The role of metabolism in determining susceptibility to parathion toxicity in man

The risk associated with organophosphorus nerve agents: from their discovery to their unavoidable threat, current medical countermeasures and perspectives

The first organophosphorus nerve agent was discovered accidently during the development of pesticides, shortly after the first use of chemical weapons (chlorine, phosgene) on the battlefield during World War I. Despite the Chemical Weapons Convention banning these substances, they have still been employed in wars, terrorist attacks or political assassinations. Characterised by their high lethality, they target the nervous system by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, preventing neurotransmission, which, if not treated rapidly, inevitably leads to serious injury or the death of the person intoxicated. The limited efficacy of current antidotes, known as AChE reactivators, pushes research towards new treatments. Numerous paths have been explored, from modifying the original pyridinium oximes to developing hybrid reactivators seeking a better affinity for the inhibited AChE. Another crucial approach resides in molecules more prone to cross the blood-brain barrier: uncharged compounds, bio-conjugated reactivators or innovative formulations. Our aim is to raise awareness on the threat and toxicity of organophosphorus nerve agents and to present the main synthetic efforts deployed since the first AChE reactivator, to tackle the task of efficiently treating victims of these chemical warfare agents.

Suitability of human HepaRG cells and liver spheroids as in vitro model to investigate the bioactivation of the organothiophosphate pesticide parathion

Organophosphorus compounds (OP) constitute a large group of chemicals including pesticides and nerve agents. Organothiophosphate pesticides require cytochrome P450-mediated oxidative desulphuration in the liver to form corresponding oxons, which are potent inhibitors of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Human HepaRG cells are a promising tool to study liver-specific functions and have been shown to maintain drug metabolizing enzymes. This research describes for the first time the in vitro metabolic activation of an organothiophosphate to its active oxon by two different HepaRG cell-based models. Monolayer cultures and liver spheroids were exposed to the model OP parathion and the quantification of the corresponding oxon was performed with an AChE inhibition assay. Our results showed a time- and dose-dependent cytochrome P450 catalyzed bioactivation and a superior metabolism capacity of the monolayer HepaRG model in comparison with the liver spheroids. Finally, HepaRG cells can be assessed as a metabolically competent cell model intermediate between cell-free preparations and intact animals and as suitable to study OP metabolism in the human liver.

Discovery and occurrence of organophosphorothioate esters in food contact plastics and foodstuffs from South China: Dietary intake assessment

A recent study revealed the presence of non-pesticide organothiophosphate esters (OTPEs) - precursors to organophosphate esters (OPEs) contaminants - in river water. Since OPEs have demonstrated adverse reproductive outcomes in humans, this accentuates the urgency to explore the prevalence of non-pesticide OTPEs in other potential human exposure matrices. In this study, a nontarget screening method based on high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify OTPEs in food contact plastic (FCP) samples collected from South China. O,O,O-triphenyl phosphorothioate (TPhPt) and O,O,O-tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphorothioate (AO168 = S) were unequivocally identified (Level 1), while O,O-di(di-butylphenyl) O-methyl phosphorothioate (BDBPMPt) was tentatively identified (Level 2b, indicating probable structure based on diagnostic evidence). Among n = 70 FCP samples, AO168 = S emerged with the highest detection frequency and median concentration of 74 % and 111 ng/g, respectively. Significant Pearson correlations were observed in log-transformed peak areas of AO168 = S and TPhPt in FCPs with their respective oxons, respectively. Occurrences of AO168 = S and TPhPt were further investigated in n = 100 foodstuff samples using a market basket method. AO168 = S and TPhPt exhibited detection frequencies of 43 % and 44 % in all food items with mean concentrations of 2.17 ng/g wet weight (ww) (range: <0.53-67.8 ng/g ww) and 0.112 ng/g ww (range: <0.006-2.39 ng/g ww), respectively. The highest mean concentrations for AO168 = S and TPhPt were found in vegetables (4.62 ng/g ww) and oil (3.00 ng/g ww), respectively. The median estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of AO168 = S and TPhPt via diet were calculated as 10.4 and 1.51 ng/kg body weight/day, respectively. For AO168 = S, only meat and vegetables contributed to the median EDI, whereas for TPhPt, oil was identified as the principal contributor to the median EDI. This study for the first time evaluated human exposure to OTPEs via diet, providing new insights to overall human exposure to OPEs.

Frequency of Important CYP450 Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms in the Iranian Population in Comparison with Other Major Populations: A Comprehensive Review of the Human Data

Genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 genes can cause alteration in metabolic activity of clinically important medicines. Thus, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) in CYP genes are leading factors of drug pharmacokinetics and toxicity and form pharmacogenetics biomarkers for drug dosing, efficacy, and safety. The distribution of cytochrome P450 alleles differs significantly between populations with important implications for personalized drug therapy and healthcare programs. To provide a meta-analysis of CYP allele polymorphisms with clinical importance, we brought together whole-genome and exome sequencing data from 800 unrelated individuals of Iranian population (100 subjects from 8 major ethnics of Iran) and 63,269 unrelated individuals of five major human populations (EUR, AMR, AFR, EAS and SAS). By integrating these datasets with population-specific linkage information, we evolved the frequencies of 140 CYP haplotypes related to 9 important CYP450 isoenzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5) giving a large resource for major genetic determinants of drug metabolism. Furthermore, we evaluated the more frequent Iranian alleles and compared the dataset with the Caucasian race. Finally, the similarity of the Iranian population SNVs with other populations was investigated.

Human Family 1-4 cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolic activation of xenobiotic and physiological chemicals: an update

This is an overview of the metabolic activation of drugs, natural products, physiological compounds, and general chemicals by the catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes belonging to Families 1-4. The data were collected from > 5152 references. The total number of data entries of reactions catalyzed by P450s Families 1-4 was 7696 of which 1121 (~ 15%) were defined as bioactivation reactions of different degrees. The data were divided into groups of General Chemicals, Drugs, Natural Products, and Physiological Compounds, presented in tabular form. The metabolism and bioactivation of selected examples of each group are discussed. In most of the cases, the metabolites are directly toxic chemicals reacting with cell macromolecules, but in some cases the metabolites formed are not direct toxicants but participate as substrates in succeeding metabolic reactions (e.g., conjugation reactions), the products of which are final toxicants. We identified a high level of activation for three groups of compounds (General Chemicals, Drugs, and Natural Products) yielding activated metabolites and the generally low participation of Physiological Compounds in bioactivation reactions. In the group of General Chemicals, P450 enzymes 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 dominate in the formation of activated metabolites. Drugs are mostly activated by the enzyme P450 3A4, and Natural Products by P450s 1A2, 2E1, and 3A4. Physiological Compounds showed no clearly dominant enzyme, but the highest numbers of activations are attributed to P450 1A, 1B1, and 3A enzymes. The results thus show, perhaps not surprisingly, that Physiological Compounds are infrequent substrates in bioactivation reactions catalyzed by P450 enzyme Families 1-4, with the exception of estrogens and arachidonic acid. The results thus provide information on the enzymes that activate specific groups of chemicals to toxic metabolites.

Phosmet bioactivation by isoform-specific cytochrome P450s in human hepatic and gut samples and metabolic interaction with chlorpyrifos

Data on the bioactivation of Phosmet (Pho), a phthalimide-derived organophosphate pesticide (OPT), to the neurotoxic metabolite Phosmet-oxon (PhOx) in human are not available. The characterization of the reaction in single human recombinant CYPs evidenced that the ranking of the intrinsic clearances was: 2C18>2C19>2B6>2C9>1A1>1A2>2D6>3A4>2A6. Considering the average human hepatic content, CYP2C19 contributed for the great majority (60%) at relevant exposure concentrations, while CYP2C9 (33%) and CYP3A4 (31%) were relevant at high substrate concentration. The dose-dependent role of the active isoforms was confirmed in human liver microsomes by using selective CYP inhibitors. This prominent role of CYP2C in oxon formation was not shared by other OPTs. The pre-systemic Pho bioactivation measured in human intestinal microsomes was relevant accounting for ¼ of that measured in the liver showing two reaction phases catalysed by CYP2C and CYP3A4. Phosmet efficiently inhibited CPF bioactivation and detoxication, with Ki values (≈30 μM) relevant to pesticide concentrations achievable in the human liver, while the opposite is unlikely (Ki ≈ 160 μM) at the actual exposure levels, depending on the peculiar isoform-specific Pho bioactivation. Kinetic information in humans can support the development of quantitative in vitro/in vivo extrapolation and in silico models for risk assessment refinement for single and multiple pesticides.

Enzymatic degradation of organophosphorus insecticides decreases toxicity in planarians and enhances survival

Organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) are toxic compounds used for agricultural purposes and responsible for severe types of contamination worldwide. OPs may also induce chronic deleterious effects and developmental disruption. Finding remediation strategies is a major concern to diminish their impact on environment and human health. Enzymes have emerged as a promising eco-friendly route for decontaminating OPs. The enzyme SsoPox from the archaea Sulfolobus solfataricus has been particularly studied, considering both its tremendous stability and phosphotriesterase activity. However, the toxicity of the degradation products generated through enzyme hydrolysis has been poorly investigated. To address both neurotoxicity and developmental perturbation, freshwater planarians from Platyhelminthes were considered to evaluate the impact of OP and degradation product exposure. Planarians have a large proportion of stem cells that give them an unconventional capacity for regeneration. OPs were found to be highly toxic to planarians and enzyme decontamination drastically enhanced survival rate. Although not completely innocuous, the degradation products were found to be less toxic than insecticides and reduced poisoning effects by increasing NOEC values by up to eight-fold. SsoPox also limited detrimental consequences on planarian mobility and enabled them to recover a non-exposed type regeneration process suggesting that enzymatic decontamination is a promising alternative to bioremediation.

Computational interaction analysis of organophosphorus pesticides with different metabolic proteins in humans

Pesticides have the potential to leave harmful effects on humans, animals, other living organisms, and the environment. Several human metabolic proteins inhibited after exposure to organophosphorus pesticides absorbed through the skin, inhalation, eyes and oral mucosa, are most important targets for this interaction study. The crystal structure of five different proteins, PDBIDs: 3LII, 3NXU, 4GTU, 2XJ1 and 1YXA in Homo sapiens (H. sapiens), interact with organophosphorus pesticides at the molecular level. The 3-D structures were found to be of good quality and validated through PROCHECK, ERRAT and ProSA servers. The results show that the binding energy is maximum -45.21 relative units of cytochrome P450 protein with phosmet pesticide. In terms of H-bonding, methyl parathion and parathion with acetylcholinesterase protein, parathion, methylparathion and phosmet with protein kinase C show the highest interaction. We conclude that these organophosphorus pesticides are more toxic and inhibit enzymatic activity by interrupting the metabolic pathways in H. sapiens.

Lentiviral-mediated RNAi knockdown yields a novel mouse model for studying Cyp2b function

There are few in vivo knockout models available to study the function of Cyp2 members involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous chemicals. These models may help provide insight into the cytochrome P450s (CYPs) responsible for the detoxification and activation of drugs, environmental toxicants, and endobiotics. The aim of this work is to produce a potent Cyp2b-knockdown (KD) mouse for subsequent study of Cyp2b function. We made a quintuple Cyp2b-KD mouse using lentiviral-promoted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) homologous to all five murine Cyp2b subfamily members (Cyp2b9, 2b10, 2b13, 2b19, and 2b23). The Cyp2b-KD mice are viable, fertile, and without obvious gross abnormalities except for an increase in liver weight. Expression of the three hepatic Cyp2b members, 2b9, 2b10, and 2b13, is significantly repressed as demonstrated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. The constitutive androstane receptor activator, 1,4-Bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)] benzene (TCPOBOP), was used to determine if shRNA-mediated Cyp2b10 repression could be outcompeted by Cyp2b10 induction. TCPOBOP-treated Cyp2b-KD mice show 80-90% less Cyp2b protein expression than TCPOBOP-treated wild-type (WT) mice, demonstrating that Cyp induction does not outcompete the repressive function of the shRNA. Untreated and TCPOBOP-treated Cyp2b-KD mice are poor metabolizers of parathion compared with WT mice. Furthermore, Cyp2b-KD mice are sensitive to parathion, an organophosphate insecticide primarily metabolized by Cyp2b enzymes, when compared with WT mice. In summary, we designed an shRNA construct that repressed the expression and activity of multiple Cyp2b enzymes. We foresee that this novel Cyp2b-KD mouse model will significantly improve our understanding of the role of Cyp2b enzymes in chemical sensitivity and drug metabolism.

Role of genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP3A5, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and PON1 in the modulation of DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides

Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) are primarily metabolized by several xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs). Very few studies have explored genetic polymorphisms of XMEs and their association with DNA damage in pesticide-exposed workers. The present study was designed to determine the role of genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP3A5, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and PON1 in the modulation of DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to OPs. We examined 284 subjects including 150 workers occupationally exposed to OPs and 134 normal healthy controls. The DNA damage was evaluated using the alkaline comet assay and genotyping was done using PCR-RFLP. The results revealed that the PONase activity toward paraoxonase and AChE activity was found significantly lowered in workers as compared to control subjects (p<0.001). Workers showed significantly higher DNA damage compared to control subjects (14.37±2.15 vs. 6.24±1.37 tail% DNA, p<0.001). Further, the workers with CYP2D6*3PM and PON1 (QQ and MM) genotypes were found to have significantly higher DNA damage when compared to other genotypes (p<0.05). In addition, significant increase in DNA damage was also observed in workers with concomitant presence of certain CYP2D6 and PON1 (Q192R and L55M) genotypes which need further extensive studies. In conclusion, the results indicate that the PON1 and CYP2D6 genotypes can modulate DNA damage elicited by some OPs possibly through gene-environment interactions.

Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 and susceptibility to DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides

GSTM1, T1 and P1 are important enzymes of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), involved in the metabolism of many endogenous and exogenous compounds. Individual genetic variation in these metabolizing enzymes may influence the metabolism of their substrates. The present study was designed to determine the genotoxic effects using DNA damage and its association with GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 (Ile105Val) genetic polymorphisms in workers occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides (OPs). We examined 230 subjects including 115 workers occupationally exposed to OPs and an equal number of normal healthy controls. The DNA damage was evaluated using the alkaline comet assay and genotyping was done using individual PCR or PCR-RFLP. Significantly higher DNA tail moment (TM) was observed in workers as compared to control subjects (14.41 ± 2.25 vs. 6.36 ± 1.41 tail % DNA, p<0.001). The results revealed significantly higher DNA TM in workers with GSTM1 null genotype than those with GSTM1 positive (15.18 vs. 14.15 tail % DNA, p=0.03). A significantly higher DNA TM was also observed in workers with homozygous Ile-Ile GSTP1 genotype than heterozygous (Ile-Val) and mutant (Val-Val) GSTP1 genotype (p=0.02). In conclusion, the results show that null deletion of GSTM1 and homozygote wild GSTP1 genotype could be related to inter-individual differences in DNA damage arises from the gene-environment interactions in workers occupationally exposed to OPs.

Effect of zinc and paraquat co-exposure on neurodegeneration: Modulation of oxidative stress and expression of metallothioneins, toxicant responsive and transporter genes in rats

Oxidative stress is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD). Metallothioneins (MT), cytochrome P450 IIE1 (CYP2E1) and glutathione S-transferases alpha4-4 (GSTA4-4) are involved in oxidative stress-mediated damage. Altered dopamine transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2) are also documented in PD. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Zn and PQ co-exposure on neurodegeneration in rats. A significant reduction was observed in spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA), striatal dopamine (DA) levels, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase activity along with increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity after Zn and/or PQ exposure. Zn and/or PQ exposure increased gene expression of DAT, CYP2E1, GSTA4-4, MT-I and MT-II, but reduced the expression of VMAT-2. Protein expression analysis of TH, VMAT-2 and DAT showed results similar to those obtained with gene expression study. Zn and PQ co-exposure caused a more pronounced effect than that of individual exposure. The results obtained in this study suggest that, similar to PQ, Zn induced neurodegeneration via alterations in oxidative stress and expression of the above-mentioned genes. However, the effect of Zn+PQ was only slightly higher than that of alone, indicating that probably Zn and PQ follow some different molecular events leading to neurodegeneration.

Physicochemical and Biological Data for the Development of Predictive Organophosphorus Pesticide QSARs and PBPK/PD Models for Human Risk Assessment

A search of the scientific literature was carried out for physiochemical and biological data [i.e., IC50, LD50, Kp (cm/h) for percutaneous absorption, skin/water and tissue/blood partition coefficients, inhibition ki values, and metabolic parameters such as Vmax and Km] on 31 organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) to support the development of predictive quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) models for human risk assessment. Except for work on parathion, chlorpyrifos, and isofenphos, very few modeling data were found on the 31 OPs of interest. The available percutaneous absorption, partition coefficients and metabolic parameters were insufficient in number to develop predictive QSAR models. Metabolic kinetic parameters (Vmax, Km) varied according to enzyme source and the manner in which the enzymes were characterized. The metabolic activity of microsomes should be based on the kinetic activity of purified or cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and the specific content of each active CYP in tissue microsomes. Similar requirements are needed to assess the activity of tissue A- and B-esterases metabolizing OPs. A limited amount of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and carboxylesterase (CaE) inhibition and recovery data were found in the literature on the 31 OPs. A program is needed to require the development of physicochemical and biological data to support risk assessment methodologies involving QSAR and PBPK/PD models.

Human Metabolism and Metabolic Interactions of Deployment-Related Chemicals

It has been suggested that chemicals and, more specifically, chemical interactions, are involved as causative agents in deployment-related illnesses. Unfortunately, this hypothesis has proven difficult to test, because toxicological investigations of deployment-related chemicals are usually carried out on surrogate animals and are difficult to extrapolate to humans. Other parts of the problem, such as the definition of variation within human populations and the development of methods for designating groups or individuals at significantly greater risk, cannot be carried out on surrogate animals, and the data must be derived from humans. The relatively recent availability of human cell.fractions, such as microsomes, cytosol, etc., human cells such as primary hepatocytes, recombinant human enzymes, and their isoforms and polymorphic variants has enabled a significant start to be made in developing the human data needed. These initial studies have examined the human metabolism by cytochrome P450, other phase I enzymes, and their isoforms and, in some cases, their polymorphic variants of compounds such as chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, DEET, permethrin, and pyridostigmine bromide, and, to a lesser extent, other chemicals from the same chemical and use classes, including solvents, jet fuel components, and sulfur mustard metabolites. A number of interactions at the metabolic level have been described both with respect to other xenobiotics and to endogenous metabolites. Probably the most dramatic have been seen in the ability of chlorpyrifos to inhibit not only the metabolism of other xenobiotics such as carbaryl and DEET but also to inhibit the metabolism of steroid hormones.

Biotransformation of chlorpyrifos and diazinon by human liver microsomes and recombinant human cytochrome P450s (CYP)

The cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated biotransformation of the organophosphorothioate insecticides chlorpyrifos and diazinon was investigated. Rates of desulphuration to the active oxon metabolite (chlorpyrifos-oxon and diazinon-oxon) and dearylation to non-toxic hydrolysis products were determined in human liver microsome preparations from five individual donors and in recombinant CYP enzymes. Chlorpyrifos and diazinon underwent desulphuration in human liver microsome with mean Km = 30 and 45 microM and V(max) = 353 and 766 pmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. Dearylation of these compounds by human liver microsome proceeded with Km = 12 and 28 microM and V(max) = 653 and 1186 pmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. The apparent intrinsic clearance (V(max)/Km) of dearylation was 4.5- and 2.5-fold greater than desulphuration for chlorpyrifos and diazinon, respectively. Recombinant human CYP2B6 possessed the highest desulphuration activity for chlorpyrifos, whereas CYP2C19 had the highest dearylation activity. In contrast, both desulphuration and dearylation of diazinon were catalysed at similar rates, in the rank order CYP2C19 > CYP1A2 > CYP2B6 > CYP3A4. Both organophosphorothioates were more readily detoxified (dearylation) than bioactivated (desulphuration) in all human liver microsome preparations. However, the role of individual CYP enzymes in these two biotransformation pathways varied according to the structure of the organophosphorothioate, which was reflected in different activation/detoxification ratios for chlorpyrifos and diazinon. Variability in activity of individual CYP enzymes may influence interindividual sensitivity to the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos and diazinon.

Metabolic interactions of agrochemicals in humans

Agrochemicals and other xenobiotics are metabolized by xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) to products that may be more or less toxic than the parent chemical. In this regard, phase-I XMEs such as cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are of primary importance. Interactions at the level of metabolism may take place via either inhibition or induction of XMEs. Such interactions have often been investigated, in vitro, in experimental animals, using subcellular fractions such as liver microsomes, but seldom in humans or at the level of individual XME isoforms. The authors have been investigating the metabolism of a number of agrochemicals by human liver microsomes and recombinant CYP isoforms and have recently embarked on studies of the induction of XMEs in human hepatocytes. The insecticides chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, carbofuran and fipronil, as well as the repellant DEET, are all extensively metabolized by human liver microsomes and, although a number of CYP isoforms may be involved, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 are usually the most important. Permethrin is hydrolyzed by esterase(s) present in both human liver microsomes and cytosol. A number of metabolic interactions have been observed. Chlorpyrifos and other phosphorothioates are potent inhibitors of the CYP-dependent metabolism of both endogenous substrates, such as testosterone and estradiol, and exogenous substrates, such as carbaryl, presumably as a result of the interaction of highly reactive sulfur, released during the oxidative desulfuration reaction, with the heme iron of CYP. The hydrolysis of permethrin in human liver can be inhibited by chlorpyrifos oxon and by carbaryl. Fipronil can inhibit testosterone metabolism by CYP3A4 and is an effective inducer of CYP isoforms in human hepatocytes.

Mechanism-based inactivation of human cytochromes p450s: experimental characterization, reactive intermediates, and clinical implications

The P450 type cytochromes are responsible for the metabolism of a wide variety of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds. Although P450-catalyzed reactions are generally thought to lead to detoxication of xenobiotics, the reactions can also produce reactive intermediates that can react with cellular macromolecules leading to toxicity or that can react with the P450s that form them leading to irreversible (i.e., mechanism-based) inactivation. This perspective describes the fundamentals of mechanism-based inactivation as it pertains to P450 enzymes. The experimental approaches used to characterize mechanism-based inactivators are discussed, and the criteria required for a compound to be classified as a mechanism-based inactivator are outlined. The kinetic scheme for mechanism-based inactivation and the calculation of the relevant kinetic constants that describe a particular inactivation event are presented. The structural aspects and important functional groups of several classes of molecules that have been found to impart mechanism-based inactivation upon metabolism by P450s such as acetylenes, thiol-containing compounds that include isothiocyanates, thiazolidinediones, and thiophenes, arylamines, quinones, furanocoumarins, and cyclic tertiary amines are described. Emphasis throughout this perspective is placed on more recent findings with human P450s where the site of modification, whether it be the apoprotein or the heme moiety, and, at least in part, the identity of the reactive intermediate responsible for the loss in P450 activity are known or inferred. Recent advances in trapping procedures as well as new methods for identification of reactive intermediates are presented. A variety of clinically important drugs that act as mechanism-based inactivators of P450s are discussed. The irreversible inactivation of human P450s by these drugs has the potential for causing serious drug-drug interactions that may have severe toxicological effects. The clinical significance of inactivating human P450s for improving drug efficacy as well as drug safety is discussed along with the potential for exploiting mechanism-based inactivators of P450s for therapeutic benefits.

GST CYP and PON1 polymorphisms in farmers attributing ill health to organophosphate-containing sheep dip

Previously we reported that in sheep dippers exposed to organophosphates the frequency of paraoxonase (PON1) polymorphisms differed between those with or without self-reported ill health. We have now examined whether polymorphisms in other genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism alter disease risk in this population. There were elevated but non-significant risks associated with the CYP2D6 WT genotype (odds ratio (OR) 1.47, 95% CI 0.83-2.60), or a GSTP1*B or *C allele (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.88-2.01) or being GSTM1*2/GSTT1*2 homozygous (OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.74-3.48). Similar results were generally obtained after the exclusion of subjects to obtain a more homogenous case-referent population: for double null GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygotes the OR was 2.06 (95% CI 0.85-2.04). In those also likely to have been exposed to diazinon, risks associated with a GSTP1*B or *C allele (OR 1.82, 95% CI 0.92-3.63) or a GSTM1*2/GSTT1*2 homozygous (OR 2.60, 95% CI 0.72-10.42) were elevated but not to a significant extent. Risk associated with PON1 genotype and phenotype varied with CYP2D6 and GSTP1 genotype but not consistently with a priori hypotheses. Further work is necessary to delineate more clearly pathways of organophosphate activation and non-PON1 pathways of detoxification and to confirm whether CYP and GST polymorphisms alter disease risk in populations exposed to organophosphates.

The importance of cytochrome P450 2B6 in the human metabolism of environmental chemicals

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6 (CYP2B6) is a human CYP isoform found in variable amounts in the liver and other organs. It is known to be inducible and polymorphic and has a wide range of xenobiotic substrates. Studies of CYP2B6 to date have concentrated heavily on clinical drugs. In the present communication, however, we concentrate on its role in the metabolism of environmental xenobiotics. The term environment is used, in its broadest sense, to include natural ecosystems and agroecosystems as well as the industrial and indoor domestic environments. In essence, this excludes only clinical drugs and drugs of abuse. Many of these chemicals, including agrochemicals and industrial chemicals, can serve as substrates, inhibitors and/or inducers of CYP2B6, these activities being often modified by the existence of polymorphic variants. Metabolism-based interactions between environmental chemicals are discussed, as well as the emerging possibility of metabolic interactions between environmental chemicals and clinical drugs.

The Relationship between PON1 phenotype and PON1-192 genotype in detoxification of three oxons by human liver

Phosphorothioate pesticides (OP) such as diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and parathion are activated to highly toxic oxon metabolites by the cytochromes P450 (P450s), mainly in the liver. Simultaneously, the P450s catalyze detoxification of OP to nontoxic dearylated metabolites. The oxon is then detoxified to the dearylated metabolite by PON1, an A-esterase present in the liver and blood serum. The aims of this study were to define the influence of PON1-192 genotype and phenotype on the capacity of human liver microsomes (n = 27) to detoxify the oxons diazoxon, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and paraoxon. Near physiological assay conditions were used to reflect as closely as possible metabolism in vivo and because the hydrolytic activity of the allelic variants of PON1-192 are differentially affected by a number of conditions. The rates of hydrolysis of diazoxon, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and paraoxon varied 5.7-, 16-, and 56-fold, respectively, regardless of PON1-192 genotype. Individuals with the PON1-192RR genotype preferentially hydrolyzed paraoxon (p < 0.01), and the R allele was associated with higher hydrolytic activity toward chlorpyrifos-oxon, but not diazoxon. There were strongly significant relationships between phenylacetate and paraoxon hydrolysis (p < 0.001) and phenylacetate and chlorpyrifos-oxon hydrolysis (p < 0.001), but not between phenylacetate and diazoxon hydrolysis. These data highlight the importance of PON1 phenotype for efficient hydrolysis of paraoxon and chlorpyrifos-oxon, but environmental and yet unknown genetic factors are more important than PON1-192 genotype in determining capacity to hydrolyze diazoxon.

Human hepatic cytochrome p450-specific metabolism of parathion and chlorpyrifos

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) remain a potential concern to human health because of their continuing worldwide use. Thiophosphorus OPs, once bioactivated by cytochromes P450 (P450s), form oxon metabolites, which are potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This study investigated the rate of desulfation (activation) and dearylation (detoxification) of parathion and chlorpyrifos in human liver microsomes. In addition, recombinant human P450s were used to quantify, for the first time, the P450-specific kinetic variables (K(m) and V(max)) for each compound for future use in refining human physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) models of OP exposure. CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 3A4, 3A5, and 3A7 were found to be active to a widely varying degree in parathion metabolism, whereas all, with the exception of CYP2C9, were also found to be active in chlorpyrifos metabolism. CYP2B6 and CYP2C19 demonstrated low K(m) and high V(max) values for the metabolism of both model compounds, which supports their role as the primary enzymes that regulate metabolism at low-level human exposures to OPs. With K(m) and V(max) values of 0.61 microM, 4827 pmol/min/nmol P450 and 0.81 microM, 12,544 pmol/min/nmol for formation of paraoxon and chlorpyrifos-oxon, respectively, CYP2B6 favored the desulfation reaction. CYP2C19 activity favored dearylation with K(m) and V(max) values of 0.60 microM, 2338 pmol/min/nmol P450 and 1.63 microM, 13,128 pmol/min/nmol for formation of p-nitrophenol and 3,4,5-tricholorpyrindinol, respectively. P450-specific kinetic parameters for OP metabolism will be used with age-dependent hepatic P450 content to enhance PBPK/PD models so that OP exposures can be modeled to protect human health in different age groups.

Metabolism of the soyabean isoflavone daidzein by CYP1A2 and the extra-hepatic CYPs 1A1 and 1B1 affects biological activity

Metabolism of the isoflavones daidzein and genistein, which may protect against some cancers, was studied using human liver microsomes and recombinant CYP isoforms. The detection of three, more polar metabolites of each isoflavone by RP-HPLC required NADPH, consistent with CYP-mediated metabolism. For different liver preparations, metabolite generation from daidzein showed a significant linear correlation with metabolite generation from genistein, indicating metabolism by the same CYP(s). The lowest rate of metabolism of both isoflavones was by the preparation with the lowest CYP1A2 activity. Metabolite peak areas were substantially and significantly reduced by the CYP1A2 inhibitor furafylline and to a lesser extent by the CYP2E1 inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole. Recombinant CYP1A2, but not CYP2E1, generated the metabolites of daidzein and genistein and recombinant CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, expressed at sites including the breast and prostate, were also active. The effects of two CYP-derived metabolites of daidzein, 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone and 7,3',4'-trihydroxyisoflavone, were studied in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line at a concentration (50 microM) at which daidzein induces an antiproliferative response. 7,3',4'-Trihydroxyisoflavone reduced total cell numbers to a greater extent than 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone or daidzein and increased cell death. Together, these data demonstrate proof of principle that CYP-mediated metabolism of daidzein can be an activation pathway. We conclude that CYP1A2 makes the major contribution to the hepatic metabolism of both daidzein and genistein and along with metabolism at sites of hormone-dependent tumours may enhance a cancer-protective effect of daidzein if sufficiently high concentrations are reached in target tissues.

Organophosphorus chemicals: potent inhibitors of the human metabolism of steroid hormones and xenobiotics

Although it has been known for some time that organophosphate chemicals containing the P = S moiety are irreversible inhibitors of cytochrome P450, this knowledge has not been generally applied to the human metabolism of xenobiotics. Recent studies have demonstrated that organophosphate insecticides containing this moiety are potent inhibitors of the metabolism of both xenobiotics and endogenous substrates by human liver microsomes and by specific human cytochrome P450 isoforms.

Diazinon, chlorpyrifos and parathion are metabolised by multiple cytochromes P450 in human liver

This research describes both the activation and detoxification of diazinon, chlorpyrifos and parathion by recombinant P450 isozymes and by human liver microsomes that had been characterised for P450 marker activities. Wide variations in activity were found for diazinon (50 microM; 500 microM) activation to diazoxon, chlorpyrifos (100 microM) to chlorpyrifos oxon and parathion (5 microM, 20 microM and 200 microM) to paraoxon in NADPH-dependent reactions. In parallel, the dearylated metabolites pyrimidinol (IHMP), trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) and p-nitrophenol (PNP) were produced from diazinon, chlorpyrifos and parathion, respectively, with similarly wide variations in activity. There were significant correlations between diazoxon formation from diazinon (50 microM; 500 microM) with the three CYP3A4/5 marker reactions, while IHMP formation correlated significantly with the three CYP3A4/5 reactions, the CYP2C8 marker reaction (p<0.05) and the CYP2C19 marker (p<0.01). Chlorpyrifos oxon formation from chlorpyrifos did not correlate with any of the P450 markers but TCP formation correlated with one of the CYP3A4/5 reactions (p<0.01) and CYP2C8 (p<0.01), CYP2C19 (p<0.01) and CYP1A2 (p<0.01) mediated reactions. There were significant relationships between paraoxon formation from parathion (5 microM, 20 microM and 200 microM) and the CYP3A4/5, CYP2C8 and CYP1A2 mediated reactions, although only the latter two isoforms correlated significantly with the lowest parathion concentration. Recombinant CYPs 2D6, 2C19, 3A5, 3A4 were most efficient in producing diazoxon and IHMP from diazinon; CYPs 2D6, 3A5, 2B6 and 3A4 were best at producing chlorpyrifos-oxon and CYPs 2C19, 2D6, 3A5 and 3A4 at producing TCP from chlorpyrifos (100 microM). These data strongly suggest that CYPs 3A4/5, 2C8, 1A2, 2C19 and 2D6 are primarily involved in the metabolism of all three OPs, although the profile of participating isoforms was different for each of the pesticides suggesting that chemical structure influences which P450s mediate the reaction. The marked inter-individual variation in expression of the various P450 isozymes may result in sub-populations of individuals that produce higher systemic oxon levels with increased susceptibility to OP toxicity.

GSTP1 Genetic Polymorphism Is Associated with a Higher Risk of DNA Damage in Pesticide-Exposed Fruit Growers

Pesticide exposure is associated with various neoplastic diseases and congenital malformations. Animal studies also indicated that pesticides may be metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) enzymes, paraoxonases (PON1 and PON2), or glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1). However, little is known about the genotoxicity of pesticides in people with various genetic polymorphisms of human CYP3A5, PON1, PON2, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1. Thus, this study was designed to investigate whether various metabolic genotypes are more susceptible to DNA damage in pesticide-exposed fruit growers. Using the Comet assay, the extent of DNA damage was evaluated in the peripheral blood of 91 fruit growers who experienced pesticide exposure and 106 unexposed controls. Questionnaires were administered to obtain demographic data, cigarette smoking habits, medical, and occupational histories. The genotypes for CYP3A5, PON1, PON2, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes were identified by PCR. The results showed that subjects experiencing high or low pesticide exposure had a significantly greater DNA tail moment (DAN damage) than did controls. The multiple regression model also revealed that age (P < 0.01), high pesticide exposure (P < 0.01), low pesticide-exposure (P < 0.01), and CYP3A5 (P = 0.04) and GSTP1 (P = 0.02) genotypes were significantly associated with an increased DNA tail moment. Further analysis of environmental and genetic interactions revealed a significant interaction for GSTP1 genotypes to influence DNA tail moment for the high pesticide exposure group. These results suggest that individuals with susceptible metabolic GSTP1 genotypes may experience an increased risk of DNA damage elicited by pesticide exposure.

Status of antioxidant defense system and expression of toxicant responsive genes in striatum of maneb- and paraquat-induced Parkinson's disease phenotype in mouse: Mechanism of neurodegeneration

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder contributed by the combination of age, genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have clearly shown increase in the incidences of PD in the rural environments and hypothesized the involvement of pesticides such as paraquat and maneb in neurodegeneration. These studies have prompted researchers to develop paraquat and maneb models to study the effect of co-treatment of maneb and paraquat on neuronal toxicity; however, the mechanism underlying maneb and paraquat co-treatment induced neuronal toxicity has not yet been clearly understood. The involvement of cytochrome P4502E1 and glutathione S-transferases A4-4 enzymes in the detoxification of several pesticides such as atrazine, fenamirol, organophosphorous insecticide parathion, methoxychlor, diethyl dithiocarbamate and paraquat has been known. The contribution of CYP2E1 and GSTA4-4 in neuronal toxicity has also been reported. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate the mechanism of maneb- and paraquat-induced neurodegeneration by estimating the level of antioxidant defense enzymes in the striatum and measuring the differential expressions of CYP2E1 and GSTA4-4 genes. Animals were treated with and without maneb (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or paraquat (10 mg/kg, i.p.) either alone or in combination in exposure time-dependent manner. A significant increase in catalase, glutathione S-transferase and lipid peroxidation in the striatum was found following 3, 6 and 9 weeks of co-treatment as compared with individual treatment or controls. Individual treatment of maneb or paraquat did not exhibit any significant alteration in CYP2E1 and GSTA4-4 expression up to 6 weeks; however, an augmentation in CYP2E1 and GSTA4-4 expression was observed in the animals exposed to maneb or paraquat for 9 weeks. Augmentation in the expression of CYP2E1 and GSTA4-4 was more pronounced in the animals treated with maneb and paraquat in combination for nine weeks. A significant reduction in the augmented lipid peroxidation in the striatum was observed when the striatum was pre-administered with CYP2E1 inhibitors; however, glutathione pre-administration induced lipid peroxidation. Results obtained from the present investigation suggest the involvement of CYP2E1 and GSTA4-4 in the augmentation of the lipid peroxidation thereby enhancing neurodegeneration.

Role of metabolism in parathion-induced hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity

The objective of this study was to investigate whether metabolic activation of parathion by cytochrome P-450s (CYPs) was responsible for pesticide-induced hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity. Initially, to investigate parathion metabolism in vitro, the production of paraoxon and p-nitrophenol, major metabolites of parathion, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subsequently, metabolic fate and CYP enzymes involved in the metabolism of parathion were partially monitored in rat liver microsomes in the presence of the NADPH-generating system. Among others, phenobarbital (PB)-induced microsomes produced the metabolites paraoxon and p-nitrophenol to the greatest extent, indicating the involvement of CYP 2B in parathion metabolism. When female BALB/c mice were treated orally with 1, 4, or 16 mg/kg of parathion in corn oil once, parathion suppressed the antibody response to sheep red blood cells. To further investigate a possible role of metabolic activation by CYP enzymes in parathion-induced toxicity, female BALB/c mice were pretreated intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg PB for 3 d, followed by a single oral treatment with 16 mg/kg parathion. PB pretreatment produced a decrease in hepatic glutathione content and increases in hepatotoxic paramenters in parathion-treated mice with no changes in the antibody response. In addition, greater p-nitrophenol amounts were produced when mice were pretreated with PB, compared to treatment with parathion alone. These results indicate that parathion-induced hepatotoxicity might be differentiated from immunotoxicity in mice.

Methyl-parathion and organophosphorous pesticide metabolites modify the activation status and interleukin-2 secretion of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Organophosphorous (OP) compounds are the most commonly used pesticides. There are reports on susceptibility to the toxic effects of OP pesticides, but no information exists regarding the toxicity of their metabolites. To determine the metabolites' contribution to the OP pesticide immunotoxic effects, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated with the parent compound methyl-parathion (MP) and the following OP pesticide alkyl-phosphorous metabolites: diethylphosphate (DEP), diethylthiophosphate (DETP), diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP), dimethylphosphate (DMP), and dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP). Activation and function of the PBMCs were examined by assessment of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced proliferative response, interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion, and CD25 and CD69 expression. Treatments with DMP, DEP, DETP and DEDTP for 48h produced significant toxicity in human PBMCs, but did not affect their proliferative response to PHA. Only MP reduced cell proliferation by 30%. DEDTP decreased the proportion of PBMCs expressing CD25. This effect was associated with a reduction of IL-2 secretion, which was also reduced by MP and DMP treatments. In contrast, DETP and DEDTP treatments increased the expression of CD69. DMP, DETP and DEDTP were more consistently involved in modulating the PBMC response to PHA.

Malathion bioactivation in the human liver: the contribution of different cytochrome p450 isoforms

Among organophosphorothioate (OPT) pesticides, malathion is considered relatively safe for use in mammals. Its rapid degradation by carboxylesterases competes with the cytochrome P450 (P450)-catalyzed formation of malaoxon, the toxic metabolite. However, impurities in commercial formulations are potent inhibitors of carboxylesterase, allowing a dramatic increase in malaoxon formation. Malathion desulfuration has been characterized in human liver microsomes (HLMs) with a method based on acetylcholinesterase inhibition that is able to detect nanomolar levels of oxon. The active P450 isoforms have been identified by means of a multifaceted strategy, including the use of cDNA-expressed human P450s and correlation, immunoinhibition, and chemical inhibition studies in a panel of phenotyped HLMs. HLMs catalyzed malaoxon formation with a high level of variability (>200-fold). One or two components (K(mapp1) = 53-67 microM; K(mapp2) = 427-1721 microM) were evidenced, depending on the relative specific P450 content. Results from different approaches indicated that, at low malathion concentration, malaoxon formation is catalyzed by CYP1A2 and, to a lesser extent, 2B6, whereas the role of 3A4 is relevant only at high malathion levels. These results are in line with those found with chlorpyrifos, diazinon, azynphos-methyl, and parathion, characterized by the presence of an aromatic ring in the molecule. Since malathion has linear chains as substituents at the thioether sulfur, it can be hypothesized that, independently from the chemical structure, OPTs are bioactivated by the same P450s. These results also suggest that CYP1A2 and 2B6 can be considered as possible metabolic biomarkers of susceptibility to OPT-induced toxic effects at actual human exposure levels.

A simple multiplex PCR method for the concurrent detection of three CYP2C8 variants

BACKGROUND

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 is a principle enzyme responsible for the metabolism of many clinically important drugs as well as endogenous compounds such as arachidonic acid. The enzyme is genetically polymorphic but a simple method is not available to study its genetic polymorphism. We developed and optimized a variant-specific PCR techniques to detect CYP2C8*2, CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C8*4.

METHOD

Genomic DNA was extracted from blood using standard extraction methods. A two-step PCR method was developed to detect simultaneously three CYP2C8 variants. In the first PCR (PCR1), specific regions from exons 3, 5 and 8 of the CYP2C8 gene were amplified. The products were used as templates in parallel alleles-specific PCR (PCR2). This method was tested against DNA samples obtained from 57 healthy Malaysian volunteers.

RESULT

The bands of interest were successfully amplified. This method showed specific and reproducible results when tested on healthy volunteers. DNA sequencing further confirmed genotype results obtained from current method.

CONCLUSION

We have successfully developed and optimized a multiplex PCR method suitable for use in population studies of CYP2C8 polymorphism.

Further assessment of an in vitro screen that may help identify organophosphorus pesticides that are more acutely toxic to the young

Some, but not all, organophosphorus pesticides are more acutely toxic to the young as compared to adults. We have developed an in vitro assay that measures the detoxification potential (via carboxylesterase and A-esterases) of tissues. Previous results using this in vitro screen correlated with the marked in vivo sensitivity of the young to chlorpyrifos and also correlated with the equal sensitivity of the young and adult to methamidophos (Padilla et al., 2000). We have now extended these observations to two other pesticides that have already been shown in the literature to be more toxic to the young: parathion (paraoxon) and malathion (malaoxon). In our in vitro assay, liver or plasma from 7-d-old rats were much less efficacious than adult tissues at detoxification of the active metabolites of these two pesticides. Using our in vitro assay we also tested the active metabolite of diazinon, diazoxon, and again found that young liver or plasma possessed much less detoxification capability than adult tissues. From these results, we predicted that young animals would be more sensitive to diazinon, which, in fact, was the case: When postnatal day (PND) 17 or adult rats were given a dosage of 75 mg/kg diazinon, adult brain cholinesterase (ChE) was only inhibited 38%, while the brain ChE in the PND 17 animals showed much more inhibition (75%). We conclude that our in vitro screen may prove to be a useful, quick, convenient test for identifying which organophosphorus pesticides may be more acutely toxic to the young as compared to adults.

The Unique Regulation of Brain Cytochrome P450 2 (CYP2) Family Enzymes by Drugs and Genetics

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the brain may have a role in the activation or inactivation of centrally acting drugs, in the metabolism of endogenous compounds, and in the generation of damaging toxic metabolites and/or oxygen stress. CYPs are distributed unevenly among brain regions, and are found in neurons, glial cells and at the blood-brain interface. They have been observed in mitochondrial membranes, in neuronal processes and in the plasma membrane, as well as in endoplastic reticulum. Brain CYPs are inducible by many common hepatic inducers, however many compounds affect liver and brain CYP expression differently, and some CYPs which are constitutively expressed in liver are inducible in brain. CYP induction is isozyme-, brain region-, cell type- and inducer-specific. While it is unlikely that brain CYPs contribute to overall clearance of xenobiotics, their punctate, region- and cell-specific expression suggests that CNS CYPs may create micro-environments in the brain with differing drug and metabolite levels (not detected or predicted by plasma drug monitoring). Coupled with the sensitivity of CNS CYPs to induction, this may in part account for inter-individual variation in response to centrally acting drugs and neurotoxins, and may have implications for individual variation in receptor adaptation and cross-tolerance to different drugs. In addition, genetic variation in brain CYPs, depending on the type of polymorphism (structural versus regulatory), will alter enzyme activity. These aspects of brain CYP expression regulation and genetic influences are illustrated in this review using mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity data for CYP2D1/6, CYP2E1 and CYP2B1/6 in rat and human brain. The role of CYP-mediated metabolism in the brain, a highly heterogeneous and complex organ, is a new and relatively unexplored field of scientific enquiry. It holds promise for furthering our undestanding of inter-individual variability in response to centrally acting drugs as well as risk for neurological diseases and pathogies.

In vitro human phase I metabolism of xenobiotics I: pesticides and related compounds used in agriculture and public health, May 2003

This is the first revision of a database covering human phase I enzymes and their isoforms that metabolize pesticides and related compounds. The original version included enzymes that metabolize chloroacetamide and triazine herbicides, and organophosphorus insecticides. This revision also includes carbamate, nicotinoid, and pyrethroid insecticides and insect repellents.

Optimal designs for Michaelis-Menten kinetic studies

Many reactions in enzymology are governed by the Michaelis-Menten equation. Characterising these reactions requires the estimation of the parameters K(M) and V(max) which determine the Michaelis-Menten equation and this is done by observing rates of reactions at a set of substrate concentrations. The choice of substrate concentrations is investigated by determining Bayesian D-optimal designs for a model in which residuals have a normal distribution with constant variance. Designs which focus on alternative quantities, such as K(M) or the ratio V(max)/K(M) are also considered. The effect on the optimal designs of alternative error distributions is also considered.

CYP3A5 phenotype-genotype correlations in a British population

AIMS

To develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based assay to genotype for hepatic CYP3A5 expression and to use this assay to study a British population.

METHODS

CYP3A5-specific primers were designed with one including a base-pair mismatch to create a RsaI site in samples positive for G6986 (CYP3A5*3 allele) [correction]. Following PCR and RsaI digestion, different band patterns on electrophoresis were predicted for individuals positive for CYP3A5 (CYP3A5*1 allele) compared with those who do not express the gene (CYP3A5*3 homozygotes). The assay was validated by DNA sequencing. DNA samples from a human liver bank consisting of 22 livers whose CYP3A5 expression had been determined by immunoblotting and a group of random individuals (n = 100) from the North-east of England were genotyped by the new assay.

RESULTS

In the liver bank, five out of 22 samples expressed CYP3A5 at significant levels (>20 pmol mg-1 protein) and were found to have the genotype CYP3A5*1/CYP3A5*3 by the PCR-RFLP assay. All other liver DNA samples were CYP3A5*3 homozygotes. In the group of 100 random individuals, 13 had the genotype CYP3A5*1/CYP3A5*3 and all others were CYP3A5*3 homozygotes, predicting that 13% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6%, 20%) would show significant hepatic CYP3A5 expression. The frequency for the CYP3A5*1 allele was 0.065 (95% CI 0.032, 0.097).

CONCLUSIONS

We have developed a simple assay for the detection of the CYP3A5*1/CYP3A5*3 alleles and shown that in a British population their frequency is similar to that reported previously. We have also shown a good correlation between hepatic CYP3A5 expression and genotype for a British Caucasian liver bank.

Do multiple cytochrome P450 isoforms contribute to parathion metabolism in man?

Phosphorothioate compounds are widely used in agriculture and public health for the control of unwanted pests. The phosphorothioate parathion was metabolised to the toxic metabolite paraoxon (0.038-0.683 nmol/min per mg protein) and p-nitrophenol (0.023-2.10 nmol/min per mg protein) by human liver microsomes ( n=27) in an NADPH-dependent reaction. There was a significant correlation ( P<0.02) between nifedipine oxidation and paraoxon formation from parathion (200 micro M) by human liver microsomes and with cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4/5 expression ( P<0.05), although not with midazolam 1'-hydroxylation or testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. Paclitaxel 6'-hydroxylation and CYP2C8 expression correlated with paraoxon formation ( P<0.01), indicating CYP2C8 involvement. Of nine recombinant P450 isoforms, CYPs 3A4, 3A5, 1A2 and 2D6 activated parathion to paraoxon at the highest rates (6.5, 8.5, 5.7 and 6.2 pmol/pmol P450 per h) with K(m) values of 12.6, 2.7, 1.5 and 9.2 micro M, respectively. Similar K(m) values were seen with the human liver microsomes. These data indicate that CYP3A4/5 and CYP2C8, which constitute up to 40% of human liver P450s, are the most significant participants in the metabolism of parathion. However, several other isoforms could play an important role when CYP3A and CYP2C8 are poorly expressed due to environmental factors or the presence of a genetic polymorphism.

CYP-specific bioactivation of four organophosphorothioate pesticides by human liver microsomes

The bioactivation of azinphos-methyl (AZIN), chlorpyrifos (CPF), diazinon (DIA), and parathion (PAR), four widely used organophosphorothioate (OPT) pesticides has been investigated in human liver microsomes (HLM). In addition, the role of human cytochrome P450 (CYPs) in OPT desulfuration at pesticide levels representative of human exposure have been defined by means of correlation and immunoinhibition studies. CYP-mediated oxon formation from the four OPTs is efficiently catalyzed by HLM, although showing a high variability (>40-fold) among samples. Two distinct phases were involved in the desulfuration of AZIN, DIA, and PAR, characterized by different affinity constants (K(mapp1) = 0.13-9 microM and K(mapp2) = 5- 269 microM). Within the range of CPF concentrations tested, only the high-affinity component was evidenced (K(mapp1) = 0.27-0.94 microM). Oxon formation in phenotyped individual HLM showed a significant correlation with CYP1A2-, 3A4-, and 2B6-related activities, at different levels depending on the OPT concentration. Anti-human CYP1A2, 2B6, and 3A4 antibodies significantly inhibited oxon formation, showing the same OPT concentration dependence. Our data indicated that CYP1A2 is mainly involved in OPT desulfuration at low pesticide concentrations, while the role of CYP3A4 is more significant to the low-affinity component of OPT bioactivation. The contribution of CYP2B6 to total hepatic oxon formation was relevant in a wide range of pesticide concentrations, being a very efficient catalyst of both the high- and low-affinity phase. These results suggest CYP1A2 and 2B6 as possible metabolic biomarkers of susceptibility to OPT toxic effect at the actual human exposure levels.

Human Parathion Poisoning

The mortality rate of suicidal parathion poisoning is particularly high, the onset of fulminant cholinergic signs, and the patients frequently present to the emergency physician with life-threatening symptoms. Despite this uniformity, subsequent clinical course differs significantly among patients, mostly not as a result of different delays in treatment or insufficiency of primary care. Probably, the differences depend on the amount of poison absorbed and/or the disposition of the active poison, paraoxon. We followed the toxicokinetics of parathion and tried to quantify the actual poison load. To this end, we monitored parathion-intoxicated patients (patients requiring artificial ventilation) for plasma levels of parathion and paraoxon along with the activity of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and its reactivatability. Plasma obidoxime concentrations were followed as well as the cumulative urinary para-nitrophenol conjugate excretion as a measure of total poison load. All patients received a standard obidoxime scheme of a 250 mg bolus dose intravenously, followed by continuous infusion with 750 mg per 24 hours as long as reactivation could be expected (usually 1 week). All other treatment was instituted as judged by the physician. It was recommended to use atropine at low doses to achieve dry mucous membranes, no bronchoconstriction and no bradycardia. Usually 1-2 mg/h were sufficient. Seven selected cases are presented exemplifying toxicokinetic peculiarities. All patients were severely intoxicated, while the amount of parathion absorbed varied widely (between 0.12 and 4.4 g; lethal dose 0.02-0.1 g) and was generally much lower than anticipated from the reports of relatives. It remains open whether the discrepancies between reports and findings were due to exaggeration or to effective decontamination (including spontaneous vomiting, gastric lavage and activated charcoal). Absorption of parathion from the gastrointestinal tract was sometimes retarded, up to 5 days, resulting in fluctuating plasma profiles. The volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss) of parathion was around 20 L/kg. Post-mortem analysis in one patient revealed a 66-fold higher parathion concentration in fat tissue compared with plasma, 16 days after ingestion. Biotransformation of parathion varied widely and was severely retarded in one patient receiving fluconazole during worsening of renal function, while phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) sedation (two cases) had apparently no effect. The proportion of plasma parathion to paraoxon varied from 0.3-30, pointing also to varying paraoxon elimination, as illustrated by one case with particularly low paraoxonase-1 activity. Obidoxime was effective at paraoxon concentrations below 0.5 microM, provided aging was not too advanced. This concentration correlated poorly with the paration concentration or the poison load. The data are discussed in light of the pertinent literature.

Variables influencing the toxic response to organophosphates in humans

Concerns and doubts associated with the predictable health effects in humans following exposure to xenobiotics is primarily due to the failure to consider the variables influencing the toxic response in each instance. Lack of correlation between laboratory data, animal experiments and clinical findings in man associated with exposure to organophosphates (OPs) is an example. We have reviewed the literature to identify the variables that need to be considered following exposure to OPs. These include factors related to the OP (physico-chemical properties, solvents, impurities), duration and routes of exposure, and factors related to the individual(s) exposed. Individual variables include variations in metabolic, sequestration and excretory processes and health status (age, gender, environmental factors, concurrent medications, cholinergic status). The assessment of ill-health following exposure is critical to the development and compliance with guidelines and to the adoption of the best instrumentation. We have suggested a schematic assessment that needs to be applied for each exposure associated with organophosphates and provided the reasons for the development of this format. Exposure to xenobiotics through the environment, occupation or following therapy is an unavoidable aspect of modern life. Application of the principles discussed to each xenobiotic exposure is necessary to provide accurate and adequate information to advance the prevention or minimising toxicity.

CYP2C8 polymorphisms in Caucasians and their relationship with paclitaxel 6alpha-hydroxylase activity in human liver microsomes

Published cDNA sequences suggest the existence of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 CYP2C8. To determine whether these polymorphisms could be confirmed in a Caucasian population and to investigate whether additional polymorphisms occur in the coding and upstream regions of this gene, we screened for previously described and for novel polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP and SSCP analysis. We confirmed the existence of two of the previously detected polymorphisms which give rise to the amino acid substitutions I264M and K399R, respectively, but failed to detect three others in our population. We also confirmed that a recently identified polymorphism (R139K) is linked to K399R (CYP2C8*3) in our study population. The allele frequencies for the I264M (CYP2C8*4 allele) and the CYP2C8*3 allele were 0.075 and 0.15, respectively. Three novel polymorphisms (T-370G, C-271A and T1196C/L390S) were also detected with the upstream polymorphisms showing allele frequencies of 0.061 and 0.196, respectively, but the L390S polymorphism detected only in a single subject. An additional single subject was heterozygous for a polymorphism recently described in African-Americans (A805T; CYP2C8*2 allele). The functional significance of the two upstream polymorphisms and the CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C8*4 alleles was investigated in human liver microsomes. Samples heterozygous for CYP2C8*3 showed significantly lower paclitaxel 6alpha-hydroxylase activity compared with wild-type samples. Median activity associated with CYP2C8*4 also appeared lower than the wild-type but the difference was not significant. There was no evidence that either upstream polymorphism gave rise to altered CYP2C8 expression.

Kinetic parameters of OPT pesticide desulfuration by c-DNA expressed human CYPs

The role of different cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYPs) in the desulfuration of four organophosphorothionate pesticides (OPTs), namely diazinon (DIA), azinphos-methyl (AZ), chlorpyrifos (CPF) and parathion (PARA), at OPT levels representative of actual human exposure has been investigated. For this purpose c-DNA expressed human CYPs and a method, based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, able to detect nM levels of oxon have been used. Our results indicate that the four tested OPTs at low concentration were mainly desulfurated by CYP2B6, 2C19 and 1A2, showing K(m) values in the range 0.8-5 μM and the highest efficiency (intrinsic clearance (ICL)) values. CYP3A4 was generally endowed with high K(m) and resulted linear up to 25-100 μM OPT, concentrations saturating the most efficient CYPs. The tentative extrapolation of the relative contribution of single CYPs, taking into account the average content of different isoforms in the human liver, indicate that CYP1A2 is the major responsible for oxon formation. Indeed this CYP catalyses the 50-90% of desulfuration reaction, depending on the OPT. As CYP3A4 activity is not completely saturated up to 100 μM OPT, and due to the high hepatic content, its contribution to oxon formation may result relevant in poisoning episodes, when individuals are exposed at high doses of OPTs.

In vitro human phase I metabolism of xenobiotics I: pesticides and related chemicals used in agriculture and public health, September 2001

Human phase I enzymes and their isoforms that metabolize pesticides are listed in a database that will be updated periodically. This initial version includes enzymes and isoforms that metabolize organophosphorus insecticides, chloroacetamide herbicides and triazine herbicides.

Genetic polymorphisms in assessing interindividual variability in delivered dose

Increasing sophistication in methods used to account for human variability in susceptibility to toxicants has been one of the success stories in the continuing evolution of risk assessment science. Genetic polymorphisms have been suggested as an important contributor to overall human variability. Recently, data on polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes have been integrated with physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling as an approach to determining the resulting overall variability. We present an analysis of the potential contribution of polymorphisms in enzymes modulating the disposition of four diverse compounds: methylene chloride, warfarin, parathion, and dichloroacetic acid. Through these case studies, we identify key uncertainties likely to be encountered in the use of polymorphism data and highlight potential simplifying assumptions that might be required to test the hypothesis that genetic factors are a substantive source of human variability in susceptibility to environmental toxicants. These uncertainties include (1) the relative contribution of multiple enzyme systems, (2) the extent of induction/inhibition through coexposure, (3) allelic frequencies of major ethnic groups, (4) the absence of chemical-specific data on the kinetic parameters for the different allelic forms of key enzymes, (5) large numbers of low-frequency alleles, and (6) uncertainty regarding differences between in vitro and in vivo kinetic data. Our effort sets the stage for the acquisition of critical data and further integration of polymorphism data with PBPK modeling as a means to quantitate population variability.