Arachidonic acid metabolism by human cytochrome P450s 2C8, 2C9, 2E1, and 1A2: regioselective oxygenation and evidence for a role for CYP2C enzymes in arachidonic acid epoxygenation in human liver microsomes

Versatility of tandem mass spectrometry for focused analysis of oxylipids

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan mode has been the primary MS method applied for the target identification of specific and minor oxylipids in complex matrices, such as eicosanoids and docosanoids, which are potent lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acid oxygenation. However, the high specificity of MRM can limit the detection of species with m/z MRM transitions not covered by the method. In addition to MRM, tandem-quadrupole mass analyzers enable other experiments to be conducted, by fragmenting ions via collision-induced dissociation process (CID). This paper presents the potential of tandem mass spectrometry for the focused analysis of oxylipids. We have successfully developed an LC-MS/MS method for the identification of precursor ions of m/z 115, a diagnostic product ion of 5-hydroxy- and 5-epoxy-fatty acids. As a proof of concept, the developed method was used to discover several oxylipids oxidized at C5 derived from arachidonic acid (C20 : 4) oxygenation in a hypothalamus rat extract that were not identified using the target MRM methodology. The proposed focused MS/MS-based approach in a tandem mass analyzer has proven to be a powerful strategy to accelerate the identification of oxylipids with structural similarities and assist the field of lipidomic research.

The effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) on growth performance, fatty acid composition and expression of ARA metabolism-related genes in larval half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) on growth performance, fatty acid composition and ARA metabolism-related gene expression in larval half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Larvae (35 d after hatching, 54 (sem 1) mg) were fed diets with graded concentrations of ARA (0·01, 0·39, 0·70, 1·07, 1·42 and 2·86 % dry weight) five times per d to apparent satiation for 30 d. Results showed that increased dietary ARA concentration caused a significant non-linear rise to a plateau in survival rate, final body weight and thermal growth coefficient, and the maximum values occurred with the 1·42 % ARA treatment. As dietary ARA increased to 1·07 or 1·42 %, activities of trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase levels increased, but they decreased with higher ARA concentrations. The fatty acid composition of tongue sole larvae was almost well correlated with their dietary fatty acid profiles, and the EPA content of the larvae decreased with increasing dietary ARA. Meanwhile, the partial sequences of COX-1a (cyclo-oxygenase-1a), COX-1b (cyclo-oxygenase-1b), COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2), 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) and CYP2J6-like (cytochrome P450 2J6-like) were also obtained. Both COX-2 and 5-LOX mRNA expression levels significantly increased to a plateau in an ‘L’-shaped manner as dietary ARA increased to 1·07 or 1·42 %, but no significant differences were found in the gene expression of COX-1a, COX-1b or CYP2J6-like. These results suggest that 1·07–1·42 % dietary ARA was beneficial to the growth performance of larval tongue sole, and the regulation of dietary ARA on the growth performance of larvae was probably involved in altering the mRNA expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX.

Genetic polymorphisms of ALOX5AP and CYP3A5 increase susceptibility to ischemic stroke and are associated with atherothrombotic events in stroke patients

BACKGROUND

The contributions of gene-gene interactions to pathogenesis of stroke remain largely elusive. The present study was designed to investigate the associations between genetic variations and ischemic stroke risk, the roles of gene-gene interactions in ischemic stroke, and their associations with atherothrombotic events.

METHODS

Among 396 patients with ischemic stroke and 378 controls, we examined 8 variants from 5 genes, including ALOX5AP-SG13S32 (rs9551963), SG13S42 (rs4769060), SG13S89 (rs4769874), SG13S114 (rs10507391), EPHX2 G860A (rs751141), CYP2C9*2 C430T (rs1799853), CYP2C9*3 A1075C (rs1057910), and CYP3A5 A6986G (rs776746), using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Gene-gene interactions were determined by the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) method. All ischemic stroke patients were followed up 12 months for atherothrombotic events, including recurrent ischemic stroke and other vascular events.

RESULTS

Single-gene variant analysis showed no significant differences in the genotype distributions of the 8 variants between the 2 groups. However, the GMDR analysis showed a significant interaction between rs10507391 and rs776746, in those cases carrying rs10507391 AA and rs776746 GG, the risk of ischemic stroke increased by 2.014 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.896-6.299; P = .006), and the atherothrombotic events occurred more frequently in those patients during follow-up period (P < .001). Multiple Cox regression analysis showed that the interaction between rs10507391 AA and rs776746 GG was an independent risk factor for atherothrombotic events (relative risk = 2.921; 95% CI, 1.118-7.012; P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS

The interaction between rs10507391 and rs776746 increases the susceptibility to ischemic stroke and is associated with atherothrombotic events in stroke patients.

Differential expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes from the CYP2C subfamily in the human brain

Cytochrome P450 enzymes from the CYP2C subfamily play a prominent role in the metabolic clearance of many drugs. CYP2C enzymes have also been implicated in the metabolism of arachidonic acid to vasoactive epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 are expressed in the adult liver at significant levels; however, the expression of CYP2C enzymes in extrahepatic tissues such as the brain is less well characterized. Form-specific antibodies to CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 were prepared by affinity purification of antibodies raised to unique peptides. CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 were located in microsomal fractions of all five human brain regions examined, namely the frontal cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, amygdala, and cerebellum. Both CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 were detected predominantly within the neuronal soma but with expression extending down axons and dendrites in certain regions. Finally, a comparison of cortex samples from alcoholics and age-matched controls suggested that CYP2C9 expression was increased in alcoholics.

Interaction between ALOX5AP and CYP3A5 gene variants significantly increases the risk for cerebral infarctions in Chinese

In this study, we investigated associations between susceptibility genes and cerebral infarctions in a Chinese population, and whether gene-gene interactions increase the risk of cerebral infarctions. Overall, 292 patients with cerebral infarctions and 259 healthy control individuals were included. Eight variants in five candidate genes were examined for the risk of stroke, including the SG13S32 (rs9551963), SG13S42 (rs4769060), SG13S89 (rs4769874), and SG13S114 (rs10507391) variants of the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (ALOX5AP) gene, the G860A (rs751141) variant of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (EPHX2) gene, the A1075C (rs1057910) variant of the CYP2C9*2 gene, the C430T (rs1799853) variant of the CYP2C9*3 gene, and the A6986G (rs776746) variant of the CYP3A5 gene. Gene-gene interactions were explored using generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction methods. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the genotypes of the eight candidate genes. The generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis showed a significant gene-gene interaction between SG13S114 and A6986G, with scores of 10 for cross-validation consistency and 9 for the sign test (P=0.0107). These gene-gene interactions predicted a significantly higher risk of cerebral infarction (adjusted for age, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus; odds ratio=1.80495%, confidence interval: 1.180-2.759, P=0.006). A two-loci gene interaction confers a significantly higher risk for cerebral infarction. The combinational analysis used in this study may be helpful in the elucidation of genetic risk factors for common and complex diseases.

Endocannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases

The endogenous cannabinoid system was first uncovered following studies of the recreational drug Cannabis sativa. It is now recognized as a vital network of signaling pathways that regulate several physiological processes. Following the initial discovery of the cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2), activated by Cannabis-derived analogs, many endogenous fatty acids termed "endocannabinoids" are now known to be partial agonists of the CB receptors. At present, the most thoroughly studied endocannabinoid signaling molecules are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), which are both derived from arachidonic acid. Both AEA and 2-AG are also substrates for the eicosanoid-synthesizing pathways, namely, certain cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In the past, research in the endocannabinoid field focused on the interaction of AEA and 2-AG with the COX and LOX enzymes, but accumulating evidence also points to the involvement of CYPs in modulating endocannabinoid signaling. The focus of this review is to explore the current understanding of CYP-mediated metabolism of endocannabinoids.

A mitochondrial pathway for biosynthesis of lipid mediators

The central role of mitochondria in metabolic pathways and in cell-death mechanisms requires sophisticated signalling systems. Essential in this signalling process is an array of lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, the molecular machinery for the production of oxygenated polyunsaturated fatty acids is localized in the cytosol and their biosynthesis has not been identified in mitochondria. Here we report that a range of diversified polyunsaturated molecular species derived from a mitochondria-specific phospholipid, cardiolipin (CL), is oxidized by the intermembrane-space haemoprotein, cytochrome c. We show that a number of oxygenated CL species undergo phospholipase A2-catalysed hydrolysis and thus generate multiple oxygenated fatty acids, including well-known lipid mediators. This represents a new biosynthetic pathway for lipid mediators. We demonstrate that this pathway, which includes the oxidation of polyunsaturated CLs and accumulation of their hydrolysis products (oxygenated linoleic, arachidonic acids and monolysocardiolipins), is activated in vivo after acute tissue injury.

Ancestral genetic complexity of arachidonic acid metabolism in Metazoa

Eicosanoids play an important role in inducing complex and crucial physiological processes in animals. Eicosanoid biosynthesis in animals is widely reported; however, eicosanoid production in invertebrate tissue is remarkably different to vertebrates and in certain respects remains elusive. We, for the first time, compared the orthologs involved in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in 14 species of invertebrates and 3 species of vertebrates. Based on parsimony, a complex AA-metabolic system may have existed in the common ancestor of the Metazoa, and then expanded and diversified through invertebrate lineages. A primary vertebrate-like AA-metabolic system via cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) pathways was further identified in the basal chordate, amphioxus. The expression profiling of AA-metabolic enzymes and lipidomic analysis of eicosanoid production in the tissues of amphioxus supported our supposition. Thus, we proposed that the ancestral complexity of AA-metabolic network diversified with the different lineages of invertebrates, adapting with the diversity of body plans and ecological opportunity, and arriving at the vertebrate-like pattern in the basal chordate, amphioxus.

Renal drug metabolism in humans: the potential for drug-endobiotic interactions involving cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)

Although knowledge of human renal cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes and their role in xenobiotic and endobiotic metabolism is limited compared with hepatic drug and chemical metabolism, accumulating evidence indicates that human kidney has significant metabolic capacity. Of the drug metabolizing P450s in families 1 to 3, there is definitive evidence for only CYP 2B6 and 3A5 expression in human kidney. CYP 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2C19, 2D6 and 2E1 are not expressed in human kidney, while data for CYP 2C8, 2C9 and 3A4 expression are equivocal. It is further known that several P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid and eicosanoids are expressed in human kidney, CYP 4A11, 4F2, 4F8, 4F11 and 4F12. With the current limited evidence of drug substrates for human renal P450s drug-endobiotic interactions arising from inhibition of renal P450s, particularly effects on arachidonic acid metabolism, appear unlikely. With respect to the UGTs, 1A5, 1A6, 1A7, 1A9, 2B4, 2B7 and 2B17 are expressed in human kidney, whereas UGT 1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A8, 1A10, 2B10, 2B11 and 2B15 are not. The most abundantly expressed renal UGTs are 1A9 and 2B7, which play a significant role in the glucuronidation of drugs, arachidonic acid, prostaglandins, leukotrienes and P450 derived arachidonic acid metabolites. Modulation by drug substrates (e.g. NSAIDs) of the intrarenal activity of UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 has the potential to perturb the metabolism of renal mediators including aldosterone, prostaglandins and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, thus disrupting renal homeostasis.

Cytochrome P450 2J2: distribution, function, regulation, genetic polymorphisms and clinical significance

Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) is an enzyme mainly found in human extrahepatic tissues, with predominant expression in the cardiovascular systems and lower levels in the intestine, kidney, lung, pancreas, brain, liver, etc. During the past 15 years, CYP2J2 has attracted much attention for its epoxygenase activity in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. It converts AA to four epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) that have various biological effects, especially in the cardiovascular systems. In recent publications, CYP2J2 is shown highly expressed in various human tumor cells, and its EET metabolites are demonstrated to implicate in the pathologic development of human cancers. CYP2J2 is also a human CYP that involved in phase I xenobiotics metabolism. Antihistamine drugs and many other compounds were identified as the substrates of CYP2J2, and studies have demonstrated that these substrates have a broad structural diversity. CYP2J2 is found not readily induced by known P450 inducers; however, its expression could be regulated in some pathological conditions, might through the activator protein-1(AP-1), the AP-1-like element and microRNA let-7b. Several genetic mutations in the CYP2J2 gene have been identified in humans, and some of them have been shown to have potential associations with some diseases. With the increasing awareness of its roles in cancer disease and drug metabolism, studies about CYP2J2 are still going on, and various inhibitors of CYP2J2 have been determined. Further studies are needed to delineate the roles of CYP2J2 in disease pathology, drug development and clinical practice.

Increases in levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs and DHETs) in liver and heart in vivo by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and in hepatic EET:DHET ratios by cotreatment with TCDD and the soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor AUDA

The environmental toxin and carcinogen 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) binds and activates the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), inducing CYP1 family cytochrome P450 enzymes. CYP1A2 and its avian ortholog CYP1A5 are highly active arachidonic acid epoxygenases. Epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid to four regioisomeric epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and selected monohydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). EETs can be further metabolized by epoxide hydrolases to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). As P450-arachidonic acid metabolites affect vasoregulation, responses to ischemia, inflammation, and metabolic disorders, identification of their production in vivo is needed to understand their contribution to biologic effects of TCDD and other AHR activators. Here we report use of an acetonitrile-based extraction procedure that markedly increased the yield of arachidonic acid products by lipidomic analysis over a standard solid-phase extraction protocol. We show that TCDD increased all four EETs (5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-), their corresponding DHETs, and 18- and 20-HETE in liver in vivo and increased 5,6-EET, the four DHETs, and 18-HETE in heart, in a chick embryo model. As the chick embryo heart lacks arachidonic acid-metabolizing activity, the latter findings suggest that arachidonic acid metabolites may travel from their site of production to a distal organ, i.e., heart. To determine if the TCDD-arachidonic acid-metabolite profile could be altered pharmacologically, chick embryos were treated with TCDD and the soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid (AUDA). Cotreatment with AUDA increased hepatic EET-to-DHET ratios, indicating that the in vivo profile of P450-arachidonic acid metabolites can be modified for potential therapeutic intervention.

Role of cytochrome P450-mediated arachidonic acid metabolites in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy

A plethora of studies have demonstrated the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) enzymes in the heart and other cardiovascular tissues. In addition, the expression of these enzymes is altered during several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including cardiac hypertrophy (CH). The alteration in CYP and sEH expression results in derailed CYP-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. In animal models of CH, it has been reported that there is an increase in 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) and a decrease in epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Further, inhibiting 20-HETE production by CYP ω-hydroxylase inhibitors and increasing EET stability by sEH inhibitors have been proven to protect against CH as well as other CVDs. Therefore, CYP-mediated AA metabolites 20-HETE and EETs are potential key players in the pathogenesis of CH. Some studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which these metabolites mediate their effects on cardiomyocytes and vasculature leading to pathological CH. Activation of several intracellular signaling cascades, such as nuclear factor of activated T cells, nuclear factor kappa B, mitogen-activated protein kinases, Rho-kinases, Gp130/signal transducer and activator of transcription, extracellular matrix degradation, apoptotic cascades, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress, has been linked to the pathogenesis of CH. In this review, we discuss how 20-HETE and EETs can affect these signaling pathways to result in, or protect from, CH, respectively. However, further understanding of these metabolites and their effects on intracellular cascades will be required to assess their potential translation to therapeutic approaches for the prevention and/or treatment of CH and heart failure.

Temporal changes of cytochrome P450 (Cyp) and eicosanoid-related gene expression in the rat brain after traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces arachidonic acid (ArA) release from cell membranes. ArA metabolites form a class of over 50 bioactive eicosanoids that can induce both adaptive and/or maladaptive brain responses. The dynamic metabolism of ArA to eicosanoids, and how they affect the injured brain, is poorly understood due to their diverse activities, trace levels, and short half-lives. The eicosanoids produced in the brain postinjury depend upon the enzymes present locally at any given time. Eicosanoids are synthesized by heme-containing enzymes, including cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and arachidonate monoxygenases. The latter comprise a subset of the cytochrome P450 "Cyp" gene family that metabolize fatty acids, steroids, as well as endogenous and exogenous toxicants. However, for many of these genes neither baseline neuroanatomical nor injury-related temporal expression have been studied in the brain.In a rat model of parietal cortex TBI, Cyp and eicosanoid-related mRNA levels were determined at 6 h, 24 h, 3d, and 7d postinjury in parietal cortex and hippocampus, where dynamic changes in eicosanoids have been observed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction with low density arrays were used to assay 62 rat Cyps, 37 of which metabolize ArA or other unsaturated fatty acids; 16 eicosanoid-related enzymes that metabolize ArA or its metabolites; 8 eicosanoid receptors; 5 other inflammatory- and recovery-related genes, plus 2 mouse Cyps as negative controls and 3 highly expressed "housekeeping" genes.

RESULTS

Sixteen arachidonate monoxygenases, 17 eicosanoid-related genes, and 12 other Cyps were regulated in the brain postinjury (p < 0.05, Tukey HSD). Discrete tissue levels and distinct postinjury temporal patterns of gene expression were observed in hippocampus and parietal cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest complex regulation of ArA and other lipid metabolism after TBI. Due to the temporal nature of brain injury-induced Cyp gene induction, manipulation of each gene (or its products) at a given time after TBI will be required to assess their contributions to secondary injury and/or recovery. Moreover, a better understanding of brain region localization and cell type-specific expression may be necessary to deduce the role of these eicosanoid-related genes in the healthy and injured brain.

Roles of the epoxygenase CYP2J2 in the endothelium

Cytochrome p450 (CYP)2J2 is an epoxygenase enzyme that metabolises arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). EETs are inactivated by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), which converts them in to their corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). CYP2J2 is highly expressed in cardiovascular tissue including the heart and vascular endothelial cells. CYP2J2 and the EETs it produces have been shown to have a diverse range of effects on the vasculature, including the regulation of inflammation, vascular tone, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and metabolism. This review will examine these established and emerging roles of CYP2J2 in the biology of vascular endothelial cells.

Interethnic and Intraethnic Variability of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 Polymorphisms in Healthy Individuals

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily members CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 are polymorphically expressed enzymes that are involved in the metabolic inactivation of several drugs, including, among others, antiepileptics, NSAIDs, oral hypoglycemics, and anticoagulants. Many of these drugs have a narrow therapeutic index, and growing evidence indicates a prominent role of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 polymorphisms in the therapeutic efficacy and in the development of adverse effects among patients treated with drugs that are CYP2C8 or CYP2C9 substrates. In this review, we summarize present knowledge on human variability in the frequency of variant CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 alleles. Besides an expected interethnic variability in allele frequencies, a large intraethnic variability exists. Among Asian subjects, for example, statistically significant differences (p < 0.0001) in CYP2C9*3 allele frequencies between Chinese and Japanese individuals have been reported. In addition, individuals from East Asia present different allele frequencies for CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 compared with South Asian subjects (p < 0.0001). Among Caucasian Europeans, statistically significant differences for the frequency of CYP2C8*3, CYP2C9*2, and CYP2C9*3 exist (p < 0.0001). This indicates that Asian individuals or Caucasian European individuals cannot be considered as homogeneous groups regarding CYP2C8 or CYP2C9 allele frequencies. Caucasian American subjects also show a large variability in allele frequencies, which is likely to be related to ethnic ancestry. A higher frequency of variant CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 alleles is expected among Caucasian Americans with South European ancestry than in individuals with North European ancestry. The findings summarized in this review suggest that among individuals with Asian or European ancestry, intraethnic differences in the risk of developing adverse effects with drugs that are CYP2C8 or CYP2C9 substrates are to be expected. In addition, the observed intraethnic variability reinforces the need for proper selection of control subjects and points against the use of surrogate control groups for studies involving association of CYP2C8 or CYP2C9 alleles with adverse drug reactions or spontaneous diseases.

The protective effect of astrocyte-derived 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid on hydrogen peroxide-induced cell injury in astrocyte-dopaminergic neuronal cell line co-culture

Astrocytes perform several functions that are essential for normal neuronal activity. They play a critical role in neuronal survival during ischemia and other degenerative injuries and also modulate neuronal recovery by influencing neurite outgrowth. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of astrocyte-derived 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET), metabolite of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 epoxygenases (CYP), against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). We found that dopaminergic neuronal cells (N27 cell line) stimulated with two different doses of H(2)O(2) (0.1 and 1mM) for 1h showed decreased cell viability compared to the control group, while astrocytes showed less cell death after stimulation with the same doses of H(2)O(2) for 1h. Dopaminergic neuronal cells (N27 cell line) pretreated with different doses of 14,15-EET (0.1-30 μM, 30 min) before H(2)O(2) stimulation also showed increased cell viability. Furthermore, pre-treatment of the co-cultured cells with 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid, an inhibitor of the EET metabolizing enzyme, soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), before H(2)O(2) stimulation (1mM, for 1h) increased cell viability. It also increased the endogenous level of 14,15-EET in the media compared to control group. However, pretreatment with the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor miconazole (1-20 μM, 1h) before H(2)O(2) (1mM, 1h) stimulation showed decreased cell viability. Our data suggest that 14,15-EET which is released from astrocytes, enhances cell viability against oxidant-induced injury. Further understanding of the mechanism of 14,15-EET-mediated protection in dopaminergic neurons is imperative, as it could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for treating CNS neuropathologies, such as Parkinson's disease.

Construction of a CYP2E1-template system for prediction of the metabolism on both site and preference order

We have constructed an in silico system for the prediction of CYP2E1-mediated reaction using a two-dimensional template derived from substrate structures. Although CYP2E1 prefers small-size molecules for the substrates, the enzyme mediates oxidations of large-size molecules, such as benzo[a]pyrene. Overlays of these substrates, to assemble their sites of oxidation into a specific area, suggested a range of regions frequently occupied. The region, having a benzo[a]pyrene-like shape, was thus used as a CYP2E1 template. In this system, atoms in substrates, except for hydrogen atoms, were placed on corners of honeycomb structures of the template after having expanded the structures. Using published data for the metabolism on more than 80 substrates of CYP2E1, the core template was further refined to verify the adjacent area and to define the relative contribution of template positions for the catalysis. The positions on the template were classified into four different point (0-3) groups, depending on relative usage. In addition, we set independent points (-5 to 3) for specific positions to incorporate three-dimensional or functional information. Total scores from both position-occupancy and -function points were calculated for all the orientations of possible conformers of test substrates, and the scores were found to predict the relative abundance (i.e., order) as well as the regioselectivity of human CYP2E1 reactions with high fidelities.

Anti-inflammatory effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are generated by the activity of both selective and also more general cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes on arachidonic acid and inactivated largely by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), which converts them to their corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). EETs have been shown to have a diverse range of effects on the vasculature including relaxation of vascular tone, cellular proliferation, and angiogenesis as well as the migration of smooth muscle cells. This paper will highlight the growing evidence that EETs also mediate a number of anti-inflammatory effects in the cardiovascular system. In particular, numerous studies have demonstrated that potentiation of EET activity using different methods can inhibit inflammatory gene expression and signalling pathways in endothelial cells and monocytes and in models of cardiovascular diseases. The mechanisms by which EETs mediate their effects are largely unknown but may include direct binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), or transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which initiate anti-inflammatory signalling cascades.

In-vitro inhibitory effect of Tualang honey on cytochrome P450 2C8 activity

Objectives

To investigate the effect of Tualang honey on cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) activity in vitro using an amodiaquine N-desethylase assay.

Methods

CYP2C8 and NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase was cotransformed, expressed and harvested. The incubation assay contained expressed proteins, MgCl2, NADP, glucose 6-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, potassium phosphate buffer, and amodiaquine. The rate of conversion of amodiaquine to desethylamodiaquine, the metabolite, was determined using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The inhibition parameters, IC50 (concentration of inhibitor causing 50% inhibition of original enzyme activity) and apparent inhibition constant (Ki) values were determined.

Key findings

The recombinant proteins were successfully expressed and used to investigate the effect of Tualang honey on CYP2C8 activity. The activity was measured by the rate of metabolism of amodiaquine to desethylamodiaquine determined using a successfully developed HPLC method. Kinetic parameters as determined by nonlinear least-squares regression and evaluated with Aikeike's goodness of fit criteria revealed that Tualang honey competitively inhibited CYP2C8 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition of 80% occurred at 0.01% honey. The IC50 and Ki values were (10.0 ± 3.0) × 10−3% and (5.1 ± 0.5) × 10−3% w/v, respectively.

Conclusions

This study has provided evidence for the in vitro inhibition of CYP2C8-mediated amodiaquine N-desethylase activity by Tualang honey. It revealed that honey, through this inhibition, may have the potential to cause in-vivo drug–food interaction with drugs metabolized by CYP2C8.

Cytochrome P450-type hydroxylation and epoxidation in a tyrosine-liganded hemoprotein, catalase-related allene oxide synthase

The ability of hemoproteins to catalyze epoxidation or hydroxylation reactions is usually associated with a cysteine as the proximal ligand to the heme, as in cytochrome P450 or nitric oxide synthase. Catalase-related allene oxide synthase (cAOS) from the coral Plexaura homomalla, like catalase itself, has tyrosine as the proximal heme ligand. Its natural reaction is to convert 8R-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (8R-HPETE) to an allene epoxide, a reaction activated by the ferric heme, forming product via the Fe(IV)-OH intermediate, Compound II. Here we oxidized cAOS to Compound I (Fe(V)=O) using the oxygen donor iodosylbenzene and investigated the catalytic competence of the enzyme. 8R-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (8R-HETE), the hydroxy analog of the natural substrate, normally unreactive with cAOS, was thereby epoxidized stereospecifically on the 9,10 double bond to form 8R-hydroxy-9R,10R-trans-epoxy-eicosa-5Z,11Z,14Z-trienoic acid as the predominant product; the turnover was 1/s using 100 μm iodosylbenzene. The enantiomer, 8S-HETE, was epoxidized stereospecifically, although with less regiospecificity, and was hydroxylated on the 13- and 16-carbons. Arachidonic acid was converted to two major products, 8R-HETE and 8R,9S-eicosatrienoic acid (8R,9S-EET), plus other chiral monoepoxides and bis-allylic 10S-HETE. Linoleic acid was epoxidized, whereas stearic acid was not metabolized. We conclude that when cAOS is charged with an oxygen donor, it can act as a stereospecific monooxygenase. Our results indicate that in the tyrosine-liganded cAOS, a catalase-related hemoprotein in which a polyunsaturated fatty acid can enter the active site, the enzyme has the potential to mimic the activities of typical P450 epoxygenases and some capabilities of P450 hydroxylases.

Vitamin C activation of the biosynthesis of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

The cardiovascular effects of vitamin C (VitC) could be mediated by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). We aimed to study the mechanism of VitC-dependent microsomal formation of cis- and trans-EETs and the regulation of EET levels in rat isolated perfused kidneys and in vivo. VitC biphasically stimulated rat kidney microsomal cis- and trans-EET formation in a ratio of 1:2, involving the participation of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), Fe²⁺, and cytochrome P450 (CYP). Levels of LOOHs correlated with microsomal EET production. LOOH stimulation of CYP isoforms resulted in preferred trans-over cis-EET formation from arachidonic acid and was associated with the cleavage of LOOHs, which indicated a CYP peroxygenase activity. EETs contributed to VitC-induced vasodilator responses in rat isolated perfused kidneys. VitC (1 mg/ml) given in the drinking water for 9 days doubled rat urinary EET excretion, increased plasma levels of EETs, mostly trans-EETs, by 40%, and reduced plasma levels of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Depletion of VitC in brain cortex and kidney tissues by more than 20- and 50-fold, respectively, in gulonolactone oxidase-knockout mice was associated with mild increases in tissue EETs. These data suggest that LOOHs are a determinant factor for EET formation in vivo in which VitC exerts a key regulatory effect. VitC-activated CYP peroxygenase activity may represent a CYP interaction with lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases to mediate the cardiovascular effects of VitC via formation of EETs.

11,12-EET increases porto-sinusoidal resistance and may play a role in endothelial dysfunction of portal hypertension

CYP450-dependent epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are potent arterial vasodilators, while 20-hydroxyeicosatatraenoic acid (20-HETE) is a vasoconstrictor. We evaluated their role in the control of portal circulation in normal and cirrhotic (CCl(4) induced) isolated perfused rat liver. Phenylephrine (PE) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) increased portal perfusion pressure, as did arachidonic acid (AA), 20-HETE, and 11,12-EET. Inhibition of 20-HETE with 12,12-dibromododecenoic acid (DBDD) did not affect basal pressure nor the responses to PE, ET-1, or AA. However, inhibition of epoxygenase with miconazole caused a significant reduction in the response to ET-1 and to AA, without affecting neither basal pressure nor the response to PE. Hepatic vein EETs concentration increased in response to ET-1, and was increased in cirrhotic, compared to control, livers. 20HETE levels were non-measurable. Miconazole decreased portal perfusion pressure in cirrhotic livers. In conclusion, 20HETE and EETs increase portal resistance; EETs, but not 20-HETE, mediate in part the pressure response to ET-1 in the portal circulation and may be involved in pathophysiology of portal hypertension.

Effects of acetylenic epoxygenase inhibitors on recombinant cytochrome p450s

Arachidonate epoxidation, which mediates important biological functions in several tissues, is catalyzed by specific cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes. Two fatty acid derivatives [2-(2-propynyloxy)-benzenehexanoic acid (PPOH) and N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-(2-propynyloxy)-benzenehexanamide (MS-PPOH)] are used as general, mechanism-based P450 epoxygenase inactivators, but the effects of these drugs on nearly all P450 isoforms are unknown. Here, the activity of these compounds on nine human and three rat recombinant P450s was studied. As expected, PPOH inhibited five known epoxygenases [CYP2B1, 2B6, 2C6, 2C9, and 2C11 (IC(50) = 23-161 μM)] but had little or no activity on P450s typically not considered to be epoxygenases (CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2D6, and 2E1). PPOH was only a very weak inhibitor (IC(50) = ∼300 μM) of CYP2C19, an important human expoxygenase. An unexpected finding was that MS-PPOH (a metabolically stable congener of PPOH) potently inhibited only two P450 epoxygenases (2C9 and 2C11, IC(50) = 11-16 μM) and showed considerably lower activity (IC(50) = >90 μM) on all other P450s tested, including three epoxygenases (CYP2B1, 2B6, and 2C19). In addition, PPOH and MS-PPOH displayed time- and NADPH-dependent inhibition of CYP2C9 and other epoxygenases. These results support the putative mechanism of action of PPOH and MS-PPOH on recombinant P450s and (with one exception) confirm a general epoxygenase inhibitory profile for PPOH. However, the heterogeneity of inhibitory potencies for MS-PPOH on these enzymes suggests caution in the use of this drug as a general epoxygenase inhibitor. These results will facilitate the judicious use of PPOH and MS-PPOH for epoxygenase research.

CYP3A4 mediates growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells in part by inducing nuclear translocation of phospho-Stat3 through biosynthesis of (±)-14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET)

CYP3A4 expression in breast cancer correlates with decreased overall survival, but the mechanisms are unknown. Cytochrome P450 gene profiling by RNAi silencing demonstrates that CYP3A or 2C8 gene expression is specifically required for growth of the breast cancer lines MCF7, T47D, and MDA-MB-231. CYP3A4 silencing blocks the cell cycle at the G(2)/M checkpoint and induces apoptosis in the MCF7 line, thereby inhibiting anchorage-dependent growth and survival. CYP3A4 was profiled for NADPH-dependent arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and synthesized AA epoxygenase products (±)-8,9-, (±)-11,12-, and (±)-14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) (total turnover of ∼2 pmol/pmol CYP3A4/min) but not hydroxylase products (±)-15-, (±)-19-, or 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Furthermore, eicosanoid profiling revealed that MCF7 cells synthesize EETs in a CYP3A4-dependent manner. The (±)-14,15-EET regioisomer selectively rescues breast cancer cells from CYP3A4 silencing in a concentration-dependent fashion and promotes mitogenesis and anchorage-dependent cloning. Stat3 (Tyr-705) phosphorylation was inhibited by CYP3A4 silencing, providing a potential mechanism for CYP3A4 involvement in breast cancer cell growth. Silencing Stat3 blocks breast cancer cell growth and abrogates (±)-14,15-EET-induced proliferation, indicating a Stat3 requirement for (±)-14,15-EET-mediated cell growth. Although silencing of CYP3A4 reduces nuclear Tyr(P)-705-Stat3, (±)-14,15-EET restores this signaling process and promotes Tyr(P)-705-Stat3 translocation to the nucleus, suggesting that (±)-14,15-EET may be involved in an autocrine/paracrine pathway driving cell growth. These studies indicate that CYP3A4 is a highly active AA epoxygenase that promotes Stat3-mediated breast cancer cell growth in part through (±)-14,15-EET biosynthesis. Furthermore, these studies indicate an essential role for Stat3 as a mediator of epoxygenase activity in breast cancer.

Multiple cytochrome P-450 genes are concomitantly regulated by vitamin A under steady-state conditions and by retinoic acid during hepatic first-pass metabolism

Vitamin A (retinol) is an essential precursor for the production of retinoic acid (RA), which in turn is a major regulator of gene expression, affecting cell differentiation throughout the body. Understanding how vitamin A nutritional status, as well as therapeutic retinoid treatment, regulates the expression of retinoid homeostatic genes is important for improvement of dietary recommendations and therapeutic strategies using retinoids. This study investigated genes central to processes of retinoid uptake and storage, release to plasma, and oxidation in the liver of rats under steady-state conditions after different exposures to dietary vitamin A (deficient, marginal, adequate, and supplemented) and acutely after administration of a therapeutic dose of all-trans-RA. Over a very wide range of dietary vitamin A, lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) as well as multiple cytochrome P-450s (CYP26A1, CYP26B1, and CYP2C22) differed by diet and were highly correlated with one another and with vitamin A status assessed by liver retinol concentration (all correlations, P < 0.05). After acute treatment with RA, the same genes were rapidly and concomitantly induced, preceding retinoic acid receptor (RAR)β, a classical direct target of RA. CYP26A1 mRNA exhibited the greatest dynamic range (change of log 2(6) in 3 h). Moreover, CYP26A1 increased more rapidly in the liver of RA-primed rats than naive rats, evidenced by increased CYP26A1 gene expression and increased conversion of [(3)H]RA to polar metabolites. By in situ hybridization, CYP26A1 mRNA was strongly regulated within hepatocytes, closely resembling retinol-binding protein (RBP)4 in location. Overall, whether RA is produced endogenously from retinol or administered exogenously, changes in retinoid homeostatic gene expression simultaneously favor both retinol esterification and RA oxidation, with CYP26A1 exhibiting the greatest dynamic change.

Impact of CYP2C8 and 2C9 polymorphisms on coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in the LURIC cohort

Aims: As data on the cardiovascular risk associated with CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 polymorphisms is controversial, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of subjects enrolled in the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study. Materials & methods: CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms were determined with real-time PCR in 2827 patients. Based on angiography, 1052 of these patients had coronary artery disease (CAD) and 615 did not; 1160 patients had signs or a history of myocardial infarction (MI) in addition to CAD. The association of genotypes with CAD and MI was determined by logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking status. Results: Frequencies of CYP2C8 and 2C9 variants were neither significantly different between CAD and control patients, nor between MI and control patients. Men carrying the CYP2C9*3 allele had an increased risk of MI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.06–2.63; p = 0.03) and women carrying the CYP2C9*3 allele had a decreased risk of CAD (OR: 0.65; 95%CI: 0.42–0.9; p = 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, LURIC data confirmed that there is no major cardiovascular risk associated with CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 variants in a cardiovascular risk population of patients having undergone coronary angiography.

Role of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the bioactivation of polyunsaturated fatty acids

Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA), such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, serve as second messengers of various hormones and growth factors and play pivotal roles in the regulation of vascular, renal and cardiac function. As discussed in the present review, virtually all of the major AA metabolizing CYP isoforms accept a variety of other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including linoleic, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA), as efficient alternative substrates. The metabolites of these alternative PUFAs also elicit profound biological effects. The CYP enzymes respond to alterations in the chain-length and double bond structure of their substrates with remarkable changes in the regio- and stereoselectivity of product formation. The omega-3 double bond that distinguishes EPA and DHA from their omega-6 counterparts provides a preferred epoxidation site for CYP1A, CYP2C, CYP2J and CYP2E subfamily members. CYP4A enzymes that predominantly function as AA ω-hydroxylases show largely increased (ω-1)-hydroxylase activities towards EPA and DHA. Taken together, these findings indicate that CYP-dependent signaling pathways are highly susceptible to changes in the relative bioavailability of the different PUFAs and may provide novel insight into the complex mechanisms that link essential dietary fatty acids to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Inhibition of carcinoma cell motility by epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) antagonists

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases, CYP2C8, 2C9 and 2J2 mRNA and proteins, were expressed in prostate carcinoma (PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP) cells. 11,12-Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) was the major arachidonic acid metabolite in these cells. Blocking EET synthesis by a selective CYP epoxygenase inhibitor (N-methylsulfonyl-6-(2-propargyloxyphenyl)hexanamide [MS-PPOH]) inhibited tonic (basal) invasion and migration (motility) while exogenously added EET induced cell motility in a concentration-dependent manner. An epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitor (AG494) or a PI3 kinase inhibitor (LY294002) inhibited cell migration and reduced 11,12-EET-induced cell migration. Importantly, synthetic EET antagonists (14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic acid [14,15-EEZE], 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic acid 2-[2-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-ethyl ester [14,15-EEZE-PEG] and 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic-methylsulfonylimide [14,15-EEZE-mSI]) inhibited EET-induced cell invasion and migration. 11,12-EET induced cell stretching and myosin-actin microfilament formation as well as increased phosphorylation of EGFR and Akt (Ser473), while 14,15-EEZE inhibited these effects. These results suggest that EET induce and EET antagonists inhibit cell motility, possibly by putative EET receptor-mediated EGFR and PI3K/Akt pathways, and suggest that EET antagonists are potential therapeutic agents for prostate cancer.

Are cytochrome P450 CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 polymorphisms associated with ibuprofen response in very preterm infants?

BACKGROUND

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely preterm infants remains a challenging condition with conflicting treatment strategies. Ibuprofen is currently used to treat PDA with ductal closure failure rate up to 40%. We test the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 CYP2C8/2C9 polymorphisms may predict ibuprofen response.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We studied extremely preterm neonates with haemodynamically significant PDA and treated with ibuprofen. One or two variant CYP2C8 and/or 2C9 alleles were found in 17% of the population, most of them were from Caucasian ethnicity (67-74%). Response to ibuprofen and clinical course of infants carrying variants CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 were similar. Comparing infants with wild type or variant CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 genotypes, response rate to ibuprofen was significantly higher in wild type than in mutated carriers in univariate analysis (73% versus 52%, p = 0.04). Comparing responders (ductus closure; n = 75) and non-responders (surgical ligation; n = 36), the only two factors significantly associated with the response to ibuprofen using multivariate analysis were higher gestational age and non Caucasian ethnicity but not CYP2C polymorphism.

CONCLUSIONS

CYP2C polymorphism was not associated with PDA response to ibuprofen and this factor appears not appropriate to optimize the ductal closure rate by modulating ibuprofen dosing strategy. This study points out the role for ethnicity in the interindividual variability of response to ibuprofen in extremely preterm infants.

Liver-specific cytochrome P450 CYP2C22 is a direct target of retinoic acid and a retinoic acid-metabolizing enzyme in rat liver

Several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes catalyze the C4-hydroxylation of retinoic acid (RA), a potent inducer of cell differentiation and an agent in the treatment of several diseases. Here, we have characterized CYP2C22, a member of the rat CYP2C family with homology to human CYP2C8 and CYP2C9. CYP2C22 was expressed nearly exclusively in hepatocytes, where it was one of the more abundant mRNAs transcripts. In H-4-II-E rat hepatoma cells, CYP2C22 mRNA was upregulated by all-trans (at)-RA, and Am580, a nonmetabolizable analog of at-RA. In comparison, in primary human hepatocytes, at-RA increased CYP2C9 but not CYP2C8 mRNA. Analysis of the CYP2C22 promoter region revealed a RA response element (5'-GGTTCA-(n)5-AGGTCA-3') in the distal flanking region, which bound the nuclear hormone receptors RAR and RXR and which was required for transcriptional activation response of this promoter to RA in CYP2C22-luciferase-transfected RA-treated HepG2 cells. The cDNA-expressed CYP2C22 protein metabolized [3H]at-RA to more polar metabolites. While long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids competed, 9-cis-RA was a stronger competitor. Our studies demonstrate that CYP2C22 is a high-abundance, retinoid-inducible, hepatic P450 with the potential to metabolize at-RA, providing additional insight into the role of the CYP2C gene family in retinoid homeostasis.

Effect of cytochrome P450 polymorphism on arachidonic acid metabolism and their impact on cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in the developed countries. Taking into account the mounting evidence about the role of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in cardiovascular physiology, CYP polymorphisms can be considered one of the major determinants of individual susceptibility to CVDs. One of the important physiological roles of CYP enzymes is the metabolism of arachidonic acid. CYP epoxygenases such as CYP1A2, CYP2C, and CYP2J2 metabolize arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) which generally possess vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-thrombotic, natriuretic, and cardioprotective effects. Therefore, genetic polymorphisms causing lower activity of these enzymes are generally associated with an increased risk of several CVDs such as hypertension and coronary artery disease. EETs are further metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to the less biologically active dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). Therefore, sEH polymorphism has also been shown to affect arachidonic acid metabolism and to be associated with CVDs. On the other hand, CYP omega-hydroxylases such as CYP4A11 and CYP4F2 metabolize arachidonic acid to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) which has both vasoconstricting and natriuretic effects. Genetic polymorphisms causing lower activity of these enzymes are generally associated with higher risk of hypertension. Nevertheless, some studies have denied the association between polymorphisms in the arachidonic acid pathway and CVDs. Therefore, more research is needed to confirm this association and to better understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms behind it.

QSAR of cytochrome inhibitors

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes are predominantly involved in the Phase I metabolism of xenobiotics. Metabolic inhibition and induction can give rise to clinically important drug-drug interactions. Metabolic stability is a prerequisite for sustaining the therapeutically relevant concentrations, and very often drug candidates are sacrificed due to poor metabolic profiles. Computational tools such as quantitative structure-activity relationships are widely used to study different metabolic end points successfully to accelerate the drug discovery process. There are a lot of computational studies on clinically important CYPs already reported in recent years. But other clinically significant families are to yet be explored computationally. Powerfulness of quantitative structure-activity relationship will drive computational chemists to develop new potent and selective inhibitors of different classes of CYPs for the treatment of different diseases with least drug-drug interactions. Furthermore, there is a need to enhance the accuracy, interpretability and confidence in the computational models in accelerating the drug discovery pathways.

Polymorphism of human cytochrome P450 enzymes and its clinical impact

Pharmacogenetics is the study of how interindividual variations in the DNA sequence of specific genes affect drug response. This article highlights current pharmacogenetic knowledge on important human drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450s (CYPs) to understand the large interindividual variability in drug clearance and responses in clinical practice. The human CYP superfamily contains 57 functional genes and 58 pseudogenes, with members of the 1, 2, and 3 families playing an important role in the metabolism of therapeutic drugs, other xenobiotics, and some endogenous compounds. Polymorphisms in the CYP family may have had the most impact on the fate of therapeutic drugs. CYP2D6, 2C19, and 2C9 polymorphisms account for the most frequent variations in phase I metabolism of drugs, since almost 80% of drugs in use today are metabolized by these enzymes. Approximately 5-14% of Caucasians, 0-5% Africans, and 0-1% of Asians lack CYP2D6 activity, and these individuals are known as poor metabolizers. CYP2C9 is another clinically significant enzyme that demonstrates multiple genetic variants with a potentially functional impact on the efficacy and adverse effects of drugs that are mainly eliminated by this enzyme. Studies into the CYP2C9 polymorphism have highlighted the importance of the CYP2C9*2 and *3 alleles. Extensive polymorphism also occurs in other CYP genes, such as CYP1A1, 2A6, 2A13, 2C8, 3A4, and 3A5. Since several of these CYPs (e.g., CYP1A1 and 1A2) play a role in the bioactivation of many procarcinogens, polymorphisms of these enzymes may contribute to the variable susceptibility to carcinogenesis. The distribution of the common variant alleles of CYP genes varies among different ethnic populations. Pharmacogenetics has the potential to achieve optimal quality use of medicines, and to improve the efficacy and safety of both prospective and currently available drugs. Further studies are warranted to explore the gene-dose, gene-concentration, and gene-response relationships for these important drug-metabolizing CYPs.

Polymorphisms of human cytochrome P450 2C9 and the functional relevance

Human cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) accounts for ∼20% of hepatic total CYP content and metabolizes ~15% clinical drugs such as phenytoin, S-warfarin, tolbutamide, losartan, and many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). CYP2C9 is highly polymorphic, with at least 33 variants of CYP2C9 (*1B through *34) being identified so far. CYP2C9*2 is frequent among Caucasians with ~1% of the population being homozygous carriers and 22% are heterozygous. The corresponding figures for the CYP2C9*3 allele are 0.4% and 15%, respectively. There are a number of clinical studies addressing the impact of CYP2C9 polymorphisms on the clearance and/or therapeutic response of therapeutic drugs. These studies have highlighted the importance of the CYP2C9*2 and *3 alleles as a determining factor for drug clearance and drug response. The CYP2C9 polymorphisms are relevant for the efficacy and adverse effects of numerous NSAIDs, sulfonylurea antidiabetic drugs and, most critically, oral anticoagulants belonging to the class of vitamin K epoxide reductase inhibitors. Warfarin has served as a practical example of how pharmacogenetics can be utilized to achieve maximum efficacy and minimum toxicity. For many of these drugs, a clear gene-dose and gene-effect relationship has been observed in patients. In this regard, CYP2C9 alleles can be considered as a useful biomarker in monitoring drug response and adverse effects. Genetic testing of CYP2C9 is expected to play a role in predicting drug clearance and conducting individualized pharmacotherapy. However, prospective clinical studies with large samples are warranted to establish gene-dose and gene-effect relationships for CYP2C9 and its substrate drugs.

Role of cytochrome P450 2C8 and 2J2 genotypes in calcineurin inhibitor-induced chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES

The calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac) help prevent allograft rejection but are associated with nephrotoxicity. Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) and CYP2J2 are polymorphic enzymes expressed in the kidney that metabolize arachidonic acid (AA) to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, promoting kidney homeostasis. This study examined the association between CNI-induced nephrotoxicity in liver transplant patients and CYP2C8 and CYP2J2 polymorphisms.

METHODS

Liver transplantation patients receiving CNIs for at least 3 years were genotyped for CYP2C8*3, CYP2C8*4, CYP2C8 Haplotypes B and C, and CYP2J2*7 and evaluated for nephrotoxicity (serum creatinine > or = 1.6 mg/dl) 3-year post-transplantation. CYP2C8 proteins were also engineered in E. coli and their activity towards AA and inhibition by CNIs was investigated in vitro.

RESULTS

The risk of kidney disease post-transplantation was positively associated with CYP2C8*3 genotype. Odds ratios for all participants carrying at least one CYP2C8*3 allele were significant [odds ratio=2.38 (1.19-4.78)]. Stratification by CNI indicated a significant association between CYP2C8*3 and nephrotoxicity among patients receiving Tac but not CsA. The risk of renal dysfunction was not significantly influenced by CYP2C8*4, CYP2J2*7, or CYP2C8 haplotype B genotypes although inheritance of haplotype C seems to be protective. In vitro, the gene products of CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C8*4 were deficient in AA epoxidation, retaining 26 and 18% of wild-type activity, respectively. Circulating plasma concentrations of CsA and Tac inhibited CYP2C8 wild-type in vitro epoxidation of AA by 17 and 35%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Inheritance of CYP2C8*3 is associated with a higher risk of developing renal toxicity in patients treated chronically with CNIs, and especially Tac, possibly by reducing formation of kidney protecting vasodilatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids.

Roles of Eicosanoids in Prostate Cancer

Eicosanoids, the metabolites of arachidonic acid, have diverse functions in the regulation of cancer including prostate cancer. This review will provide an overview of the roles of eicosanoids and endocannabinoids and their potential as therapeutic targets for prostate cancer treatment.

Cytochromes P450 from family 4 are the main omega hydroxylating enzymes in humans: CYP4F3B is the prominent player in PUFA metabolism

Human CYP450 omega-hydroxylases of the CYP4 family are known to convert arachidonic acid (AA) to its metabolite 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). This study deals with hydroxylations of four PUFAs, eicosatrienoic acid (ETA), AA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by either human recombinant CYP4s enzymes or human liver microsomal preparations. CYP4F3A and CYP4F3B were the most efficient omega-hydroxylases of these PUFAs. Moreover, the differences in the number of unsaturations of ETA, AA, and EPA allowed us to demonstrate a rise in the metabolic rate of hydroxylation when the double bond in 14-15 or 17-18 was missing. With the CYP4F enzymes, the main pathway was always the omega-hydroxylation of PUFAs, whereas it was the (omega-1)-hydroxylation with CYP1A1, CYP2C19, and CYP2E1. Finally, we demonstrated that the omega9 and omega3 PUFAs (ETA, EPA, and DHA) could all be used as alternative substrates in AA metabolism by human CYP4F2 and -4F3B. Thus, they decreased the ability of these enzymes to convert AA to 20-HETE. However, although ETA was the most hydroxylated substrate, EPA and DHA were the most potent inhibitors of the conversion of AA to 20-HETE. These findings suggest that some physiological effects of omega3 FAs could partly result from a shift in the generation of active hydroxylated metabolites of AA through a CYP-mediated catalysis.

Antinociception produced by 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid is mediated by the activation of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin in the rat ventrolateral periaqueductal gray

Cytochrome P450 genes catalyze formation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) from arachidonic acid. The effects of 5,6-EET, 8,9-EET, 11,12-EET, and 14,15-EET microinjected into the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) on the thermally produced tail-flick response were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. 14,15-EET microinjected into vlPAG (3-156 pmol) dose-dependently inhibited the tail-flick response (ED50 = 32.5 pmol). In contrast, 5,6-EET, 8,9-EET, and 11,12-EET at a dose of 156 pmol were not active when injected into the vlPAG. 14,15-EET failed to displace the radiobinding of [3H][D-Ala2,NHPe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin (mu-opioid receptor ligand) or [3H]naltrindole (delta-opioid receptor ligand) in crude membrane fractions of rat brain. Tail-flick inhibition produced by 14,15-EET from vlPAG was blocked by intra-vlPAG pretreatment with antiserum against beta-endorphin or Met-enkephalin or the mu-opioid receptor antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (CTOP) or the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole but not with dynorphin A[1-17] antiserum or the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine. In addition, tail-flick inhibition produced by 14,15-EET treatment was blocked by intrathecal pretreatment with Met-enkephalin antiserum, naltrindole, or CTOP but not with beta-endorphin antiserum. It is concluded that 1) 14,15-EET itself does not have any affinity for mu- or delta-opioid receptors and 2) 14,15-EET activates beta-endorphin and Met-enkephalin, which subsequently act on mu- and delta-opioid receptors to produce antinociception.

PPARalpha-mediated effects of dietary lipids on intestinal barrier gene expression

Background

The selective absorption of nutrients and other food constituents in the small intestine is mediated by a group of transport proteins and metabolic enzymes, often collectively called 'intestinal barrier proteins'. An important receptor that mediates the effects of dietary lipids on gene expression is the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is abundantly expressed in enterocytes. In this study we examined the effects of acute nutritional activation of PPARα on expression of genes encoding intestinal barrier proteins. To this end we used triacylglycerols composed of identical fatty acids in combination with gene expression profiling in wild-type and PPARα-null mice. Treatment with the synthetic PPARα agonist WY14643 served as reference.

Results

We identified 74 barrier genes that were PPARα-dependently regulated 6 hours after activation with WY14643. For eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and oleic acid (OA) these numbers were 46, 41, and 19, respectively. The overlap between EPA-, DHA-, and WY14643-regulated genes was considerable, whereas OA treatment showed limited overlap. Functional implications inferred form our data suggested that nutrient-activated PPARα regulated transporters and phase I/II metabolic enzymes were involved in a) fatty acid oxidation, b) cholesterol, glucose, and amino acid transport and metabolism, c) intestinal motility, and d) oxidative stress defense.

Conclusion

We identified intestinal barrier genes that were PPARα-dependently regulated after acute activation by fatty acids. This knowledge provides a better understanding of the impact dietary fat has on the barrier function of the gut, identifies PPARα as an important factor controlling this key function, and underscores the importance of PPARα for nutrient-mediated gene regulation in intestine.

The ontogeny of drug metabolism enzymes and implications for adverse drug events

Profound changes in drug metabolizing enzyme (DME) expression occurs during development that impacts the risk of adverse drug events in the fetus and child. A review of our current knowledge suggests individual hepatic DME ontogeny can be categorized into one of three groups. Some enzymes, e.g., CYP3A7, are expressed at their highest level during the first trimester and either remain at high concentrations or decrease during gestation, but are silenced or expressed at low levels within one to two years after birth. SULT1A1 is an example of the second group of DME. These enzymes are expressed at relatively constant levels throughout gestation and minimal changes are observed postnatally. ADH1C is typical of the third DME group that are not expressed or are expressed at low levels in the fetus, usually during the second or third trimester. Substantial increases in enzyme levels are observed within the first one to two years after birth. Combined with our knowledge of other physiological factors during early life stages, knowledge regarding DME ontogeny has permitted the development of robust physiological based pharmacokinetic models and an improved capability to predict drug disposition in pediatric patients. This review will provide an overview of DME developmental expression patterns and discuss some implications of the data with regards to drug therapy. Common themes emerging from our current knowledge also will be discussed. Finally, the review will highlight gaps in knowledge that will be important to advance this field.

Impact of genetic polymorphisms in CYP2C8 and rosiglitazone intake on the urinary excretion of dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids

The cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2J2 generate 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienic acid (EET) from arachidonic acid, and these EETs are then hydrolyzed to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHET) before excretion into the urine. It is unknown how genetic polymorphisms affect formation of these diuretic, vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, and whether the CYP2C8 substrate rosiglitazone inhibits their formation. Methods: A panel of 14, 13 and four carriers of the CYP2C8 genotypes *1/*1, *1/*3 and *3/*3, respectively was preselected for this study. Daily morning oral doses of 8 mg rosiglitazone were administered for 15 days. Urine was collected prior to rosiglitazone, and for 24 h after the first and last administration of rosiglitazone. Urinary EETs and DHETs were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. Results:Carriers of the high-activity CYP2C8*3 allele had higher excretion of all three DHETs (p < 0.01 for 11,12-DHET, p < 0.05 for 14,15-DHET), whereas carriers of the low-activity CYP2C8 haplotype C (genotypes GCGA at positions rs2275622, rs7909236, rs1113129 and rs11572080) had lower DHET excretion in urine before and during rosiglitazone. Rosiglitazone intake leads to a decrease in DHET excretion by approximately 10% (p < 0.02). Urinary excretion of unhydrolyzed EETs was below the limit of quantification of 50 pg/ml in all samples. Conclusion: The data consistently indicate that genetic variation in CYP2C8 moderately modulates-EET formation as reflected in urinary DHET excretion. This might impact cardiovascular functions, and may be one mechanism explaining the influence of CYP polymorphisms on myocardial infarction and hypertension.