Selectivity of 1-phenylimidazole as a ligand for cytochrome P-450 and as an inhibitor of microsomal oxidation

Polyamines are traps for reactive intermediates in furan metabolism

Furan is toxic and carcinogenic in rodents. Because of the large potential for human exposure, furan is classified as a possible human carcinogen. The detailed mechanism by which furan causes toxicity and cancer is not yet known. Since furan toxicity requires cytochrome P450-catalyzed oxidation of furan, we have characterized the urinary and hepatocyte metabolites of furan to gain insight into the chemical nature of the reactive intermediate. Previous studies in hepatocytes indicated that furan is oxidized to the reactive α,β-unsaturated dialdehyde, cis-2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA), which reacts with glutathione (GSH) to form 2-(S-glutathionyl)succinaldehyde (GSH-BDA). This intermediate forms pyrrole cross-links with cellular amines such as lysine and glutamine. In this article, we demonstrate that GSH-BDA also forms cross-links with ornithine, putrescine, and spermidine when furan is incubated with rat hepatocytes. The relative levels of these metabolites are not completely explained by hepatocellular levels of the amines or by their reactivity with GSH-BDA. Mercapturic acid derivatives of the spermidine cross-links were detected in the urine of furan-treated rats, which indicates that this metabolic pathway occurs in vivo. Their detection in furan-treated hepatocytes and in urine from furan-treated rats indicates that polyamines may play an important role in the toxicity of furan.

Interplanar torsion in the S[sub 1]←S[sub 0] electronic spectrum of jet cooled 1-phenylimidazole

The S(1)<--S(0) transition of 1-phenylimidazole (1PI) has been studied in a supersonic jet expansion by resonant two-photon ionization. The origin band at 36 075 cm(-1) is accompanied by a low frequency progression associated with torsion about the bond connecting phenyl and imidazole groups. Torsional potentials have been determined for both states. In S(0), phi(min)=37.2+/-0.5 degrees and the planar barrier is 339+/-20 cm(-1), while in S(1), phi(min)=17.6+/-0.5 degrees and the planar barrier is 57+/-2 cm(-1). The transition moment alignment is observed to be consistent with an excited state of L(b) character, in spite of the "off-axis" conjugation provided by the imidazole ring. These results are compared with ab initio calculations on both states, performed using Hartree-Fock, Møller-Plesset second-order perturbation, density functional theory with the Becke3-Lee-Yang-Parr functional, time-dependent density functional theory, configuration interaction singles, and complete active space self-consistent field methods. Solution-phase UV spectra of neutral and protonated 1PI are also reported.

Effect of 4-(4-chlorobenzyl)pyridine on rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 and drug-metabolizing enzymes in vivo and in vitro

The effect of 4-(4-chlorobenzyl)pyridine (4-CBP) on rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) and its molecular species (CYP2B1, 2E1, 3A2, 2C11, and 2C12), and on drug-metabolizing enzyme activities were examined in vivo and in vitro. Treatment of rats with 4-CBP resulted in the induction of P450 and drug-metabolizing enzymes in a dose-dependent manner, but it was markedly inhibitory at higher dose levels. Immunoblot analyses revealed that 4-CBP induces both CYP2B1 and 2E1; however, both were decreased by increasing the dose of 4-CBP. The in vitro inhibitory experiment revealed that 4-CBP strongly inhibited benzphetamine N-demethylase activity, but not dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase activity. The present findings provide information on the induction and inhibition effect of chlorinated benzylpyridine on hepatic microsomal P450s and drug-metabolizing enzymes in vivo and in vitro.

Chloroform-induced cytolethality in freshly isolated male B6C3F1 mouse and F-344 rat hepatocytes

Chloroform is carcinogenic in rodents but is not mutagenic or DNA reactive. Chloroform-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rodents is believed to be secondary to events associated with cytotoxicity and cell proliferation. Understanding the mechanisms of chloroform toxicity may provide insights into the mechanisms of carcinogenicity. The goal of these studies was to characterize the cytotoxicity of chloroform in male B6C3F1 mouse and F-344 rat hepatocytes in vitro. We used an in vitro suspension-culture system that reproduced the exposure of the liver to chloroform and the expression of toxicity in vivo. Simulations of a physiologically based dosimetry model for chloroform indicated that the livers of mice and rats were exposed to chloroform concentrations up to 5 mM for 3 h after hepatotoxic doses of chloroform. Freshly isolated male mouse and rat hepatocytes were exposed to chloroform in sealed flasks and then cultured for 24 h as monolayers. Following a 2- or 3-h exposure in suspension, chloroform induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase release) in culture at concentrations higher than 1 mM. Cytolethality was not increased under reduced oxygen tension, indicating that reductive metabolism does not contribute to chloroform-induced toxicity. A threshold of 1 mM chloroform was also found for glutathione (GSH) depletion, with a 50% depletion at 3.8 mM after 2 h. Addition of dithiothreitol, a reducing agent, did not prevent chloroform-induced toxicity, indicating that oxidation of sulfhydryl groups is not critical for toxicity. The lack of protein sulfhydryl group depletion is consistent with this conclusion. Cotreatment with the cytochrome P450 inhibitor 1-phenylimidazole prevented both cytolethality and GSH depletion, indicating that metabolism is necessary for chloroform-induced toxicity. Both species exhibited similar sensitivity toward chloroform toxicity, indicating that toxicity is not sufficient to explain different susceptibility in heptocarcinogenicity. As chloroform metabolism is saturated in the micromolar range, our results indicate that both metabolism and exposure of the liver cells to high concentrations of chloroform are required for toxicity.

1-Benzylimidazole induces rat hepatic microsomal epoxide hydrolase with the elevation of its mRNA levels

The effects of 1-benzylimidazole on the expression of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) gene were examined in rat. Immunoblot analyses showed that hepatic microsomes isolated from rat treated with 1-benzylimidazole at 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day for 3 or 6 days exhibited 2-3-fold increases in mEH levels, relative to control microsomes. Northern and slot blot analysis revealed that 1-benzylimidazole is effective in increasing hepatic mEH mRNA levels at 24 h post-treatment (i.e. 4-5-fold). Hepatic mEH mRNA levels were elevated from 4-4- to 8-fold following 1-benzylimidazole administration in a time-dependent manner. These results demonstrated that 1-benzylimidazole induces mEH protein in rat and that the induction is primarily associated with accumulation of mEH mRNA levels.

Induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 and drug-metabolizing enzymes by 4-benzylpyridine and its structurally related compounds in rats. Dose- and sex-related differential induction of cytochrome P450 species

We examined the abilities of 4-, 3- and 2-benzylpyridine and 4-tert-butylpyridine to induce hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 and drug-metabolizing enzymes in male and female rats in order to define the effects of pyridine-containing compounds on drug metabolism. 4-Benzylpyridine (0.4 mmol/kg, for 2 consecutive days) induced total cytochrome P450 to about three times that of the controls at 24 hr, and its inducing effect was sustained for 120 hr after the treatment in male and female rats. 4-Benzylpyridine was a more potent inducer of cytochrome P450 than 3- and 2-benzylpyridine, which induced the cytochrome to 71.4 and 43.9%, respectively, of that produced by the 4-substituted isomer. 4-tert-Butylpyridine also induced cytochrome P450. Immunoblot analysis revealed that a single treatment of male rats with 4-benzylpyridine at doses ranging from 0.05 to 0.80 mmol/kg induced cytochrome P450b/e and caused a maximum increase in the level of the isozyme at the 0.2 mmol/kg dose. 4-Benzylpyridine at doses from 0.40 to 0.80 mmol/kg also induced cytochrome P450c/d in male rats. In female rats, 4-benzylpyridine induced cytochrome P450b at doses ranging from 0.1 to 0.80 mmol/kg and produced a maximum increase in the level of this isozyme at 0.40 to 0.60 mmol/kg. Induction of cytochrome P450c/d by 4-benzylpyridine in female rats was observed at a dose of 0.20 mmol/kg, and the magnitude of the induction of the isozyme was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Both 3- and 2-benzylpyridine induced cytochrome P450b/e and/or c/d depending on the increase of total cytochrome P450 without changing the induction patterns of the isozymes. 4-tert-Butylpyridine induced cytochrome P450b at doses ranging from 0.20 to 0.60 mmol/kg and slightly induced P450c/d at doses ranging from 0.10 to 0.40 mmol/kg in male rats. These results and our previous report (Matsuura et al., Biochem Pharmacol 41: 1949-1956, 1991) clearly show that the pyridine compounds having lipophilic groups at the 4- or 3-position of the ring could be inducers of cytochrome P450. The present results also revealed that 4-benzylpyridine shows dose- and sex-related differences in the induction of cytochrome P450b/e and c/d in rats.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in crustaceans

1. The hepatopancreas is the major site of cytochrome P450-dependent xenobiotic monooxygenation in crustacean species, but the presence of monooxygenase inhibitors in hepatopancreas microsomes and cytosol from many decapod species has impeded in vitro studies. Cytochrome P450 and monooxygenase activities have been reported in other crustacean organs including the antennal gland (green gland) and stomach. 2. NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity is often very low (typically less than 10 nmol cytochrome c reduced/min per mg microsomal protein) in hepatopancreas microsomes from crustacean species. NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase activity has not yet been detected in crustacean hepatopancreas microsomes. 3. The cytochrome P450 present in hepatopancreas of several crab species and the spiny lobster has been resolved into several fractions by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. One form of cytochrome P450 from spiny lobster has been purified to 12 +/- 2 nmol/mg protein. 4. Reconstitution studies with spiny lobster hepatopancreas P450 have shown that the vertebrate sex steroids, progesterone and testosterone, are excellent substrates, whereas ecdysone--the crustacean molting hormone--is not a substrate. Activity was found with several xenobiotic substrates including benzphetamine, aminopyrine, benzo(a)pyrene, ethyl-, benzyl- and pentyl-phenoxazones and ethoxycoumarin. Highest activities (greater than 50 nmol/min per nmol P450) were found for N-demethylation of benzphetamine and aminopyrine. 5. The ability of agents which induce vertebrate cytochrome P450 to induce cytochrome P450 in crustaceans is still unclear. Some studies indicate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, but not phenobarbital-type inducers, could induce cytochrome P450 in crustaceans, whereas other studies showed no effect of either inducer type. Crustaceans are not as sensitive as fish to induction of P450 and monooxygenase activity.

Influence of metabolic factors on the mutagenic effectiveness of cyclophosphamide in Drosophila melanogaster

This paper describes the influence of changes in metabolic activity on the in-vivo mutagenic effectiveness of cyclophosphamide in Drosophila melanogaster. A dose-dependent increase in mutagenicity was observed until a plateau value is reached which was increased only slightly after enzyme induction with Aroclor 1254, whereas induction with phenobarbital resulted in a decrease, especially when cyclophosphamide was applied by injection. Treatment of the adult males with inhibitors of the monoamine oxidase (MAO, EC 1.4.3.4), such as iproniazid (Ipr), benzimidazole or tryptamine, led to a marked increase of the mutagenic effectiveness of cyclophosphamide especially in spermatocytes. This indicates the importance of metabolic de-activation processes for the limited mutagenicity of cyclophosphamide in Drosophila. The principal active metabolite of cyclophosphamide, phosphoramide mustard, is extensively de-activated by enzymes that can be inhibited by 1-phenylimidazole (PhI), presumably cytochrome P-450 (EC 1.14.14.1), but not by those blocked by MAO inhibitors. Inhibition of the FAD-containing dimethylaniline monooxygenase (FDMAM, EC 1.14.13.8) by N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (N,N-DMB) resulted in some increase in cyclophosphamide mutagenicity only in spermatids. The marginal mutagenicity of cyclophosphamide in Drosophila larvae could not be increased either by cytochrome P-450 induction with phenobarbital or by MAO inhibition with Ipr. In contrast to the failure of cyclophosphamide to induce rod-chromosome loss, a considerable activity was found when a ring-shaped chromosome was used. Similar to the sex-linked recessive lethal (SLRL) test, ring-X loss frequency could be enhanced by simultaneous treatment with MAO inhibitors. The observed ring-X loss frequency declined when males treated with cyclophosphamide were mated to DNA-repair deficient mei-9L1 females. Cyclophosphamide produces chromosome breaks, detected as 2-3 translocations, in Drosophila spermatocytes, the stage in spermatogenesis that is also the most sensitive to the induction of SLRL mutations.

A comparative study of 1-substituted imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole antifungal compounds as inhibitors of testosterone hydroxylations catalysed by mouse hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450

Three imidazole antifungal agents, ketoconazole, miconazole and tioconazole, and a group of structurally related 1-substituted imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of the oxidative metabolism of testosterone catalysed by mouse hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450. Spectroscopic studies showed that both imidazoles and triazoles interacted with ferric cytochrome P-450 in hepatic microsomes to produce type II difference spectra which could be distinguished by their different absorbance maxima; 429-430 nm and 425-426 nm respectively. Compound 4, which possesses both types of functional group, produced a spectrum which resembled that of imidazole compounds, indicating that the imidazole moiety had a higher affinity than the triazole for the haem of cytochromes P-450 present in microsomes. The test compounds differentially inhibited regio- and stereo-specific testosterone metabolism and the pattern of inhibition varied with the 1-substituent on the azole ring. Ketoconazole was a potent inhibitor of testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylation (IC50 0.08 microM) but was considerably less active against other hydroxylations and 17 beta-oxidation to androstenedione (IC50 range 13 to greater than 100 microM). In contrast, tioconazole (IC50 range 0.18 to 3.3 microM) and miconazole (IC50 range 0.15 to 10 microM) were relatively non-selective. Compounds 1 and 2, which differed from each other only in the type of azole ring, were most active against 16 beta-hydroxylation. The triazole analogue (compound 2) was a significantly more potent inhibitor of 16 beta-hydroxylation than the imidazole (compound 1), equipotent against androstenedione formation and less active against the other hydroxylations. Two relatively polar bis-azole analogues (compounds 3 and 4) were most active against androstenedione formation; however, in general they were less inhibitory than the lipophilic azoles. We conclude that azole antifungal agents of differing structure show different patterns of selective interaction with cytochromes P-450, a phenomenon primarily dependent on the 1-substituent on the azole ring, but also modulated to a lesser extent by the type of azole ring (imidazole or triazole).

Influence of inhibition of the metabolic activation on the mutagenicity of some nitrosamines, triazenes, hydrazines and seniciphylline in Drosophila melanogaster

It is determined to what extent certain inhibitors of the xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme systems have an influence on the mutagenicity of various pro-mutagens in Drosophila. 1-Phenylimidazole (PhI) is used as an inhibitor of the cytochrome P-450 (P-450) mediated monooxygenase activities. Iproniazid (Ipr) is a typical monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor which as well seems capable of inhibiting to a certain extent P-450 mediated metabolism. N, N-Dimethyl benzylamine (N, N-DMB) is used as a competitive substrate for the N-oxidizing flavin-containing dimethylaniline monooxygenase (FDMAM). The enzyme-inhibiting activities of PhI and Ipr were determined in vitro using microsomes obtained from Drosophila larvae and adults. Both compounds were capable of inhibiting benzo[a]pyrene (BP) hydroxylation and p-nitroanisole (p-NA) demethylation, although for Ipr 100-fold higher concentrations were required compared to PhI. As model-mutagens were used: the nitrosamines dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and diethylnitrosamine (DEN), the triazenes 1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-3,3-dimethyltriazene (Cl3PDMT), 1-(3-pyridyl)-3,3-dimethyltriazene (PyDMT) and dacarbazine (DTIC), the hydrazines procarbazine (PCZ), 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (1,1-DMH) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (1,2-DMH) as well as the pyrrolizidine alkaloid seniciphylline (SPh). Simultaneous or pretreatment with Ipr results in a clear decrease of the mutagenicity of Cl3PDMT, while PhI pretreatment leads to an increased mutagenicity. This indicates that these two inhibitors do not inhibit the same enzyme or isozyme. For SPh too, Ipr pretreatment results in some decrease of the mutagenicity. This is in contrast to DEN, where the activation is clearly inhibited by PhI while Ipr has only a minor effect. For DMN, DTIC and PCZ both Ipr and PhI pretreatment caused considerable decreases of the mutagenicity. Inhibition of the FDMAM catalyzed activity by N,N-DMB resulted in an increase of mutagenicity with Cl3PDMT, in a moderate decrease of mutagenicity with DTIC, and a marked decrease with DMN, which was strongly inhibited. In contrast to the clear-cut mutagenicity of PCZ, 1,1-DMH and 1,2-DMH are not mutagenic in Drosophila. No change was observed upon inhibition of the various metabolizing activities. Apart from using strain differences in metabolizing activities and enzyme induction, enzyme inhibition can also be used to determine the influence of metabolism on the in vivo mutagenicity of promutagens in Drosophila.

Acute and subacute effects of miconazole nitrate on hepatic styrene oxide hydrolase and cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities in male and female AKR/J mice

The imidazole-containing anti-fungal drug, miconazole nitrate, was shown to enhance hepatic microsomal styrene oxide hydrolase and inhibit several cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities in the AKR/J mouse. Miconazole was a more potent inhibitor of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities in microsomes from male than female mice, and inhibitory potency also varied with substrate. When administered in vivo miconazole nitrate stimulated epoxide hydrolase activity, but had a substrate-dependent biphasic effect on cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities. Monooxygenase activities with benzo[a]pyrene and benzphetamine were inhibited to varying degrees in liver homogenate and hepatic microsomes from mice sacrificed 45 min after miconazole administration. After repeated administration of miconazole, liver weight, microsomal protein yield and cytochrome P-450 were increased, as were specific monooxygenase activities with ethoxycoumarin and ethoxyresorufin, but benzphetamine N-demethylase activity was decreased. These results suggested that a metabolite of miconazole was responsible for the inhibition of benzphetamine N-demethylase. It was of special interest that ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity was induced in the AKR/J mouse by miconazole, since the AKR/J mouse is not responsive to induction by aromatic hydrocarbons.

Metabolic inactivation of mutagens in Drosophila melanogaster

The route of administration of a drug is a pharmacological factor to be reckoned with. In Drosophila, a whole-animal object for mutagenicity studies, the way in which a mutagen is applied can also be of crucial importance. In this study the mutagenicity of a number of directly acting agents was determined after feeding or injection of the mutagen. Methyl-p-toluenesulphonate (Me-Tos), ethyl-p-toluenesulphonate (Et-Tos) and nor-nitrogen mustard (NNM) were not mutagenic in a sex-linked recessive lethal test when fed to the adult flies. Injection, however, did produce significant mutagenicity. The absence of mutagenicity after oral application is not caused by chemical instability but is the result of metabolic de-activation, presumably in the gut and the fat body. Feeding of these compounds in combination with the inhibition of cytochrome P-450 by 1-phenylimidazole (PhI) allowed sufficient quantities of the mutagen to reach the gonads and to produce significant genetic damage. This resembles what is known in pharmacology as a 'first-pass effect'. Formaldehyde (FA) mutagenicity, which also is only observed after injection and not in feeding experiments, was not affected by either iproniazid (Ipr) or PhI pretreatment. Aspecific enhancement of mutagenicity is excluded as this effect was not observed with mutagens that are structurally related to the tosylates, such as methyl methanesulphonate (MMS), ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) or hycanthone methanesulphonate (HyMS). A number of other inhibitors of metabolism did not influence metabolic de-activation in Drosophila.

Spectral and kinetic studies of the interaction of imidazole anti-fungal agents with microsomal cytochromes P-450

1. The imidazole antifungal agents, ketoconazole, miconazole and clotrimazole have been shown to be potent inhibitors of the phenobarbital-induced cytochromes P-450 and the 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cytochromes P-448-dependent rat hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidases. 2. All three drugs were more potent inhibitors of the phenobarbital-induced O-deethylation of ethoxycoumarin than of the 3-methylcholanthrene-induced activity indicating selective inhibition of the phenobarbital-induced cytochromes P-450. In both types of microsomes ketoconazole was always the weakest inhibitor. 3. All three compounds elicited type II spectral interactions with both types of microsomes, and had similar Ks values. Miconazole and clotrimazole, and to a lesser extent ketoconazole, also interacted with the substrate binding sites of both phenobarbital-induced cytochromes P-450 and to a lesser extent with the 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cytochrome P-448. 4. It is concluded that at least part of the inhibitory effect of these antifungal agents may reflect competitive inhibition at the substrate binding site.

Inhibition of cytochrome P-450c-mediated benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase by dihydrosafrole

1. Inhibitory activity of dihydrosafrole towards benzo[a]pyrene (BP) hydroxylase activity in hepatic microsomes from beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-induced rats, and in reconstituted systems containing cytochrome P-450c, increased dramatically on preincubation of the inhibitor with NADPH; no inhibition occurred without preincubation. The level of BP hydroxylase inhibition was associated with the progressive formation of the 456 nm dihydrosafrole metabolite-cytochrome P-450c spectral complex during preincubation. 2. Inhibition of BP hydroxylase by dihydrosafrole in control microsomes, and inhibition of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) in microsomes (control or BNF-induced) and in reconstituted systems with cytochrome P-450c, did not require preincubation and apparently was not dependent on prior formation of the dihydrosafrole metabolite-cytochrome P-450 complex. 3. Kinetic studies established that, following preincubation with NADPH, dihydrosafrole was a noncompetitive inhibitor of both BP hydroxylase and EROD activities. In the absence of preincubation, dihydrosafrole was an effective competitive inhibitor of EROD in BNF-induced microsomes and in reconstituted systems with cytochrome P-450c. 4. Both ethoxyresorufin and benzo[a]pyrene inhibited the development of the type I optical difference spectrum of dihydrosafrole in reconstituted systems containing cytochrome P-450c. Inhibition by ethoxyresorufin was competitive while that caused by benzo[a]pyrene was noncompetitive in nature. 5. The type II ligand phenylimidazole was an effective noncompetitive inhibitor of EROD activity but failed to exert any inhibitory effect on cytochrome P-450c-mediated BP hydroxylase activity. Phenylimidazole inhibited formation of the dihydrosafrole type I optical difference spectrum non-competitively. 6. The results indicate that ethoxyresorufin and benzo[a]pyrene may occupy different binding sites on cytochrome P-450c and that dihydrosafrole binds primarily to the site utilized by ethoxyresorufin.

Biotransformation of caffeine by microsomes from human liver. Kinetics and inhibition studies

The nature of the cytochrome P-450-dependent enzyme reactions giving rise to four primary metabolites of caffeine was investigated using microsomes isolated from livers of human kidney donors. Metabolite formation proceeded at a lower rate than that predicted from in vivo caffeine elimination half-lives, as has been observed in other species using this compound as a substrate in microsomal incubations. Kinetic experiments indicated that the formation of each of the N-demethylated metabolites paraxanthine, theobromine and theophyline was mediated by both a high- and a low-affinity catalytic site over a substrate concentration range from 0.05 mM to 80.0 mM, although only the high-affinity component is likely to be of any importance at normally encountered in vivo caffeine concentrations. 7-Ethoxyresorufin and acetanilide, selective substrates for two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-inducible isozymes of cytochrome P-450 in the mouse (P1-450 and P3-450, respectively) were each able to inhibit competitively the formation of caffeine metabolites by human liver microsomes, while caffeine could in turn similarly inhibit the biotransformations of these two compounds. The isozyme-selective P-450 inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) potently inhibited the high-affinity component of caffeine N-demethylations, while 1-phenylimidazole (PI) was a more potent inhibitor of the low-affinity component. The inhibition studies also indicated that the formation of 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid was mediated by both ANF-sensitive and PI-sensitive sites. Taken together, the data support suggestions from in vivo studies that a PAH-inducible isozyme of cytochrome P-450 plays a significant role in the biotransformation of caffeine in man.

Molecular dimensions of the substrate binding site of cytochrome P-448

The molecular geometries of specific substrates, inhibitors and inducers of cytochrome P-448 activity were determined using computer-graphic techniques for use in defining the molecular dimensions of the substrate binding site of this enzyme. Specific substrates of cytochrome P-448 are essentially planar molecules characterised by a small depth and a large area/depth ratio. In contrast, compounds that do not serve as substrates of cytochrome P-448 are bulky, non-planar molecules characterised by small area/depth ratios and greater flexibility in molecular conformation. Specific inhibitors of cytochrome P-448 whose effect is mediated through interaction with the haem still meet the dimensional criteria for substrates indicating that they must also interact with the substrate binding-site, which is probably located in proximity to the haem. Inducers of cytochrome P-448 activity exhibit similar molecular geometries to the substrates from which it may be inferred that the cytosolic receptor associated with the induction of cytochrome P-448 activity is structurally related to the active site of the cytochrome.

Cytochrome P-450 and monooxygenase activity in hepatic microsomes from N-phenylimidazole-treated rats

Repeated administration of N-phenylimidazole (PI) to rats (3 daily doses of 200 mumol/kg/day) enhanced hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels (approx. 130%) and aminopyrine N-demethylase (APDM) and aniline p-hydroxylase (APH) activities (approx. 140%); aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylase (AHH) and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activities were not enhanced over control values under similar conditions. Spectral studies with PI-induced microsomes indicated that although type II PI-binding characteristics were similar to those observed in controls, the 427 nm/455 nm absorbance ratio of the type III dihydrosafrole metabolite-cytochrome P-450 complex was lower than that in control microsomes. The results suggest that the inducing characteristics of PI bear some resemblance to those of phenobarbital (PB).

Inhibition of tolbutamide metabolism by substituted imidazole drugs in vivo: evidence for a structure-activity relationship

Tolbutamide has been used as a model drug for an examination of the effects of eleven substituted imidazole compounds on hepatic metabolism in vivo. The 1-substituted compounds 1-methylimidazole, miconazole, clotrimazole and ketoconazole produced marked alterations in tolbutamide kinetics (increased half-life, decreased clearance). However, if there was substitution in the 2- position, irrespective of a substituent on N-1, then the compound did not appear to inhibit metabolism (e.g. 2-methylimidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazole, methimazole, metronidazole). The 4- substituted compounds, 4-methylimidazole and cimetidine were inhibitors. A structure-activity relationship for the inhibitory actions of the substituted imidazoles is thus evident in vivo.

Oxidation of N-methylthiobenzamide and N-methylthiobenzamide S-oxide by liver and lung microsomes

The in vitro oxidation of N-[14C]methylthiobenzamide (NMTB) and N-[14C]methylthiobenzamide S-oxide (NMTBSO) by rat lung and liver microsomes was studied. In the presence of an NADPH-generating system, NMTB was rapidly converted to NMTBSO and small amounts of N-methylbenzamide (NMBA) and covalently bound metabolites (CVB). Under similar conditions, NMTBSO was converted to NMBA and CVB. Studies with metabolic inhibitors indicate that both the S-oxidation of NMTB and its further conversion to NMBA and CVB, probably via enzymatic oxidation to the S,S-dioxide, are catalyzed by both cytochromes P-450 and the FAD-containing monooxygenase (MFMO). Based on differential effects of inhibitors with lung vs liver microsomes, it would appear that in lung microsomes the MFMO plays a significantly greater role than cytochrome P-450 in the oxidation of NMTB and NMTBSO, whereas in the liver the contribution of these two pathways is more nearly equal. 1-Methyl-1-phenyl-3-benzoylthiourea, which blocks the in vivo pneumotoxicity of both NMTB and NMTBSO, also inhibited their in vitro microsomal metabolism and CVB, suggesting that these oxidations are obligatory steps in the expression of toxicity by these compounds.

Interactions of nitrogen heterocycles with cytochrome P-450 and monooxygenase activity

Three groups of isomeric nitrogen heterocycles, phenylpyridines, phenylimidazoles and pyridylimidazoles were studied in relation to the effect of steric factors on type II binding to cytochrome P-450 and inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylase (AHH) activity in hepatic microsomes from phenobarbital(PB)- and beta-naphthoflavone(beta NF)-induced rats. Type II binding affinity was lower (higher Ks) in compounds with substituents on the carbon adjacent to the nitrogen undergoing ligand interaction than in those where steric hindrance near the nitrogen was minimal. Binding affinities of the compounds as measured by their Ks values, were quite similar in both PB- and beta NF-induced microsomes. In PB-induced microsomes, type II binding affinity was generally reflected by the ability of the compounds to inhibit AHH activity. In contrast, most of the compounds evaluated were inactive as AHH inhibitors in beta NF-induced microsomes.

Mutagenicity of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and some other aromatic mutagens in Drosophila melanogaster

The optimal conditions for mutagenesis studies with DMBA and some other aromatic carcinogens in Drosophila were investigated in detail. The results presented in this paper indicate the following. The mutagenic effectiveness of DMBA is dependent on the route of administration, injection being far more effective when compared with feeding. The choice of the solvent is a crucial experimental condition. DMBA, when dissolved in oil/DMF, is ineffective whereas a special fat emulsion of DMBA gives high mutation frequencies. There appears to be an extreme strain dependence in the mutagenicity of DMBA. Mutagenic effectiveness in strain Berlin-K was rather low, whereas Oregon-K and Karsnäs-60 proved to be very susceptible to DMBA. Under the conditions of test, DMBA did not induce loss of a ring-X chromosome and did not produce recessive lethal mutations in such a chromosome. DMBA did not produce 2-3 translocations to any significant extent. An increase in DMBA-induced recessive lethal mutations was found upon storage of treated sperm with an optimal storage time of 4-10 days. DMBA is efficient in the production of delayed recessive lethal mutations in strain Berlin-K. Twice as many lethals were recovered with the F3 generation as compared with those in F2. In strain Oregon-K, where the frequency of F2 lethals was much higher than in strain Berlin-K, the ratio of F3/F2 lethals was clearly lower. Enzyme induction with phenobarbital reduces the mutagenic effectiveness of DMBA. Whereas TMBA was not mutagenic in Berlin-K, considerable mutagenicity was observed in Oregon-K and Karsnäs-60. Injection of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aromatic amines, when dissolved in special fat emulsions, enhances the mutagenic effectiveness of some compounds (DMBA, TMBA, DA and AcO-AAF), but this procedure does not always solve the problems pertinent to these classes of promutagens in Drosophila.