Effect of inducers of DT-diaphorase on the haemolytic activity and nephrotoxicity of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone in rats

Reduction of naphthoquinones by DT-diaphorase is often described as a detoxification reaction. This is true for some naphthoquinone derivatives, such as alkyl and di-alkyl naphthoquinones, but the situation with other substances, such as 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, is more complex. In the present study, the effect of several substances that are known to increase tissue activities of DT-diaphorase on the toxicity of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone has been investigated. Like 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, the 2-amino-derivative was found to cause both haemolytic anaemia and renal tubular necrosis in rats. Again like 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, the severity of the haemolysis induced by the 2-amino derivative was increased in animals pre-treated with inducers of DT-diaphorase, but the degree of nephrotoxicity was decreased. With these substances, therefore, DT-diaphorase both activates and detoxifies the quinone, depending on the target organ. It is not possible to generalize with regard to the effects of modulation of tissue levels of DT-diaphorase on naphthoquinone toxicity in vivo, since this may change not only the severity of the toxic effects, but also the target organ specificity. In evaluating the possible therapeutic applications of such compounds, the possibility of toxic effects upon the blood and kidney must be borne in mind. In man, renal damage by compounds such as 2-hydroxy- and 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone may be a particular problem, because of the low level of DT-diaphorase in human liver.

Xanthohumol isolated from Humulus lupulus Inhibits menadione-induced DNA damage through induction of quinone reductase

The female parts of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) show estrogenic effects as well as cancer chemopreventive potential. We analyzed the chemopreventive mechanism of hops by studying its antioxidative activities and its effect on the detoxification of a potentially toxic quinone (menadione). The detoxification enzyme quinone reductase [(NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, QR] protects against quinone-induced toxicity and has been used as a marker in cancer chemoprevention studies. Although the hop extract was only a weak quencher of free radicals formed from 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, it demonstrated strong QR induction in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. In addition, compounds isolated from hops including xanthohumol (XH) and 8-prenylnaringenin were tested for QR induction. Among these, XH was the most effective at inducing QR with a concentration required to double the specific activity of QR (CD value) of 1.7 +/- 0.7 microM. In addition, pretreatment of Hepa1c1c7 cells with XH significantly inhibited menadione-induced DNA single-strand breaks. The QR inhibitor dicumarol reversed the protective effect of XH against menadione-induced DNA damage. Because the expression of QR and other detoxifying enzymes is known to be upregulated by binding of the transcription factor Nrf2 to the antioxidant response element (ARE), the reporter activity mediated by ARE in HepG2-ARE-C8 cells was investigated after incubation with XH for 24 h. Under these conditions, XH increased ARE reporter activity in a dose-dependent manner. One mechanism by which XH might induce QR could be through interaction with Keap1, which sequesters Nrf2 in the cytoplasm, so that it cannot activate the ARE. Using LC-MS-MS, we demonstrated that XH alkylates human Keap1 protein, most likely on a subset of the 27 cysteines of Keap1. This suggests that XH induces QR by covalently modifying the Keap1 protein. Therefore, XH and hops dietary supplements might function as chemopreventive agents, through induction of detoxification enzymes such as QR.

Quinone reductase inducers in Azadirachta indica A. Juss flowers, and their mechanisms of action

We have previously shown that the flowers of neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss, family Meliaceae), Thai variety, strongly induced the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) while resulting in a significant reduction in the activities of some cytochrome P(450)-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver, and possess cancer chemopreventive potential against chemically-induced mammary gland and liver carcinogenesis in rats. In the present study, 2 chemicals possessing strong QR inducing activity were fractionated from neem flowers using a bioassay based on the induction of QR activity in mouse hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cultured cells. Spectroscopic characteristics revealed that these compounds were nimbolide and chlorophylls, having CD (concentration required to double QR specific activity) values of 0.16 and 3.8 mug/ml, respectively. Nimbolide is a known constituent of neem leaves, but was found for the first time here in the flowers. Both nimbolide and chlorophylls strongly enhanced the level of QR mRNA in Hepa 1c1c7 cells, as monitored by northern blot hybridization, indicating that the mechanism by which these constituents of neem flowers induced QR activity is the induction of QR gene expression. These findings may have implication on cancer chemopreventive potential of neem flowers in experimental rats previously reported.

Differential induction of quinone reductase by phytoestrogens and protection against oestrogen-induced DNA damage

Quinone reductase (QR) is a phase II detoxification enzyme that plays an important role in detoxifying quinones and may help maintain the antioxidant function of the cell. We have previously observed that QR is up-regulated by anti-oestrogens, but not oestrogen, in breast cancer cells via ERbeta (oestrogen receptor beta) transactivation. Such QR induction appears to protect breast cells against oestrogen-induced oxidative DNA damage, most likely by reducing reactive oestrogen metabolites termed catecholestrogen-quinones back to the hydroxy-catecholestrogens which may be conjugated. We now report that the phytoestrogens biochanin A, genistein and resveratrol also up-regulate QR expression in breast cancer cells. We observe that regulation can occur at the transcriptional level, preferentially through ERbeta transactivation at the electrophile response element of the QR gene promoter. By chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, we show binding of ERalpha and ERbeta to the QR promoter, with increased ERbeta binding in the presence of resveratrol. Functional studies show that biochanin A and resveratrol, but not genistein, can significantly protect against oestrogen-induced oxidative DNA damage in breast cancer cells. Antisense technology was used to determine whether such protection was dependent on ERbeta or QR. Our results with resveratrol are consistent with our hypothesis that the protective ability of resveratrol is partially dependent on the presence of ERbeta and QR. In conclusion, we postulate that phytoestrogen-mediated induction of QR may represent an additional mechanism for breast cancer protection, although the effects may be specific for a given phytoestrogen.

Induction of Quinone Reductase by Sulforaphane and Sulforaphane N-Acetylcysteine Conjugate in Murine Hepatoma Cells

Broccoli belongs to a group of vegetables termed cruciferous vegetables and characterized by their glucosinolate content. These glucosinolates are secondary metabolites that, upon hydrolysis, release bioactive isothiocyanates (ITCs). Bioactive ITCs are considered to protect the body from cancer by inducing detoxification enzymes such as quinone reductase (QR). This has the potential to make dietary choice a powerful strategy for achieving protection against carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and other forms of toxicity from xenobiotic electrophiles and reactive forms of oxygen. The bioactive ITC sulforaphane (SF) is the hydrolysis product of glucoraphanin, the predominant aliphatic glucosinolate in broccoli. Because SF appears more potent than many other ITCs in induction of detoxification enzymes, it may have potential as a dietary cancer-preventative agent. One potential concern is that SF is highly reactive and has a very short half-life in the body, forming a glutathione conjugate that is further metabolized to the N-acetyl-L-cysteine conjugate (SF-NAC), the major excretory product found in the urine. However, the conjugate is a reversible complex, able to release free SF. The objective of this study was to compare QR-inducing activity by SF and its major metabolite SF-NAC, in murine hepatoma cells. Both SF and SF-NAC caused dose-related cell growth inhibition and QR induction. SF, 1 and 2 microM, resulted in a 3.0- and 3.5-fold induction of QR, respectively, and the same concentrations of SF-NAC caused a similar, although somewhat greater, induction of QR, 3.8- and 4.5-fold, respectively. These results strengthen the basis for considering that an effective therapeutic form of SF may be the ITC conjugate, formed in situ or given in place of purified ITC as prophylactic treatment to individuals at high risk for cancer.

Regulation of mouse organic anion-transporting polypeptides (Oatps) in liver by prototypical microsomal enzyme inducers that activate distinct transcription factor pathways

Drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters are key factors that affect disposition of xenobiotics. Phase I enzyme induction by classes of microsomal enzyme inducers occurs via activation of transcription factors such as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, regulation of organic anion-transporting polypeptide (Oatp) uptake transporters by these factors is poorly understood. Hepatic Oatp uptake of some chemicals must occur prior to biotransformation; thus, we hypothesize that expression of Oatps and biotransformation enzymes is coordinately regulated in liver. In the present study, the effects of known chemical activators of AhR, CAR, PXR, PPARalpha, and Nrf2 on the hepatic mRNA expression of mouse Oatps and drug-metabolizing enzymes were quantified by the branched DNA assay. All chemicals increased the expression of their well characterized target drug-metabolizing enzymes: AhR ligands increased Cyp1A1, CAR activators increased Cyp2B10, PXR ligands increased Cyp3A11, PPARalpha ligands increased Cyp4A14, and Nrf2 activators induced NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. AhR ligands (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyl 126, and beta-naphthoflavone) increased Oatp2b1 and 3a1 mRNA expression in liver. CAR activators [phenobarbital, 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene, and diallyl sulfide] decreased Oatp1a1 mRNA expression. Two PXR ligands [pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) and spironolactone] increased Oatp1a4 mRNA expression in liver, whereas PXR ligands (PCN, spironolactone, and dexamethasone) and PPARalpha ligands (clofibrate, ciprofibrate, and diethylhexylphthalate) decreased Oatp1a1, 1b2, 2a1, and 2b1 mRNA expression in liver. Nrf2 activators (oltipraz, ethoxyquin, and butylated hydroxyanisole) down-regulated Oatp1a1 but up-regulated Oatp2b1 mRNA expression. Therefore, only a few transcription factor activators increased Oatp expression, and, surprisingly, many decreased Oatp expression.

Role of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways in sulforaphane- and erucin-induced phase II enzymes and MRP2 transcription, G2/M arrest and cell death in Caco-2 cells

Isothiocyanate sulforaphane is an extensively studied cancer chemopreventive agent in human diet. In this study, the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) and its sulfide analog, erucin (ERN), have been examined on the induction of the phase II enzymes, quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1) and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT1A1), multidrug transporter (MRP2), cell cycle arrest and cell death in human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. Additionally, the roles of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways have been assessed in these sulforaphane- and erucin-induced events. Although erucin and sulforaphane have similar IC50 values (21 and 23 microM after 72 h treatment), erucin was more effective in the induction of G2/M accumulation, depletion of mitochondrial potential, induction of cell death and mRNA induction of phase II enzymes and MRP2. Erucin (20 microM) induced the mRNAs of NQO1, UGT1A1 and MRP2 by 11.1-, 11.6- and 6.7-fold, whereas sulforaphane (20 microM) induced 3.3-, 5.3- and 2.2-fold, respectively. Both erucin and sulforaphane induced activation (phosphorylation) of ERK1/2 and Akt kinases but had no effect on JNK and p38 activation. Erucin-induced phase II enzyme transcriptions were decreased by PI3K and MEK1 inhibitors (LY294002 and PD98059), but the decreases in sulforaphane-induced transcription were less marked. Erucin induced a large increase in G2/M cell number than sulforaphane. The ability of kinase inhibitors to overcome G2/M block was low with the exception of PD98059 in sulforaphane-treated cells. Both, sulforaphane and erucin at high concentrations induced accumulation of sub-G1 cells, cell death and dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signals are important intracellular mediators in erucin- and sulforaphane-mediated phase II enzyme transcription and cell cycle arrest in Caco-2 cells.

The activities of several detoxication enzymes are differentially induced by juices of garden cress, water cress and mustard in human HepG2 cells

It has been previously demonstrated in a human-derived hepatoma cell line (HepG2) that juices from cruciferous vegetables protect against the genotoxicity caused by dietary carcinogens. HepG2 cells possess different enzymes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics. Therefore, we investigated the effect of cruciferous juices on the activities of CYP 1A and several phase II enzymes in this cell model. For each experiment, 1 x 10(6) cells were seeded on Petri dishes. After 2 days, the juices (0.5-8 microl/ml of culture medium) were added for 48 h prior to cell harvesting. The addition of juice from water cress (Nasturtium officinalis R. Br) significantly increased the activities of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase at high doses only and NAD(P)H-quinone reductase in a dose-dependent manner (1.8- and 5-fold, respectively). The addition of juice from garden cress (Lepidum sativum L.) significantly increased the activities of NAD(P)H-quinone reductase and UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase with a maximal effect around the dose of 2 microl/ml juice (1.4- and 1.2-fold, respectively) while the other enzymes were not altered. Mustard (Sinapis alba L.) juice increased the activities of NAD(P)H-quinone reductase (2.6-fold at the dose of 8 microl/ml), and N-acetyl-transferase (1.4-fold at the dose of 8 microl/ml) in a dose-dependent manner while a maximal induction of UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase was obtained with a dose of 2 microl/ml (1.8-fold). These observations show that the three juices have different induction profiles: only water cress acted as a bifunctional inducer by enhancing both phase I and phase II enzymes. As a consequence, each juice may preferentially inhibit the genotoxicity of specific compounds.

Antimutagenicity and DT-diaphorase inducing activity of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino extract

The hot water extract of the herbal tea, Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino, was not found to be mutagenic in Salmonella mutation assay with or without metabolic activation. However, the extract had both DT-diaphorase inducing activity in the murine hepatoma (Hepa1c1c7) cell line and antimutagenic properties towards chemical-induced mutation in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. Mutagenicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido [1, 2-a: 3', 2', 3-d] imidazole (Glu-P-1), 2-aminodipyrido [1, 2-a: 3', 2', 3-d] imidazole (GIu-P-2), 2-amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido [4, 3-b] indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido [4, 3-b] indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4, 5-f] quinoline (IQ) and Benzo [a] pyrene (B[a]P) was inhibited by the extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino in a dose-dependent manner, but no effect was found on the mutagenic activity of 2-(2-Furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl) acrylamide (AF-2). However, the extract enhanced the mutagenicity induced by 2-aminoanthracene (2AA), and N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG).

Baicalin induces NAD(P)H:quinone reductase through the transactivation of AP-1 and NF-κB in Hepa 1c1c7 cells

Baicalin (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone-7-O-D-glucuronic acid, BA) is a flavone isolated from Scutellariae radix. In our previous report BA was a major active principle of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (QR) induction mediated by Scutellariae radix extract and the induction was related to the transcriptional activation of the QR gene in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the molecular mechanism of QR gene expression by baicalin. The antioxidant or electrophile response element (ARE/EpRE) found at the 5'-flanking region of phase II genes may play an important role in mediating their induction by xenobiotics, including chemopreventive agents. In accordance, to study the molecular mechanisms of QR gene expression by BA, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), using nuclear extracts of treated and untreated cells against ARE, activator protein-1 (AP-1) or nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding sites, showed that BA increased the binding levels of the parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Further, Hepa 1c1c7 cells were transiently transfected with a plasmid containing three copies of the AP-1- or NF-kappaB-binding site linked to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. Using the CAT reporter gene assay, a dose-dependent transactivation of AP-1- or NF-kappaB-mediated CAT expression was observed with the treatment of BA. These results clearly indicate that BA induces the QR gene expression and activity by transactivation of AP-1 and NF-kappaB, and thus BA may be considered as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent with the induction of phase II detoxification enzyme.

Transcription factor Nrf2 is essential for induction of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutathione S-transferases, and glutamate cysteine ligase by broccoli seeds and isothiocyanates

Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates that, after conversion to isothiocyanates (ITC), are capable of inducing cytoprotective genes. We examined whether broccoli seeds can elicit a chemoprotective response in mouse organs and rodent cell lines and investigated whether this response requires nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The seeds studied contained glucosinolate at 40 mmol/kg, of which 59% comprised glucoiberin, 19% sinigrin, 8% glucoraphanin, and 7% progoitrin. Dietary administration of broccoli seeds to nrf2(+/+) and nrf2(-/-) mice produced a approximately 1.5-fold increase in NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in stomach, small intestine, and liver of wild-type mice but not in mutant mice; increased transferase activity was associated with elevated levels of GSTA1/2, GSTA3, and GSTM1/2 subunits. These seeds also increased significantly the level of glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC) subunit in the stomach and the small intestine of nrf2(+/+) mice but not nrf2(-/-) mice. An aqueous broccoli seed extract was prepared for treatment of cultured cells that contained ITC at approximately 600 mumol/L, composed of 61% 3-methylsulfinylpropyl ITC, 30% sulforaphane, 4% allyl ITC, and 4% 3-butenyl ITC. This extract induced GSTA1/2, GSTA3, NQO1, and GCLC between 3-fold and 10-fold in mouse Hepa-1c1c7 and rat liver RL-34 cells. The broccoli seed extract affected increases in GSTA3, GSTM1, and NQO1 proteins in nrf2(+/+) mouse embryonic fibroblasts but not in nrf2(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These experiments show that broccoli seeds are effective at inducing antioxidant and detoxication proteins, both in vivo and ex vivo, in an Nrf2-dependent manner.

Effects of different processing methods on induction of quinone reductase by dietary broccoli in rats

Broccoli belongs to a group of cruciferous vegetables characterized by its content of glucosinolates, secondary metabolites that, upon hydrolysis, release bioactive isothiocyanates (ITCs). Sulforaphane, the major ITC from broccoli, is believed to protect the body from cancer by induction of detoxification enzymes such as quinone reductase (QR). Sulforaphane provides powerful protection against carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and other forms of toxicity by electrophiles and reactive forms of oxygen. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of processing methods on the ability of broccoli to induce QR in various rat tissues. Male F344 rats (four per group) received an AIN 76B-40 diet containing either 0% or 20% broccoli processed by different methods (dehydrated, freeze-dried, or freeze-dried and hydrolyzed) for 5 days. Colon tissues of rats receiving dehydrated, freeze-dried, and hydrolyzed broccoli diets showed QR induction of 9.1-, 10.5-, and 6.4-fold, respectively. Induction of QR by dehydrated broccoli in the liver and kidney was significantly less robust than in colon, being 2.3- and 1.6-fold over control, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-drying and dehydration are promising approaches for providing the public with the functional benefits of broccoli consumption.

Comparison of the induction of a 4S beta-naphthoflavone-binding protein, cytochrome P450 1A1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase in beta-naphthoflavone-treated rats

A profound induction of a 4S beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-binding protein, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) activities was determined in the livers of Sprague-Dawley rats following intraperitoneal administration of BNF. Time-course of this induction differed for CYP1A1 and NQO1 activities, suggesting independent regulation of the phase I and II enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism. Time-course of the induction of CYP1A1 and BNF-binding activities was similar, suggesting that regulation of a 4S BNF- binding protein is associated with that of the CYP1A1 enzyme activity. The BNF specific binding to a 4S protein was inhibited by exogenous (BNF) and endogenous (indirubin and indigo) ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Regulation of NAD(P)H:quininone oxidoreductase by glucocorticoids

Previous studies in neonatal and adolescent rats as well as adrenalectomized rats have demonstrated that glucocorticoids regulate the expression of the rat NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase gene (QOR). We used primary cultures of rat adult hepatocytes to document that added glucorticoids repress both the basal and 1,2-benzanthracene-induced expression of QOR mRNA by 65-70%. QOR enzyme activity and protein were concomitantly suppressed as well. The monotonic concentration response for repression of QOR gene products up to 100 microM DEX concentration demonstrated that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was most likely involved in this process. The lack of effect at higher concentration rules out a role for the Pregnane X receptor in this regulation by DEX. In addition, the anti-glucorticoid RU38486 blocked this negative regulation and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide had no effect on this repression process. Similar results of GR dependence were observed using a luciferase reporter construct containing the 5'-flanking region of the human QOR gene using HepG2 cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that GR must directly participate in the negative regulation of QOR gene expression by dexamethasone and other glucocorticoids in vivo.

Induction of the anticarcinogenic marker enzyme, quinone reductase, by Dalbergiae Lignum

The effect of an extract of Dalbergiae Lignum and four components that were isolated from the extract on the anticarcinogenic phase II marker enzyme, quinone reductase (QR), was investigated. Of the solvent extracts of Dalbergiae Lignum, the CH2Cl2 fraction was the most potent in inducing QR activity, with a CD value (the concentration required to double the QR activity) of 29.5 microg/mL. The CH2Cl2 extract was further separated into six compounds, four of which were identified as 4-methoxydalbergione, latifolin, 4',6-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone, and obtusafuran. Obtusafuran [CD = 1.1 microM; chemopreventive index (CI) = 101.9] and latifolin (CD = 1.7 microM; CI = 154.6) displayed potent QR inducing activity and high chemopreventive indices. Latifolin and 4-methoxydalbergione were identified as strong DPPH-scavengers with half-maximal free radical scavenging concentrations of 15.9 and 17.2 microM, respectively.

DT-diaphorase: a target for new anticancer drugs

DT-diaphorase (DTD) is an obligate two-electron reductase which bioactivates chemotherapeutic quinones. DTD levels are elevated in a number of tumour types, including non-small cell lung carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, liver cancers and breast carcinomas, when compared to the surrounding normal tissue. The differential in DTD between tumour and normal tissue should allow targeted activation of chemotherapeutic quinones in the tumour whilst minimising normal tissue toxicity. The prototypical bioreductive drug is Mitomycin C (MMC) which is widely used in clinical practice. However, MMC is actually a relatively poor substrate for DTD and its metabolism is pH-dependent. Other bioreductive drugs have failed because of poor solubility and inability to surpass other agents in use. RH1, a novel diaziridinylbenzoquinone, is a more efficient substrate for DTD. It has been demonstrated to have anti-tumour effects both in vitro and in vivo and demonstrates a relationship between DTD expression levels and drug response. RH1 has recently entered a phase I clinical trial in solid tumours under the auspices of Cancer Research UK. Recent work has demonstrated that DTD is present in the nucleus and is associated with both p53 and the heat shock protein, HSP-70. Furthermore, DTD is inducible by several non-toxic compounds and therefore much interest has focussed on increasing the differential in DTD levels between tumour and normal tissues.

Crambene, a bioactive nitrile derived from glucosinolate hydrolysis, acts via the antioxidant response element to upregulate quinone reductase alone or synergistically with indole-3-carbinol

Epidemiological studies show that cruciferous vegetables play a role in dietary protection against cancers. The protective effects of crucifers are thought to be associated with secondary metabolites termed glucosinolates, the hydrolysis products of which upregulate hepatic detoxification enzymes. Crambene, a nitrile product of the glucosinolate progoitrin, increases hepatic quinone reductase (QR) when included in the diet of animals. Here we evaluate the mechanism of upregulation of detoxification enzymes by crambene. The regulatory region of the QR gene contains two response elements, the antioxidant response element (ARE) and the xenobiotic response element (XRE), that respond to glucosinolate hydrolysis products. We compared upregulation of QR mRNA expression by crambene in wild-type and Ah receptor-deficient mouse hepatoma cell lines. Both cell lines showed a similar increase in QR mRNA, suggesting that the Ah receptor-dependent XRE pathway is not required for crambene to act. Transient transfection of HepG2 cells with reporter constructs containing portions of the 5' regulatory region of the rat QR gene confirmed this, revealing that crambene significantly activated ARE, but not XRE, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, both indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and I3C acid condensates (I3C-A) activated the ARE for QR gene expression whereas only I3C-A activated the XRE at the concentrations studied. In addition, co-treatment with crambene and I3C-A caused synergistic increases in QR transcriptional activity and mRNA levels in HepG2 cells. Based on these findings, we propose that synergistic upregulation of QR is due to co-activation of the ARE and the XRE by crambene and I3C-A.

[Case-only study on the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in toxicant metabolizing enzymes and risk of occupational chronic benzene poisoning]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of interaction between environmental exposure factors and genetic polymorphism in toxicant metabolizing enzymes on risk of occupational chronic benzene poisoning.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-two cases of chronic benzene poisoning were analyzed for the risk by case-only study.

RESULTS

The frequency of non-null GSTT1 gene in benzene poisoning workers with moderate benzene exposure level was higher than that in cases with lower benzene exposure (68.63% vs 38.00%, OR(adj) = 4.32, 95% CI 1.75 - 10.66, P = 0.002). The frequency of NQO1 C.609T/T gene in alcohol drinking group was higher than that in non-drinking group (61.11% vs 20.00%, OR(adj) = 8.03, 95% CI 2.28 - 28.25, P = 0.001), moreover, it was higher in workers with smoking and drinking than that in the rest group, and in drinking x exposure level workers than that in non-drinking x exposure level workers (85.71% vs 22.76%, OR(adj) = 18.62, 95% CI 2.01 - 172.72, P = 0.01 and 61.11% vs 20.00%, OR(adj) = 3.18, 95% CI 1.55 - 6.52, P = 0.002 respectively). The frequency of non-null GSTM1 gene was also higher in drinking x exposure level workers than that in non-drinking x exposure level workers (66.67% vs 47.06%, OR(adj) = 1.99, 95% CI 1.05 - 3.76, P = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

There is interaction between the polymorphism of GSTT1 gene and moderate benzene exposure level; non-null GSTM1 gene and drinking x exposure level increase the risk of occupational chronic benzene poisoning; polymorphism of NQO1 gene C.609 also interacts with drinking, while polymorphism of NQO1 gene and drinking x smoking may further increase the risk of occupational chronic benzene poisoning.

Redox ranking of inducers of a cancer-protective enzyme via the energy of their highest occupied molecular orbital

Induction of phase 2 enzymes is a major strategy in chemoprotection against cancer. Inducers belong to nine different chemical classes. In this study we found that a measure of the tendency of 30 plant phenylpropenoids and synthetic analogs to release electrons correlates linearly with their potency in inducing the activity of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (NQO1), a prototypic phase 2 cancer-protective enzyme. The tendency to release electrons was determined by the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital (E(HOMO)), calculated by simple quantum-mechanical methods. The correlations observed establish a clear conclusion: the smaller the absolute E(HOMO) of an agent, A, i.e., the lower its reduction potential, E(A*+/A), the stronger is its electron donor property and the greater its inducer potency. The finding of this redox ranking of the inducers demonstrates the possibility of controlling and predicting the genetic expression of an enzymatic defense against cancer by xenobiotics via one physicochemical parameter, the reduction potential, E(A*+/A).

Presence and induction of the enzyme NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 in the central nervous system

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) catalyzes a reductive detoxification that is thought to protect cells against the adverse effects of quinones and related compounds. NQO1 activity is present in all tissues. Absence of the enzyme produces abnormalities in the redox state and seizures, suggesting an important role of the protein in the central nervous system. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the protein was found throughout the brain of the adult rat and mouse, with complete absence of the protein in brains from NQO1-/- mice. NQO1 was not seen in any neuronal population, but was localized to Bergmann glial in the cerebellum and a subset of the oligodendrocytes throughout the brain. Prolonged seizures induced in adult rats with kainic acid resulted in an increase in activity of the enzyme throughout the brain, most prominently in the cerebellum, but immunoreactivity did not appear in neurons. Comparison of the axons in the corpus callosum from a wild-type mouse to a knockout mouse showed that myelin is produced in the absence of NQO1, but there appears to be more small-diameter axons in the knockout animal. These results suggest that NQO1 has a role in myelination in the central nervous system or in the insulating/wrapping function of glial cells.

Induction of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase by probucol: a possible mechanism for protection against chemical carcinogenesis and toxicity

Dietary antioxidants protect laboratory animals against induction of tumours by a variety of chemical carcinogens. Among possible mechanism, protection against chemical carcinogenesis could be mediated via antioxidant-dependent induction of detoxifying enzymes, including quinone reductase and glutathione S-transferase (GSH transferase). Probucol is used cholesterol-lowering drug used in the clinic, with pronounced antioxidant effect that protect against chemical carcinogenesis and toxicity. In the present study we therefore examined the ability of probucol to induce activities of quinone reductase in the cytosolic fractions of various tissues of mice. Quinone reductase activity was increased significantly in 6 of 8 tissues examined from probucol-fed mice. The greatest proportionate increase, to 1.8 times control levels, was observed in liver. Probucol also increased quinone reductase activities of forestomach, heart, kidney, lungs and spleen. Quinone reductase is a major enzyme of xenobiotic metabolism that carries out obligatory two-electron reductions and thereby protects cells against toxicity of quinones. It is induced in many tissues coordinately with other enzymes that protect against electrophilic toxicity. The protective effects of probucol appear to be due, at least in part, to the ability of this antioxidant to increase the activities in rodent tissues of several enzymes involved in the non-oxidative metabolism of a wide variety of xenobiotics. The induction of such enzyme, quinone reductase by probucol suggests the potential value of this compound as a protective agent against chemical carcinogenesis and other forms of electrophilic toxicity. The significance of these results can be implicated in relation to cancer chemopreventive effects of probucol in various target organs.

Induction of phase II detoxification enzymes in rats by plant-derived isothiocyanates: comparison of allyl isothiocyanate with sulforaphane and related compounds

Plants of the family Brassicaceae contain high levels of glucosinolates. The latter compounds are degraded to isothiocyanates, some of which have been shown to be potent inducers of phase II detoxification enzymes in vitro. In the present study, the ability of six plant-derived isothiocyanates (allyl isothiocyanate, iberverin, erucin, sulforaphane, iberin, and cheirolin) to increase tissue levels of the phase II detoxification enzymes quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in a variety of rat tissues has been compared. At the low dose level employed (40 micromol/kg/day), cheirolin was without effect in any tissue. All of the other isothiocyanates, however, increased GST and QR activities in the duodenum, forestomach, and/or the urinary bladder of the animals, with the greatest effects being seen in the urinary bladder. With the exception of cheirolin, little difference was observed in the inductive activity of the various isothiocyanates. Phase II enzymes are known to protect against chemical carcinogenesis, and the selectivity of isothiocyanates in inducing such enzymes in the bladder is of interest in view of recent epidemiological studies showing a decreased incidence of cancer of this organ in individuals with a high dietary intake of Brassica vegetables.

Potential cancer chemopreventive constituents of the leaves of Macaranga triloba

Activity-guided fractionation of the leaves of Macaranga triloba, using an in vitro bioassay based on the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, resulted in the isolation of a rotenoid, 4,5-dihydro-5'alpha-hydroxy-4'alpha-methoxy-6a,12a-dehydro-alpha-toxicarol (1), as well as 12 known compounds, (+)-clovan-2beta,9alpha-diol, ferulic acid, 3,7,3',4'-tetramethylquercetin, 3,7,3'-trimethylquercetin, 3,7-dimethylquercetin, abscisic acid, 1beta,6alpha-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene, 3beta-hydroxy-24-ethylcholest-5-en-7-one, loliolide, scopoletin, taraxerol, and 3-epi-taraxerol. The structure of compound 1 was determined using spectroscopic methods. All isolates were evaluated for their potential to inhibit cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 by measuring PGE(2) production, and to induce quinone reductase in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells.

Phenolic compounds obtained from stems ofcouepia ulei with the potential to induce quinone reductase

Activity-guided fractionation of the EtOAc-soluble extract of the stems of Couepia ulei, using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells led to the isolation of two active compounds, a new natural product, erythro-2,3-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-ethoxypropan-1-ol (1), and a known compound, evofolin-B (2), along with five inactive compounds all of known structure, viz., betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, pomolic acid, (+/-)-syringaresinol, and ursolic acid. These isolates were identified by analysis of physical and spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited QR inducing activity, with observed CD (concentration required to double induction) values of 16.7 and 16.4 microM, respectively.