Glutathione and hepatic mixed-function oxidase activity

It is apparent that hepatic GSH may function in drug metabolism not only as a substrate for conjugation but also in regulation of cytochrome P-450 activity. The remarkable aspect of the latter activity is its specificity. Loss of hepatic GSH depresses N-demethylation of DAB while ring hydroxylation is unaffected. On the other hand, the effect is to some degree nonspecific in that control as well as PB- or MC-induced N-demethylation is inhibited. Thus the response may not simply be specific to one isozyme of cytochrome P-450 but may be associated with one aspect of the enzymic activity of several cytochrome P-450 isozymes (i.e., N-demethylation). We have postulated that sensitivity of this activity to lipid peroxidation underlies the relationship to GSH since the tripeptide serves as a major protection against hepatic lipid peroxidation and its consequences. It is as yet not clear as to how or why this particular aspect of P-450 activity is more sensitive to lipid peroxidation than are other activities such as ring hydroxylation. Ongoing investigations include attempts to identify the cytochrome P-450 isozyme(s) which inhibit this response to GSH depletion. GSH-lipid peroxidation relationships have already been reported with isolated hepatocytes, and there may be a possible connection between this and the relative instability of cytochrome P-450 in cultured hepatocytes. Another factor which may be involved is heme oxygenase activity, which is markedly induced in the liver after GSH depletion, after cobalt administration (which also depresses cytochrome P-450 activity), and during incubation of isolated hepatocytes. This enzyme catalyzes the rate-limiting step in heme breakdown and may contribute to the loss of cytochrome P-450 activity associated with GSH depletion.

Glutathione, lipid peroxidation and regulation of cytochrome P-450 activity

Depletion of hepatic glutathione leads to an increase in lipid peroxidation and depression of cytochrome P-450-catalyzed metabolism of the azo dye carcinogen, N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene. This contributes to the marked decrease in biliary excretion of N-demethylated metabolites of the dye. Parallel time courses are seen for decreased hepatic glutathione, enhanced lipid peroxidation and depressed excretion of dye metabolites. In vitro metabolism of DAB by hepatic 10,000 g supernatant fractions is depressed by iron only after glutathione depletion. In view of the iron requirement for microsomal lipid peroxidation, it is proposed that glutathione depletion leads to an increase in the intracellular iron available for activation of lipid peroxidation. In this way, glutathione may contribute to the regulation of cytochrome P-450 activity.

Effect of drugs and hormones on rat liver dimethylaminoazobenzene reductase activity

1. Rat liver endoplasmic reticulum catalyzes the reduction of 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) by NADPH to dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and p-aminophenol. This azoreductase activity was inhibited by cyanide and cytochrome b5 antibody, but was resistant to carbon monoxide and SKF-525A (beta-diethylaminoethyl-diphenylpropylacetate). 2. DAB azoreductase activity was induced by 20-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital, and increased in streptozotocin-induced diabetes or fasting. It was repressed by treatment with DAB and its 3'-methyl derivative, but not by several other derivatives with substitutions in the dimethylaminoazobenzene ring. 3. Azoreductase activity, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, cytochromes P-450 and b5 were measured in liver microsomes prepared from fasted animals and from animals treated with 20-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital, streptozotocin or 3-aminotriazole plus allyl-isopropylacetamide. No direct correlation could be established between the variations of azoreductase activity and those of cytochromes P-450 and b5, and of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in these experimental situations. Since these known carriers do not seem to be the limiting factors for the azoreductase activity, the participation of an unknown carrier that can be repressed by dimethylaminoazobenzene is postulated. 4. Dimethylaminoazobenzene treatment did not reduce the rate of synthesis of microsomal proteins but rather increased the turnover rate of proteins with molecular weights of about 17, 30 an 35 kdal. Since streptozotocin increased the synthesis of proteins with molecular weights of 17, 32, and 48 kdal it is suggested that one of these proteins may correspond to the postulated carrier that is the limiting factor in DAB reduction.

Comparisons between carcinogenic potency and mutagenic potency to Salmonella in a series of derivatives of 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB)

8 derivatives of the rodent liver carcinogen 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB), all of known carcinogenicity in rodents, have been evaluated in the 3 major variants of the Salmonella mutation assay; the standard plate test of Ames et al., the pre-incubation assay of Yahagi et al. and the fluctuation assay of Gatehouse. Although 4 of these chemicals were reported to be non-carcinogenic, and 4 to be of greater carcinogenic potency than DAB, each was mutagenic in a least 2 of the assays. Further, no quantitative correlation between carcinogenic and mutagenic potency was evident in any of the assay employed. The parent carcinogen DAB, 5-dimethylaminophenylazoindazole (a non-carcinogenic bacterial mutagen) and 6-dimethylaminophenylazobenzthiazole (a carcinogenic bacterial mutagen) were administered to rats via intraperitoneal injection, followed, 26 h later, by a sub-acute dose of [14C] dimethylnitrosamine. The histopathological condition of the livers of the treated animals was assessed together with a determination of the extent and nature of methylation by DMN of the DNA in the livers according to the method of O'Connor. Disturbances in both the pathological and DNA-related parameters were observed for the 2 carcinogens while control levels were seen for the non-carcinogen. Within this context the value of short-term assays conducted in vivo is discussed, especially their potential to identify potent mammalian carcinogens from among a collection of structurally related bacterial mutagens.

Role of isozymes of cytochrome P-450 in the metabolism of N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene in the rat

The metabolism of N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene (DAB) was investigated in vitro by use of hepatic 10,000g supernatant fraction, microsomes, and purified cytochromes P-450 prepared from rats. Position-selective metabolism was studied in response to induction by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), phenobarbital (PB), beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), and pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) as well as inhibition by SKF 525-A, metyrapone, alpha-naphthoflavone, and piperonyl butoxide. The principal phase I pathways are demethylation of the tertiary (DAB) and secondary (MAB) amines and ring hydroxylation. When metabolism was measured with 10,000g supernatant fractions, each pathway responded differently and often independently to the inducers and inhibitors, suggesting that they are catalyzed preferentially by different isozymes of cytochrome P-450. Microsomes from PB-treated animals demethylated and hydroxylated DAB at the same rate as did control microsomes, based on cytochrome P-450 content, whereas microsomes from BNF- or MC-treated animals demethylated more rapidly and hydroxylated more slowly. Microsomes from PB-treated animals demethylated the secondary amine, MAB, more rapidly than the tertiary amine, DAB. Purified cytochrome P-448 from MC-treated animals catalyzed DAB demethylation very readily but hydroxylation very poorly. The turnover number was 10 times that seen in microsomes from MC-treated animals. Only one of the four cytochrome P-450 fractions isolated from PB-treated animals had significant activity with DAB and the turnover number of one of these (fraction B) was approximately that seen in microsomes. This study supports the concept of selectivity of various isozymes of cytochrome P-450 for the different steps in phase I metabolism of DAB. Furthermore, it is apparent that the association of certain inhibitors with specific isozymes of cytochrome P-450 is a generalization that requires qualification in terms of the substrates(s) involved.

Formation of N-(glutathion-S-methylene)-4-aminoazobenzene following metabolic oxidation of the N-methyl group of the carcinogen, N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene

A major biliary metabolite of the hepatocarcinogen, N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene (DAB), in the rat was identified as N-(glutathion-S-methylene)-4-aminoazobenzene (GS-CH2-AB). This conjugate was prepared synthetically by a Mannich condensation of 4-aminoazobenzene (AB), formaldehyde (CH2O) and glutathione (GSH) and has been characterized by chemical analysis and by ultraviolet, visible and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The same conjugate was also formed in vitro by incubating N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (MAB), NADPH, NADH and GSH with rat hepatic microsomes. Evidence is presented that GSH reacted with an intermediate resulting from a cytochrome P-450-dependent oxidation of the N-methyl substituent. This reactive intermediate is presumed to be either an N-methylol or a methimine derivative of AB. The significance of this detoxification mechanism is discussed. The presence of an additional major aminoazo-dye GSH conjugate is also noted.

A correlation of the rate of N-hydroxylation of aminoazo dyes with their carcinogenic activity in the rat

The rate of formation of N-hydroxy-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (N-OH-MAB) derivatives from N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene (DAB) derivatives and from N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (MAB) derivatives was measured by the e.s.r. spectroscopy, and the rate of N-demethylation of DAB derivatives was measured by h.p.l.c. The rate of formation of N-OH-MAB derivatives from DAB derivatives showed a strong correlation with their carcinogenic activity. This reaction occurs in two-steps, i.e. N-demethylation followed by N-hydroxylation. The rate of N-demethylation of DAB derivatives was not correlated with their carcinogenic activity. On the other hand, the rate of N-hydroxylation of MAB derivatives was well correlated with the carcinogenic activity of corresponding DAB derivatives. These results suggest that the carcinogenic activity of DAB derivatives in the rat was dependent upon the enzyme concerned with N-hydroxylation. The positive carcinogenicity is limited to those derivatives with a rate of N-hydroxylation above the threshold value.

Factors affecting the response of N,N-dimethylaminoazobenzene in the Ames microbial mutation assay

The mutagenicity of N,N-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) is difficult to demonstrate in Ames' test. Usually there are specific requirements for activation by post-mitochondrial supernatant fluid (S-9) from Aroclor-treated rat livers and the pre-incubation modification of the test. Results from this laboratory suggest, however, that pre-incubation is not essential; also, that, contrary to published reports, concentrations of S-9 greater than 10% in S-9 mix do not reduce the mutagenic response. Induction of enzyme activity well above normal levels, on the other hand, is necessary, but this requirement can be substituted by the addition of norharman. If a competent S-9 mix is used, pre-incubation with or without shaking does not alter the response and supplementation with ATP or NADH similarly has no effect. It is concluded that interlaboratory differences in the ability to demonstrate DAB mutagenicity reflect differences in the level of induction of liver enzymes and, possibly, the concentration of endogenous co-factors.

Induction and inhibition of the metabolism and biliary excretion of the azo dye carcinogen, N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene (DAB), in the rat

The azo dye carcinogen, N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene (DAB), is metabolized initially by N-demethylation and 4'-hydroxylation. The metabolites appear in the bile principally as sulfates and glucuronides, and to a lesser extent as glutathione conjugates. Pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) or phenobarbital (PB) accelerates biliary excretion of metabolites. The responses are different for each inducing agent. PB induces N-demethylation and 4'-hydroxylation whereas MC induces N-demethylation but inhibits 4'-hydroxylation. These effects are evident in the in vitro metabolism of DAB and in vivo through analysis of biliary metabolites. MC induction accelerates N-demethylation of both the tertiary amine, 4'-OH-DAB, and the secondary amine, N-methyl-4-amino-4'-hydroxyazobenzene (4'-OH-MAB), whereas PB induction accelerates N-demethylation of 4'-OH-MAB but not of 4'-OH-DAB. A further distinction between the responses to MC and to PB is seen in the relative lack of effect of SKF 525-A on MC-induced metabolism and biliary excretion of DAB, whereas PB-induced and noninduced metabolism is markedly inhibited. Previous observations indicated a depressed N-demethylation and biliary excretion of DAB after glutathione depletion. These studies lead to the conclusion that N-demethylation is the major rate-determining factor for biliary excretion. 4'-Hydroxylation, although a prominent pathway, appears to be less critical to rates of biliary excretion.

Optimized preparation and determination of pea seedling diamine oxidase

The level of diamine oxidase in pea seedling stems has been determined as a function of time after germination in both etiolated and non-etiolated plants. The maximum amount of enzyme per plant is obtained between 11 and 13 days. The amount of activity per gram of tissue appears to be proportional to the rate of growth. We describe an efficient method of isolation of pea seedling stem diamine oxidase from 12-day-old etiolated seedlings, a procedure that brings the enzyme to purity after a 97-fold purification. A new assay procedure for pea seedling diamine oxidase is detailed and compared to previously used methods. The kinetic parameters for three common substrates have also been determined. SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration chromatography and copper analyses have been used to determine that pea seedling diamine oxidase exists as a dimer of two apparently identical subunits, the dimer molecular weight being about 190,000. The isoelectric point of this enzyme was determined to be 6.5.

Interactions of small molecules with phospholipid bilayers. Binding to egg phosphatidylcholine of some uncharged molecules (2-acetylaminofluorene, 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, oestrone and testosterone) that bind to ligandin and aminoazo-dye-binding protein A

1. To assess the possible involvement of ligandin and aminoazo-dye-binding protein A in intracellular transport it is necessary to know how their ligands, most of which are molecules with hydrophobic moieties, interact with cellular membranes. To obtain such information we have examined the interactions of 2-acetylaminofluorene, 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, oestrone and testosterone with aqueous dispersions of egg phosphatidylcholine and egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol (1:1, molar ratio) by equilibrium dialysis and spectrophotometry. 2. At 25 degrees C and pH7.4, the partition coefficients for binding to phosphatidylcholine [expressed as (mol of ligand bound/mol of phosphatidylcholine)/unbound ligand concentration] were: for 2-acetylaminofluorene, 5.0x10(3) litre.mol(-1); for 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, 2.1x10(4) litre.mol(-1); for oestrone, 3.1x10(3) litre.mol(-1); and for testosterone, 4.2x10(2) litre.mol(-1). In the ranges studied these values were independent of concentration. The results for the two steroids confirm those of Heap, Symons & Watkins [(1970) Biochim. Biophys. Acta218, 482-495]. 3. The introduction of cholesterol into the lipid bilayers caused large decreases in the partition coefficients of oestrone and testosterone, but had relatively little effect on the binding of 2-acetylaminofluorene and 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene. 4. By assuming that the interactions with egg phosphatidylcholine bilayers resemble those with the phospholipid components of mammalian intracellular membranes the phosphatidylcholine partition coefficients, together with data for binding to the intracellular proteins ligandin and aminoazo-dye-binding protein A, enable the subcellular distributions of the four compounds to be estimated. For the rat hepatocyte up to 98, 99, 89 and 58% of the total 2-acetylaminofluorene, 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, oestrone and testosterone respectively may be membrane-bound.

Glutathione adducts of N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene formed in vivo and by reaction of N-benzoyloxy-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene with glutathione

N-Benzoyloxy-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (N-BzO-MAB) is believed to be an analogue of the ultimate carcinogenic form of N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene (DAB). The reaction of N-BzO-MAB with glutathione in vitro yielded one major and two minor aminoazo dye-glutathione adducts. After purification by ion exchange chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography, analysis of chemical properties, and the measurement of ultraviolet, visible, proton magnetic resonance, and mass spectra, the major and one minor adduct were identified as 3-(glutathion-S-yl)-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (3-GS-MAB) and 2'-(glutathion-S-yl)-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (2'-GS-MAB) respectively. The other minor adduct was tentatively identified as 4'-(glutathion-S-yl)-N-methyl-4-aminoazobenzene (4'-GS-MAB). Fractionation and analyses of biliary metabolites from rats given DAB revealed the presence of two aminoazo dye-glutathione adducts. One of these was identical to 3-GS-MAB in its chromatographic and chemical properties and its visible and ultraviolet spectra. The other adduct was partially characterized and judged to be a 4-aminoazobenzene-glutathione adduct. The role of glutathione in the detoxification of carcinogenic aminoazo dyes is discussed.

In vitro evaluation of some derivatives of the carcinogen Butter Yellow: implications for environmental screening

The rat-liver carcinogen 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (Butter Yellow, DAB) and 12 of its structural analogues have been evaluated in a cell transformation assay. Eight of these analogues have already been tested for carcinogenicity in rats, whilst the remaining 4 are new or hitherto untested. Benzidine and its 3,3'-disulphonic acid derivative have also been evaluated. The in vitro results agree with long-term animal data for 8 compounds but disagree in finding DAB-4'-sulphonic acid, 4-trifluoromethyl-DAB and 4-diethylaminoazo-benzene positive. Possible reasons for these divergencies are discussed. It is concluded that 9-phenylazojulolidine and N-methyl-5-phenylazoindoline have carcinogenic potential and that 3,5-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene and 4-aminoazobenzene-4'-sulphonic acid are likely to prove non-carcinogenic. Addition of azobenzene to the in vitro assay medium increases the transforming potency of DAB 25-fold. It is suggested that it acts as a competitive substrate for one of the enzymes that detoxify DAB, and that this effect is related to that produced by norharman. Sulphonic-acid derivatives of established carcinogens are usually inactive. The basis of this effect has been investigated, and it is suggested that it can operate by two separate mechanisms. It has been established that this assay cannot be relied upon to predict the in vivo potency of a carcinogen. Consideration has been given to possible changes which could be made to the liver activation system (the S-9 mix) currently used in in vitro carcinogenicity assays, and a diagram is presented of the metabolic conversions of a compound which might lead to mutation or tumour formation. This enables the term potential carcinogen to be accurately defined, and indicates a possible difference between absolute non-carcinogens and compounds which fail to produce cancer in vivo.

[Interaction of p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene with rat liver-chromatin and non-histones (author's transl)]

The carcinogenic p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene and the non-carcinogenic p-aminoazobenzene were radioactive labelled and applicated to Whistar rats intraperitoneally. A very significant difference in binding tendencies for the two compounds and their metabolites was observed in rat liver tissues, rat liver nuclei and rat liver chromatin. Above all a specific binding affinity of the carcinogen to nuclear non-histone protein was found.