PXR-ALAS1: a key regulatory pathway in liver toxicity induced by isoniazid-rifampicin antituberculosis treatment

Various effects of repeated rifampin dosing on coproporphyrin levels in humans

In recent years, the identification of endogenous substrates as biomarkers became an uprising topic. Particularly coproporphyrins (CPs), byproducts of heme biosynthesis, are intensely investigated as biomarkers for predicting interactions with the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B transporters. In the context of drug-drug interactions, several preclinical and clinical studies assessed the effect of the OATP1B-index inhibitor rifampin on CPI levels. However, rifampin is not only a "perpetrator" drug of transporters but is also known for its interaction with the nuclear receptor pregnane X receptor (PXR) leading to the efficient induction of PXR-target genes. These include hemoproteins like cytochrome P450 enzymes but also the δ-aminolevulinate synthase 1, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme biosynthesis. In this study, we showed that quantification of CPs in clinical serum samples was possible after long-term storage at -20°C. We quantified CPI, CPIII, and heme levels in clinical serum samples (at selected timepoints) that originated from a trial investigating the interaction potential of repeated rifampin administration in 12 healthy participants. In samples collected at the assumed time to maximum concentration of rifampin, higher CP levels were observed compared to baseline. Increased levels persisted even 14 h after discontinuation of rifampin. No impact on heme serum levels was observed. We found a correlation between CP isomers at baseline and at 14 h after rifampin intake. In summary, we show that multiple doses of rifampin affect CP levels. However, besides inhibition of hepatic OATP function there is evidence for an interaction with CP levels beyond the transporter level.

Haem oxygenase-1 and haemopexin gene polymorphisms and the risk of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity in China

Objective: To assess whether the risk of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH) might be influenced by haem oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and haemopexin (HPX) gene polymorphisms. Methods: A dynamic anti-tuberculosis treatment cohort was constructed, and the 1:4 matched nested case-control study was analysed. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the two genes were selected for genotyping and Bonferroni correction was performed to correct for multiple comparison. Results: Overall, 7.8% of patients developed ATDH. SNP rs1807714 in the HMOX1 gene had decreased effects on the risk of moderate and severe hepatotoxicity under the dominant and additive models, and hepatocellular injury under the additive model. SNP rs2682099 in the HPX gene had increased effects on the risk of moderate and severe hepatotoxicity under the recessive model. However, these associations disappeared after Bonferroni correction. Conclusion: HMOX1 and HPX gene polymorphisms might not be associated with susceptibility to ATDH in the Chinese population.

The role of the genetic variant FECH rs11660001 in the occurrence of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The pathogenic mechanism of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury (AT-DILI) is still largely unknown. Recent studies have indicated that rifampicin and isoniazid cotreatment causes the accumulation of endogenous protoporphyrin IX in the liver through the haem biosynthesis pathway. Alanine synthase 1 (ALAS1) and ferrochelatase (FECH) are the rate-limiting enzymes in the production of haem. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic contribution of the ALAS1 and FECH genes to the risk of AT-DILI in an Eastern Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A 1:4 matched case-control study was conducted, and eight SNPs in the ALAS1 and FECH genes were detected and assessed. A multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between genotypes and the risk of AT-DILI by the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with liver disease history, hepatoprotectant use, smoking and drinking history as covariates.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Overall, 202 AT-DILI cases and 808 controls were included in this study. The female patients carrying polymorphisms of rs11660001 in FECH had an increased risk of AT-DILI under the dominant and additive models (OR = 1.831, 95% CI: 1.014-3.307, p = 0.045; OR = 1.673, 95% CI: 1.015-2.760, p = 0.044, respectively). The peak aspartate transaminase level was significantly higher in female patients carrying the GA+AA genotype of rs11660001 than in those with the GG genotype during anti-TB treatment (p = 0.032).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Based on this 1:4 individual matched case-control study, SNP rs11660001 in the FECH gene may be associated with susceptibility to AT-DILI in Chinese female anti-TB treatment patients. Further studies in larger varied populations are needed to validate our findings.

Genetic and Functional Evaluation of the Role of FOXO1 in Antituberculosis Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Background

The accumulation of the hepatotoxic substance protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) induced by aminolevulinate synthase 1 (ALAS1) activation is one of the important mechanisms of antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH). Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) may activate ALAS1 transcription. However, little is known about their roles in ATDH; we performed a study to determine the association between polymorphisms in the two genes and ATDH susceptibility. Then, we verified this possible association by cellular functional experiments.

Materials and Methods

Tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (TagSNPs) in the two genes were genotyped in 746 tuberculosis patients. The frequencies of the alleles, genotypes, genetic models, and haplotype distribution of the variants were compared between the case and control groups. L-02 cells and HepG2 cells were incubated with the indicated concentration of isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) for the desired times, and then the expression levels of ALAS1 and FOXO1 mRNAs and proteins were detected. HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with FOXO1 siRNA to observe the effect of changes in the FOXO1 expression on the cell survival rate and ALAS1 expression.

Results

The C allele at rs2755237 and the T allele at rs4435111 in the FOXO1 gene were associated with a decreased risk of ATDH. The expression of ALAS1 in both L-02 cells and HepG2 cells was increased by the coadministration of INH/RIF (600/200 μM) for 24 h. Although FOXO1 expression was reduced slightly by the same treatment, its content in the nucleus was significantly increased. However, the cell survival rate and ALAS1 expression level were not significantly altered by the downregulation of FOXO1 in HepG2 cells.

Conclusions

Variants of the rs4435111 and rs2755237 loci in the FOXO1 gene were associated with susceptibility to ATDH. Coadministration of INH/RIF promoted the transfer of FOXO1 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, but the functional significance of its nuclear translocation requires further verification.

NR1I2 genetic polymorphisms and the risk of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH) is a serious adverse drug reaction. Conflicting results have been obtained regarding the associations of nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 2 (NR1I2) gene polymorphisms on susceptibility to ATDH. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the associations using a systematic review/meta-analysis approach. PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and SinoMed databases were searched for all eligible studies from inception to June 10, 2020. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to evaluate the strength of the association between the NR1I2 polymorphisms and the risk of ATDH. Subgroup analysis was performed by region of origin, and meta-regression were performed to detect potential sources of heterogeneity. A total of five case-control studies involving 572 cases and 1867 controls were identified. Fourteen SNPs in the NR1I2 gene have been reported, and the most heavily studied SNPs were rs3814055 and rs7643645. The pooled estimates did not exhibit any significant associations between SNPs rs3814055 and rs7643645 and the risk of ATDH (rs3814055: dominant model, OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.82-1.22, P = 1.00; recessive model, OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.76-1.78, P = .48; rs7643645: dominant model, OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.64-1.68, P = .89; recessive model, OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.65-1.49, P = .93). Subgroup analysis obtained similar negative results in Chinese patients, and the diagnostic criteria of ATDH may be the source of heterogeneity. Based on the meta-analysis described in this report, we did not observe any association between NR1I2 gene polymorphisms and ATDH susceptibility. However, this conclusion should be interpreted with caution due to the low number of studies and the relatively small sample size.