Monoclonal antibody-directed characterization of cytochrome P450 isozymes responsible for toluene metabolism in rat liver

Origin of Site Selectivity in Toluene Hydroxylation by Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

Computational studies are utilized to reveal factors that determine the site selectivity in toluene hydroxylation by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). The DFT-computed inherent barriers suggest that the priority of product formation is in the order of benzyl alcohol > ortho- ≈ para- > meta-cresol. However, the specific size and shape of the cavities at the active sites of different CYPs dramatically affect the binding orientation of toluene, and thus, the site selectivity can be reordered.

Cytochrome P450 Can Epoxidize an Oxepin to a Reactive 2,3-Epoxyoxepin Intermediate: Potential Insights into Metabolic Ring-Opening of Benzene

Dimethyldioxirane epoxidizes 4,5-benzoxepin to form the reactive 2,3-epoxyoxepin intermediate followed by very rapid ring-opening to an o-xylylene that immediately isomerizes to the stable product 1H-2-benzopyran-1-carboxaldehyde. The present study demonstrates that separate incubations of 4,5-benzoxepin with three cytochrome P450 isoforms (2E1, 1A2, and 3A4) as well as pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) also produce 1H-2-benzopyran-1-carboxaldehyde as the major product, likely via the 2,3-epoxyoxepin. The reaction of 4,5-benzoxepin with cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) yields a dimeric oxidized molecule that is also a lesser product of the P450 oxidation of 4,5-benzoxepin. The observation that P450 enzymes epoxidize 4,5-benzoxepin suggests that the 2,3-epoxidation of oxepin is a major pathway for the ring-opening metabolism of benzene to muconaldehyde.

Benzyl alcohol attenuates acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in a Toll-like receptor-4-dependent pattern in mice

Acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity is the most common cause of acute liver failure in industrialized countries. Understanding the mechanisms of APAP-induced liver injury as well as other forms of sterile liver injury is critical to improve the care of patients. Recent studies demonstrate that danger signaling and inflammasome activation play a role in APAP-induced injury. The aim of these investigations was to test the hypothesis that benzyl alcohol (BA) is a therapeutic agent that protects against APAP-induced liver injury by modulation of danger signaling. APAP-induced liver injury was dependent, in part, on Toll-like receptor (TLR)9 and receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) signaling. BA limited liver injury over a dose range of 135-540 μg/g body weight or when delivered as a pre-, concurrent, or post-APAP therapeutic. Furthermore, BA abrogated APAP-induced cytokines and chemokines as well as high-mobility group box 1 release. Moreover, BA prevented APAP-induced inflammasome signaling as determined by interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1 cleavage in liver tissues. Interestingly, the protective effects of BA on limiting liver injury and inflammasome activation were dependent on TLR4 signaling, but not TLR2 or CD14. Cell-type-specific knockouts of TLR4 were utilized to further determine the protective mechanisms of BA. These studies found that TLR4 expression specifically in myeloid cells (LyzCre-tlr4-/-) were necessary for the protective effects of BA.

CONCLUSION

BA protects against APAP-induced acute liver injury and reduced inflammasome activation in a TLR4-dependent manner. BA may prove to be a useful adjunct in the treatment of APAP and other forms of sterile liver injury.

Chronic intermittent toluene inhalation initiated during adolescence in rats does not alter voluntary consumption of ethanol in adulthood

Voluntary inhalation of organic solvents, such as toluene, is particularly prevalent in adolescent populations and is considered to be a contributing factor to substance use and dependence later in life. While inhalants are often the initial "drug" experienced during this period, alcohol is another substance readily abused by adolescent populations. Although both substances are thought to have similar actions within the brain, our understanding of the implications of adolescent inhalant abuse upon subsequent exposure to alcohol remains to be investigated. Thus, this study aimed to assess locomotor responses to acute ethanol and voluntary ethanol consumption following a period of toluene inhalation throughout adolescence/early adulthood. Adolescent male Wistar rats (postnatal day [PN] 27) inhaled air or toluene (3000 ppm) for 1 h/day, 3 days/week for 4 (PN 27-52) or 8 weeks (PN 27-80) to mimic the patterns observed in human inhalant abusers. Following the exposure period, cross-sensitization to acute ethanol challenge (0.5 g/kg, intra-peritoneally [i.p.]), and voluntary consumption of 20% ethanol in a chronic intermittent 2-bottle choice paradigm, were assessed. Hepatic ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism and liver histopathology were also investigated. Chronic intermittent toluene (CIT) exposure throughout adolescence for up to 8 weeks did not alter the behavioral response to acute ethanol or voluntary consumption of ethanol in adulthood, although an age-dependent effect on ethanol consumption was observed (p<0.05). Both liver function and pathology did not differ between treatment groups. Thus, in the paradigm employed, CIT exposure throughout adolescence and early adulthood did not predispose rats to subsequent locomotor sensitivity or voluntary consumption of ethanol in adulthood.

Interactions between cytochromes P450 2B4 (CYP2B4) and 1A2 (CYP1A2) lead to alterations in toluene disposition and P450 uncoupling

The goal of this study was to characterize the effects of CYP1A2·CYP2B4 complex formation on the rates and efficiency of toluene metabolism by comparing the results from simple reconstituted systems containing P450 reductase (CPR) and a single P450 to those using a mixed system containing CPR and both P450s. In the mixed system, the rates of formation of CYP2B4-specific benzyl alcohol and p-cresol were inhibited, whereas that of CYP1A2-specific o-cresol was increased, results consistent with the formation of a CYP1A2·CYP2B4 complex in which the CYP1A2 moiety has a higher affinity for CPR binding. Comparison of the rates of NADPH oxidation and production of hydrogen peroxide and excess water by the simple and mixed systems indicated that excess water formed at a much lower rate in the mixed system. The commensurate increase in the rate of CYP1A2-specific product formation suggested the P450·P450 interaction increased the rate of the putative rate-limiting step of CYP1A2 catalysis, abstraction of a hydrogen radical from the substrate. Cumene hydroperoxide-supported metabolism was measured to determine whether the effects of the P450·P450 interaction required the presence of CPR. Peroxidative metabolism was not affected by the interaction of the two P450s, even with CPR present. However, CPR did stimulate peroxidative metabolism by the simple system containing CYP1A2. These results suggest the major functional effects of the P450·P450 interaction are mediated by changes in the relative abilities of the P450s to receive electrons from CPR. Furthermore, CPR may play an effector role by causing a conformational change in CYP1A2 that makes its metabolism more efficient.

Characterization of chicken cytochrome P450 1A4 and 1A5: inter-paralog comparisons of substrate preference and inhibitor selectivity

The chicken (Gallus gallus) is one of the most economically important domestic animals and also an avian model species. Chickens have two CYP1A genes (CYP1A4 and CYP1A5) which are orthologous to mammalian CYP1A1 and CYP1A2. Although the importance of chicken CYP1As in metabolism of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics is well recognized, their enzymatic properties, substrate preference and inhibitor selectivity remain poorly understood. In this study, functional enzymes of chicken CYP1A4 and CYP1A5 were successfully produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The substrate preference and inhibitor specificity of the two chicken CYP1As were compared. Kinetic results showed that the enzymatic parameters (K(m), V(max), V(max)/K(m)) for ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD) differed between CYP1A4 and CYP1A5, while no significant difference was observed for methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD). Lower K(m) of CYP1A4 for BROD suggests that CYP1A4 has a greater binding affinity to benzyloxyresorufin than either ethoxyresorufin or methoxyresorufin. The highest V(max)/K(m) ratio was seen in BROD activity for CYP1A4 and in MROD for CYP1A5 respectively. These results indicate that substrate preference of chicken CYP1As is more notably distinguished by BROD activity and CYP1A5 prefers shorter alkoxyresorufins resembling its mammalian ortholog CYP1A2. Differential patterns of MROD inhibition were observed between CYP1As and among the five CYP inhibitors (α-naphthoflavone, furafylline, piperonyl butoxide, erythromycin and ketoconazole). α-Naphthoflavone was determined to be a potent MROD inhibitor of both CYP1A4 and CYP1A5. In contrast, no or only a trace inhibitory effect (<15%) was observed by erythromycin at a concentration of 500 μM. Stronger inhibition of MROD activity was found in CYP1A5 than CYP1A4 by relatively small molecules α-naphthoflavone, piperonyl butoxide and furafylline. AROD kinetics and inhibition profiles between chicken CYP1A4 and CYP1A5 demonstrate that the two paralogous members of the CYP1A subfamily have distinct enzymatic properties, reflecting differences in the active site geometry between CYP1A4 and CYP1A5. These findings suggest that CYP1A4 and CYP1A5 play partially overlapping but distinctly different physiological and toxicological roles in the chicken.

Functional characterization of human cytochrome P4502E1 allelic variants: in vitro metabolism of benzene and toluene by recombinant enzymes expressed in yeast cells

Benzene and toluene are common organic solvents currently in worldwide industrial usage, which are metabolized mainly by hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in humans. Genetic polymorphism of CYP2E1 in 5'-flanking and coding regions has been found previously in Caucasian and Chinese populations. In this study, the effects of CYP2E1 alleles causing amino acid substitutions (CYP2E1*2, CYP2E1*3 and CYP2E1*4; wild-type, CYP2E1.1A) on benzene hydroxylation and toluene methylhydroxylation were studied using recombinant CYP2E1 enzymes of wild-type (CYP2E1.1) and variants (CYP2E1.2 having Arg76His, CYP2E1.3 having Val389Ile and CYP2E1.4 having Val179Ile) expressed in yeast cells. The K (m), V (max) and CL (int) values of CYP2E1.1 were 10.1 mM, 9.38 pmol/min/pmol CYP and 0.99 nL/min/pmol CYP for benzene hydroxylation, and 3.97 mM, 19.9 pmol/min/pmol CYP and 5.26 nL/min/pmol CYP for toluene methylhydroxylation, respectively. The K (m), V (max) and CL (int) values for benzene and toluene metabolism of CYP2E1.2, CYP2E1.3 and CYP2E1.4 were comparable to those of wild-type CYP2E1. These findings may mean that the polymorphic alleles of CYP2E1 causing amino acid substitutions are not directly associated with the metabolic activation of benzene and toluene. The information gained in this study should help to identify the variations in the toxicity of environmental pollutants.

Reduction of enantioselectivity in the kinetic disposition and metabolism of verapamil in rats exposed to toluene

Toluene and verapamil are subject to extensive oxidative metabolism mediated by CYP enzymes, and their interaction can be stereoselective. In the present study we investigated the influence of toluene inhalation on the enantioselective kinetic disposition of verapamil and its metabolite, norverapamil, in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) received a single dose of racemic verapamil (10 mg/kg) orally at the fifth day of nose-only toluene or air (control group) inhalation for 6 h/day (25, 50, and 100 ppm). Serial blood samples were collected from the tail up to 6 h after verapamil administration. The plasma concentrations of verapamil and norverapamil enantiomers were analyzed by LC-MS/MS by using a Chiralpak AD column. Toluene inhalation did not influence the kinetic disposition of verapamil or norverapamil enantiomers (p > 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test) in rats. The pharmacokinetics of verapamil was enantioselective in the control group, with a higher plasma proportion of the S-verapamil (AUC 250.8 versus 120.4 ng x h x mL(-1); p < or = 0.05, Wilcoxon test) and S-norverapamil (AUC 72.3 versus 52.3 ng x h x mL(-1); p < or = 0.05, Wilcoxon test). Nose-only exposure to toluene at 25, 50, or 100 ppm resulted in a lack of enantioselectivity for both verapamil and norverapamil. The study demonstrates the importance of the application of enantioselective methods in studies on the interaction between solvents and chiral drugs.

Effects of pregnancy, age and sex in the metabolism of styrene in rat liver in relation to the regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes

To elucidate the effect of maternal styrene exposure, which is due to various postnatal changes in the development and behavior of offspring, we investigated pregnancy-induced changes in the metabolism of styrene in rat liver in relation to the regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes. We also examined age and sex-induced changes in the metabolism of styrene. Pregnancy appeared to exert a negative effect on cytochrome P450 content at the late stage, whereas microsomal protein content showed little change during pregnancy. Pregnancy significantly decreased the rate of formation of styrene glycol at the late stage. The percentage of remaining activity in microsomes exposed to anti-CYP2E1 was lower than that exposed to anti-CYP2C11/6 in pregnant and non-pregnant female rats and immature male rats, indicating that CYP2E1 contributes to the metabolism of styrene more than CYP2C11/6 in these rats. Although pregnancy seemed to decrease styrene metabolism, the contribution of CYP2E1 seemed to be slightly increasing. In conclusion, pregnancy clearly influences the metabolism of styrene as well as other characteristic factors such as age and sex. It is very important to elucidate the changes in specific P450 isozyme composition related to their characteristic modification and in their affinity for chemicals.

A human PBPK model for ethanol describing inhibition of gastric motility

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for investigating inter-individual and inter-racial variability in ethanol pharmacokinetics is presented. The model is a substantial modification of an existing model which described some genetic polymorphisms in the hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes. The model was modified to incorporate a description of ethanol absorption from the stomach and gastro-intestinal tract and the retardation of gastric emptying due to a concentration-dependent inhibition of gastric peristalsis. In addition, intra-venous and intra-arterial routes of administration were added to investigate whether the biological structure of the model provided a core which may be easily adapted for any route of exposure. The model is proposed as suitable for the investigation of the effects of both acute and chronic ethanol exposure.

Inhibition of rat respiratory-tract cytochrome P-450 isozymes following inhalation of m-Xylene: possible role of metabolites

Xylene is used as a solvent in paints, cleaning agents, and gasoline. Exposure occurs primarily by inhalation. The volatility and lipophilicity of the xylenes make the lung and nasal mucosa the primary target organs. m-Xylene (m-XYL) has been shown to alter cytochrome P-450 (CYP) activity in an organ- and isozyme-specific manner. The purpose of this work was to determine if the metabolism of m-XYL to the inhibitory metabolite m-tolualdehyde (m-ALD) is the cause of inhibition of CYP isozymes following in vivo inhalation exposure to m-XYL (100, 300 ppm), 3-methylbenzyl alcohol (3-MBA) (50, 100 ppm), or m-ALD (50, 100 ppm). A single 6-h inhalation exposure of rats to m-XYL inhibited pulmonary CYPs 2B1, 2E1, and 4B1 in a dose-dependent manner. Inhalation of 3-MBA inhibited pulmonary CYPs 2B1 and 4B1 in a dose-dependent manner. m-ALD inhibited pulmonary CYPs 2B1 and 2E1 in a dose-dependent manner, while 4B1 activity was increased dose dependently. Nasal mucosa CYP 2B1 and 2E1 activity was inhibited following exposure to m-XYL dose dependently, 3-MBA inhibited nasal mucosa CYPs 2E1 and 4B1 dose dependently. CYPs 2B1, 2E1, and 4B1 were inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion following inhalation of m-ALD. Following high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, m-ALD was detected after in vivo exposure to m-XYL, m-ALD, and 3-MBA in a dose-dependent manner, with highest m-ALD levels in the nasal mucosa and lung. Alteration of cytochrome P-450 activity by m-XYL could result in increased or decreased toxicity, changing the metabolic profiles of xenobiotics in coexposure scenarios in an organ-specific manner.

Quantitative evaluation of bromodichloromethane metabolism by recombinant rat and human cytochrome P450s

We report quantitative estimates of the parameters for metabolism of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) by recombinant preparations of hepatic cytochrome P450s (CYPs) from rat and human. Earlier work identified CYP2E1, CYP2B1/2 and CYP1A2 as activating enzymes necessary for hepatotoxicity in rat. In order to extend an existing PBPK model for rat to include a capability for extrapolation to humans, it is necessary to evaluate quantitatively the principal metabolic pathways in both species. We have conducted in vitro experiments using recombinant preparations of the three rat CYP isoenzymes mentioned above and for CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 as well. Similar experiments have been performed with human recombinant isoenzymes for CYP2E1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. Results indicate that the principal metabolizing enzymes in rat are those identified previously, CYP2E1, CYP2B1/2 and CYP1A2. CYP3A1 may also have some activity. In human, CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 show substantial activity, and CYP2A6 also measurably metabolizes BDCM. In both species, CYP2E1 is the low K(m) isoenzyme, with K(m) approximately 27-fold lower than those for the isoenzymes with the next lowest K(m). In addition, the metabolic parameters, K(m) and k(cat), for rat and human CYP2E1 were nearly identical. The metabolic parameters for CYP1A2, the only other isoenzyme active in both species, were not similar across species. In addition, calculations based on the kinetic constants obtained are compared to results from two in vivo experiments to show that the in vitro kinetic data is relevant to in vivo exposures. We conclude that although several CYPs metabolize BDCM, at low concentration/exposure, BDCM metabolism is dominated by CYP2E1 in both rat and human, but that other isoenzymes can be important at higher concentrations. We further conclude that the kinetic data are consistent with existing in vivo results.

Altered ethylbenzene-mediated hepatic CYP2E1 expression in growth hormone-deficient dwarf rats

Ethylbenzene (EB) effectively induces several hepatic P450 enzymes including CYP2E1 and CYP2B. Hypophysectomy diminishes the magnitude of EB-mediated induction of CYP2B. Although growth hormone (GH) plays a key role in sexual dimorphism of CYP2C11, its impact on EB-mediated P450 expression is still unknown. Because hypophysectomy leads to a depletion of multiple pituitary hormones besides GH, a study was designed to investigate the possible involvement of GH in EB-mediated hepatic P450 expression using GH-deficient dwarf rats as a more specific animal model. In these rats, pituitary GH was selectively reduced to about 10% of normal levels and other pituitary trophic hormones including thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin are largely unchanged. Male control and HsdOla:DWARF-dw-4 (Harlan, UK) rats were subjected to a single ip injection of EB (10 mmol/kg). CYP2E1- and CYP2B-dependent activities, protein, and RNA levels were measured 10 and 24 h afterward. The results indicated that dwarf rats without EB exposure expressed higher CYP2E1. Although EB treatment induced CYP2E1 activity, protein, and mRNA both in controls and dwarf rats, the magnitude of the response to EB exposure was greater 10 h after the treatment in dwarf rats. Hypophysectomy also increased CYP2E1 protein induction by EB compared to intact rats. This effect was reversed by GH supplementation to hypophysectomized rats. Overall, responses of CYP2B to EB exposure in dwarf rats did not display basic differences from controls. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that (1) the suppression of CYP2B induction found in the multi-hormone-deficient HX rats is not found in the more specific GH-deficient rat model, confirming that GH does not have a major influence on CYP2B expression and (2) both hypophysectomized and GH-deficient rats show an altered inducibility of CYP2E1 after EB treatment.

Bayesian estimation of variability in adipose tissue blood flow in man by physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of inhalation exposure to toluene

Due to the lipophilicity of many xenobiotics, the perfusion of fat tissue is of special interest in physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. In order to estimate inter- and intra-individual variability in fat tissue blood flow with exercise, a population PBPK model for toluene was fitted to experimental data from subjects exposed to toluene vapors (Carlsson, A., 1982. Exposure to toluene: uptake, distribution and elimination in man. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health 8, 43-55). Six male volunteers were exposed to 80 ppm toluene for two hours during rest and moderate to heavy exercise (50-150 W). Extensive data collection was made, including sampling of arterial blood, exhaled breath and subcutaneous fat tissue. The model was simultaneously fitted to the time courses of toluene in arterial blood, exhaled breath, and subcutaneous fat in the six individuals by Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. In order to describe the experimental observations in subcutaneous fat accurately, the fat compartment was split in two. According to the analysis, the increased perfusion of perirenal fat associated with physical workload was best described if it was set to the same, elevated, level during all exercise levels, rather than scaled directly to the increase in oxygen uptake. No increase in subcutaneous fat perfusion could be detected at these exposure conditions.

Validation of a physiological modeling framework for simulating the toxicokinetics of chemicals in mixtures

The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of a physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) modeling framework for simulating the kinetics of chemicals in mixtures of varying complexities and composition. The approach involved the simulation of the kinetics of components in two situations: (i) when one of the mixture components was substituted with another (i.e., benzene in the benzene (B)-toluene (T)-ethyl benzene (E)-m-xylene (X) mixture was substituted with dichloromethane (D)), and (ii) when another chemical was added to the existing four-chemical mixture model (i.e., when D was added to the existing BTEX mixture model). In both cases, differing compositions of mixtures were used to obtain simulations and to generate experimental data on kinetics for validation purposes. Since the quantitative and qualitative mechanisms of interaction among B, T, E, and X have already been established, the mechanisms of binary interactions between D and the BTEX components (e.g., competitive, noncompetitive, or uncompetitive metabolic inhibition) were investigated in the present study. The analysis of rat blood kinetic data (4-h inhalation exposures, 50-200 ppm each) to all binary combinations (D-B, D-T, D-E, and D-X) investigated in the present study was suggestive of competitive metabolic inhibition as the plausible interaction mechanism. By incorporating the newly estimated values of metabolic inhibition constant (K(i)) for each of these binary combinations within the five-chemical PBTK model (i.e., for the DBTEX mixture), the model adequately predicted the venous blood kinetics of chemicals in rats following a 4-h inhalation exposure to various mixtures (mixture 1:100 ppm of D and 50 ppm each of T, E, and X; mixture 2: 100 ppm each of D, T, E, and X; mixture 3: 100 ppm of D and 50 ppm each of B, T, E, and X; mixture 4: 100 ppm each of D, B, T, E, and X). The results of the present study suggest that the PBTK model framework is useful for conducting extrapolations of the kinetics of chemicals from one mixture to another differing in complexity and composition, based on mechanistic considerations of interactions elucidated at the binary level.

Physiological modeling of the toxicokinetic interactions in a quaternary mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons

The available data on binary interactions are yet to be considered within the context of mixture risk assessments because of our inability to predict the effect of a third or fourth chemical in the mixture on the interacting binary pairs. Physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models represent a framework that can be potentially used for predicting the impact of multiple interactions on component kinetics at any level of complexity. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an interaction-based PBTK model for simulating the toxicokinetics of the components of a quaternary mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons [benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E), m-xylene (X)] in the rat. The methodology consisted of: (1) obtaining and refining the validated individual chemical PBTK models from the literature, (2) interconnecting all individual chemical PBTK models at the level of liver on the basis of the mechanism of binary chemical interactions (e.g., competitive, noncompetitive, or uncompetitive metabolic inhibition), and (3) comparing the a priori predictions of the interaction-based model to corresponding experimental data on venous blood concentrations of B, T, E, and X during mixture exposures. The analysis of blood kinetics data from inhalation exposures (4 h, 50-200 ppm each) of rats to all binary combinations of B, T, E, and X was suggestive of competitive metabolic inhibition as the plausible interaction mechanism. The metabolic inhibition constant (K(i)) for each binary combination was quantified and incorporated within the mixture PBTK model. The binary interaction-based PBTK model predicted adequately the inhalation toxicokinetics of all four components in rats following exposure to mixtures of BTEX (50 ppm each of B, T, E, and X, 4 h; 100 ppm each of B, T, E and X, 4 h; 100 ppm B + 50 ppm each of T, E, and X, 4 h). The results of the present study suggest that data on interactions at the binary level alone are required and sufficient for predicting the kinetics of components in complex mixtures.

Changes in the expression of cytochrome P450s 2B1, 2B2, 2E1, and 2C11 in response to daily aromatic hydrocarbon treatment

Treatment of rats with ethylbenzene (EB) modulates the hepatic expression of many P450s, with those induced after a single intraperitoneal hydrocarbon injection differing from those induced after more prolonged (3 day) administration. The goals of the current studies are (1) to characterize the induction response after prolonged hydrocarbon exposure, (2) to explain why the elevation of these P450s is attenuated after continued treatment, and (3) to determine how P450 2B protein remains elevated without an elevation of P450 2B1/2 RNA. P450 2C11 protein was decreased after a single EB injection and remained depressed throughout the treatment period. P450 2C11 RNA was only decreased with prolonged, but not acute treatment. P450 2E1 was induced after a single EB injection; however, the initial induction was attenuated with more prolonged treatment. P450 2B1 and P450 2B2 RNAs exhibited a similar response, being elevated after acute administration, but returned to control levels with prolonged EB administration. Interestingly, P450 2B protein levels remained elevated despite the decrease in P450 2B1 and P450 2B2 RNA to control levels. We then tested the possibility that the multiphasic induction pattern of P450 2E1 and P450 2B1/2 RNA was due to differences in the pharmacokinetics of EB. The disappearance of EB with time was measured in rats that were either (1) untreated, (2) pretreated with EB for 1 day, or (3) pretreated with EB for 3 days. These results demonstrated that prior hydrocarbon exposure caused an increase in EB clearance, which decreased the overall levels of EB in the body. Consequently, EB levels were sufficiently diminished to decrease EB's effectiveness as an inducer leading to the decrease in P450 2E1 protein and P450 2B1 and P450 2B2 RNA after continued EB administration. A further consequence of the decreased overall EB concentration is that the hydrocarbon was capable of producing only a transient elevation of P450 2B1 RNA levels. This transient elevation appears to be sufficient to maintain elevated P450 2B protein.

Depression of glutathione content, elevation of CYP2E1-dependent activation, and the principal determinant of the fasting-mediated enhancement of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol hepatotoxicity in the rat

The influence of fasting (18 hours) on the hepatotoxicity of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) and on various hepatic parameters has been assessed in the rat. Fasting produced an enhancement of the hepatotoxicity which was associated with alterations in a variety of hepatic parameters when measured relative to protein content, most notably glutathione (GSH) levels (decrease) and CYP2E1-mediated enzyme activity (increase), two parameters previously identified as being important determinants to the toxicity. Fasting also decreased the liver weight normalized to body weight. When this was taken into account, total liver CYP2E1-mediated enzyme activity was not significantly altered whereas the total liver GSH level was markedly reduced following fasting. These results imply that the reduction in hepatic GSH is the principal determinant of the enhanced susceptibility to 1,3-DCP hepatotoxicity following fasting.

Decreased formation of ethoxyacetic acid from ethylene glycol monoethyl ether and reduced atrophy of testes in male rats upon combined administration with toluene and xylene

Male painters are commonly exposed to ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGE), a well known reproductive toxic agent causing testicular atrophy, in the form of solvent mixture containing toluene (TOL) and xylene (XYL). This study was carried out to determine the effect of exposing male rats to solvent mixture containing TOL and XYL on the EGE (200 mg/kg) on testicular atrophy and production of toxic metabolite, ethoxyacetic acid (EAA) from EGE. Compared to the extent of testes atrophy observed upon EGE administration alone, the combined administration of EGE (200 mg/kg) with TOL (250 mg/kg) and XYL (500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks has reduced the extent of testes atrophy by 25%. The combined administration delayed the time for appearance of the highest plasma concentration (t(max)) of EAA from 3 to 6 h and also decreased the highest concentration (Cmax) as well as the total amount of plasma EAA (AUC(0-18 h)) by 45 and 29%, respectively. This explained the diminished testicular atrophy in male rats observed when EGE was administered in a solvent mixture containing TOL and XYL. This study suggested that testicular toxicity observed in male painters caused by EGE may be decreased when they are exposed to EGE in the form of solvent mixture containing TOL and XYL.

Trichloroethylene inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase only for aliphatic aldehydes of short chains in rats

The effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) administration on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and cytochrome P450 isozymes were studied in rats and compared with those of methanol. Intragastric administration of TCE to rats at 0.05 or 0.2 ml/kg for 1 week significantly inhibited ALDH activity for aliphatic aldehydes of short chains in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions of rat liver, respectively, but had no effect on the activity for long chain aliphatic aldehydes. ALDH activity catalyzing the metabolism of some aromatic aldehydes was even induced by TCE. Microsomal ALDH activity was not decreased by TCE treatment. A kinetic study showed that the low-Km isozyme of ALDH for propionaldehyde in mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions was inhibited by TCE treatment. Addition of TCE, trichloroethanol or trichloroacetic acid to the in vitro assay system did not affect the activity for acetaldehyde, but chloral hydrate at 0.02 mM decreased the activity by 42 and 35% in cytosol and the 700 x g supernatant, respectively. Methanol treatment, on the other hand, had no effect on any ALDH activity. Both TCE and methanol significantly induced CYP2E1 in rat liver. The combined effects of TCE on ALDH and cytochrome P450 may account for the degreasers' flush. Exposure to TCE and methanol may result in a change in the metabolism and toxicity of other chemicals.

Toxicokinetics of organic solvents: a review of modifying factors

This article reviews, with an emphasis on human experimental data, factors known or suspected to cause changes in the toxicokinetics of organic solvents. Such changes in the toxicokinetic pattern alters the relation between external exposure and target dose and thus may explain some of the observed individual variability in susceptibility to toxic effects. Factors shown to modify the uptake, distribution, biotransformation, or excretion of solvent include physical activity (work load), body composition, age, sex, genetic polymorphism of the biotransformation, ethnicity, diet, smoking, drug treatment, and coexposure to ethanol and other solvents. A better understanding of modifying factors is needed for several reasons. First, it may help in identifying important potential confounders and eliminating negligible ones. Second, the risk assessment process may be improved if different sources of variability between external exposures and target doses can be quantitatively assessed. Third, biological exposure monitoring may be also improved for the same reason.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of a ternary mixture of alkyl benzenes in rats and humans

The objective of the present study was to develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for a ternary mixture of alkyl benzenes [toluene (TOL), m-xylene (XYL), and ethylbenzene (EBZ)] in rats and humans. The approach involved the development of the mixture PBPK model in the rat and extrapolation to humans by substituting rat physiological parameters and blood:air partition coefficients in the model with those of humans, scaling maximal velocity for metabolism on the basis of body weight0.75 and keeping all other model parameters species-invariant. The development of the PBPK model for the ternary mixture in the rat was accomplished by initially validating or refining the existing PBPK models for TOL, XYL, and EBZ and linking the individual chemical models via the hepatic metabolism term. Accordingly, the Michaelis-Menten equation for each solvent was modified to test four possible mechanisms of metabolic interaction (i.e., no interaction, competitive inhibition, noncompetitive inhibition, and uncompetitive inhibition). The metabolic inhibition constant (Ki) for each binary pair of alkyl benzenes was estimated by fitting the binary chemical PBPK model simulations to previously published data on blood concentrations of TOL, XYL, and EBZ in rats exposed for 4 hr to a binary combination of 100 or 200 ppm of each of these solvents. Competitive metabolic inhibition appeared to be the most plausible mechanism of interaction at relevant exposure concentrations for all binary mixtures of alkyl benzenes in the rat (Ki,TOL-XYL = 0.17; Ki,TOL-EBZ = 0.79; Ki,XYL-TOL = 0.77; Ki,XYL-EBZ = 1.50; Ki,EBZ-TOL = 0.33; Ki,EBZ-XYL = 0.23 mg/L). Incorporating the Ki values obtained with the binary chemical mixtures, the PBPK model for the ternary mixture simulated adequately the time course of the venous blood concentrations of TOL, XYL, and EBZ in rats exposed to a mixture containing 100 ppm each of these solvents. Following the validation of the ternary mixture model in the rat, it was scaled to predict the kinetics of TOL, XYL, and EBZ in blood and alveolar air of human volunteers exposed for 7 hr to a combination of 17, 33, and 33 ppm, respectively, of these solvents. Model simulations and experimental data obtained in humans indicated that exposure to atmospheric concentrations of TOL, XYL, and EBZ that remain within the permissible concentrations for a mixture would not result in biologically significant modifications of their pharmacokinetics. Overall, this study demonstrates the utility of PBPK models in the prediction of the kinetics of components of chemical mixtures, by accounting for mechanisms of binary chemical interactions.

Ethylbenzene modulates the expression of different cytochrome P-450 isozymes by discrete multistep processes

Ethylbenzene (EB) treatment to male Holtzman rats was shown to alter the expression of cytochrome P-450s 1A1, 2B, 2C11, 2E1, and 3A, with several isozymes exhibiting complex multiphasic induction patterns when treated for 1 and 3 days with the alkylbenzene. Male rats were treated with daily i.p. injections of EB for either one or three days, and the effects on P-450 dependent activities, P-450 immunoreactive protein levels and their corresponding mRNA levels were measured. Although levels of P-450 2B, 2C11, 2E1, and 3A were all modulated by EB treatment, each exhibited different temporal characteristics. P-450 2B1/2B2 were induced after a single EB exposure and continued to be elevated after EB treatment for 3 days. However, P-450 2B1 and 2B2 mRNA levels were elevated about 50-fold after a single injection, and returned to control values after continued EB administration. P-450 2C11 expression was decreased to about 45% of controls after either single or repeated EB exposure with corresponding changes being observed in the levels of 2C11 mRNA. P-450 2E1 was induced by EB according to a complex multistep induction pattern. Both P-450 2E1 protein and RNA levels were increased 2-4-fold after a single EB treatment but returned to control values after continued administration. P-450 3A-dependent testosterone 2beta-hydroxylation and P-450 3A immunoreactive protein levels were both increased about 3-fold after a single EB treatment, whereas levels were only elevated 2-fold after EB treatment for 3 days. In contrast, P-450 3A2 mRNA was unaffected by a single EB injection but was increased 3.5-fold with repeated administration. Changes in P-450 3A1/2 were similar to those observed with P-450 3A2, whereas changes in P-450 3A1/23 and 3A23 mRNAs were not detectable. These data indicate that while EB can influence the expression of several P-450 isozymes, the hydrocarbon appears to alter P-450 expression by acting at different regulatory steps.

Time course for the modulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 after administration of ethylbenzene and its correlation with toluene metabolism

The goal of the present study was to examine the time course for changes in P450 expression and hydrocarbon metabolism after acute treatment with the simple aromatic hydrocarbon ethylbenzene (EB) and to correlate these alterations with the changes observed in alkylbenzene metabolism. Male Holtzman rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of EB, and the effects on specific P450-dependent activities, immunoreactive P450 isozyme levels, and RNA levels were measured at various times after injection. Toluene was used as the test alkylbenzene for examination of the EB-mediated changes on in vitro hydrocarbon metabolism. In untreated rats, toluene was metabolized almost entirely by aliphatic hydroxylation (to benzyl alcohol); however, in EB-treated rats, significant quantities of benzyl alcohol, o-cresol, and p-cresol were produced. Interestingly, 5-10 h after EB treatment, there was a 40% decrease in benzyl alcohol production. By 24 h, rates of benzyl alcohol formation returned to control levels, whereas there was a 7-fold increase in o-cresol and a greater that 50-fold increase in p-cresol production. The changes in the disposition of toluene were then correlated with changes in particular P450 isozymes. Several P450 isozymes were induced after EB administration. P450 2B1/2-dependent testosterone 16 beta-hydroxylation and P450 2B1/2-immunoreactive protein were elevated 30-fold after EB administration, reaching maxima by 24 h and remaining elevated 48 h after exposure. Changes in P450 2B1 and 2B2 RNA preceded those of the proteins. Similar results were observed with P450 1A1. P450 2E1 RNA levels were elevated after a single EB injection. However, the elevation in P450 2E1-dependent activities and immunoreactive protein levels preceded the changes in RNA, suggesting that multiple steps are affected by EB exposure. In contrast to the increases in some isozymes, P450 2C11 protein was rapidly suppressed (within the first 2-10 h) after hydrocarbon exposure, suggestive of a destabilization of the protein. When comparing the changes in P450 isozymes to alterations in toluene metabolism, the immediate suppression in aliphatic hydroxylation of toluene (in the first 5-10 h) was consistent with the decrease in P450 2C11. Subsequent to this effect, P450 2B1/2 and 2E1 were induced, which elevated production of this metabolite to control levels. The increase in the aromatic hydroxylation of toluene to both o, and p-cresol was consistent with the induction of P450s 2B1/2, 2E1, and 1A1.

Toluene metabolism by cDNA-expressed human hepatic cytochrome P450

The metabolism of toluene in human liver microsomes and by cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450s (CYPs) was investigated. Toluene was metabolized mainly to benzyl alcohol and slightly to o- and p-cresol by human liver microsomes. Formation of o-cresol was elevated in microsomes from human livers derived from cigarette smokers, but the induced CYP isoforms were not clear. Of the eleven human CYP forms studied, CYP2E1 was the most active in forming benzyl alcohol, followed by CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP1A2, and CYP1A1, in that order. The activities of CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A3, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 were negligible. In addition, CYP2B6 and CYP2E1 catalyzed the formation of p-cresol (11-12% of total metabolites), and CYP1A2 catalyzed the formation of both o-(22%) and p-cresol (35%). The relationship between the amino acid sequence of rat CYP2B1 cDNA and the activity for toluene metabolism was investigated using variants, because of great differences in the forming of toluene ring products between CYP2B1 and CYP2B6. These results suggest that the structure of CYP2B1 at the site of Leu 58 rather than Ile-114 and Glu-282 plays an important role in the formation of toluene ring products, whereas in CYP2B1 Ile-114 plays an important role in the formation of benzyl alcohol. These results may explain, in part, the lower activity of CYP2B6, which has Phe at position 58 of the protein, for toluene ring oxidations than that of CYP2B1.

Effect of cytochrome P450 induction on the metabolism and toxicity of ochratoxin A

Liver microsomes from rats treated with various P450 inducers were examined for their ability to metabolize the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) to 4(R)-4-hydroxyochratoxin A (4R), the major metabolite, and 4(S)-4-hydroxyochratoxin A (4S), the minor metabolite. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital (PB), dexamethasone (DXM), 3-methylcolcanthrene (3MC) and isosafrole (ISF) greatly induced 4R formation. PB, DXM, 3MC, clofibrate (CLF) and ISF treatments also induced 4S formation. Isoniazid (INH) pretreatment primarily induced 4S formation. The pH optimum for 4R formation was found to be 6.0 with 3MC microsomes, and 6.5 with PB and DXM microsomes. For 4S formation, the pH optimum was 7.0. At the optimum pH (compared with pH 7.4), 4R formation increased 40-50% with PB and DXM microsomes but 8.0-fold with 3MC microsomes. Studies using the inhibitors metyrapone and alpha-naphthoflavone as well as monoclonal antibodies against various P450s suggested that at least the P450 isoforms IA1/IA2, IIB1 and IIIA1/IIIA2 are involved in 4R formation. Using urinary excretion of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase as an index of renal damage, we observed that pretreatment of rats with PB, which induced hepatic P450 (P450II2B1), protected against OTA nephrotoxicity, whereas cobalt-protoporphyrin IX pretreatment, which decreased P450 levels, exacerbated OTA nephrotoxicity. Our results suggest that at least P450IIB1-dependent metabolism of OTA leads to its detoxication and that OTA itself may be toxic in some circumstances or that other pathways are responsible for its activation.

Effect of exposure to four organic solvents on hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes in rat

Changes of cytochrome P450 isozymes in livers of rats after exposure to four solvents at 4000 ppm for 6 h, were studied by enzyme assays and immunochemical detection using antibodies to cytochrome P450 isozymes. Toluene, benzene and trichloroethylene (TRI) exposure resulted in a significant increase in the activities of nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (152%, 134% and 118%) and 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (14-, 5- and 2.5-fold), respectively. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (TCE) showed little effect on the activities of the enzymes. Anti-CYP2E1 and anti-CYP2B1/2 inhibitable activity of toluene side-chain oxidase was significantly enhanced in toluene-, benzene- and TRI-treated rats. Anti-CYP2C11 inhibitable activity was greatly reduced as compared with control. The change in CYP2E1 and CYP2C11 was confirmed by the increase and decrease in the activities inhibited by 4-methylpyrazole and cimetidine, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed that the increase in peak area of bands recognized by anti-CYP2E1 was consistent with toluene inhibition results. CYP2B1/2 was not detectable in control rats, but it was strongly induced by toluene, followed by benzene and TRI. Some increases in the peak areas of bands recognized by anti-CYP2A1 and CYP-4A1 were also observed in the three solvents exposed rat microsomes. Little immunoreactivity was found with anti-CYP1A1 in all microsomes, and no obvious change in peak area of bands recognized by anti-CYP3A and anti-CYP2C13 was observed. TCE exposure showed little effect on these bands. The formation of phenol and hydroquinone from benzene was enhanced to different degree by toluene, benzene and TRI. The hydroxylation of testosterone at 6 beta and 7 alpha was increased by benzene, and benzene and TRI, respectively. However, the metabolism at 16 alpha and 2 alpha was profoundly suppressed by the solvents except TCE. These results showed that the four solvents have different effects on specific cytochrome P450 isozymes and on the metabolism of both endogenous and exogenous substances.

Dog liver microsomal P450 enzyme-mediated toluene biotransformation

1. We studied toluene metabolism in dog liver microsomes and the major metabolite was benzyl alcohol with o- and p-cresol as minor metabolites. 2. The enzyme kinetics of toluene biotransformation were examined by means of Lineweaver-Burk analyses. The Michaelis-Menten values differed among the three pathways, the order being; Km, o-cresol > p-cresol > benzyl alcohol; Vmax, benzyl alcohol > o-cresol > p-cresol; and Cl(int), benzyl alcohol > p-cresol > o-cresol. 3. The formation of benzyl alcohol, o- and p-cresol from toluene was substantially inhibited by the P4502E inhibitors such as DDC (diethyldithiocarbamate) and 4-methylpyrazole in all pathways, with IC50's in the range of 0.02-0.59 mM. The P4502B inhibitors, metyrapone and secobarbital also inhibited benzyl alcohol and p-cresol formation, whereas o-cresol was not inhibited by these latter compounds. 4. Anti-rat P4502E1 antibodies inhibited benzyl alcohol, o- and p-cresol formation from 26 to 30% 0.2 ml serum/mg microsomal protein. Furthermore, anti-rat P4502B1/2 antibody inhibited benzyl alcohol and p-cresol formation (47 and 44% respectively), but not that of o-cresol. Anti-rat P4502C11/6 antibody also inhibited benzyl alcohol and p-cresol formation 31 and 24% respectively in a similar manner to that by the anti-rat P4502B1/2 antibody. 5. These results suggested that the P4502B, 2C and 2E isozymes in dog liver contribute to the formation of benzyl alcohol and p-cresol from toluene, and 2E isozyme preferentially contributes to the formation of o-cresol.

Fasting for less than 24 h induces cytochrome P450 2E1 and 2B1/2 activities in rats

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 activity is induced after 24 h of fasting but no information is available for shorter fasting periods. We investigate the induction of CYP 2E1, 2B1/2 and 1A1 in young adult male F344 rats after 8, 16 and 24 h of fasting compared to control. Liver microsomes were analyzed for the following enzyme activities: p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNP) for CYP 2E1, pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (PROD) for CYP 2B1/2 and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) for CYP 1A1. After each fasting interval, the activities per mg microsomal protein for PNP and PROD increased but the activity of EROD remained unchanged. Western blots for CYP 2E1 and CYP 2B1 showed increases comparable to the PNP and PROD activities, respectively. On a whole organ basis, increases were found for PNP and PROD activities, while decreases were found for EROD activity and total microsomal protein. The results are consistent with an induction of CYP 2E1 and CYP 2B1/2 activities after as little as 8 h of fasting.

Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling of a mixture of toluene and xylene in humans

A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for a mixture of toluene (TOL) and xylene (XYL), developed and validated in the rat, was used to predict the uptake and disposition kinetics of TOL/XYL mixture in humans. This was accomplished by substituting the rat physiological parameters and the blood:air partition coefficient with those of humans, scaling the maximal velocity for hepatic metabolism on the basis of body weight0.75, and keeping all other model parameters species-invariant. The human TOL/XYL mixture PBPK model, developed based on the quantitative biochemical mechanism of interaction elucidated in the rat (i.e., competitive metabolic inhibition), simulated adequately the kinetics of TOL and XYL during combined exposures in humans. The simulations with this PBPK model indicate that an eight hour co-exposure to concentrations that remain within the current threshold limit values of TOL (50 ppm) and XYL (100 ppm) would not result in significant pharmacokinetic interferences, thus implying that data on biological monitoring of worker exposure to these solvents would be unaffected during co-exposures.

Time-dependent effects of o-xylene on rat lung and liver microsomal membrane structure and function

The present study investigates the time-dependent effect of acute intraperitoneal o-xylene administration (1 g/kg) on rat hepatic and pulmonary mixed-function oxidase (MFO) content and activity and microsomal membrane structural parameters for up to 12 h postadministration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether o-xylene has similar effects on these parameters as those previously observed for the m and p isomers. o-xylene decreased total pulmonary cytochrome P-450 content and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity at all time points examined with maximal inhibition occurring at 3 h postdose. The isozyme-specific MFO activity responsible for AHH activity was examined using benzyloxyresorufin O-dealkylation (BROD) as a measure of CYP2B1 activity and ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation (EROD) as a measure of CYP1A1 activity. Reduced pulmonary activity for both EROD and BROD was noted for the 12-h postexposure period, in agreement with the decreases in total cytochrome P-450 content and AHH activity data. In contrast, increased hepatic cytochrome P-450 content was noted at 6 and 12 h with slightly increased EROD activity and markedly increased BROD activity. Conjugated diene (CD) formation, and index of membrane peroxidation, and phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol (CL) content of the microsomal membranes were also examined in lung and liver to assess membrane structural integrity. Pulmonary CD formation was increased only at the 12-h time point, while hepatic CD formation was increased from 3 to 12 h. An increase in pulmonary microsomal PL and CL content was noted as early as 1 h postdose. In liver, PL content was increased as early as 3 h, with no change in CL content. An increase in the PL/CL ratio, suggesting an increase in membrane fluidity, was observed in pulmonary microsomes 12 h after dosing, and in hepatic microsomes at 3, 6, and 12 h postdose. There was no correlation between solvent tissue levels and MFO or membrane changes. It seems unlikely that the lipid changes are causal in the observed o-xylene-induced MFO alterations, since they precede membrane lipid changes. Further, MFO activity decreases in lung and increases in liver, whereas lipid parameters increase in both organs. While these data may indicate an organ-selective difference in the relationship between membrane lipid changes and MFO activity, it is more likely that these lipid changes represent alternate toxicological effects of o-xylene. The results of this study indicate that the metabolism of other xenobiotics may be altered in o-xylene-exposed individuals in an organ-selective fashion.

Induction of cytochrome P450 by toluene

At least six cytochrome P450 (P450) isoenzymes, including CYP1A1/2, CYP2A1, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C6, CYP2C11 and CYP2E1, are involved in the metabolism of toluene in rat liver. Toluene exposure induces CYP1A1/2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1, but decreases CYP2C11/6 and CYP2A1 in adult males. Both sex and age influence the induction of P450s by toluene: in general, the inductive effect is more prominent in younger than in older animals; in males than in females. Neonatal exposure to toluene causes significant changes in liver microsomal P450 dependent monooxygenase activities during the early stage of life, whereas the effects on the rats of more than 3 weeks of age are small. Although structurally related chemicals of toluene also influence similar hepatic P450 isoenzymes, the degree of CYP2B1/2 induction increases, whilst that of CYP2E1 decreases with increasing molecular weight and aliphatic moieties. Unlike liver, exposure to toluene does not influence the distribution of pulmonary or renal microsomal P450-related enzyme activity in rats. In humans, occupational exposure to toluene is so low that it could not lead to the induction of P450. However, the induction may be seen in toluene sniffers who are exposed to high concentrations.

Temporal changes in P-450 2E1 expression with continued ethylbenzene exposure

The goal of this study was to examine the effect of duration of ethylbenzene exposure on cytochrome P-450-dependent activities. Male rats were treated with ethylbenzene by intraperitoneal injection for either 1 or 3 days, and microsomal preparations were examined for changes in the microsomal proteins and activities as well as the expression of specific P-450 isozymes. Two general patterns of induction were evident when different P-450-dependent activities were examined. (i) Cytochrome P-450 2B-dependent activities (e.g., p-nitroanisole demethylation, benzphetamine demethylation, and aromatic toluene hydroxylations) were induced both after 1 and 3 days of ethylbenzene exposure. (ii) Cytochrome P-450 2E1-dependent activities (e.g., N,N-dimethylnitrosamine demethylation and aniline hydroxylation) were induced after treatment with ethylbenzene for one day; however, after 3 days of ethylbenzene treatment these activities returned to control levels. Changes in these activities were consistent with changes in the levels of specific P-450 isozymes as determined by immunoblotting. Cytochrome P-450 2B levels were increased and P-450 2C11 levels were suppressed at both 1 and 3 days of ethylbenzene exposure. A temporal response in P-450 2E1 expression was observed, with P-450 2E1 levels increasing after a single ethylbenzene injection and returning to controls after administration of the hydrocarbon for 3 days. Rats were also subjected to a pair-feeding regimen to determine whether these effects were related to altered dietary status in ethylbenzene-treated rats. Neither P-450-dependent activities nor immunoreactive protein levels were altered in pair-fed rats. These results demonstrate that prolonging the duration of hydrocarbon exposure can produce differential effects on the expression of P-450 2E1, with levels being elevated after acute hydrocarbon administration, but not after more prolonged hydrocarbon exposure.

CYP2C11 and CYP2B1 are major cytochrome P450 forms involved in styrene oxidation in liver and lung microsomes from untreated rats, respectively

The contribution of cytochrome P450s (P450s) to the formation of styrene glycol from styrene in rat liver microsomes was investigated using monoclonal antibodies to P450s. Anti-CYP2E1 inhibited the formation to a similar extent in ethanol-treated microsomes and in control microsomes in terms of percentage inhibition, whereas to a greater extent in the former than the latter in terms of net inhibition, and only at low substrate concentration. Anti-CYP2C11/6 also inhibited the formation in control and in ethanol-treated microsomes at both low and high concentrations of styrene, and the net degree of inhibition was greater than that obtained with anti-CYP2E1, even in ethanol-treated microsomes where CYP2E1 was induced. Anti-CYP2B1/2 and anti-CYP1A1/2 inhibited the formation only in phenobarbital (PB)- and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-induced microsomes, respectively. These results suggest that (1) at least four P450s, CYP2C11/6, CYP2E1, CYP2B1/2 and CYP1A1/2, contribute to the metabolism of styrene, (2) CYP2C11/6, which probably corresponds to CYP2C11, is the major form of P450 responsible for the metabolism in untreated rat liver microsomes, and also in those treated with ethanol. Anti-CYP2E1 inhibited styrene oxidation more prominently in microsomes from styrene-treated rats than in those from control rats at a low substrate concentration. Although styrene treatment did not influence the total metabolism of styrene in liver microsomes at a high substrate concentration, inhibition of the metabolism by anti-CYP2C11/6 decreased with increasing styrene dose, whereas that by anti-CYP2B1/2 increased, suggesting that styrene treatment increases CYP2B1/2 but decreases CYP2C11/6 in rat liver, and the major form of P450 which mediates styrene oxidation is CYP2B1/2 after the treatment. Only anti-CYP2B1/2, which probably corresponds to CYP2B1, inhibited styrene oxidation in lung microsomes from untreated and even styrene-treated rats. Thus, the major form of P450 responsible for the metabolism of styrene is different in each tissue.

Contribution of hepatic cytochrome P450 systems to the generation of reactive oxygen species

The rate of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hepatic microsomes was assayed using a fluorescent probe. This rate was stimulated in a manner proportional to the concentration of NADPH present. NADH could not be substituted for NADPH, and an inhibitor of mixed-function oxidases (SKF 525A) blocked stimulation by NADPH. This suggested the involvement of cytochrome P450 oxidase systems in ROS formation. Low molecular weight iron salts may not have been involved in the stimulated ROS formation since deferoxamine failed to eliminate the oxidative response to NADPH. Catalase only partially inhibited, and glutathione peroxidase did not significantly inhibit this response, implying that hydrogen peroxide does not play a key role. However, since NADPH-enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species was totally prevented by superoxide dismutase, superoxide was an obligatory intermediate. The presence of toluene, ethanol or phenobarbital did not enhance the production of NADPH-effected reactive oxygen species; free radical production was maximal in the absence of substrates subject to oxidation by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Hepatic cytochrome P450 oxidases are likely to contribute significantly to overall ROS formation, even under basal conditions where mixed-function oxidases are not induced.

Dietary and ethanol induced alterations of the toxikokinetics of toluene in humans

This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of a carbohydrate restricted diet, a subacute ethanol intake, and their combined effect on the kinetics of toluene in humans. Eight healthy male volunteers were exposed by inhalation at four different occasions to 200 mg/m3 2H8-toluene for two hours at a work load of 50 W after a one week low (30%) carbohydrate (CH) diet or high (60%) CH diet with (+EtOH) or without (-EtOH) ethanol consumption (47 g ethanol) on the evening before exposure. Deuterium labelled toleune was used to measure the excretion of hippuric acid originating from toluene separately from hippuric acid from other sources. The results indicated that subacute ethanol consumption combined with a carbohydrate restricted diet, may enhance the metabolism of toluene in humans at an exposure concentration of 200 mg/m3. The cumulative amount of hippuric acid excreted in the urine up to 20 hours after the end of exposure in % of the net uptake of toluene was enhanced by 22% (p = 0.05) in the low CH + EtOH compared with the low CH-EtOH experiment. The apparent blood clearance of toluene was 37% higher in the low CH + EtOH than in the low CH-EtOH experiment, but this effect was not statistically significant (p = 0.1). There were no significant changes in the kinetics of toluene as a result of a low carbohydrate diet alone. Neither did subacute ethanol intake without the combination with a carbohydrate restricted diet influence the kinetics of toluene.

Ethanol induced modification of m-xylene toxicokinetics in humans

This study was undertaken to determine whether previous subacute treatment with ethanol could modify the kinetics of m-xylene in humans. A group of six volunteers was exposed twice to either 100 or 400 ppm of m-xylene during two hours (between 0800 and 1000). Ethanol was given orally in the early evening on each of two consecutive days before exposures (total ethanol intake of 137 g). Such ethanol pretreatment affected the kinetics of m-xylene but only at the high exposure (400 ppm). The modifications were: (1) decreased concentration of m-xylene in blood and alveolar air during and after exposure; (2) increased urinary excretion of m-methylhippuric acid at the end of exposure. Ethanol treatment also enhanced the elimination of antipyrine in saliva. Overall, this study showed that the effect of enzyme induction on the metabolism of m-xylene, after ethanol ingestion, depends on the exposure concentration and is not likely to occur as long as the exposure concentrations remain under the current maximum allowable concentration (100 ppm) in the workplace.

Electron transfer in P450 mechanisms. Microsomal metabolism of cyclopropylbenzene and p-cyclopropylanisole

1. The metabolism of cyclopropylbenzene (1a) and 4-cyclopropylanisole (1b) was studied using liver microsomal preparations from control, phenobarbital- and beta-naphthoflavone treated rats. 2. With all three types of microsomes 1a was metabolized by benzylic hydroxylation to give 1-phenylcyclopropanol and by aromatic hydroxylation at C-4; the former predominated by a factor of 2-4. BNF-induced microsomes also formed 2-cyclopropylphenol. No cyclopropyl ring-opened metabolites of 1a, including benzoic acid, were detected in any of the incubations. 3. With PB-induced microsomes 1b underwent O-demethylation (90%) and benzylic hydroxylation; no other metabolites were detected. 4. Progress curves for metabolism of 1a are markedly nonlinear after only limited conversion of substrate, suggesting the possibility that 1a, like other cyclopropyl compounds, could be a suicide substrate for one or more isozymes of P450. 5. For both 1a and b, metabolite formation and enzyme inactivation can be explained by conventional P450 reaction mechanisms not involving electron abstraction.

Relationship between hydrocarbon structure and induction of P450: effects on protein levels and enzyme activities

1. Treatment of male rat with the small aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, m-xylene, and p-xylene increased several P450-dependent activities, with ethylbenzene, m-xylene, and n-propylbenzene producing the greatest response. Hydrocarbon treatment differentially affected toluene metabolism, producing a response dependent on the metabolite monitored. In untreated rats, benzyl alcohol was the major hydroxylation product of toluene metabolism, comprising > 99% of the total metabolites formed. Hydrocarbon treatment increased the overall rate of toluene metabolism by dramatically increasing the amount of aromatic hydroxylation. Ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene and m-xylene were the most effective inducers of aromatic hydroxylation of toluene. In contrast, production of the major toluene metabolite benzyl alcohol was increased only after treatment with m-xylene. 2. P450 2B1/2B2 levels were induced by each of the hydrocarbons examined, with the magnitude of induction increasing with increasing hydrocarbon size. P450 1A1 was also induced after hydrocarbon exposure; however, the degree of induction was smaller than that observed for P450 2B1/2B2. P450 2C11 levels were suppressed after treatment with benzene, ethylbenzene and n-propylbenzene. 3. Taken together these results display two induction patterns. The first generally corresponds to changes in the P450 2B subfamily, where activities (e.g. the aromatic hydroxylations of toluene) were most effectively induced by ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene and m-xylene. In the second, induction was observed only after m-xylene treatment, a pattern that was found when the metabolism of the substrate was catalysed by both the P450 2B subfamily and P450 2C11. Hydrocarbons that both induced P450 2B1/2B2 and suppressed P450 2C11 (such as ethylbenzene and n-propylbenzene) showed little change in activities catalysed by both isozymes (e.g. aliphatic hydroxylation of toluene, and aniline hydroxylation); however, m-xylene treatment led to elevated P450 2B1/2B2 levels without significantly suppressing P450 2C11. m-Xylene produced significant increases in activities efficiently catalysed by both isozymes. Therefore, the unique induction pattern observed after m-xylene treatment can be accounted for by induction of P450 2B1/2B2 without concomitant suppression of P450 2C11.

Monoclonal antibody-directed assessment of toluene induction of rat hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes

Cytochrome P450 isozymes induced in rat liver by a range of concentrations of toluene were studied with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to specific P450 isozymes and by enzyme assays. Nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity was significantly increased in microsomes from rats exposed to more than 1000 ppm of toluene, an increase that was dose-dependent. Anti-CYP2E1 significantly inhibited the metabolism of toluene to benzyl alcohol (BA) by about 50%, in microsomes from 1000 to 4000 ppm toluene-exposed rats, at low substrate concentration (0.2 mM). With anti-CYP2B1/2, the rate of BA formation was decreased by 15-17% in microsomes from rats of 2000 and 4000 ppm toluene exposures at high substrate concentration (5.0 mM). On the other hand, anti-CYP2C11/6 inhibited the rate of formation of BA in all of the microsomes, but the extent of inhibition was progressively decreased from 55% in control to 33% in 4000 ppm exposure. Immunoblot analysis with anti-CYP2E1 and anti-CYP2B1/2 revealed stronger immunoreactive bands in microsomes from rats exposed to more than 1000 and 2000 ppm of toluene, respectively. Stronger bands were also observed in microsomes from rats of 2000-4000 ppm toluene exposures with anti-CYP3A1/2, but no immunoreactivity appeared with anti-CYP1A1/2. These results suggest that toluene induces CYP2E1, CYP2B1/2 and CYP3A1/2, but reduces CYP2C11/6, and has no effect on CYP1A1/2.

Exposure to various benzene derivatives differently induces cytochromes P450 2B1 and P450 2E1 in rat liver

Benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (EB), styrene (S) and xylene isomers (oX, mX, pX) are important environmental pollutants and B is a proved human carcinogen. Their inhalation by male Wistar rats (4 mg/l, 20 h/day, 4 days) caused cytochrome P450 (P450) induction. The degree of P450 2B1 induction increased and that of 2E1 decreased in the series B, T, EB, S, oX, mX and pX, as estimated by Western blots, while neither solvent was as effective for 2B1 induction as phenobarbital and B was more effective for 2E1 than ethanol. The levels of several other P450s decreased after exposure to these solvents, B being most effective. Exposure to these solvents increased in vitro hepatic microsomal oxidation of B and aniline (AN) (2E1 substrates) 3 to 6-fold, indicating induction of this P450. T oxidation was increased 2 to 4-fold and chlorobenzene (ClB) oxidation 3-fold. Sodium phenobarbital (PB, 80 mg/kg/day, 4 days, i.p.) did not increase ethylmorphine (EM) and benzphetamine (BZP) demethylation (2B1 substrates), neither of the B derivatives did so, and oX decreased it; however, pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylation was well related to the immunochemically detected 2B1 levels in control, PB and B microsomes. PB did not increase B, but increased T and ClB oxidation 2-4 and 3-fold, respectively, indicating possible 2B1 role in their oxidation. B oxidation after various inducers was related to immunochemical 2E1 levels, T and ClB oxidation to both 2B1 and 2E1 and AN oxidation to 2E1 and 1A2 levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytochrome P450-related differences between rats and mice in the metabolism of benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene in liver microsomes

In evaluating the risks to humans of exposure to chemicals, the results of studies in rodents are sometimes used as a basis for extrapolation. It is therefore important to elucidate differences in metabolism among species. Differences in cytochrome P450-catalysed oxidation of benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene (TRI) between male Wistar rats and male B6C3F1 mice were investigated by immunoblot and immunoinhibition assays using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1/2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2E1 and CYP2C11/6). Immunoblot analysis showed that anti-CYP2B1/2 did not detect any protein in either untreated rat or mouse liver microsomes, whereas with anti-CYP2E1 and/or anti-CYP1A1/2 a clear-cut band was seen more in liver microsomes from mice than from rats. Mouse liver microsomes had a greater monooxidation activity for benzene and TRI than rat liver microsomes; mice also had a higher rate of aromatic hydroxylation of toluene at low substrate concentration, but a low rate of side-chain oxidation when a high concentration of toluene was used. The metabolism of benzene was saturated in mice at around 0.23 mM, but the metabolism of the other two solvents was not saturated in either rats or mice at the low concentrations used. Anti-CYP2E1 inhibited the metabolism of benzene, toluene and TRI in microsomes from mice to a greater extent than in rats, while anti-CYP2C11/6 inhibited their metabolism in rats to a greater extent than in mice; anti-CYP1A1/2 inhibited the metabolism of TRI only in microsomes from mice. These results indicate that (i) male B6C3F1 mice have more CYP2E1 and 1A1/2 than male Wistar rats, whereas rats have more CYP2C11/6 than mice; (ii) rats and mice express CYP2B1/2 but they are not immunochemically detectable; (iii) CYP2E1 and 2C11/6 in both species are responsible for the metabolism of benzene, toluene and TRI, whereas CYP1A1/2 in mice catalyses the oxidation of TRI. The differences in the metabolism of benzene, toluene and TRI in rats and in mice may therefore depend, at least in part, on differences in the distribution of P450 isozymes between the two species.

Toluene metabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes: effects of in vivo pretreatment with acetone and phenobarbital

Hepatocytes isolated from control, acetone- and phenobarbital-pretreated rats were used to study the metabolic conversion of toluene to benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid and hippuric acid at low (< 100 microM) and high (100-500 microM) toluene concentrations. The baseline formation rates of toluene metabolites (benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid and hippuric acid) were 2.9 +/- 1.7 and 10.0 +/- 2.3 nmol/mg cell protein/60 min at low and high toluene concentrations, respectively. In vivo pretreatment of rats with acetone and phenobarbital increased the formation of metabolites: at low toluene concentrations 3- and 5-fold, respectively; at high toluene concentrations no significant increase (acetone) and 8-fold increase (phenobarbital). Apparent inhibition by ethanol, 7 and 60 mM, was most prominent at low toluene concentrations: 63% and 69%, respectively, in control cells; 84% and 91% in acetone-pretreated cells, and 32% (not significant) and 51% in phenobarbital-pretreated cells. Ethanol also caused accumulation of benzyl alcohol. The apparent inhibition by isoniazid was similar to that of ethanol at low toluene concentrations. Control and acetone-pretreated cells were apparently resistant towards metyrapone; the decrease was 49% and 64% in phenobarbital-pretreated cells at low and high toluene concentrations, respectively. In these cells, the decrease in presence of combined ethanol and metyrapone was 95% (low toluene concentrations). 4-Methyl-pyrazole decreased metabolite formation extensively in all groups. Benzaldehyde was only found in the presence of an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. Increased ratio benzoic/hippuric acid was observed at high toluene concentrations. These results demonstrate that toluene oxidation may be studied by product formation in isolated hepatocytes. However, the influence of various enzymes in the overall metabolism could not be ascertained due to lack of inhibitor specificity.

Immunochemical assessment of the influence of nutritional, physiological and environmental factors on the metabolism of toluene

Factors influencing the metabolism of toluene were investigated in rats using monoclonal antibody (MAb) to cytochrome P450 (P450). At low toluene concentrations, P450 IIE1 was primarily involved in the metabolism of toluene, whereas P450 IIC11/6 was involved at high concentrations. A low-carbohydrate diet induced P450 IIE1 and resulted in an increase in toluene metabolism. The intake of fat did not influence the metabolism. A lowered protein intake decreased not only the total content of P450 but also the P450 IIC11/6. Fasting and ethanol consumption also enhanced toluene metabolism via the induction of P450 IIE1. The metabolic rate of toluene in adult male rats was 4-fold higher than in immature males and adult females at a high substrate concentration because of the high level of P450 IIC11/6 in adult males, whereas no difference was noted between adult and immature females. Although development did not influence toluene metabolism in males at a low substrate concentration, the metabolic rate in adult female rats was significantly lower than that of immature females and males; this may be due to the decrease in P450 IE1 with development. Diabetic status influenced toluene metabolism in rats by affecting several kinds of P450 isozymes. Toluene exposure also affected its own metabolism by increasing P450 IIE1 and P450 IIB 1/2, and decreasing P450 IIC11/6. A significant difference in toluene metabolism was observed among rat, mouse and human liver microsomes. Thus, when considering the factors affecting toluene metabolism, it is important to elucidate the change in specific P450 isozyme composition related to the modifications, and their affinities to toluene.

A descriptive and mechanistic study of the interaction between toluene and xylene in humans

This study was undertaken to characterize the mechanism of toxicokinetic interaction between toluene (TOL) and m-xylene (XYL) in the rat using physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) modeling approach. First, the metabolic rate constants were determined by conducting closed-chamber inhalation exposures with individual solvents (Vmax: TOL = 4.8, XYL = 8.4 mg/hr/kg; Km: TOL = 0.55, XYL = 0.2 mg/l). Then, using the same experimental set-up, rats were exposed to different binary mixtures of TOL and XYL. PBTK analysis of the data showed competitive inhibition as the plausible mechanism of TOL/XYL interaction. This mechanistic modeling study suggests that the interaction between TOL and XYL is likely to be observed when the exposure concentration exceeds 50 ppm of each solvent.

Influence of long-term ethanol treatment on in vitro biotransformation of benzo(a)pyrene in microsomes of the liver, lung and small intestine from male and female rats

The influence of long-term ethanol exposure of rats on the microsomal biotransformation of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] was studied. Male and female Wistar rats received an increasing amount of ethanol in their drinking water: percentages rose to 15% (w/v) in 3 weeks. The ethanol content was kept at a concentration of 15% for another 3 weeks. Livers, lungs and intestinal epithelial cells of the rats were then isolated and microsomal fractions prepared. In all organs, the metabolite most formed was 3-hydroxy-B(a)P. In the liver, males showed significantly higher B(a)P hydroxylase activity than females. On the basis of experiments using monoclonal antibodies, a significant part of the B(a)P biotransformation in male rat liver microsomes can be attributed to the male specific P4502C11. In the lung and intestine, there were no significant differences between the sexes. In the liver, ethanol treatment significantly decreased the microsomal formation of phenolic metabolites. In microsomes of intestinal epithelial cells, ethanol treatment enhanced the formation of phenols and diols. In conclusion, ethanol consumption by rats in moderate amounts leads to an alteration in the microsomal biotransformation of B(a)P. Effects are most prominent in the liver, where the formation of phenols is significantly decreased.