Glycoprotein and Cytochrome P450 3A

Mulberry is a fruit containing polyphenol antioxidants. Cyclosporine (CSP), a potent immunosuppressant with a narrow therapeutic range, is widely used in transplant patients. This study investigated the effect of co-administration of mulberry on the bioavailability of CSP, a probe drug of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)/cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP 3A4), in rats and relevant mechanisms. CSP (2.5 mg/kg) was orally administered with and without a single dose or the seventh dose of mulberry (2 g/kg) to rats. The results showed that a single dose of mulberry significantly decreased the area under the curve of concentration (AUC(0-540)) and the maximum blood concentration (Cmax) of CSP by 53.2 and 65.8%, respectively. Repeated dosing of mulberry significantly decreased the AUC(0-540) and Cmax of CSP by 23.7 and 39.7%, respectively. Mechanism studies indicated that mulberry significantly increased the activities of P-gp and CYP 3A. In conclusion, mulberry significantly reduced the bioavailability of CSP through activating the functions of P-gp and CYP 3A.

Severe Liver Cirrhosis Markedly Reduces AhR-Mediated Induction of Cytochrome P450 in Rats by Decreasing the Transcription of Target Genes

Although the induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) has long been investigated in patients with cirrhosis, the question whether liver dysfunction impairs the response to CYP inducers still remains unresolved. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the possible effect of cirrhosis on induction has not been investigated. Since ethical constraints do not permit methodologically rigorous studies in humans, this question was addressed by investigating the effect of the prototypical inducer benzo[a]pyrene (BP) on CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in cirrhotic rats stratified according to the severity of liver dysfunction. We simultaneously assessed mRNA level, protein expression and enzymatic activity of the CYP1A enzymes, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which mediates the BP effect. Basal mRNA and protein expressions of CYP1A1 were virtually absent in both healthy and cirrhotic rats. On the contrary, CYP1A2 mRNA, protein and enzyme activity were constitutively present in healthy rats and decreased significantly as liver function worsened. BP treatment markedly increased the concentrations of mRNA and immunodetectable protein, and the enzymatic activities of both CYP1A enzymes to similar levels in healthy and non-ascitic cirrhotic rats. Induced mRNA levels, protein expressions and enzymatic activities of both CYPs were much lower in ascitic rats and were proportionally reduced. Both constitutive and induced protein expressions of AhR were significantly lower in ascitic than in healthy rats. These results indicate that the inducibility of CYP1A enzymes is well preserved in compensated cirrhosis, whereas it is markedly reduced when liver dysfunction becomes severe. Induction appears to be impaired at the transcriptional level, due to the reduced expression of AhR, which controls the transcription of CYP1A genes.