Correlation between changes in enzymatic activities and induction of different forms of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 after phenobarbital-, 3-methylcholanthrene- and 16 alpha-cyanopregnenolone treatment

Cytochrome P4501A induction and DNA adduct formation in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus), fed with environmentally contaminated gull eggs

This study indicates that complex mixtures of pollutants found in the Arctic marine environment have genotoxic effects in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus). DNA adducts were quantified, by the (32)P-postlabeling technique, in liver samples from gulls fed with hen eggs (controls) and from gulls fed with environmentally contaminated gull eggs (exposed). All birds were grown and fed under laboratory conditions. Hepatic homologues to mammalian cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) proteins were also determined by Western blotting. DNA adducts were detected in all but one liver sample, but the exposed birds had a significantly increased level of DNA adducts relative to that of the controls. There was no clear significant correlation between the DNA adduct level and the level of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in blood. The level of CYP1A protein was significantly higher in the liver of exposed male gulls than in the liver of control males and positively correlated, with significance, to the level of OC compounds measured in blood. There was no significant correlation between the level of DNA adducts and the CYP1A protein content.

Liver, lung and kidney homogenates used as an activation system in mutagenicity studies of airborne particles and of expectorate and urine samples from exposed workers in a coke plant

A comparison was made between lung and kidney homogenates on the one hand and liver S9 from rats on the other hand in order to compare their ability to activate promutagens. The Salmonella reversion assay was used on extracts of airborne particles from the top of coke oven batteries, and of expectorate and urine samples from exposed workers in the same coke plant. The contents of benzo[a]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene in the different test solutions were measured by high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Both mutagens were detected in the filter extract and in the expectorates from the exposed workers but not in the expectorates from the control groups or in the urine samples. The liver S9 gave significantly higher mutagenicity than lung and kidney activation with both filter samples and expectorate and urine samples.

Mutagen excretion and cytochrome P-450-dependent activity in germfree and conventional rats fed a diet containing fried meat

To evaluate a possible role of the intestinal microflora in the metabolism of the highly mutagenic compounds formed in fried meat, conventional and germfree male AGUS rats were fed a semi-synthetic diet containing fried meat. Changes in mutagen excretion in urine and faeces over time were studied using the Ames Salmonella assay. The faecal and urinary extracts were separated by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the mutagenicity of the collected fractions was determined. Cytochrome P-450 IA (IA1 and/or IA2) were detected by the use of antibodies with the Western blot technique, and the corresponding enzyme activities were measured in microsomes from the small intestine and the liver. A quantitative as well as qualitative difference in excretion of mutagens between germfree and conventional rats was observed. The total excreted of mutagenicity was significantly higher for the conventional than for the germfree rats, as a result of a higher faecal excretion of mutagens in the conventional animals. The HPLC separations of urinary and faecal extracts showed a different mutagenic metabolite pattern between the germfree and conventional rats. An increased activity of the cytochrome P-450-dependent enzyme ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase was observed in the small intestine of conventional rats on the fried meat diet, whereas no effect of this diet was observed in the germfree rats. Similar results were obtained in immunoblotting experiments using a P-450 IA antiserum. The present study indicates that the excretion pattern and thus also the metabolism of compounds present in fried meat are affected by the germfree status.

Effects of ingested crude oil on thyroid hormones and on the mixed function oxidase system in ducks

1. Ingestion of Statfjord A crude oil from the North Sea has no apparent effect on the metabolic rate of ducks (Jenssen, 1989). This may be because this particular oil does not affect plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones and enzyme activities in the mixed function oxidase (MFO) system of ducks. 2. To test this hypothesis, plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine), and levels of hepatic cytochrome P-450 and enzyme activities (NADPH cytochrome C reductase and GSH-S-transferase) in the MFO system were measured in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) which had ingested this crude oil. 3. Daily oral of 5 ml crude oil per kg body weight for 6 consecutive days resulted in a 53% increase in plasma triiodothyronine concentration and a 56% increase in the hepatic cytochrome P-450 level. The changes in these parameters were apparently not sufficient to cause any rise in metabolic heat production. 4. This apparent contradiction is probably because activation of the MFO-system is energetically inexpensive. Also, possible metabolic effects caused by increased plasma-triiodothyronine concentration and activation of the MFO-system may have been masked by an inhibitory effect of the crude oil on mitochondrial electrontransport and coupled phosphorylation.

Modification of cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities by schistosomicidal drugs

This study was planned to investigate the modification of the mouse microsomal monooxygenase enzymes using various schistosomicidal drugs. Enzymes investigated were cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH). Administration of oxamniquine and niridazole increased, whereas praziquantel and hycanthone lowered the cytochrome P-450 content. An apparent increase in the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was only observed with oxamniquine. The in vivo and in vitro effects of schistosomicidal drugs on the activity of AHH were investigated using benzo(a)pyrene (BP) as substrate. Oxamniquine and niridazole significantly increased the AHH activity in vivo and in vitro, while the antimonial drugs enhanced the enzyme activity only in vivo. On the other hand, praziquantel and hycanthone lowered the AHH activity only in vivo. Metrifonate did not show any effect either in vivo or in vitro. The mechanisms by which these drugs modify the AHH activity are discussed in the text.

Induction of intestinal microsomal enzymes by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

1. The efficacy of induction of intestinal microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), 7-ethoxyresorufin o-deethylase and cytochrome P-450 by various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were studied. 2. The greatest induction of the specific MFO activities tested was produced by 2,3,7,8-tetra-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) with 3-methyl-cholanthrene (MC) a close second. 3. Rank order of efficacy of induction of spectrally determined cytochrome P-450 was 2,3,7,8-tetra-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), Arochlor 1254 (ARO), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and benz(a)anthracene(BA). 4. No unique protein peaks were found when the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of MC treated intestinal microsomes were prepared.

The effects of propiconazole on hepatic xenobiotic biotransformation in the rat

Propiconazole, a foliar fungicide used for agricultural purposes was studied for its effects on the hepatic xenobiotic biotransformation in the rat. Rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 mg/kg in corn oil for seven consecutive days. Induction was seen for cytochrome P-450, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase, aldrin epoxidase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and microsomal expoxide hydrolase activities. Aniline p-hydroxylase and cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activities were unchanged. All responses occurred at only 100 mg/kg, except for that of aminopyrine N-demethylase which also occurred at the 10 mg/kg dose. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed increased staining of a protein band of molecular weight 54,000 corresponding to cytochrome P-450b and/or P-450d. Collectively these results suggest that cytochromes P-450b and P-450d have been induced after exposure of rats to propiconazole.

Induction of xenobiotic biotransformation by the insecticide chlordimeform, a metabolite 4-chloro-o-toluidine and a structurally related chemical o-toluidine

Chlordimeform, 4-chloro-o-toluidine and o-toluidine have all been found to have carcinogenic properties. Due to an empirical link between such properties and alteration of some biotransformation enzymes, the abilities of these three chemicals to affect cytochrome P-450 mediated biotransformation, epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase have been examined. Chlordimeform had no effect on the cytochrome P-450 content, aniline p-hydroxylase or glutathione S-transferase activities, but induced ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase and epoxide hydrolase activities and decreased aldrin epoxidase and aminopyrine N-demethylase activities. The metabolite 4-chloro-o-toluidine increased cytochrome P-450, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase, glutathione S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase activities. o-Toluidine induced cytochrome P-450, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase, and aldrin epoxidase activities. Ethoxy-resorufin-O-deethylase activity was induced approximately eight times by chlordimeform and 18 times by 4-chloro-o-toluidine and o-toluidine. Induction was seen at 50 mg/kg with chlordimeform and at 10 mg/kg with the other treatments. Chlordimeform increased the 7 alpha and 16 alpha androstenedione hydroxylase pathways. 4-Chloro-o-toluidine increased the 7 alpha, 16 beta and 16 alpha hydroxylase pathways, while o-toluidine increased the 7 alpha, 6 beta, 16 beta and 16 alpha hydroxylase pathways. All three chemicals marginally decreased the testosterone pathways. SDS-PAGE of rat microsomes revealed an increase in a protein band of MW c54,000 for the chlordimeform and 4-chloro-o-toluidine treated groups. Taken together with the increase in ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity these observations are consistent with the induction of hepatic isozyme P-450d. Thus each chemical has been shown to induce various pathways of biotransformation with increases in the P-450c and P-450d specific substrate ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase being a consistent finding.

Influence of fried meat and fiber on cytochrome P-450 mediated activity and excretion of mutagens in rats

Fried meat was included in the diet of Sprague-Dawley rats during one week. Ingested and excreted amounts of mutagenic activity were determined daily by the use of the Ames' Salmonella/mammalian microsome test on extracts of the diet, urine and feces. In addition, the effect of the fried meat on ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity in the small intestine and in the liver was measured. The results were compared to those from a control group of rats receiving boiled instead of fried meat as their source of protein. The diet containing boiled meat was not mutagenic and none of the samples from the control group, neither urine nor feces, contained any mutagenicity. The activity of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase in the small intestine was increased by fried meat whereas this enzyme activity in the liver was unaffected. O-deethylation of ethoxyresorufin is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 dependent enzyme(s) and induction of the enzyme activity might indicate an increased metabolic activation of premutagens and precarcinogens in the intestine. It is not yet known whether the mutagens excreted by the animals receiving the fried meat diet represent unmetabolized dietary mutagens or are formed as a result of metabolic activation of compounds in fried food. Dietary fibers i.e. wheat bran, pectin, cellulose or ViSiblin were included in the above-described diets and were shown to lower the mutagenic activity in urine and feces of the rats. Pectin significantly increased the hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and decreased the 16 alpha-hydroxylation of 4-androstene-3,17-dione.

Phthalate esters: effects of orally administered dibutylphthalate on cytochrome P-450 mediated metabolism in rat liver and lung

Dibutylphthalate (DBP) was administered to male Sprague Dawley rats in oral doses of 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 mmol/kg for five days. The lower dose was considered relevant to human intake. Additional groups were given a recovery period of four weeks without DBP. DBP significantly increased the liver microsomal concentration of cytochrome P-450 (48%) at the lowest dose and NADPH-cytochrome-c-reductase activity (28-29%), at the two lower doses. The liver microsomal metabolism of n-hexane increased to about the same extent at all dosage levels. The main increase was found in the formation of the preneurotoxic metabolite 2-hexanol. The induction of cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome-c-reductase in liver microsomes did not return to normal after the period of recovery, whereas the metabolism of n-hexane normalized during the same period of time, indicating that the majority of the induced forms of cytochrome P-450 were not related to n-hexane metabolism. No major changes were observed in the liver microsomal metabolism of B(a)P. The only effect found in cytochrome P-450 related metabolism in lung microsomes was a decrease of the B(a)P metabolism, especially in the formation of the 9,10- and 4,5-diol metabolites at lower dosage levels. It is suggested that DBP and its hydrolyzed products formed in the intestine after oral administration exert the same effect on some specific forms of cytochrome P-450 in liver and lung. It is concluded that DBP is a moderate to weak inducer of several minor forms of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 enzymes in doses which may be relevant to human oral intake.

Neonatal exposure to toluene: effects on the development of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and serum hormone levels in the rat

Lactating Sprague-Dawley rats and their pups were exposed on postnatal days 1-7, 6 h/day, to 80, 500 and 1000 ppm toluene, respectively, by inhalation. Exposure to 80 ppm toluene decreased the liver microsomal AHH activity and the rate of 7 alpha- and 6 beta-hydroxylation of androstenedione in 8-day-old-pups. On the other hand, neonatal exposure to 500 or 1000 ppm toluene resulted in a significant increase in AHH and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities and in the formation of 16-oxygenated metabolites of androstenedione in 8-day-old animals. Exposure to toluene increased the cytochrome P-450 content at all 3 dose levels in male but not in female pups. Twenty-one days after neonatal exposure no such effects were seen in young animals of either sex. In 56-day-old male rats, however, neonatal exposure to 80 ppm toluene resulted in a decreased rate of 6 beta-hydroxylation of androstenedione and a reduced AHH activity. No such effects were seen in female rats of the same age. Neonatal exposure to toluene affected the body and liver weights in 8-day-old pups of both sexes but had no effect on these parameters in 21-day-old animals of either sex. Exposure to 80 ppm toluene during the neonatal period gave a significantly increased body weight of 56-day-old male but not of female rats of the same age although this treatment increased liver weight in both sexes at this age. Serum testosterone levels were decreased in 21-day-old male rats following neonatal exposure to 80 or 500 ppm toluene and in 56-day-old male rats exposed neonatally to 1000 ppm toluene. In conclusion, exposure to toluene during the first week of life caused significant changes in various liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 dependent enzyme activities in 8-day-old pups, whereas the long-term effects on liver metabolism of the adult animal were small.

Resolution of multiple P-450 forms: separation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase-associated P-450 isoenzymes by chromatofocusing

Chromatofocusing between pH 7.4 and 5.0 was introduced as a final step for the resolution of multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 from control, phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene-pretreated rat liver microsomal fractions. Altogether, chromatofocusing produced 21 P-450-containing pools, which differed from each other with respect to substrate specificity, spectral maximum and elution pH. Aryl hydrocarbon (benzo(a)pyrene) hydroxylase (AHH) activity was concentrated into low pI pools in all animal groups. 7-Ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activity comigrated with AHH activity throughout the purification procedure. Aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND) activity was spread into several pools with forms of both low and high pI proteins.

Kinetics of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in immature and mature rats and effect on testis

The testicular response of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), as well as the kinetics of DEHP and its primary metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), were studied in immature and mature rats. After 14 daily oral doses of 1.0 g DEHP/kg body weight to 25, 40 and 60-day-old rats, testicular damage was observed in the youngest age group only. DEHP was not found to any significant extent in the peripheral plasma after an oral dose of 1.0 g DEHP/kg body weight. High plasma levels of MEHP were found, with maximal plasma concentrations ranging from 48 to 152 micrograms/ml. The in vitro plasma protein binding of MEHP was extensive, approximately 98%, in all age groups and no age-related difference in the elimination half-life was observed. The amount of DEHP-derived material excreted in urine was twice as high in 25 as in 60-day-old rats. The mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve of MEHP was also significantly larger in 25 than in 40 and 60-day-old rats. These observations suggest that the extent of absorption, and hence total exposure to MEHP and its metabolites, is higher in young than in more mature rats after oral administration of DEHP. It seems probable that this finding is relevant to the age-related difference in the toxic effects on the testis.

Phthalate esters. II. Effects of inhaled dibutylphthalate on cytochrome P-450 mediated metabolism in rat liver and lung

Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to dibutylphthalate (DBP) by inhalation with concentrations of 0.5, 2.5, and 7.0 ppm in the air for 5 days. The concentrations were considered relevant to human exposure. No quantitative changes were observed in liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 related enzymes, but significant increase was observed in the liver microsomal metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene and n-hexane, in the 2.5 ppm and 0.5 ppm groups, respectively. Inhaled DBP decreased in a dose-dependent way the lung microsomal concentration of cytochrome P-450 by as much as 63%, which was reflected in a significant reduction of the microsomal metabolism of n-hexane and benzo(a)pyrene in the 7.0 ppm group. It is concluded that DBP in doses relevant to human air exposure influences the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system in both liver and lung, with lung as the main target organ. The observed effects in lung microsomes were similar to those earlier reported after IP administration of high doses of DBP.

In vivo and in vitro effects of caffeine on hepatic mixed-function oxidases in rodents and chicks

Administration of caffeine, ip 100 mg/kg/day for 1-5 days, to adult male rats resulted in a significant increase in hepatic cytochrome P-450 and b5 concentrations and in cytochrome c reductase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and acetanilide hydroxylase activities. No change was seen in relative liver weight but microsomal protein content was increased after treatment for 1 day and decreased after treatment for 3 or 5 days. In adult rats given 25, 100 or 150 mg caffeine/kg for 3 days, maximum stimulation of mixed-function oxidases was seen with the 100-mg/kg dose. Caffeine treatment (100 mg/kg for 3 days) increased relative liver weight in female guinea-pigs and decreased it in chicks and female mice, and decreased microsomal protein content in male mice, female guinea-pigs and young rats, and increased it in chicks. A significant increase in hepatic cytochrome P-450 content was seen in all species studied. Cytochrome b5 content was increased in chicks and young rats, while cytochrome c reductase activity was increased in male and female mice, young rats and chicks and decreased in female guinea-pigs. Aminopyrine N-demethylase activity was increased in young rats and female guinea-pigs, and acetanilide hydroxylase was increased in all test species except male mice. In vitro addition of 2.5 mM-caffeine to microsomal incubations from untreated rats, guinea-pigs, mice and chicks inhibited aminopyrine N-demethylase activity, although only to a significant extent in male mice; addition of caffeine to incubations containing microsomes from caffeine-treated animals produced significant inhibition of aminopyrine N-demethylase activity in microsomes from adult and young rats and female guinea-pigs. Aminopyrine N-demethylase inhibition did not increase with increasing concentration of added caffeine, although acetanilide hydroxylase activity was progressively inhibited in the microsomal incubates from both control and caffeine-treated animals.

Comparison of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital between pre- and postnatal rats

Effects of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and phenobarbital (PB) on the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme system in fetal liver of rats were investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of 3MC (25 mg/kg, 72 and 48 hr before death) to pregnant rats significantly increased hexobarbital (HB) and aminopyrine (AM)-metabolizing activities in fetuses on the 21st day of gestation to 148.0 and 150.6% of control fetuses, respectively. In contrast, HB and AM-metabolizing activities in 4-day-old neonates and mothers were decreased by administration of 3MC on the 21st day of gestation. Benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-metabolizing activity, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, and cytochrome P-450 content in 3MC-treated fetuses were significantly increased to 2143.6, 137.6, and 323.8% of the control, respectively. Following 3MC administration, the maximum absorption of the cytochrome P-450-CO difference spectra in liver microsomes of fetuses was observed at 449-450 nm. The induction profile following 3MC administration in the fetal livers was different from that in the neonatal and the maternal livers. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of PB (60 mg/kg, 72, 48, and 24 hr before death) significantly increased HB, AM, and BP-metabolizing activities in fetal livers to 263.7, 231.0, and 151.2% of the respective controls. The profile induced by PB in the fetal livers was similar to that in maternal livers. These results suggest that HB and AM-metabolizing enzymes in fetal livers treated with 3MC or PB possess the capacity to be induced, and the responsiveness of the drug-metabolizing enzyme system to 3MC during the prenatal stage may differ from the postnatal stage.

Changes in the activities of microsomal enzymes involved in hepatic steroid metabolism in the rat after administration of androgenic, estrogenic, progestational, anabolic and catatoxic steroids

Several steroids (5 beta-dihydrotestosterone, 19-nortestosterone, methyltrienolone, norethisterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, cyproterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate and 16 alpha-cyanopregnenolone) were tested for their ability to influence the activities of three sexually differentiated hepatic microsomal enzymes (3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5 alpha-reductase) in male and female gonadectomized and intact female rats. Of the steroids tested only 5 beta-dihydrotestosterone was completely ineffective. The other tested steroids elicited varying degrees of "masculinization" with a distinct gradation of effect according to the enzyme activity measured and animal model used. 5 alpha-Reductase was the most sensitive enzyme activity and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase the least. Male castrates responded better than female castrates, and these in turn better than intact females. The mechanism of action of three of the steroids (methyltrienolone, medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone) was examined. Both flutamide and estradiol were able to block the action of methyltrienolone and medroxyprogesterone acetate, but not that of norethisterone. It is concluded that methyltrienolone and medroxyprogesterone acetate probably masculinize the enzyme activities by the same mechanisms as androgens, whereas the repression of 5 alpha-reductase activity elicited by norethisterone administration involves a different route.

Increased microsomal metabolism of n-hexane in rat kidney and liver after inhalation of isopropanol

Inhalation of 200, 2,000, and 8,000 ppm isopropanol for 2 weeks enhanced the in vitro metabolism of n-hexane in microsomal preparations. The formation of the preneurotoxic metabolite 2-hexanol increased 9, 80, and 198%, respectively, in the kidney and 9, 22, and 132% in the liver. The concentration of cytochrome P-450 was also increased in a dose-dependent way with increases of 14, 40, and 43%, respectively, in the kidney and 6, 12, and 18% in the liver. The present investigation demonstrates similar effects of isopropanol after inhalation on kidney and liver microsomal enzymes. In both organs isopropanol was shown to potentiate the formation of neurotoxic metabolites from n-hexane. However, cytochrome P-450 appears to be more easily induced in kidney than in liver.

Effects of xylene exposure on the metabolism of antipyrine in vitro and in vivo in the rat

Exposure of male rats to different concentrations of xylene for 3 days induced, in a dose-dependent way, the in vitro liver microsomal metabolism of antipyrine. The degree of induction was statistically significant at an exposure level of 250 ppm and maximal (2.5-fold increase) at 2000 ppm. This increase was of the same magnitude as after phenobarbital treatment. Female rats had a lower basal antipyrine metabolism than males, but exhibited a greater relative increase in antipyrine metabolism following xylene exposure. Cytochrome P-450 isozymes, purified from xylene- and phenobarbital-treated animals, were efficient catalysts of antipyrine metabolism, with turnover numbers of 33.3 and 21.1, respectively. A reduction in the half-life of antipyrine to 39% of preexposure values occurred after exposure of male rats to 1000 ppm of xylene for 3 days. Exposure to lower xylene levels did not produce significant alterations in antipyrine elimination half-life. In vitro, xylene was shown to be a non-competitive metabolic inhibitor of antipyrine. Experiments in vivo indicated that inhibition is not important at relatively low xylene exposure levels. It is concluded that induction of hepatic monooxygenases by xylene can be demonstrated, with antipyrine as a test drug, both in vitro and in vivo.

Induction of cytochrome P-450 in the rat liver after exposure to xylenes, dose-response relationship and dependence on endocrine factors

Male rats were exposed to different concentrations of xylenes for 3 days. Small but statistically significant increases in cytochrome P-450 content, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity and O-deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin in liver microsomes were detected already at an exposure level of 75 ppm. Morphological studies of livers from rats exposed to relatively high concentrations of xylenes for 5 days showed marked proliferation of smooth ER with little changes of the rough ER. No pathological alterations were observed. Castration of male rats influenced the response to xylene exposure only to a minor extent. Hypophysectomy alone was shown to cause significant increases in cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5 content and epoxide hydrolase activity. Induction of cytochrome P-450 dependent enzymatic activities after exposure to xylenes was reduced but qualitatively similar to that obtained with normal male rats whereas the induction of epoxide hydrolase activity was prevented. The difference in response to exposure to xylenes between male and female rats was mainly quantitative in nature. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of liver microsomes from animals exposed to xylenes in the presence of SDS showed increases in protein bands comigrating with cytochrome P-450 PB-B2 and epoxide hydrolase purified from phenobarbital treated rats. It is concluded that in the rat exposure to xylenes mimics the effects of phenobarbital treatment as judged by both biochemical and morphological criteria and that the pituitary seems to have a regulatory function with regard to the induction of several drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Modulation of functional activities in cultured rat hepatocytes

Rat hepatocytes isolated by enzymatic dissociation of the liver must attach in order to survive for more than a few hours. In conventional culture conditions, they rapidly lose their highly differentiated functions, e.g. adult isozymic forms, enzyme response to specific hormones and cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities. Incompletely differentiated cells such as perinatal and regenerating hepatocytes, can transiently exhibit a more differentiated state. Therefore, regulation of hepatic functions, particularly enzyme activities cannot be studied for more than a few days. Hepatocyte survival rate and maintenance of specific functions are dependent on nutrient composition of the medium as well as the substrate. Complex matrices, particularly that derived from the connective liver biomatrix, appear to have an important favorable effect. However, regardless of culture conditions specific functions cannot be quantitatively maintained for more than several days. Recent observations strongly suggest that such a problem may be overcome by mimicking in vivo specific cell-cell interactions. Thus when co-cultured with a liver epithelial cell line, probably derived from biliary ductular cells, adult hepatocytes remain able to synthesize high levels of albumin and to conjugate drugs. In these conditions, the cells secrete an abundant heterogeneous extracellular material. The co-cultures can be maintained in a serum-free medium and specific liver functions can be altered experimentally. Such a model could be appropriate for studying long-term induction and modulation of liver enzyme activities under defined experimental conditions.

Dose dependent induction of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and microsomal enzymatic activities after inhalation of toluene and dichloromethane

Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed, by inhalation, to toluene and dichloromethane (500, 1,500 or 3,000 p.p.m.) and to benzene (1,500 p.p.m.) for three days. Toluene and benzene increased the concentration of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450. A dose dependent increase in the in vitro liver microsomal formation of several metabolites of biphenyl and benzo(a)pyrene was observed for both dichloromethane and toluene. At the highest dose-level the increase in the vitro formation of benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol was more than three-fold for both dichloromethane and toluene whereas the formation of benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-dihydrodiol increased more than five-fold following exposure to toluene but less than two-fold after exposure to dichloromethane. Our results suggest that dichloromethane and toluene can modify the metabolism and thereby the toxicity of other environmental contaminants.

Differential effects of aging on hepatic microsomal monooxygenase induction by phenobarbital and beta-naphthoflavone

The influence of aging on hepatic microsomal monooxygenase induction by phenobarbital (PB) or beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) was investigated in male Fischer 344 rats maintained in a constant environment. PB-induced increases in microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity were similar in rats aged 3-5 months (young-adult) and 24-25 months (old), but increased in benzephetamine N-demethylase activity were markedly diminished in the old rats. Separation of hepatic microsomal proteins by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis demonstrated that aging decreased the induction by PB of a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 52,500. BNF-induced increases in microsomal cytochrome P-450 and nitroanisole O-demethylase activity were greater in old than in young-adult rats, and BNF induction of 55,000 and 57,000 molecular weight microsomal polypeptides was increased slightly in livers from old rats. The results indicate that age-related effects on monooxygenase induction vary with different inducers of the hepatic microsomal enzyme system.

Phthalate esters I: Effects on cytochrome P-450 mediated metabolism in rat liver and lung, serum enzymatic activities and serum protein levels

Dimethylphthalate (DMP), dibutylphthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) were given i.p. (3.8 mM/kg) to Sprague Dawley rats for 5 days. DBP increased significantly the liver concentration of cytochrome P-450, but decreased the lung concentration by about 40%. DBP decreased the lung concentration of cytochrome b5 and NADPH-cytochrome-c-reductase activity by about 30%. Only minor effects were seen after treatment with DMP and DEHP. The direction of B(a)P metabolism was changed and the formation of 2- and 3-hexanol metabolites were increased in liver microsomes after DBP treatment. All phthalate esters decreased the lung metabolism of B(a)P. The cytochrome P-450 enzyme system in the lung was ten times more effective than that in the liver as far as metabolism of n-hexane was concerned. Only minor effects were observed in serum enzyme activities, but a significant decrease in the serum level of albumin was observed after treatment with DBP. No relationship was found between the carbon chain length of the investigated chemicals and effects on microsomal enzymatic activities.

Measurement of the metabolism of cytochrome P-450 in cultured hepatocytes by a quantitative and specific immunochemical method

We have defined conditions that permit quantitative and specific measurement of the metabolism of the major phenobarbital-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 protein in primary non-proliferating monolayer cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Isolated antibodies specifically directed against phenobarbital cytochrome P-450 are used to immunoprecipitate the cytochrome from lysates of cultured hepatocytes pulse-labelled with [(3)H]leucine. Phenobarbital cytochrome P-450 protein is then isolated from the immunoprecipitate by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gradient slab gels. Specificity of the assay for phenobarbital cytochrome P-450 was established by competition experiments involving other forms of purified cytochrome P-450 as well as by testing antibodies directed against these other forms of the cytochrome. Using purified phenobarbital cytochrome P-450, radiolabelled in both its haem and apoprotein portions, as an internal standard, we demonstrated that, with this immunoassay, recovery of cytochrome P-450 from microsomal samples is nearly complete. Basal rates of synthesis of phenobarbital cytochrome P-450 representing as little as 0.02-0.05% of total cellular protein synthesis were reliably and reproducibly detected in hepatocyte culture maintained in serum-free medium for 72h. Moreover, inclusion of phenobarbital in the culture medium for 96h stimulated not only synthesis de novo of phenobarbital cytochrome P-450 protein, but also accumulation of spectrally and catalytically active cytochrome P-450. Advantages of this immunoassay are that metabolism (synthesis or degradation) of the haem or protein of this important form of the cytochrome can be measured conveniently in the small samples available from cultured cells without the necessity of preparing subcellular fractions.

Interindividual variation in benzo(a)pyrene metabolism and composition of isoenzymes of cytochrome P-450 as revealed by SDS-gel electrophoresis of human liver microsomal fractions

Human liver microsomal fractions from 13 different individuals were characterized with respect to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic profiles and regiospecificity in the metabolism of the polyaromatic hydrocarbon benzo(a)pyrene. Pronounced interindividual differences in the composition of microsomal proteins in the molecular weight region of Mr=49,000-60,000 were found. Furthermore, gel electrophoresis combined with staining for peroxidase activity indicated most of the variations among the profiles of microsomal proteins being attributed to interindividual differences in the composition of isoenzymes of cytochrome P-450. One type of human liver microsomal fraction was selectively induced in specimens obtained from patients with known regular drug intake before death and correlated well in molecular weight to the phenobarbital-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 in the rabbit. Large variations among the human liver microsomal samples were also seen in the benzo(a)pyrene metabolism. The results indicate the presence of 7-8 different froms of cytochrome P-450 in human liver microsomes and that the interindividual variations seen in drug metabolism may at least in part be explained by interindividual variations in the distribution of these isoenzymes.

Effects of xylene and xylene isomers on cytochrome P-450 and in vitro enzymatic activities in rat liver, kidney and lung

Rats were exposed for 3 days by inhalation to 2000 ppm of a xylene mixture, or the individual constituents, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene and ethylbenzene. All solvents increased hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentrations and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, although p-xylene did not increase the cytochrome P-450 content as much as the other compounds, showing the importance of the substitution pattern. Increases were observed in the in vitro O-deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin and in the hydroxylation of n-hexane and benzo[a]pyrene. The metabolite profiles obtained with these substrates and the results of gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicate that the induction is of the phenobarbital type. In kidney microsomes an increased concentration of cytochrome P-450 was obtained following exposure to a xylene mixture or to o- or m-xylene. The O-deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin was increased by exposure to all solvents. In lung microsomes xylene and xylene isomers but not ethylbenzene caused a decrease in cytochrome P-450 content and a reduction in n-hexane hydroxylation. However, the O-deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin was not affected. In general the effect of the xylene mixture reflected the content of the dominating component m-xylene. The ability of xylene and xylene isomers to modify the metabolism of other potentially toxic substances in liver, kidney and lung microsomes suggests the possibility of synergistic toxic responses.

Effects of chlorinated paraffins on rat liver microsomal activities and morphology. Importance of the length and the degree of chlorination of the carbon chain

Short term effects of chlorinated paraffins with different length of the carbon chain and different degree of chlorination were investigated with respect to rat liver cytochrome P-450 mediated metabolism and liver cell morphology. When paraffins were administered by i.p. injection liver weights increased inversely with the length of the carbon chain. The short carbon chain paraffins with a high degree of chlorination increased the concentration of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450, inhibited the metabolism of 7-ethoxyresorufin but increased the metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene, especially the formation of the 4,5-diol metabolite. Short carbon chain paraffins gave rise to a proliferation of the smooth ER, increased the number of cytoplasmic fat droplets as well as the number and size of mitochondria and peroxisomes and finally induced the occurrence of autophagosomes and lysosomes. The fat droplets were preferentially degraded in lysosomes. In all respects the long carbon chain paraffins were less biologically active.

Regio-selectivity of purified forms of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 in the metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene, n-hexane and 7-ethoxyresorufin

The specificity of electrophoretically homogeneous preparations of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450LM2-4 towards oxygenation of n-hexane, 7-ethoxyresorufin and benzo(a)pyrene was examined using a reconstituted system consisting of cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and dilauroylphosphatidylcholine. Epoxide hydrase was included when benzo(a)pyrene was used as substrate. Cytochrome P-450LM2 was most active in n-hexane and benzo(a)pyrene oxygenation especially with regard to the formation of 2-hexanol, B(a)P-4,5-dihydrodiol and B(a)P-phenol metabolites. 7-Ethoxyresorufin was, however, a very poor substrate for cytochrome P-450LM2. Cytochrome P-450LM3 had less activity towards the investigated substrates while cytochrome P-450LM4 preferentially formed 2- and 3-hexanol, resorufin and B(a)P-9,10-dihydrodiol. Cytochrome P-450LM4 isolated after pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital showed roughly the same characteristics except in the formation of 1-hexanol where cytochrome P-450LM4 isolated after phenobarbital treatment was the most effective. The formation of B(a)P-4,5- and -9,10-dihydrodiols was greatly increased by incorporation of epoxide hydrase. Our results indicate a certain specificity of the different forms of cytochrome P-450 in the liver microsomes although some overlap in activities was observed.

Effects of polychlorinated terphenyls and paraffins on rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and in vitro metabolic activities

The polychlorinated terphenyl Aroclor 5460 and the polychlorinated paraffins Witaclor 171 P and Witaclor 149 increased to different degrees the total microsomal concentration of cytochrome P-450 in the rat liver after intraperitoneal injection of 0.3, 1.0, and 1.0 g . kg-1 body weight, respectively, each day for four days. The multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 were affected differently with an induction of RLvMc P-450(50) and RLvMc P-450(54) by all chemicals, and an additional induction of RLvMc P-450(55) by the polychlorinated terphenyl. The rat liver weights were extensively increased after treatment with the polychlorinated paraffins. Alterations were found in the in vitro metabolism of biphenyl, benzo(a)pyrene and the steroid hormones, 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, after exposure to all chemicals. Changes in the in vitro formation of benzo(a)pyrene metabolites were found to correlate with changes in the multiple forms of cytochrome P-450. The present study demonstrate that only limited information can be obtained from alterations in the total concentration of cytochrome P-450 and show the importance of studying changes in the multiple forms and the metabolism of different substrates. Our results further indicate that exposure to any of the investigated polychlorinated chemicals may alter the biological effects of other environmental contaminants, drugs and endogenous substances which are metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system.

Effects of acrylonitrile on rat liver cytochrome P-450, benzo(a)pyrene metabolism and serum hormone levels

Intraperitoneal injections of acrylonitrile (AN), 33 mg/kg, into male rats daily for 3 consecutive days resulted in a 20% decrease in the liver microsomal content of cytochrome P-450. The in vitro formation of 9-hydroxy and 9,10-dihydrodiol metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene in liver microsomes was inhibited. Serum corticosterone levels were markedly decreased (30% of th values for control animals) demonstrating a disturbed pituitary-adrenal axis. A central effect of AN is supported by the finding that prolactin concentrations fell by approximately 60% in exposed animals. AN also induced a doubling FSH levels, whereas LH concentrations were the same as in the control animals. These results suggest an impaired spermatogenesis in the exposed animals.